In the Witness this week

WORLD honors Leesburg Pregnancy Care Center director CAROLYN NICHOLS Newswriter Published January 17, 2008: LEESBURG (FBW)—Wanda Kohn, director of the Pregnancy Care Center at First Baptist Church in Leesburg, says she is in "the people business," and she is enthusiastically pro-life on behalf of unborn babies whose futures are in danger, and on behalf of their mothers who don't know the love and forgiveness Jesus offers.
Debate on proposed science standards continues EVA WOLEVER Assistant Editor Published January 17, 2008: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—The debate was split at a public hearing in Jacksonville Jan. 3, a meeting scheduled for the public to air questions, comments and concerns regarding the new science standards to be implemented in Florida's public schools for the next ten years.
Proposed horse track in Jefferson County draws concern JONI B. HANNIGAN Managing Editor Published January 17, 2008
Baptists feed displaced Kenyans Published January 17, 2008: KENYA (BP)—A shaky, spray-painted yellow "X" marked the corner of Peter Kamau's home. That's all the warning the Kenyan needed to move his family, furniture and belongings to the side of the road in hopes they could hitch a ride to safety.

Opinion

Point of View

Florida Baptists help the desperate in Haiti JOHN SULLIVAN, Executive Director-Treasurer, Florida Baptist Convention: Desperation must be among the most agonizing facts of life. To be in a position that offers little or no hope; to be dependent upon someone else for your very survival; to be so poor that you do not register on the radar screen of most benevolent organizations because they see no hope for you; to be isolated from the world that could help but is hindered by government regulation. This is how I feel about Haiti. They are desperate.
BF&M Article 1: The Scriptures MARK RATHEL Special to Florida Baptist Witness: Editor's note: This is the first in a series of commentaries examining and explaining the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, the Southern Baptist Convention's confession of faith.
Politics, the church, and the common good CHARLES COLSON: If you're like I am, your New Year's resolutions seldom make it to the end of January. So rather than lay out resolutions, I want to simply share some thoughts about the New Year—a year that will be dominated by this year's presidential election.

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor Published January 17, 2008: 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

Debate on proposed science standards continues: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—The debate was split at a public hearing in Jacksonville Jan. 3, a meeting scheduled for the public to air questions, comments and concerns regarding the new science standards to be implemented in Florida's public schools for the next ten years.
Proposed horse track in Jefferson County draws concern
Missionary appointment, evangelization of South America featured in Gainesville: GAINESVILLE (FBC)—The appointment of 39 international missionaries to serve throughout the world will be the highlight of the 2008 South America Mobilization Summit at Westside Baptist Church in Gainesville Jan. 30-Feb. 1.
BCF professors to preach on The Baptist Faith and Message: GRACEVILLE (BCF)—At a time when distinctives define who Baptists are The Baptist College of Florida is taking the lead in presenting, reviewing, and expounding on the articles of Biblical doctrines found in The Baptist Faith & Message. Senior administrators and BCF professors will preach through the articles during the 10 a.m. chapel services in the R. G. Lee Chapel throughout the Spring semester. The doctrinal emphasis and preaching series is open to the public:
Miami officials ease requirements on zoning for church properties: MIAMI (FBW)—Facing a lawsuit by two non-denominational churches, Miami's County Commissioners voted in December to change the acreage requirements for church properties. Several churches, most meeting in warehouses or storefronts, have had to close their doors because they did not meet the requirements for properties which are used as church buildings.
Amendment needs more signatures: ORLANDO (FBW)—John Stemberger, state chairman of Florida4Marriage.org, said Jan. 14 the organization is not interested in whose fault it is that there are now too few signatures for the Florida Marriage Amendment to go on the ballot.

Florida News Briefs

Ministry Assistants Conference set for Graceville Feb. 15 at BCF
Children's Ministry Day set Feb. 16
2008 Mission Team training for girls includes neighborhood survey: CRESTVIEW (FBC)—All 2008 Acteen Activators and girls who will serve on Youth on Mission, World Changers or Youth Mission Teams and prospective 2009 participants are encouraged to attend the hands-on training weekend Feb. 1-2 at First Baptist Church in Crestview.
Living for Jesus Mom and Me Getaway 2008 provides chance for quality time
One church plants three new works

National

National News

FBC Dallas pastor to nominate Mohler for SBC president
CP survey sent to churches: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Executive Committee President Morris H. Chapman Nov. 9 mailed a letter to every church pastor in the Southern Baptist Convention asking him to participate in a Cooperative Program/Stewardship survey.
Union University to host Baptist Worship Identity Symposium Feb. 14-16: JACKSON, Tenn. (UU)—Union University will host a major conference in February focused on the importance of worship in Baptist life.

