In the Witness this week

IMB photo by Bill Bangham

Idlewild children’s choirs sing an anthem, “Tell the World,” and represent the nations of the globe by wearing traditional ethnic costumes during an International Mission Board missionary appointment service March 22 at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz. Forty-five new missionaries were appointed at the service.

Former U. S. Marine among 45 new missionaries
Published March 30, 2006

TAMPA (BP)–Forty-five “ordinary” Southern Baptists answered the call of their extraordinary God, signified during an International Mission Board appointment service March 22 at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz.

Photo courtesy of First Baptist Church, Orlando

New senior pastor, David Uth (r), washes the feet of retiring pastor Jim Henry March 26 during a special celebration service at First Baptist Church in Orlando.

Henry ends 28-year tenure at FBC Orlando
Published March 30, 2006

ORLANDO (FBW) – “If I had a thousand lives, I’d be a pastor,” Jim Henry said in a wide-ranging hour and half long interview March 21 with Florida Baptist Witness reflecting on nearly a half century of pastoral ministry and at the conclusion of more than 28 years as pastor of First Baptist Church of Orlando.

NAMB task force responds to allegations
Published March 30, 2006

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)–Robert E. (Bob) Reccord, president of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board, will work under several sets of “Executive Level controls” signaled by NAMB’s trustees during a special meeting March 23.

Legislators convene their own prayer breakfast
Published March 30, 2006

TALLAHASSEE (FBW) – In the wake of the cancellation of the annual Florida Leadership Prayer Breakfast, which was abandoned this year because legislators would be in violation of a new lobbying law since the annual event was in part underwritten by lobbyists, legislators who are part of a weekly prayer group decided to hold their own prayer breakfast.

Opinion

Point of View

The Cooperative Program and the Kingdom of God

If you are a Southern Baptist, what do you need to know about the Cooperative Program? Is it merely a way to support the denomination, or is it a relevant, viable process that makes a difference in people’s lives beginning where you live and extending around the world?

BREAKPOINT: Outlawing conscience: Why we need a conscience clause
CHARLES COLSON
Breakpoint

Heather Williams spent five years working as a pharmacist at a Target store in St. Louis. During that time, Target accommodated Williams’s desire not to take part in dispensing the morning-after pill – the drug that causes the abortion of an embryonic human being. But then Planned Parenthood threatened to boycott the Target chain over Williams’s employment – so Target fired her.

Worshipping God with our theologically informed minds
PETER BECK
Baptist Press

Webster’s dictionary defines “theology” as “the study of the religious faith, practice and experience.” Generally speaking, theology is God (theo) talk (logy). We are doing theology when we talk about God.

Former Florida campus minister extols virtue of EvangeCube witnessing tool
MARK LYDECKER
Baptist Press

A few years ago our campus ministry at the University of South Florida was asked to host an EvangeCube Seminar for church leaders and to encourage our students to attend.

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor
Published March 30, 2006

Letters to the Editor may not reflect the views or opinions of the Witness. Letters may be mailed, faxed or submitted using our online form. Only letters marked clearly for publication, signed with address will be considered for use. Letters are subject to editing. Please limit letters to 250 words.

Florida

Florida News

Former U. S. Marine among 45 new missionaries

TAMPA (BP)–Forty-five “ordinary” Southern Baptists answered the call of their extraordinary God, signified during an International Mission Board appointment service March 22 at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz.

Henry ends 28-year tenure at FBC Orlando

ORLANDO (FBW) – “If I had a thousand lives, I’d be a pastor,” Jim Henry said in a wide-ranging hour and half long interview March 21 with Florida Baptist Witness reflecting on nearly a half century of pastoral ministry and at the conclusion of more than 28 years as pastor of First Baptist Church of Orlando.

Church members, leaders reflect on Henry’s ministry

ORLANDO (FBW) – The following are reflections by member of First Baptist Church, various SBC leaders and two political leaders on the life and ministry of Jim Henry, who retires March 31 as senior pastor.

Filipino-American church in Miami celebrates 15 years
Photo Essay

March 17 First Filipino-American Baptist Church in Miami Shores celebrated its 15th anniversary. The first such church in South Florida, it is the third in the life of Florida Baptists according to church administrator, Marion Faldas. Faldas reported the church grew with 17 new members and six baptisms in 2005. They have increased their giving to the Cooperative Program by 50 percent this year and have increased their annual budget by 50 percent. “Our current financial situation will now make it possible to pay off this property,” Faldas reported in giving a brief history of the church.

Don’t make Christ’s death commonplace, Conner warns

GRACEVILLE (BCF)–First Baptist Church of Panama City Pastor Craig Conner presented the annual Evangelism Conference at The Baptist College (BCF) of Florida’s Graceville campus March 6 – 8.

