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.

empty tomb, inc. Mission Match Seeks Churches to Use Their Distribution & Frontline Networks to Keep 1 Million Children from Dying of Treatable Causes

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A congregation can select a need outlined by their denominational channel or a Christian nonprofit.

Over 1 million children under the age of 5 are expected to die from treatable causes in 2023. empty tomb®, inc. Mission Match® is a tool to help churches in the U.S. use their own distribution networks to help these children in Jesus’ name.

Churches still have one of the best global distribution systems. Church networks have people on the front lines in areas of great needs. Churches also have a tradition of reaching out to vulnerable children because their Leader, Jesus, tells them to do so, including in Matthew 18:14.

Since 1990, the rate of under-age-five child deaths has been declining through the combined efforts of foundations, governments, private philanthropy, and academic research efforts.

However, goals set by global leaders to reduce the rate of under-5 child deaths by 2015 were not met in 40 countries. These 40 countries are the focus of Mission Match.

The causes of death are generally treatable. Three leading causes include pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria. In addition, neonatal issues are also a major factor.

A review of denominational Web sites found requests for basic solutions, including, for example: portable ultrasound machines; repair of a maternity clinic in a country ravaged by civil war; or training of midwives.

A congregation can select a need outlined by their denominational channel or a Christian nonprofit. It is understood that other age groups might also be assisted by the projects. The congregation can then apply to Mission Match for a matching contribution in an amount of $500 through $3,000, in $500 increments. After that, the congregation has 90 days to raise the amount to be matched through intentional giving, using one or more special collections among those affiliated with the congregation. Mission Match will then send the congregation a check for the matching contribution amount. The congregation then sends both amounts to the project.

Congregations can find out about the application process at missionmatch.org, on the Church Application page on the menu.

A list of the 40 countries is at missionmatch.org on the 40 Countries page.

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Dino Rizzo, ARC Churches Co-Founder, Announces Recent Interview with Brainz Magazine

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Dino Rizzo, the co-founder and executive director of ARC (Association of Related Churches), is excited to announce that he was featured in a recent story for Brainz Magazine.

Dino Rizzo, who has more than 35 years of ministry experience and co-founded Healing Place Church with his wife DeLynn, shared with Brainz Magazine insights on ARC churches and his vision for church planting.

As part of the interview, Rizzo pointed out that 20 years ago, when ARC (Association of Related Churches) began, he wasn’t aware of other church planting organizations, making this an important place to start. Since that time, the organization has helped launch more than 1,000 churches.

The goal of the organization, Rizzo said, is to create relationships with ARC church-planting couples and their teams so they can thrive and spread the word of Jesus to members of the community.

He also said that ARC church planting success depends on the hard work, culture, leadership, and connection with people that leaders are able to establish. Dino Rizzo also said, though, that there’s a “God factor” that’s part of success. He told Brainz Magazine that God sends unique waves and that “we need to pay attention to our own wave instead of comparing it to others.”

In addition to discussing his vision for ARC churches, Rizzo discussed his passion for serving. That passion, he said, comes from the fact that he was reached through outreach, to begin with. If he didn’t experience that, he never would’ve started a church on his own.

As Dino Rizzo explained:

“Outreach is about noticing a need, pain or suffering and coming alongside to side. We want to empower church leaders to realize there are people around them waiting for someone to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It doesn’t take a lot of money or resources to make a difference.”

Other topics that Rizzo discussed in his Brainz Magazine interview were some of the major challenges he’s seeing this ARC church planting season and the one piece of advice he’d give young church leaders.

Brainz Magazine is a global digital magazine focused on exclusive information, articles, and interviews on lifestyle, leadership, personal development, and entrepreneurship. Its mission is to advocate for people’s success and happiness by providing content that motivates, provides answers they seek, and inspires.

Dino Rizzo is the author of the book “Serve Your City” and founded the organization Servolution. In addition to his roles and ARC (Association of Related Churches) and Healing Place Church, he also serves on the senior leadership team at Church of the Highlands.

