Florida News

Pastor, 96, spends lifetime ‘helping churches get on their feet again’

BRANFORD (FBW)—Oliver Everett “O.E.” Boals, pastor of Riverside Baptist Church in Branford, has served Florida Baptist churches 78 years in cities and communities from Lake Placid to Jacksonville. He has preached in 13 states, in South Africa, and has “done more revival meetings than a full-time evangelist,” he said.

First Person: Honoring a youth pastor turned evangelist

Growing up experiencing ministry my whole life, sometimes I like to think I have all these ministers figured out. You know how they all wear the button-up shirts tucked into their khaki slacks that are probably pulled up a little too high? Most of them could possibly be mistaken for politicians since they always insist on speaking to everyone when they walk into a restaurant, a grocery store, or about anywhere.

Liberty Counsel fights for Santa Rosa County teachers in religious liberty case
Local school board & ACLU oppose intervention by Christian Educator’s Association

ORLANDO (FBW)—The Santa Rosa County School District and the American Civil Liberties Union in December are together opposing a motion on behalf of Christian Educator’s Association International in a federal court case involving religious expression and prayer.

Jax businessman takes Experiencing God to heart
Creates foundation for pediatric patients

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Three years ago Jacksonville businessman Carldon Lahey made a contribution to Wolfson Children’s Hospital after reading a story about an 18-year-old patient with bone cancer who was raising money to help the hospital. That gift was the first step in beginning Christ’s Starfish Foundation to help children in pediatric hospitals and families of non-cancer pediatric patients.

Jacksonville churches ally with St. Vincent’s hospital for medical ministry

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)–In north Florida several Baptist churches work with St. Vincent’s Hospital to provide monthly health care for the uninsured residents of their communities. Stella Mouzon, a Baptist pastor’s wife and manager of St. Vincent’s Mobile Health

Grace medical center serves poor & needy in Orlando

ORLANDO (FBW)—Healthcare reform is a prime topic, but where the vast majority of people are only talking about it, longtime First Baptist Church in Orlando members Marvin Hardy and Rick Fletcher are doing something about it.

2010 Conference offers 66 workshops

LEESBURG (FBC)—The extensive ministry-evangelism network of First Baptist Church in Leesburg will be showcased when the 2010 National Ministry Conference meets at the church March 18-20.

BCF trustees approve ‘Special Report on Operations’ in light of GCR
After delay, new graduate school endorsed by full board, again

GRACEVILLE (BCF)–Trustees at The Baptist College of Florida met Oct. 8-9 and received a favorable report from a Special Study Committee about operations, affirmed previous plans to authorize a graduate school, and considered other reports and actions.

Pam Tebow offers hope to women facing challenges
Talks about what she was thinking when Tim was hurt in Kentucky game

TAMPA (FBW)—In that one terrifying moment when Pam Tebow watched her son, Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, lying motionless on a Kentucky football field for what seemed like an eternity, her mind focused on the same thing as during other frightening moments in her life. She was meditating on the hope of God’s Word.

Consider adopting an older child, FBCH urges

LAKELAND (FBCH)—Florida Baptist Children’s Homes in November during National Adoption Awareness Month, is focusing on the need for more families to consider adopting an older child. November 8 is recognized as National Orphan Sunday.

Non-Christians searching for more on Florida university campuses
Baptist Campus Ministries reaches 21st century students

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Seventeen years ago Abraham Sarker, a Bangladesh native, and devout Muslim, was studying to become a leader of the Islamic religion. A few personal spiritual experiences convinced Sarker he needed to read the Bible, anathema to his native religion. Yet, for four years, he did not meet a Christian and had no access to a Bible.

WWII POW recalls capture in Ardennes Forest
Joseph Plappert & his Bible survived prison camp 64 years ago

Throughout the story in italics are excerpts from Joseph William Plappert’s personal account of the Battle of the Bulge, The Long Journey, which was handwritten by his wife, Lois Plappert.

Retired Florida pastor/lobbyist saved from death in Ardennes by Army ‘angels’

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—D.J. (Dean) Abernathy, retired Florida pastor and Florida Baptist Convention lobbyist, was injured during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, and he says at least two angels saved him from death. The angels, an Army medic and a surgeon, stepped in to save the young infantryman whom an aid station doctor had pronounced a hopeless case.

Brazil connection reaps benefits of ‘international’ partnership

AMAZONAS, Brazil (FBC)—Plans one afternoon could have gone awry on the mission trip far from home. Frustrations could have mounted with precious time wasted. Instead, an unexpected change in plans led to unexpected opportunities to share Christ.

CP Emphasis: Profiles of passion for cooperation
Wauchula cowboy church reaches agricultural community

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—For these five churches, nothing represents the heart and history of the Southern Baptist Convention as much as the Cooperative Program. The thread that ties these congregations together is their commitment that, via cooperative missions, more can be done to reach the world for Christ than what any single congregation can do alone.

Uth ‘persuaded’ Cross will appoint representative, missional GCR task force
Lake City pastor still ‘prayerfully considering’ alternative motion

PENSACOLA (FBW)—Florida Baptists should follow the model of the Southern Baptist Convention and empower their president to appoint a task force to study how the Florida Baptist State Convention can be more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission, David Uth told Florida Baptist Witness in a Nov. 5 e-mail interview.

FBSC Annual Meeting

Cross to be nominated for second term as FBSC president

PENSACOLA (FBW)—Florida Baptist State Convention president John Cross will be nominated for a second term, Brandon minister Bob Anderson told Florida Baptist Witness Nov. 2.

‘Imagine If ...’ recording of sermons, messages available

Jacksonville (FBC)—Recordings of sermons and messages delivered during the annual Florida Baptist State Convention at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola will be available for purchase in CD format during the meetings.

Pastor may make alternative GCR motion
Sullivan issues statement on former presidents’ meeting

PENSACOLA (FBW)—Florida Baptists may have at least two different motions to consider to create a GCR-type task force to study how the state convention can be more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission when they meet Nov. 9-10 in annual meeting in Pensacola.

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.