Category Archives: Society: Christianity

Christian News, these Press Release Syndication’s will keep you up to date on what is happening in the Church today.

Church Leader Delves Deep into the Foundations of Faith in the Old Testament with New Study Guide

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“I want my readers to walk away with the truth,” Bobanis said. “I hope my bible study nurtures a deeper connection with God and equips readers to live out the values and principles espoused in the book of Genesis.”

From her beginning career as a children’s leader at her church to teaching God’s word in a sanctuary full of listeners, author Janice Bobanis is ready to bring her teachings to paper by publishing her first book, “In the Beginning: Genesis 1-11,” a Christian bible study created to help readers better understand how God’s plan unfolds from Genesis to Revelation.

In the book, Bobanis examines what God’s word says about controversial social issues and other politically incorrect topics. Written as an aggressive approach, she offers her bible study as a deep dive into Genesis chapters 1-11 to help readers understand the spiritual battle they may fight daily.

“I challenge the reader to think about their life as a spiritual battle,” Bobanis said. “Satan is God’s adversary, and through this study, these questions will lead you to the biblical answer that defines the battle lines.”

Devised from Bobanis’ professional experience, readers are encouraged to embrace an interactive and potentially engaging learning approach, created to foster an atmosphere of open discussion and personal growth in their faith.

“I want my readers to walk away with the truth,” Bobanis said. “I hope my bible study nurtures a deeper connection with God and equips readers to live out the values and principles espoused in the book of Genesis.”

In the Beginning: Genesis 1-11

By Janice Bobanis

ISBN: 9781664292765 (softcover); 9781664292772 (hardcover); 9781664292789 (electronic)

Available at Author Website, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Janice Bobanis is a seasoned bible study teacher. Her passion to share the word of God began with her own “born-again” experience while attending her first bible study. Her works are crafted from her extensive experience in leading, teaching, and writing bible studies, encouraging others to experience Jesus as their best friend. Outside of teaching, she is a mother of two grown daughters and a son-in-law, a grandmother, and a wife to her husband of 40 years. They love spending time at their ranch, cooking, and entertaining friends. To learn more, please visit http://www.JaniceBobanis.com.

General Inquiries:            

LAVIDGE – Phoenix                        

Taylor Moralez

Tmoralez@lavidge.com

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IFCJ Announces Completion of 2023 Salary and Compensation Audit

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Yael Eckstein: IFCJ Announces Completion of 2023 Salary and Compensation Audit

“At the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, we take financial accountability and good stewardship of our donors’ funds very seriously.”

According to President and CEO Yael Eckstein, “the Salary and Compensation Audit reflects our ongoing commitment to take financial accountability and good stewardship of our donors’ funds very seriously.”

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship or IFCJ) recently announced the results of their annual Salary and Compensation Audit by Willis Towers Watson (WTW), a leading global advisory, broking, and solutions company. WTW provides employers reliable, relevant, and timely salary survey data combined with global, regional, and local HR and benefits policies and practices reports to support pay, employee benefits, and HR professionals in making the best decisions for their workforce and their organization.

IFCJ retained Willis Towers Watson to conduct a comparable market assessment of total remuneration (cash compensation plus benefits) provided to four executive-level positions, including the President and CEO, examining base salary and total cash compensation levels (base salary plus annual incentive awards).

The Salary and Compensation Audit confirmed management’s expectations that The Fellowship’s salary and compensation practices are fair, reasonable, and comparable to similar organizations.

“At the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, we take financial accountability and good stewardship of our donors’ funds very seriously, and we ensure that salaries, including the salary of our President and CEO, Yael Eckstein, are fair within the nonprofit space and enable us to attract and retain the talent we need to best serve our community,” explained IFCJ Global Chief Operating Officer Robin Van Etten.

The market data used in this assessment included information that is:

Based on published and proprietary survey sources

Position specific, based on each position’s primary duties and responsibilities

Reflective of pay practices among nonprofit organizations for positions based in the U.S.

Size sensitive, based on IFCJ’s FY23 budgeted revenue

Updated to April 1, 2023, using an annualized adjustment factor of 3.5%, consistent with 2023 merit increase projections for non-profit executives

The International Fellowship of Christian and Jews‘ most recent financial information and audited statements are available either by written request or by contacting the organization’s Donor Services Department at (800) 486-8844.

