Saturday, December 21, 2013
Walking Expedition to Trace Literal Path of The Great Commission
Contact: Rhonda Lettow, 417-793-0092
ORMOND BEACH, Fla., Dec. 19, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- South African born David Cape has spent the last 25 years on a journey of unprecedented servanthood evangelism, carrying a cross and a foot washing bowl, as he walked thousands of miles through 28 nations. In March of 2014 the ministry will shift its focus as David and an international team travel to Israel to walk out the Great Commission...literally.
This expedition begins as David Cape travels on foot, carrying his cross and bowl in Judea into Bethlehem, Christ's birthplace. From there he will carry the cross and bowl to Jerusalem, the hinge of Christendom. Next, the journey will continue on foot, through Samaria concluding in Nazareth, where Jesus was raised. Upon leaving Nazareth, the team will head to Cape Town, South Africa, to board one of the three ships which visits the island of Tristan De Cunha each year.
Tristan De Cunha is considered to be the remotest inhabited place on earth, a tiny island in the Atlantic, 1800 miles from Cape Town, S.A. Tristan De Cunha has only 294 inhabitants, no airport and no harbor. It is literally, THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH.
As a prophetic statement of the Great Commission, letters will be gathered from the churches in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. Once in Tristan De Cunha, the letters from the churches will be delivered while ministering with the Cross and Bowl. Dave and his team will return to South Africa by the end of May, 2014.
An integral part of this mission is to have 100 churches of different backgrounds, in different countries, involved by partnering in prayer throughout the journey. The hope is that partnering churches and individuals will embrace the concept of the mission and be challenged to a fresh discovery of outward focus and mission as individuals and churches embrace their own Great Commission.
Currently residing in Ormond Beach, Florida, David Cape's purpose has been to demonstrate the servant love of Jesus. David and his wife Carol have literally seen thousands come to faith in Jesus, and amongst others, have ministered to heads of state, Hollywood personalities, sports stars, prostitutes and lepers and have seen entire cities come to revival.
David Cape is an internationally published author and conference speaker and holds a Doctorate in Ministerial studies.
ORMOND BEACH, Fla., Dec. 19, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- South African born David Cape has spent the last 25 years on a journey of unprecedented servanthood evangelism, carrying a cross and a foot washing bowl, as he walked thousands of miles through 28 nations. In March of 2014 the ministry will shift its focus as David and an international team travel to Israel to walk out the Great Commission...literally.
This expedition begins as David Cape travels on foot, carrying his cross and bowl in Judea into Bethlehem, Christ's birthplace. From there he will carry the cross and bowl to Jerusalem, the hinge of Christendom. Next, the journey will continue on foot, through Samaria concluding in Nazareth, where Jesus was raised. Upon leaving Nazareth, the team will head to Cape Town, South Africa, to board one of the three ships which visits the island of Tristan De Cunha each year.
Tristan De Cunha is considered to be the remotest inhabited place on earth, a tiny island in the Atlantic, 1800 miles from Cape Town, S.A. Tristan De Cunha has only 294 inhabitants, no airport and no harbor. It is literally, THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH.
As a prophetic statement of the Great Commission, letters will be gathered from the churches in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. Once in Tristan De Cunha, the letters from the churches will be delivered while ministering with the Cross and Bowl. Dave and his team will return to South Africa by the end of May, 2014.
An integral part of this mission is to have 100 churches of different backgrounds, in different countries, involved by partnering in prayer throughout the journey. The hope is that partnering churches and individuals will embrace the concept of the mission and be challenged to a fresh discovery of outward focus and mission as individuals and churches embrace their own Great Commission.
Currently residing in Ormond Beach, Florida, David Cape's purpose has been to demonstrate the servant love of Jesus. David and his wife Carol have literally seen thousands come to faith in Jesus, and amongst others, have ministered to heads of state, Hollywood personalities, sports stars, prostitutes and lepers and have seen entire cities come to revival.
David Cape is an internationally published author and conference speaker and holds a Doctorate in Ministerial studies.
Pure Flix Entertainment Releases GOD'S NOT DEAD in Theaters March 21, 2014
"Duck Dynasty's" Willie and Korie Robertson Join Cast Members Kevin Sorbo, Dean Cain and Shane Harper for Faith Based Film
Contact: Jennifer Willingham, 615-483-4729
SCOTTSDALE, Az., Dec. 10, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Pure Flix Entertainment announces the release of the film GOD'S NOT DEAD on over 600 screens nationally March 21, 2014 through Freestyle Releasing.
"The trailer has been viewed by 4.8 million people and we've generated 230,000 fans on Facebook -- about ten times the social media numbers for other films in this genre at this point before release," said Russell Wolfe, CEO of Pure Flix Entertainment. "With over 1,100 requests from churches for group tickets, we attribute this interest to the film's topic as well as our outstanding cast, which includes Willie and Korie Robertson of 'Duck Dynasty.'"
Beyond the film, there is renewed interest in the music and book properties associated with the movie. The film's title, "GOD'S NOT DEAD," was inspired by award-winning recording artists Newboys' track of the same name. Released almost two years ago it has surged once again and recently hit #3 on the iTunes Christian music chart and is featured prominently in the movie. The band also makes an appearance in the film.
Rice Broocks, pastor of Bethel World Outreach in Brentwood, Tennessee, and co-founder of Every Nation, a world-wide association of churches, is the author of the book God's Not Dead which recently also enjoyed a resurgence of popularity on Amazon.com. Broocks believes the film may spark a movement. "GOD'S NOT DEAD is a rallying cry for churches to equip and encourage believers to reach non-believers with the Gospel. It provides reasons to believe and confidence to take a stand for Christ in an increasingly secular society."
The film features a star-studded cast, reality stars and musicians including Kevin Sorbo ("Soul Surfer," "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys"), Shane Harper ("High School Musical 2," "Flipped"), David A.R. White ("Six: The Mark Unleashed") and Dean Cain ("Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman"), with special appearances by Newsboys, and Willie and Korie Robertson of the smash TV series "Duck Dynasty." The film is rated PG.
In GOD'S NOT DEAD, college freshman and devout Christian Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper) finds his faith challenged by a dogmatic and argumentative philosophy professor (Kevin Sorbo) who requires his students to disavow the existence of God on the first day of class or face a failing grade. Josh finds himself having to choose between his faith and his future. Can he fight for what he believes? Can he prove the existence of God?
Please direct media inquiries to Jennifer Willingham at jennifer@iconmediagroup.us, and visit GodsNotDeadtheMovie.com to view the film trailer.
About Pure Flix Entertainment:
Pure Flix Entertainment is the largest inspirational film studio in the world and has produced, acquired, marketed, and distributed more than 75 faith and family-friendly properties. With a mission to transform the human spirit through values-based entertainment, Pure Flix is the industry leader in creating high-quality inspirational feature film content. PureFlix.com
About Freestyle Releasing:
Freestyle Releasing is a full-service, theatrical motion picture distribution company that specializes in representing independent companies, major studios, and mini-major studios for the purpose of exhibiting their films in a first class theatrical release. The founders and Principals of Freestyle Releasing, Mark Borde and Susan Jackson, are highly regarded and experienced motion picture veterans with a combined total of over a century of respected work in the industry. FreestyleReleasing.com
Contact: Jennifer Willingham, 615-483-4729
SCOTTSDALE, Az., Dec. 10, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Pure Flix Entertainment announces the release of the film GOD'S NOT DEAD on over 600 screens nationally March 21, 2014 through Freestyle Releasing.
"The trailer has been viewed by 4.8 million people and we've generated 230,000 fans on Facebook -- about ten times the social media numbers for other films in this genre at this point before release," said Russell Wolfe, CEO of Pure Flix Entertainment. "With over 1,100 requests from churches for group tickets, we attribute this interest to the film's topic as well as our outstanding cast, which includes Willie and Korie Robertson of 'Duck Dynasty.'"
Beyond the film, there is renewed interest in the music and book properties associated with the movie. The film's title, "GOD'S NOT DEAD," was inspired by award-winning recording artists Newboys' track of the same name. Released almost two years ago it has surged once again and recently hit #3 on the iTunes Christian music chart and is featured prominently in the movie. The band also makes an appearance in the film.
Rice Broocks, pastor of Bethel World Outreach in Brentwood, Tennessee, and co-founder of Every Nation, a world-wide association of churches, is the author of the book God's Not Dead which recently also enjoyed a resurgence of popularity on Amazon.com. Broocks believes the film may spark a movement. "GOD'S NOT DEAD is a rallying cry for churches to equip and encourage believers to reach non-believers with the Gospel. It provides reasons to believe and confidence to take a stand for Christ in an increasingly secular society."
The film features a star-studded cast, reality stars and musicians including Kevin Sorbo ("Soul Surfer," "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys"), Shane Harper ("High School Musical 2," "Flipped"), David A.R. White ("Six: The Mark Unleashed") and Dean Cain ("Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman"), with special appearances by Newsboys, and Willie and Korie Robertson of the smash TV series "Duck Dynasty." The film is rated PG.
In GOD'S NOT DEAD, college freshman and devout Christian Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper) finds his faith challenged by a dogmatic and argumentative philosophy professor (Kevin Sorbo) who requires his students to disavow the existence of God on the first day of class or face a failing grade. Josh finds himself having to choose between his faith and his future. Can he fight for what he believes? Can he prove the existence of God?
Please direct media inquiries to Jennifer Willingham at jennifer@iconmediagroup.us, and visit GodsNotDeadtheMovie.com to view the film trailer.
About Pure Flix Entertainment:
Pure Flix Entertainment is the largest inspirational film studio in the world and has produced, acquired, marketed, and distributed more than 75 faith and family-friendly properties. With a mission to transform the human spirit through values-based entertainment, Pure Flix is the industry leader in creating high-quality inspirational feature film content. PureFlix.com
About Freestyle Releasing:
Freestyle Releasing is a full-service, theatrical motion picture distribution company that specializes in representing independent companies, major studios, and mini-major studios for the purpose of exhibiting their films in a first class theatrical release. The founders and Principals of Freestyle Releasing, Mark Borde and Susan Jackson, are highly regarded and experienced motion picture veterans with a combined total of over a century of respected work in the industry. FreestyleReleasing.com
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Pastor Saeed Alive But Still Held in Deadly Iranian Prison as Iranian Family Allowed Visitation
For the first time since he was abruptly transferred from Evin Prison to Rajai Shahr Prison earlier this month, American Pastor Saeed Abedini was allowed visitation with his Iranian family.
This is a positive sign that international pressure continues to work to keep Pastor Saeed alive. Pastor Saeed’s Iranian family has, for the past two weeks since his transfer, been prevented from visiting him – something they had previously been permitted to do once a week during his imprisonment in Evin Prison.
