by Staff
November 19, 2009
MEDIA ADVISORY, (christiansunite.com) -- The board of the Evangelical Church Alliance (ECA), one of America's oldest associations of evangelical clergy, today unanimously passed a resolution urging the United States Congress not to include direct or indirect funding for abortion in any Health Care Reform legislation.
The ECA was formed in 1887 and represents 2451 member clergy leading congregations and religious institutions throughout the U.S. The 10-member board passed the resolution at its regularly scheduled semi- annual meeting held at the organization's headquarters in Bradley, Illinois, south of Chicago.
In a separate action, the ECA board directed the chairman of its Committee on Church and Society, the Reverend Dr. Rob Schenck, to personally deliver hand- signed and notarized copies of the document to the offices of US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Dr. Schenck plans to do so tomorrow, Wednesday, November 18.
The language of the unprecedented resolution is provided below. For comment contact the Reverend Dr. Samuel Goebel, president of the Evangelical Church Alliance, at 815-937-0720. For more information, the ECA website is: www.ecainternational.org.
Resolution Against Abortion Funding
Whereas, God is the giver of life, "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7), and,
Whereas, the Bible is replete with affirmations of this truth, including evidence that Life is present from the moment of human conception, "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13), and,
Whereas, Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), and the Apostles affirmed this by saying, "In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28), and,
Whereas, the Founders of our country affirmed these things in the Declaration of Independence, "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" and,
Whereas, there is a current debate in the United States Congress over Health Care Reform legislation that includes proposals for and against mechanisms to fund the abortion of nascent human life;
THEREFORE, we, the members of the Board of the Evangelical Church Alliance, one of America's oldest continuous associations of evangelical clergy, numbering 2451 ordained and licensed members, leading congregations and institutions throughout America, convened for our semi-annual meeting at Bradley, Illinois, urge the United States Congress, in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, to do nothing by their acts to violate the Sanctity of Human Life as given by the Creator, acknowledged as one of the First inalienable rights by the Founders and secured by the United States Constitution, and,
FURTHERMORE, we urge the members of the United States Congress to give heed to the opinions of the majority of American citizens that abortion should not be funded by tax dollars either directly or indirectly.
Passed this 17th Day of November, in the year of our Lord, 2009, at Bradley, Illinois, in the United States of America, by the following proven in their signatures here,
Dr. George L. Miller, Dr. Samuel S. Goebel, Dr. Rene S. Moreno, Dr. Scott M. Preissler, Rev. Joseph D. Hoskin, Rev. Randy L. Brown, Dr. Elmon R. Krupnik, Rev. Gordon L. Milburn, Dr. Robert L. Schenck, Rev. John William Cordes, and Rev. Robert H. Turrill.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Christians fined and deported in Kazakhstan
by Staff
November 18, 2009
(christiansunite.com) - Two Christians, Viktor Leven and his brother, Didrikh, are facing prosecution for taking part in religious worship without state registration in Akmola Region, Kazakhstan.
On October 14, Viktor, who was born in Kazakhstan but has German citizenship, was found guilty of "carrying out missionary activity without local registration" (Article 375-3 of the Administrative Code), an offense which prescribes a fine and/or deportation to foreigners or people without citizenship.
He was fined a total of 6,480 Tenge (approximately $45 CAD) and ordered to be deported. He has since had his fine and deportation annulled on appeal -- a decision which local Christians see as a result of the court recognizing "that he was not a missionary and had not been sent to Kazakhstan for this...he lives here."
On October 28, Didrikh was found guilty of violating Article 374-1 which forbids "leadership or participation in the activity of an unregistered social or religious organization." He was fined 129,600 Tenge (approximately $900 CAD), which is 100 times the minimum monthly wage. He reportedly plans to lodge an appeal to the same Akmola Regional Court which overturned Viktor's punishment.
