Human Trafficking Awareness Month Seeks an End to Slavery in Florida and the World

Shelly Pond
1 Jan 2016
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human trafficking

Although slavery was outlawed in the United States in 1865, it is estimated that there are approximately 21 – 30 million people in slavery in the world today, a number that may be higher than any time in history. Worldwide, about 78 percent of these are victims of labor slavery while 22 percent are victims of sex slavery. And of those in slavery, 26 percent are children under the age of 18, according to freetheslaves.net. In the United States, however, Florida ranks third in the nation for reported cases of human trafficking, where 41 percent of those cases are sex […]

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South Florida Pastors Gather in Harmony

Shelly Pond
23 Dec 2015
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There is a movement afoot in South Florida that is bringing churches together in the spirit of unity. It’s based in the heart of 1 Corinthians 13. “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. … God has put each part just where he wants it…. This makes for harmony among […]

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Jim Daly Encourages Pastors to Love Their Enemies

Shelly Pond
8 Dec 2015
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jim daly

Speaking to a gathering of pastors and ministry leaders in Fort Lauderdale last month, Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families thrive, said he is concerned when he looks at the culture wars that are so pervasive in our country. “Does anyone here know anyone who was beaten into the Kingdom of God?” asked Daly. “The one weapon Satan can’t steal from us is love.” While acknowledging that he is conservative in his politics, Daly said, “I don’t want FOX News running my theology.” He shared 2 Timothy 2:23-26 as […]

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John Fisher Has a Passion for Leaving a Legacy with Your Wealth, Values & Influence

Shelly Pond
1 Dec 2015
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John Fisher, owner of Fisher Precious Metals, is a national industry expert on buying gold and silver bullion and establishing precious metals IRAs. He is also a Certified Appraiser with the International Society of Appraisers and facilitates certified appraisals. However, his expertise was originally developed in support of Christian ministries. After spending over a decade in the business incentive industry, John Fisher was asked to join Stephan Tchividjian in establishment of the local Christian Community Foundation (CCF) in Fort Lauderdale, originally the local presence for the National Christian Foundation. Having gained experience as the Vice President of CCF in donor […]

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john fisher

Walgreens Executive Shares His Experience as an Orphan Boy

Shelly Pond
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Ultimately, we are not measured by what we inherited but by what we do with the story we’ve been given. Steve Pemberton’s story is one of resilience. Born to an alcoholic mother, a murdered father and discarded by his sisters, he was placed in the foster care system at the age of three and had no memory of his family. By age five he had been in so many homes he’d lost track, and the people who eventually were entrusted with his care stripped him of his self esteem, hope or encouragement. “The teachers, nurses and doctors looked but didn’t […]

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Calvary Chapel Worship Singer Celebrates Her Sister: Donna Summer

Shelly Pond
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Among the voices on the worship team at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale is a woman whose life experience has taken her performing around the world – not from church to church, but rather on US and European tours at concert venues as large as 17,000 people. Her name is Mary Gaines Bernard, and she is the younger sister of Donna Summer, affectionately remembered as the Queen of Disco. An accomplished singer and songwriter, Mary released her first solo CD recording in 2008 entitled “You Made It” that features contemporary Gospel songs, and she performed at Disney’s Night of Joy that […]

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Urban League to Host 10th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast

Shelly Pond
25 Nov 2015
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urban league

People from all walks of life, cultures and faiths will gather for the Urban League’s 10th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, December 5, at the First Church of the Open Bible in Lauderdale Lakes. Focusing on the theme of thanksgiving, the Urban League of Broward County invites community, business, educational, religious and political leaders, including state legislators, mayors and other public officials, to convene in the spirit of prayer, peace and unity as they close out their 40th Anniversary year. Urban League Talk Rev. Henry “Trae” Green, III, pastor of Payne Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, West Palm Beach, […]

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Adoption Month Advocates for Children Who Need a Forever Home

Shelly Pond
3 Nov 2015
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For the past 19 years, National Adoption Month has been recognized in November as a time to honor those who have opened their hearts and homes to a child in need and to advocate for all children still seeking a loving, supportive family. Adoption options include domestic adoption of an infant from a mother unable to care for the child, international adoption of a child from another country, or adoption of a child who is in foster care, often referred to as a modern-day orphan. Giving a child up for adoption can be a loving option for a woman facing […]

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Churches Pitch In to Build SafePlace Playground for Kids in Crisis

Shelly Pond
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When abused, abandoned or neglected children must be removed from their homes, 4KIDS of South Florida welcomes them to SafePlace, a temporary shelter where they are lovingly cared for while arrangements are made for appropriate placement in foster homes. Because this is an often scary and confusing time for children, SafePlace desires to provide a warm retreat from the storm. However, a necessary relocation of their facilities recently left SafePlace without an outside area for children to play and run off the stress of their situation, until two churches stepped in to help build them a playground. “It’s about the […]

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Food, Football & Charity Collide at John Offerdahl’s Gridiron Grill-Off

Shelly Pond
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  Food lovers and football fans will enjoy the Sixth Annual “John Offerdahl’s Broward Health® Gridiron Grill-Off Food & Wine Festival,” on Saturday, November 14th from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater. It’s a grill-off competition with Miami Dolphins legends and celebrity chefs from South Florida’s finest restaurants. Fans spend the afternoon eating, sampling fine Gallo wines, voting on their favorite grill recipes and competing with Dolphins players in the annual Cornhole Tournament. And it’s all designed to “Feed the Need of Kids in Crisis,” benefitting charities like 4KIDS of South Florida, Hope South Florida and nonprofits […]

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