In the Witness this week

'Living stones' offer Christian witness in Holy Land Baptists, other evangelicals tiny minority in Israel JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor Published January 31, 2008: NAZARETH, ISRAEL (FBW)—Evangelicals who come to the Holy Land as tourists and those who love Israel for theological and political reasons, should understand there is a vibrant Gospel-preaching ministry in Israel today—"living stones" who also need the support of fellow evangelicals, according to Baptist leader Bader Mansour.
An urgent call for prayer; Gaza Christians 'desperate' JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor Published January 31, 2008: JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (FBW)—Worship services at Gaza Baptist Church now includes no more than 10 or 15 believers who are willing to risk publicly attending the only evangelical church in all of the Gaza Strip since October when a church leader was martyred.
The Holy Land in Pictures Published January 31, 2008
'Monstrosity' fence has deterred terror against Israel JAMES A. SMITH SR Executive Editor Published January 31, 2008: JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (FBW)—David Baker is a fast-talking Israeli transplanted from New York with the tough public relations task of making Israel's case to an often antagonistic foreign press sympathetic to the Palestinian cause in the intractable Middle East conflict.
Editorial Holy Land reflections JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor Published January 31, 2008: We weren't 12 spies sent in to evaluate the prospects of conquering the Promise Land. Instead, thousands of years after only two spies, Joshua and Caleb, brought back a good report—which was rejected by the ancient Children of Israel—I was among nine Baptist newspaper editors who recently toured Israel as guests of the Ministry of Tourism.
'iTell' to hit Orlando March 2-4 with Junior Hill, Ed Stetzer & Tebows By LAUREN URTEL Florida Baptist Convention Published January 31, 2008: ORLANDO (FBC)—"Inspirational speakers, hands-on evangelistic training and conferences designed to appeal to every age group and a variety of interests will highlight the 2008 Florida Baptist Evangelism Conference March 2-4 at First Baptist Church in Orlando.
Marine at remote mountain outpost 'missionary with Muslim Published January 31, 2008: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LCR)—He is the only American in a remote mountain outpost in Afghanistan. He may go without a shower for a month. He hikes and fights every day. But, a simple piece of mail— a LifeBox—lifted the tired warrior's spirit beyond measure.

Opinion

Editorial

Holy Land reflections JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor: We weren't 12 spies sent in to evaluate the prospects of conquering the Promise Land. Instead, thousands of years after only two spies, Joshua and Caleb, brought back a good report—which was rejected by the ancient Children of Israel—I was among nine Baptist newspaper editors who recently toured Israel as guests of the Ministry of Tourism.

Point of View

The Cooperative Program translates intention to reality JOHN SULLIVAN Executive Director-Treasurer, Florida Baptist Convention: The church must deliberately decide to deliver the Gospel to the lost world. Intentionality in our witness must treat all persons as lost without Christ.
BF&M Article 2: God the Father MARK RATHEL Special to Florida Baptist Witness: EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is part of an occasional series of commentaries examining and explaining the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, the Southern Baptist Convention's confession of faith.
Making a 'bucket list' DIANA DAVIS Fresh Ideas: I love making lists. There's personal satisfaction in checking off accomplishments. List-making, however, can have a larger purpose than groceries or tasks. I recently led a women's retreat about witnessing. Ladies spent directed time making individual lists of unsaved acquaintances. The shortest list numbered forty names.
For such a time as this: The suffering church CHARLES COLSON Breakpoint: For the next 10 months, presidential candidates will be telling us how they plan to make the world a safer place for Americans. Now, that's good, of course, but there are other people whose safety American Christians ought to be concerned about: that is, Christians suffering for their faith around the world.

Florida

Florida News

'iTell' to hit Orlando March 2-4 with Junior Hill, Ed Stetzer & Tebows: ORLANDO (FBC)—"Inspirational speakers, hands-on evangelistic training and conferences designed to appeal to every age group and a variety of interests will highlight the 2008 Florida Baptist Evangelism Conference March 2-4 at First Baptist Church in Orlando.
Baptist College of Florida announces record new student enrollment: GRACEVILLE (FBW)—The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville welcomed 88 new students to classes Jan. 21 for a record setting new student enrollment for the 2008 Spring semester.
Bill Floyd new BCF development associate: GRACEVILLE (FBW)—Bill Floyd, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Jasper, is the new development associate for The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
Trustees approve Baptist Center for Expository Preaching in Graceville: GRACEVILLE (FBW)—The Board of Trustees of The Baptist College of Florida gave their unanimous approval for the establishment of a Baptist Center for Expository Preaching on the Graceville campus during their tri-annual business meeting Jan. 17-18.
Tebows to headline evangelism conference sessions Heisman trophy winner's parents to share testimonies: ORLANDO (FBC)—Bob and Pam Tebow, perhaps now best known as the parents of Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, are among the keynote speakers at the itell365 Evangelism Conference, set for March 2-4 at First Baptist Church of Orlando.
Motorcycles, monster trucks, sports & strongmen to take part in evangelistic event presentations: ORLANDO (FBC)—Hands-on evangelistic training will be offered at the 2008 Evangelism Conference March 2-4 at the First Baptist Church of Orlando.