Florida author explores world religions, offers Christians guidelines in witnessing to followers of other religions

GRAND RIDGE (FBW)–Bringing The Light into the Darkness of World Religions, published in 2005, was authored by Florida retired pastor William Hoopell. Subtitled “God’s Great Commission,” the work outlines the origins and beliefs of 12 major world religions.

Legislature Watch

Legislators convene their own prayer breakfast

TALLAHASSEE (FBW) – In the wake of the cancellation of the annual Florida Leadership Prayer Breakfast, which was abandoned this year because legislators would be in violation of a new lobbying law since the annual event was in part underwritten by lobbyists, legislators who are part of a weekly prayer group decided to hold their own prayer breakfast.

Florida Focus

Florida Focus

A one-time announcement of special events is a free service provided by the Witness to Florida Baptist churches. Please send materials at least three weeks before the date of the event, to Florida Baptist Witness, 1230 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207, fax 904-346-0696 or submitted using our online form. Items received after deadline may appear in our exclusive on-line version.

National

National News

Poll finds promoting abortion won’t help political candidates

WASHINGTON (BP) — It does not appear promoting abortion rights will help candidates in the 2006 and 2008 elections, according to a massive public opinion survey.

Welch, at ‘Everyone Can’ midpoint, is ‘extraordinarily’ encouraged

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)-The push for Southern Baptist churches to baptize one million people in a year will reach the halfway point at the end of March.

BCM student returns $30,000 in disaster clean up

NEW ORLEANS (BP)–After ripping sheetrock from a moldy closet, Trista Wright was removing the debris when a flash of green caught her eye.

LifeWay helps ‘Extreme Makeover’ with house for pastor’s widow
Chapel pews stocked for missionary-minded woman

DEWEY, Okla. (BP)–On March 12, America was introduced to the White family, courtesy of ABC’s hit show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and a brand new house. And LifeWay Christian Resources was there behind the scenes to help make it happen.

Missions News

NAMB task force responds to allegations

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)–Robert E. (Bob) Reccord, president of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board, will work under several sets of “Executive Level controls” signaled by NAMB’s trustees during a special meeting March 23.

NAMB examines conflict of interest, state relationships

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)–A 19-page report by a task force of North American Mission Board trustees, while addressing allegations raised in an article by the Georgia Baptist state paper, notes:

NAMB trustee report assesses issues critical of SBC entity

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)–Evangelism and church planting will be at the forefront of the North American Mission Board’s work, a trustee task force has underscored in a 19-page report.

NAMB president, trustee officer, encourage employees

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)–During a meeting with North American Mission Board employees March 24, NAMB president Robert E. (Bob) Reccord expressed appreciation for their “support, cooperation and prayers during some very, very tough days.”

New IMB trustee policy calls for increased accountability for members
Action to unseat Oklahoma trustee rescinded

TAMPA (FBW)–Forecasting a need for increased responsibility in a world where e-mail combines with the blogosphere to deliver information rapidly, International Mission Board Trustee Chairman Thomas E. Hatley said March 22 a new policy governing trustee activities is a “very healthy guideline” — especially in light of a recent controversy surrounding an attempt by trustees to remove Oklahoma trustee Wade Burleson from the board.

IMB president: ‘God has been taking me to the woodshed’

TAMPA (FBW)–Speaking of guarding his heart in a time of controversy, International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin said he recognizes his responsibility to be in submission to those who are in authority over him—and not just out of a sense of duty or obligation, but with all respect.

Features

Military News

Chaplain sends fallen soldiers home with prayers

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (BP)–As a bitterly cold wind whips through Iraq’s late-night hours, the harsh reality of war again hits Greg Long. He clutches his Bible as an Army honor guard, in solemn silence, carries a metal casket up the ramp and onto the plane to begin its journey back to the United States.

SBC president cites examples of ‘seriously soldiering’

From the main gate entrance into Camp Lejune Marine base for literally miles in both directions the chain-link fences are draped, plastered and covered with personalized, homemade heart-wrenching signs exclaiming “WELCOME HOME!”

Annie Armstrong Offering

Modern disciple Andrew labors over harvest in California
Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

ARCADIA, Calif. (NAMB)–Born in Hong Kong, Andrew Chan looks and feels at home as he strolls down the busy streets of Chinatown Los Angeles. And much like his namesake, Andrew – one of Jesus’ original 12 disciples – Chan glances around for someone to invite to church and win to Christ.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

April 2: You Need to Remember
Luke 22:14-20, 24-27, 31-34

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

April 9: You Have A Motive
Luke 23:32-47

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

Explore the Bible

April 2: Do You Live According to God’s Truth?
Isaiah 24:1–31:9

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

April 9: Do You Take Your Burdens to the Lord?
Isaiah 32:1–39:8

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