Also in Kazakhstan, Feruza Utegenova, a member of New Life Church in Aktau on the Caspian Sea, was deported to Uzbekistan on November 5. She had been convicted and fined in June for "carrying out missionary activity without local registration" (Article 375-3) after she distributed a Christian children's magazine to a 12-year-old girl living near her home.
source: http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion08751.shtml
November 18, 2009
(christiansunite.com) - Two Christians, Viktor Leven and his brother, Didrikh, are facing prosecution for taking part in religious worship without state registration in Akmola Region, Kazakhstan.
On October 14, Viktor, who was born in Kazakhstan but has German citizenship, was found guilty of "carrying out missionary activity without local registration" (Article 375-3 of the Administrative Code), an offense which prescribes a fine and/or deportation to foreigners or people without citizenship.
He was fined a total of 6,480 Tenge (approximately $45 CAD) and ordered to be deported. He has since had his fine and deportation annulled on appeal -- a decision which local Christians see as a result of the court recognizing "that he was not a missionary and had not been sent to Kazakhstan for this...he lives here."
On October 28, Didrikh was found guilty of violating Article 374-1 which forbids "leadership or participation in the activity of an unregistered social or religious organization." He was fined 129,600 Tenge (approximately $900 CAD), which is 100 times the minimum monthly wage. He reportedly plans to lodge an appeal to the same Akmola Regional Court which overturned Viktor's punishment.
Also in Kazakhstan, Feruza Utegenova, a member of New Life Church in Aktau on the Caspian Sea, was deported to Uzbekistan on November 5. She had been convicted and fined in June for "carrying out missionary activity without local registration" (Article 375-3) after she distributed a Christian children's magazine to a 12-year-old girl living near her home.
source: http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion08751.shtml
Israel: Obama criticism of Jerusalem construction is racist
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat on Wednesday called US President Barack Obama's strong criticism of the building of additional Jewish homes in a Jewish neighborhood of the Israeli capital a position based on racism.
Said Barkat:
"Israeli law does not discriminate between Jews, Muslims, and Christians or between eastern and western Jerusalem. The demand to halt construction by religion is not legal in the United States or in any other free place in the world. I do not presume that any government would demand to freeze construction in the United States based on race, religion or gender and the attempt to demand it from Jerusalem is a double standard and inconceivable."
The Jerusalem mayor was responding to Obama's remarks to Fox News earlier in the day, in which the president referred to the approval of 900 new apartments in the southern Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo as "settlement activity," and suggested that it justified further Palestinian violence.
Many Israeli lawmakers publicly agreed with Barkat, including opposition leader Tzipi Livni, who told visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner that "Gilo is part of the Israeli consensus, and that understanding is important for every discussion on the final borders of any future agreement."
Kouchner took a lighter view of the issue than Obama, and told reporters that he didn't feel the construction of additional Jewish apartments in a neighborhood where so many Jews already live should in any way hinder the peace process.
But the Palestinians took their cue from Obama. Chief Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat was quick to confirm that the Palestinians, too, view the Jewish presence in Gilo as settlement activity, and do not feel they can make peace with Israel so long as it continues.
Built in 1971, Gilo was a barren hilltop when it was liberated by Israel from illegal Jordanian occupation in the 1967 Six Day War. Today it is home to more than 30,000 Israelis, and an integral part of Jerusalem.
Source: http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=20003
Said Barkat:
"Israeli law does not discriminate between Jews, Muslims, and Christians or between eastern and western Jerusalem. The demand to halt construction by religion is not legal in the United States or in any other free place in the world. I do not presume that any government would demand to freeze construction in the United States based on race, religion or gender and the attempt to demand it from Jerusalem is a double standard and inconceivable."
The Jerusalem mayor was responding to Obama's remarks to Fox News earlier in the day, in which the president referred to the approval of 900 new apartments in the southern Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo as "settlement activity," and suggested that it justified further Palestinian violence.