To read Dino Rizzo’s full interview with Brainz Magazine, please visit the magazine’s website.

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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A True Understanding Of God’s Love Would Transform Your Life

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God’s absolute love for us, shown through Christ’s sacrifice, is the most misunderstood love in our society, but it is the pursuit of experiencing God’s perfect love that makes life such a gift. In that truth, we find all the hope we will ever need

Author Otilyn Bonal seeks to show God’s children how immensely they are loved in Relentless Pursuit: A Heart After God ($15.49, paperback, 9781662871320; $23.99, hard cover, 9781662871337; $6.99, e-book, 9781662871344).

Bonal’s heart yearns to help others heal from traumatic pasts, and she understands how fundamental hope is to that process, and how many people are living without it. She wants her readers to fully grasp the extent of the Father’s unconditional love for them so they can be uplifted and empowered.

“God’s absolute love for us, shown through Christ’s sacrifice, is the most misunderstood love in our society, but it is the pursuit of experiencing God’s perfect love that makes life such a gift. In that truth, we find all the hope we will ever need,” said Bonal.

Otilyn Bonal is a spiritual and life coach born in West Africa Liberia who came to the United States in 2003. She is the founder of Shine Your Light Outreach Inc., an organization that looks after Liberian children and single mothers. Bonal resides in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons.

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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. Relentless Pursuit is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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Don’t Let The End Time Trees Blind You To The Majesty Of The Divine Forest

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Over years of study and teaching, I began to realize that the Bible did not seem to say what many claimed it said about end of the world, the return of Jesus, and eternal destiny. This prompted more intense study and organization of thought that resulted in writing the book

Author Marc Paladino shares the results of his eschatological research in The Threshold of Exile: Examining New Testament Prophecy and Eternal Destiny ($24.49, paperback, 9781662868351; $9.99, e-book, 9781662868368).

While many search for predictions in end-time prophecy, Paladino believes they are missing the mark. Throughout his personal study, he has found that Jesus and the apostles referenced Old Testament prophecies and presented them to a new audience in their day and that the cross cannot be overestimated in these discussions.

“Over years of study and teaching, I began to realize that the Bible did not seem to say what many claimed it said about end of the world, the return of Jesus, and eternal destiny. This prompted more intense study and organization of thought that resulted in writing the book,” said Paladino.

Marc Paladino has been serving the Lord in a variety of settings since the age of 20 as a Bible Teacher, Associate Pastor, Elder and Administrator, as well as a Coordinator for a Detroit-area alliance of inner city and suburban churches. Now retired from the field of manufacturing quality assurance, he resides in Michigan with his wife Judy and enjoys their three adult children and six grandchildren. Paladino is also the author of After the Walls Came Down (2011).

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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 Threshold of Exile is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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Author provides a Systematic Exploration of Scripture Explaining the Biblical Truth Regarding Heaven and Hell

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The overall goal is to reach out to nonbelievers and Christians who may have questions regarding the afterlife or who are searching for assurances of salvation.

In “Salvation from the Lake of Fire: The Beauty of John 3:16”,” author Elisabeth Christine Nelson attempts to tackle the controversial subject of eternal punishment in hell and offers hope of salvation through Jesus Christ in easy-to-understand terms. The overall goal is to reach out to nonbelievers and Christians who may have questions regarding the afterlife or who are searching for assurances of salvation.

“My goal is to reach people regarding their soul’s eternal destination, preferably Heaven,” said Nelson. “This book will help people follow a road of discovery as they find truthful answers to their questions.”

Nelson invites readers to share her journey as she describes scriptures searches and disseminating the information. She positions this as a guidebook to understanding what the Bible says about salvation, but she encourages interested parties to read the scriptures for themselves.

“I was personally impacted on a spiritual level while working on this project, and I gained a more profound spiritual intimacy with the Holy Spirit,” said Nelson. “The Holy Spirit is our helper and teacher, and I hope readers learn to tap into Him more often.”

