Largest Christian Newspaper in America • goodnewsfl.org • December 2025 • Volume 27, Issue 9
PUBLISHER 6 DECEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition I loved the curmudgeon Andy Rooney, the longtime 60 Minutes commentator who talked about Christmas many times over the years. While he didn’t have a single, definitive “Christmas essay,” his reflections tended to circle the same themes. Here’s the meaning of Christmas in the spirit and tone of Andy Rooney, without inventing any word-for-word quotes: Christmas, Rooney often suggested, wasn’t about spectacle or perfection—not the perfect gift, the perfect tree or the perfect family gathering. He had a way of pointing out that people work themselves into exhaustion trying to make a holiday “special,” when the things that make it special are usually simple, unpolished, and already present. He liked calling out the commercial overload: too much advertising, too many “must-buy” lists, too many people confusing price tags for sentiment. Rooney believed that if you need to spend a lot of money to show someone you care, you’re probably doing it wrong. At the same time, he had a sentimental streak. He reminded viewers that Christmas is really about small kindnesses — writing a thoughtful card, calling someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, or simply being together with people you love. He emphasized that the holiday works best when we lower our expectations of everything except goodwill. He also noted that Christmas reminds us we’re more alike than we think: almost everyone wants to feel connected, remembered, and a little hopeful at the end of the year. And in classic Andy Rooney fashion, he’d point out that Christmas isn’t something you “make happen” with decorations or shopping. It’s something that happens whenever people slow down long enough to appreciate each other. Here are some actual, documented remarks by Andy Rooney about Christmas — from his “A Few Minutes With Andy Rooney” segments on 60 Minutes and other CBS-News pieces. On decorations: In a 1996 “A Few Minutes With Andy Rooney” segment he said: “Good Christmas decorations are better than bad Christmas decorations, but even bad Christmas decorations are better than none at all.” On gift-giving and unwrapping: In a 1983 segment, Rooney held up some of the gifts he never wanted to receive again — a necktie, perfume, etc. He said things like “Seems to work pretty good, but why would I want to peel an apple?” (referring to a novelty applepeeler) to emphasize that many presents are useless or unwanted. He suggested a practical alternative: “Everyone has some things he or she doesn’t want for Christmas. Make a list. Give it to your friends and family.” On wrapping presents: Rooney described gift-wrapping as “a strange custom.” He questioned why people take more pleasure from receiving a gift that’s “temporarily concealed” rather than one that isn’t hidden. Rooney also had a whimsical comment about how we unwrap presents: once a gift is opened, the wrapping should be “torn off and thrown on the floor… part of the decoration Christmas morning.” In a 1988 segment he admitted that usually he’s the kind of guy who complains if things go wrong — but at Christmas, “I take what’s given to me.” He said: “I’ve had Christmas presents I liked better than others, but I’ve never had a Christmas present I didn’t like.” He reflected on how, for many people, the holidays are a rare time when “we set aside our skepticism, we set aside our competitiveness… and we just hang around all day and love each other.” But to me, Christmas means hope. (Cue the soft lighting) “Every year, no matter what nonsense the world throws at us, we light things up, we sing, we eat like we’ve never met a vegetable… and we remember to laugh. And if that’s not a miracle, what is?” Christmas 2025 - Leslie J. Feldman - Publisher Advertising: We reach over 110,000 readers each month. 80,000 in print and 30,000 via our online digital edition. Placing an ad in our publication is affordable and effective to help grow your business. Call us today! Distribution: Available in more than 800 locations throughout South Florida. To become a free distribution point for the newspaper, please contact Shelly. The Good News is published by Good News Media Group, LLC, Reproduction in whole or part strictly forbidden without the consent of the publisher. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. Good News Media Group, LLC. 600 S.W. 3rd St., Suite 4000, Pompano Beach, FL 33060 954-564-5378 • www.goodnewsfl.org Publisher: Leslie J. Feldman [email protected] Editor: Shelly Pond [email protected] Advertising & Marketing: Robert “Buddy” Helland Jr. V.P. Sr. Marketing Manager [email protected] Art Director: Milton McPherson [email protected] Cover Photography: Luis Feliz [email protected] Associate Art Director: Joseph Sammaritano [email protected] Social Media Manager: Ariel Feldman [email protected] Editorial Assistant: Eric Solomon [email protected] WASHINGTON DC, USA - DECEMBER 2, 1991 Lesley Stahl and her husband Aaron Latham along with Andy Rooney arrive at the Kennedy Center Honors. On The Cover Good News Celebrates 2025 – 2026 Faith Leaders in the cover photoshoot graciously hosted by Pastor TJ McCornick and the talented and hospitable team at Coastal Community Church. Front Row (L to R): Dr. Warren Gage, Watermark Gospel; TJ McCormick, Coastal Community Church; David Hughes, First Baptist Fort Lauderdale & Church by the Glades; Doug Sauder, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale; Trevor Wallace, Jesus Team Ministries; 2nd Row: Dr. Gary Colboch, Grace Church; Myron Rhodes, Jr., Grace Wesleyan Church; Dr. Jason Jackson, The Lion’s Den Missions Base; Arthur Connor, Jr., Metropolitan Baptist Church; Jacob Bramos, Victory Life Church; Darren