Largest Christian Newspaper in America • goodnewsfl.org • April 2026 • Volume 28, Issue 1
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PUBLISHER 6 APRIL 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Who could ask for a better scenario if you’re a ministry that has just been vetted and approved for a grant request from StrikeForce Giving? If you’re a potential donor, looking to bless a ministry that is close to your heart, but you have trepidation, wondering if they’re a good steward of their donations, as we all hope they are, you rely on the sincerity of their intentions, but also deeply feel how do I know they will fulfill the promises that they make? I can’t think of a better way than having the endorsement of StrikeForce Giving where vetting is painstakingly done with a deep dive into a ministries infrastructure by a small battalion of local, interested, committed, enthusiastic women from the board of StrikeForce that make the time and take the responsibility of checking and rechecking ministries based on their ability and past performance then place their very public endorsement with sizable grant money from their own wallets. Please read our Cover Feature story of this month’s GOOD NEWS, so wonderfully covered by our Editor, Shelly Pond on pages 34 – 35. Now, if I’m a ministry, I use that endorsement for being a grant-winner to solicit even more participation from potential donors with that type of “good housekeeping seal of approval” affidavit as a very prized honor for years to come… What an enormous treasure for a community to have so many entrenched women of faith and stature come together annually with their collective treasure to bless ministries in need, with such a large outpouring of love and respect. Amen? In my book, StrikeForce Giving stands at the head of the class as a living example of being the hands and feet of Jesus. Kudos to the leadership and board of StrikeForce, and on behalf of a grateful community, we thank you and feel so richly blessed. Last month we started a new feature in the GOOD NEWS called “GOD STORIES” authored by Antony Tchividjian; the accounts and experiences are extremely emotional with a recurring theme of redemption, and can only be called GOD STORIES. This month we follow by adding yet another new monthly feature called “PASTOR PROFILES” and begin with Pastor Troy Gramling, who is in his 25th year at Potential Church. Wishing you all a Happy Easter, Hallelujah! HE is risen! - Leslie J. Feldman - Publisher On The Cover StrikeForce Giving’s Board of Directors and Staff applaud this year’s grant recipients and a milestone year reaching $2 million in total giving during their Giveaway Celebration on February 24 at the illustrious Lauderdale Yacht Club. Pictured from left to right are Laurie Farquhar, JoAnne Daudt, Abigail Pendrak, Amy Carpenter, Christine Auker, Maribeth Bates, Candace Rogers, Kim Kent and Danielle Heffinger. Read about the impact of StrikeForce Giving in the cover article on pages 34-35. Photo credit: Justus Martin www.justusmartinphoto.com StrikeForce Giving Tops the List 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 2026. 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] Good News •April • Volume 28 Issue 1
LETTERS 8 APRIL 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition School vouchers are the answers to public school indoctrination. - Larry Lycett I think the downfall of our education system was when the principals in our schools were replaced by unions. - Terry Wert Defund all union educators! - Roy Mittelstadt God Doesn’t Move Parked Cars From the arrest of Manuel Noriega to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, Omar Aleman, the arresting Federal Agent who brought in Noriega, shares an extraordinary first person perspective. by Omar Aleman, Aleman and Associates The dominoes are starting to fall. - Alfredo Pulupa Wonder if he’s singing like a canary yet squealing out names helping him stay in control in politicians wise? - Randy Miller I never heard of Omar Aleman, but I DID see my counterpart in the DEA bring Caro de Pina aboard a MAC flight to the US! - Joyce Roberts Raising Wise Kids in an AI World What tech boundaries do you set at home? by Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts, Sheridan House Family Ministries It’s pretty easy, keep them away from it. Nine grandchildren and none are on social media or use AI. They play outside all the time basketball, ride bikes, go for walks, play in the yard, go to the park, read, play cards and board games and with their nonelectronic toys. - Julie Shomsky Abidin For the most part, let kids be safe kids. As they grow they go through certain stages for good reasons. Let them play to also learn skills. Encourage them to do their homework when school ages but let them have fun. - Lila Mae Taylor You can’t. AI is the greatest tool for propaganda and indoctrination yet. - Johnny Dee The best way to raise kids with AI is to raise them away from AI. - Jon Foster The Chosen: Millions Are Watching Jesus’ Story in a New Way Have you watched The Chosen? Would you recommend it? by Shelly Pond, Editor Yes, I would. Waiting patiently for new season. - Melissa Dawson Yes, I highly recommend it! Can’t wait for new season to begin. - Lois Argo Love The Chosen. - Jacquie Wyatt Great series. - Keith Snitker If that’s supposed to be Jesus on the front cover, he’s too white. - Charles Fracchia Absolutely! I continue to watch over and over again and always notice something I missed before. The writers had to really study the scriptures and the culture to give such accurate interpretations! I’m amazed! Love The Chosen! - Faye Smith Ima start watching it as we speak. Just bought seasons 1-4. - Evelyn Crawford Yes, I would recommend it. - Rosalind Rossi Love the show - La Williams 1,000 time yes! The whole crew does a great job making you think that he is Jesus but I love all of them — Matthew and Sam—- and when he thought that her back, so happy Easter. Love you. - Miriam Bradsher Partners or Pawns? Parents’ Role in Their Child’s Education by Dr. Rob Pacienza, Senior Pastor, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church And we need to get it back to God. - Scoop Mendenhall As teachers and administrators, you DO whatever the parents TELL you to do. - Chris Hickman PUBLISHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 StrikeForce Giving Tops the List – by Leslie J. Feldman WE GET LETTERS . . . . . . . . . 