Faith News Network

On Sunday, November 17, tornadoes touched down across three states, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana. The congregations and members of the Church of God in these areas were affected in several ways. In Brookport, Illinois, two Church of God members were killed and one is in the hospital with severe head injuries. One retired pastor’s home was damaged and his children lost their home. The Church of God, working with Operation Compassion is already responding to these areas. Two semi-tractor trailers, as well as a box truck have delivered supplies to Brookport, Illinois.

Although most Christians support and even practice family planning, stories in the media of Christians objecting to the use of contraception on religious grounds are common. In reality, Christian organizations are working in places that struggle with high maternal mortality rates to save the lives of mothers and children and avoid abortions, and family planning is a key component of their strategy.

Shattered Magazine is a new Christian magazine that focuses on sharing personal stories that glorify God. Started through a successful Kickstarter campaign, Shattered has just released its third issue and has experienced a 130% growth rate in subscribers defying all industry odds and expectations.

Since 2010, Houston area churches have provided an alternative to frenzied Christmas shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. Continuing this tradition, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Beacon of Light Christian Center, St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, St. Francis Episcopal Church, and The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church, are each scheduling community service projects on Friday, November 29. These churches ask families and individuals to celebrate Bless Friday® as an alternative to Black Friday.