Tag Archives: christian news release

96 Organizations Honored as “Certified Best Christian Workplaces”

FAITH NEWS SERVICE – MERCER ISLAND, WA – Today, Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI) honors 96 faith-based organizations as Certified Best Christian Workplaces for the first six months of 2021.

After more than a year filled with unexpected challenges and obstacles, these organizations demonstrate exemplary workplace culture and exceed standards as healthy places to work.

“Organizations certified as a Best Christian Workplace have treated employees well during the toughest of times and will thrive as the economy recovers. As the demand for talent increases, these organizations will achieve traction, unlike many others who will experience significant employee turnover,” says BCWI CEO Al Lopus.

Using BCWI’s Employee Engagement Survey, 147 organizations were evaluated on their workplace culture based on BCWI’s proprietary “FLOURISH Model,” which includes the following factors: Fantastic Teams, Life-Giving Work, Outstanding Talent, Uplifting Growth, Rewarding Compensation, Inspirational Leadership, Sustainable Strategy, and Healthy Communication. Certification as a Best Christian Workplace was determined based on anonymous employee feedback and awarded to those organizations deemed “Healthy” or “Flourishing,” based on survey results.

This year’s survey uniquely highlights the positive benefits of the Christian workplace. During the pandemic, organizations were met with new challenges, including accommodating remote work, implementing new safety measures to care for their staff, and pivoting ministry and organizational goals to reach those they serve in creative ways. The positive results from the survey highlight the benefits of a holistic approach to employee care and its subsequent positive impact on employee engagement, a key characteristic of a Best Christian Workplace.

“At certified Best Christian Workplaces, people of faith express their appreciation by bringing their entire selves to work as they experience significant meaning and purpose,” says Lopus. “These organizations have worked to create a sense of community through healthy communication, even while staying at home during the pandemic.”

This year’s certified list features organizations in the United States, Canada, Zambia, and Australia, and includes a variety of faith-based nonprofits, churches, Christian-owned businesses, and a record high nine rescue missions.

Since 2002, BCWI’s Employee Engagement Survey has been completed by more than 300,000 employees from over 1,000 organizations in the US, Australia, Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, and Central America.

About Best Christian Workplaces Institute
BCWI is an international, not-for-profit, research-based, organizational development and human resources consulting firm, with offices in Mercer Island, Washington, and London, Ontario. BCWI’s mission is to equip and inspire Christian leaders to build flourishing workplaces.

For more information, visit bcwinstitute.org. Explore our Blog and the Flourishing Culture Podcast for valuable insights and resources from top Christian leaders.

The following organizations are honored as Certified Best Christian Workplaces: January – July 2021.

