Christian Leaders Continue Opposition to ReAwaken America Tour — at Trump Resort
A group of local clergy and national faith leaders spoke in opposition to the Trump National Doral Miami stop of the ReAwaken America Tour.
Latino Faith Leaders Continue Pressure Against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Immigration Bill
'This legislation, if adopted, would incite fear and create barriers of needed care that our church immigrant and refugee ministries engage,' reads a letter signed by hundreds of Latino pastors, faith leaders, and congregants.
Latino Evangelicals Launch Campaign Against Florida Execution of Donald David Dillbeck
Latino Christian leaders, as part of their faith-led effort dubbed “Evangélicos for Justice,” are urging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — who signed Dillbeck’s death warrant on Jan. 23 — to consider his disability and to offer him clemency.
Profaning Pulpits is a Bipartisan Affair
In this issue of A Public Witness, we take you to church to hear from Democratic gubernatorial nominees Charlie Crist in Florida, J.B. Pritzker in Illinois, and Stacey Abrams in Georgia. And then we consider the problems emerging from this campaign tactic.
Florida Churches Among First to Begin Exit from UMC to New, Conservative Denomination
The departure of any church or clergy from the denomination is not instantaneous, but must first go through its annual conferences. Florida’s annual conference will meet June 9-11 in Lakeland — the first time it’s gathered in person since the COVID-19 pandemic began two years
Florida Church Reeling After Six Members Die Within 10 Days Amid Spike in Cases
For George L. Davis, a bishop at Impact Church in Jacksonville, getting vaccinated against the coronavirus was an act of faith. He says that he believes in divine creation, and that the shot is a miracle — a sign of God guiding scientists in their attempts
DeSantis Gets Standing Ovation by Promising to Put on the ‘Full Armor of God’ to Fight Against Leftism
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis earned a standing ovation after promising to put on the "full armor of God" to fight against leftism. Read full piece
Sex Discrimination Suit Against Florida Church Tests ‘Ministerial Exception’ Rulings
Christie Leonard is suing the Gospel Crusade, claiming her termination was driven by discrimination based on her gender and presumptions about her sexual orientation. The church has disputed her account in court, but the case is one of several that could test the reach of
Florida Church Says Offering Free Beach Parking is a Religious Act. Judge Agrees.
A federal judge in Florida ruled last week that a Gulf Coast community could not stop a local church from allowing beachgoers to use its parking lot, calling the practice, which allowed the church’s youth group to fundraise and evangelize those who used the lot,
‘Ax Handle Saturday’: The Klan’s Vicious Attack on Black Protesters in Florida 60 Years Ago
The Florida Klansmen had armed themselves with ax handles. It was Aug. 27, 1960 — a year of lunch counter sit-ins by civil rights activists. Read full piece