Largest Christian Newspaper in America • goodnewsfl.org • February 2026 • Volume 27, Issue 11
PUBLISHER 6 february 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South florida edition I’ve been trying to find if any research existed other than anecdotal opinions regarding church attendance since the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Based on my personal attendance at Sunday church services, I have seen a dramatic increase in attendance, from my visual of ‘not many empty seats.’ Without question, the average age in growth of attendance has dramatically grown with young millennials. That’s a good sign. I hope it keeps up. Because of my fascination with wanting to know things, I’ve gathered some church statistics supplied by Churchtrac and Barna group. You can draw your own conclusions, but just based on Bible sales, the trends after two decades of slowly declining numbers are trending upward and are very positive, right now. - Leslie J. Feldman - Publisher On The Cover In recognition of their 100th Anniversary, Major Juan Guadalupe, area commander of The Salvation Army of Broward, stands beside an iconic Red Kettle, often seen manned by cheerful volunteers seeking donations for families in need over the holidays. The cover photo was taken at BrandStar Studio’s state-of-the-art facility in Deerfield Beach. We want to express our gratitude to Mark Alfieri, CEO and co-founder of BrandStar, Devon Vital, chief of staff, and Campbell Robinson, production coordinator, for graciously partnering with us by making their incredible facility available to serve our community and for their creative assistance. Read the cover article: “The Salvation Army of Broward Marks 100 Years of Doing the Most Good” on pages 28 & 29. Photo credit: Luis Feliz www.luisfelizproductions.com Church Attendance Trends What Percent of Church Members Attend Regularly There has been a significant decline in church attendance since the turn of the 21st century, according to multiple surveys of church attendance from several research institutions. The chart below made with data from Gallup's recent survey illustrates the trend: What percentage of members attend church regularly? What percentage of churchgoing people attend regularly depends on your threshold for what you consider regular attendance. If once a week, only 20% of Americans attend church at that rate, down from 32% in 2000. If we lower the threshold to once a month or more, the number of Americans in regular attendance jumps to 41% (this combines all respondents who answered weekly, almost every week, and about once a month in the Gallup survey). Bible Sales in the U.S. have shown a significant sustained increase since 2019, reaching record highs in 2024 and 2025, particularly driven by Gen Z and younger consumers. Data from Circana BookScan shows that over 18 million Bibles were sold in 2025 (up to November), compared to 9.7 million in 2019. Key U.S. Bible Statistics (Circana Data) • 2019: 9.7 million copies • 2020: 14.2 million copies • 2021: 13.7 million copies (first 10 months) • 2024: 13.7 million copies sold through October, marking a 22% increase over the previous year. • 2025: More than 18 million sold, marking a 21-year high. Key Trends and Factors • Surge Drivers: Publishers attribute rising sales to a “quiet revival” among young demographics and a search for stability amid global instability, AI fears, and social uncertainty. • Demographic Shift: Strong interest is reported among Gen Z and younger Americans. • Global Context: Globally, more than 100 million Bibles are sold annually. • Translation Demand: The English Standard Version (ESV) is a top-selling translation. Key Statistics: 20% of Americans attend church every week (Gallup) 41% of Americans are in monthly church attendance or more (Gallup) 57% of Americans are seldom or never in religious service attendance (Gallup) Regular church attendance has steadily declined since the turn of the century (Gallup and Pew Research Center) What Percent of Millennials Attend Religious Services 39% of Millennials report attending church on a weekly basis, according to Barna's recent State of the Church report. This is a significant increase over years prior and places them at a much higher rate of attendance than Generation X and even the Boomer generation, which had previously been more faithfully in attendance than their younger counterparts. Though most churches are still below pre-pandemic attendance rates, many church leaders are seeing a return of past members, as well as an increase in guests. Read our article on Getting Your Church to Come Back in 2023 to learn how you can reach past members and see growth in the year ahead. Key Statistics: 39% of Millennials report attending church weekly, up from 21% in 2019 (Barna) Non-white Millennials drive the increase in church attendance. 45% of non-white Millennials are attending church weekly, compared to 35% of white Millennials. (Barna) Why Are Millennials Leaving the Church Many Millennials never had strong ties to religion in the first place. My generation was not brought up in the church in the same numbers as generations prior, leaving us without much connection to the church as we entered adulthood. Millennials are also reportedly turned off by the high-profile church leadership scandals and the increasing political polarization in many American congregations, causing many to lose trust in churches and religious institutions altogether. Hopeful Signs of Millennial Church Attendance However, there are some hopeful signs. Millennials make up the largest surge in returns to church as the pandemic has ended. We are entering crucial life stages that make us open to church as a way to connect and find guidance. Key Statistics: 39% of Millennials report attending church weekly, up from 21% in 2019 (Barna) 40% of Millennials are religiously unaffiliated (Pew Research Center) Which Churches Are Losing the Most Members For decades, mainline protestant denominations were losing members at alarming rates, while the conservative evangelical traditions grew or at least maintained their numbers. For instance, between 2000 and 2015, the Presbyterian Church USA, the Episcopal Church, and the United Church of Christ lost 40% of their members. In contrast, Protestant Evangelical churches and denominations saw a slight increase in church memberships during the first decade of the 21st century.
LETTERS 8 february 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South florida edition A Conversation with Jesus Via AI by Leslie J. Feldman, Good News Publisher The title of your article is an oxymoron because conversing with Jesus is standing on holy ground as we enter the throne of grace. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and should be addressed with a reverent fear like Moses had. He is holy and should never be depicted as a gimmick or as an idol for divination. This is a tool made by Satan to deceive you, so you won’t seek a real relationship with Jesus. - Blanca Sola AI cannot spark a pertinent conversation with a coloring book. - Jeff Schramm By my definition, neither you nor AI have any authority from God (Heb. 5:4) but AI wasn’t talking about religious doctrine. - John McGowan Devils in Christian cloaks can recite Scripture for their own purposes. Those who wear the Cross for political, personal of financial gain shall burn in Hell for all eternity. - Greg Wooster Sell Fish by Stephan Tchividjian, CEO and Co-Founder, National Christian Foundations South Florida My purpose is not to sell fish, but yes, my purpose is too selfish. - Richard Scott Clineman Faith Farm Ministries Celebrates 75 Years of Faith and Restoration “A Church With A Heart For The Hurting” by Shelly Pond, Good News Editor Great help for many. - Kay Lake Giving help to many. - Julie Bourque Love Faith Farm!! - Gail Wiggins Burgess Need to visit went through DMC years ago. - Jimmy Dunson They are great! My daughter was baptized there. - Jeanette Smith-Nelson Devotion and Intentionality in Action Reflections from a Weekend of Ministry by Joseph D. Kenner, President, HOPE South Florida We need more good leaders! Thank you for your leadership and skills! - Ollye Rush PUBLISHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Church Attendance Trends– by Leslie J. Feldman WE GET LETTERS . . . . . . . . . .8 PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Sleepy Storms– by Stephan N. Tchividjian IN THE WORD . . . . . . . . . . .12 Franklin Graham: Obeying God’s Commandments – by Franklin Graham PARENTING . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Why Apology Is a Powerful Act of Love – by Dr. Bob and Torrey Roberts HEART AND SOUL . . . . . . . .16 Preparing Pastors for a Diverse and Growing Region – by Dr. Debra A. Schwinn and Dr. Bryan Froehle FAITH & CULTURE . . . . . . . .18 Christianity and American Freedom – by Dr. Rob Pacienza FOSTER CARE . . . . . . . . . . . 20 A Heart and A Home – by Andrew Holmes THE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 A Pat on the Back – by Dr. O.S. Hawkins GOOD NEWS WANTS TO KNOW . . . . . . . . .24 – 26 What’s one gesture or small act of love that made you feel truly appreciated? COVER ARTICLE… 28 - 29 The Salvation Army of Broward Marks 100 Years of Doing the Most Good – by Shelly Pond STEWARDSHIP . . . . . . . . . .30 Margin-of-Safety Principle – by Patrick J. Kelly LEGAL Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 How Do I Navigate Florida’s Land-Use Labyrinth? – by William "Bill" C. Davell and Ryan Horland HOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Love That Shows Up – by Joseph Kenner ON THE NET . . . . . . . . . . .36 COMMUNITY NEWS .38 - 40 CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . .42 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . .44 - 47 We Get Letters South florida Edition • Good News February 2026 • Volume 27, Issue 11 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] CONTENTS Good News •January • Volume 27 Issue 10
PERSPECTIVE 10 february 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South florida edition A truth is always true. I am not a believer in work/life balance but rather work/life rhythms. I find that rhythms are more realistic. Sometimes my life is at peace, and I can experience the joy of tranquility, and at other times my life is chaotic and stormy — anything but relaxed. Do you ever feel that way? Lately, my life has felt a little stormy, and the discernment and wisdom that God provides are critical in helping me know how to process and navigate all that comes my way. I am sure you can relate. I have been reflecting a lot on the “storms” we face in our lives. Recently, we have all been dealing with storms. These storms can be related to weather (literally), politics, the economy, culture, and our personal and private lives. Storms have a way of taxing us physically, spiritually and emotionally. They can make us feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. So how do we manage a storm, since they are inevitable? I remember as a young boy having a picture hanging in my bedroom that depicted a young man piloting a boat at its helm in the midst of a storm. Jesus stood behind the young man with one hand on his shoulder and the other showing him where to steer on the high seas. Today, that painting hangs on a wall in our house that is full of paintings, each with a story behind it. I had not paid much attention to it until the other day, when I realized how prophetic it was that this picture hung over my bed when I was a young boy (and still am). Recently, I was drawn to a story in the Bible where Jesus and His disciples (I call them interns) experience a significant storm. The story is found in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 4. Jesus has just finished a long series of teachings about faith and His Kingdom, using many parables. The day has been long, and He tells His interns that it is time to get into the boat and go to the other side. Various Bible scholars argue that “the other side” represented a Gentile (non-Jewish) region and that a good Jew would not be caught dead there. However, Jesus is on a mission. The eight-mile journey occurred at night, and while crossing the lake, a violent storm hits the boat. The storm is so severe that these hardened men — many of them fishermen — fear for their lives. The one who appears unafraid and fast asleep is Jesus, not the least bothered by the storm. The interns, in utter fear, wake their Teacher and accuse Him of not caring. He responds first with action: He calms the storm. Then He turns to them and asks two questions (which is what Jesus does best): Why are you so afraid? Where is your faith? I have reflected on this story many times as I try to learn how to manage the inevitable storms that show up. We are in a storm (most of the time) There is no question about it — storms are part of reality, and they come in all shapes and sizes. The storms you and I