‘God bless you,’ Sen. Nelson says to Charley volunteers
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (BP)--Standing a block away from President George W. Bush’s motorcade as it rumbled through downtown Punta Gorda, Fla., Aug. 15, Sen. Bill Nelson, D.-Fla., had a simple message for the myriad of volunteers who have come to southwest Florida to assist with the Hurricane Charley clean-up: “God bless you!”
2 days after storm, Fla. churches gather to worship
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (BP)--The absence of lights and air conditioning and even the destruction or damage of homes in the wake of Hurricane Charley could not prevent some churches from meeting on the first Lord’s Day following the category four storm that pummeled southwest Florida Aug. 13.
FIRST-PERSON: Gentleness & peace in storm’s wake
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| Anything but.... Despite the message of this sign (parking lots are named for different fruit of the Spirit in Gal. 5:22-23), Hurricane Charley was not gentle to the campus of Orlando’s First Baptist Church on Aug. 13. Gusts reached 145 mph, toppling large trees across the expansive grounds. Photo by James A. Smith Sr./Florida Baptist Witness |
Charley delays man’s baptism but doesn’t challenge his faith
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| Building damaged; faith intact The sanctuary steeple of First Baptist Church in Punta Gorda, Fla., lies on the roof Aug. 15, the first Sunday after Hurricane Charley devastated the Southwest Florida city. “God’s with us to save our lives and show us His true power,” says member Jim Schaaf. Photo by James A. Smith Sr./Florida Baptist Witness |
The Florida Baptist Witness visited the church property Sunday morning, Aug. 15, and found the Schaafs inspecting the damage in what they called "a daze" -- like most of the residents of the city which bore the worst devastation from Hurricane Charley two days before.
Although the main building suffered what appeared to be superficial damage -- with the steeple snapped off its base and laying on the roof, the church parsonage seemed to have significant damage, including the loss of a large portion of its second story.
FIRST-PERSON: The Religious Left in Boston: Democrats get religion
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP)--God is cool again in the Democratic Party.
Christian schools leader lists ideas for SBC support
ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)--Ed Gamble, executive director of the Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools, outlined what he believes can be done within the Southern Baptist Convention to support the efforts of grassroots Southern Baptists engaged in Christian schools.
Public school resolution nets divergent reactions
ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)--A resolution calling for a Southern Baptist exodus from public schools, proposed by two laymen for consideration during the Southern Baptist Convention’s June 15-16 annual meeting in Indianapolis, found little support at a May 11 meeting of Southern Baptist backers of Christian schools.
‘Kingdom education’ seeks to reconnect home, church & school
ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)--A fledgling movement among Southern Baptists to promote denomination-wide Christian education for children in elementary and secondary schools is known as “Kingdom education.” The concept was promoted at a May 11 “Florida Baptist Kingdom Education Summit” jointly sponsored by the Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools and the Florida Baptist Convention.
Education summit underscores importance of nurturing faith
ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)--A “Florida Baptist Kingdom Education Summit,” billed as an historic meeting of pastors, state convention leaders and Christian school administrators, was held in Orlando May 11 with a goal to “help to energize our school movement and help focus it on how we can help churches grow,” said organizer Ed Gamble, executive director of the Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools.
Pastors’ Conference: ‘Jesus Came Preaching’
PENSACOLA, Fla. (BP)--Ted Traylor’s burden for biblical preaching in America’s pulpits drove his planning for this year’s June 13-14 Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference in Indianapolis.
