OCALA (FBC)—Inmates Steven Ponder and Nathanial Brown moved through the halls of the Marion County Jail, expressing the joy of the Lord in the midst of their circumstances.

Their changed lives serve as a testimony to the transforming power of Jesus Christ found through the jail’s chaplaincy ministry.

AVON PARK (FBC)—Brenda Delphin walks the fragile line between the traditions of her Haitian born parents and the customs of the American culture. As a first-generation Haitian-American, she, like most first-generation youth, never quite knew where she belonged culturally.

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Each year, the Maguire State Mission Offering includes an opportunity for local associations to receive a portion of the offering receipts to benefit local mission and ministries causes. By setting and achieving a goal for their churches, association leaders will receive a percentage of the gifts from that association. Association leaders determine how their money will be used. As of July 1, 2007, the associations listed below have notified the state convention offices of their intention to participate in this year’s Shared Receipts.

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing every infirmity. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them because they were scattered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:35-36.

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—The 2007 Maguire State Mission Offering edition of CROSS ROADS airs Aug. 25-Sept. 2 on television stations across Florida.

HAVANA, CUBA (FBC)—The Gospel is being shared in Cuba. Lives are being changed. New churches are being started.

PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI (FBC)—”Haiti is a special country. It is very poor spiritually, morally and financially,” said pastor Etienne Pierre, director of ministry for the Confraternite Missionannaire Baptiste d’Haiti (CMBH).

IVYDALE, WV (FBC)—What does God’s blessing look like?

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Gathered beneath a tent on a grassy lot this past Easter morning, members of Iglesia Bautista Deermeadows Hispana sang praises so loudly their voices carried to a nearby highway.

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—The 2007 Maguire State Misson Offering promotion will focus on seven specific ministries, including the new church site interest-free loan program which benefited Iglesia Bautista Deermeadows in Jacksonville.

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—When John Maguire first arrived as the sixth executive secretary-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention, he began referring to the state as “Favored Florida.” And under his leadership, Florida Baptists found favor with God by developing a Great Commission attitude.