Faith-based humanitarian agency Gospel For Asia today announced plans to drill more than 4,000 of its unique “Jesus Wells” in the most needy communities in Asia this year, as World Water Day on March 22 spotlights the struggle to satisfy the world’s growing thirst.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is inviting the public, media, and all people of goodwill to join in a Midday Prayer on 20 March. Prayers will focus on grieving family, friends and colleagues who lost loved ones from UN agencies, the WCC and other organizations who perished in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash on 10 March.

Cleveland, TN: In a surprising unanimous decision on March 15, 2019, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals held that the ministerial housing allowance, a tax law that benefits credentialed ministers, did not violate the U.S. Constitution. While Court observers were divided on their predictions about what the court’s final decision might be, the unanimous decision upholding the “cash” housing allowance took almost everyone by surprise.

Kentucky’s House passed Senate Bill 9, a fetal heartbeat bill, by a vote of 71 to 19 on March 14. SB 9 bans most abortions in the state once a fetal heartbeat is detected. The measure requires anyone seeking an abortion to first determine if a fetal heartbeat is detectable, typically about six weeks into pregnancy. The bill now moves on to Governor Matt Bevin’s desk.

A new Harris Poll reveals that Generation Z has a more “positive view of the word ‘socialism’ than previous generations, and—along with Millennials—are more likely to embrace socialistic policies and principles than past generations.”

Cleveland, TN–Lee University’s Cultural Diversity Committee hosted a series of events this week to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD). Activities included lectures, a panel discussion, chapel services, and a poster competition.

The U.S. Department of Education will no longer enforce a restriction that previously prohibited school districts from contracting with faith-based organizations to provide equitable services to vulnerable children solely due to their religious affiliation.

If ever there were a time when church renewal was needed, it is now! There are no quick-fix gimmicks to spur a declining church back to growth. However, through fervent prayer and practice, David F. Nixon learned skills during his own experiences that he writes about in the new book “It Only Takes A Spark: Leading Your Church to Growth and Vitality.” This book will empower pastors on their journey to lead a struggling church back to vibrancy after major decline, crisis, or plateau.

Left to right: David Brown, John Walters, Tammie Mauldin, Walt Mauldin, Adam Lowe, and Courtney Harding Witherow (click photo to enlarge)

Sevierville, TN–Each year a date is designated as Giving Tuesday. To commemorate the day late last year, Dr. Adam Lowe and WoodmenLife presented a check in the amount of $5,000 to the Church of God’s Smoky Mountain Children’s Home.