In a major victory for natural marriage and the right of Romanian citizens to determine their own destiny, yesterday the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) approved as constitutional a voter initiative that would permanently memorialize marriage as the union of one man and one woman in Romania’s Constitution. More than three million Romanian citizens (in a country of less than 20 million people) signed the petition to place this issue on the ballot – by far the most signatures ever obtained on any referendum in Romania’s history. Today’s unanimous 8-0 decision by the CCR means that the referendum can now move forward.

Summer doesn’t have to be a time to hit cruise and watch your small group ministry fade. By using the three keys below, your summer small groups can soar.

The General Council completed election of the members of the Council of Eighteen on Wednesday morning, July 20. Thirteen of the 18 are newly-elected, with five returning for a second two year term.

In response to California Senate Bill 1146, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, and other national, Hispanic leaders, have released the following joint statement:

When Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, preparing to bear the weight of the sin of the world, He awakened His sleeping disciples and asked, “Could you not stay awake and pray with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40, 41) That wake-up call is still echoing for His church today!

The biennial Fun in the Son Festival lived up to its name in Kingston, Jamaica on July 16th as thousands of people gathered under the warm Jamaican sun for a free family festival with international evangelist Andrew Palau. The crowd packed into National Heroes Park in Kingston to enjoy the festivities and hear the Good News of Jesus Christ proclaimed.

Nashville, TN–The recipients of the 2016 Church of God Distinguished Educator of the Year Awards were announced during the International Educators Luncheon on Tuesday. The event is being held in conjunction with the 76th Church of God International General Assembly. Dr. Mary Ruth Stone, adjunct faculty instructor for the Lee University Division of Adult Learning, is the recipient of the 2016 Faculty Award. Carlos Napoleón Canizález-Rugamas, president of Seminario Bíblico Pentecostal Centroamericano (SEBIPCA), is the recipient of the 2016 Leadership Award.

American Idol finalist Phil Stacey will host the Kansas City Truth Conference on Aug. 27 featuring noted Christian author and speaker Josh McDowell, who will coach attendees on how to respond to tough questions about Christianity.

At the recent American Medical Association (AMA) Convention, the organization reaffirmed their stance opposing physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia which appears in their Code of Medical Ethics. The Code of Medical Ethics offers guidance to help physicians meet the ethical challenges of medical practice. According to their website, this new edition, adopted last month, is the culmination of an eight-year project to comprehensively review, update and re-organize guidance to ensure that the Code remains a timely, easy to use resource.