Many Israeli lawmakers publicly agreed with Barkat, including opposition leader Tzipi Livni, who told visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner that "Gilo is part of the Israeli consensus, and that understanding is important for every discussion on the final borders of any future agreement."
Kouchner took a lighter view of the issue than Obama, and told reporters that he didn't feel the construction of additional Jewish apartments in a neighborhood where so many Jews already live should in any way hinder the peace process.
But the Palestinians took their cue from Obama. Chief Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat was quick to confirm that the Palestinians, too, view the Jewish presence in Gilo as settlement activity, and do not feel they can make peace with Israel so long as it continues.
Built in 1971, Gilo was a barren hilltop when it was liberated by Israel from illegal Jordanian occupation in the 1967 Six Day War. Today it is home to more than 30,000 Israelis, and an integral part of Jerusalem.
Source: http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=20003
USAID helping facilitate Palestinian terrorism
Billions of dollars of US taxpayers' money have been used to advance the cause of Palestinian terror groups against Israel by raising a new generation of young Arabs ready to be recruited for "martyrdom."
In an interview with Arutz 7 Radio, journalist David Bedein said his recent investigations had revealed that Palestinian school textbooks continue to praise the use of terrorist violence against Jews and to deny the legitimacy of the State of Israel.
Those textbooks and the schoolhouses where they are used have been largely paid for by USAID, an American government-funded international aid program that has pumped $2.4 billion into the Palestinian Authority over the past decade.
According to USAID, those funds have been used to "reduce poverty, improve health and education, create jobs and advance democracy." But a USAID official admitted to Bedein that his agency does not check the PA school curriculum it is funding to make sure it complies with the terms of the US-backed peace process.
Incitement to hatred and the encouragement of violence in school textbooks is a violation of Israel's existing agreements with the Palestinians and the US-authored "Road Map" to peace.
Several high-ranking US congressional leaders as well as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have chided the Palestinians in the past over the venomous textbooks, but have thus far failed to take any punitive action, or to at least reduce pressure on Israel until the Palestinians comply with their peace commitments.
USAID says it plans to invest another $153 million in US taxpayers' money into the Palestinian education system in 2010.
source:http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=20002
In an interview with Arutz 7 Radio, journalist David Bedein said his recent investigations had revealed that Palestinian school textbooks continue to praise the use of terrorist violence against Jews and to deny the legitimacy of the State of Israel.
Those textbooks and the schoolhouses where they are used have been largely paid for by USAID, an American government-funded international aid program that has pumped $2.4 billion into the Palestinian Authority over the past decade.
According to USAID, those funds have been used to "reduce poverty, improve health and education, create jobs and advance democracy." But a USAID official admitted to Bedein that his agency does not check the PA school curriculum it is funding to make sure it complies with the terms of the US-backed peace process.
Incitement to hatred and the encouragement of violence in school textbooks is a violation of Israel's existing agreements with the Palestinians and the US-authored "Road Map" to peace.
Several high-ranking US congressional leaders as well as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have chided the Palestinians in the past over the venomous textbooks, but have thus far failed to take any punitive action, or to at least reduce pressure on Israel until the Palestinians comply with their peace commitments.
USAID says it plans to invest another $153 million in US taxpayers' money into the Palestinian education system in 2010.
source:http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=20002
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Israel: Palestinians wouldn't last a day without us
Senior Israeli officials on Monday told The Jerusalem Post that Palestinian threats to unilaterally declare independence are a bluff, since the Palestinians know full well they couldn't last a day without Israeli support.
One Israeli army official said that the Palestinian Authority had made some progress in its management of civilian affair, but pointed to its inability to adequately manage and allocate water resources as an example of why it couldn't possibly go independent.
"The Palestinian Water Authority wouldn't last a day on its own," the source said. "We allocated them a piece of land on the coast to build a desalination plant and they have decided not to build it."
Another official noted that any time Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas moved outside Ramallah, Israeli security agencies had to ensure his safety since he can't trust enough of his own people.
