Local

Habitat Broward’s 4th Annual CEO Build Returns

Habitat for Humanity of Broward hosted its 4th annual CEO Build, led by co-chairs Brent Burns, President and CEO of JM Family Enterprises, Inc. and Keith Koenig, Chairman of CITY Furniture at “A Rick Case Habitat Community” in Pompano Beach. Fifty CEOs and C-suite leaders from many of South Florida’s largest companies spent the morning working side by side to support affordable homeownership in Broward County, the most cost-burdened housing market in the country. Habitat’s 4th Annual CEO Build Helps Families Habitat for Humanity of Broward offers working families a way to earn an affordable mortgage kept to 30 percent […]

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Hannah’s Home Gala Raises Record Amount

The Hannah’s Home of South Florida Fourth Annual Gala, Reaching for the Stars, broke fundraising records for the organization with more than $500,000 in gross proceeds. Held on March 2 at the Pelican Club in Jupiter, the gala gathered nearly 340 supporters and guests. The event was chaired by former Tequesta mayor, Abby Brennan and George G. Gentile, president of 2GHO, and Stephanie Mitrione, South Florida community relations specialist served as honorary co-chairs. Hannah’s Home Hits Record “Setting records is gratifying, but more important is the lifeline this fundraising provides to young pregnant women who have nowhere else to turn,” […]

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4KIDS Expands to Southwest Florida

4KIDS in Southwest Florida The official Grand Opening of 4KIDS newest office located in Southwest Florida was held the first week of March. In Southwest Florida, four foster families are already licensed and six more are currently undergoing the process to welcome children into their homes. Key relationships and partnerships have already been built with churches and businesses in the surrounding areas, and the organization is eager to see how God will impact this community as they provide hope to more kids and families in crisis. 4KIDS expansion doesn’t end there, they are also putting down roots in Miami-Dade County […]

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Students Learn a Financial Goal Without an Action Plan ‘Is Just a Wish’

These are exciting times at Palm Beach Atlantic University, as we review architects’ plans for the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Building. Our excitement rises even higher when we consider how the new building will allow us to expand impactful business programs and courses taught by engaging professors such as Barbara VanderWerf. “Professor VanderWerf is one of my favorites,” said finance major Emily Kintz. “I just really love her teaching style. She’s very focused on making connections with each student individually.” Emily, a senior, had enjoyed several courses under Barbara, who is assistant professor of management. Now, in her […]

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All-Access to the Almighty

In the animated movie “Shrek,” the dragon blocks access to Princess Fiona, who is being held captive in the tallest tower of the Dragon’s Keep castle. In “The Lord of the Rings,” the Doors of Durin bar entrance into Moria. In “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” Sir Richard the Grail Knight guards the biblical artifact, which is said to have supernatural powers, and he must be defeated in single combat to gain access to the Holy Grail. In “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” a magical wardrobe either opens or prohibits entry into Narnia. These are just a […]

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OneHope Reaches 2 Billion Children and Youth With God’s Word

OneHope, an international Christian ministry, has crossed the threshold of sharing God’s Word with 2 billion children since 1987. To commemorate this incredible milestone, Bob Hoskins, OneHope’s founder, traveled to El Salvador, where OneHope’s programs launched in 1987.  OneHope’s 2 Billion Vision The vision of OneHope was born when Hoskins received a vision of Satan attacking the children of the world. “For days, I was weeping for what I saw—millions of children being slaughtered—and prayed, ‘Lord, what am I seeing and what should I do?’” Bob said. “And the Lord said, ‘The only thing that will save them is truth, […]

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StrikeForce 421 Gifts Grants to Five Local Charities

During their annual Spring Celebration on March 16, StrikeForce 421, a women’s giving circle, gave away $210,700, funding all five of their grant finalists thanks to their circle of Pledge Partners. StrikeForce 421 Gives Out Grants Grace Place School received $31,700 to grow their Small Business Development Program for at-risk youth.  Hearts for Moms received $50,000 to provide innovative programs to empower single moms and their children for a prosperous future and reach 14 new single moms in Boca Raton this year. Many But One received $39,000 to fund their summer program and advance the gospel through training in the […]

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Tell the Whole Story of the Jewish People, Not Just That of Victimhood

The Jewish holiday of Purim recently concluded, and Passover is about to begin. Both holidays acknowledge that threats of annihilation of the Jewish people were stated goals. In Purim, a Persian minister issues an evil decree to murder every Jew. In Passover, the Jewish people were enslaved and later attacked by the Amalekite nation shortly after the exodus from Egypt. Today, when Purim and Passover are celebrated, we rejoice because yet again good triumphed over evil. This is our story.   The Holocaust, too, was a horrible episode in the history of the Jewish people, but there is more to […]

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They’re Canceling Christmas! What?

A couple of years ago we started to hear rumblings. It was not that long after we published our Good News, October 2019 issue when we featured the First Baptist Fort Lauderdale “The Fort Lauderdale CHRISTMAS PAGEANT” as our front cover feature along with my companion column when I mentioned attending my first, First Baptist pageant in 2005, the first of many years of hosting my friends.  You can read about that here. digital.goodnewsfl.org/2019/October/4/ At that point the Christmas Pageant was returning for the 36th consecutive year. A colossal extravaganza.  First Baptist Fort Lauderdale had a new Lead Pastor, James Welch, and rumblings […]

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Lead Pastor Resigns at First Baptist Fort Lauderdale

Lead Pastor James Welch preached his last sermon at First Baptist Fort Lauderdale on March 5th, announcing his “desire to pursue other interests.” Welch has served at the church since 2019 and has made some controversial decisions including the cancellation of the popular Christmas pageant and a real estate sale. Disagreements led to a lawsuit between former congregants and church leadership. The church also had its membership in the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) suspended in October, pending review of its use of resources. Trustees addressed the congregation on Sunday, March 12, saying Welch, “has been a strong leader” […]

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