8 PASTOR PROFILE . . . . . . . . 10 Unlocking Potential: Pastor Troy Gramling at 25 Years - by Shelly Pond FAITH AND CULTURE . . . . . 12 Canada’s New Hate Law and the Future of Religious Liberty– by Dr. Rob Pacienza IN THE WORD . . . . . . . . . .14 Standing on God’s Promises to Israel – by Franklin Graham PARENTING . . . . . . . . . . . .16 What Do Your Kids Hear When They Hear You? – by Dr. Bob and Torrey Roberts THE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Culture Shock – by Dr. O.S. Hawkins GOOD NEWS WANTS TO KNOW . . .20 - 22 What’s one leadership lesson you have personally learned recently that surprised you? STEWARDSHIP . . . . . . . . . .24 Where Are Our Yachts? – by Patrick J. Kelly SUMMER CAMP GUIDE 2026 . . . . . . . .25 - 32 COVER ARTICLE . . . . . .34 - 35 StrikeForce Giving’s Impact Exceeds $2 Million – by Shelly Pond HOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 A Refuge in the Storm: Finding God’s Presence Through Family Safe Parking – by Joseph Kenner HEART AND SOUL . . . . . . .38 American Free Enterprise: A Beacon of Innovation and Freedom – by Dr. Debra A. Schwinn and Dr. Brian Strow GOD STORIES . . . . . . . . . . .40 From Addiction to Redemption: The Story of Nick Lowther – by Antony Tchividjian ENCOURAGEMENT . . . . . .42 Where You Stand Is Where You Sit – by Omar Aleman FOSTER CARE . . . . . . . . . . 44 The Way Home – by Andrew Holmes ON THE NET . . . . . . . . . . . 46 COMMUNITY NEWS . .47 - 50 CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . 52 - 55 We Get Letters South Florida Edition • Good News • April 2026 • Volume 28, Issue 1 CONTENTS
10 APRIL 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition PASTOR PROFILE At 6-foot-4, wearing a Michael Jordan jersey in his office and thinking like a coach, Pastor Troy Gramling recently marked 25 years of ministry at Potential Church in Cooper City, where he has become known for his creative, unconventional teaching designed to draw people in. A former college basketball player from Arkansas, he still approaches leadership like a game. For Gramling, the mission is to help people reach their full potential, a plan he lays out in his book Potential: The Uncontainable Power of God Within You. This year his reach has also extended beyond South Florida as he was added as a teaching pastor on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), where his messages, blog content and teaching are now distributed to a national audience. It’s clear Gramling is not afraid to think big. His long-term vision for the church, which he calls the 50/100/150 initiative, sets a goal of launching 50 campuses, reaching 100,000 people and raising up 150 leaders for ministry, with the hope that the next generation of leaders, including his own children, may carry it forward. How it started Interestingly, Gramling didn’t originally plan to go into ministry. After playing college basketball at Williams Baptist College before finishing his degree at Arkansas State, he thought he would be a teacher and coach. But while he and his wife, Stephanie Gramling, were volunteering in a small country church teaching youth, something shifted. “I just felt a nudge,” he said. “I didn’t know what it meant. I just knew it was in that direction.” That nudge led to his first pastoral role at Finch Baptist Church in Arkansas, where he began by teaching youth and gradually stepped into leadership. He later planted his first church in Paragould, Ark., starting in his living room with about a dozen people. In 2000, he was called to South Florida to join what was then Flamingo Road Church as a young adult pastor under Pastor Dan Southerland, succeeding him as lead pastor a few years later. Breaking through the noise Adapting to a very different culture in South Florida, Gramling realized he needed a creative approach to attract people who may have never stepped foot in a church. He built a reputation for provocative, attention-grabbing series designed to spur curiosity and encourage people to attend. He promoted a teaching series called “My Naked Pastor,” focused on authenticity and transparency, where he spoke candidly about his struggles, challenging the idea that faith requires having everything together. A few years later, he expanded that theme with “The Glass House,” where he and his wife lived for 30 days in a glass-walled structure on campus, allowing people to observe their daily lives and marriage in real time. He also taught “Snake Versus Lion,” bringing a live boa constrictor and a caged lion on stage, and for a “Daredevil” series, he joined a stuntman as they exploded a car in the parking lot and walked out through the flames, with firefighters on standby. Recalling the stunt, Gramling said, “I still have the helmet — it’s melted — and the boots I had on. We had a GoPro, and you can see the fire just go through the cabin of the car!” However, he emphasizes the goal isn’t shock. It’s about removing barriers, so people feel comfortable engaging with faith. “You have to be willing to take the risk of going too far,” he said. “If you’re not willing to do that, you’ll never get above the noise.” That approach has also elevated Potential Church to a larger audience, attracting more than 70 guest speakers, including Steven Furtick, Rich Wilkerson Jr., Brian Houston, Erwin McManus and Joel Osteen. Portraits of each guest line the hallway to his office. Gramling credits leaders like Rick Warren and his book, Purpose Driven Church, with shaping his ministry around clear, intentional purpose. Why “Potential” matters He changed the name of the church from Flamingo Road Church to Potential Church in 2010. “We knew if we were going to expand to multiple locations, a name like Flamingo Road wouldn’t make sense everywhere,” Gramling said. “So, we changed it to Potential because it reflects who we are and what we believe God wants to do in people’s lives no matter where they are.” For Gramling, “Potential is who you are meant to be. It’s what God sees in you, even if you don’t see it yet.” The church’s mission is “Partnering with people to reach their God potential to impact the world for good.” Before COVID, Potential Church had grown beyond its Cooper City base to multiple South Florida campuses, plus locations in Pensacola