Davis, Harbour South Florida; 3rd Row: Larry Lacy, The Answer Church; Emmanuel Nina, Christan Life Center Spanish, Virgil Sierra, Vertical Church; Charlie Hughes, Church by the Glades & First Baptist Fort Lauderdale; Dr. Alex Umole, Christian Life Center Sunrise; 4th Row: Matthew McDaniel, Boca Raton Community Church; Courtney Fraser, Strong Tower Church; Steve Daigle, Calvary Chapel Parkland; Dr. Jerry Newcombe, New Presbyterian Church; Josh Mitchael, Coastal Community Lighthouse Point; Bernard King, Cornerstone Bible Fellowship; 5th Row: Dr. David Barsky, Beth Yeshua Messianic Synagogue; Anthony Scibelli, Calvary Chapel West Boca; Shad Peyton, Coastal Community West Boca; Bob di Scipio, Hope For All Nations; 6th Row: Tracy Lewis, The Pentecostals of Cooper City; Gavin Felix, New Springs Church; Joe Vitkus, Temple Aron HaKodesh; Casey Cleveland, The Avenue Church. Good News •December • Volume 27 Issue 9
LETTERS 8 DECEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Franklin Graham: The Sword of the Spirit – The Word of God by Franklin Graham, President and CEO, Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Keep up the good work Mr. Graham. You are an honor to your father’s legacy. Your father was a wonderful man, and your mother was a true lady. - Ginger Hatton Great teaching! This is the most important lesson! - Min Angel Glad this post is about Jesus and not politics. This man keeps defending Trmp who says he hates his enemies. What Christian says that or believes that. - Madeline Marie Bates Grateforgetfulness by Stephan Tchividjian, CEO and Co-Founder, National Christian Foundation South Florida I be grateful for my life having a lot of heart surgery. I am a heart transplant survivor been 25 years for me. I am grateful for doctors and nurses that work hard. - HFDW Everything! - Daylinda Faustino A Call to Arms by Omar Aleman, Aleman and Associates Pastors have a hard job. I was the daughter of one. Always on call. - Beve Morton But don’t put your pastor on a pedestal. - Scoop Mendenhall Let’s see what “call to arms” looks like with Christians: Crusades (Murder, Inc.), Inquisitions (Torture, Inc.), burning heretics alive, slaughter/enslavement of indigenous peoples, burning witches (women) alive, institutional abuse/molestation, the Holocaust, the Klan, Jan 6th… What’s this one thinking?... got in mind? - Corinne Ann Kaseta Good News Salutes 2025 – 2026 Leading Charities and Foundations Honored to be among the charities recognized alongside so many incredible organizations making a difference in our community. Grateful to Good News Florida for highlighting those who serve. - Speak Up for Kids Palm Beach County Thank you, Good News Media Group. It was a pleasure and fantastic meeting other Kingdom builders! God bless you all!! - Ezra Daniel Deane Incredible!! Some of my favorite brothers and sisters!!! - Allison Duine Thank you, Good News Media Group. We are honored to be featured with amazing organizations making an impact in South Florida. - Mary Drabick Thank you, Good News Media Group for supporting our organizations and acknowledging the work we do in the community. - Suzanne Marcellus We’re honored to see our CEO, David Reeves, recognized among leaders making an eternal impact – thank you to Good News for highlighting this work and for your ongoing partnership in sharing shtores of what God is doing. As God grows His Church around the world, we’re grateful for you, our partners, who help make it possible. - unfoldingWord We are honored to be acknowledged for the continued work we are doing in our community to ensure the mental and spiritual wellness of children, teens and families. Thank you, Good News Media Group! - House of Protection, Inc. Honored to be recognized. - Jason Mandle, Restoration Bridge International, RBI Thrift We are incredibly honored to have been selected by the Good News Media Group as a leading South Florida Charity. It was certainly humbling to stand alongside both legacy charities as well as the leading foundations who support Kingdom work. To God be the Glory! - Rescue Upstream Gathering Palm Beach County is featured alongside other Leading Charities & Foundationss by the Good News Media Group. Check out pages 25, 36, 49. Dennis DeMarois featured on Good News Wants to Know pg. 20. - Gathering Palm Beach County An honor and a privilege… - Tony Villasuso Honored to be amongst many great nonprofits. Thank you Good News for the awareness and support! - Angela Ball PUBLISHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Christmas 2025 – by Leslie J. Feldman WE GET LETTERS . . . . . . . . . .8 IN THE WORD . . . . . . . . . .10 Franklin Graham: No Backing Down in the Face of Persecution — by Franklin Graham PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . .12 Fire and Fur Coats – by Stephan N. Tchividjian FAITH & CULTURE . . . . . . . .14 What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? – by Dr. Rob Pacienza PARENTING . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Are We Missing the Point of Christmas with Our Kids? – by Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts CHURCH UNITED . . . . . . . .18 Church United Southwest Florida Launches “State of Our City” Platform to Fuel Kingdom Collaboration – by Edwin Copeland HEART AND SOUL . . . . . . .20 Remembering Why Christmas Matters: The Reflective Power of Advent – by Dr. Debra A. Schwinn and Dr. Jonathan Grenz FOSTER CARE . . . . . . . . . . 22 The Most Sacred Table – by Andrew Holmes GOOD NEWS WANTS TO KNOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 – 26 What is one small tradition you’ve added to your holiday season that brings you unexpected joy?? THE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Open Your Gift – by Dr. O.S. Hawkins GOOD NEWS CELEBRATES 2025 – 2026 FAITH LEADERS . .29 - 44 LEGAL Q & A . . . . . . . . . . .46 Don’t Fall into the “Restrictive Endorsement” Trap – by William “Bill” C. Davell and Charles Tatelbaum STEWARDSHIP . . . . . . . . . .48 Debilitating Debt – by Patrick J. Kelly HOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 A Place to Call Home: Restoring Dignity This Christmas – by Joseph Kenner ENCOURAGEMENT . . . . . .52 Christmas in November: Remembering the Persecuted – by Omar Aleman RELATIONSHIPS . . . . . . . . .54 The Story We Forget to See – by Lisa May COMMUNITY NEWS . .58 - 64 CALENDAR . . . . . . . . .66 - 67 We Get Letters South Florida Edition • Good News December 2025 • Volume 27, Issue 9 CONTENTS