“Salvation from the Lake of Fire: The Beauty of John 3:16”

By Elisabeth Christine Nelson

ISBN: 9781664229983 (softcover); 9781664229976 (hardcover); 9781664229990 (electronic)

Available at Westbow Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Elisabeth Christine Nelson has a heartfelt desire to share God’s message of love and redemption. She focused on completing this book after retiring in late 2019. She has plans to write on various theological subjects and is a volunteer member of her church’s care team. Elisabeth, an alumnus of California State University, Long Beach, was the first woman in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree; others have followed. She has one adult daughter and lives in Southern California. To learn more, please visit http://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/812326-salvation-from-the-lake-of-fire.

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A Theology for an Age of Affluence

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The State of Church Giving through 2020 Figure 21

For example, in the year 1700, per capita GDP in the world was $625 and in the U.S., $527. By 1998, the world per capita GDP was $5,709 and the U.S. was $27,331, in 1990 inflation-adjusted dollars.

Church member giving as a percent of income was down again in 2020, according empty tomb ‘s new edition, The State of Church Giving through 2020. What’s needed to reverse the trend is summed up in the subtitle: A Theology for an Age of Affluence.

The data presented in the 32nd edition of the series shows that the downward trend in giving extends back to 1968.

Yet, according to the study’s authors, the potential for church members to increase giving is great. And they write that a broad vision can serve as a positive agenda for the affluence that has been spreading in the U.S. since about 1820.

Other findings in the new book:


  • The downward trend in the portion of income given to the church has been accompanied by a decline in the portion of church membership in the U.S. population.
  • The downward giving trends are evident across the theological spectrum.
  • Although more dollars were given by members, incomes increased faster. As a result, the dollars given represented a smaller part of available income. Further, of the increase in dollars given, the largest part stayed in the congregation to pay for operations.
  • Of the money that comes into the church, an average of 2¢ of each dollar was forwarded by the congregations to the denominations’ international mission outreach. This amount contrasts with an average of 8¢ in a group of 11 denominations from 1916 through 1927.

Yet, the new book’s authors believe church members in the U.S. can use their potential for good.

  • Churches still have some of the most effective communication systems and delivery networks that reach the neediest parts of the world.
  • The church still claims one of the largest identity groups in the U.S., made up of a broadly-based constituency.
  • The church has a clear and established framework that sets the expectation that members should use their power, in this case their financial resources, for the good of others.
  • According to an analysis in the book of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey data for 2020, young people, in the Under-25 age group, again reported that the vast majority of their charitable giving – 81% in 2020 – went to “church, religious organizations.” That suggests that religious settings are a key source of philanthropy education in young people.

So, how do the authors explain the disconnect between practice and potential?

The answer may be seen in the subtitle, A Theology for an Age of Affluence. Chapter 8 of the new book explores how church leaders can rethink the challenge they present to their members.

The first section of chapter 8 builds on the Angus Maddison analysis of per capita Gross Domestic Product from the Year 0 through 1998 AD. His analysis is in inflation-adjusted dollars. Numbers for the world (from the Year 0) and the U.S. (since 1500) are presented.

For example, in the year 1700, per capita GDP in the world was $625 and in the U.S., $527. By 1998, the world per capita GDP was $5,709 and the U.S. was $27,331, in 1990 inflation-adjusted dollars.

Ten points along the chart’s Year 0 through 1998 AD axis explore various developments in the church and the world. One observation from these points is that, as people became increasingly affluent, they became more interested in their present existence. For example, the phrase “pie in the sky” was not coined until 1911.

The second section of the chapter observes trends in society that have accompanied a lack of a theology for an age of affluence offered by the church. Problems, such as increased violence, increased “deaths of despair” from drugs and alcohol, and increased youth mental health difficulties have been observed during the period that church member giving as a portion of income has declined. A table in this section quotes various church leaders concerned about the condition of the church.

