The Church of God Strategic Missional Leadership Conference, scheduled for April 7-9, 2011, will have a major emphasis on prayer.

Japan is in the middle of an unparalleled natural disaster. What are the implications for the entrance of the gospel in the middle of the current crisis, and for the coming months? The back story to that question lies in another “kairos” moment in that country’s history.

The ‘Now and Next’ theological conference on children was an historic event bringing together over one hundred readers from across the globe who set out to deepen theological understanding of God, by focusing on children as songs of the Kingdom.

Christian Japanese missionary leaders in the tsunami-ravaged areas of Fukushima and Tohoku have requested emergency aid from Christian Aid Mission to help them minister to displaced quake victims of the disastrous earthquakes in their area.

Contributions may be made to Christian Aid designated to the Japan Disaster Relief Fund, gift code 850DIS. Credit card donations may be made online or by calling 800-977-5650.

“We must send help as quickly as possible – the Fukushima and Tohoku Bible chapels are in some of the hardest hit areas,” says Stephen Van Valkenburg, the overseas director serving as liaison with indigenous gospel workers in Japan.

“Christians in the four Christian chapels from Fukushima have already been evacuated because they are all situated close to the endangered nuclear power plants. There is a lot of panic and help is being distributed to refugees in emergency shelters.”

“These missionaries have some of the most effective outreaches in Japan” says Van Valkenburg, “so we know that they are sharing the love of God in both word and deed during this tragic time.”

ABOUT CHRISTIAN AID: Founded by Bob Finley in 1953, Christian Aid is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. It links American churches and mission-minded individuals to indigenous missions in 122 countries. Today it sends help to more than 800 native mission ministries that deploy over 80,000 missionary workers serving the Lord among 3000 tribes, tongues and nations. Visit online at www.ChristianAid.org or call 434-977-5650 for answers to your questions.

(Source: Christian Newswire)

If your passion for Jesus Christ has become lukewarm then Urgent will strike a fire in your soul.

Christianity Today has launched a new project, This Is Christianity Today, that throughout 2011 will showcase Christian thought leaders and church leaders highlighting the importance and distinctiveness of the non-profit communications ministry and its role in serving the church.

Our thoughts, concerns, and prayers go out to those affected by the Japanese 8.9 earthquake and resulting tsunami on March 11th. Millions of viewers were stunned by the devastation that took place as the debris laden tsunami rolled across the northeast coast of Japan.

Everywhere one looks, traditional, biblical models of family and marriage are under assault. Have the efforts to defend it been misplaced?

I refuse to be a Christian pessimist. Here are three reasons why I can face the future with hope.

By J. Lee Grady

Terrorist bombings. Middle East turmoil. $3.95 gas. Killer floods. Moral breakdown. Fragile economies.

No wonder Charlie Sheen is going crazy!

Seriously, there’s a lot of bad news out there. Negative headlines make people fearful, agitated, addicted or even sick. But from what I’ve read in my Bible, Christians should not freak out every time a gloomy cloud settles over us. We, of all people on earth, should be full of hope.