Kristi Hodge

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (BP)–A proposed “Choose Life” license plate, which would have raised funds to aid adoption, was vetoed by Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles May 20. In an official statement, Chiles wrote that the Choose Life license plate would further polarize Floridians on the “controversial and difficult subject” of reproductive rights and that an official license […]

SEMINOLE, Fla. (BP)–When Bill Losasso goes to the fair, he sees a lot of things most people miss — like strollers chained to the rides to keep workers’ children close by because they can’t afford child care. He notices how close the rides are to one another and knows workers must stay in that area […]

FORT MYERS, Fla. (BP)–A Florida school board has voted unanimously to replace its Bible-history curriculum with material suggested by seven parents and others who filed suit against the board in December. The vote was part of a settlement Feb. 25 of a lawsuit involving the Lee County School Board, based in Fort Myers. Plaintiffs in […]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP)–Gordon Chandler, 80, a member of First Baptist Church, Winter Garden, was among the estimated 36 killed in a series of tornadoes that swept through central Florida the night of Feb. 22. Several Florida Baptist churches reported that many homes of Baptists have been destroyed or damaged. At press time, churches were trying […]

MIAMI (BP)–Five groups of ministers have become a noticeable presence among breakfast crowds at local restaurants in Miami. The ministers meet not only for breakfast, but for prayer. Sometimes they hand out prayer request cards and other times they pray aloud in small groups around the restaurant tables. Their intent is for the community to […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (BP)–Traveling the nation as the 1997 National SADD Student of the Year has opened up many opportunities for Nikki Finch.The title has taken Finch from Florida to Washington, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston to speak on panels for Students Against Destructive Decisions (formerly called Students Against Drunk Driving). She travels out of state […]

CLERMONT, Fla. (BP)–As pastor Danny W. Davis was driving to church one Sunday, he realized a mission opportunity was passing the church by — literally. Athletes in training for Triathlon competition were running and biking down Montrose Street, where First Baptist Church, Clermont, Fla., is located. “The Lord just laid it on my heart right […]

PONTE VEDRA, Fla. (BP)–Eight men recorded “1,400 miles of prayer and pedaling” in cycling to the nation’s capital for the Oct. 4 Promise Keepers rally. “Team PK” began their nine-day journey to Washington Sept. 25, covering about 150 miles a day by bicycle. The eight men from Florida’s Tampa Bay area, five of them Baptists, […]

TAMPA, Fla. (BP)–Paul Wells stretches for the 110-percent mark in life, whether in his role as law enforcement officer, computer science teacher, water skiing enthusiast or family man. It’s this enthusiasm and commitment that earned him the distinction as one of Florida’s 1997 “Outstanding Fathers of the Year.” Wells, who goes to Seminole Heights Baptist […]

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (BP)–It started with a phone conversation and later became an award-winning musical. The musical, “Make Us One,” by Florida music minister Kenny Mann and Christian vocalist Babbie Mason, focuses on Christian unity transcending racial and denominational barriers. It received a Dove Award for Musical of the Year from the Gospel Music Association […]