experience affect us differently, but they can easily produce overwhelming fear. We are reminded daily that our world is broken and that death is very much a part of it. Several theologians suggest that the storm Jesus and the interns encountered was not merely weather-related but involved demonic forces at work. Perhaps that is true, and if so, it adds another layer to the storms of life. Rembrandt van Rijn captured this scene in his famous painting (which, by the way, was stolen and has yet to be found). The painting draws you in — you can feel the wind and rain, the angst, fear and chaos. Mark’s story finds Jesus in the boat, sound asleep. We might assume He is detached or distant from our pain. But in reality, He has chosen to be present. He could have asked the interns to meet Him on the other side or simply watched from afar. Instead, He chose to journey through the storm with them. He knew the storm was coming and still joined them. He also knew they would need Him because He knew their faith was small. I find it almost comical that Jesus is asleep. I am not sure what kind of sleeper Jesus was, but as far as I know this is the only time in Scripture where we see Him sleeping. Many times we read that Jesus rose early to pray — but asleep in a crisis? My cynical side can read this wrongly, as though Jesus is selfish or more concerned with His needs than ours. But that is not true. He is demonstrating peace in the storm. Jesus never knew fear; it is not in His vocabulary. How many times do we read “fear not” in Scripture? A lot — some estimate 365 times. When Jesus is awakened, His first action is to quiet the storm with a command. Did He shout? Or did He quietly say, “Peace, be still”? No wonder Jesus never knew fear — He could quiet a storm. He demonstrates His power to His interns. A teaching moment (Don’t miss it) Jesus, the consummate teacher and shepherd, uses this as a teaching moment. I do not believe He is angry, but He is corrective as He asks about fear and faith. Faith and fear have an interesting relationship — faith is the antithesis of fear. Satan uses fear as his weapon, while Jesus uses faith. Dr. Tim Royer, a neuropsychologist, has remarked that our greatest fear often comes from anticipated fear. We use our God-given imagination to imagine what might be, and in our fear we can abandon our faith. James tells us that sin begins in our desires — our imagination — and fear works the same way. Jesus is in the boat with them, yet they default to fear. He teaches them that faith will always overcome fear. When we accept that storms are normal, we have less reason to be afraid because Jesus stands at our back — one hand on our shoulder and the other pointing the way. Jesus takes them to the other side, where they meet a demonpossessed man terrorizing the region. Jesus had a purpose in crossing the lake. He wanted to demonstrate His presence, peace and power in a dark place. Perhaps that is why Satan sent the storm. If he could have taken out the disciples, there would have been no transformation on the other side. What an insult to Satan’s power that Jesus chooses to nap during the attack. When the storms cease — and they will — we will arrive on the other side with stronger faith. That faith will give us power to confront the evil that awaits us. We pray for revival, and it is coming, but it begins in our hearts as we weather life’s storms. Here is a thought for extra credit. There was a time when Jesus was awake and the interns were asleep — on the night of His betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane — and again He rebuked them. Perhaps there is a lesson here: when Jesus is asleep and at peace, we should take note and do the same. When He is awake and alert, we should take note and do the same. There is much to consider there. Have faith. The best is yet to come. In closing, it has been my great honor to write these little articles in the GOOD NEWS for many years. I am proud of the GOOD NEWS and its tireless effort to share the good news of what God is doing. After much prayer and pondering, I have decided to take a break for a season and give someone else an opportunity to contribute — someone who will surely bless you. Thank you for your many encouraging words. I look forward to seeing you out and about. May God richly bless you and keep you. Stephan N. Tchividjian is the CEO and co-founder of the National Christian Foundation South Florida. Visit southflorida.ncfgiving.com to learn more. - Stephan Tchividjian - CEO and Co-Founder, National Christian Foundation South Florida Sleepy Storms
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I applaud states such as Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana, which are currently waging court battles to defend their laws requiring that the Ten Commandments be on display in public schools. When I was in grade school, this was common practice. But that was before our public schools expelled common sense from the classroom and forgot that boys are male and girls are female. Not only are God’s moral laws the foundation of our nation’s legal system, but the Scriptures say that His law was given to show us that we all have sinned against a holy and righteous God. Survey God’s list of do’s and don’ts in Exodus 20, and we quickly realize our need for repentance. You shall have no other gods before Me. Don’t worship idols. You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not lie. You shall not covet. And let’s not forget the promise that comes with God’s commandments: “For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments” (Exodus 20:5-6). Like an MRI that reveals a cancerous mass, the Bible says God’s law reveals sin’s deadly infection of the heart. “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:19-20). The Apostle Paul drives home this point further in Galatians 3:24: “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” I like the analogy that compares the Ten Commandments to a mirror. God’s law doesn’t cleanse us or justify us before our Creator. Instead, like a mirror, it merely reveals the dirt on our face — our sin, which can only be washed away by Jesus’ sinless blood shed on a cross for our forgiveness. Consequently, when we look into the mirror of God’s law, we are reminded: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:10-12). While the media and politicians alike focus on the infamous Jeffrey Epstein files, may we not forget that one day we will all be held accountable to God for what we did and didn’t do on this Earth. And God’s file on us goes much deeper than just what we’ve said or done. He knows our thoughts, desires and motives. That’s why Jesus applied the Ten Commandments to the sins of the heart. For example, in Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus says: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” One day, we will stand before God and everything will be revealed — and I mean everything. The only hope for any individual is to accept God’s provision for our forgiveness, which is the sacrifice of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, when He shed His blood and died on the cross in our place. To have peace with God, we must confess our sins, ask Him to forgive us, and by faith, receive Christ personally. When we come to Christ, accepting God’s forgiveness through faith in Him, we are not only forgiven, but He cleanses us — all those sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus — and God doesn’t remember them anymore. I’m glad that God doesn’t expect us to fulfill the righteous requirement of His law in order to receive eternal life. Instead — by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone — we can live obediently through the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells His followers. “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:3-5). That’s the same Gospel message of hope that I will be proclaimed in the largely Buddhist region of Siem Reap, Cambodia, “that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). As always, thank you for covering me in prayer and everyone who serves our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. ©2026 BGEA Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version. Decision magazine, January 2026; ©2026 Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; used by permission, all rights reserved. 12 february 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South florida edition IN THE WORD Photo Credit: BGEA Franklin Graham: Obeying God’s Commandments - Franklin Graham - President and CEO Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association When we come to Christ, accepting God’s forgiveness through faith in Him, we are not only forgiven, but He cleanses us — all those sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus — and God doesn’t remember them anymore. “ ”
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14 february 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South florida edition PARENTING Years ago, I was standing in the front yard of one of the boys’ homes at Sheridan House having a heated discussion with one of the twelveyear-old boys in the program. He had been accused of doing something at school …something he had done many times before. This child was pleading with me to believe that he had not done what he was accused of. I told him that history had proven otherwise and that someone said they saw him at the place where the incident happened. “No, that can’t be true!” he pleaded. “I was with Mr. Smith (one of the teachers) helping him with the carpool cones.” I assured this child that there would be an even greater consequence for lying and that I intended to call Mr. Smith so we could find out the truth. Even with the threat of the phone call, I still could not get this child to tell the truth. So, I made the call. To my shock, Mr. Smith corroborated the child’s story saying, “No, Eddie couldn’t possibly have done it. He wasn’t even there. He was with me out in front of the school picking up cones.” Now came one of the hardest things for me to do. In fact, it’s even a hard word to pronounce “apologize.” I needed to tell this child I was wrong. I also needed to say, “I am sorry. Will you forgive me?” An issue of character Why is it so hard for parents to say “I’m sorry” today? Is there something in our culture today that has led us to believe that we as parents have to be right all the time? We also have come to think that leaders do not say, “I was wrong.” Perhaps our biggest challenge with this issue is that we didn’t see a lot of adults in our own lives say they are sorry. Asking for forgiveness is an issue of character. Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus included a verse that says, “Be angry and sin not”. (Ephesians 4:26). So, when I do get angry and say things I should not, I need to ask my child to forgive me. Modeling Scripture Saying I was wrong is also a matter of setting the right example for my children. It is up to us as parents to role-model Scripture. If I say that I’m never wrong or I never sin, the Bible actually says I’m a liar (1 John 1:10). Parents who desire to model godly leadership need to admit their mistakes. There is an even deeper reason that parents must be willing to ask for forgiveness. This act alone demonstrates to a child the need each of us has for asking for forgiveness from God. When a parent admits they are wrong and admits it out loud, it demonstrates for a child that no one is perfect. This is the beginning of encouraging a child to be able to ask God for forgiveness. Asking for forgiveness is such a foreign thought to this culture. For several decades our culture and legal system has taught us to justify our actions rather than admit wrong doing. People no longer say the words, “Guilty as charged.” For the sake of a child’s future marriage… future relationship with God… future maturity, they need to be taught the value of admitting their mistakes and the proper way to correct the relationship. That starts with the words, “I’m sorry.” A gift of love When I took that child at Sheridan House for a walk and told him I was wrong and asked for his forgiveness, his reaction was amazing. For a few seconds he just stared at me. Then when he told me that he would forgive me, he began sobbing. I realized he had never heard the words “I’m sorry” spoken directly to him before. He had never been made to feel that he was even worthy of an apology. Perhaps one of the best ways we can show love to our children this month, and role model for their future marriages, is the willingness to apologize to our children when we are wrong. A great gift would be the commitment to use the words “I’m sorry” from now on. Later on this gift will dramatically help the children with future relationships — their relationship with God and with God’s people. Visit parentingonpurpose.org for more advice from Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts. - Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts - Sheridan House Family Ministries Why Apology Is a Powerful Act of Love