Read more at ACLJ.org
This is a positive sign that international pressure continues to work to keep Pastor Saeed alive. Pastor Saeed’s Iranian family has, for the past two weeks since his transfer, been prevented from visiting him – something they had previously been permitted to do once a week during his imprisonment in Evin Prison.
Read more at ACLJ.org
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Under Obamacare Single Men Will Be Forced To Pay For Maternity Coverage Even Though They Don't Need It
The prize for best line of questioning to Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius at the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Wednesday morning must go to Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC), for pinning Sebelius down on the question of why Obamacare requires men to buy maternity coverage. Sebelius tried to squirm away--as she had done with many other questioners, but Ellmers was on her "A" game.
Ellmers's performance was particularly commendable because she is lower in the congressional pecking order and therefore had to wait until the end, with less time to spare. She even found time, using a pointed yes-or-no question, to puncture Democrats' favorite dodge--namely, that helped Republicans improve Medicare Part D, even though they had opposed it. (Unlike Obamacare, Medicare Part D is voluntary, as Sebelius had to admit.)Next, Ellmers turned to the fact that Obamacare makes consumers pay more for insurance they do not need (much like being forced to buy a fancy car with all of the options, when a basic new car or used car would have been fine).
The ensuing exchange should be studied by Republicans for future reference. This is how it's done:
Rep. Ellmers: You also brought up the issue, when you were in Kansas [as governor and health insurance commissioner], that you fought against discriminatory issues. Now I--you know, as far as the essential health benefits [of Obamacare], correct me if I'm wrong, do men not have to buy maternity coverage?
Sec. Sebelius: Policies will cover maternity coverage for young and healthy--
Rep. Ellmers: Including men?
Sec. Sebelius: Under 30-year-olds will have a choice also of a catastrophic plan which has no maternity coverage.
Rep. Ellmers: The men are required to purchase--
Sec. Sebelius: Well, an insurance policy has a series of benefits, whether you use them or not. And one of the benefits will be--
Rep. Ellmers: And that is why the health care premiums are increasing this high, because we're forcing them to buy things they will never need. Thank you, madam chairman.
Sec. Sebelius: The individual policies cover families. Men often do need maternity coverage for their spouses and for their families, yes.
Rep. Ellmers: Single male, age 32, does not need maternity coverage.
[Crosstalk]
Rep. Ellmers: To the best of your knowledge has a man ever delivered a baby?
Sec. Sebelius: I don't think so.
Chair: The gentlelady's time has expired.
[Laughter]
Source Breitbart
School Bullies Attack 8 year Old Girl Rip Her Scalp and Hair Off In Unthinkable Attack
An 8-year-old girl was left scalped after being terrorized by bullies at an elementary school in Georgia, her family says.
The girl’s grandmother, Dorris Bearden, told WSB-TV that bullies pulled the girl’s hair so hard that a piece of Aolani Dunbar’s scalp was torn off leaving a gaping wound.
Doctors say the girl may never grow hair in that part of her scalp again and she may need skin grafts, according to Bearden.
Belgium To Uthanize Children If New Law Can Be Passed
Should children have the right to ask for their own deaths?
In Belgium, where euthanasia is now legal for people over the age of 18, the government is considering extending it to children — something that no other country has done. The same bill would offer the right to die to adults with early dementia.
Advocates argue that euthanasia for children, with the consent of their parents, is necessary to give families an option in a desperately painful situation. But opponents have questioned whether children can reasonably decide to end their own lives.
Belgium is already a euthanasia pioneer; it legalized the practice for adults in 2002. In the last decade, the number of reported cases per year has risen from 235 deaths in 2003 to 1,432 in 2012, the last year for which statistics are available. Doctors typically give patients a powerful sedative before injecting another drug to stop their heart.
Only a few countries have legalized euthanasia or anything approaching it. In the Netherlands, euthanasia is legal under specific circumstances and for children over the age of 12 with parental consent (there is an understanding that infants, too, can be euthanized, and that doctors will not be prosecuted if they act appropriately). Elsewhere in Europe, euthanasia is only legal in Luxembourg. Assisted suicide, where doctors help a patient to die but do not actively kill them, is allowed in Switzerland.
In the U.S., the state of Oregon also grants assisted suicide requests for residents aged 18 or over with a terminal illness.
In Belgium, the ruling Socialist party has proposed the bill expanding the right of euthanasia. The Christian Democratic Flemish party vowed to oppose the legislation and to challenge it in the European Court of Human Rights if it passes. A final decision must be approved by Parliament and could take months.
In the meantime, the Senate has heard testimony on both sides of the issue.
"It is strange that minors are considered legally incompetent in key areas, such as getting married, but might (be able) to decide to die," Catholic Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard testified.
Leonard said alternatives like palliative sedation make euthanasia unnecessary — and relieves doctors of the burden of having to kill patients. In palliative sedation, patients are sedated and life-sustaining support is withdrawn so they starve to death; the process can take days.
But the debate has extended to medical ethicists and professionals far from Belgium. Charles Foster, who teaches medical law and ethics at Oxford University, believes children couldn't possibly have the capacity to make an informed decision about euthanasia since even adults struggle with the concept.
"It often happens that when people get into the circumstances they had so feared earlier, they manage to cling on all the more," he said. "Children, like everyone else, may not be able to anticipate how much they will value their lives if they were not killed."
There are others, though, who argue that because Belgium has already approved euthanasia for adults, it is unjust to deny it to children.
"The principle of euthanasia for children sounds shocking at first, but it's motivated by compassion and protection," said John Harris, a professor of bioethics at the University of Manchester. "It's unfair to provide euthanasia differentially to some citizens and not to others (children) if the need is equal."
And Dr. Gerlant van Berlaer, a pediatric oncologist at the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussels hospital, says the changes would legalize what is already happening informally. He said cases of euthanasia in children are rare and estimates about 10 to 100 cases in Belgium every year might qualify.
"Children have different ways of asking for things but they face the same questions as adults when they're terminally sick," van Berlaer said. "Sometimes it's a sister who tells us her brother doesn't want to go back to the hospital and is asking for a solution," he said. "Today if these families find themselves (in that situation), we're not able to help them, except in dark and questionable ways."
The change in the law regarding people with dementia is also controversial.
People now can make a written declaration they wish to be euthanized if their health deteriorates, but the request is only valid for five years and they must be in an irreversible coma. The new proposal would abolish the time limit and the requirement the patient be in a coma, making it possible for someone who is diagnosed with Alzheimer's to be put to death years later in the future.
In the Netherlands, guidelines allow doctors to euthanize dementia patients on this basis if they believe the person is experiencing "unbearable suffering," but few are done in practice.
Dr. Patrick Cras, a neurologist at the University of Antwerp, said people with dementia often change their minds about wanting to die.
"They may turn into different people and may not have the same feelings about wanting to die as when they were fully competent," he said. "I don't see myself killing another person if he or she isn't really aware of exactly what's happening simply on the basis of a previous written request (to have euthanasia). I haven't fully made up my mind but I think this is going too far."
Penney Lewis, a professor and medical law expert at King's College London, agreed that carrying out euthanasia requests on people with dementia once they start to worsen could be legally questionable.
"But if you don't let people make decisions that will be respected in the future, including euthanasia, what you do is encourage people to take their own life while they have the capacity or to seek euthanasia much earlier," she said.
In the past year, several cases of Belgians who weren't terminally ill but were euthanized — including a pair of 43-year-old deaf twins who were going blind and a patient in a botched sex change operation — have raised concerns the country is becoming too willing to euthanize its citizens. The newest proposals have raised eyebrows even further.
"People elsewhere in Europe are focused on assisted dying for the terminally ill and they are running away from what's happening in Belgium," Lewis said. "If the Belgian statutes go ahead, this will be a key boundary that is crossed."
Source 10tv.com
In Belgium, where euthanasia is now legal for people over the age of 18, the government is considering extending it to children — something that no other country has done. The same bill would offer the right to die to adults with early dementia.
Advocates argue that euthanasia for children, with the consent of their parents, is necessary to give families an option in a desperately painful situation. But opponents have questioned whether children can reasonably decide to end their own lives.
Belgium is already a euthanasia pioneer; it legalized the practice for adults in 2002. In the last decade, the number of reported cases per year has risen from 235 deaths in 2003 to 1,432 in 2012, the last year for which statistics are available. Doctors typically give patients a powerful sedative before injecting another drug to stop their heart.
Only a few countries have legalized euthanasia or anything approaching it. In the Netherlands, euthanasia is legal under specific circumstances and for children over the age of 12 with parental consent (there is an understanding that infants, too, can be euthanized, and that doctors will not be prosecuted if they act appropriately). Elsewhere in Europe, euthanasia is only legal in Luxembourg. Assisted suicide, where doctors help a patient to die but do not actively kill them, is allowed in Switzerland.
In the U.S., the state of Oregon also grants assisted suicide requests for residents aged 18 or over with a terminal illness.
In Belgium, the ruling Socialist party has proposed the bill expanding the right of euthanasia. The Christian Democratic Flemish party vowed to oppose the legislation and to challenge it in the European Court of Human Rights if it passes. A final decision must be approved by Parliament and could take months.
In the meantime, the Senate has heard testimony on both sides of the issue.
"It is strange that minors are considered legally incompetent in key areas, such as getting married, but might (be able) to decide to die," Catholic Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard testified.
Leonard said alternatives like palliative sedation make euthanasia unnecessary — and relieves doctors of the burden of having to kill patients. In palliative sedation, patients are sedated and life-sustaining support is withdrawn so they starve to death; the process can take days.
But the debate has extended to medical ethicists and professionals far from Belgium. Charles Foster, who teaches medical law and ethics at Oxford University, believes children couldn't possibly have the capacity to make an informed decision about euthanasia since even adults struggle with the concept.
"It often happens that when people get into the circumstances they had so feared earlier, they manage to cling on all the more," he said. "Children, like everyone else, may not be able to anticipate how much they will value their lives if they were not killed."
There are others, though, who argue that because Belgium has already approved euthanasia for adults, it is unjust to deny it to children.
"The principle of euthanasia for children sounds shocking at first, but it's motivated by compassion and protection," said John Harris, a professor of bioethics at the University of Manchester. "It's unfair to provide euthanasia differentially to some citizens and not to others (children) if the need is equal."
And Dr. Gerlant van Berlaer, a pediatric oncologist at the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussels hospital, says the changes would legalize what is already happening informally. He said cases of euthanasia in children are rare and estimates about 10 to 100 cases in Belgium every year might qualify.
