Church of God World Missions has a day full of activities slated for Monday, July 18, the day prior to the opening of the 2016 Church of God 76th General Assembly. The Assembly takes place later this month at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, July 19-22.

U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves issued an injunction blocking HB 1523, the “Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act.”

Dr. James C. Dobson, broadcaster, author, family counselor and founder of Family Talk, has expressed his concern about the decision handed down this week by the U. S. Supreme Court on Texas H.B. 2 and abortion.

I had paid no attention to the term “Brexit” until I visited England in May and everyone was talking about it. It’s short for Britain Exit, and as you know, that nation voted 52-48 percent to leave the European Union.

The Church of God Historical Commission has announced the winners of the Charles W. Conn Historical Writing Award. The 2014-2016 award winners are Wade H. Phillips for his book, Quest to Restore God’s House: A Theological History of the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), Volume 1, 1886-1923 (CPT Press, 2015), and Wanda Thompson LeRoy for her article-length publication co-authored with David G. Roebuck, “‘Making Full Proof of Their Ministry:’ Women in Church of God Missions” (International Journal of Pentecostal Missiology, Vol. 3, 2014).

By Mimi Teixeira/The Acton Institute

In an Acton University lecture titled “Religious Freedom: The Dawn of the First Amendment,” John Pinheiro sought to give a fuller understanding of the meaning of the First Amendment through its historical context. Contrary to a current widespread belief, religious freedom has not always been valued in the United States and has been almost constantly threatened, even after the ratification of the Constitution. Pinheiro described the Founders’ fight for religious liberty as both radical and counter-cultural because of the religious conflict and disdain for true religious freedom that existed throughout the history of the United States and continues today.

Mastering Life Ministries has given the award to “Restored Hope Network” and its leader, Anne Paulk.

On July 4, 1776, America declared independence from British rule. The extraordinary Declaration of Independence remains the centerpiece of the Fourth of July holiday which is still observed in America today.

Every general assembly of the Church of God includes vital decisions, but the upcoming 76th International General Assembly (GA16) will carry with it some momentous decisions about future leadership.