Local

2nd Annual Culinary Takeoff: Fueling Futures 4KIDS

On Friday, April 11, 4KIDS hosted their 2nd Annual Culinary Takeoff: Fueling Futures 4KIDS, drawing nearly 300 guests to Banyan Air Service at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The night blended gourmet flavors, heartwarming storytelling, and generosity to support children and families in foster care. The transformed luxury jet hangar featured 12 local restaurants and caterers serving an array of small bites—from Cuban cuisine to homemade desserts. Guests explored a flavorful journey while enjoying a band, interactive photo booths, and a live artist painting. Later, 4KIDS President Andrew Holmes and Chief Advocacy Officer Tom Lukasik presented the vision behind the organization’s […]

-Read More


Omar Aleman: Happy Meal

“Attendance is required, mandatory stuff, not to be missed” is the official announcement of our weekly Tuesday afternoon Bible Study. About a dozen seasoned men meet to learn, decipher and understand what Scripture means and has for them in an environment akin mostly to a rugby pitch. There are plenty of scrums, rucks and an occasional knee below the belt as personal hardships, health issues and disappointments are tempered with accomplishments, praise reports and spiritual growth. We are brothers on a mission to learn more about Jesus, to put to use the lessons gleaned daily, and to rely on each […]

-Read More


Chris Simpson: Blinded To Our Blessedness

This week, I read an article by an American evangelical writer — someone who, by his admission, primarily writes for European and African audiences. Like much of his recent work, this piece was deeply critical of the current American administration. A well-known global Christian organization then amplified it, sharing it with a vast audience. I commented, and to his credit, the author reached out. We had a respectful exchange, and he invited me to respond on his blog. I prefer to journal about it in my own forum. So here it is. For American evangelicals — hear me — I […]

-Read More


Dr. Debra A. Schwinn: Creating Change Makers Through Christ-First Higher Education

Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) has long been a place where tomorrow’s leaders can grow in wisdom, lead with conviction, and serve God boldly. In the last year PBA has been recognized as the third fastest-growing institution in the nation for applications, and for the third consecutive year, we celebrated our largest incoming class. This surge in enrollment reflects a significant trend: today’s students are increasingly drawn to a liberal arts education deeply rooted in Judeo-Christian principles. While we carefully measure our successes at PBA, celebrating initiatives and milestones that strengthen the light we shine for His Kingdom, I believe the […]

-Read More


Habitat for Humanity Holds 6th Annual CEO Build at BBI Village

Habitat for Humanity of Broward brought together South Florida’s most influential business leaders for the 6th Annual CEO Build, a transformative initiative tackling the critical need for affordable workforce housing. Held on Saturday, February 1, at the rapidly developing BBI Village community in Fort Lauderdale, the event showcased the power of collective leadership and action to create lasting, life-changing impact on homeownership for hardworking local families. About the CEO Build Co-chaired by Brent Burns, recently retired CEO of JM Family Enterprises, Inc., and Keith Koenig, Chairman of CITY Furniture, the CEO Build united South Florida’s top leaders, who collectively lead […]

-Read More


Calvary House Celebrates Recovery Graduates

On February 8th, Calvary House celebrated the graduation of 18 men and women who successfully completed its 12-month residential addiction recovery program at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. “It is incredible to witness these men and women — who arrive broken, battered and defeated — come back to life. They now have a relationship with Jesus, and they have hope and purpose again,” said Antony Tchividjian, Director of Calvary House for Men. Founded in 1990, Calvary House exists to heal and restore men and women struggling with addiction, offering a path to transformation through faith and community. If you or someone […]

-Read More


World’s Largest Christian Educators Conference Held in Fort Lauderdale

Schools United Professional Development Day is a conference dedicated to the professional and spiritual growth of Christian education professionals. This year’s conference – hosted by Calvary Christian Academy Fort Lauderdale on February 14, 2025 – welcomed 3,500+ attendees from around the country, making it the world’s largest Christian educators conference. The day began with a time of worship, followed by keynote sessions led by Cynthia Tobias, an esteemed author and speaker specializing in learning styles and strategies for engaging strong-willed children. Participants then chose from over 100 breakout sessions on various topics ranging from classroom management, curriculum planning, leadership and […]

-Read More


Grace Wesleyan Church Celebrates 5th Anniversary

Grace Wesleyan Church in Fort Lauderdale celebrated five years as a new church community on Saturday, February 22, 2025. Grace Wesleyan was founded in February 2020 by a group of 25 people who decided it was time to leave their long-time mainline denomination church and start a God-centered, Bible-believing church in northeast Fort Lauderdale. From humble beginnings meeting in a local home, the young church started meeting in rented space at Shepherd of the Coast Lutheran Church and has grown to about 250 unique attendees each month. For the first year, they met on Saturday evenings, and upon the hiring […]

-Read More


4KIDS Hosts Inspirational Galentine’s Luncheons

This year’s 4KIDS Galentine’s celebrations were filled with love and inspiration! First, leading ladies gathered at the Mary Porter Ballroom at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, where they spent the afternoon hearing powerful stories from women who have stepped into the world of foster care and are changing it for the better. The gorgeous, waterfront venue was a sea of red and pink as over 175 women united for one common goal: to make a lasting impact on children and families in crisis. Attendees enjoyed a thrilling raffle featuring over 20 luxury items and had fun capturing memories […]

-Read More


50 Years of Grace and Growth: How the Barnes Family Helped Transform South Florida Families and Churches

This Year’s Legacy Families Feature For over five decades, the Barnes family has woven their faith and resilience into the fabric of South Florida, redefining what it means to serve both church and community. At the heart of this legacy stands Dr. Bob Barnes, whose tenure as CEO of Sheridan House Family Ministries has not only uplifted single mothers and at-risk youth but also catalyzed a movement for stronger families across the region. His wife Rosemary, a powerful partner, has served alongside him, mentoring women through her weekly Bible studies. Rosemary’s family is rooted in a remarkable lineage, including five […]

-Read More