Faith News Network

Drs. Donnie Smith and Jake Popejoy, representing the Church of God Care Division and Chaplains Commission, participated in a task force designated to respond to the destruction of Typhoon Yolanda. This Task Force consists of representatives from seven Filipino para-church organizations. During these meetings, which were held in Manila, Philippines, a number of topics were considered including necessary strategies in response to the immediate and future needs of those affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

One day remains until families throughout the U.S. express their thanks on “Turkey Day,” more properly known as Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for this year? David Shibley with Global Advance recently gave Mission Network News a glimpse of his gratitude for pastoral leaders.

Everyone knows the Pilgrims held the first Thanksgiving feast in the New World. But what you may not know is just why they were so thankful. It’s because God brought about so many miracles to keep them alive during a terrible time that might well have killed them all.

Right after Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines this month, a friend sent me an amazing photo. It’s a shapshot of a Pentecostal church service held a few days after the monster storm displaced 3 million people and killed more than 5,000. Notice that the worshippers are standing in about 16 inches of water. A flooded church did not keep these people from thanking God that they were spared.

Church of God General Overseer Mark Williams has announced the theme for the 2014 International General Assembly, which will be held next summer, July 29 – August 1, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

A South Carolina public charter school has removed a ban on Christmas music after receiving a letter from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) sent on behalf of concerned parents. School officials had prohibited students from performing the music to “Joy to the World” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” after students had already begun rehearsing the pieces for a concert.