The Associated Press and MTV released a study in August connecting religion and spirituality to the overall happiness for most American young people. Forty-four percent claim “religion and spirituality are either a very important or the single most important thing in their lives.”

Wilson’s father was in the Colombian guerrilla. It was common to see him walk around the house with his ammunition belt girded across his chest. When there was gunfire in the neighborhood, his father was usually a part of it. Violence was so much a part of Wilson’s life, that at age 10 he, too, joined the guerrilla.

A number of prominent Mainline renewal leaders affiliated with the Association for Church Renewal, voiced their support for the witness of the historic meeting of Anglican Bishops, led by those from the ‘global south’ who are calling for reformation of the Anglican Communion.

The secret is vision casting and involvement by the state bishop, missions board and Arkansas pastors who respond to the appeal. The offering this year will go to complete the construction on two churches in Africa – Ranaka, Botswana and Livingstone, Zambia.

Thousands of delegates have pre-registered to attend the Church of God International General Assembly, which will be held this year in the beautiful city of San Antonio, Texas, from August 4-9.

Most American Christians today are unfamiliar with Julio Ruibal, the humble Bolivian preacher who was known in South America as “the apostle of the Andes.” He was martyred in 1995 in Cali, Colombia, where he and his wife, Ruth, planted a church and were mobilizing unity among churches in order to stop the violent drug cartels that controlled that city.

This is the time of year when many in the Pentecostal/Charismatic family of churches are celebrating camp meetings and youth camps. In these special gatherings there is family-style fellowship, dynamic music and anointed preaching. There is, however, one central transforming experience from these meetings that cannot be replaced: the life-changing experience with God at the altar. The promise that “we have an altar” not only describes our heritage but, if embraced, will determine our horizon for the future.

Within the global movement to change what is unjust and unfair in the world-a movement driven by churches and secular humanitarian organizations alike-a new voice is emerging. Speaker and author Claudia Russell Ward, who focuses on women’s spiritual transformation, believes women of faith may have the desire and power to change the world, but in order to achieve true success they must first allow themselves to be changed from within. In her new book, “Who Says a Woman Can’t Change? Eight Ways to Prove She Can!” [2008, WinePress Group], Ward states that only God has the ability to effect inner transformation, and her book shows women how to make that happen.

Through the principal of the “Four Stays” method of change, Ward shows readers how to achieve the four attributes women desire most: security, self-esteem, serenity, and significance. “Who Says a Woman Can’t Change?” teaches women how to rearrange their priorities, goals, and interests by helping them focus in on the inner woman, which then causes them to thirst for God’s Word and create a heightened concern and love for others.

Says Ward about her book:

“Women long for a change in their lives but they don’t know how that might happen. Most women believe change only takes place on the outside. No one in their sphere of influence has talked about the inside, so they don’t realize that only God can change us from the inside out.”

After nearly drowning during a drinking binge at the age of nineteen, Claudia Russell Ward cried out for God’s help, and a life-altering journey began for this now-author, speaker, and Bible teacher. After pursuing a degree in opera at San Diego State University, Claudia left California and headed for Milan, Italy. A side trip to Switzerland took her to L’Abri, the chalet home of Dr. Francis and Edith Schaeffer. There, Dr. Schaeffer taught her the true meaning of Christianity: he asked if she believed Jesus Christ died for her, and a dramatic conversion followed.

Says Ward, “Women with a heart to grow in Christ can become Spirit filled, apply the Word of God to their lives, and leave a lasting mark in this world.”

For a review copy or to schedule an interview contact Adam Cothes at 360-802-9758 or adam@winepressgroup.com

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(Source: Christian Newswire)

DISCLAIMER: Church of God and Faith News does not necessarily endorse or sanction all or any part of this news item.

In 2004, ten unreached people groups were targeted as reachable by Church of God World Missions and the General Assembly. One such group was the Bengali of Bangladesh. In this small country the size of Wisconsin, much less than one half of one percent of the population are Christians.