Odyssey Networks launches election 2012 coverage

NEW YORK (WordNews.org) Dec. 30, 2011 -- Odyssey Networks is kicking off its election 2012 coverage with a video called "Run-Up to Iowa."

The video looks at faith issues surrounding the Iowa caucus. On Jan. 3, Republican voters will choose their candidate to face President Barack Obama in the general election in November.

Odyssey said in a state where an estimated 60 percent of the GOP identify as evangelicals, candidates have been heavily courting the state's pastors and Christian power brokers in an effort to find favor with this crucial voting bloc.

Going online to increase the evangelical vote

IRVINE, Calif. (WordNews.org) Dec. 28, 2011 -- Restore America has tapped a web design firm to develop an online strategy to draw more evangelicals to the voting booth next November.
Restore America, a nonprofit formed in 1999, says it is working to restore America "under God."
It has hired Trinet Internet Solutions Inc., an Orange County, Calif., web development company to create a comprehensive online strategy to achieve its online goal of increasing the evangelical vote in the 2012 elections.
Restore America’s goal is to increase the number of evangelical voters to be 3 million more in 2012 compared to the number in 2008.

Minister says he faces arrest for reading Christmas story at Capitol tree

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WordNews.org) Dec. 21, 2011 — A pastor with a national profile is planning to read the Christmas story and sing carols at the Capitol Tree at the West Lawn of the United States Capitol Building on Thursday at noon.

The Rev. Patrick Mahoney told the Capitol police about his plans, which also include praying for peace, justice and religious freedom.
He will also be holding a small, 5-inch tall Nativity display.
Police officials told him some of his activities may be prohibited or constitute an illegal demonstration, Mahoney said.

To read more

A week with Mark Schultz: Renaissance (Part 5)

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Dec. 16, 2011 — It was a whirlwind trip to Europe last year that filled Christian recording artist Mark Schultz with the inspiration to try something new.
Actually, some things new.
First, there was the instrumental album, “Renaissance.”
That was followed with a recently released book, “Letters from War,” which was inspired by the song by the same name. (More on that later)
“My wife and I went to Europe and I did a tour over there last year and it was awesome,” Mark tells WordNews.org.  “We were in Normandy where my grandfather served,” Mark says, “walking up and down the beach and climbing up the cliffs and going to see the cemetery.
That’s when it started to happen.

What is "it"? Click here for more

A week with Mark Schultz: The voice for the orphans (Part 4

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Dec. 15, 2011 – Recently, Christian singer/songwriter Mark Schultz did a benefit concert for a clinic that helps unwed mothers-to-be.
“They can come in and get counseling about adoption as opposed to abortion,” Mark says.
During the night, he heard a presentation that left an impression.
“I heart a staggering figure—One and a half million abortions happen each year, and 15,000 adoptions.”
It hit home for Mark.
“I was adopted when I was younger,” he says. “I’m really realizing how grateful I am to be here, to have been able to be on this earth and to live to do these songs and perform and do what I love.”

A week with Mark Schultz: Early musical influences

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Dec. 14, 2011 – Mark Schultz, the Dove Award-winning Christian recording artist, says his biggest musical influence may have been his boom box.
“When I was growing up I grew up on the radio because I lived on farms and stuff and your only friends were the box and earphones and listening to the radio,” Mark says. “I think that’s what got me decent at writing radio songs because I’ve been listening to them my whole life.”
What’s he listening to these days?

Click here to find out

A week with Mark Schultz: 'What's real resonates'

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Dec. 13, 2011 — The songs Christian recording artist Mark Schultz began to write got a little more personal than ski outings and mission trips.
“There was a kid in the youth group who got cancer and the youth pastor was like, ‘Hey, why don’t you write a song about that?’”
Mark did.
“I wrote a song called ‘He’s My Son’ about a dad praying over his son who has cancer and that became not only a Christian hit but a mainstream hit.”

