Free Republic

His final Sunday morning sermon in Jacksonville will be this weekend. He's been pastor of First Baptist Church for 23 years. First Baptist is one of the ten largest churches out of 39,00 churches in the Southern Baptist Convention. His hottest controversy came during a pastors conference in which he made comments about Mohammed. For months after the story spread around the world he wouldn't comment except for an official statement read at church. But during our interview he made new statements on the issue. We'll broadcast those in our 11:00 story Sunday night. His sermons always have ended with...

When the Rev. Tony Hansberry, senior pastor, introduced Edwards during the church's 7:45 a.m. service, it was with reference to Nehemiah, the Old Testament hero praised for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. "There's a Nehemiah among us, one who comes to help us build the walls," Hansberry said. __________________________________ At First Baptist, the Rev. Jerry Vines introduced Reed, who quickly stated he was not attending church to promote President Bush. "I'm not here today on behalf of any other candidate than the Lord Jesus Christ," said Reed, who praised Vines and the church, and then returned to his seat.

Deputies in St. Johns County have arrested a woman they believe stole nearly 80 signs supporting President Bush and Mel Martinez. The women went on to say they confronted Armitage and an argument broke out, then Armitage opened her car door hitting one of the other two women in the back.