About Yael Eckstein

As President and CEO of The Fellowship, Yael Eckstein oversees all programs and serves as the international spokesperson for the organization. With over a decade of nonprofit experience in multiple roles, Yael has the rare distinction of being a woman leading one of the world’s largest religious charitable organizations. In addition to her weekly podcast on matters of faith, Holy Land Reflections, Yael also invites thought leaders to discuss Jewish-Christian relations and Israel’s significance on her podcast, Conversations with Yael. She is the 2023 recipient of the Jerusalem Post’s Humanitarian Award, and in 2020 and 2021, was named to the publication’s list of 50 Most Influential Jews. Born outside of Chicago, Yael is now based in Israel with her husband and their four children.

About the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

For 40 years, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews has been leading efforts to build bridges between Christians and Jews and provide humanitarian care and lifesaving aid for Israel and the Jewish people. Through the generosity and loyalty each year of its donors, partners, and staff, The Fellowship helps over 1 million people living in poverty, has provided nearly 3,000 bomb shelters for security, and has helped 770,000 make aliyah back to their homeland, Israel. The Fellowship is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, continuing a mission to bless Israel and the Jewish people – like our world has never seen.

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Refreshing Daily Devotional Takes Christians into a Unique Place of Intimacy With God

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The inspiration for this book originates in my prayerful reading of the Bible and journaling the revelation Holy Spirit has given me.

Author Voichi Morariu offers daily reflection for all of God’s children who are longing to know Him more in The Trail of Joyful Tears: A Prophetic Daily Devotional ($35.99, paperback, 9781662877261; $9.99, e-book, 9781662877278).

Through this thought-provoking devotional, Morariu invites readers to sit at the table of intimate friends, knowing that all that God the Father has in His heart is for His followers to hear, experience and partake. It is the author’s prayer that readers will discover a new revelation of the Word of God each day that will ultimately confirm the Father’s approval of each Christian’s devoted pursuit of Him.

When asked what inspired the author to write this book, Morariu said, “the inspiration for this book originates in my prayerful reading of the Bible and journaling the revelation Holy Spirit has given me. Since the Lord Jesus is my model of life and He is the most generous person ever, I felt the urge to give away what He gave me and invest the treasures He entrusted to me.”

Voichi Morariu was born and raised in an obscure village in Transylvania, Romania. Despite her growing up in a brainwashing communist culture, in a dictatorial system where nothing is possible, she kept believing that there was more to life than what she was experiencing. In 1997, Morariu emigrated to the United States with her husband, Cornel, and three-year-old son, Marius, to experience the “American Dream.” It was a life-changing experience, and the couple was radically born again. The Lord started implanting a dream in them, a dream greater than they ever imagined, “God’s Dream,” that immersed them into a reality where nothing is impossible.

Morariu holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in biology from Babes Bolyai University in Romania. She is a veracious reader, passionate writer, intercessor, and has been a dedicated science high school teacher for twenty years. Morariu loves her students with a passion superseded only by her love for Jesus and her family. She and her family live in Beaverton, Oregon. Morariu teaches in Newberg and attends Mannahouse Church. In addition to her passion for reading and writing, she also enjoys prayer walks, especially at the beach, either alone or with friends. Morariu is passionate about knowing and praying the heart of God for specific people and even for cities and regions.

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Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. The Trail of Joyful Tears: A Prophetic Daily Devotional is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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Christian Fiction Explores the Repercussions of Non-Believers When Rapture Comes to Fruition

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My inspiration came from preaching a series of messages on the End Time about three years ago. During this period, I listened to a message on Christian radio by Dr. David Jeremiah, who used a story telling method for his sermon delivery.

Author Abraham Oluwafemi Adebo provides a thought-provoking Christian fictional story in Divine Wings: A Novel on the Rapture of the Church ($21.99, paperback, 9781662880865; $9.99, e-book, 9781662880872).

Adebo’s fiction traces the journey of an American pastor and scion of East Africa’s legendary evangelists, Pastor Johnson McIver Shelby Jr., whose prodigious intellect pitted him against any conservative reading of the Bible. He disparaged the traditional Christian teaching of the veracity of the Bible as the Word of God and the reality of heaven or the rapture of the Church, leading most of his followers on the path of perdition. Unfortunately, when the rapture did come, the true believers were taken to heaven on divine wings. Tragically, Pastor Johnson Jr. and many of his followers were left stranded on earth under the ruinous rule of the Antichrist. Will Pastor Johnson Jr. having realized his error valiantly save his soul and the others he had led astray, or will it be too late?