Click here to read more

A week with Mark Schultz: How it all began

 NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Dec. 12, 2011 – Mark Schultz’s songs are filled with stories.
But the Platinum recording artist known for such songs as “He Is” and “I Am” sort of eased into the whole story-telling song approach.
“Where it started for me was when I came to Nashville I got a job as a youth director at a church,” he says. “I didn’t mean to. It just happened. I lost a bet with a youth minister and ended up going on a retreat with a bunch of kids and got duct taped to a bed and, you know, stayed with the kids until they graduated from college.”

Click here for more

Macy’s dressing room policy focus of Fox Sunday program

NEW YORK (WordNews.org) Dec. 10, 2011 — Macy’s policy to allow cross dressers to change in the dressing room of their choice is the subject of Fox News’ Sunday program, America’s News HQ at 1 p.m.
Matt Staver of the Liberty Counsel will be among the guests.
Staver said that some Macy’s customers are outraged by the department store’s policy and are cutting up their Macy’s credit cards and refusing to shop at the store until the policy is changed. The policy came to light when Macy’s worker Natalie Johnson saw a man entering a women’s fitting room in her department area in a San Antonio, Texas, Macy’s.
Johnson, who will also be on the Fox show, told the man he could not change in the women’s room. Liberty said the man, who was wearing black lipstick, became upset and began swearing and warning Johnson about Macy’s lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender-friendly policy.

To read more

A week with Erica Lane: Life lessons and 'finding the beauty and joy of Christ'

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Dec. 9, 2011 – Erica Lane pretty much succeed the things most important to her—school and music.
“I’ve excelled in high school. I succeeded in college. There were things that opened my eyes at a time in my life but overall it was a pretty good life,” the Christian recording artist said.
What opened her eyes also “defines the direction I take in music.”
It was her sophomore year at Texas Tech University. To that point, Lane had few worries and had been cruising on a pretty smooth path.

To read more click here

A week with Erica Lane: How 'A Merry Little Christmas' came about

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Dec. 5, 2011 -- Erica Lane tells how her first Christmas album sort of evolved out of necessity.
"The album came about last year. We did a live Christmas concert in Nashville. I had an orchestra and choir backing me," the Christian recording artist recalled. "The original plan was to record and make a live Christmas album out of that concert night. And then I ended up getting really sick that night."
To find out what happened next, click here.

Macy's fires workers for preventing cross-dresser from using women's dressing room

 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (WordNews.org) Dec. 5, 2011 – A law firm announced today that Macy’s fired one of its workers for preventing a male cross-dresser from changing in the women’s dressing room.
Liberty Counsel said the woman, Natalie Johnson, refused “to violate her religious beliefs by permitting a young man from entering the women’s dressing room.”
A call to Macy’s was not immediately returned.
Johnson said saw a young man walk out of the women’s fitting room. She told him that he could not go back in because it was for women only.
Liberty Counsel said the cross-dressing young man claimed that he is a “female.” Johnson said that he was wearing make-up and girl’s clothing, “but clearly he was a male.”

To read more

Forced abortion opponent reported still alive

LINYI, CHINA (WordNews.org) Dec. 3, 2011 --  Forced abortion opponent Chen Guancheng is still alive, despite previous reports that he had died under house arrest, Women's Rights Without Frontiers said.
"Now his mother is allowed to go outside to buy food although escorted by three guards, and his health also is getting better," a source told Women's Rights Without Frontiers.
The source said Guancheng had been treated better recently.
"Chen's situation was exposed and got huge public attention," the source said. One campaign that brought considerable visibility to Chen's plight was the flow of concerned citizens attempting to visit him for his 40th birthday on Nov. 12. Many of these citizens were beaten and detained, according to Women's Rights Without Frontiers.