"Children have different ways of asking for things but they face the same questions as adults when they're terminally sick," van Berlaer said. "Sometimes it's a sister who tells us her brother doesn't want to go back to the hospital and is asking for a solution," he said. "Today if these families find themselves (in that situation), we're not able to help them, except in dark and questionable ways."
The change in the law regarding people with dementia is also controversial.
People now can make a written declaration they wish to be euthanized if their health deteriorates, but the request is only valid for five years and they must be in an irreversible coma. The new proposal would abolish the time limit and the requirement the patient be in a coma, making it possible for someone who is diagnosed with Alzheimer's to be put to death years later in the future.
In the Netherlands, guidelines allow doctors to euthanize dementia patients on this basis if they believe the person is experiencing "unbearable suffering," but few are done in practice.
Dr. Patrick Cras, a neurologist at the University of Antwerp, said people with dementia often change their minds about wanting to die.
"They may turn into different people and may not have the same feelings about wanting to die as when they were fully competent," he said. "I don't see myself killing another person if he or she isn't really aware of exactly what's happening simply on the basis of a previous written request (to have euthanasia). I haven't fully made up my mind but I think this is going too far."
Penney Lewis, a professor and medical law expert at King's College London, agreed that carrying out euthanasia requests on people with dementia once they start to worsen could be legally questionable.
"But if you don't let people make decisions that will be respected in the future, including euthanasia, what you do is encourage people to take their own life while they have the capacity or to seek euthanasia much earlier," she said.
In the past year, several cases of Belgians who weren't terminally ill but were euthanized — including a pair of 43-year-old deaf twins who were going blind and a patient in a botched sex change operation — have raised concerns the country is becoming too willing to euthanize its citizens. The newest proposals have raised eyebrows even further.
"People elsewhere in Europe are focused on assisted dying for the terminally ill and they are running away from what's happening in Belgium," Lewis said. "If the Belgian statutes go ahead, this will be a key boundary that is crossed."
Source 10tv.com
Sunday, October 13, 2013
European Parliament Calls for Pastor Saeed's Release
he European Parliament has passed a resolution this
week calling for Iran to release and clear the name of American Pastor
Saeed Abedini, who is imprisoned because of his Christian faith.
"The fate of Pastor Saeed Abedini in Iran is also a
matter of deep concern to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), who
called on the government to exonerate and release him immediately," the
European Parliament said in a statement.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Girl Scouts See Steady Decline In Youth and Adult Participation
The steady decline in youth and adult participation in Girl Scouts is
at least in part attributed to sex education decisions made by Girl
Scout national leaders, according to Christians studying the trend and
former Girl Scout local leaders who are Christians.
This week, Girl Scouts of the USA launched a campaign aimed at reversing the decline, featuring a video from First Lady Michelle Obama. Christian leaders and former girl scouts explained possible reasons behind it, including increasing ties with abortion provider Planned Parenthood.
"The Girl Scouts for a long time have been promoting an agenda that is contrary to what they were 10, 15 years ago," Janice Crouse, senior fellow at the Beverly LaHaye Institute, told The Christian Post in a Monday interview. Girl Scout policy on sexual morality, which focuses on self-discovery and protection rather than abstention, proves the main cause, Crouse argued. She also listed the trend of mothers going to work (therefore losing time to volunteer) and controversy about where funds are allocated from the famous Girl Scout cookie sales. Only 15% of profits go to local groups.
The Girl Scouts of the USA did not respond to requests for comment.
Addressing the morality shift, Crouse referred to a Girl Scout-sponsored 2010 publication by International Planned Parenthood Federation entitled "Healthy, Happy and Hot: A young people's guide to rights," which encourages young people with HIV to "take care of your sexual and reproductive health." Crouse attacked materials like this for making "girls ripe to sex from the earliest age." The scholar also pointed to a 2003 5th grader pamphlet called "Nobody's Fool," addressing sex education.
From 2003 on, Crouse said she saw "an underlying theme that promoted a more laissez-faire approach to sexual education," encouraging self-exploration. "This all contributes to the sexualization of our culture," the scholar agued, pointing to increasing rates of pedophilia and child abuse.
"The Girl Scouts formerly embraced the Judeo-Christian values that Americans once grew up with – love of God, love of country, treating others fairly," Crouse explained. "Now, Girl Scouts are more focused on indoctrinating girls on the so-called women's rights agenda."
This shift has strained the organization's relationships with churches, the scholar claimed. Publications demonstrated that "the Girl Scouts were intentionally promoting anti-life and abortion in ways that weren't even subtle."
Such stances have led to the creation of alternative scouting groups for girls.
READ MORE FROM THE CHRISTIAN POST
This week, Girl Scouts of the USA launched a campaign aimed at reversing the decline, featuring a video from First Lady Michelle Obama. Christian leaders and former girl scouts explained possible reasons behind it, including increasing ties with abortion provider Planned Parenthood.
"The Girl Scouts for a long time have been promoting an agenda that is contrary to what they were 10, 15 years ago," Janice Crouse, senior fellow at the Beverly LaHaye Institute, told The Christian Post in a Monday interview. Girl Scout policy on sexual morality, which focuses on self-discovery and protection rather than abstention, proves the main cause, Crouse argued. She also listed the trend of mothers going to work (therefore losing time to volunteer) and controversy about where funds are allocated from the famous Girl Scout cookie sales. Only 15% of profits go to local groups.
The Girl Scouts of the USA did not respond to requests for comment.
Addressing the morality shift, Crouse referred to a Girl Scout-sponsored 2010 publication by International Planned Parenthood Federation entitled "Healthy, Happy and Hot: A young people's guide to rights," which encourages young people with HIV to "take care of your sexual and reproductive health." Crouse attacked materials like this for making "girls ripe to sex from the earliest age." The scholar also pointed to a 2003 5th grader pamphlet called "Nobody's Fool," addressing sex education.
From 2003 on, Crouse said she saw "an underlying theme that promoted a more laissez-faire approach to sexual education," encouraging self-exploration. "This all contributes to the sexualization of our culture," the scholar agued, pointing to increasing rates of pedophilia and child abuse.
"The Girl Scouts formerly embraced the Judeo-Christian values that Americans once grew up with – love of God, love of country, treating others fairly," Crouse explained. "Now, Girl Scouts are more focused on indoctrinating girls on the so-called women's rights agenda."
This shift has strained the organization's relationships with churches, the scholar claimed. Publications demonstrated that "the Girl Scouts were intentionally promoting anti-life and abortion in ways that weren't even subtle."
Such stances have led to the creation of alternative scouting groups for girls.
READ MORE FROM THE CHRISTIAN POST
Jewish Prayer Book Pre Dates The World's Oldest Torah Scroll
Scholars are calling a rare Hebrew text dating back to the 9th century the earliest known Jewish prayer book, predating the world's oldest Torah scroll.
The 50-page book is 4.3 inches tall and about 4 inches wide and is written in an archaic form of Hebrew, on pages of aged parchment. The text includes 100 Jewish blessings and discusses topics such as the apocalyptic tale of the End Times and the Passover Seder.
Carbon testing dates the prayer book to the year 840, which is 300 to 400 years before the oldest known Torah scroll from the 12th and 13th centuries.
"This find is historical evidence supporting the very fulcrum of Jewish religious life," said Jerry Pattengale, executive director of the Green Scholars Initiative
, the group that announced the find. "This
Hebrew prayer book helps fill the gap between the Dead Sea Scrolls and
other discoveries of Jewish texts from the ninth and tenth centuries.""This was a liturgical set of prayers, hymns and poems used for various occasions," Pattengale told the Huffington Post
.
"The prayer book is really what most of the Jewish community would be
in touch with on a daily basis, [creating] a connection between the
Bible and their daily worship."The book is the Jewish equivalent of an early complete edition of the Christian Book of Common Prayer.
READ MORE FROM FOX NEWS
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
'In Plain Sight' Sex Trafficking Documentary to be Executive Produced by Natalie Grant
COSTA MESA, Calif.,
Sept. 17, 2013
/Christian Newswire/ -- Executive Produced and Narrated by
Natalie Grant, "In Plain Sight: Stories of Hope and Freedom" seeks to
raise awareness of the thousands of women and children who are forced,
coerced, or deceived into the commercial sex trade each year in the
United States.
Benefitting the work of Abolition International, the campaign centers around three resources including the documentary film, a compilation worship album, and a 31 day devotional / small group study guide -- all three to be released into stores and online by Word Entertainment in 2014.
Journeying to five US cities, the documentary will help five unsuspecting families open their eyes to what's happening down the street "in plain sight." In addition, stories of hope and freedom will be shared as Abolition International aftercare homes are profiled in each of the five cities.
"Most Americans are completely oblivious to the fact that thousands of women and children are enslaved within their own communities," said David Trotter, co-executive producer. "This isn't limited to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York. We're talking about cities across America -- from Sacramento to Dallas to Tampa -- where the unthinkable is happening."
To fund the campaign, organizers are raising $75,000 through tax-deductible donations via Indiegogo -- a crowd funding website similar to Kickstarter. Although contributions can be made in any amount, those who donate $150 or more will be listed as an Associate Producer in the film's credits.
To donate and watch Natalie Grant share about the project, visit www.StoriesofFreedom.com.
About Natalie Grant
Grammy nominated Natalie Grant is a powerhouse vocalist, heart-gripping songwriter, and charismatic performer. She has consistently remained one of the top selling Christian artists and has sold well over a million records. The Gospel Music Association named her the 2012 Female Vocalist of the Year, an honor that she's received 5 times. Beyond her artistry, she is an outspoken advocate for victims of human trafficking. In 2005, Natalie founded the organization Abolition International, which is committed to providing quality restorative aftercare to trafficking victims both domestically and internationally. More info: www.nataliegrant.com.
About In Plain Sight
To be released by Word Entertainment in 2014, the In Plain Sight campaign centers around three resources including a documentary film, compilation worship album, and a 31 day devotional / group study guide. More info: www.StoriesofFreedom.com.
Christian Newswire
Benefitting the work of Abolition International, the campaign centers around three resources including the documentary film, a compilation worship album, and a 31 day devotional / small group study guide -- all three to be released into stores and online by Word Entertainment in 2014.
Journeying to five US cities, the documentary will help five unsuspecting families open their eyes to what's happening down the street "in plain sight." In addition, stories of hope and freedom will be shared as Abolition International aftercare homes are profiled in each of the five cities.
"Most Americans are completely oblivious to the fact that thousands of women and children are enslaved within their own communities," said David Trotter, co-executive producer. "This isn't limited to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York. We're talking about cities across America -- from Sacramento to Dallas to Tampa -- where the unthinkable is happening."
