In the Witness this week

2005 ACP: Florida Baptists experience decline
Published April 27, 2006

JACKSONVILLE (FBC) – With 270 churches not reporting, recently compiled statistics for the Florida Baptist Convention show a slight decrease in total and resident church membership in 2005. Declines also were reported in the number of churches and church-type missions.

Jacksonville soldier bolstered by prayers, Kool-Aid
Published April 27, 2006

JACKSONVILLE (FBW) – While PFC Christopher Wooten was defending a main supply route in central Iraq, his church in Jacksonville was praying for him. Several times during his 13-month deployment he prayed personally by phone with the ministerial staff of Fruit Cove Baptist Church.

Did Constantine ‘promote’ Jesus?
Published April 27, 2006

GRACEVILLE (FBW)–The identity of Jesus is the crucial issue in the relationship between the Christian faith and the 21st century religious world. Jesus serves as an important figure in several non-Christian religious movements. Jesus, for example, is an important person in the writing of the Quran and the Muslim religion. The New Age religious movement affirms that as people develop Christ-consciousness the Age of Aquarius dawns. The Jesus Seminar advocates demoting Jesus from divine status to human status.

Opinion

Point of View

U.S Senate prepares to vote on marriage
PENNA DEXTER
Baptist Press

A pre-Easter column in The Washington Post quotes an announcement from First Lady Laura Bush’s office: “Mrs. Bush wants to make sure all families are welcome to attend the Easter Egg Roll.” The event, complete with petting zoos, staff members dressed as bunnies, and 14,200 Easter eggs, is sometimes marked by a brief visit from the president and a story read by the first lady.

God working in Buffalo Gap, other rural places
JOHN AVANT
Baptist Press

God knows where Buffalo Gap is. You probably don’t, and neither did I until a few weeks ago, but God most certainly does.

BREAKPOINT: Another bloody April in Africa: Let’s make a difference
CHARLES COLSON
Breakpoint

Twelve years ago this April, a Pandora’s Box of unspeakable evil was opened in the country of Rwanda.

The real gap in evolution is between the evolutionists’ ears
DON WALTON
Time for Truth Ministries

Isn’t it amazing what today’s scientists can deduce from a mere rock or dust particle? Do you remember the Genesis space capsule? Scientists assured us that this important space mission, designed to gather solar atoms, would eventually enable them to explain the origin of the universe. Unfortunately, the space capsule crashed upon its return to the earth. Its parachute malfunctioned due to the fact that it had been put in backwards. Now I don’t know about you, but as far as I’m concerned, scientists who can’t figure out which way to put in a parachute have no chance of figuring out the origin of the universe.

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor
Published April 27, 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.

Cartoon

Cartoon
JOE McKEEVER

Florida

Florida News

2005 ACP: Florida Baptists experience decline

JACKSONVILLE (FBC) – With 270 churches not reporting, recently compiled statistics for the Florida Baptist Convention show a slight decrease in total and resident church membership in 2005. Declines also were reported in the number of churches and church-type missions.

Jacksonville soldier bolstered by prayers, Kool-Aid

JACKSONVILLE (FBW) – While PFC Christopher Wooten was defending a main supply route in central Iraq, his church in Jacksonville was praying for him. Several times during his 13-month deployment he prayed personally by phone with the ministerial staff of Fruit Cove Baptist Church.

Ten Florida leaders sign statement affirming Reccord

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Ten Florida Baptist pastors and leaders were joined by 31 others who signed a statement which has been distributed affirming the integrity and achievements of Bob Reccord, former president of the North American Mission Board.

Carlos Ferrer named NAMB’s interim leader

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)—As far as the North American Mission Board goes, Carlos Ferrer has journeyed full circle.

Six new churches

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)–According to a report released by the Florida Baptist Convention’s Church Planting Department, Florida Baptists started six new churches in March, 2006.

Convention opens first satellite office in Hialeah

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)–The establishment of the first satellite office outside of Jacksonville signals a new, historic approach in the way the Florida Baptist Convention will collaborate with churches to reach their communities for Christ.

Montana partnership keeps senior involved in missions

CLERMONT (FBW)–Pavement is scarce and gravel streets crisscross the remote town of Lame Deer, Montana. Teens huddle at a gas station in search of excitement or escape. A stray dog rounds the corner of a store where three wrinkled men slouch on a bench.

Florida News Briefs

Sunday school conferences target regions

Disaster relief training sessions offered regionally through June

Conference to guide churches in change

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

Adult stem cell surgery may have teen walking again

WAVERLY, Ill. (BP)–Jacki Rabon was riding with some friends in the back of an SUV in August 2003 when she was thrown out of the vehicle as it veered off the road. She skidded a few feet and landed near a ditch, and her life was suddenly changed.

Walk across America will end in Pensacola
Evangelist Ted Stone driven by substance abuse ministry

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Ted Stone, who completed his third walk across America in 2000, will attempt his fourth crossing in June.

IMB president speaks candidly on a variety of issues
Part I: Rankin on new baptism and prayer language actions, leadership

MARIANNA (FBW)–A week after the trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board met in Tampa and hammered out how they would handle disagreement in the future, IMB president, Jerry Rankin, told Florida Baptist Witness the board’s actions were “healthy,” though the mission entity cannot be distracted by “controversies, perceptions and conjecture.”

Seminary News

SBTS trustees approve study centers for law, the arts

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)–Trustees at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary unanimously approved the creation of two new theological study centers – the Center for Theology and the Arts and the Center for Theology and Law – during the board’s annual spring meeting April 11.

SWBTS trustees fill nine positions; expand program in San Antonio

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)–Trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary elected seven faculty members, including two new deans, during their semiannual meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, April 4.

Midwestern trustees approve Ph.D. program

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP)–Amid a record-breaking semester in student headcount, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s trustees met March 27-28.

Evangelism

Brazilians see Christ in chicken factory evangelism

MARIETTA, Ga. (BP)–They exalted the Savior, equipped the saints and evangelized the sinner. Then they watched as 1,200 to 1,500 Brazilians prayed to receive Christ as their Savior.

Evangelist presents Gospel during concert tour

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Tony Nolan is an evangelist who has a unique partnership with Casting Crowns.

Students gain first-hand view of Ecuadorian culture, mission

QUITO, Ecuador (BP)–The beat of percussion instruments fashioned from pig’s hooves accompanied the strumming of a guitar and singing in three different languages.

Features

Media Montage

Did Constantine ‘promote’ Jesus?

GRACEVILLE (FBW)–The identity of Jesus is the crucial issue in the relationship between the Christian faith and the 21st century religious world. Jesus serves as an important figure in several non-Christian religious movements. Jesus, for example, is an important person in the writing of the Quran and the Muslim religion. The New Age religious movement affirms that as people develop Christ-consciousness the Age of Aquarius dawns. The Jesus Seminar advocates demoting Jesus from divine status to human status.

Book refutes spiritual relativism in The Da Vinci Code

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LWCR)–It’s only fiction.

Obituary

Retired State G.A., Mission Friends director dies

R.L. Polk, Avon Park pastor, dies

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

April 30: You Have the Power
Acts 2:1-4, 22-24, 32-33, 36-41

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

May 7: Ruth: Gracious Caring
Ruth 1:15-17; 2:2-7, 10-12; 4:13-17

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

Explore the Bible

April 30: Worship No Other
Isaiah 44:1–48:22

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

May 7: Recognize God’s Ways
Isaiah 49:1–53:12

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