 In addition, the "Chen Sunglasses Freedom" campaigns inside and outside of China have raised the visibility of his case. These campaigns post photos of people wearing sunglasses in support of Chen. The source stated, "I think it's great. I think it's very helpful for people all over the world to show they care about Chen through the Sunglasses campaigns. I think it's very important to show support inside and outside the country – we can work together." These campaigns, spearheaded by Women's Rights Without Frontiers and Dark Glasses Portrait, can be found at www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=chen-guangcheng and ichenguangcheng.blogspot.com/.

Click here to read more

Revolutionizing how churches use PowerPoint?

ASHLAND, Ore. (WordNews.org) Dec. 2, 2011 -- ExaltNow revolutionizes how churches use PowerPoint in worship.
That's how Sharefaith.com began their news release highlighting its new product. Sharefaith, a church media company, recently aunched a PowerPoint plugin "that is likely to revolutionize the way churches uses PowerPoint in their worship service."The product went on sale this month.
"The ExaltNow worship software plugin for PowerPoint combines text over video for seamless slide transitions, and offers full integration to a church's existing CCLI song select database," the company said. "Creating and planning a worship service within MS PowerPoint has never been this easy."
Sharefaith conducted a survey this month of 10,000 churches and found that 89 percent of congregations rely on PowerPoint as their premier projection software during their church service.

To read more

AdoptionJourney.com launched to encourage couples considering adoption

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WordNews.org) Dec. 1, 2011 — Three national organizations have partnered together to help couples interested in adoption.
The Adoption Journey Project has launched a new website, www.AdoptionJourney.com. It is a collaborative effort between Bethany Christian Services, Lifesong for Orphans and Lifeline Children’s Services.

“The vast majority of resources being published by adoption agencies and supporting organizations are for families that are either close to or have committed to the adoption process already,” said Marc Andreas, vice president of marketing at Bethany Christian Services, the largest adoption agency in the country.

“We recognize that couples just starting to think about adoption have completely different perspectives and needs regarding the discernment process for adoption in their lives. This project will provide tangible resources to help support them and the beginning of their own adoption journey.”

Click here for more

Wednesdays with Britt Nicole: 'Let's hang out with God for a little bit' (Part 6 of 6)

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Nov. 30, 2011 – “There’s some cool opportunities that are coming up,” Christian music artist Britt Nicole blurts out.
Then, she adds cautiously, “Something I don’t know if I can share yet.”
A hint?
“There’s other people they’re putting together.”
Britt is currently touring with Brandon Heath’s “Leaving Eden” tour. She talks about what she would like to do one day.
“There’s a lot. So many things I would love to do,” she says. “Ultimately, I want to reach people.”
She talk about the frustration she gets sometimes in the midst of completing a performance.
“A lot of times on tour we have this hour-long or two hour-long show and people are almost at the breaking point where God is about to do something in their life,” Britt says, “and you’re like, ‘Ok, good night, see you next year.’ It’s like, ‘Wait!’ God was moving and they were about to have a break through in their life.’ I see that a lot. For me that kind of breaks my heart.”
She knows what she would like to do at those moments.

To find out, click here

Billy Graham hospitalized

ASHEVILLE,N.C. (WordNews.org) Nov. 30, 2011  — Evangelist Billy Graham has been hospitalized at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., near his home in Montreat, for evaluation and treatment of his lungs.

A spokesperson said Graham was alert, smiling and waving to staff as he was admitted.

Mr. Graham’s personal physician, Lucian Rice, described Graham’s condition as stable. The pulmonologist treating Mr. Graham, Mark Hellreich, M.D., said that Mr. Graham is being tested for possible pneumonia.

Click here to read more

First virtual Christmas choir being assembled. Seriously

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (WordNews.org) Nov. 29, 2011 -- Imagine choir practice where you never have to leave home.
That’s the plan devised by Liquid Church of New Jersey. Liquid Church is inviting people from around the world to participate via webcams and YouTube in the first ever Christmas Virtual Choir for Christmas Eve services.
“Whether they’re soldiers in the Middle East, moms in Estonia or students in Phoenix, Arizona, the church will leverage technology to synchronize individual singers into a unified choir rendition of Silent Night,” the church announced.