Florida Baptist Associations

Associations encourage 'collective genius' ministries in grappling with soaring crime rates, changing demographics & Disney: Baptist associations in the United States celebrated their 300th anniversary in 2007. The Florida Baptist Witness is honoring Florida's 49 associations in a series of articles that will showcase each association and its ministries. This is the fifth installment.

National

National News

Marine at remote mountain outpost 'missionary with Muslim: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LCR)—He is the only American in a remote mountain outpost in Afghanistan. He may go without a shower for a month. He hikes and fights every day. But, a simple piece of mail— a LifeBox—lifted the tired warrior's spirit beyond measure.
NAMB challenges churches to take part in 2008 Souper Bowl of Caring: ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)—Long after the New England Patriots or the New York Giants win Super Bowl XLII, the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund will continue benefiting from this year's Souper Bowl of Caring.
'Rick and Bubba Show' host spreads Gospel at son's funeral: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP)—The impact of 2-year-old Bronner Burgess' death is already being felt throughout the nation as his family and friends use the opportunity to tell others about the uncertainty of life and the assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ, his father, Rick Burgess, said at a memorial service Jan. 22.
Faith factor in NFL policy, Super Bowl ministry: PHOENIX (BP)—The National Football League has used an unstoppable combination of marketing muscle, longtime loyalties and on-field performance to create the most successful professional sports league in America, if not the world.
BGCT nominates Everett as exec: DALLAS (BP)—Virginia pastor Randel Everett has been nominated as the next executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Focus on Israel

Editorial Holy Land reflections: We weren't 12 spies sent in to evaluate the prospects of conquering the Promise Land. Instead, thousands of years after only two spies, Joshua and Caleb, brought back a good report—which was rejected by the ancient Children of Israel—I was among nine Baptist newspaper editors who recently toured Israel as guests of the Ministry of Tourism.
'Living stones' offer Christian witness in Holy Land Baptists, other evangelicals tiny minority in Israel: NAZARETH, ISRAEL (FBW)—Evangelicals who come to the Holy Land as tourists and those who love Israel for theological and political reasons, should understand there is a vibrant Gospel-preaching ministry in Israel today—"living stones" who also need the support of fellow evangelicals, according to Baptist leader Bader Mansour.
An urgent call for prayer; Gaza Christians 'desperate': JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (FBW)—Worship services at Gaza Baptist Church now includes no more than 10 or 15 believers who are willing to risk publicly attending the only evangelical church in all of the Gaza Strip since October when a church leader was martyred.
The Holy Land in Pictures
'Monstrosity' fence has deterred terror against Israel: JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (FBW)—David Baker is a fast-talking Israeli transplanted from New York with the tough public relations task of making Israel's case to an often antagonistic foreign press sympathetic to the Palestinian cause in the intractable Middle East conflict.

Evangelism

LifeWay: Unchurched Americans turned off by church Same study reveals openness to Christians: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LWCR)—A majority of unchurched Americans are turned off by the institutional church and don't have a biblical understanding about God and Jesus, yet they believe Jesus makes a positive difference in a person's life and would enjoy an honest discussion with a friend about spiritual matters.

Features

Media Montage

Intellectual leads evangelicals into post-modern culture: COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (FBW)—Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president R. Albert Mohler Jr., called "the reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.," by Time.com, has written Culture Shift, released Jan. 15 by Multnomah Books.
Curse word airs on ABC morning show: EDITORS' NOTE: The following article makes reference to a vile curse word to alert people of faith to a serious situation regarding the poor policing of public airwaves. The editorial staff regrets repeating the statement (even with censoring); however, there is no other way to report the affront.

Obituary

Author, professor L. Russ Bush dies following cancer battle: WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)—L. Russ Bush III, noted philosopher, apologist, author, professor, pastor and friend of Southern Baptists, died Jan. 22 following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 63.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

February 10: The Message Galatians 1:6-9, 11-12; 3:1-9: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
February 17: The Messenger Luke 10:1-12, 16: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

February 10: The Lord Will Provide Genesis 22: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
February 17: Seeking God's Guidance Genesis 24: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.