2006 FBSC Annual Meeting

Clearwater pastor elected 2007 President of Florida Baptist State Convention

FORT MYERS (FBC)-William Rice, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater since 2004, was unanimously elected as the 2007 Florida Baptist State Convention President during the annual meeting Nov. 13-14 at McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers.

Rice plans focus on cooperation to span generations

FORT MYERS (FBW)-Twenty-five years after William E. “Willy” Rice attended his first Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting as the winner of the Youth Speakers Tournament, the native Florida Baptist was elected to lead the state convention as president.

Celebrate Jesus in South Florida

FORT MYERS (FBC)-The sign she held up to motorists passing Suncoast Baptist Church was simple. It had just two words-“Free Food.” Her greeting was genuine, “Come on in.” What awaited guests beyond the church’s driveway was even simpler-the message of a church that cares and the God who loves them, served with a hot dog, a cold drink, and an afternoon of family fun.

Living in a ‘holy tension’
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor

It was one of the briefest presentations during the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting in Fort Myers last week, but I hope that those in attendance and who read this account of Hayes Wicker’s comments during the closing session Tuesday evening will take to heart his challenge.

Little controversy at 2006 FBSC, Sullivan says
Point of View
JOHN SULLIVAN
Executive Director-Treasurer, FBC

We had a wonderful Florida Baptist State Convention meeting in Fort Myers. The music, preaching, fellowship and affirmation could not have been better.

Wicker calls Baptists to ‘table of revival’

FORT MYERS (FBW)-Delivering his final address as president of the Florida Baptist State Convention, Hayes Wicker preached from Matt. 5:6 calling Florida Baptists to the “table of revival to hunger and thirst after righteousness.”

State Board fills three positions, authorizes move for Miami FBCH

FORT MYERS (FBC)-The State Board of Missions authorized the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes to sell its Miami campus, filled three Convention staff vacancies and agreed to a specialized partnership with Kentucky Baptists during its Nov. 13 meeting in Fort Myers.

SULLIVAN: Power of Holy Spirit, human believer drives the theology of missions

FORT MYERS (FBC)-“When you speak of the theology of missions, you do not do so from a text,” said John Sullivan during the 145th annual meeting of the Florida Baptist State Convention, “but from the textbook. The Bible is the missions manual.”

Sullivan pledges ‘teetotaler’ agency trustees

FORT MYERS (FBW)-Citing embarrassment over having spent more than 30 minutes debating the issue of whether trustees of Southern Baptist Convention entities should be limited to those who abstain from alcohol, John Sullivan, the executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention, said he intends future action in the FBSC “on this very issue.”

Conner: America’s ‘sick culture’ needs Bible preaching

FORT MYERS (FBW)-America is a “sick culture” in need of revival and the “proclamation of the Word of God” is the nation’s only hope, Craig Conner preached Nov. 14 in the convention sermon of the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting in Fort Myers.

FBC divisions desire to serve churches

The Church Services Division desires to aid churches with “foundational ministries” that are not always focused on, “but are indispensable for the work of Christ,” said Glen Owens, division director, in a videotaped report shown at the 145th annual Florida Baptist State Convention Meeting.

Committee on Nominations report adopted by FBSC

Messengers to the Florida Baptist State Convention in Fort Myers Nov. 13-14 voted on the following nominations.

Brunson says be more than ‘bird brains’

FORT MYERS (FBW)-Telling the story of a climber who was stuck on a cliff and had to lean away from the mountain and reach out for his friend’s hand to be pulled up, Mac Brunson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, said the only way for God’s people to get out of where they are stuck in sin is to “reach up in repentance and grasp the hand of grace.”

Brokenness essential to revival, Elliff says

FORT MYERS (FBW)-Rivers of revival cannot come without rivers of tears from God’s people, said Tom Elliff in the last sermon of the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting Nov. 14 at McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers.

Pastors, evangelists open their hearts to share passion for ministry

FORT MYERS (FBW)-The 2006 Florida Baptist Pastors’ Conference hosted by McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers, welcomed pastors, ministers, staff, lay personnel and messengers from across the Sunshine State Nov. 12-13.

Baucham, Wolfe call for personal, congregational revival

FORT MYERS (FBC)-“God is still God today, and He wants to visit your church in awesome holiness and irresistible power,” said minister Fred Wolfe at the 2006 Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting.

God’s movement brings fresh stirrings throughout state

FORT MYERS (FBW)-Citing a renewed commitment to prayer and a focus on the importance of baptism, two Florida pastors and a director of missions shared their testimonies Nov. 13-14 at the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting in Fort Myers.

Florida Baptist State Convention agencies thankful for CP, admit challenges

In his Nov. 15 report to messengers in Fort Myers for the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting, Thomas A. Kinchen, president of The Baptist College of Florida, described the Graceville school as “the most exciting work of Florida Baptists.”

Debbie Brunson gives message of renewal, hope

Fort Myers (FBC)-Standing before a white picket fence and vine-covered arbor, keynote speaker Debbie Brunson shared a message of renewal with 138 ministers’ wives at the garden-themed annual Ministers’ Wives luncheon Nov. 14 at McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers.

Recordings of FBSC sermons, messages available

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)-Recordings of sermons and thematic messages delivered during the annual Florida Baptist State Convention, Nov. 13-14 at McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers, are available for purchase in video, cassette tape and CD formats.

Religious educators, other Convention-related organizations meet in Fort Myers

FORT MYERS (FBW)-Several organizations related to the Florida Baptist Convention met Nov. 13, before the Florida Baptist State Convention convened that evening.

2006 FBSC Pastors’ Conference

Pastors, evangelists open their hearts to share passion for ministry

FORT MYERS (FBW)-The 2006 Florida Baptist Pastors’ Conference hosted by McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers, welcomed pastors, ministers, staff, lay personnel and messengers from across the Sunshine State Nov. 12-13.

2006 FBSC Annual Meeting Preview

‘Rivers of Revival’ to fill, flood, flow in southwest Florida

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—For the second consecutive year, Florida Baptists will gather in a church facility for worship, prayer and to conduct business when McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers hosts the 145th annual meeting of the Florida Baptist State Convention Nov. 13-14.

2006 Florida Baptist State Convention Annual meeting
Rivers of Revival November 13-14

“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people,” (Isaiah 43:19-20) NRSV

Committee on Nominations releases report

Nominations and appointments to state boards and committees have been announced by the Committee on Nominations in preparation for the Florida Baptist State Convention in Fort Myers Nov. 13-14, 2006. Messengers to the convention will be asked to vote on the nominations, but the appointments are not subject to actions by the convention.

Pastor’s Conference

Related meetings planned

Notice of proposed document revisions

The following recommendations, which are to be presented to the Florida Baptist State Convention, November 13-14, 2006, by the State Board of Missions, will require changes in the Bylaws of the state convention, and therefore must be published in the Witness 30 days in advance. Revisions to the Bylaws require a majority vote at one session.

Hotel Information

Ministers’ Wives seek nominations for Clyde Merrill Maguire Award

FORT MYERS (FBC)-Officers of the Florida Baptist Ministers’ Wives Conference are seeking nominations for the Maguire Minister’s Wife Award to present during its annual gathering, Nov. 14 in Fort Myers.