To fund the campaign, organizers are raising $75,000 through tax-deductible donations via Indiegogo -- a crowd funding website similar to Kickstarter. Although contributions can be made in any amount, those who donate $150 or more will be listed as an Associate Producer in the film's credits.
To donate and watch Natalie Grant share about the project, visit www.StoriesofFreedom.com.
About Natalie Grant
Grammy nominated Natalie Grant is a powerhouse vocalist, heart-gripping songwriter, and charismatic performer. She has consistently remained one of the top selling Christian artists and has sold well over a million records. The Gospel Music Association named her the 2012 Female Vocalist of the Year, an honor that she's received 5 times. Beyond her artistry, she is an outspoken advocate for victims of human trafficking. In 2005, Natalie founded the organization Abolition International, which is committed to providing quality restorative aftercare to trafficking victims both domestically and internationally. More info: www.nataliegrant.com.
About In Plain Sight
To be released by Word Entertainment in 2014, the In Plain Sight campaign centers around three resources including a documentary film, compilation worship album, and a 31 day devotional / group study guide. More info: www.StoriesofFreedom.com.
Christian Newswire
Monday, September 16, 2013
After porn: A marriage is restored
Posted on Sep 16, 2013 | by Joni B. Hannigan/Florida Baptist Witness
LAKELAND, Fla. (BP) -- Seven years after Cathy Dyer and her husband were married, pornography erupted as a crisis in their marriage, nearly destroying it.
Dyer recounts her real-life story of "God's ability to turn tragedy into triumph" in "Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives," a resource for women coauthored with Jay Dennis, pastor of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Fla.
Utilizing handwritten pages from her personal journal, Dyer gives readers poignant insight into her private pain and process of restoration after her husband's secret addiction to pornography came to light.
Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives is part of the Join 1 Million Men campaign to help men win the battle against pornography. Dennis pioneered the initiative at First Baptist Church at the Mall and introduced it to the Southern Baptist Convention at its annual meeting last June in Houston.
In Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives, as noted on Amazon.com, Dyer and Dennis address issues women encounter once pornography has entered the marital relationship -– including how to keep the marriage intact and preventive steps wives and moms can take to keep their families porn-free.
Dyer and her husband Greg, who have two children, have now been married 19 years.
Dyer, in an interview with the Florida Baptist Witness, answered questions about the book, released by New Hope Publishers, a division of Woman's Missionary Union.
Q: What did you anticipate will result from the release of your book?
Dyer: I hope and pray that the book for women, along with the books Pastor Jay has written for men and pastors, will be a catalyst for many things: for people to find a kindred spirit, practical advice, help and deliverance. Additionally, it has been my prayer that pastors will use these materials with their congregations and join the movement (www.join1millionmen.org).
READ MORE AT BAPTIST PRESS
LAKELAND, Fla. (BP) -- Seven years after Cathy Dyer and her husband were married, pornography erupted as a crisis in their marriage, nearly destroying it.
Dyer recounts her real-life story of "God's ability to turn tragedy into triumph" in "Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives," a resource for women coauthored with Jay Dennis, pastor of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Fla.
Utilizing handwritten pages from her personal journal, Dyer gives readers poignant insight into her private pain and process of restoration after her husband's secret addiction to pornography came to light.
Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives is part of the Join 1 Million Men campaign to help men win the battle against pornography. Dennis pioneered the initiative at First Baptist Church at the Mall and introduced it to the Southern Baptist Convention at its annual meeting last June in Houston.
In Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives, as noted on Amazon.com, Dyer and Dennis address issues women encounter once pornography has entered the marital relationship -– including how to keep the marriage intact and preventive steps wives and moms can take to keep their families porn-free.
Dyer and her husband Greg, who have two children, have now been married 19 years.
Dyer, in an interview with the Florida Baptist Witness, answered questions about the book, released by New Hope Publishers, a division of Woman's Missionary Union.
Q: What did you anticipate will result from the release of your book?
Dyer: I hope and pray that the book for women, along with the books Pastor Jay has written for men and pastors, will be a catalyst for many things: for people to find a kindred spirit, practical advice, help and deliverance. Additionally, it has been my prayer that pastors will use these materials with their congregations and join the movement (www.join1millionmen.org).
READ MORE AT BAPTIST PRESS
10 Reasons Why Ministry is Not For the Faint of Heart
Written by Jared Moore |
Sunday, September 15, 2013
If you enter pastoral ministry…
10. Not everyone will like you.
9. You will make people angry regardless how godly you handle yourself; it comes with the position.
8. You will feel like a failure often, and when you do appear to succeed, the fruit that is produced cannot be accredited to you. God alone gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:7). Thus, there is little “sense of accomplishment in ministry” that you may be accustomed to in other vocations.
7. You will fight legalism and liberalism, along with laziness, ignorance, tradition, and opposition. Yet, your greatest enemy will be your own heart (Jer. 17:9).
6. Not everyone will respond positively to your preaching, teaching, or leadership. You will bring people to tears with the same sermon: one in joy, another in anger (I have done this).
READ MORE AT AQUILA REPORTS
Pastoral ministry is a calling, not a career
The blessings of ministry far outweigh the realities below; however, ministry is definitely not easy. Don’t waste your time and money going to seminary or college for pastoral training if you are not prepared for the negative aspects of ministry mentioned below. Furthermore, always remember that God has called you to love His church, not merely His mature church, but His immature church as well. Moreover, a call to ministry is a call to bleed.If you enter pastoral ministry…
10. Not everyone will like you.
9. You will make people angry regardless how godly you handle yourself; it comes with the position.
8. You will feel like a failure often, and when you do appear to succeed, the fruit that is produced cannot be accredited to you. God alone gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:7). Thus, there is little “sense of accomplishment in ministry” that you may be accustomed to in other vocations.
7. You will fight legalism and liberalism, along with laziness, ignorance, tradition, and opposition. Yet, your greatest enemy will be your own heart (Jer. 17:9).
6. Not everyone will respond positively to your preaching, teaching, or leadership. You will bring people to tears with the same sermon: one in joy, another in anger (I have done this).
READ MORE AT AQUILA REPORTS
Monday, September 9, 2013
Thousands fasting and praying for peace in Syria
(CNN) – After morning Mass on most Saturdays, you’d
find the Rev. Dan Atkins cutting into a thick stack of pancakes or
digging into a plate of eggs. But this Saturday’s menu is a bit spartan.
“I’ll probably just have coffee and a piece of toast,” said Atkins, the pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in New Albany, Indiana.
The Catholic priest isn’t on a diet. Rather, he’s one of many believers across the country - and throughout the world - heeding the call of Pope Francis to fast and pray for peace in Syria on Saturday.
“It’s a way to be in solidarity with people who are suffering terribly from war,” said Atkins, a native of southern Indiana. “I’m going to be thinking about the children, the kids, affected by this terrible conflict.”
READ MORE AT CNN
“I’ll probably just have coffee and a piece of toast,” said Atkins, the pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in New Albany, Indiana.
The Catholic priest isn’t on a diet. Rather, he’s one of many believers across the country - and throughout the world - heeding the call of Pope Francis to fast and pray for peace in Syria on Saturday.
“It’s a way to be in solidarity with people who are suffering terribly from war,” said Atkins, a native of southern Indiana. “I’m going to be thinking about the children, the kids, affected by this terrible conflict.”
READ MORE AT CNN
Greg Laurie at Nationwide Prayer Rally: Problem Is in God's House, Not White House
By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor
September 9, 2013|5:55 am
America
is in trouble, but the problem is not in the White House, but in God's
house, the Church, Pastor Greg Laurie and his wife, Cathe, told
thousands of participants at a nationwide prayer rally Sunday, urging
prayers for another revival in America through the upcoming Harvest
America in Philadelphia."I believe that the United States of America is the greatest country on the face of the earth. America! America! God shed His grace on thee. So true," Laurie said, appearing in a video played during a segment of a live webcast originating at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., the main venue of the prayer rally.
"But there's a trouble in our country right now," added Laurie, speaking to churches and individuals across the country who joined the Harvest America team through live streaming to pray for a revival through Harvest America in Philadelphia, to be held on Sept. 28-29. "It seems like things are upside down. It seems, these days, right is declared as wrong, and wrong as right. The Bible even says woe to those who say sweet is bitter and bitter is sweet."
READ MORE AT THE CHRISTIAN POST
How Should Christians Use Social Media?
Michelle S. Lazurek/Movieguide Contributing Writer
We all need to belong. From tweeting your latest accomplishment on Twitter to the local library’s book clubs, everyone wants to belong to something, somewhere.
We believe it will bring value to our lives and enrich it in such a way to make us better people. We learn this from the time we are young children, hanging onto the schoolyard fence in the hopes that maybe that popular group of people will look our way and invite us to join their intimate clique. We transform our inner and outward appearance so the people who are most worth our time deem us a valuable part of their community.
Then we become adults. We throw off the chains of high school life just to cross the threshold of adulthood. We believe now we can become the real us, and we won’t have to fake who we are in order to impress others around us.
Wrong. Adulthood forces us to address deeper questions regarding our identity:
What if I never become a successful person in society? What if I never get married? Is this all there is to life? What’s my purpose in life?
READ MORE AT CHARISMA NEWS
We all need to belong. From tweeting your latest accomplishment on Twitter to the local library’s book clubs, everyone wants to belong to something, somewhere.
We believe it will bring value to our lives and enrich it in such a way to make us better people. We learn this from the time we are young children, hanging onto the schoolyard fence in the hopes that maybe that popular group of people will look our way and invite us to join their intimate clique. We transform our inner and outward appearance so the people who are most worth our time deem us a valuable part of their community.
Then we become adults. We throw off the chains of high school life just to cross the threshold of adulthood. We believe now we can become the real us, and we won’t have to fake who we are in order to impress others around us.
Wrong. Adulthood forces us to address deeper questions regarding our identity:
What if I never become a successful person in society? What if I never get married? Is this all there is to life? What’s my purpose in life?
READ MORE AT CHARISMA NEWS
Evangelist to walk 500 miles with 12-foot cross
Carrying a 12-foot wooden cross 500 miles is difficult enough, but
Counties evangelist Clive Cornish has set himself the additional
challenge of completing the journey in just four weeks.
The 46-year-old will be walking across Wales, stopping off at Cardiff, Fishguard, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Conwy, Llangollen, Abergavenny and Newport.
He wants to use the walk to pray for his home country and share his faith with the people he meets along the way.
Despite suffering from terrible back spasms and blisters, Cornish is determined to complete the walk by October 6.
