Pastor calls himself ‘blessed’ ministering to inner-city hurts
MIAMI (BP)–“How are you, Reverend?”“I’m blessed” is Joshua Garvin’s usual reply.His answer reflects the gracious, optimistic spirit that enables Garvin, pastor of New Life Baptist Church in the Carol City area of greater Miami, to bring a ray of hope into communities darkened by poverty, drugs, vandalism, violence and family instability.As he drives through the […]
His brush strokes offer faith among million tourists yearly
ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)–It’s just beginning to get dark, and Church Street Station in Orlando, Fla., is starting to come alive. Mounted police watch as people begin to drift out of stores and restaurants into the downtown street, which is now closed to auto traffic. Horse-drawn buggies roll by as a kilt-clad bagpipe ensemble plays “Amazing […]
This church’s ‘family:’ 53 children and growing
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (BP)–At least 53 churches and missions in south Florida can trace their roots to the influence of Bill Billingsley and Sheridan Hills Baptist Church. But don’t ask pastor Billingsley to tell you which one he’s most proud of. “Would I choose one of my children as my favorite?” he asked. It’s hard to […]
7/24/97 These women work at reaching the world a stitch at a time
ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)–How many yards of cloth does it take to reach around the world? No one has kept count of the yards of fabric, the hours of work or the items made, but the sewing ministry of Downtown Baptist Church, Orlando, Fla., has reached across continents with a tangible expression of God’s love. “I […]
6/4/97 Association’s churches boosted by missions work in Honduras
YULEE, Fla. (BP)–Pastor Lucendo and his wife knelt in the dark, in the dirt yard of their home. There had been a drought that summer and they had no corn. Lucendo had just returned from a preaching trip — a three-hour walk to a deacon’s home, and then on to the preaching point – – […]
Faith helps pro golfers balance the highs, lows
WINDERMERE, Fla. (BP)--Half a dozen strokes with a club can make the difference between big bucks and no bucks in the world of pro golf.
Newspaper names Jim Henry ‘Floridian of the Year’
ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)--Florida pastor Jim Henry was named "Floridian of the Year" by the editorial board of The Orlando Sentinel. Henry, pastor of First Baptist Church, Orlando, was featured in a Jan. 5 article in the Florida newspaper's "Insight" section.
