On January 22, 2015, pureHOPE led the human trafficking track at Movement Day Greater Dallas, TX. The track, which equipped and mobilized Christian leaders, focused on education and dialogue to define what trafficking is, explain drivers of its growth, such as how porn consumption contributes to the demand, and how the Christian community can more effectively collaborate on counter-trafficking initiatives.

A new study, released by the National Home Education Research Institute and Generations with Vision, reveals consistent positive connections between a teen’s relationships with their parents, church attendance growing up, and homeschooling with their Christian growth well into adulthood.

A group of Lee University public relations students last week launched a Tennessee statewide campaign titled “Be a Neighbor. Be a Volunteer. Be Tennessee.” The campaign’s aim is to raise awareness about the national movement, Home Matters, and its beliefs on the significance of affordable housing. They held a press conference and reception on Feb. 2 at the Tennessee State Capitol to kick-off the campaign.

The 2015 state winners of the fifth annual Longest Married Couple Project, sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) , the original faith based marriage enrichment program in this country, were announced today.

In a controversial new book, historian Steve Weidenkopf challenges the widespread notion that the Crusades were barbaric wars of greed and religious intolerance. The Glory of the Crusades replaces such persistent modern biases with a more factual and nuanced–yet no less compelling–vision of Christendom’s 600-year struggle to reclaim the Holy Land.

President Barack Obama’s speech at the 64th National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D. C. (February 5, 2015) has sparked considerable, but not unpredictable, controversy. For just one example, Franklin Graham, President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, issued a strong response. Graham asserted that when people have used the name of Christ to do evil they were departing from the authentic teachings and example of Jesus but when people do evil in the name of Mohammed they are being true to his original teachings and example. Graham’s comments voiced objection to the perceived implications of President Obama’s assertion that religious violence is not exclusive to Islam but has also occurred in Christian history. Unlike his father, Billy Graham, who for decades worked with many presidents on both sides of the political aisle, Franklin Graham has shown a propensity to denounce publically those with whom he disagrees personally.

Dr. Philip Bonaparte, pastor of New Hope Church of God in Trenton, New Jersey, recently opened a free health center in Trenton. Bonaparte, former chief medical officer at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, sees patients free of charge and said, “I am focused on providing free care to those who don’t have health insurance or a regular source of care.”

Power International founder Joseph M. Foster is offering a new eight-week coaching and mastermind program designed to help ministers end decline in churches across the country.

Grow Your Church Strong (GYCS) will train pastors and church leaders to evaluate the current state of their churches and develop a strategy for growth.

“Church attendance is at an all-time low. Many churches are struggling to keep their doors open,” Foster said. “We developed GYCS to assist pastors and leaders with the strategies they need to develop a strong church—not just increase in number, but grow in every part of their organization.”

Foster said he was overwhelmed with inquiries from church leaders nationwide who were seeking solutions for strengthening their churches. He began to see the need for an Internet-based program capable of a further reach than he could provide.

“It has been absolutely impossible to work hands-on with everybody, so we developed a system that would allow us to work with pastors and leaders without overextending our organization,” Foster said. “[The program] is affordable for every church and has the resources we used to triple church attendance.”

In addition to solid resources and coaching, the GYCS provides a forum for pastors who want to connect with other church leaders.

“Most pastors are doing ministry alone,” Foster said. “I’m getting calls from pastors all the time about how lonely they feel.

“Your network is your net worth, and when you join GYCS you are instantly connected to an unlimited network. Imagine an environment where you can obtain financial growth strategies, get creative ideas for youth ministry, or even learn how to increase speaking engagements from other pastors and leaders.

For more information about GYCS, visit josephmfoster.org/gycs.
(Source: Christian Newswire)

The most comprehensive and authoritative tax guide for church leaders, the annual Church & Clergy Tax Guide, was published by Christianity Today in January. Important tax updates are written in easy-to-understand language and are on topics that include the Affordable Care Act and the American Taxpayer Relief Act.