“We’re creating a unique experience for singers across the globe to come together as one voice this Christmas,” said Tim Lucas, lead Pastor of the New Jersey-based Christian church.

To read more

Religious freedom in China at lowest point since Tiananmen Square crackdown

BRUSSELS, Belgium (WordNews.org) Nov. 28, 2011 — Religious freedom is nonexistent in China, ChinaAid founder and president Bob Fu will be telling the European Parliament on Wednesday. Fu said human rights and religious freedom in China have deteriorated to its lowest point since the period after the crackdown on the 1989 Tiananmen Square student-led pro-democracy demonstration.

Fu and several other ChinaAid witnesses were invited by the European Parliament to testify at its hearing on “The human rights situation in China” at the parliament building in Brussels, Belgium.

To read more

Ministry partners with inmates to help amputees

Nashville (WordNews.org) Nov. 27, 2011 — Two Nashville-based organizations have formed a unique partnership and are are teaming up to help amputees in developing countries.
Standing With Hope, a nonprofit faith based corporation providing artificial limbs to amputees in the West African country of Ghana, will now work with Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) to launch a work program for inmates to disassemble donated used prosthetic limbs and recycle key components needed for fabricating new legs for amputees overseas.

To read more

Universities join in 40-day prayer for Penn State

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WordNews.org) Nov. 25, 2011 -- A 40-day prayer series focused on the Penn State scandal has been launched and students and faculty from other universities are encouraged to join the effort.
The online prayer series was created by CS Heinz, a writer.
"Universities that Penn State normally competes with in sports and academia are signing up to pray for Penn State," Heinz said. "Our need for something and someone greater than ourselves is uniting us in this dark hour. I think that's why many people are turning to prayer."
In addition to students and faculty at Penn State, people from universities such as Ohio State, University of Virginia, Clemson, and University of Oklahoma and joined in.
The email series called "40 Days of Prayer for PSU," is designed to help people pray for the crisis at Penn State including the alleged victims, their families, and abuse survivors. It is available at www.PrayPSU.org.

To read more

Thursdays with Brandon Heath: On other artists (Part 5 of 5)

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Nov. 24, 2011 – Christian music artists Brandon Heath and Britt Nicole have been touring together since October, opening for Brandon’s “Leaving Eden” tour.
Brandon said having Britt on tour, an old-time friend, brings a different dimension to his concerts. Mainly, a slightly different fan base.
“As a young female artist, she brings little girls and that wouldn’t be my audience,” Brandon says. “I feel like we both bring a very valuable audience to each other. It’s cool to see her in her ministry and do what she does. I think we complement each other well.”
Click here to read more

Wednesdays with Britt Nicole: 'A great journey so far' (Part 5 in a series)

Britt Nicole

 NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Nov. 23, 2011 – When we last left Britt Nicole, she was in a conversation with God.
She wanted to go to college in Nashville, but He wanted her to return to her small town in North Carolina.
“There’s nothing for me to do here,” she remembers complaining. “But as soon as I surrendered to God and said, ‘I’m not going to take my path, I’m going to take Yours,’ doors began to open for me as far as my music"


Click here to read more

Is 180 film blackballed by billboard companies?

LOS ANGELES (WordNews.org) Nov. 22, 2011 --  A sign of the times?
Ray Comfort, head of The Way of the Master ministries and the creator of the film “180” which has gone viral, says three of the largest billboard companies in southern California have declined to allow him to advertising the film using their billboards.
Other companies that were approached haven’t returned calls.
Meanwhile, Comfort said, these same companies advertise “atheists’ mockery of god and the Bible, promote strip clubs and porn conventions.”
Comfort, who is Jewish, said one of the billboard companies is owned by a Jewish person who was upset that the 180 film compares abortion in America to the Holocaust.