CAMPS AND CONFERENCE CENTERS

Cho-Yeh Camp and Conference Center – Livingston, TX

SAMBICA Camps & Retreats – Bellevue, WA

CHRISTIAN-OWNED BUSINESSES

BETA Fueling Systems, LLC – Reidsville, NC

C12 Group – San Antonio, TX

CapinCrouse LLP – Indianapolis, IN

Dow Smith Company, Inc. – Smyrna, TN

EGW – Carrollton, TX

The FOCUS Group – St. Augustine, FL

Harris Beverages – Durham, NC

Outreach – Colorado Springs, CO

SPIARS Engineering and Surveying – Plano, TX

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

Anonymous

Calvary Christian Academy – Fort Lauderdale, FL

Cherry Hills Christian School – Highlands Ranch, CO

Colegio Cristiano Nicolás – Ixil, Nebaj, Guatemala

Crossings Christian School – Oklahoma City, OK

Donvale Christian College – Donvale, VIC Australia

Harvest Christian Academy – Elgin, IL

Toledo Christian Schools – Toledo, OH

CHURCHES

Anonymous

2|42 Community Church – Brighton, MI

Ada Bible Church – Ada, MI

BattleCreek Church – Broken Arrow, OK

Beulah Alliance Church – Edmonton, AB Canada

Canyon View Vineyard Church – Grand Junction, CO

Carey Baptist Church – Canning Vale, WA Australia

Central Community Church – Wichita, KS

Christ Church – Lake Forest, IL

Christ Presbyterian Church – Edina, MN

Christian Life Assembly – Langley, BC Canada

Eastside Christian Church – Anaheim, CA

Engedi Church – Holland, MI

First Christian Church of Johnson City – Johnson City, TN

Grant Memorial Baptist Church – Winnipeg, MB Canada

Hour of Power & Shepherd’s Grove – Irvine, CA

Irving Bible Church – Irving, TX

Kamloops Alliance Church – Kamloops, BC Canada

Life Church – Meridian, ID

Miracle Life Family Church – Lusaka, Zambia

Mission Hills Church – Littleton, CO

Montgomery Community Church – Cincinnati, OH

New Vision – Murfreesboro, TN

Northridge Church – Rochester, NY

Oak Hills Church – San Antonio, TX

Pantano Christian Church – Tucson, AZ

Riverwood Church Community – Winnipeg, MB Canada

Southridge Community Church – St. Catharines, ON Canada

Trinity Church – Lansing, MI

Venture Christian Church – Carmel, IN

The Village Church – Flower Mound, TX

West Side Presbyterian Church – Ridgewood, NJ

WestGate Church – San Jose, CA

Whittier Area Community Church – Whittier, CA

FAMILY SERVICES

4KIDS – Fort Lauderdale, FL

BsideU for Life – Louisville, KY

Care Net – Lansdowne, VA

Christian Children’s Home of Ohio – Wooster, OH

Cookson Hills – Kansas, OK

Human Coalition – Plano, TX

Redeemer Counseling Services – New York, NY

HIGHER EDUCATION

Colorado Christian University – Lakewood, CO

Columbia Bible College – Abbotsford, BC Canada

Highlands College – Birmingham, AL

Prairie College – Three Hills, AB Canada

MEDIA

InterVarsity Press – Westmont, IL

RightNow Media – McKinney, TX

WGTS 91.9 – Rockville, MD

PARACHURCH AND MISSIONS

Anonymous

Bethesda – Colorado Springs, CO

Bible League International – Crete, IL

BMA America – Conway, AR

Edify – San Diego, CA

Family Policy Alliance – Colorado Springs, CO

Fellowship of Christian Athletes/Rockies Region – Colorado Springs, CO

Focus on the Family Canada – Langley, BC Canada

Generous Giving – Orlando, FL

International Fellowship of Evangelical Students – Oxford, England UK

Jewish Voice Ministries International – Phoenix, AZ

Jews for Jesus – San Francisco, CA

Love Justice International – Lincoln, NE

Mission Training International – Palmer Lake, CO

The Salvation Army of Saint Joseph County – South Bend, IN

Water Mission – North Charleston, SC

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Anonymous

Connect Ministries – Watkinsville, GA

PCA Retirement and Benefits – Lawrenceville, GA

Samaritan Ministries International – Peoria, IL

RESCUE MISSIONS

Outreach – Indianapolis, IN

Phoenix Rescue Mission – Phoenix, AZ

Portland Rescue Mission – Portland, OR

Ruth and Naomi’s Mission – Chilliwack, BC Canada

Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission – Seattle, WA

St. Matthew’s House – Naples, FL

Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission – Philadelphia, PA

Union Gospel Mission – Vancouver, BC

CONTACT:
Solape Osoba
sosoba@bcwinstitute.org
206-230-8111

Give The Center for Disease Control an ‘F’ On Migration of the Death and Dying of COVID-19 in African American, Latinx Communities

Leave a reply

FAITH NEWS SERVICE – Washington DC – The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a coalition of 34,000 churches representing 27.7 million African Americans are joining with over 150,000 faith communities across America to give the Center for Disease Control (CDC) an ‘F on migration of the death and dying of Covid-19 in African American and Latinx Communities.

