The General Assembly of the Ibero American Institute of Cross Cultural Studies (IIbET) took place November 21-23 in Torrox Costa, province of Malaga, Spain. Dr. Rodolfo “Rudy” Girón was formally installed as its new executive director and charged with the responsibility of IIbET’s training ministry of Ibero-American missionaries working in the Muslim world.

In December we shared the gospel and the love of Christ with many who had not heard. Still others to whom we ministered have heard the gospel through other ministries but they need a sense of God’s affirmation and love. We were there to share in that blessing.

A reliable source has informed World Missions leadership of sobering news. Some 60 of our ministers were arrested recently, and a number of them have been sentenced to labor camp for a year of “education through labor” for preaching the Gospel in central China.

A San Diego pastor who successfully galvanized statewide support last fall to ban gay marriage in California says recent legal maneuvers by California Attorney General Jerry Brown aimed at overturning Proposition 8 are mostly motivated by political ambition.

Over five years ago, CHANTEL HOBBS told Oprah her story of losing over 200 pounds. Today, she passionately shares with the world the lasting secret to her success, confidently stating, “God was the missing link to ending my diet drama for good!” The companion book to Hobbs first release, Never Say Diet (WaterBrook Press, 2007), The Never Say Diet Personal Fitness Trainer (WaterBrook Press/Random House, Dec. 2008) is a book with practical application on a spiritual, mental and physical level to guide the reader to weight loss and becoming more fit than they ever imagined!

January 9, 2009–The inaugural issue of ENGAGE, a journal for Church of God leaders, ministry staff and pastors, was released today in Cleveland, Tenn.

According to Church of God General Overseer Dr. Raymond Culpepper, ENGAGE is designed to be a resource to assist Church of God leaders in the unique times in which we live. The publication is a journal, which lends itself to helpful articles and resourceful features. Building on the success of Covenant Resources magazine, ENGAGE will provide more articles from a variety of authors and sources, both inside and out of the Church of God.

As directed by the California Supreme Court, the official proponents of Proposition 8 and their campaign committee, ProtectMarriage.com — Yes on 8, today filed legal arguments responding to a new and unprecedented legal theory proposed by the California Attorney General to invalidate the voter-passed measure.

By Charlie Butts – OneNewsNow

President Bush’s “right of conscience” rules for medical professionals are supported by a large number of people in the profession.

By J. Lee Grady

The people of Israel faced a leadership crisis during their sojourn in the wilderness. From morning until evening, dozens of people would line up outside Moses’ tent to ask him to resolve a dispute. When his father-in-law, Jethro, saw the crowds outside his door, he pulled Moses aside and gave him wise advice that ended up being recorded in Scripture.