This joint project will bring together the strengths of both organizations to help foster a National Scripture Campaign, equipping local churches [...]]]> NEW YORK /Christian Newswire/ — Leaders from American Bible Society and Scripture Union/USA gathered in New York City to charter a three-year alliance agreement, joining resources in the fight against ever-declining Bible comprehension and engagement.

This joint project will bring together the strengths of both organizations to help foster a National Scripture Campaign, equipping local churches and denominations to connect the Bible to today’s challenges and struggles.

“The importance of the Bible in America is really too big to fail. We are thrilled to join together with Scripture Union to develop and deploy resources churches in America need to help people explore and experience the best-selling, most-translated book of all time,” said R. Lamar Vest, president and CEO of American Bible Society.

In February 2007, Scripture Union and American Bible Society began an 18-month pilot project to test a new Bible readership program called “The Essential 100 Challenge” (E100). To date, more than 110,000 individuals and churches have engaged in this program. Based on the success of this program, new E100 resources have been deployed to help take this resource to America’s military and veterans.

“Scripture Union is pleased to deepen our mission partnership with American Bible Society. This agreement marks an important commitment for our two organizations to jointly pursue the critical vision of Bible reading revival–one person, one church and one community at a time”, said Whitney T. Kuniholm, president of Scripture Union/USA.

This American Bible Society and Scripture Union alliance builds on decades of fruitful collaboration. In the fall of 2004, the two organizations conducted a research initiative under the title Fan the Flame, which delivered significant findings in the areas of habit-formation research and market research of non-Bible readers in the U.S.

“The Great Commission is to make disciples, not just introduce people to Christ, vital as that is,” said Rev. Jason Pankau, president of the ministry. Through such [...]]]> ITASCA , Ill.,  /Christian Newswire/ — Conferences in the Chicago and New York areas will bring participating churches to the next level in disciple-making effectiveness, Life Spring Network announced.

“The Great Commission is to make disciples, not just introduce people to Christ, vital as that is,” said Rev. Jason Pankau, president of the ministry. Through such training events Life Spring Network seeks to energize a disciple-making movement in which church members are mentoring one another. The result is expected to be a reversal of the current trend in which the broader secular culture is making “disciples” of secular behavior inside churches.

Making a special appearance at each conference will be two well-regarded Christian thought leaders. In Chicago, participants will hear an address by Eric Metaxas, author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy — A Righteous Gentile vs. the Third Reich, his new and highly acclaimed biography of one of one of the seminal theologians of the last century. In New York, the special address will be by Dr. McKenzie Pier, President of The New York City Leadership Center, who will place the discipleship movement into historical context.

Pastors and other church leaders will learn how to lead their churches through a complete transformation, not a mere series of additional programs. The research and insights presented at the conference are based on the need to create a “connection culture” where believers are connected with God, one another and their calling to servanthood in the world. A community that is connected in these ways is better equipped to reach out in effective disciple making according to Rev. Pankau and the research the Life Spring Network ministry has conducted.

The main speakers at the conference include Rev. Pankau, a former church planter and pastor who developed the materials that make up the Omega Experience, as the church-wide campaign is called, and Michael Stallard, president of E Pluribus Partners, a leadership training and development firm. Rev. Pankau and Mr. Stallard are co-authors of the best-selling book Fired Up or Burned Out (Thomas Nelson Publishers).

Registration is now open for the conference in Chicago on June 10 & 11, and the conference in New York on July 23 & 24. Pastors, elders, and other leaders interested in attending will find information and registration details by visiting www.lifespringnetwork.org

The event is held ever year to honor the spiritual foundations of our country with a special emphasis on the men and women who serve in the armed forces.

In [...]]]> NAMPA, Idaho /Christian Newswire/ — This marks the first time in the 42 year history of the event that a flyover request was denied by the Pentagon.

The event is held ever year to honor the spiritual foundations of our country with a special emphasis on the men and women who serve in the armed forces.

In past years, the “God and Country Rally” has focused on honoring and paying tribute to those veterans who have served our nation in the past and those who are currently on active duty.

At the rally this year, all five branches of the armed services were featured with over 60 new recruits sworn into the military at the event.

After a phone conversation and an e-mail response from the Pentagon, Rally Director Patti Syme says they were denied the request for a flyover this year because of the “Christian” nature of the event.

The e-mail from the Pentagon can be seen here.

The Christian Defense Coalition says this is a “slap in the face” to all those who have proudly served or are currently on active duty in the armed services.

The group is concerned that this new policy may indicate an open hostility toward public expressions of faith by the Obama Administration.

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states,

“For years, flyovers have been allowed by the Pentagon at the ‘God and Country Rally’ in Nampa Idaho. These flyovers were not to endorse or promote any one religious faith tradition. Rather, they were held to honor and pay tribute to our heroic men and women who have served or are currently serving in our armed forces.

“For the Obama Administration to deny a flyover for the first time, is a slap in the face to all those who proudly serve our country especially when we are at war. These flyovers have been a special part of the ‘God and Country Rally’ for many years.

“Will the new policy of President Obama be that a person has to surrender their faith tradition to honor and pay tribute to our courageous men and women who serve in the military?

“With respect to the economic concerns that the Pentagon mentioned, I would answer this way. If we can pay hundreds thousands of dollars for President Obama to go on a date with his wife to see a Broadway show and have an expensive dinner in New York City, we can certainly find a way to honor our brave men and women who serve in the armed services with a simple flyover.

“The Christian Defense Coalition will diligently work to reverse this unjust policy and determine why this flyover was denied in the first place.”

Brandi Swindell, national Christian activist and Director of Generation Life, based in Idaho, adds,

“For the Pentagon to deny this flyover for the first time in the history of our state is deeply troubling and disturbing.

“During a time of war and especially around the 4th of July we should be doing all within our power as a nation to honor and respect our military.

“It must be stressed that the flyover was not to honor Christianity but to honor our fallen heroes who have proudly given their lives to protect our country and advance the cause of liberty around the world.

“Does this mean in the future that all public rallies must be stripped of any expressions of faith to respect our military? This Administration should be protecting religious expression in the public square not crushing it.

“I hope that President Obama will reverse this unjust policy and next year we will be allowed to give the military the honor they deserve.”