In many parts of the county, winter means snow, clouds, cold temperatures and even mild depression. For Church of God Youth and Discipleship, winter = Winterfest… a time of revival, encouragement, and spiritual renewal for thousands of students around the U.S.A.

In his new book, Tending The Warrior Soul, author Louis Harrison hopes to advance readers’ understanding of this soul damage; and to provide support, encouragement, biblical counsel, spiritual challenge, and helpful resources to those that need it.

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.”