In the Witness this week

Coretta Scott King leaves behind a ‘more compassionate nation’
Published February 9, 2006

ATLANTA (BP)—Coretta Scott King was “a remarkable and courageous woman, and a great civil rights leader ... [who] carried on the legacy of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” President Bush said after news of her death Jan. 31.

Witnessing tools go ‘Over the Top’
Conference gives strategies for children’s evangelism
Published February 9, 2006

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)–Florida Baptists are taking the Southern Baptist Convention “Everyone Can” challenge to new heights through a one-day event focused on reaching children for Christ and equipping them to share the Gospel.

Photo by Eva Wolever

Jerry Vines, pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, spoke with reporters Jan. 29 just prior to stepping into the pulpit to preach his final Sunday morning service before his retirement. He will preach Feb. 7 at his annual Pastors' Conference in Jacksonville.

Vines preaches last JAX Sunday sermon
Published February 9, 2006

JACKSONVILLE (FBW) — In the first day of a season of lasts, Jerry Vines, pastor of the historic First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, prepared Jan. 29 to step into his Sunday morning pulpit one last time.

Marriage amendment fails to qualify for ‘06
Published February 9, 2006

TALLAHASSEE (FBW) – A nearly year-long effort to allow Florida citizens to vote on a state constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage failed to gain the necessary 611,000 valid petitions, leaders of the Florida Coalition to Protect Marriage announced Feb. 1.

Opinion

Editorial

A new goal: ‘155,000 petitions in 155 days’
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor

There are plenty of understandable reasons why the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment did not receive enough valid petitions to appear on the 2006 ballot – a significantly higher number of petitions were needed than ever before, a much earlier deadline for the petitions to qualify, and another distractingly busy hurricane season.

Point of View

Explore how the Cooperative Program works
JOHN SULLIVAN
executive director-treasurer
Florida Baptist Convention

I am continuing a series of articles on how the Florida Baptist State Convention functions. This week we will look at how the Cooperative Program works.

Wilkins: ‘Why I won’t see Brokeback Mountain’
TIM WILKINS
Cross Ministries, Inc.

With eight Oscar nominations, more than any other movie this year, Brokeback Mountain continues to gain momentum. And with the momentum comes increasing interest by evangelicals to see it.

BREAKPOINT: Shifting the blame: Junk science strikes again
CHARLES COLSON
Breakpoint

Sometimes you have to wonder just who is funding scientific studies these days. There has to be some explanation for all the research on bizarre subjects.

Cartoon

Cartoon
JOE McKEEVER

Florida

Florida News

Witnessing tools go ‘Over the Top’
Conference gives strategies for children’s evangelism

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)–Florida Baptists are taking the Southern Baptist Convention “Everyone Can” challenge to new heights through a one-day event focused on reaching children for Christ and equipping them to share the Gospel.

Vines preaches last JAX Sunday sermon

JACKSONVILLE (FBW) — In the first day of a season of lasts, Jerry Vines, pastor of the historic First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, prepared Jan. 29 to step into his Sunday morning pulpit one last time.

Florida woman takes part in disaster relief panel

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WMU)–Nations of the world were represented by nearly 30 missionaries during the international dinner that kicked off WMU’s board meeting Jan. 14–17 at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega, Ala.

Florida Marriage Amendment

Marriage amendment fails to qualify for ‘06

TALLAHASSEE (FBW) – A nearly year-long effort to allow Florida citizens to vote on a state constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage failed to gain the necessary 611,000 valid petitions, leaders of the Florida Coalition to Protect Marriage announced Feb. 1.

Florida News Briefs

Retreat centers on relationship building

“Present Future” author leads conference

National

National News

Coretta Scott King leaves behind a ‘more compassionate nation’

ATLANTA (BP)—Coretta Scott King was “a remarkable and courageous woman, and a great civil rights leader ... [who] carried on the legacy of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” President Bush said after news of her death Jan. 31.

Senate confirmation of Alito ignites conservative hopes

WASHINGTON (BP)–The U.S. Senate confirmed Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court Jan. 31, making him the 110th justice to serve on the country’s top judicial panel and providing hope the court might be moving toward more restraint in its decision making.

National News Briefs

Google’s Chinese website criticized for censorship

’05 Ministers Tax Guide released

ACLJ sues Walgreens in pharmacists’ firings

Features

Sports News

Dungy: ‘Pain allows us to head back to our Father’
New York Jets running back Curtis Martin recipient of Bart Starr Award

DETROIT (BP) – An emotional Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, in his first speaking engagement since his son’s funeral, headlined the 19th annual Athletes in Action Super Bowl breakfast Saturday morning at the Super Bowl XL headquarters hotel in Detroit.

Super Bowl XL provides platform for sharing faith
Reggie White ‘emboldened’ athletes and NFL players to talk about their faith, Brown says

DETROIT (BP)–From a faith-proclaiming media day at Ford Field in downtown Detroit to a rocking gospel concert at the historic Masonic Temple and a sold-out Athletes in Action breakfast at the NFL headquarters hotel, Super Bowl XL has seen a clear witness for Jesus Christ in the Motor City.

Racial Reconciliation

Christians called to ‘affirm the worth of all creation’

The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines racial tension as “unrest and division among people caused by differing racial origins” and reconciliation as “‘change’ or ‘exchange’. The idea of a change of relationship, an exchange of antagonism for goodwill, and enmity for friendship. Attitudes are transformed and hostility ceases.”

Public Service Commissioner serves state with pastor’s heart

GRETNA (FBW)–When Baptist pastor Matthew M. Carter II was appointed to the Florida Public Service Commission, he was told by Governor Jeb Bush that the Commission should operate with a “profound sense of ethics.” As Carter was sworn in Jan. 5, he promised to do his job with a spirit of ethics, energy and ecology, and with a commitment to follow the Golden Rule.

‘Standing on the shoulders of slaves’

Matthew Carter II said in his swearing-in ceremony, “I was born in south Georgia in 1952. Some would say that this was not a particularly great time to be born Black and in the South. I say that I am here today standing on the shoulders of slaves.”

Media Montage

Author’s transparency helps women see God’s love

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–”Buckle up!” author and speaker Angela Thomas laughed as she described the joyous journey of a lifetime that awaits anyone willing to take it.

At NOBTS main campus, 200 seminarians back in class

NEW ORLEANS (BP)–Calling it a great day of triumph and victory, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley welcomed students back to the main campus Jan. 23.

Churches earn ministry funds through steeples
Church steeples house cell phone towers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LWCR)–Churches across the country have discovered a new way to raise funds for ministry and missions by utilizing an often-overlooked building asset – the church steeple.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

February 19: Dealing With Doubt
Jeremiah 20:1-13

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

February 26: Doing My Part
Jeremiah 32:6-9, 27-30, 37-41

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

February 19: Send the Light
Romans 15:14-33

Troy Bush is the minister of evangelism and missions at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola.

February 26: Relate Appropriately
Romans 16:1-27

Troy Bush is the minister of evangelism and missions at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola.