Largest Christian Newspaper in America • goodnewsfl.org • July 2026 • Volume 28, Issue 4
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PUBLISHER 6 JULY 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition The struggle is real. All too often we travel a road that has been charted by others. Parents, schools, coaches, the public or friends …what’s expected of us, if you will. Some swim against the stream and go into ministry, art and culture, teaching; the more humbling and less well compensated, and some feel a calling from above to be true to thyself. Something that motivates you because it just feels right. Back in the 1970s I met Rita Coolidge, who was touring and becoming a big rock ‘n’ roll star, and I was doing an interview with her for a front cover feature of my then music publication. Coolidge had a songwriting boyfriend, who was always with her. He was a little older by rock standards at that moment but later became her husband. His name was Kris Kristofferson, a truly unpretentious “good old boy” with a rumbling, easy laugh and eyes that were piercing; interested in every word spoken. I was aware of Kristofferson, who had written some major songs for other artists in those early years. The interesting rumors about Kristofferson were his insane background — insane by the music world standards — so I paid great attention to his body language, words and reactions out of curiosity. Remembering, it just seemed to be the truth of his comfort with who he was. I recently came across this interesting essay written by “Mera” and, by now, most of it I already knew about Kristofferson, but I like the construct of the article. I don’t need to know every pulsing heartbeat of fame or tragedy, the fact that he had the seemingly typical rock ‘n’ roll ‘alcohol abuse’ and hard partying infidelities; that life deals different cards to different people, and it makes it interesting when I come across people who walk to the beat of a different drummer and take positive steps to live a life of fulfillment. Kris Kristofferson mainly wrote music you could hear, introspective lyrics, words and phrasing, not the then bubblegum lyrics of the day; he dealt in his reality: Just give me the truth. Kris Kristofferson died on September 28, 2024, at his home in Maui, Hawaii, at age 88, and the final detail felt almost too quiet for a man who had once walked away from one of the safest, most respected lives imaginable. Born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, he was not only a country singer with a gravel voice. He was the man who could have worn rank, taught literature, flown helicopters and lived inside every answer his family thought made sense. Before Nashville knew his name, Kris already looked like someone built for a polished life. At Pomona College in California, he became the kind of student people remembered, not only because he was smart, but because he seemed good at nearly everything. He played sports, boxed, wrote, studied literature and graduated in 1958. That same year, at 22, he went to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, one of the most respected academic honors in the world. At Oxford, he studied English literature at Merton College and kept chasing the writing life that had already started pulling at him. Imagine being in your early twenties, surrounded by old libraries, formal traditions, and people who expected greatness from you in a clean, respectable way. “He had the brain for the classroom, the body for the Army, and the soul of a man already listening for a song nobody else could hear.” That is what makes his story hit so hard. He was not running from failure. He was walking away from success. After Oxford, he joined the U.S. Army and became a captain. By the early 1960s, he was a Rangertrained helicopter pilot, serving with the discipline of a soldier and the imagination of a writer. Most men would have stopped there and called it a complete life. By 1965, when Kris was 29, the safe road was almost perfectly laid out in front of him. He was offered a position teaching English at West Point. It was the kind of job that made sense on every level. Oxford, literature, Army rank, discipline, respect, family pride. Everything connected. Everything looked right from the outside. Then Kris did the thing almost nobody around him could understand. He chose Nashville. Not a guaranteed music career. Not fame. Not money. Nashville. Songs. Rejection. Cheap rooms. Empty pockets. A songwriter’s life with no promise except the chance to tell the truth. “A man can have the degree, the uniform, the rank, and the future already waiting, and still feel like he is betraying himself by staying.” His family did not celebrate that choice. To them, it looked like he was throwing away everything. To Kris, staying would have meant losing something deeper. The world saw a Rhodes Scholar and Army captain. He saw a songwriter trapped inside a life that was becoming too safe to breathe in. In Nashville, the contrast became almost unbelievable. The Oxford-educated captain worked as a janitor at Columbia Recording Studios. He swept floors and emptied ashtrays near the rooms where real music was being made. That detail still feels unreal. A man once headed toward West Point was now cleaning up after sessions, simply because being close to songs mattered more than looking important. But that hunger changed everything. In 1969, Roger Miller recorded “Me and Bobby McGee.” In 1970, Johnny Cash took “Sunday Morning Coming Down” into the hearts of country fans, and Ray Price made “For the Good Times” a No. 1 country hit. Then came “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” the kind of song that sounded less written than confessed. Kris did not write country music like a man decorating pain. He wrote like a man who had lived inside loneliness long enough to describe the furniture. “He turned regret into poetry, desire into plain language, and Sunday morning emptiness into something millions of people suddenly recognized in themselves.” Hollywood found him too, and “A Star Is Born” (1976) made him a face beyond country music. But he never felt like a polished Hollywood invention. Kris carried dust with him. He looked like a man who had read poetry before breakfast, flown through danger by afternoon, and still knew how to break your heart with one simple line. That is why his death felt different. When Kris Kristofferson left the world in Maui at 88, it was not just the ending of a singer’s life. It was the closing of a rare American gamble. He had been handed the safe life, the educated life, the respected life, and he still chose the dangerous little road where songs were waiting. He did not chase comfort. He chased the truth. - Leslie J. Feldman - Publisher A Road Less Traveled 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] Anitra Parmele Senior Writer [email protected] Art Director: Milton McPherson [email protected] Associate Art Director: Joseph Sammaritano [email protected] Advertising & Marketing: Robert “Buddy” Helland Jr. V.P. Sr. Marketing Manager [email protected] Cover Photography: Luis Feliz [email protected] Social Media Manager: Ariel Feldman [email protected] Editorial Assistant: Eric Solomon [email protected] Rita Coolidge and Kris Kristofferson Good News •July • Volume 28 Issue 4