CDC does not care if we live or Die

No strategic plan
No Education
No PPE
Confuse about testing
Acceptance of unverical testing plan
Death and dying
CDC Foundation who have made no grant to the black and Latinos communities
The scientific community is losing faith in CDC leadership
No longer have control of the data / transplant way for the point of accurately
Confusion around School opening guildlines
CDC has not reach out to our to start to preparation in light of a vaccine
NBCI flu campigm

Rev. Anthony Evans, President of the National Black Church Initiative said.

About NBCI

The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) is a coalition of 34,000 African American and Latino Churches working to eradicate racial disparities in healthcare, technology, education, housing, and the environment. NBCI’s mission is to provide critical wellness information to all of its members, congregants, Churches, and the public. Our methodology is utilizing faith and sound health science.

NBCI’s purpose is to partner with major organizations and officials whose main mission is to reduce racial disparities in the variety of areas cited above. NBCI offers faith-based, out-of-the-box and cutting-edge solutions to stubborn economic and social issues. NBCI’s programs are governed by credible statistical analysis, science-based strategies and techniques, and methods that work. Visit our website at www.naltBlackChurch.com.

Dr. Carla D. Lewis Launches ‘Prayers That Will Transform Your Life’

Leave a reply

FAITH NEWS SERVICE – Jump start your day with Prayer and the Word of God. This daily devotional book adds faith and power to your ministry tool box. With each page, you will be edified, encouraged, stirred, and ignited with faith charges! Transform your life with accelerated prayers that bridge the gap between heaven and earth.

Prayers That Will Transform Your Life can be purchased from www.amazon.com or from www.cdlewisbooks.com (ISBN-13: 979-8666469507) Trade Paper, $12.95; 86 pages, from Amazon www.amazon.com, and is also available from www.cdlewisbooks.com

About the Author

Dr. Carla D Lewis is the Vice President of Christian Bible Institute & Seminary and is an anointed psalmist leading praise and worship in the Lord’s church. As Assistant Pastor of the Dwelling Place of God Christian Fellowship Church located in Houston, Texas, Dr. Lewis serves faithful with her husband, Dr. Tony V. Lewis, who is the Senior Pastor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies, a Master of Arts degree in Ministry and an Honorary Doctor of Sacred Music degree. Dr. Lewis is also a Certified Christian Counselor, Christian Life Coach and a Certified Christian Chaplain.

About the Publisher

Vision Publishing www.booksbyvision.org is a Christian publishing company helping authors edit their manuscripts, publish, print and successfully market their books nationwide.

CONTACT:
Dr. Carla D. Lewis
281-882-9492
info@cdlewisbooks.com

New Alliance Fights to End Veteran Suicide

Leave a reply

FAITH NEWS SERVICE – TAMPA, Florida – Partnering with the White House and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), several nonprofits have come together to form the Faith Based Veteran Service Alliance (FBVSA) in order to make a global impact in the fight against veteran suicide.

“Today, more than ever, our veterans need our support,” said Dr. Damon Friedman, former Air Force special operator, President of Shield of Faith Missions and Co-Chairman of FBVSA. “Not only may they be facing issues like post-traumatic stress (PTS) or traumatic brain injury (TBI), which already leaves them feeling lost and alone, but now we face a very scary time in our country due to the COVID-19 virus. The isolation they already feel, on top of possibly having to quarantine due to the virus, makes them especially vulnerable. We want to help every veteran possible.”

On June 17, the White House announced the rollout of the PREVENTS Task Force Roadmap to empower veterans and end the national tragedy of suicide. President Donald Trump said this roadmap expands White House and VA’s partnerships to include those with faith-based leaders to establish specialized support systems for our veterans.

Chad Robichaux, founder of The Mighty Oaks Foundation and Co-Chairman of FBVSA attended the White House briefing. “President Trump said ending the tragedy of veteran suicide demands bold action at every level of society. FBVSA is an alliance devoted to bold action. There is hope, and a solution found through a multitude of faith-based non-profit organizations providing life-saving programs. Our military warriors face many issues, but together we are bringing the solution.” said Robichaux.