and Lima, Peru. Like most churches, Potential had to pivot during COVID to a smaller footprint; however, they are preparing to relaunch in Pensacola and looking to go wherever God leads. Gramling is also part of the Global Kingdom Partnership Network, an alliance of influential churches around the world that share strategy, resources and leadership insight. Building for the future Locally, Potential Church operates Potential Christian Academy, a growing school now expanding into high school, adding a ninth and tenth grade, and building out one grade level each year. Potential Christian Academy in Pensacola has expanded to 8th grade. It has also launched Centurion International University (CIU), focused on leadership development and spiritual growth. But of all he has accomplished, Gramling said, “The thing I’m most proud of is that my kids serve God.” He and his wife, Stephanie, have three children, Tyler, Carson and Baylee, all actively involved in ministry at Potential Church. “Tyler and his wife, Amber, are campus pastors. Carson is the next-gen pastor, his wife Jess is the communications manager, Baylee is the graphic design and digital media coordinator, and her husband, Larry, leads as the associate youth director,” Gramling said. “I don't know if they'll always be a part of Potential… but we're proud that they all have their own faith.” And after 25 years, Gramling is still encouraging people to reach their God potential. Following Easter, he’ll begin a new series titled “Fearless Conversations,” focused on honest, bold prayer, encouraging people to talk to God about real struggles rather than surface-level faith. To learn more about Potential Church or plan your visit, go to potentialchurch.com. Unlocking Potential: Pastor Troy Gramling at 25 Years Shelly Pond Good News Editor Pastor Troy Gramling Photo credit: Leslie J. Feldman
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FAITH & CULTURE 12 APRIL 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition In recent weeks, Canada’s House of Commons has advanced Bill C-9, the federal Combatting Hate Act. The goal of combatting hatred, at first glance, is quite uncontroversial. No reasonable person and certainly no gospel-minded Christian supports hatred in any form. Indeed, God has granted human governments a legitimate role in restraining the effects of hatred, such as intimidation, harassment, or violence against vulnerable communities. But beneath the surface of this legislation lies a deeper development that should concern not only Canadians but citizens across the Western world. At issue is not the punishment of genuinely hateful acts but the redefinition of what counts as “hate.” When hate is redefined along secular ideological lines, you can rest assured that religious exercise will soon be restricted. What is religious liberty? Consider that the United States Constitution defines religious liberty as the free exercise of religion. That word, exercise, is decisive. A proper understanding of religious liberty isn’t confined to private beliefs or inward sentiments. It extends to public life: to speech, to action, to the ordering of one’s life in accordance with one’s convictions. Religion, by its very nature, cannot be contained. It radiates outward into every dimension of human existence. For that reason, religious liberty has long been recognized as a foundational freedom. America’s founders were affirming that human beings are not merely subjects of the state, but moral agents accountable to a higher authority. They were protecting the right to live openly and faithfully according to one’s deepest convictions. When that freedom is narrowed, even subtly, the effects are far-reaching. Canada’s current legislation introduces several provisions that appear, at first glance, to be straightforward protections against harm. It addresses intimidation near places of worship, establishes new hate-based offenses, and seeks to curb the public display of certain hate symbols. These measures are presented as necessary responses to a rise in hate crimes. Yet the most consequential feature of the legislation is less visible. It removes a longstanding legal safeguard that protected individuals who expressed religious views in good faith, particularly views grounded in sacred texts or longstanding doctrinal traditions. In practical terms, the law once acknowledged that religious speech — even when controversial — deserved a distinct layer of protection. As Canadian Christians are pointing out, that protection is now being endangered at some level. Disagreement or hatred? The question is not whether the law explicitly targets Christians. It does not. The question is how the law will function within the cultural environment in which it operates. Supporters of the legislation insist that it does not criminalize religion but only prohibits the willful promotion of hatred. This assurance, however, leaves unresolved the central issue: who decides what constitutes hatred? In a cultural moment in which traditional Christian teachings on sexuality, gender and human identity are increasingly regarded as harmful, the answer is not reassuring. Disagreement is often recast as hate and harm. Moral conviction is interpreted as exclusion. To articulate a historic Christian understanding of marriage or human identity is no longer received as a theological claim, but as a form of social injury. Once that shift occurs, the distinction between disagreement and hate begins to erode. And when that distinction erodes, the space for religious liberty narrows accordingly. Reshaping behavior This development is not confined to Canada. Across much of the Western world, the cultural status of Christianity has changed dramatically. Where Christians were once regarded as part of a moral majority, they are now increasingly viewed as an immoral minority. Their beliefs are not merely contested; they are often treated as harmful. In such a climate, legal changes that expand the definition of hate while removing protections for religious expression do not operate neutrally. They operate within a framework that already regards orthodox Christian belief with suspicion. The result is not necessarily immediate prosecution, but something more subtle and, in some ways, more pervasive. The more permanent result is the chilling effect on free speech and expression