To read more

Erica Lane's 'A Merry Little Christmas'

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Nov. 21, 2011 — If you’ve already started listening to Christmas music, here’s a new one to try out: Erica Lane’s “A Merry Little Christmas.” Lane is a classically trained singer/songwriter. She’s a former Miss Houston. She’s been in a family-friendly reality TV series. And now, her third album.
This six-song Christmas album includes classics like “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells” as well as “Angels in the Snow,” which was recorded for a film.
“I originally wrote ‘Angels in the Snow’ for a movie called ‘A Christmas Snow,’ but it has evolved into much more than a song for film,” she said. “People approach me every time I sing it and share their memories and stories of lost loved ones, relating themselves to the message of the song."
Click here for more

Santa is in, Jesus is out at SC cancer center

CHARLSESTON, S.C. (WordNews.org) Nov. 19, 2011  – A cancer treatment center in Charleston, S.C., has reversed its decision to not display Santa Claus on its property.Now, a Christian law firm, Liberty Counsel, is urging The Hollings Cancer Center to reverse its ban on the Nativity scene and other religious Christmas symbols.
Liberty Counsel sent a letter to a cancer treatment center, demanding the change.
Liberty said The Hollings Cancer Center is a state-funded institution.
"They reversed the decision and let Santa Claus sneak in, but for now baby Jesus is still out in the cold," the legal organization said.

Click here to read more.

Thursdays with Brandon Heath: Staying grounded, 'Doing what I was born to do'

 NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Nov. 17, 2011 – If you listen to Christian radio much, you don’t have to wait long for a Brandon Heath tune to come on.
Hits like “Give Me Your Eyes” and his current hit, “You Put the Light In Me,” get lots of airtime.
How’s a guy stay grounded?
“I have a men’s group of about four guys that I meet with,” he said.
Because Brandon tours mostly on weekends, “I get to be home with the fam over the week and then I’ve got a mentor that asks me a lot of tough questions sometimes. [And] I have a counselor,” he said. “So, I think that it’s pretty extraordinary, if I think about it. I have some pretty awesome people in my life. But I’ve made it a priority to have them. It’s important that they’re around.”

 To read more click here

Wednesdays with Britt Nicole: A conversation with God (Part 4 in a series)

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Nov. 16, 2011 – Christian music artist Britt Nicole began sensing God’s calling on her life when she was 16 years old.
“I remember sitting in youth group one night,” she recalls. “My aunt and uncle were my youth pastors. They asked us to write down our vision or dreams.”
Her dream?
“I remember writing on this little piece of paper that I wanted to reach a million [people] through music,” she says. “I wanted to reach people and touch people’s lives.”
Britt’s on track to do just that. She’s got three albums out: “Acoustic EP,” “Say It” and “Lost Get Found.”
But Britt’s plan and God’s were not exactly the same.

Click here for more

C.S. Lewis' stepson to answer questions over Twitter

SAN FRANCISCO (WordNews.org) Nov. 15, 2011 — If you ever wanted to know what life was like living with the great Christian thinker C.S. Lewis, you now have a chance to find out. Publisher HarperOne, in collaboration with the estate of C. S. Lewis, announces the first-of-its kind event with Douglas Gresham, stepson of the celebrated author.

Click here to read more.

Former Borders prez to lead Christian Leadership Alliance

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (WordNews.org)  Nov. 14, 2011 — Tami Heim, the former president of Borders, has been appointed president and CEO of Christian Leadership Alliance. She begins Jan. 1, 2012.

To read more:
 http://tinyurl.com/CLAHeim

Book calls on men to 'step up'

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (WordNews.org) Nov. 12, 2011 – “Will you be ready to step up?”
It’s a challenge Dennis Rainey, co-founder of FamilyLife, is giving to me these days.
“Men are in a battlefield,” he says. “Literal bullets may not be flying, but the need to bravely step up is quite real.”
It’s a battle for the young and old alike, Rainey says.
“Regardless of your age or stage in life, you are uniquely suited for a task God has in mind. There’s no question of that,” he says, “only a question of—Will you be ready and will you step up?”