Made up of SOF Missions, Mighty Oaks Warrior Program, The Warrior’s Journey, All Things Possible, Reboot Recovery, Soul Survivor Outdoor, and Roever Foundation; the alliance will offer guidance and consultation to the DoD and VA for the implementation of best practices in care for our veterans.

The charter members of the FBVSA are active in all 50 states, have more than 1,000 volunteers, served more than 750,000 active duty and veterans served, connected with more than 50 other VSOs, organized more than 4000 events/programs across the country and have over 6 million engaged audience members and 3 billion impressions on social media.

# # #

If you would like more information or would like to interview Damon Friedman or Chad Robichaux, please call or email Kristi Beckman at 850-503-5201 or info@fbvsa.org.

YouTube channel ‘Operation Fight Back’ launched to help Christians understand health

Leave a reply

“There is a tree written about in the bible whose leaves are for the healing of the nation,” according to Dr. R. Simone Lord., a naturopath residing in Queens, NY. St John the Theologian, while exiled in the Greek island of Patmos, wrote the book of Revelation. “On each side of the river stood the tree…. And the leaves are for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:2.

The Olive tree bears crop, fruit for many different applications. Firstly, its fruit the olive is a great nutritious appetizer. Secondly, its oil is potent and has been used by Jesus, Hippocrates, kings and queens, Olympians and champions of faith and healing all over the world for centuries.

The Olive leaf makes a marvelous mystical tea. The olive leaf has properties that studies show of being able to fight viruses, support digestive system and has been used centuries ago to fight malaria. It fights mucus in the system quickly, and supports great immune function. The tea is pleasant tasting and good with a bit of honey if you please. The olive leaf can help lower blood pressure and blood sugar, all according to studies done by olivewellnessinstitute.org, healthline.com and Dr. Lord.

The Olive Tree was said to be a gift from the goddess Athena to Greece. It has been called the tree of life. Interestingly, according to a Guardian newspaper, guardian.com article written in April 2020, Greece, with a population of over 11 million people, have had only less than 100 deaths.

To date, there is significant studies that show successful usages of the olive tree, including a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil. The Mediterranean diet has many nutritional health benefits that we can all benefit from.

Subscribe to Operation Fight Back to help people around the world to remain healthy and well. You will receive an article or video each week, helping to identify different herbs and herbal remedies to keep you and your family in the best of health, the naturopathic way. Subscribe @ YouTube Dr Simone Lord.

Dr. Simone Lord is a pastor and board certified naturopathic doctor, operating Mother Earth Juice Bar & Health Foods in Richmond Hill NY. Please visit www.DrSimoneLord.com to contact or 917-720-2485.

High school seniors and their families can celebrate simultaneously across the nation in an inspirational, God-centered, one-night event…The National Senior Sendoff!

Leave a reply

The National Senior Sendoff will give families an opportunity to commission their high school senior for the journey ahead during this global pandemic.

FAITH NEWSWIRE – Arvada, CO— High school seniors have waited for these special moments for 12 long years. They’ve worked hard and overcome many challenges. This is THEIR TIME to celebrate this significant academic accomplishment. The Class of 2020 will be the first class prohibited from celebrating the memory-making milestones so many of us have taken for granted.

In response, Greg Stier, Founder of Dare 2 Share (and father of a high school senior), Faith Christian Academy (where his teens attend school), and interlinc (producers of the popular ConGRADulations! music-media grad gift) are teaming up to provide an event to encourage and inspire high school seniors and their families during this time of global crisis. The National Senior Sendoff is the official streaming event of the ConGRADulations! Class of 2020 Gift Project.

The National Senior Sendoff…An inspirational virtual event for high school seniors and their families during the Pandemic will be held on MAY 28^th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm MDT.

Gabrielle Odom, a high school senior from Minnetonka High School who has spoken at many national events, will be doing the senior address at The National Senior Sendoff. She said, “A global pandemic will not stop us seniors from changing the world for God!” Greg Stier, who will deliver the keynote address, said, “These young people are living out history right now, so they might as well be inspired to go out and make history for the glory of God!”

