Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world. In today's edition:
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Sky Angel Channels To Air Gospel Angels Benefit Concert
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$10 Million In Low-Interest Loans To Aid SBC Churches Hit By Katrina
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Great Need For Pastoral Training In Developing Nations
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Evangelical and Jewish Leaders and Scientists Call on Congress to Protect Species
Sky Angel Channels To Air Gospel Angels Benefit Concert
Sky Angel
Guardian Television Network and The Worship Network, two of 36 TV and radio channels delivered into homes nationwide via the Sky Angel direct-to-home satellite television system, will be airing Gospel Angels: A Concert to Restore Hope live this Thursday, September 22, 8 to 10 p.m. ET, to benefit Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts. The live concert from Atlanta 's Centennial Olympic Park will feature popular performances by Gospel and Christian music artists to benefit World Vision and Feed the Children in the organizations' efforts to provide relief to victims of the recent hurricane that ravaged the Gulf Coast . The event will be hosted by Grammy award-winning artist CeCe Winans and will feature performances by Third Day, Nicole C. Mullen, Israel & New Breed, Blind Boys of Alabama, Natalie Grant, NewSong, BarlowGirl, George Huff and Aaron Shust. The live concert is a joint effort of the Gospel Music Channel™ and the Gospel Music Association's Project Restore. Gospel Angels: A Concert to Restore Hope will be re-aired on The Worship Network as follows: September 22, 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. ET, and Friday, September 23, 2 to 4 a.m. ET, 8 to 10 a.m. ET and 12 to 2 p.m. ET. The Worship Network is carried on Sky Angel Channel 9732. Guardian Television Network airs on Sky Angel Channel 9707.
$10 Million In Low-Interest Loans To Aid SBC Churches Hit By Katrina
Tim Yarbrough, Baptist Press
The North American Mission Board will provide low-interest loans up to $100,000 to Southern Baptist churches damaged by Hurricane Katrina. NAMB is designating a total of $10 million to the disaster loan effort. "We want to help churches get back on their feet as quickly as possible so they can fulfill their Acts 1:8 calling to be a worldwide mission center," said NAMB President Robert E. (Bob) Reccord. "The loans -- which will require a minimum of paperwork -- are just one way we can help them do that." Disaster relief loans are available to SBC churches for repair of church facilities, replacement of equipment or materials, or to cover expenses while a church is displaced, said Karl Dietz, director of NAMB's church finance ministry team. Dietz said the application process will be simple and can be made by contacting one of NAMB's church finance consultants prior to Dec. 1. No fees will be assessed by NAMB, Dietz said, while churches are expected to pay closing costs, which are expected to be minimal. No interest will be charged during the first year of the loan. Years two through five, the interest rate will be NAMB's preferred rate minus 1 percent fixed. Churches interested in applying for the new loans or obtaining additional information may call 1-800-759-5901. More information is also available at www.churchfinanceministry.com
Great Need For Pastoral Training In Developing Nations
Agape Press
A conference taking place in the Philippines is addressing issues of pastoral training in areas of the world where the church is growing rapidly. The event is being spearheaded by the Trainers of Pastors International Coalition (TOPIC) and Ramesh Richard Evangelism and Church Health (RREACH). Leaders from around the world are gathering this week in Manila in an effort to reduce the number of pastors in need of training in developing economies around the world. Dr. Ramesh Richard says there is great need for pastoral training in developing nations. "For example, there are parts of Africa where pastors are preaching that you climb trees in order to meet Jesus, because Zaccheus did that. I even heard of a pastor in Nepal who did not know that Jesus is coming back because they're semiliterate -- 70 to 80 percent of pastors in Nepal are semiliterate and therefore can't read their Bibles. " The program of the conference, which wraps up today, included Christian leaders from around the world who shared their experiences and plans for pastoral training efforts in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Evangelical and Jewish Leaders and Scientists Call on Congress to Protect Species
Religion News Service
A new alliance quotes Bible and biology in opposing drastic rewrite of the Endangered Species Act. Evangelical Christians and Jews Wednesday will announce an unusual collaboration between faith communities, known as the Noah Alliance, to defend the Endangered Species Act (ESA). As the House Resources Committee gears up this week with a hearing and potential mark up of the landmark wildlife protection law, the Noah Alliance will unveil its TV, print and radio ads to run in religious community media and inside-the-Beltway and discuss how it is using the Bible and biology to mobilize faith communities nationwide to protect at-risk species. Members of the Academy of Evangelical Scientists and Ethicists and rabbis and scientists associated with the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life will likely quote from both scripture and science. Calling for faith community action, they are expected to present plans to mobilize efforts in key states and across a range of religious associations.
