In the Witness this week
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Record number of graduates at Baptist College of Florida
Published May 31, 2007 GRACEVILLE (FBW) - One of the largest graduating classes in its 65 year history walked across the stage at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville May 11.
Courtesy photo
Mark Bricker (right), pastor of education at McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers, baptizes Anna Palmer April 29. Palmer was one of 45 people baptized during three services that Sunday.
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Simple message prompts 45 baptisms
Published May 31, 2007 FORT MYERS (FBW) - On any given Sunday, McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers baptizes believers as part of the three morning worship services. Having a combined total of 45 baptisms during three services for one Sunday isn't the norm, but those in worship April 29 witnessed a phenomenal response to a simple message by Pastor Richard Powell who emphasized the importance of baptism in the Christian life.
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Pastors' Conference president hopeful for unity, revival
Published May 31, 2007 SAN ANTONIO (FBW) - In planning the Southern Baptist Pastors' Conference June 10-11 in San Antonio, Hayes Wicker said he focused mainly on keeping unity and promoting a spirit of revival among pastors.
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NAMB commissions 83 missionaries, chaplains
Mission entity holds its first commissioning service in Illinois
Published May 31, 2007 O'FALLON, Ill. (BP) - In its first-ever missionary commissioning in Illinois, the North American Mission Board commissioned 83 new missionaries and SBC-endorsed chaplains during Sunday morning services May 20 at First Baptist Church in O'Fallon.
Opinion
Editorial
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The IMB doctrinal guidelines deserve SBC support
It's time to move on.
Point of View
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Church libraries need dusting
Bookstores are "the place to be" these days. Why not translate that interest to your church library? If your library's the best-kept secret at church, consider closing it briefly for renovations, then celebrate a grand re-opening.
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Theology really does matter
Theology was once called "the Queen of the Sciences." Given the way it is treated by many Christians and churches in our day, it perhaps should be identified now as the "court jester." If it is not ignored all together, it is viewed as ivory tower and esoteric. Those who love and do theology are not in touch with real people and the real problems and needs of everyday life. Theology is like bad medicine. Take as little as you can possibly get away with.
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True justice requires 'no stone be left unturned' to determine guilt: Case against Duke University students reveals to nation 'justice is not always blind'
The Innocence Project (innocenceproject.org) recently announced it had helped clear another man wrongly convicted of raping, robbing, assaulting, and kidnapping a Chicago office worker in 1982. Using DNA tests, the group determined that Jerry Miller's genetic makeup was different than the rapist?after Miller had spent 24 years behind bars.
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Life is short: Keep your commitments
The billboard, set high above Chicago streets, was enough to stop traffic. It featured, on one side, the torso of a buxom young woman wearing a black-lace brassiere and little else. The other side featured the torso of a young man with six-pack abs. The billboard's message? "Life is short: Get a divorce." Beneath it was the phone number of a firm of divorce lawyers.
Florida
Florida News
- Record number of graduates at Baptist College of Florida
GRACEVILLE (FBW) - One of the largest graduating classes in its 65 year history walked across the stage at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville May 11.
- Simple message prompts 45 baptisms
FORT MYERS (FBW) - On any given Sunday, McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers baptizes believers as part of the three morning worship services. Having a combined total of 45 baptisms during three services for one Sunday isn't the norm, but those in worship April 29 witnessed a phenomenal response to a simple message by Pastor Richard Powell who emphasized the importance of baptism in the Christian life.
- Speakers tout principles at Family Council award dinner
ORLANDO (FBW) - The Florida Family Policy Council honored Ken Connor, a member of Celebration Baptist Church in Tallahassee, with the 2007 Daniel Webster Award at the organization's annual policy awards dinner May 19.
- Man who loses 300+ pounds, says God 'never leaves'
ORLANDO (BP) - Tollie Schmidt never really found out exactly how much he weighed. That's because the hospital scale he was standing on maxed out at 500 pounds.
- Florida Baptist Campus Ministries sends out summer missionaries
PENSACOLA (FBC) - Katy Sharp was running. Running from God and the life she had always known.
- Baptist College of Florida sends students on mission
GRACEVILLE (BCF) - Opening the pages of the summer edition of The Baptist College of Florida's (BCF) quarterly magazine, there is no questioning the theme, "Here Am I, Send Me."
National
National News
- Pastors' Conference president hopeful for unity, revival
SAN ANTONIO (FBW) - In planning the Southern Baptist Pastors' Conference June 10-11 in San Antonio, Hayes Wicker said he focused mainly on keeping unity and promoting a spirit of revival among pastors.
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NAMB commissions 83 missionaries, chaplains
Mission entity holds its first commissioning service in Illinois O'FALLON, Ill. (BP) - In its first-ever missionary commissioning in Illinois, the North American Mission Board commissioned 83 new missionaries and SBC-endorsed chaplains during Sunday morning services May 20 at First Baptist Church in O'Fallon.
- SBTC hosting 'Welcome to Texas' reception at 2007 Southern Baptist Convention
GRAPEVINE, Texas (SBT) - The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention will host a "Welcome to Texas" reception following the June 11 evening session of the SBC Pastors' Conference in San Antonio.
- ELECTION 08: Dobson says he wouldn't vote for Giuliani
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - Focus on the Family's James Dobson May 17 became at least the second major Christian conservative leader in recent weeks to say he would not vote for Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani in a general election.
National News Briefs
Features
Media Montage
- Illegal downloads: high-tech thievery
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - Nearly 90 percent (86 percent) of teenagers polled by The Barna Group indicated music piracy?"including copying a CD for a friend or downloading non-promotional music online for free"?is either morally acceptable or not a moral issue. In the 2004 study, conducted for the Gospel Music Association, just eight percent said such activities were immoral.
- Luis Palau reaches new believers with HCSB Gospel of John
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - Some of the most raucous nightclubs in Nashville, Tenn., can be found in four city blocks along the Cumberland River, but those streets were home of another kind of party during the May 19-20 weekend?a celebration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Obituary
- Former FBSC president, pastor dies at 91
MILTON (FBW) - Joe Maurice Bamberg, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church in Milton, died May 21 in Milton. He was 91.
Bible Study
Family Bible Study
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June 10: Practice Obedience Diligently
Deut. 4:1-2, 6-9, 15-20, 39-40 - Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
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June 17: Remember the Lord Is God
Deut. 8:1-14; 17-18 - Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
Explore the Bible
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June 10: The Day of the Lord
Obadiah - Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
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June 17: If God Be Against Us
Nahum - Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
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