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HEART AND SOUL 16 february 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South florida edition At Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), we believe in training, mentoring, and supporting students who are ready to make a difference for Christ. Today, future spiritual leaders must be rooted in love, humility, compassion and truth before they begin serving others. In this month’s issue of Heart and Soul, Dr. Bryan Froehle, professor of practical theology, shares how PBA’s growing focus on pastoral formation is critical to a growing, multicultural region like South Florida. Raising up future pastors Ours is one of the most culturally diverse, spiritually complex regions in the nation, and if we are to reach and serve this region for Christ, the need for well-formed, faithful pastors has never been greater. As a Christ-first university, PBA has a responsibility to do its part to raise up the next generation of pastors and Christian leaders. More than 25 years ago, PBA established its School of Ministry with this purpose in mind. The 2013 launch of the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program, the gold standard for pastoral formation, marked a major milestone. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, the MDiv laid the foundation for a growing range of graduate programs designed to meet the needs of the Church. Since this time, new degrees followed: the Master of Arts in Christian Studies, Philosophy of Religion (Apologetics), Intercultural Studies (Missiology), Community Transformation and Chaplaincy, and a PhD in Practical Theology. Each was developed with one question in mind: How can we best serve those God is calling into ministry today? Partnerships with purpose This question has led to incredible opportunities for partnership and support. In recent years, PBA has received significant grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. to strengthen pastoral formation. These grants enable PBA to support future leaders of the Black Church, equip pastors as co-vocational chaplains for hospitals and communities, and invest in the next generation of preachers. In December 2025, PBA was awarded a $10 million Lilly Endowment grant to strengthen congregational leadership through a cooperative for theological education among seminaries and institutions in South Florida. The grant is designed around three initiatives that will bring together those preparing for ministry within specific Christian traditions for advanced formation, as well as chaplaincy and pastoral care training and cross-institutional learning to deepen program effectiveness. A people-first approach But grants and programs are only part of our story. What truly defines PBA is its people. Students, both young and old, come to PBA responding to a sense of calling and leave shaped for a lifetime of ministry. Faculty, new and veteran, make sure their teaching is always fresh and engaging. Together, they reflect a shared vision: to serve Christ and His Kingdom faithfully. Rooted in Christ In our culturally diverse South Florida, we need one thing to bring us together, and that one thing is the cause of Christ and His Kingdom. More than ever, PBA is at the ready to work with all who are called to raise up the next generation of pastor-leaders. By training pastors in the beauty and power of God’s Word, entering ever more deeply in the Christian theological tradition so necessary for sound preaching and teaching, and being formed spiritually as praying men and women, attentive to the call of Christ in their lives and those they serve, PBA is responding to God’s vision of a future full of hope. As we say to our students, now is the time to rise to the call! We are only just beginning: our vision is to form many more students, serve many more congregations, and engage the generosity of people who care to support our mission and match the generous support received thus far. May we all rise to the call! Dr. Froehle is professor of practical theology and director of the Ph.D. in practical theology program in PBA’s School of Ministry. He is the immediate past president of the Association of Professors of Mission and widely published on practical theological methods, contextual ecclesiology, and congregational studies. - Dr. Debra A. Schwinn - President, Palm Beach Atlantic University - Dr. Bryan Froehle - Professor of Practical Theology, PBA Preparing Pastors for a Diverse and Growing Region
FAITH & CULTURE 18 february 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South florida edition This year as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it’s vital that we remember not only the moment of our founding but also the spiritual movement that preceded it. Long before July 4, 1776, there was a stirring of hearts and a revival of faith. The Great Awakening of the 1730s and 1740s swept across the American colonies, laying the spiritual groundwork for the principled liberty that would follow. Contrary to modern revisionist claims, Christianity did not suppress liberty; it birthed it. The liberty our founders envisioned was deeply rooted in biblical truth. The Declaration of Independence appeals to the “Supreme Judge of the world” and declares with that our rights come from “Nature’s God.” Today, however, we are witnessing an erosion of these foundational truths. Secularism has crept into the heart of American life, cutting liberty from its moral roots. The result is a culture adrift: rights without responsibilities, freedom without virtue and prosperity without purpose. If we are to flourish for another 250 years, we must reclaim the truths that shaped our beginning. The gospel prepares the soil of liberty It is no coincidence that the American Revolution came in the wake of the Great Awakening. Preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield ignited a spiritual revival. They preached the whole counsel of God and applied the Lordship of Christ to all of life. As thousands came to faith, they began to see themselves not as mere subjects of the crown but as moral agents created in the image of God. This awakening produced more than emotional fervor; it produced social transformation. It democratized religion, expanded literacy (so people could read the Bible), and cultivated the idea that no earthly ruler has the final say over conscience. The Awakening’s emphasis on personal responsibility and moral self-government directly influenced the political thought of the Founding Fathers. As