Highlands Christian Academy Celebrates 50 Years

Shelly Pond
2 Aug 2015
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Highlands Christian Academy

Highlands Christian Academy in Pompano Beach was established in 1965 against the backdrop of an innocent time when moviegoers stood in line to see “The Sound of Music” and the culture was in turmoil over the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movement. As they celebrate their 50th anniversary, Highlands Headmaster Ken Lopez said, “We are called to prepare people for a great cultural shift taking place. At first Christianity was embraced, then it was tolerated, and I’m not sure how long it will continue to be tolerated, so we have to prepare our children for this time.” Envisioning a […]

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Taking a Bite Out of Summer Hunger

Shelly Pond
9 Jul 2015
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“We’re encouraging our partners to start serving meals to kids who may struggle over the summer,” said Paco Velez, president and CEO of Feeding South Florida. As Summer BreakSpot sponsors, Feeding South Florida handles the administrative and financial oversight of the USDA program, which passes through a reimbursement for breakfasts, lunches and snacks that have all the components of nutritious meals at approved locations. Each lunch must include a serving of milk, two servings of fruits or vegetables, one grain and one protein. At Summer BreakSpots children receive meals in a safe and supervised setting, which may include faith-based organizations, […]

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Feeding South Florida

Students Attend Unleashed Mission Camp With A Heart to Serve Others

Shelly Pond
2 Jul 2015
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More than 135 middle and high school students spent a week of their summer break serving area non-profits and schools during Unleashed Summer Mission Camp June 22 – 26. West Pines Community Church developed the mission camp after realizing that teens sitting around during the summer were an untapped resource willing and ready to serve our community. “One of the things we’ve noticed is that relationship building  is  best  cultivated when you are volunteering or giving,” said Justin Chades, student pastor at West Pines Community Church and the camp director. “Going to a theme park is fun, but when you  […]

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Graduates Encouraged to Stand Strong in the Face of Cultural Challenges

Shelly Pond
1 Jun 2015
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  Shelly Pond Good News Donning cap and gown, high school graduates will be marching on stage this month to receive their diplomas among well deserved applause. They have worked hard to prepare themselves for a bright future, and they are this nation’s hope during a time when the cultural challenges are many from the influence of technology to the erosion of Christian values…  [Read More]    

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South Floridians Send Relief to Nepal Churches and Orphanage After Quake

Shelly Pond
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South Floridians Send Relief

Just moments after Regan Kramer and her brother Regis, of Weston, stepped off the plane onto U.S. soil on their return trip from Nepal, the calls of concern came in from family members who had heard about the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that killed more than 8,600 people on April 25. The First Baptist Church of Weston members had just visited Pastor Reuban Rai, a pastor who coordinates a network of rural churches in Nepal from his church in Khatmandu. Kramer first met Pastor Rai during a month-long Teen Missions trip in 2007. Now a videographer, she hoped to document Rai’s […]

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Regina’s Farm Serves Authentic Brazilian Food for a Worthy Cause

Shelly Pond
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  Brazilians have found a home away from home at Regina’s Farm, a quaint backyard dining experience tucked away in Fort Lauderdale’s Sailboat Bend Community across the street from Las Olas Worship Center. Most Saturdays, Regina Rodriguez rises early to begin preparing authentic Brazilian fare for the evening’s guests to experience the food and culture of her homeland. Regina’s Farm is a non-profit used as a church function of Las Olas Worship Center, where her husband, Elizeu Silva is pastor. “It is used to raise funds for building programs, mission funds and helping the needy,” said Silva.   A family […]

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Regina’s Farm

Stop by Nelson’s Diner Where Elvis is King and Comfort Food Reigns

Shelly Pond
3 May 2015
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Nelson's Diner

Step back to the time when Elvis was King for a taste of good homemade cooking at Nelson’s Diner in Pompano Beach. Famous for its friendly service, great food and hometown feel, Nelson’s Diner is adorned with Elvis memorabilia including a life-size cutout of the King. Sports pennants cover the ceiling, and the diner decor is reminiscent of a 1950’s soda shop. Nelson and Elvis Owner Greg Nelson grew up admiring Elvis. “I loved his music, especially his gospel music,” said Nelson. As he began acquiring records, photos and other novelties, it only seemed natural to display them where others […]

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SafePlace 4KIDS Provides Comfort to Kids Entering Foster Care

Shelly Pond
1 May 2015
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When crisis strikes at home and children are initially removed for their safety and entering the foster care system due to abuse, neglect or abandonment, they experience a flood of emotions. Confusion, fear, anger, grief and uncertainty rush in like a flood as they are often picked up by a police officer at school and must sit in an office beside a caseworker as arrangements are made for their placement with a foster family or in a group home, which can take hours or sometimes days. They may wonder if they are in trouble and could know very little about […]

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safeplace

Foster Families Needed to Meet the Increasing Influx of Children in Crisis

Shelly Pond
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In the past two years, Broward and Palm Beach counties have experienced such a large increase in the number of children being removed from their homes due to abuse, abandonment and neglect that the need for new foster families is arguably reaching crisis levels, according to some providers. Last fiscal year Palm Beach experienced a 54 percent increase in local children being removed from their homes due to abuse, abandonment or neglect. This elevated removal rate has continued through the 2014-15 fiscal year with average monthly removals today being 41percent higher than two years ago, according to Elizabeth Winter, director […]

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First Baptist Church of Pompano Beach To Celebrate 100th Anniversary

Shelly Pond
2 Apr 2015
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first baptist 100th anniversary

For 100 years First Baptist Church of Pompano Beach has stood as a gathering place where people come and meet with God. Holding their first organizational meeting on May 4, 1915 under the leadership of Pastor D.P. Mahoney in a community church building used by Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians, First Baptist Church of Pompano Beach invites the community to celebrate their 100th anniversary with a family carnival on May 2 and a special service on May 3.   Remodel blends old and new In preparation of the celebration, First Baptist Church of Pompano Beach recently completed a full remodeling project […]

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