Click here for more

Wednesdays with Britt Nicole: No worries. Here to reach, love people (Part 3 in a series)

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Nov. 9, 2011 – Britt Nicole says she’s been given a lot of freedom as a Christian recording artist.

“I’ve been very blessed to be able to work with people that I love and that really support me and support my heart, what I feel called to do and really give me a lot of space creatively to be myself and not feel like I’m in a box and that I’ve got to do specific things.”

But she says she knows that’s not the case for everyone.

Click here for more

Religious freedom group challenges Operation Christmas Child

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WordNews.org) Nov. 8, 2011 – The head of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation wants to stop the U.S. Air Force Academy from promoting Operation Christmas Child, according to the American Center for Law and Justice.
According to notices that went out to supporters Tuesday, the ACLJ said Mikey Weinstein, head of the foundation, complained about an email sent by students to fellow cadets encouraging them to “provide the joy of Christmas to impoverished children around the world.”

Wednesdays with Britt Nicole: Touring with buddy Brandon Health (Part 2 in a series)

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Nov. 2, 2011 – Christian recording artist Britt Nicole has been touring with fellow singer/songwriter Brandon Heath since Oct. 6. Tomorrow, another town, another state. This time, Dothan, Ala. At Ridgecrest Baptist Church.

2 days set aside for International Day of Prayer

(WordNew.org) Nov. 1, 2011 -- The International Day of Prayer will actually be held on two days this year.

Sunday, Nov. 13 is the official day designated the International Day of Prayer. However, the day will be celebrated on Nov. 6 in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Supreme Court inaction means roadside crosses must come down

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WordNews.org) Oct. 31, 2011 - The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear Davenport v. American Atheist, which means 14 crosses bearing the names of fallen Utah state troopers will have to be taken down.

The roadside crosses are located in Utah, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Wyoming.

Iraqi Christians donate $2M parcel to build church

KURDISTAN, Iraq (WordNews.org) Oct. 30, 2011 – Christians here have donated two acres worth about $2 million to build a church, seminary, medical clinic and school, according to the ministry Barnabas Fund.

The first phase of the Grace Baptist Cultural Centre, to be built in the town of Simele, will be completed in 2012, according to Barnabas Fund.

Jaci Velasquez's newest single climbs the charts

NEW YORK (WordNews.org) Oct 29, 2011) — Jaci Velasquez’s newest album “Diamond” isn’t due out until Feb. 7, 2012.

But a single on that album, “Give Them Jesus,” is already the most added song at Christian AC Radio in the first two weeks of its release, with more than 500,000 impressions, the singer said.

Thursdays with Brandon Heath: Sound Checks and stories (Part 1 in a series)

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Oct. 27, 2011 — Two hours before a concert, Brandon Heath comes out with just a guitar to entertain a smaller crowd.
It’s called Sound Check.
“I meet with the people and bring out my guitar and say, ‘Hey, what song do you want to here?’ and then I’ll tell them the story behind the song.”
And there’s always a story.
Brandon is known for his storytelling songs.
Like the No. 1 hit “I’m Not Who I Was” on his first album on the Reunion label, “Don’t Get Comfortable.”
Brandon’s got a collection of wins already under his belt, including winning Dove’s New Artist of the Year and other Dove Awards for Song of the Year.
Brandon’s not just about telling stories.
“I like to hear their personal stories and their take on the songs.”

