Local

The Other Side of Sunshine

Robin Martin Good News When was the last time you met a South Florida native? Think about it. Every day I meet people from all across our community and rarely do I find someone who was born and raised here in the tri-county area. To call South Florida a transient population is an understatement, as the growth of the region has primarily been on account of migration and tourism. With the airport, seaport, and railway, Florida is easily accessible for those who want to take in the wonderful weather and the beautiful cities. Founded as a magnet for those seeking […]

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First Prioirity

The United States ranks as the fourth-largest mission field in the world. Millennials (those born between 1978 and 2000) in our nation number 95 million, with only 15 percent identifying themselves as evangelicals. This is the very definition of a post-Christian nation. A staggering 96 percent of South Florida’s population is lost or unchurched, even though many vibrant gospel-centered congregations exist in our community. The answer is not replacing the church but connecting Christ and culture through the local church. Author and Pastor, J.D. Greear, reminds us that “of the 40 miracles recorded in the book of Acts, 39 happened […]

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Be Rad for Good

South Florida’s premier surf and skate shop, Island Water Sports (IWS), has an exciting skate contest series happening right now, with three contest events leading up to their 35th annual Daytime Radness (formerly Midnight Madness) event taking place on Friday, October 18 in Deerfield Beach. Whether you are a skater, the parent of a skater, are into the surf/skate scene, or are just a South Florida resident looking for a fun day for the whole family, you won’t want to miss out on this incredible event coming up next month. An opportunity to give back Proceeds from this year’s event […]

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New Local Thrift Store Supports Missions

A new thrift store, World of Hope, opened its doors in North Lauderdale for the first time last month. World of Hope seeks to do just what its name implies — offer the hope of Jesus to the world. With a retail location as a furniture and thrift store, World of Hope is raising funds to provide support to Broward County’s homeless and helpless. A heart to help The vision for the store was birthed four years ago when founder Leo Dodier, along with his wife Donna, felt the call to make a difference in their community. Romans 8:28 reminds […]

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Shonta’s Story of HOPE

South Florida is one of the most beautiful, yet broken places in our nation. In one sense, we live in paradise as we daily enjoy what others pay to experience. In another sense, South Florida takes everything that is broken about our world and puts it on a giant billboard for all to see. One painful example of our community’s brokenness is homelessness. According to the most recent count reported by the Florida Council on Homelessness, the South Florida, tri-county area reported 9,726 men, women and children who are homeless. In Broward County alone, over 150 families are on the […]

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Guardian ad Litem Program

By: Jeff Stuncard ‘For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you, or thirsty, and give you drink? ‘And when did we see you a stranger, and invite you in, or naked, and clothe you? ‘And when did we see you sick, or […]

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Back to School Safety

More than a quarter of a million students will be returning to schools across Broward County on Monday, August 19th. As a parent of high school-age triplets, my wife, Susan, and I can relate to the demands of getting children ready for the school year. Amid the commotion of the season, it is important to always remember our number one back-to-school priority: keeping kids safe. As we approach the start of the 2013-14 school year, I encourage you to talk with your children about safety and share with them these important tips: • If your child is walking to or […]

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Why Serve Others?

Historically, helping and healing is part of the mission of the Christian church; you might even say it is in our DNA. As such, it is important to patiently work out the ways in which our faith compels us to serve “the least of these” in our community. The gospel changes everything and in it we find the answer to why we serve others. Christians find the motivation to serve the “least of these” in our community in the message of the cross and by the grace shown to us through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Through serving others, we find […]

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Practice Precaution – Prevent a Drowning

It only takes seconds. You look away, you may not hear the splash and your child is nowhere in sight. Drowning – the harsh reality of losing a child in as little as 20 seconds. Sadly, in 2012, Broward County lost nine children under the age of four to drowning accidents, and since January 2013, there have been two more. The Broward Sheriff’s Office is committed to educating parents and caregivers about taking precautions to help end these preventable tragedies. Living in South Florida, we are surrounded by water. Although children may know how to swim, if left unsupervised, they […]

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Expressions of Joy – The Art of Dance

One of God’s most common names in Hebrew is Elohim — “Sovereign; strong one, the creative and mighty!” He is creative indeed, and he has designed each of us with a diversity of gifts to bring glory to his name. Our creativity is a reflection of his creativity. We represent him with every thought, action and expression. One such expression is dance! Scripture tells us that dance is a sacred expression of worship. Psalm 149:3 declares, “Praise his name with dancing,” and Psalm 150:4 echoes, “Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes!” Our God is truly […]

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