It’s rare when a musical ensemble has the opportunity to perform before the preacher to the Papal Household, but also gets invited as part of the lineup at Blue Flame, an Oklahoma-based Protestant ministry that explores the intersection of worship and the arts.

Pilgrims who flocked to Rome for the inaugural Mass of Pope Francis on Tuesday had high hopes he can reform and revive the Catholic Church, bring it closer to ordinary people and focus global attention on helping the poor.

Cleveland, TN–Lee University’s School of Religion (SOR), in partnership with the Division of Adult Learning (DAL), will make the Master of Arts in Ministry Studies available as a fully-online program. Starting in May, participants will be able to earn a degree in just a 15-month period.

Bishop Eddie Long’s New Birth Missionary Baptist Church recently announced plans to close its Christian Academy at the end of the school year, citing a poor economy and low enrollment.

The New Vision Church of God in Homerville, Georgia pastored by Bishop Jerry Baldree just finished the 21-day Daniel fast….

Foursquare missionary Kyle Bauer was kidnapped last Thursday in Mexico, near Puerto Vallarta. Through the work of local authorities, the FBI, and the U.S. Embassy, as well as coordinated communication between family, Foursquare leadership, and hostage consultants, Kyle was returned safely to his family at approximately 11 a.m. last Friday.

Mr. Robert Pace skillfully wrote the “How To Do It” handbook for Church of God Jail and Prison Ministry nearly 30 years ago. Because of changes in statistical information, governmental guidelines, and Church of God terminology, this manual was recently updated and revised by Dr. James E. Cossey, Administrative Coordinator for USA Missions, with the permission and blessings of Mr. Pace.

My wife, Joyce, and I planted our local church 29 years ago, Jan. 29, 1984, in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn, N.Y. We were not sent out with any money and had only a handful of people who volunteered to serve with us. The following is based on all the mistakes I have made as a church planter, and the lessons I wish someone had coached me through.

“Francis, rebuild my Church!” This is how St. Francis of Assisi recounts Christ’s call of the founder of the Franciscan Order. It is also how Jorge Mario Bergoglio, at the age of 76, and a Jesuit, seems to have accepted his election to the papacy with the choice of a name that no other pope has ever chosen.