Florida

Christianity is in one of the greatest trials America has seen in modern times, Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll said during a speech Thursday.

Speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition rally in Orlando, the Republican official spoke mainly of the adverse times Christians were facing in the world today and the need to continue in faith during her six-minute speech – or what many are dubbing a sermon.

“You know the Bible says faith is believing in what is not seen. Today unfortunately, many in the media would like nothing better than to ridicule Christians,” Carroll lamented. more >>

A representative with the New York Chief Medical Examiner's office revealed Friday that the much-anticipated toxicology results for Florida minister Zachery Tims would not be available until sometime next week.

In a call with The Christian Post, Ellen Borakove, director of Public Affairs at the New York Chief Medical Examiner's office, said results for the toxicology tests were "very close" and that more information would be available by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Tims, senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Church (NDCC) in Apopka, Fla., was found dead in his room at the W. Hotel in Times Square on Aug. 12. more >>

A Missouri megachurch seeking to expand their ministry is near the halfway point in raising funds to pay for a new multimillion-dollar building in Florida and subsequent renovations.

Construction has already started on the Lakewood Ranch facility, which was once a warehouse. It is expected to be one of the largest churches in the area upon completion, according to the Herald Tribune.

The Faith Life Church purchased the $4 million building in October 2010, after founders Keith and Phyllis Moore felt directed by God to preach the Word in cities other than Branson, Mo. more >>

Despite recent reports that Paula White has been serving as the interim pastor of Zachery Tims' New Destiny Christian Center (NDCC), a representative at the Florida church denied on Tuesday that the Without Walls International Church pastor was serving in such a capacity.

NDCC Minister Samuel Anderson told the Orlando Sentinel over the weekend that White was serving as interim pastor and providing the NDCC congregation advice and spiritual guidance.

In an effort to confirm the news, The Christian Post contacted NDCC Tuesday afternoon and an unidentified representative at the church denied the report that Pastor White was the interim pastor of the Apopka megachurch. more >>

The Florida man who shot his wife to death in his house on Sunday went on to shoot two pastors of the church where the couple married nine years ago, according to emerging details.

The accused, 57-year-old Jeremiah Fogle, and his deceased wife, Theresa, were once members of the Greater Faith Christian Church on West Parker Street in Lakeland where the shooting occurred, according to Florida’s 10 News.

The Fogles wed in 2002 at the church. more >>

Florida officials say a man burst through the doors of a Lakeland, Fla., church Sunday morning and shot the senior pastor and an associate pastor before worshippers rushed the man and tackled him to the ground.

Parishioners, who had just witnessed 57-year-old Jeremiah Fogel allegedly shoot Pastor William Boss and Associate Pastor Carl Stewart, held down the suspected gunman until sheriff's deputies arrived, reports Central Florida News 13 (CFN 13).

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Fogel had fatally shot a woman at a nearby home before making his way to Greater Faith Christian Church. more >>