The Church of God Historical Commission has announced the winners of the Charles W. Conn Historical Writing Award. The 2014-2016 award winners are Wade H. Phillips for his book, Quest to Restore God’s House: A Theological History of the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), Volume 1, 1886-1923 (CPT Press, 2015), and Wanda Thompson LeRoy for her article-length publication co-authored with David G. Roebuck, “‘Making Full Proof of Their Ministry:’ Women in Church of God Missions” (International Journal of Pentecostal Missiology, Vol. 3, 2014).

By Mimi Teixeira/The Acton Institute

In an Acton University lecture titled “Religious Freedom: The Dawn of the First Amendment,” John Pinheiro sought to give a fuller understanding of the meaning of the First Amendment through its historical context. Contrary to a current widespread belief, religious freedom has not always been valued in the United States and has been almost constantly threatened, even after the ratification of the Constitution. Pinheiro described the Founders’ fight for religious liberty as both radical and counter-cultural because of the religious conflict and disdain for true religious freedom that existed throughout the history of the United States and continues today.

Mastering Life Ministries has given the award to “Restored Hope Network” and its leader, Anne Paulk.

On July 4, 1776, America declared independence from British rule. The extraordinary Declaration of Independence remains the centerpiece of the Fourth of July holiday which is still observed in America today.

Every general assembly of the Church of God includes vital decisions, but the upcoming 76th International General Assembly (GA16) will carry with it some momentous decisions about future leadership.

The first annual “The Bridge” conference, a gathering of NGOs, government officials, church leaders, and others concerned about the intolerable persecution being perpetrated against Christians and other religious minorities, is set for July 7-9 in Washington DC and is free for attendees. This timely conference is primarily focused on the plight of Christians and the disappearing church in the Middle East. This movement of leaders will meet to discuss the situation on the ground for Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East, as well as possible policies to secure their future in the region.

The world’s largest library of Christian and family films–the booming movie category–now is a single click away with ChristianCinema.com’s release of the first-ever Apple TV streaming app for families of faith.

If you’ve never heard of Entebbe you’ve probably never heard of what makes Entebbe famous, or why that matters.

The VITAL Initiative is being featured on the 200churches Podcast in June. In May, Pastor Michael Nations, founding director of The VITAL Initiative, traveled to the 200churches studio in Orange City, Iowa to tape two episodes for the Podcast. The lively discussion centers around the frustrations of pastors serving small churches trying to find their place in the world, in the church/denomination and ultimately in God’s redemptive plan. The first episode was released June 1.