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10 DECEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition IN THE WORD Millions witnessed what forgiveness looks like when Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, quoted Jesus’ cry from the cross before she forgave the man who murdered her husband. Eleven days after Charlie’s assassination — near the end of a nearly six-hour memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona — Erika declared from the podium: “On the cross, our Savior said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they [do] not know what they do.’ That man. That young man. I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it’s what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer, we know from the Gospel, is love, and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.” Charlie, 31, the co-founder of Turning Point USA and a strong follower of Christ, was shot and killed Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. I have no doubt that Charlie was persecuted for his Biblical beliefs about the sanctity of human life and God’s design for creation, sexuality, marriage and the family. I am so proud of Erika, this widowed mother of two young children, for her costly obedience to God’s Word. Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness in the sixth chapter of Matthew could not be any more direct. In His model prayer, Christ teaches that since God forgives us, we should forgive others when He said: “And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). A few verses later, Jesus states further, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15). Charlie was not ashamed of the Gospel of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His Biblical worldview informed his political opinions. I appreciate Charlie’s conviction for standing unequivocally on the authority of Scripture over every aspect of our lives The message of the Gospel invites scorn, ridicule and even violence from those who hate the truth. Christian persecution is growing in our country. American churches and synagogues are increasingly facing attack. Under the Biden administration, pro-life Christian activists were jailed for peacefully protesting the heinous act of abortion. Jesus warned Christians to expect persecution. Although it should never be tolerated by civil authorities, persecution is sometimes the cost of obeying Christ’s invitation in Luke 9:23: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Jesus also said in John 15:20: “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” As a member of President Trump’s recently appointed Religious Liberty Commission, I’ve been inspired to see how Christians are boldly standing on God’s Word and refusing to bow to a woke culture that thumbs its nose at God. For example, Monica Gill, a high school government teacher in the notoriously liberal school district of Loudon County, Virginia, said that her district adopted a policy in 2021 that, in her words, “forced teachers to deny the foundational truth of what it means to be human — created as male and female.” The policy said that teachers must affirm all transgender students, treating boys as girls and girls as boys. But Monica refused to go along with her school district’s godless agenda. “I knew that I could not stand in front of my Father in Heaven one day and say, ‘My pension plan was more important than Your truth,’” she said. The high school teacher took a stand and filed a lawsuit against the district, and this past July, the district agreed that teachers do not need to use pronouns inconsistent with biological reality. The growing LGBTQ movement in our society is further evidence of the Apostle Paul’s warning in the first chapter of the Book of Romans: “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:21-22). For a world drowning in humanism that worships itself instead of its Creator, the Prophet Jeremiah rightly declared: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). That’s why I must continue preaching the Gospel around the world, in places like Brussels, Belgium, where God moved mightily in September with a harvest of souls for His Kingdom. This month, I will go to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the remote reaches of India calling sinners in need of the Savior to “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). And whenever persecution comes my way, I pray that I will not be shaken but instead see it as the blessing that Jesus describes in Matthew 5:10-12: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” ©2025 BGEA Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version. Decision magazine, November 2025; ©2025 Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; used by permission, all rights reserved. Franklin Graham: No Backing Down in the Face of Persecution - Franklin Graham - President and CEO Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association I’ve been inspired to see how Christians are boldly standing on God’s Word and refusing to bow to a woke culture that thumbs its nose at God. Photo Credit: BGEA ” “
