Award-winning violin virtuoso and recording artist Christer Tepper, with his signature use of striking visual media, will perform at the Empowered21/Global Congress in Jerusalem. The event, drawing thousands of Christians worldwide, occurs Pentecost Week, May 20-25.

Ewan MacLeod, B.Sc. Hons., M.Sc., Bible historian and international authority on Biblical Aramaic and Hebrew languages, today announces that JesusSpokeAramaic.com, a distinctive website created and designed by MacLeod, now boasts over 200 video lessons bringing the Aramaic language to Bible believers around the world. Jesus Spoke Aramaic is dedicated to teaching Aramaic in the context of the Bible, and is aimed primarily at the mainstream Christian community.

The Church of God Chaplains Commission has reported that a number of Community Service Chaplains from the Caribbean were some of the first to respond to the devastating earthquake which recently took place in Nepal. Chaplain Ismael Ponce who coordinates Community Service Chaplaincy in the Hispanic Caribbean has continued to update the Chaplains Commission with regular reports from the devastated country.

The 26th annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon began at 6 p.m. Sunday. 

A ministry originating in northern Michigan is encouraging the body of Christ to pray for persecuted Christians around the world.

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) has begun providing helicopter transportation to remote areas of Nepal hard-hit by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred on April 25. MAF is also assisting authorities and relief agencies at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu with ramp management and planning, cargo handling, warehousing logistics and coordination.

May 7, 2015–Lee University Class of 2014 alumnus Clark Beckham advanced into the finals of “American Idol” at the end of Wednesday night’s episode. Beckham, 22, of White House, Tennessee, will be joined by two other finalists, Jax Cole, 19, from New Jersey and Nick Fradiani, 29, of Connecticut.

The stage is set for the two-night final on FOX this coming Tuesday and Wednesday, May 12 and 13. The finale comes after months of auditions of thousands of potential contestants from across the nation. The three contestants making it this far have survived based on nationwide votes via text, online and phone. The winner, chosen by a nationwide vote and announced on live television this Wednesday, will be awarded a major recording contract.

This is the 14th season of American Idol, a talent search where three celebrity judges critique the contestants on live television. Beckham is not the first Lee graduate to advance in the competition, but he has gone the furthest. Seven years ago, alumnus Phil Stacey made it to the final six contestants, while Chase Guyton and Jermaine Purifory barely missed the group that makes it to the live performance level in Hollywood.

In last night’s two hour live episode the “Idol’s” Final Four sang three songs and videos of visits to their hometown were shown. Members of Lee University’s Campus Choir made a surprise visit to White House, Tenn., to join Beckham in a couple of songs during the hometown concert. Beckham sang in the Campus Choir while a student at Lee, and publicly acknowledged the powerful influence his experience with the choir and Lee University had upon his life. The choir, dressed in Lee University T-shirts, could be heard singing the chorus “Great and Mighty” throughout the last portion of the video.

In addition to the judges’ comments, this year’s contestants have been mentored by record producer Scott Borchetta who last week chastised Beckham, portraying him as unwilling to listen to the professional’s advice.

According to a report by the Chattanooga Times-Free Press, Lee University professor Dan Buck said, “I know Clark very well and that is definitely not true of him. He respects those opinions but at the same time he wants to be his own man, be true to his music. I think Scott Borchetta was a little rude with Clark and out of character.”

Apparently the critique did not have a negative impact on Beckham’s ability to advance.

Beckham’s three songs in Wednesday night’s performance were all chosen for him, conceivably to reflect the singer’s style. The three judges chose “Earned It,” by the Weekend; “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding, which was the hometown choice; and “Beautiful Day” by U2, Borchetta’s choice.

Winning the competition is based on the number of votes cast for the contestant via electronic avenues. Those with the least number of votes each week are sent home. Last night, contestant Rayvon Owen of Richmond, Virginia was ousted, but will be one of the Top Five who will tour 27 cities this summer on the “American Idol Tour.”

Voting remains open for the three remaining contestants until Tuesday, May 12 at 9:00 a.m. EST. Up to 20 votes can be cast for each contestant from each method. To cast votes for Beckham, go to www.americanidol.com, text the number “9” to 21523, or call 1-866-436-5709.

The three finalists sing for votes Tuesday night and the winner of Season 14 will be crowned on Wednesday.

Every Christian and Christian leader active in a local church in the Western world would benefit by this new book by Louis Posthauer. It addresses perhaps the most critical problem of the western church in the 21st century.

The Jesus Christ Embassy Palestine has designated May 12, 2015 as INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER for Peace of Jerusalem in search of a just and lasting peace.