When asked what inspired the author to write this book, Adebo said, “My inspiration came from preaching a series of messages on the End Time about three years ago. During this period, I listened to a message on Christian radio by Dr. David Jeremiah, who used a story telling method for his sermon delivery. I learned from Dr. Jeremiah’s approach that it was possible to reach a lot more people through story telling than conventional preaching style as this will command more attention and followers among Christians, mostly the young ones. Hence, the idea of this book.”

Abraham Oluwafemi Adebo was born in the north central city of Takete Ide, Amuro, Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a devout Christian, ordained Pastor and author. Adebo holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, a Masters in Christian Theology from Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, Criswell College, Dallas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth TX, and a Ph.D. in Faith & Heritage from BH Carroll Theological Seminary, Irving TX. He also holds a master’s degree in information technology management & Innovation from the Northcentral University, Scottsdale, Arizona and a professional certification in Information Systems Auditing (CISA), Agile Scrum Master (CSM), and Certified Product Owner (CSPO). He has over twenty years pastoral experience both in Nigeria and the United States. He is currently the Pastor of EMC Family Church in Cedar Hill, Texas. He also worked as a high school teacher, college professor, Information Technology Auditor/Security Analyst and a Scrum Master/Project Management Specialist.

Adebo writes with sublime depth and beauty on issues of faith, redemption and place of the Church in contemporary times. His other books include: The Church in the 21st Century, Freedom from Bondage, and The Future of Black Theology in Post Apartheid South Africa. He has passion for family, soul winning and counseling. He loves reading, travelling and gardening.

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Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. Divine Wings: A Novel on the Rapture of the Church is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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A Bad Relationship Does Not Have To Be The End For You, No Matter How Bad

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I was inspired to write the book because of my 25-plus years of ministering to those who have been in broken relationships and marriages where I have seen God do some incredible and indescribable relationship, marriage and love healing.

Author Anthony McMaryion offers his experience and encouragement to readers seeking restoration and future relationship success in Show Me How To Love Again ($38.99, paperback, 9781662879050; $9.99, e-book, 9781662879067).

McMaryion has seen the damage that hurt and abuse can cause and how it can hinder people from taking full advantage of future opportunities. He has also seen the power of God’s healing and how He can restore relationships, or individuals ready to pursue new relationships. In this book, McMaryion shares decades of wisdom and counseling experience with readers so that they can move past the hurt and on to a new, fulfilled portion of their lives.

“I was inspired to write the book because of my 25-plus years of ministering to those who have been in broken relationships and marriages where I have seen God do some incredible and indescribable relationship, marriage and love healing. Because of what I had seen and experienced, I wanted to share the wisdom, knowledge and understanding God gave me with others,” said Mcmaryion.

Anthony McMaryion Is a licensed and ordained prophet, motivational speaker, playwright, coach, and a relationship encounter facilitator anointed by God to minister in the area of relationships. He is the founder of the Healing Center for Relationships and Lodebar Ministries, Inc.

Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. Show Me How To Love Again is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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Young Faith Vs. Young Love; Only One Of Them Can Reign Supreme

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inspired by the native history of the Rivers State of Nigeria.

Author Atinuke Durojaiye invites her readers to see how faith is tempted in a young woman’s life in Sweet Surrender: Series One ($12.49, paperback, 9781662880322; $25.99, dust jacket, 9781662880339; $5.99, e-book, 9781662880346).

Mabel Sekibo is ready to start the next phase of her young life. At 24, she came from a poor family who supported her to make sure she graduated from the University at all costs. Best of all, she has been following Jesus for two years! But when she meets a handsome, rich, arrogant, spoiled aristocrat, will it all fall apart?

Durojaiye says she was inspired by the native history of the Rivers State of Nigeria.

Atinuke Durojaiye is an Evangelist, Registered Nurse, Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker, Wife, Mother and Grandmother. Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, she now resides in New York City and is the CEO for Inumidun International Inc dba Purh20, distributor of Purh20 Natural Spring Water.

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Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. Sweet Surrender is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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An Inspirational Retelling of Life-Changing Events That Brought This Prodigal Back to God

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“What You Can Become When Your Faith Grows Up” shares author Gaye LaFoe’s personal story of loss, rejection, and ultimate redemption.

Readers get a glimpse into an autobiographical account of dysfunction, prolonged illness, and loss. LaFoe shares her unique personal experiences on her emotional spiritual journey with lessons in faith, struggles, and the search for answers.

“My testimony although it is about me, LaFoe said, “Is really about how God can change a situation radically, direct your path, and bring you to a place of total victory.”

This book is intended to be uplifting and encouraging for readers to start, continue or grow their relationship with the Lord. LaFoe wants to get this book into the hands of young people who are trying to find their way and to anyone seeking answers from God or wrestling with faith.

