ChristianVolunteering.org has launched a campaign and website www.christianvolunteering.org to equip churches for national volunteer month this April and volunteer week on April 27-May 3. The campaign site provides a searchable directory of nearly 3,000 volunteer opportunities in 1,800 organizations to equip churches to volunteer in their communities.

David Cannistraci pastor of GateWay City Church in San Jose, California, believes that the church must confront the glaring issues that are rotting the charismatic family tree.

The Foundation for Pentecostal Scholarship (TFFPS) has conferred its “Award of Excellence” for the best article of 2008. TFFPS co-founder and president, Robert W. Graves, announced the award during the 2008 Conference of the Society for Pentecostal Studies convening at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.

By Jerry McNabb, Assistant Director, Chaplains Commission

Inmates, staff and Chaplain Yancey (right front.)

Being a chaplain in a pluralistic society is tough enough, but how do you minister in this setting when the individuals you are ministering too are convinced that even if they have a second chance, they cannot succeed?

By Grant McClung

Followers of Jesus Christ have to live out our faith without compromise and do it in a way that seeks peace and harmony. That’s a tough assignment but three Biblical reminders are helpful:

The United Church of Christ (UCC) is attempting to turn the controversy over the Rev. Jeremiah Wright into a public relations bonus for the denomination. According to the UCC website, it has purchased a full-page advertisement in the April 2 New York Times proclaiming, “[W]e are eager to share the broad and diverse story of the United Church of Christ, which we celebrate.”

A Ministerial Training Seminar in Myebi, Tanzania that occurred on March 24-28, 2008, was led by Charles Karangwa, regional Christian Education coordinator of East Africa for the Church of God. Registered attendance was 241 ministers and church leaders.

Holy week in Iraq is a significant event in the lives of those serving in harm’s way. From Palm Sunday through Resurrection day time is carved out amongst the busy work schedules and military missions to pave the way in honoring our Risen King.

By J. Lee Grady

Like so many people in this country, I’m embarrassed that we haven’t yet elected an African-American president. It’s been 40 years since Martin Luther King Jr. went to the mountaintop and envisioned a glorious future of racial harmony. I want to see that, too. I share King’s dream.