on the whole of society. Pastors begin to weigh their words more carefully. Educators hesitate to speak with clarity. Ordinary believers grow cautious about expressing their convictions in public. The law reshapes behavior not only through enforcement, but through uncertainty. At a deeper level, what is emerging is not merely a set of legal adjustments, but a shift in moral authority. Every society operates with an underlying vision of truth and the good. The question is not whether such a vision exists, but whether it allows for meaningful dissent. In many Western contexts, a new moral orthodoxy has taken shape. It presents itself as neutral and secular, but functions with its own set of doctrines and boundaries. Within this framework, traditional Christian beliefs are not simply alternative viewpoints. They are increasingly treated as violations. When a society begins to treat certain beliefs as violations, it inevitably begins to regulate them. Canada’s trajectory should not be dismissed as an isolated case. Cultural and legal developments rarely remain confined within national borders and this development could have a ripple effect in the United States. In past decades, we have already seen efforts to confine religion to the private sphere, in the redefinition of moral disagreement as harm, and in the elevation of certain rights claims without adequate mechanisms for balancing competing freedoms. None of this is to deny that genuine hatred exists or that it should be restrained. A just society must protect its citizens from violence, intimidation and direct incitement to harm. But a just society must also preserve the distinction between hatred and disagreement. Without that distinction, freedom cannot endure. A dangerous trajectory The challenge before us is to sustain a social order in which deeply held differences can coexist without coercion. Religious liberty is essential to that order because it protects not only Christians, but people of all faiths and those of none. It ensures that no single moral vision is imposed upon the entire society by force. Canada’s legislation may not announce itself as a direct assault on Christianity. Yet in its redefinition of hate and its removal of religious safeguards, it signals a trajectory that places orthodox Christian belief in an increasingly precarious position. That is why this moment matters. It illustrates how such restriction begins. It begins with subtle shifts in language, with incremental legal changes and with growing cultural hostility toward dissenting views. Over time, those shifts accumulate. This development in Canada, therefore, offers a warning that should not be ignored. It is a reminder that religious liberty is not self-sustaining. It must be understood, articulated and defended. If it is reduced to private belief or recast as a cover for harm, it will not long survive. The question is whether we will recognize the warning while there is still time to respond. 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 Canada’s New Hate Law and the Future of Religious Liberty
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14 APRIL 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition IN THE WORD Israel has held a special place in my heart ever since the summer of 1971, when I helped Roy Gustafson, one of my father’s associate evangelists, lead Bible teaching tours of the Holy Land. Roy also connected me with two fearless missionaries in Mafraq, Jordan, the late Dr. Eleanor Soltau and nurse Aileen Coleman, who operated a hospital for patients with respiratory diseases. My time in the Middle East during my late teens and early 20s, working alongside these godly men and women, shaped my life profoundly, culminating in 1974 when — after reading in John 3 about Jesus’ encounter with the rabbi Nicodemus — I put out my cigarette and dropped to my knees in a Jerusalem hotel room and surrendered my life to Christ. Israel and its people are front and center throughout the Bible, especially regarding the Old Testament prophecies and their ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament through a Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ, who came to save us from the penalty of our sins to life everlasting. I have never forgotten how Roy’s nightly Bible studies came to life before my eyes when I accompanied him during those visits to the Holy Land years ago. More recently, however, I’ve been troubled by the increasing number of churches and Bible teachers who are misinterpreting God’s timeless promises to the nation of Israel and the Jewish people. This false teaching, called replacement theology, suggests that God’s covenant blessing with the nation of Israel and its allies no longer exists and instead has somehow been reinterpreted to apply only to God’s modern-day fellowship of believers, His church. Nevertheless, a faithful reading of Scripture proves unequivocally that God’s covenant with Abram in Genesis 12:2-3 remains true as ever today: “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Did you know that in the year following Hamas’ evil attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, more than 10,000 antisemitic incidents were documented in the U.S.? Now, more than ever, Christians should stand with Israel and the Jewish people. That’s why the March issue of Decision features a number of evangelical pastors and theologians who have written Biblically sound articles that reject the premise of replacement theology or any suggestion that God has turned His back on His promises to the nation of Israel. The Apostle Paul’s declaration in Romans clearly states God’s steadfast heart for His chosen people, the Jews, through whom He sent His one and only Son to be the Savior of the world. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Two years ago, it was my privilege to be in Israel to film a special Easter message from Jerusalem, where our Lord was crucified. I stood in front of Joseph of Arimathea’s rock-hewn tomb, where I gave the Gospel invitation to trust in the Risen Savior whom God raised from the dead so that all who believe in Him can receive the gift of eternal life. You can’t find the bones of the Lord Jesus Christ, because there aren’t any. His tomb is empty! He’s alive. Because of the reality of Christ’s resurrection, we can be sure that He will return one day soon, and His believers will have glorified bodies to go along with their redeemed souls. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). And when our resurrected Lord does return, He will not come as the suffering Messiah prophesied in Isaiah 53, but as King of kings; not as a lamb, but as the Lion of Judah, to pour out His wrath on those who have rejected and scorned Him, and to welcome all whose names have been written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. There will be a new Heaven and a new Earth, with no death, no tears, no pain, no sin. But until the day of King Jesus’ return, we have our Risen Lord’s mighty presence minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. He is with us always (see Matthew 28:20). He is interceding for us when we don’t even know how to pray (see Hebrews 7:25). He is our Advocate before the Heavenly Father when we sin (see 1 John 2:1). I cannot thank you enough for continuing to intercede on my behalf as well as those to whom I preach the Gospel. Because of your faithful prayers, so far this year, hundreds of souls in both Cambodia and Argentina have discovered eternal life in Christ. And I’m looking forward to witnessing how the Holy Spirit will move this month during Esperanza Lima as I proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in the political, financial and cultural heart of Peru. God has never forsaken His promises to the people of Israel and He never will. Remember that our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, is the fulfillment of God’s covenant to His chosen people and the divine means through which Israel continues to be a blessing to the world. “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed,’ who is Christ” (Galatians 3:16). ©2026 BGEA Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version. Decision magazine, March 2026; ©2026 Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; used by permission, all rights reserved. Photo Credit: BGEA Standing on God’s Promises to Israel - Franklin Graham - President and CEO, Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association We have our Risen Lord’s mighty presence minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. He is with us always. “ ”
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16 APRIL 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition PARENTING Children who grow up in a house of screaming parents often grow up to be screaming parents themselves. The volume and words a parent uses around their children and TO their children have an impact on them. But what about the more subtle things we say? What about the things we say on our phones, when we forget the kids are in the back seat listening? What about the things we say when the kids are in the other room … listening? And they are listening! What do my kids hear when they hear me? What are the lessons we teach our kids … unintentionally? “Lord, may the words of my mouth …be pleasing to you” (Psalm 19:14) as the little ears in my home listen to them. Do my children hear me talk one way at church and another in traffic? Do they hear me talk about the principles of the Bible and then gossip? Am I inadvertently teaching them that I don’t really believe what the Bible says about how we should live… the things we should say and not say. The way we should talk to or about people. How we should deal with conflict. What do my kids hear when my kids hear me? “Respectable Sins” In his book Respectable Sins, Jerry Bridges talks about the ungodly living we have come to accept in ourselves. One of those ungodly behaviors is the use of our mouth. One of the greatest traps we fall into is our own “trap.” That’s why James admonishes each of us to be slow to open our “traps” (James 1:19). My children can grow up hearing biblical principles but there’s no greater teacher than observing biblical principles lived out in everyday life. When someone is rude at the store, when someone makes a harsh comment, when someone shares some gossip — in those everyday occurrences, how do you respond? We each have a button… at least I know I do. It’s that button that gets pushed by someone else. They say something to me that offends my pride. In a flash, I forget that my children are in listening range. Worse, I forget my children are “taking notes.” Basically thinking, “Thanks for reading the Bible to us at breakfast this morning. That was nice. But this is really where the rubber hits the road, isn’t it?” Unwholesome talk Paul gives us something that would be worthy of tattooing on the back of our eyelids, in his letter to the church at Ephesus. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29, NIV). Not just benefit the people I’m talking to, but also the listeners who are standing within earshot. The children who are learning to communicate in a way that God will bless. One of the most sobering things is listening to how my kids talk to each other. We can try to blame external influences, friends, school, tech, etc., but when you hear your tone in your child, it is a reality check. When I am feeling stressed, and my voice tone comes out sharply, it doesn’t take long for that to be mirrored back in my children. An apology can go along way if you catch yourself responding harshly or not giving your full attention. It is an important lesson we can always be modeling for our children. We aren’t going to be perfect; we are going to mess up, even with how we say things sometimes, but when we mess up, we acknowledge it and apologize. What do my kids hear when they hear me? Don’t let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth means that I must do the work to stop anything from coming out of my mouth that won’t teach or benefit anyone who is listening. If I were slow to speak, like it says in James 1:19, then I would think about what I say before the hasty words come out of my mouth. Let’s make sure to be the example of how we want our children to speak. This is an area that will impact their future relationships, parenting and employment. It is worth working on ourselves to be the person we want them to emulate! Visit parentingonpurpose.org for more advice from Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts. - Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts - Sheridan House Family Ministries What Do Your Kids Hear When They Hear You?
