Barbara Denman

Anyone attending a Florida Baptist Convention event during the past four decades most likely would have noticed a tall, lanky figure towering over most others at any meeting; a constant presence standing 6’6” with a slow and steady voice who could give meaning to the most complex financial statements and budget sheets; an unassuming person who most often sat on the back row.

The scorched remains of the sanctuary, buckled roof and blackened pews serve as a backdrop for the sign outside of Main Street Baptist Church in Bartow that reads, “God is Still God and God is Still Good.”

A five-member Presidential Search Committee has been named by trustees of The Baptist College of Florida to find the next president to continue the legacy of the institution founded in 1943.

Two Florida Baptist pastors shared how developing multisite congregations has expanded God’s kingdom in their communities and beyond during the Challenge 2025 Gathering held Feb. 22 at First Baptist Church in Orlando.

Handing each woman a broken shell similar to the one she wore around her neck, Cheryl Rice called the ministry wives to observe the beauty revealed in its brokenness.

Florida Baptists from all corners of the state set aside a day for prayer, instruction, and commitment to reach Florida’s 22 million people during the “Challenge 2025 Gathering” held Feb. 22 at First Baptist Church in Orlando.

Vanita Baldwin, beloved prayer warrior, passionate missions educator and Cooperative Program champion, died Feb. 20 at her Jacksonville home. She was 95.

Billy Gene Hickem, 94 years old, died Feb. 10, 2022 with peace and dignity at Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center in Panama City.

A convergence of college students and leaders determined to ignite a passion for Christ in their churches and on their campuses drew more than 400 to the annual Collegiate Weekend, held Feb. 4-5 at First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach.

During the meeting of the State Board of Missions held virtually Jan. 20, Board members received encouraging words from the newly elected Florida Baptist State Convention President Paul Purvis and news of the progress of the Florida Baptists’ missions and ministries efforts.