READ MORE AT CHRISTIANITY TODAY
The 46-year-old will be walking across Wales, stopping off at Cardiff, Fishguard, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Conwy, Llangollen, Abergavenny and Newport.
He wants to use the walk to pray for his home country and share his faith with the people he meets along the way.
Despite suffering from terrible back spasms and blisters, Cornish is determined to complete the walk by October 6.
READ MORE AT CHRISTIANITY TODAY
Texas-based Evangelist to Share Personal Story of Near Suicide
International speaker and evangelist Jay Lowder will be the featured
guest at an upcoming event Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle in Belfast,
reports Jeremy Reynalds, Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service.
According to a news release made available to the ASSIST News Service, the Alive Belfast Mission will take place Sept. 22 through 29 during the Alive Belfast Mission.
Lowder, who has had periods of suicidal thoughts as well as attempting to take his life several years ago, will talk about Northern Ireland's high suicide rate and how he found a reason to live.
“At 21 years of age I was on the verge of suicide,” said Lowder in the news release. “I truly believe if my roommate hadn't come home early from work that day, I would not be standing here today.”
READ MORE AT CHRISTIAN TELEGRAPH
According to a news release made available to the ASSIST News Service, the Alive Belfast Mission will take place Sept. 22 through 29 during the Alive Belfast Mission.
Lowder, who has had periods of suicidal thoughts as well as attempting to take his life several years ago, will talk about Northern Ireland's high suicide rate and how he found a reason to live.
“At 21 years of age I was on the verge of suicide,” said Lowder in the news release. “I truly believe if my roommate hadn't come home early from work that day, I would not be standing here today.”
READ MORE AT CHRISTIAN TELEGRAPH
Promise Keepers Joins Millions in Prayer for Jerusalem
CLARENCE, N.Y.,
Sept. 4, 2013
/Christian Newswire/ -- On October 6,
Dr. Raleigh Washington, President and CEO of Promise Keepers, will be
joining millions around the world in prayer for Jerusalem, as part of
the international grass-roots prayer movement, the Day of Prayer for the
Peace of Jerusalem. Beginning in 2002 under the co-leadership of Dr.
Robert Stearns of Eagles' Wings and Dr. Jack Hayford of The King's
University, the annual Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem is the
largest Israel-focused prayer initiative in history.
As a supporter of God's covenant purposes with Israel, Dr. Washington exhorts, "Every Christian must reach out to the Jewish Community, bless them and pray for the peace of Jerusalem." With its' following of thousands, Dr. Washington and Promise Keepers will be participating in prayer and heralding the call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem on October 6.
Dr. Raleigh Washington earned his Master of Divinity from Trinity International University, and holds honorary doctorates from Trinity, Westminster College and Azusa Pacific University. As President of Promise Keepers, he is dedicated to reaching thousands of men for Christ each year at their national conferences and events. Promise Keepers has directly impacted more than 6 million men since its inception, including the 1.4 million men assembled at the US national mall in Washington, DC in 1997.
With over 1300 other Christian endorsers, Dr. Washington joins many other leaders who represent all different cultures and denominations, such as Paul Cedar, Ron Luce, Kay Arthur, Jane Hansen, T. D. Jakes, and Ravi Zacharias. Their united call is for all believers to fulfill The Lord's mandate in Psalm 122:6, to pray for God's peace, blessing, and love to Jews, Arabs and Christians alike in God's Holy City -- Jerusalem.
The annual Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem - the first Sunday of every October - has churches participating from over 175 nations, including those "underground" in seven Muslim nations. An offering is also received to help all in need in Israel -- both Jew and Arab residents. Churches can download FREE Resources and register to participate on October 6th at www.daytopray.com.
Christian Newswire
As a supporter of God's covenant purposes with Israel, Dr. Washington exhorts, "Every Christian must reach out to the Jewish Community, bless them and pray for the peace of Jerusalem." With its' following of thousands, Dr. Washington and Promise Keepers will be participating in prayer and heralding the call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem on October 6.
Dr. Raleigh Washington earned his Master of Divinity from Trinity International University, and holds honorary doctorates from Trinity, Westminster College and Azusa Pacific University. As President of Promise Keepers, he is dedicated to reaching thousands of men for Christ each year at their national conferences and events. Promise Keepers has directly impacted more than 6 million men since its inception, including the 1.4 million men assembled at the US national mall in Washington, DC in 1997.
With over 1300 other Christian endorsers, Dr. Washington joins many other leaders who represent all different cultures and denominations, such as Paul Cedar, Ron Luce, Kay Arthur, Jane Hansen, T. D. Jakes, and Ravi Zacharias. Their united call is for all believers to fulfill The Lord's mandate in Psalm 122:6, to pray for God's peace, blessing, and love to Jews, Arabs and Christians alike in God's Holy City -- Jerusalem.
The annual Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem - the first Sunday of every October - has churches participating from over 175 nations, including those "underground" in seven Muslim nations. An offering is also received to help all in need in Israel -- both Jew and Arab residents. Churches can download FREE Resources and register to participate on October 6th at www.daytopray.com.
Christian Newswire
Acquire The Fire & Teen Mania Announce a Special Theatrical Release Coming to Theatres Nationwide October 9 & 16, 2013 Visit Surgeexperience.Com for Ticketing and Details
GARDEN VALLEY, Texas,
Sept. 4, 2013
/Christian Newswire/ -- Acquire The Fire & Teen Mania
present an exciting and limited theatrical engagement debut of SURGE, a
high-energy interactive movie theater event that fuses music, comedy,
and inspirational messages creating a moment where young people and
those who believe in them fill theaters across North America. SURGE
features empowering and inspirational messages by Ron Luce interwoven
between the hilarious comedy of John Gray and musical performances by
award-winning Christian artists Casting Crowns, Newsboys, Lecrae and
worship artists Acquire the Fire LIVE. SURGE offers an evening that will
inspire, entertain and empower generations looking to make a
difference.
Screenvision, a national leader in cinema advertising sales, services and content distribution, is partnering with Acquire The Fire and Teen Mania as the U.S. distributor of SURGE, which will premiere on over 400 screens on October 9, 2013. An encore showing is scheduled for October 16, 2013. For theater and ticket information visit: www.SurgeExperience.com.
Continuing to find innovative and relevant ways to reach this current generation of young people is the heart and soul of Teen Mania Ministries, led by President and Founder, Ron Luce. Bringing, hope, good news and inspiration to the places where young people hang-out is critical. Current research by the Barna Group says: Over half of this generation with a Christian background say they are less active in church as they get older. In fact, between high school and turning 30, 43% of these once-active Christians drop out of regular church attendance. By coming to the neighborhoods where young people live, in movie theaters where they already are, SURGE breaks through this apathy by bringing hope, fun, and inspiration to an already exciting and familiar environment.
Mark Hall of Grammy® Award Winning Casting Crowns said: "When Ron told me about his vision for SURGE, I was in before he even finished talking. We both are deeply passionate about inspiring the youth of today, so the SURGE platform and its distribution in movie theatres just made sense to me. People are going to love what we have planned for them."
Over the last twenty-five years, Teen Mania has effectively reached more than three million teenagers through its annual 30+-city Acquire the Fire tour, a live arena and stadium convention. The tour has become the go-to place for youth ministries looking to infuse passion and life into their young people. In the last three years alone, Acquire the Fire has partnered with over 40,000 churches nationwide to bring students to these events. The influence of Acquire the Fire has now spanned generations of young people, as former students, now parents, send their own teens to experience the spiritual encounter that marked their life for the better.
Ron Luce of Teen Mania said: "We are excited to be able to bring SURGE to movie screens across the country. Through our Acquire The Fire events over the past 20 years, we have brought together millions of teens looking for great music and inspiration. In SURGE, we have assembled some of the best Christian talent in music and comedy to create a night of fun and inspiration that is totally different and easily accessible to young people in movie theatres everywhere."
"We are thrilled that Acquire The Fire and Teen Mania have chosen Screenvision to partner on this exciting project. We feel the marketplace has a big appetite for a program such as SURGE, and with the talent that is associated with the project, we are confident this will be a hit with theatre-goers," stated Darryl Schaffer, Screenvision's Executive Vice President, Operations & Exhibitor Relations.
"To be a part of this program with all of the talent amassed is quite an honor. We will be bringing our music in a way people have not seen us perform before, so we think this will be a groundbreaking and inspiring event," said Michael Tait, lead vocalist of Newsboys.
"We have worked together with Acquire The Fire for many years, so when I learned about SURGE, I could not think of a better platform to release my new song. This is going to be such a great event and I am sure people will leave energized," said Lecrae.
John Gray said: "I'm so excited to be a part of SURGE, not because of the event itself, but because of the generation it will reach. I believe this will be a great time of joy, laughter and life changing teaching that will transform the thinking of the next generation's leaders."
More information on the film:
Running Time: 90 minutes
This film is Not Rated
Information on theatre listings and links to buy tickets can be found at: www.SurgeExperience.com
Booking inquiries:
David Wengrod -- Screenvision, 212.497.0463
DWengrod@Screenvision.com
Press Materials:
surge.alliedim.com
Username: Press
Password: SurgePress
Teen Mania Ministries & Acquire The Fire
The mission of Teen Mania Ministries is to provoke a young generation to passionately pursue Jesus Christ and to take his life-giving message to the ends of the Earth. Since its founding in 1986, TMM has reached millions of teens in the U.S., and sent teenage missionaries to more than 50 nations to share the saving message of the gospel. To find out more about Acquire The Fire and TMM and its various ministries, go to www.acquirethefire.com or www.teenmania.com.
Screenvision
Headquartered in New York, N.Y., Screenvision is a national leader in cinema advertising, offering on-screen advertising, in-lobby promotions and integrated marketing programs to national, regional and local advertisers and providing comprehensive cinema advertising representation services to top tier theatrical exhibitors presenting the highest quality moviegoing experience. The Screenvision cinema advertising network is comprised of over 14,300 screens in 2,300+ theater locations across all 50 states and 94% of DMAs nationwide; delivering through more than 150 theatrical circuits, including 6 of the top 10 exhibitor companies. For more information: www.screenvision.com.
Casting Crowns
With nearly 8.2 million career album sales, 14 GMA Dove Awards, three GRAMMY Awards, two Billboard Music Awards and an American Music Award, Casting Crowns has secured its place as one of the most popular Christian bands of all time. In an unprecedented eight-year span, the group has performed in front of nearly one million fans in 175 different cities. Their nine chart-topping radio singles include passionate hits like "Who Am I," "Voice of Truth," "Lifesong" and "East to West." For more information, please visit www.castingcrowns.com.