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THE CODE 18 APRIL 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition As I type the words culture shock, my mind is racing back over the decades of my life. Flashing before me are the many changes I have personally witnessed in the cultural collapse of the Judeo-Christian ethic of our Western world in my lifetime. I was born in 1947 and spent my boyhood days in the 1950s, when tens of thousands of American troops had just returned home from Europe and the South Pacific at the conclusion of World War Il. They married their high school sweethearts, and what sociologists have termed the baby boom began. In the 1950s, we were a grateful and thankful people. Average church attendance was at an all-time high. We never locked our doors at night. I left my bicycle in the front yard every evening, and it was always still there the next morning. We heard Bible readings each morning over the intercoms of our public elementary schools. The Ten Commandments were prominently displayed on the classroom walls, and once a year some good and godly folks called the Gideons visited our school and gave every student a copy of the New Testament. As always happens, the mood of the culture was reflected in the music of the day. Doris Day had one of the biggest hit songs of the era in “Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)." It was a new day of optimism and hope. Change in the wind Then came the 1960s. I have always felt a bit sorry for those folks who didn't get to spend their teenage years in the golden oldie days of the '60s-the days of madras Windbreakers, Bass Weejun shoes, glasspack mufflers and sock hops. But in sharp contrast were certain events that did something to the psyche of our nation: the assassination of President John F, Kennedy in 1963 and our entrance into the Vietnam War. We shifted from the more innocent and optimistic white-picket fence mentality of the '50s to one that became extremely introspective. Once again, the culture was reflected in the music. Peter, Paul and Mary had one of the biggest hits of that decade when they sang, "The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind." Many Americans realized that the answers they thought they had were simply blowing in the wind. The culture became immersed in introspection. Next came the 1970s, the decade of such traumatic events as Watergate and the resignation of a president, the legalization of abortion in Roe v. Wade, and ongoing involvement in Vietnam. I watched as the culture moved from one that was introspective to one that became extremely skeptical. Skepticism influenced the mindset of millions, and it showed up in the music. Billy Joel, the piano man, had one of the biggest hit songs ofthe'70s when he sang, "Only the good die young.” Skepticism in a nutshell. Then came the 1980s, and Ronald Reagan spoke of the United States as that "shining city on a hill." The economy grew, and new hope permeated the fabric of our national pride. Then we saw the Berlin Wall come crashing down on the other side of the Atlantic, an international event that fueled hope in our nation. In the 1990s, the USSR — the «evil empire” — collapsed, and the Cold War came to an end. This was followed by the start of a new millennium, and a horrific event in the first decade of the twenty-first century scarred the psyche of our nation. The infamous 9/11 attack on America changed profoundly the way we think and go about our everyday lives. And here we are today My own grandchildren are growing up today in a culture where issues that slithered down the darkened back alleys of my childhood now parade themselves proudly down the main streets of every city and town in America. We have watched an entire culture slowly but surely sink into a moral malaise of unfathomable proportions. How can we believers and our faith in Jesus survive in our modern, counter-Christian cultural world? We aren't the first followers of God to face this situation. The Old Testament hero Daniel wrote the book on how God's people can survive in a pagan, permissive and perverted culture. He was born in Jerusalem and grew up there until he was taken captive to Babylon as a young man. He found himself uprooted from a Jewish culture built upon the Mosaic moral law and dropped into one that was foreign to everything he had known and been taught. His value system, his truth claims and his moral compass were all challenged repeatedly. Overnight, his world had become one of pluralism and paganism. Daniel could have spent his energy blaming his circumstances on societal ills, the court system of his day, government policies, political leaders or the educational system, just as we Christians in our contemporary culture can place blame today. However, Daniel steps off the pages of Scripture and into our modern culture to reveal some principles, a sort of "Daniel Code," that can enable us not to simply survive in our culture but to engage it, thrive in it and even be used by the Lord to transform it. A believer’s options Can we really expect to change a culture that is crumbling around us? I absolutely believe so, but it is interesting to observe the various ways in which people of faith address the culture today. There are those who compromise: they accept cultural ideas — including the call to tolerance — that subtly shift their allegiance away from following Christ and Him only. Some believers condone the culture around them: they find it simply much easier to adapt to a changing culture and accept alternative lifestyles. Others condemn; they beat their Bibles a little harder and scream a little louder, as if their long, pointed fingers of accusation would win over a lost generation. But thank God, there are some believers who, like Daniel, choose to confront the culture and engage it by speaking truth in love. I am not minimizing how hard that last option is. After all, we have evolved into a schizophrenic society. We listen as ministers pray at presidential inaugurations and then punish high schoolers