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Special Reports
Florida News
May 10, 2013
‘You never learn anything God can’t use,’ Jenny Musen says
HIGH SPRINGS (FBW)—In Kenya for 28 years Jenny Musen learned to be flexible and willing to move about at the Baptist High School in Mombasa and as a volunteer coordinator in Nairobi.

The former IMB missionary and member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in High Springs, said in the 11 years in Florida since retiring in 2002, she and her husband Jim have continued to travel light since they spend many weeks of the year traveling to speak at missions conferences and camps.
May 10, 2013
SOUTH AFRICA (FBW)—Beth Chin, a member of Chets Creek Baptist Church in Jackson­ville, recently moved to South Africa with her family to work with the children of the Mzamomhle Township at Living Hope Community Center.
May 10, 2013
North Port congregation told of church that ‘didn’t judge’
NORTH PORT (FBW)—Pattie Mallette, better known as Justin Bieber’s mom and author of the bestseller Nowhere but Up, knows what it means to be at rock bottom and find forgiveness again and again and again.
May 10, 2013
TAMPA (FBW)—In this roadmap for how any mom can passionately parent her child, Susan Merrill, a Tampa mother of five and director of iMom, sets out to talk about what children really need.
May 9, 2013
OVIEDO (FBW)—If the church emphasizes both social justice and the salvation of souls in the 21st century, it could help lead America into a great revival, Samuel Rodriguez told “The Awakening” conference April 19 at First Baptist Church in Oviedo.

In the 20th century, Christians were divided “between those that focus on the vertical and those that focus on the horizontal, in essence between the followers of Billy Graham—salvation through Christ alone—and those that followed the justice imperative of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. “And we divided the church between the vertical and the horizontal. We need a church that is both vertical and horizontal.”
May 9, 2013
OVIEDO (FBW)—Almost all Hispanics are conservative at heart and with the right messaging can be persuaded to vote for pro-life and pro-family political candidates, according to a panel discussion April 19 during “The Awakening” conference at First Baptist Church in Oviedo.
May 9, 2013
GRACEVILLE (BCF)—The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville will hold commencement exercises on Friday, May 17, at 10 a.m. for 56 seniors who have completed all of the requirements. For graduating seniors, the commencement ceremony in the BCF Wellness Center will mark the culmination of hard work, sacrifice, determination, and long hours of study.
May 9, 2013
JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—According to a report released by the Florida Baptist Convention’s Church Planting Group, Florida Baptist started 9 new churches March 2013. The following is a listing of new churches by association:
May 9, 2013
TALLAHASSEE (NSF) – Horse barrel racing shouldn’t have been approved by a state agency for wagering in Florida, an administrative law judge ruled May 6.
May 8, 2013
Florida Baptist Disaster Relief offers intensive training before start of hurricane season
LEESBURG (FBC)—Nearly 200 participants had their eyes and hearts opened to the multitude of mission opportunities available to them as Florida Baptists during the “Missional Connection” conference April 12-13 at Lake Yale Conference Center in Leesburg.

Workshops highlighted a wide array of missions involvement, including social media, first aid, human exploitation, missional living, grant writing, orphan care, migrants and helping hurting women. Ministry projects fashioned mats for the homeless from plastic grocery bags, collected hygiene products for carnival workers and gathered Bibles and prepackaged snacks for Bible clubs meeting regularly in local elementary schools.