LETTERS 8 JULY 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition up, our middleman to have a relationship with God. “Christians” blindly refuse to believe what Jesus did in his work on earth. - Gary Wayne Yes, praying can change anything. - Sandra Dee Just understand that Jesus said, “You must be born again.” Only through the blood of Jesus; there is no other way. - Wallace Parker If a person doesn’t believe prayer changes things, they’re still a sinner, a lost soul, still not forgiven because that takes faith in Jesus’ name and prayer of faith. - Charles Burdine Summer Stewardship by Scott Pearson, Associate Professor, with introduction by Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, President, Palm Beach Atlantic University I am a firm believer that a good outdoor walk with good converstion, a shady place to relax and refreshments (it’s hot in Texas) can be every bit as memorable as an expensive trip but for all the right reasons. Teaching children that the only quality time is spent spending money is problematic.. - Blake Harty The Chosen — What is a friend? by Omar Aleman, Aleman and Associates What is a friend? A friend is not simply someone who occupies a seat at our table, but someone who walks beside us for a purpose and a season. I believer every person and every circumstance we encounter carries purpose. Some are sent to comfort us, some challenge us, some to teach us, and some to reveal the very character we are cultivating within ourselves. Friendship is deeper than fellowship. Fellowship is gathering, sharing common spaces, worshipping together, or enjoying common interests. - Charlene Alvarez Congratulations Graduates 2026! by Shelly Pond, GOOD NEWS Editor Thank you so much for featuring these amazing graduates! David Reales is such an amazing young man as I am sure all of these graduates are. - Mark Hattabaugh, Senior Pastor, The Pentecostals of Cooper City Congratulations to all! - Kimberly Weeks Mathis Thank you SO much for including our amazing graduates! - Grace Place School Proud to be representing Catholic education for 90 years. - St. Thomas Acquinas High School Christian education is the best. - Maritza Cosano Fighting Spiritual Battles in the Arena of Prayer by Franklin Graham, President and CEO, Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Prayer changes everything and everyone! - Beth Ruschel Yes, we are seeing some great results of prayer. - Carla Harvey Kroll Those in the apostles’ day needed born again because they were under the curse of the law and separated from God. Those after Jesus’ work do not need born again because the second Adam, Jesus came with the ministry of reconciliation. Those under sin which was the trespass of the law were reconciled. Redeemed they were and none of it had anything to do with us. The way to God opened back PUBLISHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 A Road Less Traveled – by Leslie J. Feldman WE GET LETTERS . . . . . . . . . .8 PASTOR PROFILE . . . . . . . . .10 Every Square Inch: Jon Elswick & Crossway Church – by Anitra Parmele COMMUNITY NEWS . .12 - 20 ON THE NET . . . . . . . . .22 - 23 FAITH & CULTURE . . . . . . . .24 What Really Made America Great – by Dr. Rob Pacienza IN THE WORD . . . . . . . . . . .26 America — Still a Struggle – by Franklin Graham COVER ARTICLE . . . . . 28 – 29 The United States of America at 250 Years: Are We Still a Republic? – by Dr. Warren Gage PARENTING . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 America 250: A Time for Family Prayer – by Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts HEART AND SOUL . . . . . . . .32 Patriotic Ideals: Honoring Our Nation's 250th Anniversary Now and Always – by Dr. Wes Borucki; Intro by Dr. Debra A. Schwinn GOOD NEWS WANTS TO KNOW . . . . . . . . . . . 34 - 36 STEWARDSHIP . . . . . . . . . . .38 Puzzle Pieces – by Patrick J. Kelly THE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 You Are Gifted – by Dr. O.S. Hawkins INSIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 A Defining Moment in Humanity: A Statement on Pope Leo XIV's Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas – by Rob Hoskins ENCOURAGEMENT . . . . . . .42 Stand By Me – by Omar Aleman FOSTER CARE . . . . . . . . . . . .44 250 – by Andrew Holmes LEGAL Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Avoiding a Surprise – and Potentially Unwanted – Business Partner – by William “Bill” C. Davell and Henny Shomar GOD STORIES . . . . . . . . . . .48 When Hope Seemed Lost: Anthony’s Journey of Redemption – by Antony Tchividjian HOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 When God's Goodness Has a Face – by Joseph Kenner CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . .52 – 55 We Get Letters South Florida Edition • Good News • July 2026 • Volume 28, Issue 4 On The Cover The hope of our future, children gather at Fort Lauderdale Beach in celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, followed by a sweet treat of ice cream at Pops Corn, located at 901 Sunrise Lane, just east of A1A in Fort Lauderdale. Pictured Front Row (L to R): Isaac Mason, Emma Copeland, Rebecca Copeland, Elijah Mason; Back Row: Nathan Copeland, Anna Copeland, Daniel “Dre” Mason, Olivia Copeland. Read the cover article “The United States of America at 250 Years: Are We Still a Republic?” by Dr. Warren Gage on pages 28 and 29. Photo Credit: Ariel Feldman www.fieldmanworker.com CONTENTS
10 JULY 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition PASTOR PROFILE Talk with Dr. Jon Elswick, senior pastor of Crossway Church, and the conversation quickly turns to collaboration. Even the church’s origin story and current location on the campus of Sheridan House Ministries in Davie exemplifies their unified approach to impacting South Florida. Formerly serving as creative arts pastor at City Rev Church in Pembroke Pines, Jon told his then-pastor Robey Barnes he sensed God was calling him to plant a church. How is the launch of Crossway a story of partnership and generosity? Crossway is a church plant from two churches: Spanish River Church in Boca and City Rev Church. Spanish River is incredibly committed to planting churches, and they were key in funding Crossway. When I shared with Robey that we wanted to plant a new church, he did an amazing thing. Rather than seeing our new church as competition, he chose to get behind us by financially supporting us and sending out a group from City Rev to start Crossway. By God’s providence, on our first Sunday, January 10, 2010, City Rev moved into their current building. Even though they sent 10% of their congregation with us, they grew on day one. It’s a beautiful example to me of how God blesses unity. What decisions changed the trajectory of your church? My Doctor of Ministry dissertation was on the impact of Bible reading among infrequent readers. Research confirms regular engagement with Scripture is the single most transformative spiritual practice available. For us as a church, Bible reading is a big piece of who we are. One of my desires is not just to preach messages that inspire people to read Scripture, but to practically teach them to engage Scripture through the SOAP method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer). We’ve worked hard to build Scripture engagement into the rhythms of the church. Another decision that impacted our trajectory took place when we started. From the beginning, as an adoptive family, we’ve had a heart for foster care and adoption and the most vulnerable in our community. Our partnerships with organizations like 4KIDS, Every Mother's Advocate (EMA), and Sheridan House have been a vital part of shaping our trajectory as a church that doesn’t just exist for ourselves but exists for our community. How does your church reflect and serve an area as diverse as South Florida? If you look at the stage on a Sunday morning, the leadership is going to look like Southwest Broward County and that's beautiful. Our approach to serving our community runs through the concept of shalom, the Hebrew word for peace. Shalom is not only the absence of conflict but “everything as it should be.” “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” is the first petition of the Lord's Prayer. We pray that heaven invades earth so that South Florida looks more like heaven. That happens spiritually. No one can have true shalom without a relationship with Jesus. Part of shalom and impact in the world begins with having a heart for the spiritually lost who are our friends, family, neighbors and coworkers who are far from God. Shalom also happens practically through our ministry partnerships by hosting community backpack drives and toy drives, a Habitat for Humanity build partnership, and ongoing work with local organizations. Serving our community is central to our mission to make disciples who love God, love others and then go out and impact their world. What keeps you up at night when you think about the future of the Church? I think about AI, social media and the massive cultural shifts our kids are navigating, and I ask, “How do we make sure the next generation is rooted and grounded in the Word of God and in an experience of knowing Jesus that's real?” We believe that Jesus changes every generation, and we’re working to see that happen in our church. Tell us about your family. I met Melissa in 2000 just a couple days after she had gotten radically saved. We got married in 2002 and have been in ministry together ever since. She is on staff at Crossway, overseeing outreach, women's ministry and communications. She is my first call when an idea surfaces, and I need discernment. An extraordinary galvanizer, she leads Sisterhood, Crossway's women's ministry, which has catalyzed remarkable leadership among women in the church. We have two sons adopted from Taiwan: Ethan, 16, who plays football at Calvary Christian Academy, and Joshua, 13, who plays basketball and football. We love to spend as much time together as we can – whether it's getting away in North Carolina or Georgia or supporting the kids and their games. That’s what takes up most of our time these days. When it comes to ministry, we’re all in together, it's a family effort. What does being involved in Church United mean to you? One of the greatest gifts for me in ministry here in South Florida is my relationship with other pastors in Church United. I often tell my pastor friends in the area that it’s one of my dreams that we each would go the distance and make it to the end of our ministries loving Jesus well and loving our families well. To do that, you need other ministry brothers who are cheering you on and who will be with you in the good and bad. Church United has been a space that has helped cultivate those relationships for me. Where do you see God moving most unexpectedly right now? In the last 18 months, we've seen more people come to faith and get baptized ever before in the journey of our church. The Holy Spirit is going before us, drawing spiritual seekers — people willing to have honest spiritual conversations. I am hearing stories of this happening throughout our broader community as well, and I think Crossway is just seeing a piece of what the Spirit is doing. We’re sensing that there is a growing spiritual openness in the community, so this November, Church United has more than a hundred churches across Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties doing a joint sermon series: Who Is Jesus? This series will be an opportunity for churches to introduce Jesus to unbelievers and reintroduce Jesus to those in our churches. We want to see every square inch of South Florida transformed by God's presence. To learn more about Crossway Church or for service details, go to Crossway.Church Jon Elswick Every Square Inch: Jon Elswick and Crossway Church Anitra Parmele GOOD NEWS Senior Writer
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12 JULY 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition COMMUNITY NEWS Founded in 1926, the same year the Great Miami Hurricane forever changed South Florida, Christ Journey Church recently celebrated a milestone few institutions ever reach: 100 years of continuous service, community impact and ministry in MiamiDade County. The church commemorated its centennial anniversary with a weekend-long celebration culminating in a Birthday Bash and dedication of its new South Miami campus. Current and former members, community leaders, elected officials, ministry partners, and families spanning multiple generations gathered to celebrate. Florida State Senator Alexis Calatayud proclaimed May 24, 2026, as "Christ Journey Church Day." Founded as University Baptist Church in Coral Gables with just 78 members, Christ Journey rebuilt after the devastating 1926 hurricane and has remained a lasting presence in South Florida. Today, Christ Journey serves thousands locally and globally while remaining committed to helping people find and follow Christ. "What we celebrated wasn't simply a church anniversary," said Senior Pastor Bill White. "We celebrated the faithfulness of God and the thousands of people whose prayers, service, generosity, and faith helped shape Christ Journey over the last century… We're even more excited about the future." Two devastating backto-back earthquakes struck Venezuela Wednesday evening, June 24, causing widespread damage and collapsing buildings in the capital of Caracas. Many are injured, and thousands are feared dead. The quakes came less than a minute apart and the stronger 7.5-magnitude tremor was the most powerful to hit the country in over a century. Local hospitals are overwhelmed and countless families are now homeless. Samaritan's Purse is responding to the hardest-hit areas. Their Disaster Assistance Response Team is flying to Venezuela to evaluate medical, water, sanitation and hygiene needs, with dozens more joining them in the coming days. They plan to airlift an Emergency Field Hospital to the area onboard their 767cargo plane as well as shelter tarp, solar lights, blankets and water filters. Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, urged supporters to “Please join me in praying for those who have lost loved ones and for the thousands of others who are suffering after this tragedy.” For more information, visit samaritanspurse.org. Christ Journey Church Celebrates 100 Years Senior Pastor Bill White, FL. Senator Alexis Calatayud, Executive Pastor Ryan Reed Caracas, Venezuela - June 25, 2026: Emergency services work at the site of a collapsed building in Caracas as rescue teams conduct search and recovery operations following a powerful earthquake. Samaritan’s Purse Responding in Venezuela After Massive Quakes Florida’s new “Security in Places of Worship” law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on April 23, takes effect July 1. Despite some confusion surrounding the legislation, the law primarily removes the requirement that churches, ministries, synagogues and other places of worship use state-licensed security guards to provide security services. According to Robert Dummett, Executive Director of InGauge of Polk County, the new law does not require places of worship to submit security plans to local sheriffs, conduct background checks on volunteer security team members, require state-approved training, or mandate concealed carry licenses except where school-zone laws apply. If a place of worship is located within 1,000 feet of a public or private school, armed volunteers must possess a valid Florida concealed carry license or a recognized out-of-state permit. The law also clarifies that places of worship are not required to provide security. However, organizations that choose to establish in-house security teams may use unpaid volunteers who serve only on property owned or operated by the religious institution. While the Florida Sheriffs Association recommends training, background checks and written security plans, those recommendations are not required by law. To help churches understand the new requirements, In-Gauge of Polk County will host a Guardian Training Class on July 11 from 1–4:30 p.m. For information, email [email protected]. New Law Governs Church Security in Florida
14 JULY 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition COMMUNITY NEWS Habitat for Humanity of Broward celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Habitat Broward ReStore at 505 W Broward Blvd. on Tuesday, May 26, bringing together corporate partners, donors and community leaders for an evening recognizing the people and partnerships behind one of the nation’s topperforming ReStores. Held at the Habitat Broward ReStore, the event highlighted the store’s continued growth and impact, with the location now ranking among the top two ReStores in the United States and projected to generate $2.4 million in revenue this year. Proceeds directly support Habitat Broward’s mission to provide safe, affordable housing for families across the community. The evening featured special recognition of key corporate partners, including CITY Furniture, Macy's, The Home Depot and Restoration Hardware, whose ongoing contributions have played a critical role in the store’s success. Additional recognition was given to Advanced Roofing for donating a new roof for the facility and to Robert Taylor Jr. for funding the large-scale mural displayed on the building. “Reaching 25 years is a major milestone, but what makes this moment so meaningful is the impact behind it,” said Nancy Robin, CEO and Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Broward. “Because of the strength of our partnerships and the foundation laid early on, every dollar generated by the Habitat Broward ReStore goes directly back into building homes and changing lives.” The event also paid tribute to Nancy Daly, who purchased the property 25 years ago, later securing donor support to fully fund the building, allowing the Habitat Broward ReStore to operate mortgage-free. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Broward please call (954) 396-3030 or visit habitatbroward.org. Habitat Broward ReStore Celebrates 25 Years of Community Impact L to R: Mark Camacho, Habitat Broward ReStore General Manager; Nancy Robin, Habitat for Humanity, CEO; Karen Wilford, La-Z-Boy Representative; Bill Feinberg, Allied Kitchen & Bath, Owner; Buffy Koczwara, Oliver Gal Artist Co., Director of Omnichannel Sales & Business Development; Kelly Koenig, CITY Furniture, Executive Director, and Habitat Broward Board Member. This spring, 13 outstanding CrockettAllen Family Scholars from Blanche Ely High School, Boyd Anderson High School and Pompano Beach High School reached an incredible milestone, graduating high school with full tuition and/or dorm scholarships to continue their academic journeys. These students will pursue diverse and impactful fields of study, including mechanical engineering, political science, nursing, and premed, at Florida State University (FSU), Florida A&M University (FAMU), University of Central Florida (UCF), and other state colleges. Their achievements reflect not only their hard work and determination but also the power of community investment. The Crockett Foundation extended their gratitude to the Matt & Lisa Allen Family Foundation, United Way of Broward, the Community Foundation of Broward, and the Florida Lottery for their unwavering support and commitment to empowering the next generation. To date, 26 Scholars have been helped by the Crockett Foundation's scholarship program and turned ambition into opportunity. Scholars Cross From Promise to Achievement The Broward Education Foundation and Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) celebrated a transformative $100,000 donation from the Advance Auto Parts Foundation to strengthen the Automotive Technology Program at McFatter Technical College & High School. The gift includes professional-grade tools and financial support that will help students earn industry-recognized Automotive Service Excellence certifications and prepare for high-demand careers in the automotive and diesel industries. “The demand for skilled automotive technicians continues to grow, and our partnership with the Broward Education Foundation and McFatter Technical College reflects Advance’s commitment to helping meet that demand through workforce readiness,” said Todd Davenport, president of the Advance Auto Parts Foundation and senior vice president, real estate and development at Advance. “Strong workforce partnerships are essential to preparing students for successful careers in industries that are critical to our economy,” said James A. Knapp, president and CEO of Broward Education Foundation. “We are grateful to the Advance Auto Parts Foundation for this extraordinary investment in McFatter Technical College & High School’s Automotive Technology Program. McFatter Technical College & High School Receives $100,000 Gift (photo credit: AutoNation): Dr. Ted Toomer, Regional Superintendent (Central), Broward County Public Schools; Mike Lynn, General Manager, Advanced Auto Parts; Sarah Leonardi, Chair, Broward County School Board; Neylor Mir, District Manager, Advance Auto Parts; Dr. Fabian Cone, Chief Academic Officer, Broward County Public Schools; Adam Cervera, Esq., Broward County School Board, District 6; James A. Knapp, President & CEO, Broward Education Foundation; Debra Hixon, Broward County School Board, Countywide At-Large; Eddie Salman, instructor, McFatter Technical College & High School; Celeste Johnson, Principal, McFatter Technical College & High School; Loli Formoso, Director of Career, Technical, Adult & Community Education, Broward County Public Schools Office of Academics; and David Rich, instructor, McFatter Technical College & High School
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16 JULY 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition COMMUNITY NEWS Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County (BBBSB) has reached a major milestone in expanding youth mentorship opportunities throughout South Florida after receiving official district-wide partnership approval from Broward County Public Schools. With the endorsement of The School Board of Broward County and Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn, BBBSB will now be able to expand mentoring opportunities across all schools within the district, removing previous barriers that limited access at certain campuses. The landmark multi-year partnership will remain in effect through October 31, 2029. “This partnership represents a transformative moment for the youth of Broward County,” said Malena Mendez, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County. “With the support of Broward County Public Schools, we can expand access to mentorship and ensure more students have positive role models helping guide them toward brighter futures. Our mission aligns naturally with the district’s commitment to empowering students and helping them achieve success.” Through school-based mentoring, students are paired with trusted mentors who provide encouragement, guidance and consistent support in environments where young people already spend much of their time learning and developing. Research continues to demonstrate the positive impact mentorship can have on confidence, attendance, academics and long-term outcomes for youth. The district will support the partnership through ongoing collaboration and data sharing, including attendance records, report cards and student outcome surveys to help track program success. To become a mentor or learn more about the organization’s programs, visit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County Big Brothers Big Sisters Expands Mentorship Opportunities for Students David Greenberger, Malena Mendez, Marlene Williams, Lania Rittenhouse, Jennifer Becker and Michael Velazquez, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County board members and executive staff The Community Foundation of Broward’s second annual Mayors Philanthropic Forum brought together more than 50 local leaders to discuss how collaboration and charitable giving shape a brighter future for residents across Broward County. On May 20, the Community Foundation hosted this special gathering of mayors, city administrators, philanthropists and more for a luncheon and engaging discussion about the role of philanthropy in building stronger, more vibrant communities. The forums aim to bring leaders together annually to find new ways to work together to tackle Broward County’s biggest issues and create a positive impact for all residents. “You know your cities. You know what your communities need,” Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson said to the city leaders at the forum. “Our role is to be a partner, to bring resources, research and relationships. Thank you for helping us build a stronger Broward together.” Broward County Mayors and other local leaders in attendance discussed shaping the Community Foundation of Broward's philanthropic strategy for Broward's cities, including how resources and partnerships can be deployed to address community needs. Founded in 1984, the Community Foundation of Broward partners with families, individuals and organizations to create personalized charitable funds that deliver game-changing philanthropic impact. 590 charitable funds represent $330 million in assets, distributing more than $215 million in grants over the past 40 years. For more information, please visit cfbroward.org. Mayors Philanthropic Forum Highlights Impact, Opportunity of Local Philanthropy Kennie Hobbs Jr Lauderhill City Manager, Jonathan Allen, Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Sean Henderson Lauderhill Deputy City Manager, Trevor Fried CFB Board Member Rita Case, president, CEO and owner of Rick Case Automotive Group, has received the 2026 Broward County Police Benevolent Association’s (BCPBA) Humanitarian of the Year Award. She is the first woman to receive this award. An ardent supporter of education initiatives, Case also announced during the ceremony a $28,000 donation to The HOPE Fund, which was established in 1998 to assist members and families facing hardships during times of crisis and personal tragedy. The HOPE Fund awards the Sergeant Christopher Reyka Scholarship Award annually to a child of a Broward County PBA member. Case will fund a $1,000 scholarship moving forward. “Rita Case represents the very best of what it means to serve a community. Her compassion, generosity and unwavering commitment to helping others has touched countless lives throughout South Florida,” said Rod Skirvin, president of the BCPBA. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for our law enforcement officers. These men and women in uniform show up when we need them, patrol our neighborhoods, protect our businesses, attend community events and provide assistance to members and their families when they need it most. I tip my hat in gratitude and admiration for their bravery,” said Case. Previous winners of the BCPBA Humanitarian Award were Ron Book and Ron Bergeron. Rita Case Named Humanitarian of the Year Broward County PBA Secretary Elaine Seedig, Rick Case Automotive Group president, CEO and owner Rita Case; Broward County PBA President Rod Skirvin; and Broward County PBA Vice President Paul Sada
In Celebration of Women’s Health Month, Broward Health recently recognized Rick Case Automotive Group President and CEO Rita Case for her generous donation to the Broward Health Foundation, which enhanced cardiac care at Broward Health Medical Center. During her visit, Rita also donated CPR Anytime Training Kits and visited a female patient in the progressive cardiac unit, presenting her with a CPR kit. “I want these ladies to take home these kits for their families,” Rita said. “Not only is heart disease the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., but a study by Duke University School of Medicine showed that women were 14% less likely to receive bystander CPR defibrillation than men. We want to turn bystanders into lifesavers by encouraging people to learn CPR, and by making CPR kits available, we can save lives.” According to the American Heart Association, to save more lives from the 350,000 cardiac arrests that occur outside of the hospital every year, the number of people who respond to cardiac arrest by calling 911 must increase, they must have access to highquality CPR, and they must get and use an AED as soon as it is available. 18 JULY 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition COMMUNITY NEWS United Way Broward’s Coalition on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention, in partnership with the Broward Behavioral Health Coalition (BBHC) and the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), successfully hosted the 11th Annual South Florida Behavioral Health Conference: The Power of Prevention, held May 27-28, 2026, at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood. The two-day Conference brought together nearly 1,000 clinicians, policymakers, educators, prevention specialists, community leaders, and behavioral health professionals from across Florida and beyond to explore innovative approaches to prevention, treatment, recovery and mental wellness. The Conference featured nationally recognized keynote speakers including Kevin Hines, a globally renowned suicide prevention advocate; Ryan Jenkins, leadership futurist and bestselling author; Allan Kehler, mental health advocate and addictions counselor; and Rick Griffin, neuroscience educator and founder of the Neuro Leadership Academy. The Master of Ceremonies was CEO and Founder of Vanessa James Media, Vanessa James. "The Power of Prevention is a reminder that investing in prevention, early intervention, and community support creates healthier outcomes for individuals, families, and communities," said Kathleen Cannon, President & CEO of United Way Broward. Several outstanding leaders were recognized. Heather Geronemus, Vice President, Belonging & Impact at UKG, received the Paul E. Daly Champion for Prevention Award; David Scharf, Executive Director Community Programs for the Broward Sheriff's Office, was honored with the Community Trailblazer Award; and Silvia Quintana, CEO of Broward Behavioral Health Coalition (BBHC), received the Legacy of Care Award for her lasting impact on behavioral health and community wellbeing. Hundreds of free behavioral health, substance use prevention, crisis intervention, and recovery resources are available throughout Broward County and can be accessed by dialing 211 for communitybased support services or 988 for immediate mental health crisis assistance. Professionals Unite for Behavioral Health Conference United Way Broward Chief Impact Officer Maria Hernandez, United Way Broward President & CEO Kathleen Cannon, BBHC CEO Silvia Quintana, and Broward County Administrator Monica Cepero Broward Health Celebrates Donation to Cardiac Care and CPR Kits Mina Amini, director of medical staff; Jenna Merlucci, Vice President, Heart & Vascular Service, Broward Health; Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group; Shane Strum, president and CEO, Broward Health; Manny Linares, CEO, Broward Health Medical Center; Donna Small, CNO, Broward Health Medical Center; Lauri Littleton, ACNO, Boward Health Medical Center; and Don Eachus, president, Broward Health Foundation Feeding South Florida® – the leading hungerrelief organization in South Florida – is proud to announce that Liam ValdezLee, an 8thgrade student from Shenandoah Middle Magnet School, was named the winner of its Seventh Annual “Feed Your Creativity” Art Competition. Elementary, middle and high school students throughout Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties competed for the opportunity to have their artwork displayed on one of Feeding South Florida's semi-trailer truck wrap – a 36-foot moving billboard that travels throughout South Florida. ValdezLee was recognized during a gallery night at Feeding South Florida’s Pembroke Park warehouse on May 14, where all the submitted artwork was exhibited. Following, the semitrailer truck was revealed during a celebration at Shenandoah Middle Magnet School on May 28. ValdezLee’s artwork will be prominently celebrated and displayed at Feeding South Florida’s Pembroke Park warehouse and recognized on social media. Feeding South Florida’s mission is to end hunger in South Florida by providing immediate access to nutritious food, leading hunger and poverty advocacy efforts, and transforming lives through innovative programming and education. For more information, visit feedingsouthflorida.org or call 954-518-1818. Winner of “Feed Your Creativity” Student Art Competition Announced Paco Vélez, Devika Ramkissoon, Liam ValdezLee, Lazarus, Shantel Howard, Jessica Benites, Krista Toussant
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20 JULY 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition COMMUNITY NEWS AutoNation Collision Center Delray partnered with the National Auto Body Council® (NABC) and GEICO to present a fully refurbished 2021 Subaru Forester Sport to a South Florida mother of four, including an 11year-old child battling cancer. All partners gathered at AutoNation Collision Center Delray to formally present Samera Pierce and her family with their new vehicle. Representatives from AutoNation, NABC Recycled Rides® Program, Geico, Enterprise and Chasin’ A Dream gave some remarks and took part in the special unveiling moment of the refurbished vehicle. Nominated for the NABC Recycled Rides® program by the Chasin’ A Dream Foundation, Samera faced a critical need for reliable transportation to safely manage daily responsibilities and keep up with medical appointments. Led by AutoNation Collision Center Director Efrem Rodriguez, the AutoNation team donated all the parts and labor to refurbish the vehicle donated by GEICO. The team also presented Totes for Hope to the Pierce family with small items meant to bring a little comfort to cancer patients and their families during a difficult journey. Prom night dreams came true for dozens of South Florida teens eager to experience a sense of normalcy when the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation (JDCH), with support from Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, rolled out the red carpet for a Hollywood-inspired milestone celebration. For teen patients who are unable to attend their own school dances due to illness and treatment, this milestone event, now in its 11th year, brought even more meaning to an event that is often considered an adolescent rite of passage. “Prom is one of those moments every teenager imagines for themselves. When a serious illness enters a teenager's life, it has a way of taking away the ordinary moments everyone else takes for granted,” said Kelley Morris, president, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Each year, I’m touched by how quickly these teens transform the moment they walk through the door, excited just to dance and be with their friends. At the heart of our mission at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation is making sure our patients and their families have opportunities like this to experience moments of pure joy.” With friends, family and caregivers there to support and uplift prom goers, teens and their guests arrived dressed to celebrate in “Old Hollywood: Glitz and Glam” style, matching the prom’s theme. Many wore dresses and formal wear generously donated by hospital staff and members of the local community. Dunkin’ Prom Brings Night of Fun to Teens Facing Serious Illness Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital child life and creative arts teams Abigail, Olivia, and Ali AutoNation and Partners Donate Car to Mom of Child Battling Cancer AutoNation, National Auto Body Council® (NABC), Geico, Enterprise and Chasin’ A Dream partners gather to celebrate a Recycled Rides vehicle presentation to Samera Pierce and her family. Food For The Poor (FFTP) volunteers began packing thousands of disaster relief kits on Friday, June 26, while the organization launches a community donation drive to help families affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026. The packing effort was held at FFTP’s Coconut Creek headquarters, 6401 Lyons Road, where community members are also asked to drop off approved disaster relief supplies. “When disaster strikes, the first question people ask is, ‘How can I help?’” said FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine. “Our volunteers will be packing thousands of emergency relief kits while we begin collecting critical supplies for families whose lives have been turned upside down by these earthquakes. Every kit packed, every donation dropped off, and every gift made brings hope to people facing unimaginable loss.” FFTP has approximately 19,000 disaster preparedness kits available for volunteers to assemble and prepare for shipment as logistics into Venezuela become available. Approved disaster relief supplies will be accepted at FFTP’s warehouse on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Requested items include non-expired (at least 1 year before expiration): canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned or dehydrated meat, dry grains, cereals, nuts, seeds, nut butters, boxed or powdered milk and ready-to-eat snacks, as well as hygiene supplies, tarps, solar lanterns, blankets, diapers, feminine hygiene products, children’s activity books and games. Clothing and medications are not accepted. Supporters who prefer to purchase supplies online may do so through the charity’s Venezuela Earthquakes Amazon Wish List: https://a.co/0e1r1VrW For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org Food For The Poor Hosts Packing Event and Donation Drive for Venezuela Earthquake Relief Volunteers at Food For The Poor's Coconut Creek headquarters assembled disaster hygiene kits on Friday, June 26, as part of the charity’s response to the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.
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ON THE NET 22 JULY 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Monitoring the Internet and bringing Village News to our readers
ON THE NET 23 JULY 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Monitoring the Internet and bringing Village News to our readers
FAITH & CULTURE 24 JULY 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition For years now, we've heard the call to make America great again. But few stop to ask what made America great in the first place. Was it military strength? Economic power? Political genius? History suggests something far less impressive to the modern ear, yet far truer to the work of God. In March of 1863, with the nation tearing itself apart in civil war, Abraham Lincoln called the country to a day of fasting and prayer. In his proclamation, he reached for a truth he believed older and steadier than any battlefield outcome: "Those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord." Lincoln didn't invent that line. He was quoting Psalm 33:12, a verse that shaped much of the political thinking behind America's founding, and one our own cultural moment badly needs to hear again: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” The blessing What does it mean for a nation to be blessed? In God’s vocabulary, blessing does not consist primarily in wealth or power, nor in the self-help happiness our culture chases. It means something closer to flourishing before the face of God, experiencing the deep stability and joy that come from living in right relationship with your Maker. That is the spirit behind the Declaration of Independence's phrase, “the pursuit of happiness.” The founders were drawing on a classical tradition that defined happiness as a life of virtue and flourishing rather than one of self-indulgence. Scripture sharpens that insight: true flourishing is finally found not in virtue for its own sake, but in a right relationship with the God who is its source. Here is what is easy to miss about Psalm 33:12: it is not a promise reserved for one chosen nation. The Hebrew word translated "nation" is a general term, used elsewhere in scripture for the Gentile nations as a whole. The psalm is not saying Israel alone can be blessed. It is saying any nation, under any flag, in any century, finds this blessing available on the same terms: when its God is the Lord. That is the principle the American founders grasped, even if they didn't always live up to it. They didn't believe they had cornered the market on God's favor. They believed they had discovered something true about how any nation flourishes, and they tried, imperfectly, to build a country on it. You can trace the thread from the Puritans, who founded schools so children could read Scripture for themselves, through John Adams's sober warning in 1798: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." The Declaration of Independence itself closes with an appeal to "a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence." The founders believed that reliance, not any particular genius of American design, unlocked two and a half centuries of remarkable liberty. The blessing lost But the same psalm that promises blessing also describes divine judgment. God doesn't only bless nations; he rules over them and holds them to his own standard of righteousness — not whatever standard a culture happens to prefer in a given decade. And the honest truth for any of us living in America today is that our nation has been drifting from dependence on God toward dependence on government, or any number of other modern substitutes for him, instead. That drift didn't happen overnight. One clear marker came roughly a century ago, with the rise of a movement explicitly committed to displacing Christian conviction with a different faith altogether, one waged in public school classrooms rather than pulpits. A widely cited 1983 piece in The Humanist magazine described the classroom itself as the new battleground, with teachers cast as missionaries for a different gospel entirely. Whatever you make of how that battle has unfolded since, the pattern Scripture warns about is plain: When a nation stops calling good "good" and evil "evil" by God's definition, and starts defining both for itself, it loses the very blessing it was after. The blessing reclaimed So how does a nation find its way back? Not primarily through politics, and not through any single election. Scripture's answer is the mobilization of the Church — God’s people. Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 5 that they were salt and light: salt that preserves and heals, light that brings clarity to a confused and darkened culture. The church does not reclaim a nation's blessing by seizing control of the state. That was never our calling. Christ has given each sphere of society, family, church and government alike, its own God-given authority and limits. The church's task is to be faithfully present within its own sphere, bearing witness to truth in word and life, and trusting God to work through that witness in every other sphere it touches. Practically, that begins with a recovered, rightly ordered patriotism. Christ and his kingdom come first. Our citizenship in any earthly nation comes second, real and good but never ultimate. An imperfect nation, like an imperfect family, is still worth loving and still worth telling the truth about, including the truth of where it has fallen short of what it claims to believe. It also requires something we cannot manufacture ourselves: a genuine, Spiritenabled revival. Before there was a Declaration of Independence, there was a Great Awakening, decades of bold gospel preaching that reshaped the hearts of a generation before it ever reshaped a government. We need that again, a movement of God's Spirit that begins in changed hearts and works outward into a changed culture, rather than the other way around. History offers a picture of what that kind of faithfulness can look like under pressure. On the night before the first shots of the Revolution were fired, the pastor of the church in Lexington, Massachusetts, was asked whether his congregation was prepared to stand. His answer, the story goes, was simple: Through years of faithful preaching of God’s Word, he had prepared them for this very hour. By morning, several of his own church members lay dead on Lexington Green. We may never face a morning like that one. But every generation faces some version of the same question: Have we been prepared, by the steady, patient work of gospel faithfulness, for whatever hour we are given? The blessing of Psalm 33:12 was never an American inheritance to be cashed in. It is a standing invitation to any people, in any age, who will say again that the Lord, and not any government, is their God. Dr. Robert J. Pacienza is the Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and the CEO and President of Coral Ridge Ministries. - Dr. Rob Pacienza - Senior Pastor, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church What Really Made America Great American Revolution Battle Green Common and Revolution War Monument, Lexington, MA. Oct 2024 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. – Psalm 33:12 “ ”
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