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PERSPECTIVE 12 DECEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition There’s an old Jewish phrase that has always spoken to me: tzaddik im peltz — “a righteous person in a fur coat.” On a cold night, you can warm yourself by wrapping up in fur, or you can warm others by lighting a fire. One choice is inward; the other is outward. One warms only you; the other creates room for others to draw near. As I look back on 2025, I’m reminded just how full a year can be. We’ve celebrated and we’ve cried. We’ve rested and we’ve hustled. Our travels have taken us two minutes down the road and thousands of miles across oceans. We’ve experienced victories and setbacks — sometimes within the same week. My word for the year — something I try to practice annually — was remnant. Not a declaration, but an aspiration. I want to be faithful, but I’m far too aware of my own limitations to pretend I always am. In my weakness, God shows Himself strong. This year, I’ve been deeply moved by men and women who have run their race well. Their lives remind me of the kind of person I want to be. But I also know this: I can’t simply will that kind of life into existence. I have to surrender to it. Christmas has a way of tying a bow on the year, of helping us finish well. So I’m asking myself: How will I end this year? I don’t want Christmas to become ChristMISS — to miss what God has for me. The question I’ve been wrestling with is simple: Will I put on a fur coat, or will I start a fire? A long obedience Eugene Peterson’s phrase, “a long obedience in the same direction,” has stayed with me for years. Faithfulness isn’t glamorous. It’s steady. It’s choosing the right direction, again and again, through the peaks, valleys and strong currents of life. What throws me off course most often is unfamiliarity. When life takes a turn I didn’t expect, my instinct is to pull back, tighten the reins and protect myself — much like a turtle retreating into its shell. That self-protective posture can easily drift into selfishness, and selfishness always nudges me off course. So the question becomes: How do I finish well — and keep going well? For me, obedience sits at the center of that question. God created all of us with healthy desires for self-preservation and survival. But those desires must be surrendered to something grander: the desire to honor and obey Him. My struggle isn’t usually with obedience itself — it’s that I’m fine obeying God as long as what He asks lines up with what I already want. That reveals the real problem: I’m filtering obedience through my desires instead of His. There’s a theme here… one that keeps circling back to surrender. The antidote to selfishness I often ask myself two questions: How much of me is in my thinking? and How do I dilute that? One of the most powerful ways — modeled perfectly by Jesus — is to pursue others and refuse isolation. Several years ago, I started paying attention to the “invisible” people in my everyday life. The waiter. The coworker in the corner of the meeting. The FedEx driver. The person behind the counter or on the other side of an email. Sometimes even the people in our own homes. How many of them feel unseen? How often am I too busy to notice? I began asking, What if every day I looked for one opportunity to make an invisible person visible? A smile. A kind word. Eye contact. Encouragement. Gratitude. A small act of generosity. A reminder that someone matters — not later, not when things slow down, but right now. Jesus did this constantly. The disciples were invisible until He saw them. The sick and wounded were invisible until He touched them. The crowds were invisible until He stopped for them. Jesus didn’t allow invisibility to have the last word. He made people visible — and then asked us to do the same. Maybe part of reflecting Him in our world is simply this: make the invisible visible. Christmas and the invisible For many, Christmas is their favorite time of year — the weather, the gatherings, the traditions, the gifts, the music, the beauty of the season. But for others — and sometimes for all of us — the invisible parts of our lives rise to the surface during Christmas. Pain feels sharper. Loneliness feels heavier. Loss feels deeper. Whether it’s grief, financial pressure, broken relationships, health challenges, addiction, or uncertainty, we often assume no one wants to hear about our pain. So we put on the mask, keep quiet, and slip into the background. We become invisible. And when we feel invisible, everyone else tends to fade from view as well. But Christmas is the season when God Himself stepped into our world to say, “I see you. I love you. I am here.” The birth of Jesus is God making the invisible visible — showing us that we are not forgotten, not overlooked, not abandoned. So as we step into this season, maybe God is asking each of us to see what He sees. To look for those who feel hidden. To warm others, not just ourselves. To light a fire. Because I don’t want to be the man in the fur coat. I want to be the one who builds the fire. Merry Christmas. Stephan N. Tchividjian is the CEO and co-founder of the National Christian Foundation South Florida. Visit southflorida.ncfgiving.com to learn more. Fire And Fur Coats - Stephan Tchividjian - CEO and Co-Founder, National Christian Foundation South Florida
