In the Witness this week

Baptists respond to massacre
Published April 19, 2007

BLACKSBURG, Va. (BP)?Thirty-three people were killed and at least 15 wounded in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history April 16 at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Va. Southern Baptists began mobilizing during the day to help the community cope with the tragedy.

'20/20' segment one-sided says SBC president
Published April 19, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)?Much is being done and more can be done to protect children from sexual predators within Southern Baptist churches, but an ABC News "20/20" segment on the issue April 13 amounted to "yellow journalism," SBC President Frank Page says.

National Day of Prayer May 3
Published April 19, 2007

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. (NDP)?As American troops wage the War on Terror, fighting for democracy and liberty around the globe, citizens of the United States are preparing to celebrate their freedom to gather, worship and pray. Millions will answer the call to prayer on May 3 in observance of the 56th annual National Day of Prayer (NDP). Organized events will be held in thousands of public venues where intercession will be made for our nation, government leaders, media, schools, churches, and families.

Gambling bills clear House panel
JONI B. HANNIGAN
Managing Editor
Published April 19, 2007

TALLAHASSEE (FBW)?Pro-family interests were handed a mixed bag last week as members of the Florida Legislature considered card room legislation, video lotteries, stem cell research and a tightening of parental notification laws.

Disney to allow same-sex vows
Published April 19, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)?Walt Disney Parks & Resorts announced April 6 it now will allow homosexual couples to exchange vows in its public wedding spots that previously were reserved for people with valid marriage licenses.

Opinion

Point of View

Ten great Christian biographies
R. ALBERT MOHLER JR.
www.AlbertMohler.com

We read biographies because worthy portraits of our fellow human beings help us to make sense of the world. We are especially fascinated by the lives of those who have made a difference in the world?whose mark remains visible even now. The lives of the famous and the infamous make for compelling reading.

Why churches cannot remain silent about gambling
Tim Overton
Special to Florida Baptist Witness

A new cultural phenomenon is bursting out of Texas. Unlike many influences from my native Lone Star State, this phenomenon is not admirable. The new fad does not display the Texan knack for fighting against oppression, which was exemplified by the state's war for independence. Nor is this cultural burst similar to the valiant example of self-sacrifice shown at the Alamo. Rather, the latest cultural addition to come out of Texas is greed: a gambling card game called Texas Hold'em.

Guarding against sexual abuse in the church
FRANK PAGE
Baptist Press

A short while ago, I was interviewed by ABC's "20/20" news for an April 13 program titled, "Preacher Predators." At the request of several, I agreed to this invitation so as to provide some kind of balance to a program which may well be overwhelmingly negative.

Hoop dreams: The blessing of serving others

Over the past few weeks, Americans were often thrilled and sometimes even moved by the NCAA basketball championship, known as "March Madness." I also watched some thrilling and moving basketball in March. While the guys I watched will never play in the NBA, they are even more special.

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor
Published April 19, 2007

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

New church plant celebrates Passion

New church lifts up neighbors entrenched in poverty

GAINESVILLE (FBC)?A few miles east of the distinguished brick buildings that form the celebrated University of Florida, an unassuming white house in a neglected neighborhood has become home to a ministry intent upon winning to Christ the university town of Gainesville.

Florida bi-vocational pastor takes his life

BAKER (FBW)?A Florida pastor shot and killed himself April 3 after being charged with sexual abuse of an 11-year-old girl. The allegations of abuse were being investigated by police in Brewton, Ala., where the man resided.

Miami association starts six churches

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)-According to a report released by the Florida Baptist Convention's Church Planting Department, Florida Baptists started 17 new churches in March. The following is a listing of new churches by association:

Legislature Watch

Gambling bills clear House panel

TALLAHASSEE (FBW)?Pro-family interests were handed a mixed bag last week as members of the Florida Legislature considered card room legislation, video lotteries, stem cell research and a tightening of parental notification laws.

Florida News Briefs

Join a mission team in the Amazon basin

Simple Church seminar set

Orlando hosts New Church Staff Orientation in May

National

National News

Baptists respond to massacre

BLACKSBURG, Va. (BP)?Thirty-three people were killed and at least 15 wounded in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history April 16 at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Va. Southern Baptists began mobilizing during the day to help the community cope with the tragedy.

'20/20' segment one-sided says SBC president

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)?Much is being done and more can be done to protect children from sexual predators within Southern Baptist churches, but an ABC News "20/20" segment on the issue April 13 amounted to "yellow journalism," SBC President Frank Page says.

National Day of Prayer May 3

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. (NDP)?As American troops wage the War on Terror, fighting for democracy and liberty around the globe, citizens of the United States are preparing to celebrate their freedom to gather, worship and pray. Millions will answer the call to prayer on May 3 in observance of the 56th annual National Day of Prayer (NDP). Organized events will be held in thousands of public venues where intercession will be made for our nation, government leaders, media, schools, churches, and families.

Disney to allow same-sex vows

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)?Walt Disney Parks & Resorts announced April 6 it now will allow homosexual couples to exchange vows in its public wedding spots that previously were reserved for people with valid marriage licenses.

Repentance, restoration goal of discipline

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)?Increasing numbers of Southern Baptists are claiming that church discipline is not merely a relic of the past.

Gambling, embezzling and church discipline

FRANKFORT, Ky. (BP)?John Fluharty says church discipline saved his life.

Baptist history communicates church discipline

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)?Prior to the last century, Baptists "practiced church discipline on a large scale" and regarded the practice as a normal part of church life, according to church history professor Greg Wills.

Missouri's Clippard dismissed as executive director

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (BP)?Upon the recommendation of an ad hoc investigative committee, the Missouri Baptist Convention's executive board voted April 10 to terminate MBC Executive Director David Clippard.

Resolutions Committee named for '07 SBC

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (BP)?SBC President Frank Page has named the members of the Resolutions Committee who will serve during the June 12-13 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

Land clarifies immigration reform stance

WASHINGTON (BP)?Ethics leader Richard Land has issued a first-person commentary to clarify where Southern Baptists, and he, stand on immigration reform in response to news media reports he said "have unfortunately sown some confusion."

Evangelism

Marlins' pitcher reminisces on mound

JUPITER (BP)?He's warming up in the bullpen, and he gets the call from the manager. It's time to pitch.

Masters winner Johnson responded to Gospel at FBC Orlando

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)?Zach Johnson, the man who rose from obscurity to wear golf's prestigious Green Jacket as winner of the Masters, accepted Christ at First Baptist Church in Orlando and is characterized by the man who led him to the Lord as a "man after God's own heart."

Prayer with pancakes leads to changed lives during BeachReach

PANAMA CITY BEACH (LCR)?Another Spring Break season has passed and thanks to LifeWay's BeachReach ministry, some students who went to the beach expecting an unholy party returned home as new followers of Christ.

Features

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

April 29: Steadfast Faithfulness
John 15:18-16:4

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

May 6: Honor God
Philippians 2:1-8; 4:2-9

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

Explore the Bible

April 29: Leading the People of God
1 Peter 5:1-4

Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

May 6: Christian Growth Requires Effort
2 Peter 1:1-11

Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.