Alexis de Tocqueville would later observe, “Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.” A Declaration built on theological foundations The Declaration of Independence is often read as a political document. But in truth, it is a theological one. It speaks of “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God,” asserts that “all men are created equal,” and affirms that our rights are endowed by a Creator. These are not secular statements. They reflect a distinctly Christian worldview in which God is the source of truth, justice and liberty. The colonists were not demanding license or rebellion for its own sake, but they were appealing to a higher moral law. They believed, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, that the government existed to protect God-given rights, not to grant them. This understanding gave rise to a system of checks and balances, separation of powers, and constitutional protections because they knew man’s sinful nature. Only a biblical understanding of human nature can sustain a system of liberty without tyranny. Secularism cannot sustain freedom This is where secularism fails. It borrows the fruit of Christianity but rejects the root. And like a branch severed from the vine, it withers. Secular ideologies promise liberation but often lead to bondage and bloodshed. This happens through authoritarianism, moral relativism or social chaos. You cannot have ordered liberty without moral law, and you cannot have moral law without God. A nation that denies God as Lord will eventually deny man’s dignity as well. History has shown this time and again: from the horrors of the French Revolution to the gulags of the Soviet Union. When man becomes the measure of all things, justice dies and freedom soon follows. A new Great Awakening If we want America to flourish for another 250 years, it will not be through politics alone. It will be through repentance and revival. We need another Great Awakening and a movement of God that re-centers our national conscience on biblical truth. The church must lead the way by proclaiming the gospel with boldness, discipling believers in the truth, and calling our culture back to righteousness. As Proverbs 14:34 reminds us, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” This verse is not merely a moral truism; it is a national promise. Proverbs doesn’t limit this blessing to Israel alone. The word for “nation” in the original Hebrew is goy, which is a term often used for Gentile nations. The promise is not ethnically exclusive; it is spiritually inclusive. Any nation, ancient or modern, can know this blessing. America’s greatest hope is not found in her wealth or weapons but in her worship. A righteous people, humbled under the lordship of Christ, will be a blessed people. Remembering the Lord of Liberty As we celebrate 250 years of freedom, let us remember the source of that freedom. Let us teach our children not only about the battles fought on the battlefield but also about the prayers uttered in colonial churches. Let us recall that before there was a Declaration of Independence, there was a declaration of dependence on Almighty God. Liberty is not self-sustaining. It must be grounded in truth, guided by virtue and guarded by faith. May we be a generation that remembers, repents and returns to the Lord so that our children and our children’s children may know what it means to be truly free. May God, in His mercy, send another Great Awakening so that righteousness may exalt America once again. 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 Christianity and American Freedom
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FOSTER CARE 20 february 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South florida edition An on-ramp into home Last month, we began to step into a deeper understanding of what home truly means. Not simply a physical place, but the sense of home. The people we feel at home with. The peace of home that settles us, steadies us and reminds us who we belong to. Because the truest home we will ever know isn’t defined by walls or an address. It’s found in being at home with our Creator. There is something sacred about realizing that God doesn’t just invite us into His presence. He chooses to make His home in our hearts. That understanding has stayed with me; it hasn’t left me. As we continue this journey together, I’m finding that home is not something we arrive at all at once. It’s something that forms over time, shaped by what we carry within us and who we allow to dwell there. Home is where the heart is I’m also learning that clichés aren’t just cheesy sayings. Often they’re phrases that have endured because they carry a timeless truth. One that always makes me smile is, “Home is where the heart is.” And as we step into February, that phrase feels especially fitting. This month is full of hearts. We celebrate Valentine’s Day. In my own family, we celebrate my daughter Olivia and my wife’s birthday. We also honor Black History Month, a time to remember, reflect and give thanks for stories of significance and legacies that shape us. Woven through all of it is this truth: heart and home are deeply connected, in the most beautiful of ways. Guard your heart with diligence There’s a Scripture I want to encourage you with because it brings this connection into focus. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life.” Many of us have heard that verse before. But when we read it through the lens of home, and the life we long to create, it takes on fresh meaning. Out of our heart flows a truer sense of home. Out of our heart flows the life we hope to build. Out of our heart flows the environment we bring into every space we enter. Maybe it’s better said this way: Home is often created by the state of our heart. And that means our heart deserves our attention. A gentle heart check So as we move through a month where hearts are everywhere, and as you read an article from 4KIDS that’s all about finding homes, there is a divine connection between the two. This month I want to offer a gentle invitation. Not a heavy challenge, not something meant to overwhelm you, just a heart check. At 4KIDS, a heart check is the practice of slowing down long enough to understand what’s really happening inside of us and then doing something about it. Not just sitting with it but praying. Bringing what’s in our heart to God. That can mean examining the good, the joy, the gratitude, the people who bring us peace and comfort. It can also mean courageously looking at the harder