True Love Waits co-founder Hester retiring

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Sept. 20, 2011 -- Jimmy Hester will retire after 26 years with the ministry, LifeWay Christian Resources, which spawned True Love Waits.
His last day at the ministry will be Sept. 30
For more

Rallies set for pro-life priest

AMARILLO, Texas (WordNews.org) Sept. 14. 2011 --Groups are mobilizing to show support for a pro-life priest that has been disciplined by his diocese.
The Center For Bio-Ethical Reform (CBR) announced plans to start of informational pickets in the vicinities of Catholic facilities and activities in the Diocese of Amarillo, Texas, to urge parishioners to respectfully ask Bishop Patrick Zurek to allow Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests For Life, to resume full-time anti-abortion ministry.
Picketers will represent a coalition of anti-abortion organizations.

Prayer at Ground Zero

NEW YORK CITY (WordNews.org) Sept. 9, 2011 -- A prayer vigil is scheduled for tomorrow at Ground Zero, the site of the terrorist attacks nearly a decade ago.

This marks the only public prayer service at Ground Zero during the Sept. 11 10th anniversary weekend, organizers said.

'Personhood amendment' to be on Miss. ballot

JEFFERSON CITY, Miss. (WordNews.org) Sept. 8, 2011 -- A personhood amendment opposed by Planned Parenthood will appear on a state ballot in Missouri, a ministry announced today.
The Mississippi Personhood Amendment was told today that Planned Parenthood's motion to remove the amendment
had been denied.

Christian sports show launches

NASHVILLE (WordNews.org) Sept. 7, 2011 -- The first episode of Stand Firm kicks off tomorrow, featuring former NFL coach Tony Dungy.
Stand Firm is a webcast produced by LifeWayMen. It will air at noon central time.
Stand Firm at noon Central, Sept. 8, 2011.
In the premier episode of Stand Firm, LifeWay co-hosts Jason Ellerbrook and Scott Mills interview Super Bowl-winning coach and NBC Sunday Night Football analyst Dungy, who will talk about family life, his books and his passion for ministry.
Oh yeah, and his pick for the 2012 Super Bowl.(Click here for more).

Do you have a story?

Word News is looking for stories about Christian ministries, ministers, missionaries that are doing things that often get overlooked. Know someone who might make a good story? Pass on details to info@wordnews.org and pass this on. Word News is a ministry aimed at helping get the word out about what Christians are doing worldwide.

Ministry names new president

DALLAS (WordNews.org) Sept. 6, 2011 -- EvanTell, an evangelistic ministry, announced its board has named a new president.
Andy Coticchio, EvanTell's chief operating officer, will also assume the role of president.
Larry Moyer, EvanTell's founder, had served as president and CEO. He will retain the CEO title.
The nonprofit said the move positions the ministry for future growth.
Andy Cotlicchio brings over three decades of management experience and a wealth of knowledge in managing operations and overseeing finances," said Taylor Gardner, chairman of the board.
Moyer said he will continue speaking and writing and will focus on the company's strategy. he founded the ministry in 1973.
David Souther was also promoted to senior ministry director as well as retaining international responsibilities.
"I am grateful to God for Andy and David and their skills, experience and giftedness," Moyer said. "These two along with our entire team will be used of God to continue to grow the impact EvanTell has had. What has happened is just the beginning of what we are convinced an awesome God is going to do."

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Is there a revival going on in New York City?

Is there a revival going on in NYC?

NEW YORK CITY (WordNews.org) Sept. 5, 2011 -- A new study shows church attendance has risen from a low of 31 percent in 1999 to 46 percent.

Barna Group said its survey includes those attending all types of religious services, but the vast majority attend Protestant and Catholic churches.
Bible reading is up in the New York market during the same period, from 29 percent to 35 percent, and those who say they have an active faith (praying reading the Bible and attending church) rose from 17 percent to 24 percent.

Visit Word News to read more

30 days on $30

The number of students asking Christ into their hearts through the witness of InterVarsity staff and students has risen 30 percent in the past five years, the ministry said.
“Most of our 866 InterVarsity chapters across the country are engaged in a variety of new student outreach activities at the beginning of the fall semester, in order to meet incoming students,” said InterVarsity president Alec Hill.