"When Abbas travels it is like a military operation. Everyone is involved since the PA forces cannot yet completely ensure his security."
The Palestinian Authority's inability to stand on its own two feet has been pointed out by some as the major folly of the Middle East peace process, which would essentially create a welfare state indefinitely dependent on major handouts from the international community and infrastructure maintenance by Israel.
source: http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=19988
One Israeli army official said that the Palestinian Authority had made some progress in its management of civilian affair, but pointed to its inability to adequately manage and allocate water resources as an example of why it couldn't possibly go independent.
"The Palestinian Water Authority wouldn't last a day on its own," the source said. "We allocated them a piece of land on the coast to build a desalination plant and they have decided not to build it."
Another official noted that any time Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas moved outside Ramallah, Israeli security agencies had to ensure his safety since he can't trust enough of his own people.
"When Abbas travels it is like a military operation. Everyone is involved since the PA forces cannot yet completely ensure his security."
The Palestinian Authority's inability to stand on its own two feet has been pointed out by some as the major folly of the Middle East peace process, which would essentially create a welfare state indefinitely dependent on major handouts from the international community and infrastructure maintenance by Israel.
source: http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=19988
Monday, November 16, 2009
Iranian pastor jailed for protesting Islamic teaching of children
by Staff
November 16, 2009
(christiansunite.com) - The Voice of the Martyrs recently learned of the arrest of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in Guilan, Iran on October 12 after he protested against the decision of local authorities to impose the reading of the Koran on Christian children.
This requirement, Pastor Nadarkhani insisted, violates the Declaration of Universal Human Rights (which Iran has signed) that states: "Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children" (Article 26).
Authorities told the pastor that he went too far with this protest. "Not happy with the fact that we tolerate you, you pushed too far your boldness by refusing that your children follow Koranic courses." At last report, Pastor Nadarkhani remained in detention.
source: http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion08741.shtml
November 16, 2009
(christiansunite.com) - The Voice of the Martyrs recently learned of the arrest of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in Guilan, Iran on October 12 after he protested against the decision of local authorities to impose the reading of the Koran on Christian children.
This requirement, Pastor Nadarkhani insisted, violates the Declaration of Universal Human Rights (which Iran has signed) that states: "Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children" (Article 26).
Authorities told the pastor that he went too far with this protest. "Not happy with the fact that we tolerate you, you pushed too far your boldness by refusing that your children follow Koranic courses." At last report, Pastor Nadarkhani remained in detention.
source: http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion08741.shtml
Josh McDowell challenges Palin and Oprah to discuss abortion, morality
Best-selling author Josh McDowell has released insightful tidbits on abortion and morality for former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as she prepares for her highly anticipated interview with Oprah on November 16.
Last month McDowell and co-author Dave Sterrett of Probe Ministries released the new book O God: A Dialogue on Truth and Oprah's Spirituality that chronicles two women who grapple with belief systems endorsed by Oprah and her spiritual teachers.
"Does Oprah believe in shrinking the role of religion in America, given the Obama administration's views on separation of church and state?" is among a variety of questions and advice McDowell and Sterrett propose that Palin take up with Oprah. The open letter was released Sunday on WorldNetDaily.
Oprah, who openly supported an Obama presidency over the Republican presidential team of McCain/Palin, has billed the interview as an opportunity to discuss Palin's forth-coming book, Going Rogue: An American Life, which has already skyrocketed to No 1 on Amazon weeks before its release. But McDowell hopes the two women will also cover big issues.
"Although, I'm not sure exactly what will be included in the interview, I hope that Sarah will continue to take the stand that the basis of morality is the nature and character of God, the Creator, that human life begins at conception and that every person is created in the image of God," wrote McDowell.
McDowell and Sterrett, who admit they respect Oprah's tireless work on behalf of children around the world, say they disagree with her ideas about moral relativism.
