Church of God Youth and Discipleship continues to aggressively use technology to better connect with local church pastors and leaders. From simulcast webinars, a strong social media presence, free Dropbox resources and digital online giving to YWEA, Youth and Discipleship desires to connect with and nurture local church ministries.

The Children First Foundation, a pro-adoption group that applied to march in the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, will not be marching today in the world’s oldest and largest parade because it was blocked, stonewalled and officially rejected by the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. Why? That is an important and serious question that the parade organizers should be asked to answer.

Lawrence K. Mok’s new book, When Persecution Causes Pain: A Message from Jesus and Paul, ($14.99, paperback, 9781498400626; $7.99, e-book, 9781498400640) addresses a matter that is, unfortunately, being witnessed throughout mainstream media on a daily basis. The author writes about persecution, specifically delving into what Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul say about it, which makes for a timely reminder. Both Jesus and Paul teach that God’s purposes for His persecuted people are to bear witness to the lost world; to transform and make them as His worthy followers; to show His sovereignty in all circumstances; and to demonstrate that He loves and cares for His own people in the midst of a hostile world.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is releasing exclusive new footage today from its upcoming release of UNBROKEN on Blu-Ray and DVD March 24th with a special LEGACY OF FAITH bonus disc available on the DVD.

The Church of God Children’s Leaders Association, under the auspices of the Church of God International Department of Youth and Discipleship, has instituted a new award in honor of the late Waneda Brownlow, the “Happy Missionary.”

With news of the martyrdom of 21 Christians by fundamentalist Muslims in Egypt still fresh in their minds, those in the English-speaking world might be relieved to see a new video that asks for prayers for the persecuted Church.

At the recent Florida roundtable discussions during the Florida Region Prayer Conference, Dr. John Sweet with the Heart of Florida Youth Ranch, was asked by Church of God Florida Administrative Bishop Keith Ivester to pray for families during the days of the virtual prayer meeting. The following is his testimony of the event.

In the early 1960’s there was a popular song among young people called “Dedicated to the One I Love.” For some strange reason I was reminded of this song over the past few weeks, but it was in a very different context.

Smoky Mountain Winterfest convenes this weekend, March 13-15, 2015 and is amazing!  It is hard to fathom that what began as five churches gathering for a winter retreat thirty-two years ago has become a movement that touches 40,000+ students globally every year.   Winterfest has always been and will always be where the lives, direction, and paths of young people are interrupted, influenced, and forever changed by the power of the Holy Spirit!  God has done, and is doing, amazing things through Winterfest!