Newsboys
This GRAMMY®-nominated and Dove Award-winning band has sold over 7 million units, garnered five RIAA certified Gold albums and 27 #1 hits. With last year's release of "Born Again," its first week out was the largest street week of their careers by selling an astounding 45,311 units and hitting #4 on Billboard's overall chart, charting above new releases from such artists as Sting, Justin Bieber and M.I.A. Its self-titled single topped the charts for 8 weeks, gaining close to eight million impressions to date. Renowned for their heart-pumping live shows, the tight knit Newsboys unit continues to headline gigs in the U.S. and around the world. For more information, please visit www.newsboys.com.
Lecrae
Lecrae released the groundbreaking album After the Music Stops and the first Christian Rap CD to ever sit in the No. 1 position on Billboard's Top Gospel Charts, Rebel. Led by the classic single "Jesus Musik," After the Music Stops slowly spread to the mainstream market with other hits such as "Praying For You" and "Send Me." Aimed to build an audience of disciples, the album sat on Soundscan Christian Hip Hop/R&B chart for two years after releasing in 2006. While in the No. 3 position, Rebel released in 2008 and claimed the No. 3 position on the secular iTunes Rap chart. For more information, please visit www.lacrae.net.
John Gray
John was ordained an Elder at Northview Christian Church in Dothan, AL in March of 2010 and currently serves as an Associate Pastor at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas under the leadership of Pastor Joel Osteen. In addition to being a keynote speaker at Acquire The Fire events nationwide, John has also directed, produced or co-produced award winning films, released two musical albums, a comedy DVD and appeared on hit T.V. shows "Sister, Sister" and "Tyler Perry's The House of Payne." For more information, please visit www.johngrayworld.org.
Christian Newswire
Screenvision, a national leader in cinema advertising sales, services and content distribution, is partnering with Acquire The Fire and Teen Mania as the U.S. distributor of SURGE, which will premiere on over 400 screens on October 9, 2013. An encore showing is scheduled for October 16, 2013. For theater and ticket information visit: www.SurgeExperience.com.
Continuing to find innovative and relevant ways to reach this current generation of young people is the heart and soul of Teen Mania Ministries, led by President and Founder, Ron Luce. Bringing, hope, good news and inspiration to the places where young people hang-out is critical. Current research by the Barna Group says: Over half of this generation with a Christian background say they are less active in church as they get older. In fact, between high school and turning 30, 43% of these once-active Christians drop out of regular church attendance. By coming to the neighborhoods where young people live, in movie theaters where they already are, SURGE breaks through this apathy by bringing hope, fun, and inspiration to an already exciting and familiar environment.
Mark Hall of Grammy® Award Winning Casting Crowns said: "When Ron told me about his vision for SURGE, I was in before he even finished talking. We both are deeply passionate about inspiring the youth of today, so the SURGE platform and its distribution in movie theatres just made sense to me. People are going to love what we have planned for them."
Over the last twenty-five years, Teen Mania has effectively reached more than three million teenagers through its annual 30+-city Acquire the Fire tour, a live arena and stadium convention. The tour has become the go-to place for youth ministries looking to infuse passion and life into their young people. In the last three years alone, Acquire the Fire has partnered with over 40,000 churches nationwide to bring students to these events. The influence of Acquire the Fire has now spanned generations of young people, as former students, now parents, send their own teens to experience the spiritual encounter that marked their life for the better.
Ron Luce of Teen Mania said: "We are excited to be able to bring SURGE to movie screens across the country. Through our Acquire The Fire events over the past 20 years, we have brought together millions of teens looking for great music and inspiration. In SURGE, we have assembled some of the best Christian talent in music and comedy to create a night of fun and inspiration that is totally different and easily accessible to young people in movie theatres everywhere."
"We are thrilled that Acquire The Fire and Teen Mania have chosen Screenvision to partner on this exciting project. We feel the marketplace has a big appetite for a program such as SURGE, and with the talent that is associated with the project, we are confident this will be a hit with theatre-goers," stated Darryl Schaffer, Screenvision's Executive Vice President, Operations & Exhibitor Relations.
"To be a part of this program with all of the talent amassed is quite an honor. We will be bringing our music in a way people have not seen us perform before, so we think this will be a groundbreaking and inspiring event," said Michael Tait, lead vocalist of Newsboys.
"We have worked together with Acquire The Fire for many years, so when I learned about SURGE, I could not think of a better platform to release my new song. This is going to be such a great event and I am sure people will leave energized," said Lecrae.
John Gray said: "I'm so excited to be a part of SURGE, not because of the event itself, but because of the generation it will reach. I believe this will be a great time of joy, laughter and life changing teaching that will transform the thinking of the next generation's leaders."
More information on the film:
Running Time: 90 minutes
This film is Not Rated
Information on theatre listings and links to buy tickets can be found at: www.SurgeExperience.com
Booking inquiries:
David Wengrod -- Screenvision, 212.497.0463
DWengrod@Screenvision.com
Press Materials:
surge.alliedim.com
Username: Press
Password: SurgePress
Teen Mania Ministries & Acquire The Fire
The mission of Teen Mania Ministries is to provoke a young generation to passionately pursue Jesus Christ and to take his life-giving message to the ends of the Earth. Since its founding in 1986, TMM has reached millions of teens in the U.S., and sent teenage missionaries to more than 50 nations to share the saving message of the gospel. To find out more about Acquire The Fire and TMM and its various ministries, go to www.acquirethefire.com or www.teenmania.com.
Screenvision
Headquartered in New York, N.Y., Screenvision is a national leader in cinema advertising, offering on-screen advertising, in-lobby promotions and integrated marketing programs to national, regional and local advertisers and providing comprehensive cinema advertising representation services to top tier theatrical exhibitors presenting the highest quality moviegoing experience. The Screenvision cinema advertising network is comprised of over 14,300 screens in 2,300+ theater locations across all 50 states and 94% of DMAs nationwide; delivering through more than 150 theatrical circuits, including 6 of the top 10 exhibitor companies. For more information: www.screenvision.com.
Casting Crowns
With nearly 8.2 million career album sales, 14 GMA Dove Awards, three GRAMMY Awards, two Billboard Music Awards and an American Music Award, Casting Crowns has secured its place as one of the most popular Christian bands of all time. In an unprecedented eight-year span, the group has performed in front of nearly one million fans in 175 different cities. Their nine chart-topping radio singles include passionate hits like "Who Am I," "Voice of Truth," "Lifesong" and "East to West." For more information, please visit www.castingcrowns.com.
Newsboys
This GRAMMY®-nominated and Dove Award-winning band has sold over 7 million units, garnered five RIAA certified Gold albums and 27 #1 hits. With last year's release of "Born Again," its first week out was the largest street week of their careers by selling an astounding 45,311 units and hitting #4 on Billboard's overall chart, charting above new releases from such artists as Sting, Justin Bieber and M.I.A. Its self-titled single topped the charts for 8 weeks, gaining close to eight million impressions to date. Renowned for their heart-pumping live shows, the tight knit Newsboys unit continues to headline gigs in the U.S. and around the world. For more information, please visit www.newsboys.com.
Lecrae
Lecrae released the groundbreaking album After the Music Stops and the first Christian Rap CD to ever sit in the No. 1 position on Billboard's Top Gospel Charts, Rebel. Led by the classic single "Jesus Musik," After the Music Stops slowly spread to the mainstream market with other hits such as "Praying For You" and "Send Me." Aimed to build an audience of disciples, the album sat on Soundscan Christian Hip Hop/R&B chart for two years after releasing in 2006. While in the No. 3 position, Rebel released in 2008 and claimed the No. 3 position on the secular iTunes Rap chart. For more information, please visit www.lacrae.net.
John Gray
John was ordained an Elder at Northview Christian Church in Dothan, AL in March of 2010 and currently serves as an Associate Pastor at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas under the leadership of Pastor Joel Osteen. In addition to being a keynote speaker at Acquire The Fire events nationwide, John has also directed, produced or co-produced award winning films, released two musical albums, a comedy DVD and appeared on hit T.V. shows "Sister, Sister" and "Tyler Perry's The House of Payne." For more information, please visit www.johngrayworld.org.
Christian Newswire
Friday, August 30, 2013
Christ in the Capital of the World
How global Christians are revitalizing NYC far beyond Manhattan.
[ posted 8/30/2013 8:52AM ]
On a brisk October Saturday in 2012, hundreds of teenagers, young adults, and youth leaders gathered at Battery Park in Manhattan. In earlier days, the historic public park facing New York Harbor was the first place to receive immigrants from Europe and elsewhere. But this morning, it received members of black and Latino Pentecostal churches nestled throughout Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The crowd donned T-shirts and jerseys proclaiming God Belongs in My City (GBIMC). They were embarking on a rolling prayer meeting that would make its way from the southern tip of Manhattan up to Times Square.
The youth were not tourists. They did not gape at architectural
landmarks like the Flatiron and Empire State along the way. Instead,
they sang and laughed as they walked and talked, texted, and tweeted
about their journey. Many stopped to scribble GBIMC and John 3:16 in
chalk on the sidewalks. They walked the city with purpose and
possibility. They knew where they were going.
Have you shared the Gospel lately?
USA (MNN) ― You may have heard that U.S. young people are
leaving the Church in droves. According to a 2012 report from the Pew
Research Religion and Public Life Project, the number of people who
don't identify with religion is growing at a rapid pace.
"One-fifth of the U.S. public--and one-third of adults under 30--are religiously unaffiliated today, the highest percentages ever in Pew Research Center polling," the October 9 report states. "In the last five years alone, the unaffiliated have increased from just over 15% to just under 20% of all U.S. adults.
Read More at Mission Network News
"One-fifth of the U.S. public--and one-third of adults under 30--are religiously unaffiliated today, the highest percentages ever in Pew Research Center polling," the October 9 report states. "In the last five years alone, the unaffiliated have increased from just over 15% to just under 20% of all U.S. adults.
Read More at Mission Network News
ANAYSIS: Egypt, Coptic Christians & turmoil
EDITOR'S NOTE: Michael H. Edens is professor of theology and Islamic
studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and an emeritus
missionary who served 25 years in the Middle East with Southern
Baptists' International Mission Board.
NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- The news from the banks of the Nile River has left many without hope of ever understanding from the outside what has happened over the past several months in Egypt, especially in recent weeks. We live in a small world deeply affected by other places which operate within different cultures. This is true of Egypt. What is important there differs from here. Let's look at various aspects of this reality.
Egyptians expect a stable strong ruler. However, the decades of dictatorship under Hosni Mubarak made them wary of that style of leadership. After deposing the dictator, Egyptians elected Mohamed Morsi by a slim majority, and he soon began to install men in governing functions whose only qualification was their Muslim Brotherhood party membership. The economy and other vital parts of Egyptian life began to deteriorate in his first year of office.