Family mission trip a ‘last chance’ gift for graduating college student
LIVE OAK (FBW)—As graduation approached for Anda Scott at Baptist College of Florida last December her family began asking what she wanted for graduation. Her answer Read More Dominican government opens doors for expanded outreach to children
LAKELAND (FBCH)—The trustees and leadership of the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes prayed in recent years for opportunities to expand the reach of their ministry to children in the most unlikely of Read More FBCH hosts annual CEO Children’s Council meeting
LAKELAND (FBCH)—Chief executive officers from across the country met at Florida Baptist Children’s Homes recently to focus their expertise on benefitting children connected with the ministry. Read More From Madagascar to Central Asia, Florida Baptist collegians serve globally
JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—This summer 110 Florida Baptist college students will spend their vacations serving in ways to advance God’s Kingdom when they travel to 17 countries and throughout the state of Read More 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 Read More Pastorate can be ‘lonely place’ new Suwannee DOM says
SUWANNEE (FBW)—Suwannee Baptist Association, with offices in Live Oak, has called Don Walker as director of missions. “This is a role I have observed for many years. It will be exciting Read More Three Florida Baptist communicators recognized with awards at annual meeting
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (FBC)—Three Florida Baptist communicators were honored when communications professionals from across the Southern Baptist Convention gathered in Little Rock April 17-20 for the Read More Worship pastor changes beats, slows tempo
JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—In over half a century of conducting choirs and congregations, James Whitmire has masterfully set tempos, executed beats, and faithfully used the gift God made him aware of when Read More
Church history prof Leon McBeth dies
FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)—H. Leon McBeth, distinguished professor of church history at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for 45 years, died April 29 in Fort Worth. He was 81. Read More Baptist music innovator Buryl Red dies at 76
JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Buryl Red, Baptist composer and hymn writer, died April 1 in New York City at age 76. He is credited with moving Baptists to modern worship styles during the 1960s and 1970’s. Read More Page, Land letters oppose Scout proposal
NASHVILLE (BP)—Southern Baptist leaders Frank Page and Richard Land have written letters expressing strong opposition to a proposal that would leave in place the prohibition on homosexual Scout Read More The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook rich with biblical principles, forms & advice
FORT WORTH (FBW)—Dispelling the notion homemaking is just for the stay-at-home mom, The Christian Homemaker’s Handbook is a handy, intergenerational guide for all who desire to establish a Read More CNN uses foul language to boost ratings
NASHVILLE (BP)—CNN is “sliding down a slippery slope of classless unprofessionalism” by using a celebrity chef known for profanity to boost ratings. Read More This is Our Time provokes classic questions
LOS ANGELES (FBW)—Unlike so many of the coming-of-age movies that make light of the dawn our our decision-making, This Is Our Time bravely calls blooming adults to examine life’s ultimate choices Read More Kendrick brothers to launch independent production company
ALBANY, Ga. (BP)—Believing God is leading them to mentor the next generation of Christian filmmakers, Alex and Stephen Kendrick—best known for being the writers, director and producer behind Read More David Johnson named Ariz. executive director
CHANDLER, Ariz. (BP)—David Johnson, director of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary’s Arizona Campus, has been named executive director of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention (ASBC). Read More
Missionary teacher ‘travels light’ from Africa to High Springs
HIGH SPRINGS (FBW)—In Kenya for 28 years Jenny Musen learned to be flexible and willing to move about at the Baptist High School in Mombasa and as a volunteer coordinator in Nairobi. The Read More Preschool minister & family exchange Jacksonville for Gonubie, South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA (FBW)—Beth Chin, a member of Chets Creek Baptist Church in Jackson­ville, recently moved to South Africa with her family to work with the children of the Mzamomhle Township at Living Read More King’s Faith in theaters May 10
JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Kings Faith is an emotional, provocative movie eaturing a foster kid who grew up on the wrong side of the law. Read More Bay City couple leads ‘perspective-changing’ strategy
SAN FRANCISCO (NAMB)—There are more affluent places in the United States than San Francisco, but not many. Living in that environment can numb people to need. Ben Pilgreen Read More South African entrepreneurs overstay honeymoon in Canada
VANCOUVER (NAMB)—Victor and Candice Thomas landed in Vancouver, British Columbia, promising they’d never stay—that was five years ago. They arrived in 2007, so Victor could start a four-month stint Read More ‘The Bible’ opens with Noah’s Ark & culminates with Easter Sunday resurrection
JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Tossed about in ferocious, frothing seas amidst driving rain, Noah’s Ark was the focal point in the creation opener of the epic new miniseries “The Bible,” Read More AAEO PRAYER GUIDE
Week of Prayer for North American Missions and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering 2013 Goal: $70,000... Read More Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the staff of Florida Baptist Witness