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FAITH & CULTURE 14 DECEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition This Christmas, with Christians reflecting on the significance of Jesus’ birth, I’m inspired by the question posed by the late D. James Kenney thirty years ago: What if Jesus had never been born? It's a fascinating exercise, where we unravel the threads of time and imagine how different the tapestry of history might look with just one thread missing. It’s quite counterintuitive, of course, for a Christian to pose such a counterfactual question. So, humor me for a moment as we embark on a journey through an “altered history,” where Jesus’ absence creates a profound vacuum that affects the world we would experience. Religion and spirituality At the heart of this vacuum would be a drastically altered religious and spiritual landscape. The world’s people would never know what it would be like for God to take on human flesh, exemplifying God’s law and then atoning for the sins of the world. The religious sphere would be dominated by works-based salvation, an anxiety and despair-inducing quest that consistently ends every time in failure. Polytheistic paganism might have maintained its stranglehold on half the world, replete with anthropomorphic “gods” who fight with one another, and “rule the world” based on their whims and caprice. Alternately, Hinduism and Buddhism might have gained an unprecedented ascendance, dotting the landscape with shrines for ancestor veneration and temples for Eastern meditation. Yet again, Islam might have forced its way to power, replete with polygamy and Sharia law. Regardless, the religious landscape would be altered, almost beyond recognition, and not for the good. Ethics and moral philosophy Although the salvation wrought by Jesus is by grace alone and through faith alone, he affirmed the significance of the moral law woven into creation’s order. By affirming the Ten Commandments (which paved the way for the development of civil law in Western society) and by revealing their deeper application, he pointed society towards a love-based interpretation of adherence to those laws. In a world without Jesus, principles like forgiveness, compassion and turning the other cheek might not have become as ingrained in societal values. Community structures, too, would likely have evolved along different lines, perhaps more aligned with political or familial ties rather than religious fellowship. Art, architecture and music Imagine our world without the majestic artwork inspired by the life and ministry of Jesus: the Byzantine era’s majestic mosaics depicting scenes from the Bible; the Romanesque sculptures and frescoes depicting Jesus’ crucifixion and Second Coming; the Gothic cathedrals with their soaring spires and stained glass windows; and the Renaissance era’s fusion of Christian themes with humanism (e.g., da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel masterpiece). Similarly, architecture: try to envision the world landscape without marvels like the Notre-Dame Cathedral or Saint Peter's Basilica. Still again, try to conceive of the musical realm deprived of Handel’s “Messiah” or John Newton’s “Amazing Grace.” These great works — and many others — were focused like a laser on the person and work of Jesus Christ. Scientific and educational advances It is often overlooked how Christianity and the Church played a crucial role in the development of modern science. Luminaries such as Copernicus (astronomy), Bacon (scientific method), Pascal (geometry), Maxwell (physics), and Lavoisier (chemistry) paved the path for contemporary scientific advances. Because of Jesus’ life and ministry and the subsequent embrace of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, the foundations of modern science were set. Christians believe the world is God’s handiwork, ordered by him into the regularity we now experience and charged by the grandeur of God. Thus, Christians not only had high motivation to study the world (its complexity and majesty tell us something about God), but they also had confidence that their study of the world reveals objective truth (the scientific method is premised on regularity, which is premised on God’s sustaining order for the world). Indeed, the earliest universities in the West, such as Oxford and Cambridge, and eventually Harvard and Princeton, were founded on Christian principles. Legal and political systems The legal and political systems of many nations are rooted in Judeo-Christian ethics. Principles such as the human dignity (sanctity of life), equality, justice and liberty can be traced back to the teachings of Jesus. Correspondingly, Christianity has influenced virtually everything that makes up the modern legal system, from the structure of courts to the nature of laws themselves. Without his influence, the legal landscape of the modern world would likely be unrecognizable. Furthermore, the political realm, particularly in terms of leadership and governance, has been profoundly influenced by Christian ideals. Concepts like servant leadership and the responsibility of rulers to their people might have developed differently or not at all. Conclusion In conclusion, the hypothetical absence of Jesus Christ from history would have had monumental implications. It would have created a cascade of negative changes in the religious and moral landscape, and an enormous void in art, literature, music, science, education, law, politics and philanthropy. While it is impossible to fully comprehend the extent of these changes, it is clear that the world as we know it would be unrecognizable. The impact of Jesus' teachings and his role as a central figure in human history cannot be understated, proving that his influence extends far beyond the confines of religious doctrine and into the very core of human civilization. Thank God for the babe born in a manger two thousand years ago. “He comes to make his blessings flow, far as the curse is found.” Rob Pacienza is the Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (Fort Lauderdale, FL), the CEO and President of Coral Ridge Ministries, and the Founder of the Institute for Faith and Culture. - Dr. Rob Pacienza - Senior Pastor, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?