In addition to addresses from Gabrielle and Greg, the evening will include encouraging remarks from multiple Christian musicians, artists, and professional athletes. Grammy Award winning Christian music artist TobyMac, who will be sharing words of encouragement at the NSS said, “I know the Class of 2020 has looked forward to a prom, spring sports, and graduation. Everything’s changed. But where there’s change and hard times, there is God and He is going to get us through this.”

The National Senior Sendoff will end with a time of prayer that will allow the families of seniors to commission them (“send them off”) for the mission God has for them.

Go to NationalSeniorSendoff.com on May 28^th at 6:00 pm MDT to experience this powerful event.

NSS is the official streaming event of the ConGRADulations! Class of 2020 Gift Project. ConGRADulations! is the #1 grad gift of the past decade having been given to over 1.3 million grads by 25,000 youthworkers. ConGRADulations! Class of 2020 features music and messages of hope to COVID-19 seniors from Tobymac, For KING & COUNTRY and other popular Christian artists.

Partners include: Dare 2 Share, Faith Christian Academy, interlinc, Campus Alliance, Professional Athletes Outreach, Sports Spectrum, Promise Keepers, Claim Your Campus, Every Student Sent, Student Leadership University, Go2020, and Winter Jam.

For more information on the organization of Dare 2 Share, visit dare2share.org

For press inquiries and interview requests, please contact Heather Smith, heathersmith@dare2share.org

How a non-sleeping child saw the birth of a phenomenal new book

Leave a reply

Many writers struggle to find the time it takes to sit down at their desk to produce a book, but for this author, a new baby that wouldn’t sleep became the perfect impetus to complete a much anticipated book.

Schoolteacher David Folker had been dreaming of completing his book, and oddly, thanks to the birth of his second child, Relentless has now been released globally.

“I drafted the idea for Relentless four years ago and began by mapping out the characters and ending, along with a rough outline of the journey,” David told me. “Unfortunately the demands of the leadership position I held at the school I worked at meant that I had little time for creative writing and so it was put to the side until such a time that I could commit sufficient energy to see it completed.

“When our second child arrived happy and healthy, it became clear that neither of us would enjoy the luxury of extended periods of sleep throughout the night. I realized that this was the perfect time to continue the story that was put on my heart all those years earlier. With this in mind I spent several hours each night writing and a few months later, Relentless was completed.”

David stated that while Relentless was a story is for everyone, and he believes most people would enjoy the brisk pace, action, character development and its resolution, at its deepest level it is a story of encouragement. It was written to speak to people who have accepted the lie that they are not worthy of their Savior’s love.

In this powerful new book, the characters in this remarkable story race to save someone who most others would have given up on. They face impossible odds and a terrible foe. They are knocked down on many occasions, but they don’t give up. Relentless explores the self-sacrificing of a hero: that hero being Jesus.

“I wrote this story because I believe that there is someone out there that needs to hear that they are worthy of a Savior’s love,” David continued. “That he will never stop pursuing them. That he will do anything to save them. If this title reaches that one person, who needs to be assured that they are worthy of such relentless dedication by our all-sacrificing God, then I will be happy.

“Growing up, I was an avid reader and enjoyed books from a variety of authors, both fiction and non-fiction. I was first introduced to the genre of fantasy by my Aunt Meg when she gifted me a copy of Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda. I’ve been reading fantasy non-stop ever since.

“There were three major influences on my writing of Relentless. The first was the classic fantasy novel The Hobbit by Tolkien. When re-reading the story prior to the release of the blockbuster movies of the same name, I marveled at the scope of the grand adventure the unlikely companions found themselves on, but also the clarity of their journey. They knew exactly where they were going, if not what they would encounter along the way. I wanted to write a story that had a clear end destination and then unpack the risks and the wondrous/dangerous locales that the characters would journey through.