READ MORE at Baptist Press
NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- The news from the banks of the Nile River has left many without hope of ever understanding from the outside what has happened over the past several months in Egypt, especially in recent weeks. We live in a small world deeply affected by other places which operate within different cultures. This is true of Egypt. What is important there differs from here. Let's look at various aspects of this reality.
Egyptians expect a stable strong ruler. However, the decades of dictatorship under Hosni Mubarak made them wary of that style of leadership. After deposing the dictator, Egyptians elected Mohamed Morsi by a slim majority, and he soon began to install men in governing functions whose only qualification was their Muslim Brotherhood party membership. The economy and other vital parts of Egyptian life began to deteriorate in his first year of office.
READ MORE at Baptist Press
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Student volunteers impact cities in path toward lifelong service
NEW YORK (BP) -- Student missionary Season Helms can pinpoint the day
last year when she began to look at New York City and urban ministry
differently. Traveling with friends on the subway, Helms spotted a young
woman dressed less than modestly.
As Helms looked beyond her clothing to the puffy eyes, scrapes and bruises, she saw a girl obviously in pain. Helms and her friends soon learned the girl had been attacked at Coney Island and her phone, money and extra clothing had been taken from her, leaving her with only a swimsuit. Helms and her friends helped the girl find more clothing to wear, connect with her friends and begin to heal her wounds.
"Then we got an opportunity to talk to her about God," said Helms, who later wrapped up her term as a North American Mission Board student missionary. "She told us that God couldn't love her. She had done too many bad things. Her perceived absence of the Lord in her life had led her to believe He wasn't there and He didn't love her."
READ MORE AT BAPTIST PRESS
As Helms looked beyond her clothing to the puffy eyes, scrapes and bruises, she saw a girl obviously in pain. Helms and her friends soon learned the girl had been attacked at Coney Island and her phone, money and extra clothing had been taken from her, leaving her with only a swimsuit. Helms and her friends helped the girl find more clothing to wear, connect with her friends and begin to heal her wounds.
"Then we got an opportunity to talk to her about God," said Helms, who later wrapped up her term as a North American Mission Board student missionary. "She told us that God couldn't love her. She had done too many bad things. Her perceived absence of the Lord in her life had led her to believe He wasn't there and He didn't love her."
READ MORE AT BAPTIST PRESS
More Details Emerge on 'Left Behind' Remake
ilming is underway in Baton Rouge, La., for the reboot movie version of the best-selling, end-times thriller Left Behind.
Quinton Aaron, who played Michael Oher in the 2009 film The Blind Side, has been cast in the role of Simon, a cameraman who is traveling to London when almost half of the passengers on his flight suddenly vanish into thin air, The Hollywood Reporter said.
The project is being developed by Cloud Ten Pictures, which released the first film adaptation of the book in 2000, following it with two other installments from the successful series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins—which have sold more than 64 million copies since the first title came out in 1995.
Featuring the tagline "Some were saved, and some were...," the remake stars Nicolas Cage (Rayford Steele), Chad Michael Murray (Buck Williams), Cassi Thomson (Chloe Steele), Nicky Whelan (Hattie Durham) and Jordin Sparks (Shasta).
READ MORE AT CHARISMA NEWS
Quinton Aaron, who played Michael Oher in the 2009 film The Blind Side, has been cast in the role of Simon, a cameraman who is traveling to London when almost half of the passengers on his flight suddenly vanish into thin air, The Hollywood Reporter said.
The project is being developed by Cloud Ten Pictures, which released the first film adaptation of the book in 2000, following it with two other installments from the successful series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins—which have sold more than 64 million copies since the first title came out in 1995.
Featuring the tagline "Some were saved, and some were...," the remake stars Nicolas Cage (Rayford Steele), Chad Michael Murray (Buck Williams), Cassi Thomson (Chloe Steele), Nicky Whelan (Hattie Durham) and Jordin Sparks (Shasta).
READ MORE AT CHARISMA NEWS
Guideposts Reaches Program Milestone: Comfort Kits Touches 100,000th Child
DANBURY, Conn.,
Aug. 19, 2013
/Christian Newswire/ -- Emergency Department professionals
at Broward Health North (BHN) in Deerfield Beach, Fla. see more than
7,500 pediatric patients every year for all types of medical problems
and injuries. Earlier this year, the hospital introduced Comfort Kits to
help soothe anxious children who are being treated. "I knew as soon as I
had seen these kits that Broward Health North's Emergency Department
needed them immediately," said Kathy Zizzo, Emergency Department patient
representative. "We've had great response from kids and their parents."
An equal delight for the professionals came when the hospital was informed that a board-certified emergency room physician recently helped Guideposts achieve a major milestone. "We were very excited to find out we provided the 100,000th Guideposts for Kids Comfort Kit to one of our pediatric patients," said Pauline Grant, CEO of BHN. "We strive to provide a five-star experience to all of our patients, and these kits more than support our goals, they give children a boost during a difficult time."
Since the program was launched seven years ago through a collaboration with Chaplain Anna Gentile from the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y., Comfort Kits have made their way to 48 states where they are distributed free of charge to medical facilities for children who are sick or injured. The "small box with the big impact" contains a cuddly yellow stuffed star named Sparkle, a child-friendly journal that enables them to express their feelings and find inner strength, an "I'm Special" bracelet, and much more. These kits are specially designed to help youngsters cope with the uncertainty, discomfort and stress of being hospitalized or undergoing treatment.
"We are delighted that Comfort Kits have been distributed to 100,000 children nationwide and thrilled that the program continues to grow," said Rhonda R. Neal, Manager of Guideposts Outreach Services. "It is an achievement of which we could only dream when we began this program in 2006. The Comfort Kits program is just one way in which Guideposts continues to uplift people of all ages in their time of greatest need."
In the words of one parent ..."when my daughter was just out of surgery, she really enjoyed hugging the star. After that she filled out the journal and put stickers on some of the pages that she liked. She also liked the ball. My daughter is 6 years old and got her tonsils taken out. Thank you and your donors so much. This expression of love from strangers to our little girl meant so much to our family." Sara
Please visit us at comfortkits.org or like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ComfortKits.
About Guideposts: Guideposts (guideposts.org), a nonprofit organization, touches millions of lives every day through products and services that inspire, encourage, and uplift. Its magazines, books, websites, prayer network, and outreach programs help people connect their faith-filled values to their daily lives. Its flagship title, Guideposts, reaches six million readers. The Guideposts family also includes, Summerside Press, Candy Cane Press, Ideals, and Williamson imprints.
Christian Newswire
An equal delight for the professionals came when the hospital was informed that a board-certified emergency room physician recently helped Guideposts achieve a major milestone. "We were very excited to find out we provided the 100,000th Guideposts for Kids Comfort Kit to one of our pediatric patients," said Pauline Grant, CEO of BHN. "We strive to provide a five-star experience to all of our patients, and these kits more than support our goals, they give children a boost during a difficult time."
Since the program was launched seven years ago through a collaboration with Chaplain Anna Gentile from the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y., Comfort Kits have made their way to 48 states where they are distributed free of charge to medical facilities for children who are sick or injured. The "small box with the big impact" contains a cuddly yellow stuffed star named Sparkle, a child-friendly journal that enables them to express their feelings and find inner strength, an "I'm Special" bracelet, and much more. These kits are specially designed to help youngsters cope with the uncertainty, discomfort and stress of being hospitalized or undergoing treatment.
"We are delighted that Comfort Kits have been distributed to 100,000 children nationwide and thrilled that the program continues to grow," said Rhonda R. Neal, Manager of Guideposts Outreach Services. "It is an achievement of which we could only dream when we began this program in 2006. The Comfort Kits program is just one way in which Guideposts continues to uplift people of all ages in their time of greatest need."
In the words of one parent ..."when my daughter was just out of surgery, she really enjoyed hugging the star. After that she filled out the journal and put stickers on some of the pages that she liked. She also liked the ball. My daughter is 6 years old and got her tonsils taken out. Thank you and your donors so much. This expression of love from strangers to our little girl meant so much to our family." Sara
Please visit us at comfortkits.org or like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ComfortKits.
About Guideposts: Guideposts (guideposts.org), a nonprofit organization, touches millions of lives every day through products and services that inspire, encourage, and uplift. Its magazines, books, websites, prayer network, and outreach programs help people connect their faith-filled values to their daily lives. Its flagship title, Guideposts, reaches six million readers. The Guideposts family also includes, Summerside Press, Candy Cane Press, Ideals, and Williamson imprints.
Christian Newswire
Friday, August 16, 2013
Rowan Williams tells 'persecuted' western Christians to grow up
Former archbishop of Canterbury says UK and US Christians exaggerate 'mild discomfort', and gay friends may feel let down
Christians in Britain and the US who claim that they are persecuted should "grow up" and not exaggerate what amounts to feeling "mildly uncomfortable", according to Rowan Williams, who last year stepped down as archbishop of Canterbury after an often turbulent decade.
"When you've had any contact with real persecuted minorities you learn to use the word very chastely," he said. "Persecution is not being made to feel mildly uncomfortable. 'For goodness sake, grow up,' I want to say."
READ MORE
Christians in Britain and the US who claim that they are persecuted should "grow up" and not exaggerate what amounts to feeling "mildly uncomfortable", according to Rowan Williams, who last year stepped down as archbishop of Canterbury after an often turbulent decade.
"When you've had any contact with real persecuted minorities you learn to use the word very chastely," he said. "Persecution is not being made to feel mildly uncomfortable. 'For goodness sake, grow up,' I want to say."
READ MORE
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Virginia Youth Group Reads the Entire Bible in Public
Friday, August 09, 2013
Over the 4th of July this year, thousands of people along Main Street
in Purcellville, Va., witnessed something beyond the usual festivities: a
local youth group serving free slushies and reading the Bible aloud in
its entirety.
Rich Shipe serves as the Discipleship and Youth Pastor at Blue Ridge Bible Church in northern Virginia. He says he was inspired by a blog post about a Bible reading marathon in Wisconsin, and decided to start a similar project in his own community.
Shipe’s project, which took just over 70 hours, involved reading the Bible from cover to cover without stopping.
“I thought about it as a way to inspire better reading habits among the students and to give them an opportunity to share their faith,” he says.
READ MORE at ReligionToday
Rich Shipe serves as the Discipleship and Youth Pastor at Blue Ridge Bible Church in northern Virginia. He says he was inspired by a blog post about a Bible reading marathon in Wisconsin, and decided to start a similar project in his own community.
Shipe’s project, which took just over 70 hours, involved reading the Bible from cover to cover without stopping.