“I thought God had left me,” LaFoe said. “I placed Him in the same category as other men in my life who had let me down or rejected me. I got away from God for many years as a young adult filled with bitterness. But, after a life-threatening situation, I realized that He had been there all the time, directing my steps behind the scenes.”

“WHAT YOU CAN BECOME WHEN YOUR FAITH GROWS UP”

By Gaye LaFoe

ISBN: 9781664270381 (softcover); 9781664270398 (hardcover); 9781664270374 (electronic)

Available at WestBow Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Gaye LaFoe has a bachelor’s degree in business. She worked in the corporate world before retiring and has been a speaker and singer as well. LaFoe enjoys different hobbies, including event planning. She has been married to the love of her life for 39 years and they have two children and four grandchildren. LaFoe and her husband reside in the Chattanooga, Tenn. area.

To learn more, please visit http://www.gayelafoe.com, and while there check out her new blog, Until He Comes.

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General Inquiries:            

LAVIDGE – Phoenix                        

Ashley Baccaro

480-648-7557

abaccaro@lavidge.com

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ARC (Association of Related Churches) Recaps Successful ARC Church Conference

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ARC (Association of Related Churches) is happy to announce that it held a successful 2023 ARC Conference. Organizers were able to reach more people than ever this year, thanks to the fact that the event was hosted at two venues simultaneously for the first time.

From April 25-26, ARC church leaders held the annual conference at two campuses of Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama. The two locations provided the organization with more space so that additional people could attend the impactful event to learn from and connect with others.

The conference was attended by thousands of ARC church planters, church leaders, and pastors, all of whom gathered together so they could become better equipped to help their local church community thrive. The event included plenty of worship, impactful messages, breakout sessions and various opportunities for people to meet new people and build new relationships with other people in ministry.

This all goes to one of the main tenets of ARC (Association of Related Churches), which is that no one should do ministry alone.

One of the highlights of the 2023 ARC Conference was the ARC Women Luncheon, held for the first time this year.

Dino Rizzo, the executive director of ARC churches, kicked off the conference by sharing what the organization has already been able to accomplish in 2023 and where it is headed in the future.

“I believe with all my heart that ARC’s future is existing churches becoming sending churches that prepare healthy church planters to be trained by ARC, to plant in undersaturated cities and in population growth cities, to fulfill the Great Commission.”

Other speakers included Chad Fisher, who, along with his wife Katie, serves as the lead pastor of Rock City Church in Columbus, Ohio, and are members of the ARC Lead Team; Miles McPherson, the pastor of The Rock Church in San Diego, California; Chad Veach, who along with his wife Julia, pastor at Zoe Church in Los Angeles; and Charlotte Gambill, a teaching pastor at the Church of the Highlands who along with her husband Steve helped build Life Church in Europe.

Another highlight of the two-day event was when Pastor Chris Hodges spoke during Tuesday night’s session at the Grandview location of Church of the Highlands. Pastor Chris Hodges is one of the founders of ARC (Association of Related Churches) as well as the lead pastor at Church of the Highlands.

During his talk, he shared an honest message about pastoring and what it means to him.

“My calling has a competitor. It’s comfort. If you are looking for comfort, you are in the wrong business,” Hodges told the audience. “You have to embrace the hard. If you embrace the hard and know that it’s part of the calling, you actually start to enjoy the hard because it’s part of the calling.”

To learn more about ARC (Association of Related Churches) and how you can join the movement to launch an impactful church in your community, visit arcchurches.com.

About ARC (Association of Related Churches)

ARC (Association of Related Churches) is a cooperative of independent churches from different denominations, networks, and backgrounds who strategically resource church planters and pastors to help them reach people with the message of Jesus. ARC exists to see a thriving church in every community, reaching people with the message of Jesus. Since its beginning in 2001, ARC has grown into a global organization and has helped plant more than 1,000 churches.

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Refreshing Fiction Combines Relatable Topics of Christian Ministry and the Often-Overlooked Preparation For Spiritual Battles

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It is my hope and prayer that this novel will be used in Bible colleges, seminaries, and Christian universities as an instructional tool to help prepare ministry students for spiritual battle, a topic often overlooked or underemphasized in many courses of study.

Author Deborah A. Burd provides readers with a fictional story about ministry experiences in From Battles to Victory: Standing Strong in Your Call ($21.99, paperback, 9781662873065; $9.99, e-book, 9781662873072).

