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Special Reports
2008 FBSC Annual Meeting
Nov 26, 2008

LAKELAND—Close to 60 exhibitors at Florida Baptists’ 147th annual meeting provided information and inspiration for approximately 1,600 people strolling through the halls of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland.

Nov 25, 2008

LAKELAND (FBW)—Several organizations related to the Florida Baptist Convention met Nov. 10 at the facilities of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland and in other locales before the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting convened in Lakeland Nov. 10-11.

Nov 18, 2008
‘We thank God in heaven for the Jesus we see in you’

LAKELAND (FBC)—A standing ovation, a moving tribute and a video memoir marked the 20th anniversary recognition of Florida Baptist Executive Director-treasurer John Sullivan during the closing session of the Florida Baptist State Convention Nov. 11 at Lakeland’s First Baptist Church at the Mall.

Nov 18, 2008
First contested election since 1999

LAKELAND (FBW)—John Cross, 45, pastor of South Biscayne Church in North Port, was elected president of the Florida Baptist State Convention by a margin of 12 votes Nov. 11 at its annual meeting in Lakeland.

Nov 18, 2008

LAKELAND (FBC/FBW)—In a rare contested race, messengers to the Florida Baptist State Convention elected a president by the slimmest of margins, heard Southern Baptist Convention president Johnny Hunt, and honored their executive director-treasurer for his 20 years of leadership during their 147th annual meeting in Lakeland Nov. 10-11.

Nov 18, 2008
Blankets, sports clinics & car show are tools for sharing the Gospel

LAKELAND (FBC/FBW)—The Gospel of Jesus Christ was proclaimed in word and deed Nov. 8 in five venues during Crossover Lakeland resulting in 129 professions of faith and six baptisms.

Nov 18, 2008

LAKELAND (FBW)—Times of economic, political and moral challenges are cause for Florida Baptists to “step out” rather than “back up,” Willy Rice preached Nov. 10 in his president’s address at the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting in Lakeland.

Nov 18, 2008

LAKELAND (FBC)—The State Board of Missions approved resolutions of appreciation for three retiring staff members with 73 combined years of Convention service and endorsed 11 newly constituted churches in its Nov.10 pre-convention meeting at First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland.

Nov 18, 2008

LAKELAND (FBC)—The Christian church must not be bound by tradition nor corrupted by culture, but exalt the living Christ, exhorted John Sullivan, during the Florida Baptist State Convention, Nov. 11 at Lakeland’s First Baptist Church at the Mall.

Nov 18, 2008

LAKELAND (FBW)—While unbelievers, non-Baptists and other Baptists often don’t “get” Southern Baptists, even some Florida Baptists don’t “get themselves,” having forgotten the main priority of winning souls to Christ, Richard Powell preached in the annual Convention Sermon Nov. 11 at the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting in Lakeland.

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
After 40 years Pastor Bumpers says ‘the old-fashioned stuff’ still works
JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Harper Bumpers has spent 40 years cultivating St. Augustine Road Baptist Church by “staying with the old-fashioned stuff,” he says. The Jacksonville congregation celebrated its Read More
Tampa native takes helm of new Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Ministry at Southern
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)—Southern Baptist Theological Seminary announced the formation of a new school, named new academic leadership and approved an expanded budget at the spring meeting of its board 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
After abandonment & sex abuse, Bieber’s mom finds ‘grace’
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 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
Randy Adams elected NW executive director
VANCOUVER, Wash. (BP)—The Northwest Baptist Convention (NWBC) has elected Randy Adams, leader of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma’s church outreach team since 2004, as the NWBC’s next Read More
New Bush presidential library testifies to faith, family values
DALLAS (BP)—Faith and family are foundational elements guiding a visitor through the newly dedicated George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. Just a few feet into the exhibit area Read More
Advocates: Immigration bill a good step forward
WASHINGTON (BP)—The new Senate immigration bill marks a solid, though imperfect, start to immigration reform, said leading evangelical Christians and other advocates of a broad solution to a Read More
SBC EC president says U.S. at immigration crossroads
TRAVELERS REST, S.C. (BP) -- As support for immigration reform continues to grow among Southern Baptists and other evangelical Christians, Frank Page said in a recent speech that the U.S. stands "at Read More
Patterson called ‘modern-day Martin Luther’ in festschrift dedication
FORT WORTH, Texas (SWBTS)—Professor of New Testament Terry Wilder presented Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary president Paige Patterson with a festschrift written in honor of his and Judge Read More
‘Revive Us That We May Be One’ focus of SBC June 11-12 in Houston
HOUSTON (BP)—A Tuesday evening revival service with worship led by Charles Billingsley and a sermon by Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter will be among the Read More
SBC resolutions due 15 days prior to annual meeting
NASHVILLE (BP)—Messengers wishing to propose resolutions must submit them at least 15 days prior to the annual meeting. 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
Read More
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 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
Leviticus 26:3-13, 40-42,45: April 28—Blessings of holiness
As we take a look at the blessings of holiness, we can identify with the sentiment of Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.) as he contemplated becoming a Christian. He asked for cleansing, “but not just Read More
2 Timothy 3:1-17: April 28—Be guided by God’s word
The Bible possesses a two-fold nature. First, the Bible is God-breathed. Second, men wrote the Bible. The Bible, then, is a divine-human book—God’s truth through human personality. Since God is the 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