In spite of the recession and widespread cuts in funding, the fight against domestic abuse continues undaunted from a small office in Pompano Beach. Kate Johnson, the founder of the Christian Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, is gearing up for National Domestic Violence Awareness month in October by calling for more awareness and support from the Christian community. She said churches can contact the CCADA for presentation materials or to request a speaker. Kate said the tragedy of the economic downturn is not only the cuts in funding as donors cinch in their belts, but that economic hardship worsens the plight […]

Bucky Dent, John Offerdahl, Danny Kanell, OJ McDuffie and Marvin Jones also to appear The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is proud to announce their Third Annual Gold Coast FCA Celebrity Golf and Tennis Classic to be held Monday, Nov. 2, at the beautiful Parkland Golf and Country Club in Parkland. The tournament will begin with a shotgun start set for 9 a.m. and will be hosted by legendary FAU football coach Howard Schnellenberger for the third year in a row. The event will also include appearances by local and national sports legends, athletes and coaches led by former Miami […]

Broward County School Board Member Phyllis C. Hope spoke with Scott Spages about the changes she hopes to see in Broward schools and her South Florida upbringing. Hope was born in Pompano Beach, and is now the married mother of two and grandmother of four. She attends Piney Grove Baptist Church in Ft. Lauderdale. BackgroundScott Spages (SS): Where did you grow-up and what was it like? Phyllis Hope (PH): I grew up in South Florida and had a great childhood spending time at beaches, parks and playing basketball and kickball with family and friends. SS: What’s your favorite sport or […]

As a servant of Christ, former horse jockey and maintenance worker, James McDonald was fired for witnessing to others on the job. But he saw that there was a great need for handyman services in South Florida, and the Lord gave him the idea to combine his physical and spiritual tools to reach people for Jesus. So, McDonald, his mentor Lester Lemke, who has been a prison minister for 25 years, and Minister Buddy Malcomb founded Off the Chain 4 Jesus Ministries (OTC4J), a unique mix of mission and repair work. OTC4J offers handyman services to the public on a […]

Josh Bramos’ curiosity for music started at an early age. As he worked his way through learning various musical instruments, his love for music grew deeper, and his talent truly began to shine through. During high school, while he was juggling both sports and music, Bramos made a tough decision. “I remember when Josh was in 10th grade, and he told my husband and I about his decision to quit sports. We were surprised at first, but listening to him play his guitar, piano and drums, and seeing his desire for it, I trusted him in the decision he was […]

When a child or elderly person goes missing, what do you do? First you call 911. Then, when it is established that a child is missing, the police or sheriff’s office will contact the “A Child Is Missing Alert Program,” based in Ft. Lauderdale. In the first critical hours, A Child Is Missing alerts the neighborhood with a specialized message asking for information on the missing child or elderly person (often someone dealing with Alzheimer’s). They also send an alert when students, the disabled and people with special needs go missing. The program’s 1,000 alert calls in 60 seconds have […]

Local Christian leaders meet to sharpen one another The men’s Life of Iron Sharpens Iron started out in David and Karen Woods’ kitchen in 1995. David and his long-time friend Kevin Bowser wanted to bring some muchneeded organization to their church board in Washington, D.C. But there was no local support to do this. Pastors of large churches are able to participate in seminars and workshops on the national scene, they noted, but what about the leaders of smaller churches? That is where Iron Sharpens Iron comes in. The Iron Sharpens Iron Conference Network they started now travels across the […]

‘The Facts of Life’ actress will speak in South Florida in November as part of Women of Faith’s ‘A Grand New Day’ tour With families across the nation facing economic hard times and foreclosures up more than 80 percent, there is more stress on women than ever before. So there’s no better time to get together with your girlfriends for a weekend of hope and inspiration when Women of Faith’s 2009 tour, “A Grand New Day,” comes to the BankAtlantic Center, Nov. 20–21. A fresh face that was added to this year’s line-up of speakers is a familiar face to […]

Five & Two Pictures is proud to announce the upcoming release of a very special film entitled “The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.” Coming to theaters Sept. 18, “The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry” is an inspiring film for viewers from 8 years old to 80 years old. Set in 1970, the film follows three 12-year-old boys as they encounter the town bully and an older fellow named Jonathan Sperry (played by Gavin MacLeod) who encourages them to live out what the Bible says. Jansen Panettiere, the younger brother of Hayden Panettiere of “Heroes” fame, and Robert Guillaume also co-star. Fireproof actor […]