Sanctity of Human Life

WORLD honors Leesburg Pregnancy Care Center director: LEESBURG (FBW)—Wanda Kohn, director of the Pregnancy Care Center at First Baptist Church in Leesburg, says she is in "the people business," and she is enthusiastically pro-life on behalf of unborn babies whose futures are in danger, and on behalf of their mothers who don't know the love and forgiveness Jesus offers.
Orlando Pregnancy Center breaks record in 2007: ORLANDO (BP)—Jan. 22 will mark the 35th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's historic and horrific Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion on demand in America. Southern Baptists won't be celebrating, though.
Exploring 12 common myths about legal abortion: In the past decade, a growing mountain of scientific facts, books and testimonies have helped unravel a three decades' assault on unborn life and the victimization of frightened, expectant mothers. However, it appears many Christians are still at a loss at how to speak from a pro-life position to people who disregard biblical principles.
The Miracle Within
Could you pass? Website is about Roe v. Wade: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—When it comes to Roe v. Wade, Americans are, at best, inconsistent, and at worst, confused.
Teen birth rate rises for first time in 14 years: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—The birth rate among teenagers in the United States rose in 2006 for the first time since 1991 along with the number of births to unmarried women, according to preliminary data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Election '08

INTERVIEW PART 1: Policy issues—Huckabee expresses vision & tradition: EDITORS’ NOTE: Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, is a Southern Baptist running for U.S. president in 2008. In September, Baptist Press contacted his campaign and today published a package about Huckabee’s policy positions and values.
INTERVIEW PART 2: Values & beliefs—Huckabee will seek to keep the faith: EDITORS’ NOTE: Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas, is a Southern Baptist running for U.S. president in 2008. In September, Baptist Press contacted his campaign and today published a package about Huckabee’s policy positions and values.
Engaged public may lengthen election nominations: MANCHESTER, N.H. (BP)—Comeback victories for Republican John McCain and Democrat Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire could lead to lengthy nominating processes for both parties stretching well past Super Tuesday, Richard Land believes.

Seminary News

Akin prays SEBTS grads prepared for lives of service: WAKE FOREST, N.C. (SEBTS)—Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and its undergraduate school, Southeastern College at Wake Forest, held their graduation ceremonies Dec.14 on the Wake Forest campus.
Southern Seminary marks 200th commencement, record December class: LOUISVILLE Ky. (SBTS)—Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., held its 200th graduation commencement Dec. 7 at Alumni Memorial Chapel. The class included 204 graduates, a record for a December commencement.

Evangelism

Boxes of JOY for nursing home residents Evangelist rallies churches, associations to team up for Christmas outreach: MACCLENNY(FBW)—After most gifts had been unwrapped and Christmas celebrations ended, residents of the Frank Wells Nursing Home in Macclenny got an extra dose of holiday cheer with an evening of song, Scripture and gift-giving Dec. 27.

International News

Baptists feed displaced Kenyans: KENYA (BP)—A shaky, spray-painted yellow "X" marked the corner of Peter Kamau's home. That's all the warning the Kenyan needed to move his family, furniture and belongings to the side of the road in hopes they could hitch a ride to safety.

Features

Sanctity of Human Life

WORLD honors Leesburg Pregnancy Care Center director: LEESBURG (FBW)—Wanda Kohn, director of the Pregnancy Care Center at First Baptist Church in Leesburg, says she is in "the people business," and she is enthusiastically pro-life on behalf of unborn babies whose futures are in danger, and on behalf of their mothers who don't know the love and forgiveness Jesus offers.
Orlando Pregnancy Center breaks record in 2007: ORLANDO (BP)—Jan. 22 will mark the 35th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's historic and horrific Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion on demand in America. Southern Baptists won't be celebrating, though.
Exploring 12 common myths about legal abortion: In the past decade, a growing mountain of scientific facts, books and testimonies have helped unravel a three decades' assault on unborn life and the victimization of frightened, expectant mothers. However, it appears many Christians are still at a loss at how to speak from a pro-life position to people who disregard biblical principles.
The Miracle Within
Could you pass? Website is about Roe v. Wade: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—When it comes to Roe v. Wade, Americans are, at best, inconsistent, and at worst, confused.
Teen birth rate rises for first time in 14 years: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—The birth rate among teenagers in the United States rose in 2006 for the first time since 1991 along with the number of births to unmarried women, according to preliminary data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

January 27: Breakthrough in Confidence Psalm 23: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
February 3: The Motive Luke 15:1-2, 11-24: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

January 27: Trust and Obey Genesis 15-17: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
February 3: A Tent, A House, A Cave Genesis 18-19: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.