Tulsa, Okla. — In 100 years, the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement has grown from a handful of individuals and organizations to a global force of more than 600 million people. A series of meetings has begun to discuss the future of this movement and how to introduce Spirit-empowered living to a new generation. These conversations will culminate in the Congress on Holy Spirit Empowerment in the 21st Century on April 8-10, 2010 at Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa, Okla.

Shaped to Serve is the theme for the annual Christian Education Workers Appreciation Sunday, suggested by the International Department of Youth and Christian Education for January 25, 2009.

COLUMBIA, SC, Dec. 16 /Christian Newswire/ — Frontline Ministries and the Exodus Mandate Project ( www.Exodusmandate.org) announced today that Dr. Brian D. Ray, Ph.D., is recipient of the 2008 Dr. Robert Dreyfus Courageous Christian Leadership Award. Established by Frontline Ministries in 2007, this award honors and recognizes a Christian leader who has exhibited moral courage while advancing Christianity in the culture and life of the nation through his unique contribution to the Church.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Dec. 16 /Christian Newswire/ — Flying more than 30 hours to get to Uganda and traveling another day on pothole- filled roads, a small team of IBS-STL staff and volunteers brought Bibles, reading glasses, and Bible training to rural northern Uganda. More than 160 pastors and church leaders traveled for days by foot and bicycle to attend the 14-hour-a-day conference.

Church of God departments and leaders have announced many events geared toward a variety of emphases to take place in 2009. Literally hundreds of activities are part of any given year’s slate of events for Church of God departments and ministries, as well as denomination-wide happenings. The following is only a partial list of some of the highlights. For more information on these events, please visit the Church of God Web site and click on the Directories tab to find Web sites of Church departments.

“Isn’t there something more for me to do with my life?” The world is full of people who feel stuck in jobs that they hate. Anyone who has dropped their kids off at a daycare center staffed by teachers who originally dreamed of becoming actresses, hair salon owners or doctors, or stood across from a grocery checker who clearly wanted to be anywhere but serving customers knows that the results aren’t pretty. Others have impressive careers that provide big incomes but leave them empty and unfulfilled at the end of each busy day.

Sky Angel, a national provider of faith-based and family-friendly television and radio programming, will broadcast a one-hour television special featuring highlights from the 2008 Golden Halo Award banquet recently held in Fort Myers, Fla. to honor Christian educators. The evening included entertainment from local Christian schools plus keynote speaker Tamra Nashman provided an uplifting and motivating talk for the audience of educators, business leaders, ministries and non-profit organizations.

STERLING, Va. — A mystery Santa Claus keeps delivering toys anonymously to a northern Virginia church.

(The following is a letter from Church of God Prayer Coordinator, Doug Small regarding information on a January Prayer emphasis in the Church of God):