Harvest America Estimates 272,000 Attended Christian Outreach Event

Leaders at the Harvest Crusades estimate that 272,000 people attended the ministry's first-of-its-kind evangelistic event last Sunday that included those inside a nearly full baseball stadium in Southern California and others watching a live webcast feed at more than 2,400 host locations throughout the U.S.

The numbers for Harvest America, which included the Gospel message by Pastor Greg Laurie, do not include those individuals watching on two Christian TV channels, listening on more than 600 radio stations, or viewing on a personal computer, tablet, or smart phone.

More than 18,000 responded to Laurie's invitation to profess their faith in Jesus Christ.
"That would make last Sunday the largest single presentation of the Gospel in American history! Praise God! When we add our Saturday totals (Harvest Anaheim), it means that we reached 312,000 people in live attendance over the weekend, with more than 22,000 making professions of faith," Harvest officials said.

"When we add the Internet viewing audience our total number of people who watched either live in person or on the Web [is] over 400,000! These numbers don't reflect how many people – potentially in the millions – that also viewed or listened to the event live on television and radio."
Out of the more than 2,400 host sites that participated, over a 1,000 of those included churches where those attending and making professions of faith could experience having a trained counselor such as those provided at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., come alongside and offer encouragement and suggested next steps.

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/harvest-america-estimates-272000-attended-christian-outreach-event-80892/#71CVBwWmehpIcByp.99

Anti-Poverty Activist: American Church a 'Sleeping Giant' on Poverty Issue

An anti-poverty activist who is a leader in an international organization focused on eliminating poverty believes that American churches are a "sleeping giant" on the issue.

Jason Fileta, director of Micah Challenge USA, told The Christian Post that while American churches do much to fight poverty, their voice on the issue needs to be heard.
"I think that the American church is almost a sleeping giant that needs to be awakened because American Christians are powerful enough to elect a president," said Fileta.
"Whoever our leader is, whoever ends up being the leader we want them to know that this matters deeply to us."
Fileta believes that American churches do much good on the issue of combating poverty, noting the many benefits of "mission trips" that provide a "very personal response that also includes giving."
"I think that the church at large in America has done well to respond with financial support, prayer, and relational support," said Fileta. "I do believe though that as a church we have not yet used our powerful collective voice to influence power structures."

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/anti-poverty-activist-american-church-a-sleeping-giant-on-poverty-issue-80925/#LBtq0MiwRDqbIoYE.99

World’s Wealthiest Woman Tells People to Stop Envying the Rich & Work Harder, Gov’t Officials Flip Out

Australian mining tycoon Gina Rinehart on Thursday was heavily criticized by her government for saying people who want to be successful should stop being jealous of others, “spend less time drinking,” and work harder, AFP reports.

Assorted members of Australia’s government called her comments “insulting.”
Wait, “insulting”? What did multi-billionaire Rinehart say?

“There is no monopoly on becoming a millionaire,” she wrote in an article for an industry magazine.
“If you’re jealous of those with more money, don’t just sit there and complain. Do something to make more money yourself — spend less time drinking or smoking and socialising, and more time working,” she added.

“Become one of those people who work hard, invest and build, and at the same time create employment and opportunities for others.”

Suggesting that those who work harder, tend to get ahead in life isn’t exactly an outlandish assertion.
Rinehart also criticized what she referred to as “socialist” policies that have hurt the poor and recommended Australian politicians to lower the nation’s minimum wage and taxes.
“The terrible millionaires and billionaires can often invest in other countries… maybe their teenagers don’t get the cars they wanted, or a better beach house or maybe the holiday to Europe is cut short, but otherwise life goes on,” she wrote.

“The millionaires and billionaires who choose to invest in Australia are actually those who most help the poor and our young. This secret needs to be spread widely,” she added.

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11 Churches Unite To Support Bible History Classes At Hixson Middle And High Schools

Pictured with high school teacher Mr. Bryan Osborne (back row, center) are a few of his students (left to right): Spencer Waites, Kindall Billingsley, Corynne Schannuth and Jae Yoo. Bible history classes at both schools are voluntary, for-credit and funded entirely through private contributions to the Hamilton County Department of Education.

A diverse group of 11 Hixson churches have come together to support the Bible history program in their local public schools.

The “Hixson Gathering,” scheduled for Sept. 16, from 6-7:30 p.m., will feature a community meal, prayer service and fund-raiser at the Hixson Middle School gymnasium, 5681 Old Hixson Pike.

Organizers hope to raise enough money to fund the cost of two full-time Bible history teachers at Hixson Middle and High schools. Proceeds will be directed to the schools through Bible in the Schools, a local nonprofit organization.