"I hope that Sarah, like Martin Luther King Jr, will share that morality is ultimately dependent on God - rather than individuals or cultures," McDowell continued. "Martin Luther King Jr once said, 'Some things in this universe are absolute. The God of the universe has made it so. And so long as we adopt a relative attitude toward right and wrong, we're revolting against the very laws of God himself.'"
"Regardless of individual thoughts on Sarah Palin or Oprah Winfrey, there is very little doubt that this interview is anticipated to receive very high rankings and will capture the attention of many Americans," McDowell said.
Josh McDowell has authored or co-authored 118 books, including More Than a Carpenter, which has sold 15 million copies in 85 languages. His book, New Evidence That Demands a Verdict, was named one of the 20th century's top 40 books and one of the 13 most influential books of the last 50 years on Christian thought by World magazine.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/josh.mcdowell.challenges.palin.and.oprah.to.discuss.abortion.morality/24601.htm
Last month McDowell and co-author Dave Sterrett of Probe Ministries released the new book O God: A Dialogue on Truth and Oprah's Spirituality that chronicles two women who grapple with belief systems endorsed by Oprah and her spiritual teachers.
"Does Oprah believe in shrinking the role of religion in America, given the Obama administration's views on separation of church and state?" is among a variety of questions and advice McDowell and Sterrett propose that Palin take up with Oprah. The open letter was released Sunday on WorldNetDaily.
Oprah, who openly supported an Obama presidency over the Republican presidential team of McCain/Palin, has billed the interview as an opportunity to discuss Palin's forth-coming book, Going Rogue: An American Life, which has already skyrocketed to No 1 on Amazon weeks before its release. But McDowell hopes the two women will also cover big issues.
"Although, I'm not sure exactly what will be included in the interview, I hope that Sarah will continue to take the stand that the basis of morality is the nature and character of God, the Creator, that human life begins at conception and that every person is created in the image of God," wrote McDowell.
McDowell and Sterrett, who admit they respect Oprah's tireless work on behalf of children around the world, say they disagree with her ideas about moral relativism.
"I hope that Sarah, like Martin Luther King Jr, will share that morality is ultimately dependent on God - rather than individuals or cultures," McDowell continued. "Martin Luther King Jr once said, 'Some things in this universe are absolute. The God of the universe has made it so. And so long as we adopt a relative attitude toward right and wrong, we're revolting against the very laws of God himself.'"
"Regardless of individual thoughts on Sarah Palin or Oprah Winfrey, there is very little doubt that this interview is anticipated to receive very high rankings and will capture the attention of many Americans," McDowell said.
Josh McDowell has authored or co-authored 118 books, including More Than a Carpenter, which has sold 15 million copies in 85 languages. His book, New Evidence That Demands a Verdict, was named one of the 20th century's top 40 books and one of the 13 most influential books of the last 50 years on Christian thought by World magazine.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/josh.mcdowell.challenges.palin.and.oprah.to.discuss.abortion.morality/24601.htm
BBC to mark 400th anniversary of the King James Bible
The 400th anniversary of the King James Bible will be marked in a brand new documentary on BBC Two in 2011.
The one-hour documentary - which will form part of the BBC’s wider anniversary celebrations on TV, radio and online - will be presented by Melvyn Bragg.
The King James Bible is a remarkable work of faith and historical piece of literature that has shaped our language, history and culture.
Bragg will look at the Bible’s extraordinary legacy and how ultimately, as it spread to the new world and the colonies, it helped to shape the world.
Aaqil Ahmed, the BBC's Commissioning Editor, Religion and Head of Religion and Ethics, says: "I am delighted to be working with Melvyn Bragg on what I am sure will be a unique and insightful documentary which will form the cornerstone of our programming to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible across TV, radio and online. "
The documentary will be produced by the BBC’s Religion and Ethics Department in Manchester.
source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bbc.bragg.to.mark.400th.anniversary.of.the.king.james.bible/24611.htm
The one-hour documentary - which will form part of the BBC’s wider anniversary celebrations on TV, radio and online - will be presented by Melvyn Bragg.