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The Cooperative Program Factor: Mandate, Missions, Ministries
Following the Great Commission Mandate, the Florida Baptist Convention has set as its priorities to reach people for Jesus Christ, start new churches and strengthen existing churches. The summary of Read More
Proverbs 11:12-14; 17:17; 18:24; 27:5-6, 9-10, 17; 28:23; 29:10: May 26—Giving others what they need
We’ve heard our share of glib advice such as, instead of a hand out the other person really needs a helping hand. Instead of giving the needy a fish, teach them how to fish. Implied in this is the Read More Titus 3: May 26—Behave christian! Christian living before outsiders
Critics of the church abound in the twenty-first century. While much of the criticism is unfounded, Christians unfortunately give unbelievers a rationale or basis of criticism. Perhaps the number Read More Proverbs 6:6-11, 16-19, 23-27: May 19—Becoming a person others need
I don’t know that I have ever consciously taken a course of action on the theory that I might be needed along the way. But I can vouch for the fact that God took care of my needs in a special set of Read More Titus 2:1-15: May 19—A beautiful Gospel life
A grace lifestyle that matches the Gospel message serves as the keynote of this chapter. The apostle dared diverse members of the church to live in such a manner that unbelievers cannot attack the Read More Proverbs 31:10-12, 15-20, 25-31: May 12—Building the home I need
Vital to how we speak is what we speak, the choice of words. The time was when we made a radical destination between house and home. The house was the physical building while home referred to the Read More TItus 1: May 12—Qualified spiritual leaders
Titus served as one of Paul’s most trusted ministry associates. Paul called Titus “my true child”—a term designating Titus as his convert (Titus 1:4). Titus was Greek and became a test case for the Read More Proverbs 3:5-8, 13-18, 31-35: May 5—Getting my most important relationship right
A prominent Baptist leader is quoted as having said he read the Book of Psalms to help correct his relationship with God and the Book of Proverbs in learning how to get along with others. Perhaps an Read More 2 Timothy 4: May 5—How to end life well
The last words of an individual prior to death may be significant. In the last letter Paul wrote prior to his death, Paul expressed his last words to his faithful assistant Timothy. Paul’s last Read More
Iglesia multilingüe lleva a las familias a Cristo
KENDALL (BP)—Después de ver los anuncios de la iglesia por los caminos del suroeste de Miami cerca de su casa, Sergio Barrero, de 23 años, y su familia comenzaron a visitar Turning Point Church en Read More ‘EtniCiudad’: Conferencia en Ingles/Español explora alcanzando al perdido en centros urbanos
HIALEAH (FBC)—Una conferencia nacional diseñada para explorar la urbanización del mundo y como captar los centros urbanos inalcanzados será celebrada en español y traducida al ingles en el Centro de Read More Lideres misioneros ven los bautistas perseverantes y vibrantes
LA HABANA, CUBA (FBC)—Caminando por los pasillos del seminario de la Convención Bautista de Cuba Occidental (CBCO), Kevin Ezell oía como los misioneros domésticos Herbert Caudill y David Fite fueron Read More ‘Visionario’ pastor bautista hispano de Florida muere
HIALEAH GARDENS, Fla. (FBW)--Jorge Comesañas, 71 años, líder de la obra hispana en Florida, y pastor de First Baptist Church Hialeah Gardens, murió el 27 de octubre. Él fue diagnosticado con un Read More Punto de vista: la esclavitud, el aborto y el entumecimiento de una nación
NASHVILLE (BP)-Mis parientes me han dicho que la familia de Rainer era una familia esclavista de entrar en la Guerra Civil. No tengo ninguna razón para dudar la cruda realidad, aunque no lo he Read More Editorial: Un debate digno de tener, una causa digna de apoyo
Un debate se está librando en el Congreso sobre el papel del gobierno federal en la financiación de Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). Es un debate que debe tenerse en cuenta, cuyo Read More
Pat Summerall remembered for his Christian faith
DALLAS (BP)—Pat Summerall stood in the front row at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, on Easter Sunday, next to his wife Cheri, as the congregation sang “The Old Rugged Cross. Read More Past FBSC president Keith Thomas dies at 57
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS (FBC)--Keith Thomas, past president of the Florida Baptist State Convention 1996-1997, died Saturday April 6 in The Woodlands, Texas, from pancreatic Read More Retired IMB missionary to Lebanon, Vivian Trimble, dies
MILTON (FBW)—Vivian Paulk Trimble, 87, retired IMB missionary to the Middle East, died Dec. 20 in Milton. She and her husband James W. (Bill) Trimble served more than 30 Read More Jackie Register, 63, dies
Jackie Register of Graceville, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Malone, died Nov. 12. He was 63. Read More Fred Boehmer, pastor emeritus FBC Brandon, dies Oct. 30
BRANDON (FBW)—Fred H. Boehmer, 82, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church in Brandon, died Oct. 30 in Virginia. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church 1976-1995, and had previously served Read More Cheryl Babington dies at 64
COCOA BEACH (FBW)—Cheryl S. Babington, wife of Pastor Ken Babington of First Baptist Church in Cocoa Beach, died Oct. 24. She was 64. Read More Roy Fish honored by family, students, friends at memorial service
FORT WORTH, Texas (SWBTS)—Faculty, former students, denominational leaders, and pastors from across the country joined with the family of Roy Fish to celebrate the life of the distinguished Read More Obituary: Wayne Upton, 82
Wayne Upton, 82, retired pastor and seminary professor, died Aug. 14 in Jacksonville. He served as pastor of Jacksonville Heights Baptist Church 28 years and was professor of missiology at Luther Read More