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16 DECEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition PARENTING Imagine beings from outer space arriving on our planet the first week in December. They would have to choose one house to secretly observe and they select yours. From the first week in December until the twenty-fifth they watch a tremendous build-up for some kind of celebration called Christmas. This is a time when parents pass on something to their children. What would be the aliens’ take-away from your home? What would they report they saw you passing on to your children? What is this celebration all about? A gift giving frenzy For many church goers, the Christmas celebration would appear to be focused totally on the giving and receiving of gifts. The Magi gave gifts so we give gifts. The difference, though, is the motivation behind their gift giving. They gave to celebrate the birth of Christ. We give to …? It's almost as if many years ago a clandestine meeting of marketers took place. They decided to come up with a plan to create an end-of-the-year buying frenzy. One that would make people feel obligated to buy extravagant gifts for everyone they knew. The aliens observing might think this was a brilliant economic decision to help store owners end the year in the black. “We’ve got it,” they would say. On December 26, “They all band together and go into a huge buying frenzy, lavishing their children with toys so they can stimulate the economy.” The loser in this Christmas paradigm, however, is the child. Ironically, even though the alien watches the children receive much in the way of toys for that day, the child actually receives little in the way of answers for all of life. Parents even compete with other parents not to use Christmas to give the answers for life; but to purchase more and more stuff for their children. The first day back at school the question about this Christmas orgy will not be “what did you learn,” but rather what did you get … "what did you get for Christmas?" The aliens will walk away feeling sorry for a generation of children that got nothing for Christmas but things! The aliens will realize that there is a generation being taught that happiness comes from getting, rather than giving. Yet, if the aliens actually go to church during their stay, they will probably hear the verse that says “It is better to give than receive.” (Acts 20:35) “Wow! If I’m confused” think how our alien visitors must feel, “I can’t imagine how confused those children must be!” Give the gift of focus In all reality, we do have someone not of this world watching how we handle His birthday celebration. It’s probably not a matter of taking away the presents as much as it is a matter of perspective. Getting your family focused this Christmas season with the right perspective. The gifts are not the problem. The Magi gave gifts that were about Jesus but were actually for the ones Jesus loved, His parents. They were able to use these gifts to do their unexpected travel to another country. This Christmas let’s decide that we are going to put Christ back at the center. That the story of the birth of Christ is the gift we will unwrap for our children. Let’s decide to give gifts not only to each other but to people in need. Find someone in your world that you can help this Christmas. It’s not for them. Their need just provides the opportunity to give a gift to God and teach the children the joy of giving. There is someone that is not of this world watching our Christmas celebration this year. It’s the celebration of His birth. He needs nothing, but our children desperately need to know Him. Give the gift of focus this year. Focus more on the birth of Christ and less on the giving of gifts. This incredible one-month preparation and celebration teaches something to your children. What will they take away from this Christmas celebration? If you knew someone not of this world was watching, what would you do differently? He is and He’s rooting for you to bring the children to Him. Visit parentingonpurpose.org for more advice from Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts. - Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts - Sheridan House Family Ministries Are We Missing the Point of Christmas with Our Kids?
18 DECEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition CHURCH UNITED Joining a national pilot being led by the Every City Coalition, last month Church United Southwest Florida officially launched one of the most innovative and transformative tools in the city-movement landscape: the State of Our City Platform. As the first Church United region to pilot this cutting-edge initiative, Southwest Florida is pioneering a gospel motivated, data-driven model that will soon scale across the Church United network — including a full launch in Church United Broward in 2026. More than a digital dashboard or data portal, the State of Our City Platform is a strategic engine for unity, mission and measurable Kingdom impact, giving pastors, ministry leaders, donors and civic partners unprecedented visibility into the real spiritual, cultural and social realities of their neighborhoods. For Southwest Florida, this is more than an innovative idea — it is a bold step toward collaborative transformation at a moment when the united witness of the Church is needed most. A platform purpose-built for Christian ecosystems Drawn from the proven success of the platform pioneered by For Charlotte (North Carolina’s version of Church United) the State of Our City Platform brings together multi-sector data — spiritual, social, economic and demographic — into a single, intuitive, real-time intelligence tool. The platform is designed to aggregate spiritual, social and economic data, visualize real-time community needs, empower churches and leaders with contextualized insights, and fuel collaboration across networkers of churches and ministries. In practical terms, this means that movements like Church United can now see which neighborhoods have the least church presence, where social pain points are must acute, where opportunities for ministry, evangelism, and church planting are emerging, and how collaboration is impacting the region over time. This turns historically fragmented or inaccessible data into a shared language for mission — unifying churches, donors and ministries around a common understanding and vision of their city. Turning data into insight, and insight into action At the core of the platform is an elegant logic flow: Data → Insight → Strategy → Impact. Southwest Florida leaders can now identify gaps, opportunities and urgent needs with unprecedented clarity. A zip code with high food insecurity and limited church presence becomes an invitation to collaborative strategy: churches deploy outreach, donors resource the work and impact accelerates