The King James Bible is a remarkable work of faith and historical piece of literature that has shaped our language, history and culture.
Bragg will look at the Bible’s extraordinary legacy and how ultimately, as it spread to the new world and the colonies, it helped to shape the world.
Aaqil Ahmed, the BBC's Commissioning Editor, Religion and Head of Religion and Ethics, says: "I am delighted to be working with Melvyn Bragg on what I am sure will be a unique and insightful documentary which will form the cornerstone of our programming to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible across TV, radio and online. "
The documentary will be produced by the BBC’s Religion and Ethics Department in Manchester.
source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bbc.bragg.to.mark.400th.anniversary.of.the.king.james.bible/24611.htm
'Fireproof' makers to follow up with film on fatherhood
Sherwood Church, home of the hit independent Christian movies Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof, has announced its next movie is to focus on fatherhood.
“The movie is about fatherhood and the title is one word: Courageous,” said Alex Kendrick, who is on the leadership team of Sherwood Pictures.
“Four fathers who are all in law enforcement — who protect and serve together — go through a terrible tragedy,” he said. “They begin looking at their role as fathers ... and they begin challenging one another to fulfil God’s intention for fathers."
The announcement was made that the church's Sunday evening service by Kendrick and other members of the Sherwood Pictures leadership team, Senior Pastor Michael Catt, Executive Pastor Jim McBride, and minister Stephen Kendrick.
That single-word title, Pastor Catt said, echoes God’s call for men to “rise with courage” in their homes and as leaders at a time when four out of 10 marriages in the US are ending in divorce and more than a third of children are living away from their biological fathers.
“The statistics on fatherless children are devastating,” McBride said. “And because the family is the building block of society, one important place to rebuild families is through fathers who stay and lead and love."
“God led us,” co-writer and producer Stephen Kendrick said to the audience of church members, many of them volunteer crew, cast, or catering in earlier Sherwood movies. “We believe God is calling men to rise up with strength and with leadership in their homes, with their families and with their children."
"For more then a year we’ve prayed to be sure that we’re pursuing God’s idea and not our own,” Pastor Catt said. “With action, drama, and humour, this film will embrace God’s promise in the Bible to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers."
Alex Kendrick, co-writer/director of Courageous, said: “We focus on the crucial role of father; it’s not just to be a father who loves his kids. It’s to be engaged with a purpose - to be a father on purpose."
All four leaders of Sherwood Pictures are husbands and fathers. Pastor Catt has two children; Pastor McBride has four; Stephen Kendrick has four; and Alex Kendrick has six.
Sherwood movies aim to entertain as they touch audiences where they live, and they show the means to live more fully through faith in God. Flywheel focused on compromise and business integrity; Facing the Giants on despair and hope; Fireproof on a dying marriage rekindled.
With previous Sherwood movies, fans, churches, and organisations around the world became “partners” in the movie’s impact - giving prayer support for production, distribution, and the movies’ messages. Ministries and outreaches used the films in creative ways. Churches built series and group studies on the topics; Sunday schools seized the momentum of good entertainment that emphasizes life-changing truths.
“It’s been the Bible’s story of Jesus multiplying the boy’s fish and loaves,” Alex Kendrick said. “God has multiplied these movies beyond our wildest dreams."
Principle filming of Courageous begins March 2010 in Albany. Like the previous three Sherwood films, Courageous will be marketed by Provident Films.
Sherwood Pictures is a ministry of Sherwood Church of Albany, Georgia, under the leadership of Senior Pastor Michael Catt and Executive Pastor Jim McBride.
source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/fireproof.makers.to.follow.up.with.film.on.fatherhood/24629.htm
“The movie is about fatherhood and the title is one word: Courageous,” said Alex Kendrick, who is on the leadership team of Sherwood Pictures.