“The second major influence was Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. I read this when I was a student at primary school and the idea of a physical adventure representing a spiritual journey was one that resonated with me. To an extent, I think all of my titles will be mirror this notion.

“The third influence and probably the clearest is one of the parables told by Jesus. For reasons of spoilers, I can’t tell you which one! I would like to think that readers familiar with the teachings of Jesus should be able to pick it when they reach the end.

Relentless is now available at all good bookstores, including Amazon.

N.B. If you like to know more about Relentless and David’s future projects, you can follow him at https://www.patreon.com/davidfolker

A life of travel leads author to Central Australia and fostering Indigenous children

Leave a reply

How does a single mum leave behind a life in the city to become a foster parent to Australia’s indigenous community? Cathleen Hope is a remarkable woman who took up the challenge of travelling to a place that most women would never dream of and she has documented it in her new book, Dare to Try.

For those who reside outside of Australia, it is probably hard to imagine that the central part of the nation is barely liveable. A country the size of America, the population is just a fraction of the US because of how barren so much of the country is.

Central Australia is, by and large, populated by the country’s Aboriginal community, otherwise known as the Indigenous, and for Cathleen Hope, it became her mission field.

“Essentially, my story is also a spiritual story to redemption,” she tells me. “What do you do when you find redemption? You want to tell others. First my family and then ‘the ends of the earth’. Central Australia, in terms of language, culture and distance from any capital city is my ‘ends of the earth’”.

Cathleen’s life changed when she became a Christian. “After becoming a single mum, bringing up three littlies was tremendously daunting,” she stated. “The peace I experienced once I was able to put my faith in God was liberating. I had a heart for fostering children and I initially fostered in Victoria. I have looked after 45 children at various times.

“My biological kids were generally older than my foster kids, which was sensible. My youngest child was five when I started fostering and all three have grown up around other children being in the house. As a family we have grown and been so blessed through having the honour of being part of these foster kids’ lives.”

Looking for a change, Cathleen made the move to the Northern Territory. She started fostering again there after an Indigenous family asked her to look after their four year old.

“Initially, I didn’t realise the child was under the care of the Child Protection Department, a government department that looks after children in child abuse and neglect,” she continues. “Her baby brother was born shortly after and I was asked if I would take him in too. Interestingly, the family only had three stipulations. One, the foster parent had to be a female. Two, they had to be Christian, and three, they had to be white.

“I was floored that this summed me up perfectly. I eventually went to see the baby in hospital and then made the decision to resume fostering so these two could be part of our family and continue to see their own family.”

Cathleen details her experiences of fostering and dealing with the Child Protection Department further in much greater detail, as well as managing her relationship with indigenous people living within their community.

“First and foremost, we are all people and we have our own likes and dislikes,” she tells me. “It is important to find common ground. Indigenous people tend to be incredibly perceptive and they can tell if someone is ‘fair dinkum’. I didn’t try to come into their environment with a ‘saviour complex’. I was genuinely interested in what I could learn from them.

“I have always just tried to be myself. I know they often roll their eyes at some of the things I say and do. We laugh about it, but the respect is mutual. I write about many of my interactions with the First Australians in my book.”

In writing Dare to Try, Cathleen found that it also brought back memories of abuse she received as a child. “I had no intention of writing about child abuse as a personal issue,” she states. “But when I started my book, it was actually the first thing that came out. As I continued the story it continued to creep in. Writing this story was cathartic by forcing me to work through many painful memories.

“The main reason I wanted to tell this story was to help non-Indigenous people understand what it is like living in Central Australia and seeing first-hand the way some of our Indigenous brothers and sisters live. Many people have opinions, but few have actually been here. I can’t speak on behalf of Australia’s first people, but I can share my experiences. And this is what I have tried to do, and let the facts speak for themselves.

“I also wanted to share my story of coming to know the light of the world. Nothing has had a bigger effect on my life than my walk with Yeshua.”

Dare to Try is available now from Amazon and other outlets globally.

Contact Us