through evangelism, service and long-term transformation. This is where the platform becomes more than analytics. It becomes missional fuel. Pastors gain clarity. Ministries gain direction. Church United gains alignment. And donors — often waiting for a clear path forward — gain confidence, transparency and concrete opportunities for catalytic giving that’s driven by collaboration. For Pastor Charlie Mitchell, of Summit Church, who is also helping to lead this Church United effort in the region, “So much of pastoral ministry is done in the dark — we feel the needs of our city but we don’t always see them. The State of Our City Platform turns that darkness into light. It helps us understand where God is already at work and where the Church is needed most.” Activating kingdom collaboration and donor engagement One of the most core contributions of the State of Our City Platform is its ability to activate latent generosity. High-capacity givers often want to contribute to the mission of God in their city, but hesitate because of uncertainty: Where is the need most urgent? What efforts are working? Which opportunities will create the highest Kingdom impact? This platform answers those questions in real time. It builds trust through transparency, activates dormant generosity and provides a “return on impact” as donors see measurable outcomes of their investments. A strategic catalyst for unity and mission in Southwest Florida The platform gives Church United Southwest Florida a new level of strategic capacity. It’s a strategic tool in our work of connecting leaders, uniting the church and fueling Kingdom collaboration. We see the launch of the State of Our City Platform as not simply a technological advancement — it is a regional discipleship moment. Southwest Florida is stepping into an era where unity is not abstract, mission is not assumed, and impact is not anecdotal. Everything moves toward clarity, action and measurable transformation. Matt Richard, executive pastor of Citygate Church in Fort Myers, put it like this, “We’ve never had this level of strategic intelligence before. It allows us to match the passion of our people with the real needs of our neighborhoods. That’s how real transformation happens.” Scaling the model: Coming to Church United Broward in 2026 As the Church United Southwest Florida pilot plays out, it paves the way for the next major milestone: the full deployment of the State of Our City Platform in Broward County in 2026. We are already talking with local municipalities and cities regarding data sharing and strategic collaboration around the platform. This expansion will give hundreds of Broward churches, ministries, leaders, donors and civic partners the same ability to see their city with deeper clarity, understand the missional landscape in real time, collaborate around shared, datadriven priorities, mobilize resources with greater speed and confidence and strengthen unity for the sake of Kingdom mission. Learn more about Church United by visiting churchunitedfl.com. - Eddie Copeland - Executive Director, Church United Church United Southwest Florida Launches “State of Our City” Platform to Fuel Kingdom Collaboration The State of our City Launch event at Summit Church in Fort Myers, featuring Pastor Charlie Mitchell casting vision for the platform of over 60 key pastors from Naples and Ft Myers.
HEART AND SOUL 20 DECEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition As we approach Christmas, it is a great time to pause and reflect on the significance of the season. In this article, Palm Beach Atlantic University’s (PBA) Dr. Jonathan Grenz shares how the tradition of Advent provides that perfect space for reflection. By honoring this tradition, each of us can joyfully remember the true meaning of Christmas — the hope we have in Christ’s birth and His gift of salvation. People get ready! The importance of Advent I did not grow up observing Advent. I first experienced observing it in college. Perhaps your experience is similar, and Advent is somewhat new for you. In our busy lives, it encourages us to slow down, renew our spirits and live with hope. Advent is more than just a counting down to Christmas; it asks us to reorient our hearts back to Christ. Advent began to be observed in the fifth century. Initially, it resembled Lent, focusing on fasting and repentance. By the sixth century, Advent became the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Over time, the focus on penitence decreased, giving way to a more joyful expression. Advent had two main focuses: joyful anticipation of Christ’s birth and sober readiness for His return. Today, you likely hear more about the joy of Christ’s birth, but that does not mean Advent is unrelated to His return. Traditionally, the first two Sundays highlighted Christ’s return with an emphasis on repentance, while the last two Sundays shifted toward His birth. Why the world needs Advent The Advent themes of hope, peace, joy and love appear throughout Scripture. While hope and peace often reflect the Hebrew people waiting for the Messiah, they also connect to our anticipation for Christ’s return. As a pastor, it was challenging to preach about hope and peace during Advent due to the conflicts and tragedies in the world, and the pain many in my church felt. However, when we focused on Christ’s return, we could find hope and peace, knowing that His return will bring us all four themes in perfect fullness. Joy and love center on the birth of Jesus. God’s entry in this world in Christ’s birth gives us true joy and ultimate love. In our fast-paced culture, Advent offers a different rhythm that encourages us to slow down and live with purpose. This season acts as a spiritual reset that reorients our lives back to God’s promises. To illustrate this, Advent marks the start of a new year in the liturgical calendar, resetting the “church’s clock.” How do we reorient ourselves? It starts by engaging practices that deepen our awareness of God’s presence like prayer and reading and reflecting on Scripture. A season of serving others Advent also involves acts of compassion. In the fifth century, Pope Leo the Great said that fasting should be accompanied by generosity. Advent asks us to prepare not only our hearts but also our communities for Christ’s coming by showing compassion. In a world filled with anxiety and division, Advent proclaims that history is moving toward God’s peace. By adopting hope-filled practices, Advent shapes our hearts to celebrate not just Christ’s birth but also to wait for the renewal of all things at His return. Advent is a season to prepare for Christ’s coming and to hold onto hope for God’s future. By embracing its call to pay attention and renew ourselves, we enter a rhythm that changes both our hearts and the world. This year, let Advent reset your clock and renew your hope. With