“Four fathers who are all in law enforcement — who protect and serve together — go through a terrible tragedy,” he said. “They begin looking at their role as fathers ... and they begin challenging one another to fulfil God’s intention for fathers."
The announcement was made that the church's Sunday evening service by Kendrick and other members of the Sherwood Pictures leadership team, Senior Pastor Michael Catt, Executive Pastor Jim McBride, and minister Stephen Kendrick.
That single-word title, Pastor Catt said, echoes God’s call for men to “rise with courage” in their homes and as leaders at a time when four out of 10 marriages in the US are ending in divorce and more than a third of children are living away from their biological fathers.
“The statistics on fatherless children are devastating,” McBride said. “And because the family is the building block of society, one important place to rebuild families is through fathers who stay and lead and love."
“God led us,” co-writer and producer Stephen Kendrick said to the audience of church members, many of them volunteer crew, cast, or catering in earlier Sherwood movies. “We believe God is calling men to rise up with strength and with leadership in their homes, with their families and with their children."
"For more then a year we’ve prayed to be sure that we’re pursuing God’s idea and not our own,” Pastor Catt said. “With action, drama, and humour, this film will embrace God’s promise in the Bible to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers."
Alex Kendrick, co-writer/director of Courageous, said: “We focus on the crucial role of father; it’s not just to be a father who loves his kids. It’s to be engaged with a purpose - to be a father on purpose."
All four leaders of Sherwood Pictures are husbands and fathers. Pastor Catt has two children; Pastor McBride has four; Stephen Kendrick has four; and Alex Kendrick has six.
Sherwood movies aim to entertain as they touch audiences where they live, and they show the means to live more fully through faith in God. Flywheel focused on compromise and business integrity; Facing the Giants on despair and hope; Fireproof on a dying marriage rekindled.
With previous Sherwood movies, fans, churches, and organisations around the world became “partners” in the movie’s impact - giving prayer support for production, distribution, and the movies’ messages. Ministries and outreaches used the films in creative ways. Churches built series and group studies on the topics; Sunday schools seized the momentum of good entertainment that emphasizes life-changing truths.
“It’s been the Bible’s story of Jesus multiplying the boy’s fish and loaves,” Alex Kendrick said. “God has multiplied these movies beyond our wildest dreams."
Principle filming of Courageous begins March 2010 in Albany. Like the previous three Sherwood films, Courageous will be marketed by Provident Films.
Sherwood Pictures is a ministry of Sherwood Church of Albany, Georgia, under the leadership of Senior Pastor Michael Catt and Executive Pastor Jim McBride.
source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/fireproof.makers.to.follow.up.with.film.on.fatherhood/24629.htm
Israel will not take kindly to Palestinian declaration of independence
Israeli leaders on Monday reiterated that a threatened unilateral Palestinian declaration of independence would be a mistake that would have long-lasting negative consequences for Palestinian aspirations of statehood.
Speaking before the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said a Palestinian declaration of independence would be doomed to failure since it would violate and thereby nullify the Palestinians' agreement with Israel, freeing the Jewish state to reassert sovereignty over all the territories in question.
A day ealier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted that is precisely what would happen, warning that a unilateral Palestinian declaration would result in even more severe unilateral steps by Israel.
Lieberman also insisted that the UN Security Council was unlikely to give its backing to a Palestinian state formed outside the framework of an agreement with Israel.
But chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told a Palestinian newspaper at the weekend that he had received "positive responses" to feelers put out at the UN. Erekat said that Palestinian representatives had won tacit approval for such a move from many Security Council members, even possibly the US.
The Palestinians claim that Israel is destroying the peace process and that there is little hope of a bilateral two-state agreement at this point, despite repeated attempts by Netanyahu to get Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas back to the negotiating table.
source: Israel today
Speaking before the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said a Palestinian declaration of independence would be doomed to failure since it would violate and thereby nullify the Palestinians' agreement with Israel, freeing the Jewish state to reassert sovereignty over all the territories in question.