Burd’s book provides a compelling fictional story intertwined with important Biblical strategies and practices to help equip people for ministry on a spiritual level to experience more victories in spiritual battles during their ministry assignments.

Inspired by the ministry experiences of a real pastoral couple, Burd’s fictional story follows the Hanson family’s ministry adventures. Pastor Steve along with his wife and their teenage children experience two ministry callings in the same county. During these encounters, they face incredible challenges and seemingly crushing defeats. Readers will see firsthand how these callings have the potential to be too much for the Hanson’s. Will these callings break them apart as a family or will they rise to the occasion and fight the spiritual battles they encounter together? Readers will want to keep reading to discover if Pastor Steve and his family can forgive those who wound them. As many Christians experience daily, will the Hanson family’s trust in God and dedication to their callings produce victorious outcomes?

When asked what inspired the author to write this book, Burd said, “It is my hope and prayer that this novel will be used in Bible colleges, seminaries, and Christian universities as an instructional tool to help prepare ministry students for spiritual battle, a topic often overlooked or underemphasized in many courses of study.”

Dr. Deborah A. Burd holds a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Transformational Leadership from Ashland Theological Seminary. She is co-founder and president of Besorah Institute for Judaic-Christian Studies & Biblical Research in Twinsburg, Ohio. She has taught online courses for Christian universities. Burd is a native Ohioan, residing there most of her life, currently living in the Cleveland area with her husband, Philip. Together they enjoy hiking, studying the Scriptures, and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

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Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. From Battles to Victory: Standing Strong in Your Call is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, Cokesbury.com and Christianbook.com.

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Dino Rizzo Recaps Ways ARC Churches Served Mothers on Mother’s Day

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Dino Rizzo, the co-founder of Healing Place Church and executive director of ARC (Association of Related Churches), is proud to share how ARC churches served mothers around the country on Mother’s Day this year through the resources provided by Servolution.

As Dino Rizzo explained at church service on Mother’s Day, Church of the Highlands announced that it would offer anyone who self-identifies as a single mom, widow, or mom whose child has been deployed a gift card good for an oil change. Church of the Highlands offered these oil changes at 23 campuses.

The idea was originally posted on the Servolution Instagram page, and the group received a heartwarming message from a mom who follows the account.

“As a single mom, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this post. I haven’t gotten my oil changed in a year because it’s expensive and I am intimidated by the whole experience!” she posted.

Factory Church in North Carolina offered people the opportunity to sponsor a single mom for Mother’s Day. According to Dino Rizzo, the church raised money to provide free manicures and pedicures for all single moms who are a part of the Factory Church family.

People who were interested in the “Single Mom Sponsorship” could head to the Factory Church’s website, where they could either donate directly or fill out a form to nominate a single mom to receive the wonderful gift.

Servolution undertook a concerted effort to take care of mothers everywhere this Mother’s Day. For example, Servolution provided followers with five ways they could serve on Mother’s Day this year.

One idea was to meet moms at a grocery store and offer to pay for her groceries. Dino Rizzo explains that this year, one of the most uplifting stories came from this suggestion.

An elderly woman was writing out a check to pay for her groceries on Mother’s Day, and church members interrupted her and offered to purchase them for her. The woman was visibly touched and appreciated this act of kindness.

Other ideas the organization put forth were to buy lunch for a mom, offer to plant her flowers or do yardwork for her, or fill her vehicle with gas and top off the windshield wiper fluid for her, too.

Mother’s Day is a day for celebration and a time to honor all moms across the world, according to Dino Rizzo. Yet, it can bring about some unhappy memories to single moms, widows, and moms of deployed spouses. This is a major reason why the resources Servolution provided helped to serve as many moms as possible this Mother’s Day.

About Dino Rizzo

Dino Rizzo, a 35-year ministry veteran, co-founded Healing Place Church with his wife, DeLynn, where he served as senior pastor for two decades. Through his passion for inspiring believers to serve their communities, Dino Rizzo founded Servolution and authored “Serve Your City.” Rizzo serves as the Executive Director of ARC (Association of Related Churches), which has planted more than 1000 churches worldwide, and is on the Senior Leadership Team at Church of the Highlands.

About ARC (Association of Related Churches)

ARC (Association of Related Churches) is a cooperative of independent churches from different denominations, networks, and backgrounds who strategically resource church planters and pastors to help them reach people with the message of Jesus. ARC exists to see a thriving church in every community, reaching people with the message of Jesus. Since its beginning in 2000, ARC has grown into a global organization and has helped plant more than 1,000 churches.

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