One day remains until families throughout the U.S. express their thanks on “Turkey Day,” more properly known as Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for this year? David Shibley with Global Advance recently gave Mission Network News a glimpse of his gratitude for pastoral leaders.

Everyone knows the Pilgrims held the first Thanksgiving feast in the New World. But what you may not know is just why they were so thankful. It’s because God brought about so many miracles to keep them alive during a terrible time that might well have killed them all.

Right after Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines this month, a friend sent me an amazing photo. It’s a shapshot of a Pentecostal church service held a few days after the monster storm displaced 3 million people and killed more than 5,000. Notice that the worshippers are standing in about 16 inches of water. A flooded church did not keep these people from thanking God that they were spared.

Church of God General Overseer Mark Williams has announced the theme for the 2014 International General Assembly, which will be held next summer, July 29 – August 1, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

A South Carolina public charter school has removed a ban on Christmas music after receiving a letter from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) sent on behalf of concerned parents. School officials had prohibited students from performing the music to “Joy to the World” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” after students had already begun rehearsing the pieces for a concert.

A federal judge has ruled that an Internal Revenue Service exemption that allows clergy to shield a portion of their salary from federal income taxes is unconstitutional.

I opened the front door and came face to face with a rather large gift basket wrapped in clear cellophane with a gigantic velvet orange and brown bow. It was so big that it blocked the face of the deliveryman. The sight of such a gift was too wonderful for words! As a young married couple, Terry and I were going through hard times, with little money for extras, much less the basics! The arrival of this surprise basket of goodies was not only timely, but a miracle!

Most churches struggle to know how to effectively reach out to and serve young adults. This group, generally between the ages of 18-30, is an enigma to most church ministry plans and needs our attention and support. Church of God Youth and Discipleship may have a simple, convenient, and affordable way to bless and reach the young adults from your church and community.

Bible Societies in some of the countries where Christians suffer high levels of persecution are reporting a sharp rise in the number of Scriptures distributed.