A day ealier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted that is precisely what would happen, warning that a unilateral Palestinian declaration would result in even more severe unilateral steps by Israel.
Lieberman also insisted that the UN Security Council was unlikely to give its backing to a Palestinian state formed outside the framework of an agreement with Israel.
But chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told a Palestinian newspaper at the weekend that he had received "positive responses" to feelers put out at the UN. Erekat said that Palestinian representatives had won tacit approval for such a move from many Security Council members, even possibly the US.
The Palestinians claim that Israel is destroying the peace process and that there is little hope of a bilateral two-state agreement at this point, despite repeated attempts by Netanyahu to get Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas back to the negotiating table.
source: Israel today
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Will Obama Confront China on Human Rights Issues?
By Gary Lane
CBN News Chief International Correspondent
Saturday, November 14, 2009
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China is an economic superpower with the world's fastest growing economy and boasts the world's largest population.
Yet, as China's influence increases, so does international concern about the country's affairs.
China is still a Communist country and the government has little tolerance for those who worship outside official churches.
But what pressure, if any, should the U.S. put on China to guarantee religious freedom?
President Obama will meet with leaders in China next week with the goal of solidifying U.S relations with the country.
Topping the White House agenda for discussion is the global economy, trade, climate change and regional and global security issues-- including terrorism, Iran and North Korea.
Just before Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited China earlier this year, she said human rights would not be a top priority of the Obama administration.
The U.S. still lists China as a country of particular concern for religious freedom.
china aid association president bob fu gives one reason why....
"The government wants to exercise total control of the church and order the church not to exercise their faith, especially to practice their faith by sharing the gospel wherever they are," said Bob Fu of the China Aid Association.
When the State Department released it's annual religious freedom survey last month, Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner said religious freedom will be part of the U.S.-China dialogue for a long time to come.
He expressed concern for the 50- 90-million Christians who worship in China's unregistered churches.
"What we are trying to do is encourage the Chinese government to recognize and allow people of faith, various faiths, to practice and that's also part of the dialogue as far as I'm concerned," Posner said.
The president may raise human rights and religious freedom issues privately. Also, unlike his predecessor, Obama is not planning to attend a church during his China visit.
source: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2009/November/Will-Obama-Confront-China-on-Human-Rights-Issues/?_mid=274200&_rid=274200.2004.9732
CBN News Chief International Correspondent
Saturday, November 14, 2009
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China is an economic superpower with the world's fastest growing economy and boasts the world's largest population.
Yet, as China's influence increases, so does international concern about the country's affairs.
China is still a Communist country and the government has little tolerance for those who worship outside official churches.
But what pressure, if any, should the U.S. put on China to guarantee religious freedom?
President Obama will meet with leaders in China next week with the goal of solidifying U.S relations with the country.
Topping the White House agenda for discussion is the global economy, trade, climate change and regional and global security issues-- including terrorism, Iran and North Korea.
Just before Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited China earlier this year, she said human rights would not be a top priority of the Obama administration.
The U.S. still lists China as a country of particular concern for religious freedom.
china aid association president bob fu gives one reason why....
"The government wants to exercise total control of the church and order the church not to exercise their faith, especially to practice their faith by sharing the gospel wherever they are," said Bob Fu of the China Aid Association.
When the State Department released it's annual religious freedom survey last month, Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner said religious freedom will be part of the U.S.-China dialogue for a long time to come.
He expressed concern for the 50- 90-million Christians who worship in China's unregistered churches.
"What we are trying to do is encourage the Chinese government to recognize and allow people of faith, various faiths, to practice and that's also part of the dialogue as far as I'm concerned," Posner said.
The president may raise human rights and religious freedom issues privately. Also, unlike his predecessor, Obama is not planning to attend a church during his China visit.
source: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2009/November/Will-Obama-Confront-China-on-Human-Rights-Issues/?_mid=274200&_rid=274200.2004.9732
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