American patriotism shone brightly during last weekend’s conference, The Awakening 2013, an annual event staged by the Freedom Federation. Compelling speeches and a call to return to biblical principles from several nationally influential figures were the order of the day.

ATLANTA, April 19, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ — While I’m often accused of finding Pro-Life messages behind every tree, it can’t be denied that “42” brings an inherent message of courage, compassion and composure that prevailed in the lives of Jackie and Rae Robinson as well as Dodgers Manager Branch Rickey. These same principles are needed so much in the ongoing heated moral debates of our time.

Amid rising political conflict, Bangladeshi Christians are relying on the government to resist the demands of Islamists for the introduction of a new anti-blasphemy law that could inflame Christian persecution.

Pastor Greg Laurie, the honorary chairman of the National Day of Prayer, believes America faces a spiritual crisis. So he has issued a call to pastors and churches across the country to participate in the 62nd annual National Day of Prayer on May 2.

Dewayne Thompson, professor and chair of the Department of Business at Lee University, has been named the recipient for the Region 3 2013 ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs recognizes individuals annually from each of its 10 regions who exemplify teaching excellence in the classroom. 

A new era in Church of God publications begins today as the Engage Journal is released in a “digital only” format. The spring 2013 issue is located at www.cogengage.org.

Reasons for the transition to all digital are many, including the fact that more and more ministry-oriented magazines are turning to a digital format as an additional, or sole delivery method. While in the beginning, print versions of magazines delivered by postal mail were the staple, the emerging trend is more toward electronic delivery, or both. Recently, Newsweek magazine announced its decision to go completely digital, and one of the nation’s most recognized newspapers, USA Today, has announced to its readers that information in the print version will be reduced in favor of steering toward online.

Engage will be more timely. Postal delivery of a printed magazine has always had its limitations. Not counting the time to gather articles, editing, and design, the timeframe for printing and delivery can take anywhere from six to eight weeks. Digital delivery eliminates these last two steps, allowing for information in the issue to be as timely as possible.

Postal regulations are becoming more stringent. It is no secret that postal delivery charges continue to rise. In addition, post office regulations mandate that a publication like Engage be in a certain category of delivery, depending upon the number of ads within. This “two-edged sword” forces the choice between reducing advertisements (which help pay for the publication), or pay higher shipping costs and sacrifice delivery time between first, second, or third-class mailings. This is not to mention the uncertainty of the exact timing of delivery to certain regions and the condition of the publication (rips, folds, tears, etc.) once it arrives.

Engage can continue to be a free publication. With the savings realized from the elimination of printing and mailing, Engage will be delivered to its audience free of charge. Advertisements help defray some, but not all of the costs involved in producing Engage. Digital delivery eliminates the immediate prospect of imposing a subscription cost on readers.

Viewing options are more flexible. Engage is available for online viewing atwww.cogengage.org. Here, the formerly printed pages are available in a format that allows for page turning and easy printing of articles. The digital version includes “clickable” links that will take readers to related articles, a more in-depth version, or even to videos. The digital version can be viewed on a desktop PC, laptop, smartphone, or portable tablet device.

Engage is now available to a wider audience. Engage was founded to assist the local pastor and his/ her staff with resources and articles pertinent to the local church leader. Since its launch under the title of Engage four years ago, its popularity has increased with requests coming from laypersons, retired ministers, evangelists, and others who do not fit in the limited mailing demographic of Engage. Those who could not be included on the mailing list due to financial considerations can now be part of the regular Engage audience.

Digital allows for easier, faster updates. Once a printed magazine is off the press, it’s done. In fact, once it is past the “proofing” stage, for all practical purposes, it is a finished product. With a digital magazine, changes and updates can be made literally up to the second before its intended launch. This is critical with breaking news and reports on events, such as the International General Assembly.

Digital presentation will allow for the occasional insertion of breaking news articles and the flexibility to modify delivery dates, if needed.

Personalization will still exist. For those who may feel Engage will not be as personable as a mailbox delivery, digital delivery has the potential to be even more personal with email notifications of issue releases, breaking news, and other notifications. All that is needed is your email address.

Because Engage is now completely online, anyone can “subscribe” for free by simply submitting an email address. This can be accomplished by visiting the Church of God website, scrolling to the bottom of the home page and clicking the “Update Your Information” graphic.

This is a major change for Engage, but one that opens up a new paradigm of possibilities. There may be some transitional “bumps,” but comments and suggestions are welcomed. Send email correspondence to engage@churchofgod.org.

Doers of the Word (pronounced “DOT-W”) announced they will be providing in-depth training and coaching to church and ministry leaders through a year-long program beginning this May.

The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference—the nation’s largest Christian Hispanic organization—the Hispanic Evangelical Association and NHCLC President, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, applaud the proposed Senate bill on immigration reform.

Millions across the nation have woken up this morning to headlines featuring a tragic accident that occurred in West, Texas, a small town of 2,600 about 20 miles north of Waco.