“I would love to say ‘thank you’ to the Hixson community for helping us to offer such a wonderful program in our schools,” said Hixson Middle School Principal LeAngela Rogers. “The teen years are a time of unprecedented growth socially, physically, emotionally and morally. Bible history classes contribute not only to their academic achievement but also to character education, as students develop into their own person,” Rogers said.

Ron Phillips, pastor of Abba’s House, is one of several Hixson pastors leading the joint effort. “President Andrew Jackson said the Bible ‘is the rock on which our Republic rests.’ No one is truly educated without a knowledge of Scripture,” Phillips said.

“The Bible is the most influential book ever written. It has shaped and transformed lives across several millennia, and it must surely be a valuable part of any well-rounded education,” said Robert Johnson, senior pastor of Hixson Presbyterian Church, another sponsoring church.

There is no cost to attend the dinner, but reservations are required by calling Bible in the Schools, 423 648-0500. A children’s program for grades K-5 will be provided by Student Venture following the dinner portion of the evening’s agenda. For more information, visit BibleintheSchools.com/hixson.

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Created Equal Interview with Code Pink at Planned Parenthood Rally

Tampa, FL – August 30, 2012 – Code Pink, the radical pro-abortion group, joined other abortion supporters at the Planned Parenthood "Women are Watching Rally against the RNC” at the GOP Convention in Tampa on Wednesday.  Watch the interview with one Code Pink activist dressed up in a costume resembling a women's particular private part (WARNING: VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED - IMAGES ARE DISTURBING). After watching the video clip, join us in praying for the members of Code Pink and those who misguidedly support abortion.

Obama Calls for Amendment Limiting Free-Speech Rights

(CNSNews.com) – President Barack Obama endorsed a constitutional amendment that would restrict the free-speech rights of political activist groups by overturning the Supreme Court decision in the landmark Citizens United v FEC case that granted First Amendment rights to corporations.

“Over the longer term, I think we need to seriously consider mobilizing a constitutional amendment process to overturn Citizens United,” Obama wrote during a question and answer session on the website Reddit on Wednesday.

“Even if the amendment process falls short, it can shine a spotlight of the super-PAC phenomenon and help apply pressure for change.”

In its decision, the Supreme Court said that the government could not restrict the free-speech rights of organizations during elections, striking down key provisions of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law.
That law restricted how much money independent political organizations could spend and banned them from engaging in election-related speech 60 days prior to a general election.

In his concurring opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the government was arguing for direct censorship of political speech, asking the court to allow the banning of books, pamphlets, and any other type of speech the government deemed necessary.

“The Government urges us in this case to uphold a direct prohibition on political speech,” Roberts wrote. “It asks us to embrace a theory of the First Amendment that would allow censorship not only of television and radio broadcasts, but of pamphlets, posters, the Internet, and virtually any other medium that corporations and unions might find useful in expressing their views on matters of public concern.

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Good News for the Good News Club: Child Evangelism Fellowship Wins Legal Victory in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Aug. 31, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Minneapolis Special School District No. 1 must reinstate the Good News Club, sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship, in its after-school program, ruled the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit yesterday. The federal appeals court determined that the school district engaged in viewpoint discrimination when it ousted CEF for offering "enrichment programming from a religious perspective."

"We are extremely grateful for this decision and look forward to the opportunity of serving interested students at the Jenny Lind Elementary School," said Mr. Tom Levanos, executive director of operations for CEF.

This ruling overturned the decision by a lower court which misinterpreted the 2001 Supreme Court decision in Good News Club v. Milford Central School. The Supreme Court decision actually upheld the free speech rights of the Good News Club. According to the Court, "there is no logical difference in kind between the invocation of Christianity by the Club and the invocation of teamwork, loyalty, or patriotism by other associations to provide the foundations for their lessons."

Minneapolis Special School District No. 1 removed the GNC from its after-school program in 2009 based on the concerns of a newly-hired site coordinator who overheard a prayer and reference to Jesus Christ during a GNC meeting. The GNC had been meeting at the school, after school hours, using the same activities of prayer, Bible lessons and games, without objection since 2000. As a result of the school district decision, the attendance at the popular GNC plummeted from 47 students to 5 by 2010.

Through the years, the number of court cases involving discrimination against GNCs has steadily decreased as the Supreme Court ruling has become more well-known, said Mr. Matt Staver, of Liberty Counsel, who represented CEF before the federal appeals court. Still, there are challenges each week that are resolved without litigation. Few of these challenges bear the marks of overt hostility towards religion. According to Mr. Staver, most cases are the result of misinformation about the First Amendment and are usually resolved without litigation. When litigation has been necessary, Liberty Counsel has won every case.

Contact: Melody Bentley,
571-274-6058 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            571-274-6058      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Child Evangelism Fellowship

Christian Newswire

Did RNC "Scripted" Rules Change Start A Civil War In The Republican Party?