“I thought about it as a way to inspire better reading habits among the students and to give them an opportunity to share their faith,” he says.
READ MORE at ReligionToday
Thursday, August 8, 2013
24/7 Christian Prayer Movement Sweeps Muslim Indonesia
George Thomas/CBN News
A
powerful prayer movement is rising in the world's largest Muslim
nation. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, Indonesian
Christians intercede for their country.
It was a scene never witnessed before in Indonesia's history.
"I
don't know another nation on earth like Indonesia where the church has
become so passionate and united in prayer," Tom Victor, with the
American-based Great Commission Coalition, said.
‘Lord of the Rings’ Actor Opens Up About His Christian Faith
Actor Sean Astin has had a long-standing career in Hollywood.
From starring as Mikey in “The Goonies” to his role as Samwise Gamgee
in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, he has entertained and inspired
audiences for decades. In a new interview
with Beliefnet’s John W. Kennedy, Astin recently discussed his career,
his faith and a Christian movie he recently filmed called “Mom’s Night
Out.”
READ MORE AT THE BLAZE
READ MORE AT THE BLAZE
Priest Prays for Rescue Crew & Trapped Girl Then Disappears
The riddle of the 'angel priest': Holy man appeared from nowhere to pray with trapped girl and rescuers in traffic accident, told them she would be OK and then vanished
- Katie Lentz was hit head-on by a drunk driver on Sunday morning on an isolated stretch of Missouri highway
- Emergency workers battled for over an hour to rescue her but they couldn't free her from the car wreck
- Lentz requested a moment of prayer and a priest appeared - even though the road was blocked off
- He prayed and told the rescuers that Lentz would now be freed - and she was
- They turned to thank him - but he was gone
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2386627/The-riddle-angel-priest-Holy-man-appeared-pray-trapped-girl-rescuers-traffic-accident-told-OK-vanished.html#ixzz2bPCMovHa
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Former Disney Star Debuts Song About Jesus: 'All I've Ever Needed:'
By Tyler O'Neil , CP Contributor
August 6, 2013|4:37 pm
AJ Michalka, 22-year-old singer and actress known for Disney-promoted teen pop songs with her sister Aly, released a new song about returning to faith in Jesus after living a prodigal life.
"All I've Ever Needed," a preview song for the upcoming film "Grace Unplugged," tells the story of a "prodigal girl" who leaves her home, family, and faith to seek her fame and fortune in the music industry. At the pinnacle of her "success," she realizes how much she needs God.READ MORE AT THE CHRISTIAN POST
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Air Force Chaplain's Asst. Faces Punishment for Christian Beliefs
By Todd Starnes, CP Op-Ed Contributor
August 6, 2013|12:03 pm
An Air Force chaplain's assistant said she was accused of creating a "hostile and antagonistic" environment after she posted a message on her personal Facebook page calling homosexuality a sin.
Her Facebook message read:
"A
lot ticked off, now to all my gay friends you know I care about you so
don't think otherwise. I'm watching this documentary and this gay guy
went to a church and the Pastor was telling him that he needs to embrace
his way and know that it is not a sin. Ok umm wow, dude it is. I'm sick
of people making Gods word what it's not. Yes God loves you as a person
but He hates the sin. Tired of hearing about Pastors being ok with
homosexuality."
READ MORE at the Christian Post
23 States File Joint Brief in U.S. Supreme Court in Support of Town Hall Prayers in Jesus’ Name
The states of Texas and Indiana have co-authored an amicus brief joined by 21 other states in an effort to demonstrate support for a case before the U.S. Supreme Court surrounding town hall prayers that are predominantly in Jesus’ name.
As previously reported, in May of the this year, the court accepted the case of Town of Greece v. Galloway, a legal challenge that centers on the invocations that are offered at town hall meetings in Greece, New York, just outside of Rochester.
23 States File Joint Brief in U.S. Supreme Court in Support of Town Hall Prayers in Jesus’ Name
As previously reported, in May of the this year, the court accepted the case of Town of Greece v. Galloway, a legal challenge that centers on the invocations that are offered at town hall meetings in Greece, New York, just outside of Rochester.
23 States File Joint Brief in U.S. Supreme Court in Support of Town Hall Prayers in Jesus’ Name
OLDER WOMEN: The Invisible Generation of the Church
Youth-focused Christianity may be sidelining the gifts of older women.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Anti-Internet-porn campaign announced by UK's Cameron
LONDON (BP) -- British Prime Minister David Cameron has announced a
multifaceted campaign against Internet pornography that blocks in-home
access to images through search engines but allows individual residences
to maintain access upon request.
By the end of 2013 in Great Britain, pornographic images and prose will automatically be filtered by Internet providers for new customers, unless they opt in to receive them, and existing customers will have the option of activating "family-friendly" filters to their accounts, Cameron announced Monday (July 22) at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children London headquarters.
"I'm not making this speech because I want to moralize or scaremonger but because I feel profoundly as a politician, and as a father, that the time for action has come," Cameron said. "This is, quite simply, about how we protect our children and their innocence."
READ MORE AT THE BAPTIST PRESS
By the end of 2013 in Great Britain, pornographic images and prose will automatically be filtered by Internet providers for new customers, unless they opt in to receive them, and existing customers will have the option of activating "family-friendly" filters to their accounts, Cameron announced Monday (July 22) at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children London headquarters.
"I'm not making this speech because I want to moralize or scaremonger but because I feel profoundly as a politician, and as a father, that the time for action has come," Cameron said. "This is, quite simply, about how we protect our children and their innocence."
READ MORE AT THE BAPTIST PRESS
Monday, July 22, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
American street preacher arrested in London for ‘hate speech’
As crowds swelled in the streets of Wimbledon, London, to watch the famed tennis tournament July 1, Tony Miano stood
preaching out of his worn Bible to anyone who would listen. A former
Los Angeles County deputy sheriff, Miano now spends his time
evangelizing outside of abortion centers and on the street while
carrying a cross. He worked for Ray Comfort’s street evangelism ministry
until last year and writes for the blog Cross Encounters.
Last Monday afternoon, he preached on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, calling on people who have engaged in sexually immoral lifestyles—lust, premarital sex, and homosexuality—to repent.
After 25 minutes, local police cut Miano off and took
him into custody. An offended woman had called to complain about the
preaching and while street preaching is not illegal—Miano had been
preaching for a week already—his offensive message was.
Modesty: More than an Exterior Show
by Sunny Shell
There is much talk within the Christian community about modesty, yet, most of the focus seems to on the exterior appearance of a woman, rather than on what Christ said:
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." ~Matthew 6:33
READ MORE AT SUNNY SHELL CPBLOG
There is much talk within the Christian community about modesty, yet, most of the focus seems to on the exterior appearance of a woman, rather than on what Christ said:
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." ~Matthew 6:33
And again we find these wise words from the Scriptures, "but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." ~1 Peter 3:4The dictionary definiton for modesty is: the quality of being modest; freedom from vanity, boastfulness, etc.—regard for decency of behavior, speech, dress, etc.—simplicity; moderation.
READ MORE AT SUNNY SHELL CPBLOG
Children's Ministry to Deliver 2 Million Christian Books to Filipino Students
By Alex Murashko, Christian Post Reporter
July 17, 2013|12:45 pm
A mass distribution of one million books to children in the Philippines as part of a larger campaign to reach two million Filipino children with the Gospel this school year has begun, say organizers at Child Evangelism Fellowship. The goal exceeds last year's success when 1.6 million children heard the Gospel.
"We are grateful for the outreach we have had in the Philippines so far and someday hope to teach in all 92,000 public schools and share the gospel with all of the 34 million Filipino children," said Harry Robinson, vice president of International Ministries for Child Evangelism Fellowship.READ MORE AT THE CHRISTIAN POST
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Worldwide Call for 40 Days Prayer, Fasting and Repentance 6 August 14 September 2013
UNANDERRA, Australia,
July 11, 2013
/Christian Newswire/ -- This call for a 40-day period of
prayer will end with an International Day of Prayer, Fasting and
Repentance on Saturday 14 September 2013. This day of repentance coincides with Yom Kippur, Israel's National Day of Atonement.
Warwick Marsh, one of the team from Australia who is organising this International call to prayer, said, "Our world is in desperate need. Of the 7.1 billion men, women and children alive today, only 2.2 billion call themselves Christian. Widespread sexual immorality, promoted by much of the media, is ruining marriages, families and our individual lives. The attack on marriage continues in our Western countries. Marriage redefined is marriage destroyed.
"Abortion is the leading cause of death in the world with an estimated 42 million unborn babies being killed each year. All this, and more, takes place in the context of a world that is in increasing turmoil. The time has come for a worldwide call for prayer and repentance."
David and Marilyn Rowsome, also members of the organising team said, "We believe it is time to humble ourselves before God, praying and fasting and repenting with fervency and urgency for ourselves, the Church and the nations. As the worldwide Body of Christ, let us come before God and cry out for healing, revival and transformation as it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14.
"Let us believe together for a harvest of at least a billion souls who find a living relationship with Jesus Christ. We encourage you to commit to this time of global prayer and pass this information on to your family, friends and networks."
For more information:
www.
www.facebook.com/
Four Point Prayer Plan
Christian Newswire
Warwick Marsh, one of the team from Australia who is organising this International call to prayer, said, "Our world is in desperate need. Of the 7.1 billion men, women and children alive today, only 2.2 billion call themselves Christian. Widespread sexual immorality, promoted by much of the media, is ruining marriages, families and our individual lives. The attack on marriage continues in our Western countries. Marriage redefined is marriage destroyed.
"Abortion is the leading cause of death in the world with an estimated 42 million unborn babies being killed each year. All this, and more, takes place in the context of a world that is in increasing turmoil. The time has come for a worldwide call for prayer and repentance."
David and Marilyn Rowsome, also members of the organising team said, "We believe it is time to humble ourselves before God, praying and fasting and repenting with fervency and urgency for ourselves, the Church and the nations. As the worldwide Body of Christ, let us come before God and cry out for healing, revival and transformation as it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14.
"Let us believe together for a harvest of at least a billion souls who find a living relationship with Jesus Christ. We encourage you to commit to this time of global prayer and pass this information on to your family, friends and networks."
For more information:
www.
www.facebook.com/
Four Point Prayer Plan
- Pray for a worldwide outpouring of the Holy Spirit for revival and transformation of the nations of the world.
- Pray for a billion people to find Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
- Pray for an end to abortion and for God to turn back the tide of death and immorality that is sweeping the nations of the world.
- Pray for a multiplication of prayer, praise and worship to God across the world as never before, to bring great glory to God.
Christian Newswire
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