over 30 years of ministry experience, Dr. Jonathan Grenz is dean of PBA’s School of Ministry and professor of Ministry and Leadership. Before that, he was director of PBA’s Master of Divinity program and assistant director of the Center for Experiential Learning. Grenz has served as lead pastor, associate pastor in youth ministry and Christian education, and parachurch ministry director. He was a fulltime faculty member at Sioux Falls Seminary and an adjunct professor at Taylor University, College and Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He has led numerous short-term missions and recently has taught pastors in Colombia, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Ukraine. He also served as president of the We Are Life board of directors and co-authored Synergistic Collaborations: Pastoral Care and Church Social Work. Grenz is passionate about mentoring and equipping young Christian leaders for the church and the world. - Dr. Debra A. Schwinn - President, Palm Beach Atlantic University - Dr. Jonathan Grenz - Dean of PBA’s School of Ministry and professor of Ministry and Leadership Remembering Why Christmas Matters: The Reflective Power of Advent
FOSTER CARE 22 DECEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition A season of anticipation Can you believe Christmas is almost here? We’ve walked together through the beauty of the table this year, first as a thin space, then as a place of giving and receiving, and most recently, a place where we wrestle with the ache of what’s missing. And now, in December, we arrive at the crescendo: the most sacred table. But before we get there, we must sit in something Advent invites us to consider: waiting. Not just waiting as in sitting still but anticipating. There’s a difference between the two. Waiting can be passive. Anticipation is active. It’s hopeful. It leans forward with expectation, even when you don’t know when, or how, the promise will come. And that’s exactly where we find ourselves in the Christmas story. The longest wait For thousands of years, the world waited for the Messiah. Prophets spoke of Him. Scripture pointed toward Him. A Wonderful Counselor, a Prince of Peace was coming. But generation after generation passed, and still, they waited. And yet… not all waited the same. Some sat quietly, unsure if God would truly act. Others watched with holy expectation, convinced He would move. The closer someone was to the heart of God, the more their anticipation grew; Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and more, they were all watching. They were all listening. And when Jesus arrived, fully God, fully man, they recognized Him. Because they had made room for Him in their hearts long before the world ever would. Making room The irony, of course, is that when Jesus did come, the world had no room for Him. Quite literally. There was no room at the inn. And yet, what we see over and over again in His life and ministry is the opposite: Jesus always made room. He welcomed the outsider. He touched the leper. He told stories about Samaritans and shepherds and feasts where everyone had a seat. Even in the hours before His death, Jesus was still doing what He always did — making space. Not in a temple. Not in a crowd. But at a table. The most sacred table It was there, at a simple table, that Jesus gathered His disciples one last time. He washed their feet. He received their friendship. He grieved their betrayals. And then He broke the bread and poured the wine and established something entirely new. The Old Covenant Passover meal became the New Covenant Communion. And in that moment, the table became the most sacred place of ministry we’ve ever known. Think about that: God chose a table, not a temple, as the setting for one of the most important acts in all of human history. It was around a table that heaven met earth in the most intimate, most vulnerable, and most redemptive way possible. A 4KIDS table at Christmas For the families in the 4KIDS community, this idea of sacred tables isn’t theoretical — it’s real. Day after day, foster and adoptive parents set the table for children who didn’t know if they’d ever be welcome at one again. Some of these children arrive grieving. Some arrive guarded. Some have never sat at a table as part of a family. But over time, through the ordinary and the sacred, these tables become places of belonging. And this is especially true at Christmas. We’ve seen families bring new traditions to life: setting an extra seat for a biological parent, lighting Advent candles together, sharing one thing they love about each other before the meal begins. These are more than just gestures. They are echoes of the most sacred table, where love is given, received, remembered. Where Jesus is made known not just through words, but through presence. And it’s not just happening for kids already in foster care. Through CarePortal, we’re seeing tables and families preserved before they ever fall apart. When a family is one crisis away from losing everything — a missed paycheck, an empty pantry, a child without a bed — CarePortal allows the Church to show up, with groceries, cribs, meals and a lifeline. Especially this time of year, when pressures rise and resources run thin, these acts of love are holding families together. Because whether it’s welcoming someone new to your table, or making sure no one loses theirs, we believe every table can be made sacred when Jesus is in the midst of it. A challenge for Christmas So here’s my invitation to you this season: Would you see your own table, however messy, quiet, crowded, or simple, as sacred? Would you set it not just with plates and silverware, but with anticipation? Anticipation that Jesus might meet you there. Anticipation that healing could begin there. Anticipation that someone else might find their place at your table, too. Because Christ has come. He is here. And just like He once made room for us, we now get to make room for others. A table of remembrance This Christmas, don’t miss what’s happening right in front of you. Not just the celebration of Jesus’ birth, but the birth of the sacred table we’re invited to sit at, over and over again. A place where we remember Him not just with our minds, but with our whole hearts. A place where grief, joy, tradition, and transformation all mingle in one holy, beautiful meal. A place where heaven still touches earth. This December, may your table reflect the One who made room for you. And may it become the most sacred table you’ve ever known. Since September 2024, Andrew Holmes has been serving as the President of 4KIDS--a ministry that provides Hope, Homes, and Healing to kids and families in crisis. Learn more and catch the vision of a home for every child at 4KIDS.us. The Most Sacred Table - Andrew Holmes - 4KIDS President
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