Chicago Pastor Wins Three Year Battle to Uphold His Freedom to Speak in Public

Mauck & Baker Attorney Says Police Shouldn't Shut Down Free Speech

CHICAGO, Aug. 30, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- The First Amendment's freedom to speak in public has been the most foundational freedom for Americans since the founding of the nation. Many have benefited from this freedom such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., D.L. Moody, and more recently, a local Chicago Pastor, Curt Teesdale. These men all impacted the culture by quoting scripture and preaching open-air sermons. In 2008, police officers arrested Pastor Teesdale for exercising his First Amendment freedom. He and eight members of his church, Garfield Ridge Baptist, were talking to the public about the gospel and handing out scripture. Now, after a three year battle, the Federal Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals finally reaffirmed Pastor Teesdale's free speech on public streets which will give a continued protection to others to do the same.

After police arrested and jailed Teesdale, he was charged with criminal trespassing despite being engaged in expression on a public street. The 2008 case was quickly dismissed by the Criminal Court, but Mauck & Baker attorneys representing Teesdale filed suit in federal court in 2010 in an effort to protect the freedom to proclaim the gospel in the future.

"Police officers should protect free speech, not shut it down," said Andy Norman, attorney from Mauck & Baker, LLC, who represented Teesdale. "The Appeals Court recognized that Americans on public streets shouldn't fear arrest or harassment for exercising fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment."

"If an American can be arrested for merely sharing his beliefs in public, what protections are left?" said Pastor Teesdale. "I am so happy the court gave us a victory. Perhaps this stand for public free speech will inspire believers and encourage them to boldly declare Jesus."

The City of Chicago appealed to the Seventh Circuit Appeals Court after losing at the District Court in 2011. And the Appeals Court ended the three-year free speech battle on Aug. 14 with an affirmation of Teesdale's First Amendment protections. However, the Court held that the City's actions, shutting down the Pastor's free speech, could not be construed as its policy, releasing Chicago from responsibility.

"We are delighted that our client's freedom of speech was affirmed, but disappointed that the City was not made to answer for forcing its citizens to endure three years of unnecessary litigation," said Noel Sterett, an attorney from Mauck & Baker.

"Free speech is something no American should take for granted," said Pastor Teesdale. "Countries around the world censor Christians for their religious expression. I do feel blessed to have been a part of this journey, as long as it was."

View the case Memorandum, Opinion, and Order here.

To schedule an interview, please contact Tom Ciesielka at 312-422-1333 or at tc@tcpr.net

Christian Newswire

Pro-life Community to Remember the Victims of Abortion at the Time Warner Arena in Charlotte as the DNC Prepares to Start

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 30, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Members to conduct prayer service and lay 3,300 flowers in front of the Time Warner Arena on Friday, Aug. 31.

The 3,300 flowers represent the number of innocent children that are aborted every day in America and the number of women who are daily bruised and diminished through abortion.

The prayer service and laying of flowers will be on Friday, Aug. 31, at 6:30 P.M. The location of the event is the Time Warner Arena public sidewalk on 333 E. Trade St. facing the EpiCentre.

There will also be a news conference preceding the prayer and public witness.

Members of "America Defend Life" will also be holding a demonstration and prayer gathering in front of Planned Parenthood on Saturday, Sept. 1 at 10:00 A.M.

The Planned Parenthood in Charlotte is located at 4822 Albemarle Rd.

These events are a "prophetic" public witness to President Obama and the Democratic Party to end the violence of abortion and embrace human rights and justice for all.

Brice Griffin, spokesperson for America Defend Life, states,

"We are humbled to be able to offer a visual and symbolic expression of the damage caused by abortion in our country every day. At the same time, we are are praying for the women and their children who have been bruised.

"Abortion is the real war on women, and it is our hope that through peaceful and prayerful witness we can educate America on the truth that drives Planned Parenthood and their child-killing business.

"While the eyes of the world are on Charlotte, we want our message to be clear to the DNC: human rights begin with the right to life, from fertilization until natural death. As Blessed John Paul II said, 'America defend life!'"

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition in Washington, D.C. and one of the organizers of the event, adds,

"Abortion has now become one of the central issues in the race for the White House in 2012. We are laying these flowers and praying in front of the Time Warner Arena to remind President Obama and the nation that all life has dignity and purpose and the violence and brutality of abortion in America must come to an end.

"The real 'War on Women' is the violence directed toward mothers and their children by organizations like Planned Parenthood who perform over 330,000 abortions yearly at that their clinics.

"Our witness at the DNC and to President Obama is simple yet profound. President Obama please embrace human rights and equality for all and end this tragic 'War on Women' through abortion."

For more information or interviews contact:

Brice Griffin at 704.451.1390
Americadefendlife.com

Christian Newswire