who try to pray at football games or valedictorians who attempt to insert a prayer in graduation speeches. We watch as our president and other elected leaders place their hands on the Bible at swearing-in ceremonies while school administrators are fired for opening the same Book to give counsel to a wayward student. We cry out for law and order in the streets and, at the same time, teach kids in our classrooms that there are no moral absolutes. And we wonder why relativism runs rampant in our society! And the list goes on. And this is the culture we, as believers, are called and commissioned to engage and reach. Not many years ago, one's failures and perversions were occasions of shame or at least embarrassment. This is not true in our postmodern world: what were once considered perversions are now occasions for public promotion and stardom on television talk shows. And too many of us believers remain hunkered down behind stained glass walls, opting to isolate and shelter ourselves from the world outside. Some of us continue to live as if we were in a world governed by an ethic and culture that is compatible with the truth of the Bible, but we aren't. Besides, Christ has called upon us to be salt and light in this dying and dark world (Matthew 5:13-16). A biblical example In the book of Acts, the early church exploded when Paul and other believers stepped out of their comfort zones and engaged a culture completely different from the one they had known. Likewise, God calls us to engage a culture that is not the least bit interested in our stained glass or our morals. It is a culture that is not only asking, 'Is the Bible true?” They also want to know, "Is it relevant?" Does this Book written in an ancient Middle Eastern culture hundreds of years ago have any relevance in a world where we are transplanting organs, experimenting with genetic engineering and sending probes to the farthest reaches of our solar system? They will never know the answer to those questions — and the answer is “Absolutely yes!" — unless we engage them. Taken from The Daniel Code by O.S. Hawkins. Copyright © 2016 by Dr. O.S. Hawkins. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. O.S.Hawkins,anativeofFortWorth,Texas,isagraduateofTCU(BBA)andSouthwesternBaptist Theological Seminary (MDiv, PhD). He presently serves as Chancellor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the former pastor of First Baptist Fort Lauderdale and the historic First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, and is President Emeritus of GuideStone Financial Resources, the world’s largest Christian-screened mutual fund. Visit him at OSHawkins.com and follow him on X (Twitter) @OSHawkins. - Dr. O.S. Hawkins - Chancellor, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Culture Shock Thank God, there are some believers who, like Daniel, choose to confront the culture and engage it by speaking truth in love. “ ”
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This month, GOOD NEWS WANTS TO KNOW...What’s one leadership lesson you have personally learned recently that surprised you? Leaders often avoid difficult conversations to escape discomfort. Yet they are surprised to learn that people want honest feedback and often improve when it’s delivered with genuine care. The conversation you’re avoiding today is the problem you’ll have to solve tomorrow. Craig D. Huston, Summit Achievers Things actually work better when you trust the people around you. Andrew Holmes, President, 4KIDS The 20–30-year-old generation runs circles around the older generations with their knowledge and use of technology and AI. So, the older generations better get with it! William “Bill” C. Davell, Director, Tripp Scott I used to think being a good leader meant being poised no matter what, and I was wrong really about that. The great leaders in my life have taught me real vulnerability trumps fake confidence every time. Bob Denison, President, Denison Yachting Sometimes one needs to relearn an old lesson. I know I did recently. Leadership requires energy. When we do not care well for ourselves, it will eventually impact our leadership — not listening as well to the team, not having capacity to care for the team when needed and diminished emotional intelligence during periods of conflict. Self care is both physical and spiritual. I am on it. Thank you, Lord! Char Talmadge, Executive Director, Rescue Upstream It seems relatively basic, but I recently sat with a group of community leaders, and I was surprised to learn that many public policy makers do not take the time to get their input when creating policy for the greater community. I found that this lack of communication is a lesson in leadership for our public servants. Chip LaMarca, State Representative, Florida House District 100 With the zeal for the Lord, like Phinehas in Numbers 25, I felt compelled to gently confront a long-time friend and pastor regarding his behavior — that many others also observed but hadn't addressed. I was surprised at his defensive reaction. I learned that ministers need to have more humility, teachability, accountability and repentance. Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship I am usually the person at the table who wants research and evidence before a decision is made. I recently chose to believe something out of loyalty alone without supporting evidence — no surprise that it was not the best choice. Dolores King-St. George, President, King Communications and GraceNet Radio It is never a leader's responsibility to struggle for the team. It is a leader's responsibility to show the team’s struggle is worthwhile. This enables team members to find value in their own challenges and to grow. I must foster a culture where challenges are seen as opportunities for solutions and innovation to take us to the next level together. Don Campion, President, Banyan Air Service, and Team Lead, Egbe Medical Mission Surround yourself with people that always rely on the Holy Spirit to make their decisions and they always give the Holy Spirit time