things. The wounds that still ache. The forgiveness that hasn’t yet been given. The traumas that may need to be spoken aloud with a safe friend or therapist. God is not intimidated by what we find there. He is the only One capable of holding all the complexity of our human hearts with care. All heart, all connected Our theme this year at 4KIDS for our internal team is All Heart, drawn from Mark 12:30, loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And Mark 12:31 reminds us what follows. As we give our hearts fully to the Lord, we are then able to give our hearts, our very best, to the people He has called us to serve. There’s a reason these commands are inseparable. When we invite God into the very place He calls home, our hearts, we begin to reflect His love. We’re moved with His compassion. We’re shaped by His care for others. This is how He designed it. As we return to Him again and again, guarding what’s been entrusted to us, we are formed into people who can love well. Home for every child At 4KIDS, we are running toward home for every child. Not just housing, not just placement. But the full expression of home — safety, belonging, identity, and healing. And so much of that isn’t built with square footage. It’s built with presence, with patience, with the steady assurance that says, “You are safe here. You belong.” That kind of home doesn’t begin with perfection. It begins with a heart that has been tended to by God. An invitation for February So here is my encouragement as we move through this month: Pause for a heart check. Invite God into the places you’ve tried to manage alone. Ask Him to guard what’s precious. To heal what’s wounded. To gently remove what no longer serves you. Because the life you long to create flows from your heart, and the home you long to build flows from there too. And when God makes His home in us, we become the kind of people who help others find theirs. 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. A Heart and A Home - Andrew Holmes - 4KIDS President
THE CODE 22 february 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South florida edition “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people” (Philemon 7 NIV). It was the 1960s. What a time to be in high school. In fact, I have always felt a tinge of sorrow for those who were not teenagers during the golden oldies days of the sixties. Those were the days of pep rallies and pompoms, glasspack mufflers and drag races, Bass Weejuns and Levi's, button-down collars and madras windbreakers, hayrides and sock hops, the Beatles, and... high school English! When it came time to do my English homework in those days, I would much rather have been where the British pop singer Petula Clark sang about: downtown, where all the lights are bright. The disciplinarian My English teacher's name was Miss Ava White. The emphasis should be placed on the "Miss," not "Mrs.," not "Ms.," but "Miss" Ava White. In those ancient days of yesteryear, she would have been referred to as a "spinster." Never married, she had devoted her entire life to teaching high school students the finer points of the English language and literature. Miss White had developed quite a reputation in my hometown for being a strict, no-nonsense disciplinarian, earning the title of the toughest teacher in the school. The first half of the semester, I never applied myself. Being overly consumed in all the extracurricular activities afforded me, I seldom studied, had a very active social life, and in my immaturity, sought to simply get by. I remember well the day Miss White announced that she wanted to see me at her desk after class was dismissed. There was no doubt in my mind that I had been caught doing something or not doing something, like homework. I assumed she was going to give me a piece of her mind for my poor conduct and grades and, most likely, hand me a pink slip with instructions to present myself at the principal's office. I knew what that would mean. I had visited there before on similar occasions. ln those days before corporal punishment was banned from public schools, I had felt the effects of the principal's paddle on my posterior. As Miss White had demanded, I approached her elevated desk after all my classmates had exited the room. She looked me square in the eyes and said, "Son, you have character. You have a bright mind and are capable of doing far better work in this class than you are doing. I believe in you and have every confidence that you could be an A student if you would just apply yourself." Wow! I could hardly believe my ears. Miss Ava White believed in me! And that simple pat on the back did more for me than I could ever put into words. She agreed to meet with me for a time a few days after school to tutor me. She taught me how to think analytically. She taught me how to outline. In no time, my grades soared from Cs to As. To this very day, decades later, every time I outline a new book or organize a new chapter, I am indebted to Miss Ava White. She believed in me, and she let me know it. She changed the way I thought about myself with one simple pat on the back. An essential element In building positive and productive interpersonal relationships, affirmation, a pat on the back is an essential element. Paul's letter to Philemon is a case study in the building of mutually beneficial relationships. In the first paragraph of his letter, following the salutation, he began with a strong word of affirmation of Philemon that opened wide the door for the request he was going to make later in a following paragraph. Try to put yourself in Philemon's place as he began to read the letter and was confronted with these words: "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people" (Philemon v. 7 NIV). I imagine that he must have sat up a bit straighter; his chest must have stuck out a bit more; a smile must have appeared on his face, and he was eager to read more. A simple pat on the back can enable a person to change the way they think about themselves and others. It is a eureka moment in interpersonal relationships. Taken from The Connection Code by O.S. Hawkins. Copyright © 2023 by Dr. O.S. Hawkins. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. O. S. Hawkins, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, is a graduate of TCU (BBA) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv, PhD). He presently serves as Chancellor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the former pastor of the historic First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, and is President Emeritus of GuideStone Financial Resources, the world’s largest Christian-screened mutual fund serving 250,000 church workers and Christian university personnel with an asset base exceeding twenty-five billion dollars, where he served as President/CEO from 19972022. Hawkins is the author of more than fifty books, including the best-selling Joshua Code and the entire Code series of devotionals published by HarperCollins/Thomas Nelson with sales of more than three million copies. Criswell: His Life and Times is the sequel to his previous book, In the Name of God: The Colliding Lives, Legends, and Legacies of J. Frank Norris and George W. Truett. He was recently inducted into the White Rose Society by Israeli President Isaac Herzog for his long-standing support of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. He is married to his wife, Susie, and has two daughters, two sonsin-law, and six grandchildren. Visit him at OSHawkins.com and follow him on X (Twitter) @OSHawkins. - Dr. O.S. Hawkins - Chancellor, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary A Pat on the Back
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G mj I t e g s y a t k b T P H p s With February being the season of love, Good News Wants to Know... What’s one gesture or small act of love that made you feel truly appreciated? Understanding your spouse’s Love Language is paramount. My love language is “Words of Affirmation.” My wife Liz’s is “Acts of Service.” I get excited when she sends me an occasional quote or proverb reminding me how blessed we are after 30 years together and how much she loves me. She gets romantic when I blow the leaves off the driveway, empty the garbage, gas up her car or clean the garage. Whatever it takes! Gregg Wallick, Wallick Family Office Last year the Good News asked what we thought our kids would most remember about us. So, I reached out to each one. Their responses made me feel truly appreciated. I still carry them inside the cover of my Bible. William “Bill” C. Davell, Director, Tripp Scott Our oldest spent a lot of time in the NICU. I remember heading to see her after work. Pulled out of our neighborhood onto US1; everything on my mind but driving. I cut this guy off worse than I’ve ever cut anyone off in my life. I was bracing for 240db of horn. Instead, this guy in a white Acura slid past me without a glance. It’s like he knew. Swore to myself I’d extend grace to every single bad driver that crossed my path from that day forward. That promise has been broken. A lot. Bob Denison, President, Denison Yachting I was recently back from Tallahassee on a date with my wife and a gentleman came over to say hello. He explained that he was a longtime employee at Broward County and thanked me for my service and thoughtful votes while I served as a Broward County Commissioner. It was nice to hear positive thoughts as opposed to the opposite that seems to be all too common in today’s social media world. Chip LaMarca, State Representative, Florida House District 100 It's amazing how much a handwritten note or encouraging text can mean. Those things really encourage me, and they seem to always come at just the right time! God is good! Chris Lane, President, First Priority South Florida A beautiful, simple thing that made me feel deeply appreciated occurred on my birthday when about 30 young people I'd been discipling for the past few years threw a surprise party for me. After worship around the campfire, one after the next expressed the impact I'd made in their lives. It was one of the best days of my life. I didn't have to die to have others appreciate me! Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship One gesture or small act of love that made me feel truly appreciated is when my wife gently held my hand on the beach after I officiated the funeral for one of her best friends. I finished my remarks, as the family released the ashes into the water, my wife slipped her hand into mine as she wiped a tear from her eyes. Then we walked into a reception filled with people we didn’t know, and she continued to hold on. Dennis DeMarois, Executive Director/CEO, Gathering Palm Beach County Some past employees later took their time to call or write me thank-you notes and posts about how I had encouraged them, helped them grow skills, or allowed them to express themselves in the workplace without fear of retribution. Those kind acts of appreciation moved me deeply. Dolores King-St. George, President, King Communications and GraceNet Radio In this day and age of emails and text messages, what I appreciate very much is an unexpected handwritten note from customers, teammates, or strangers. Don Campion, President, Banyan Air Service, and Team Lead, Egbe Medical Mission I received an anonymous note last year that simply said, "You are more loved than you will ever know." These 9 words met a need in my soul that I didn't even know was there. Doug Sauder, Lead Pastor, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale As people become aware that I have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, one by one they have come up, giving me great respect, and are praying for my treatment and recovery. It’s a heartwarming feeling that I get several times a day! Dr. Fred Scarbrough, Founder, Scarbrough Animal Hospital and HOPE South Forida My beyond love gesture is when my husband walks in the door and says, “Oh, it smells so good in here!!” My daughter echoes him, and they thank me for cooking dinner. It’s the little things. Helen Wayner P.A., Century 21 Hansen Realty I remember being asked to speak to the Fort Lauderdale Rotary a few years ago, and when I was done, they presented me with a photo of a little girl in a wheelchair. As a sign of appreciation, they made a donation to the Wheelchair Foundation, which is committed to providing mobility to children worldwide. I have that photo on my desk today, and it reminds me to think of others and find simple and caring ways to show kindness. Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson, Ph.D., President/CEO, Community Foundation of Broward Once, while at a men's group, I received a text from my wife saying our washer had completely quit. I shared the need, and before I got home, I received another text saying they had pooled together to buy a new one. Jesse Carroccio, Community Impact Director, Moody Global Media Chris Lane Deborah Cusick Dennis DeMarois William “Bill” C. Davell Bob Denison Chip LaMarca D Wants to Know… Gregg Wallick
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