to clear a path. . Dr. Fred Scarbrough, Founder, Scarbrough Animal Hospital and HOPE South Florida Leadership requires constant clear concise communication. For the organization to feel informed a regular cadence of communication is required in a format that is engaging to the reader. Gregg Wallick, Wallick Family Office I learned that people always have a reason for what they do. Continue to be loving and kind. Leave communication lines open and pray for them. This is both in business and personal life. Helen Wayner P.A., Century 21 Hansen Realty Rather than just checking off a to-do list. Block time on your calander for different types of work so the urgent doesn't overshadow your true priorities. Jesse Carroccio, Community Impact Director, Moody Global Media I’m reminded of the principle to not say “I can never…” My own limiting beliefs will negate future opportunity and growth if I never try or believe I am capable of doing something. Justus Martin, Photographer, Justus Martin Photo One leadership lesson that has personally surprised me is how quickly people respond when they feel genuinely seen, valued and heard. I have found that a little encouragement and taking time to pour into someone’s life can open hearts in powerful ways. It reminds me of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well, He saw beyond her past, spoke with compassion, and changed her life through truth and grace. That moment shows us that when people feel valued, respected and cared for, it can lead to healing, hope and lasting transformation. Ken Kerrigan, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Pompano Communicate - as much as you can, as often as you can, as simply as you can. While the lesson won't be a surprise to most, when done poorly, a lot of surprises will pop up for all involved. Kevin Granato, MSW, Vice President of Engagement, 4KIDS of South Florida I’ve learned that this generation of college students expects transparency, not hierarchy. They engage more when leaders explain the “why” and invite dialogue, which has pushed me to lead with more openness and transparency. Laura Bishop, Executive Vice President of Advancement, Palm Beach Atlantic University Char Talmadge Chip LaMarca Deborah Cusick Andrew Holmes William “Bill” C. Davell Bob Denison P “ t 3 t k r i r w d d t p t wt m Wants to Know… Craig D. Huston D
- a Not everyone on your team/staff are going to "get it" initially. Some are like Peter. Eventually Peter "got it!" For those who don't, as the leader you need to “walk them through" with GREAT patience. Much like the Lord did with the apostles and continues to do with us. Larry Lacy, Pastor, The Answer Church I have learned that people often mistake kindness for weakness. Proverbs 31:26: "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." This verse shows that biblical leadership is a balance; you speak with kindness, but it is always paired with wisdom and discernment. Another helpful reminder is Titus 3:2, which teaches that being gentle and showing "all meekness" is actually a sign of spiritual maturity and strength, not a lack of it. Dr. Mary Drabik, President, South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary Having implemented a process and procedure for making our food pantry run more efficiently, at least in my opinion, I found myself being somewhat cranky when several of the people we were serving, as well as the occasional volunteer, did not adhere to the process. As I grumbled in what I considered "justified indignation," it suddenly hit me that justified indignation is still indignation. And that indignation was running counter to the good work I was trying to accomplish. The lesson: Focus on people over process. Mike McDermott, Seniors and Probate Specialist, The Keyes Company. I have recently learned that sometimes “no action” or waiting, is the right action. As a type A personality, I can get ahead of God, which usually never ends well. Leadership requires timing and intuition. It requires our instinct to discern the right action at the right time and hear God’s leading. In His perfect timing we must trust. Milan Stefanovic, Chief Operations & Personal Lines Officer, Bass Underwriters Prayer - I can’t skip spending time in the Word and in prayer regardless of how busy and demanding things get. I have found that without the Word and prayer the rehearsals lack the peace and grace needed to be effective. Oksana Horton, Artistic Director, Torch and Trumpet Theatre Company The best guide to leadership is the Bible. I have never found any book that gives more examples of how to be a leader and also gives us many examples of leaders, both good and bad. More importantly, it gives us examples of servant leadership. Patricia Colangelo, EdS, South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary One leadership lesson I have learned this year, (it did not surprise me, but it caught me by surprise) is that I’ve spent 29 years leading, and I realize now I need to be very intentional in raising up other Leaders!! The past 29 years have flown by and it’s been so awesome seeing God working in our ministry, but I know now I need to be very strategic in leadership development!! Our prayer is that Saints Ministry will continue to reach children for Christ for many, many generations to come!! Successful people have successors…. and as HOMESCHOOLING has tripled, I KNOW: “we’ve been called for a time such as this!! Coach Rick Andreassen, Founder and President, SAINTS Homeschool P.E. and SAINTS International Sports Ministry Challenge assumptions by asking more questions! And listen closely for the best response to chart a new path. Romney C. Rogers, Managing Partner, Rogers Morris & Ziegler LLP Wants to Know… Dolores King-St. George Don Campion Dr. Fred Scarbrough Gregg Wallick Helen Wayner Jesse Carroccio Justus Martin Ken Kerrigan Kevin Granato Laura Bishop Larry Lacy Dr. Mary Drabik Mike McDermott Milan Stefanovic Oksana Horton Patricia Colangelo Coach Rick Andreassen Romney C. Rogers
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