The third section of chapter 8 considers elements of what might be included in a theology for an age of affluence. Eight topics, each built on a verse, are considered, for example: “Believe Jesus” (John 14:12); “More than consumers” (Romans 12:2); and “Created for a Purpose” (Eph. 2:8-10).

The authors suggest that the church needs to offer a positive agenda for the affluence that has been flooding – and overwhelming – U.S. society, including church members, beginning in about 1820.

The authors cite available documents about one of the worst ongoing emergencies in the world, which is the rate of children under the age of five dying from treatable causes. Three leading causes are pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria. Neonatal deaths are a large percentage of the total number.

The authors suggest that church leaders could tap the imaginations of their members to meet this critical need. Potential resources of church members shared in Jesus’ name through present delivery structures can help increase child survival.

The new book, The State of Church Giving through 2020: A Theology for an Age of Affluence, is the 32nd edition in the empty tomb series. The book is available from Wipf and Stock: (541) 344-1528 or info@wipfandstock.com.

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Christie Black announces the release of ‘Call Her Faith’

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Christie Black announces her entry to the publishing scene with the release of “Call Her Faith: Seek Peace, Find Self, Know Love” (published by Archway Publishing), a collection of poetry that reflects on a young woman’s 16-year journey through a multitude of experiences as she battled her fear to discover the gift of self-love.

In this book, Black penned poetry that tells a poignant story of heartbreak and trauma, hope and faith, depression and despair, and new life and love. Told in three parts—Seek Peace, Find Self, Know Love—Call Her Faith reflects on an inner battle between fear and love.

An excerpt from the book reads:

And how may I keep my faith strong?

“Allow the beat of your heart and the flow of your breath,

the beauty of nature and the breeze of the wind,

the light of the moon and the mysteries of the universe

to remind you of how much you are loved.”

And this is no more than a reminder of the message of absolute love.

“The battle between fear and love is a universal concept that all humanity can relate to,” Black says. She adds, “this collection of poetry serves to encourage the belief that it is always possible to cultivate peace, healing, and love within oneself.” For more details about the book, please visit https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/840108-call-her-faith

“Call Her Faith: Seek Peace, Find Self, Know Love”

By Christie Black

Hardcover | 5.5 x 8.5in | 112 pages | ISBN 9781665725767

Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5in | 112 pages | ISBN 9781665725774

E-Book | 112 pages | ISBN 9781665725750

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Christie Black found her highest form of expression through the arts at an early age. Her desire to write poetry stems from her love of music and the beauty of the tidings of songwriting. “Call Her Faith” is Black’s first collection of poetry.

Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the worldwide leader in self-publishing, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit archwaypublishing.com or call 844-669-3957.

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‘America Accept the Truth, Repent, and Save Our Country’ released

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Dr. Derek Lawrence-Harper marks his return to the publishing scene with the release of “America Accept the Truth, Repent, and Save Our Country” (published by LifeRich Publishing).

Having lived in the United States for many years, the author has seen a shift in the morality and direction of this country. Prayer is no longer in schools, violence and abuse increased, and family structures diminished. This book aims to lead people to Christ by first addressing unresolved issues that are often dismissed and ignored by the mainstream population. The author hopes that the stating truths can cause people to feel uncomfortable, encourage them to fact check to what they believe, and inspire them to re-read the Bible.

“This book is POWERFUL because it will open people’s eyes, ears, and mind to instill inner strength. This book is INFORMATIVE because it will provide information that you may not have been aware of. This book is INSPIRATIONAL because it will provide HOPE based upon the scriptures,” the author describes.

When asked what he wants readers to take away from his writing, “I want readers to be shocked by the information provided in the book and self-assess their lives and make any changes (repent) to make a positive change that helps our country improve one person at a time. I believe that if people read and recommend this book to others while aligning our lives to the bible we can save or at least delay the judgment upon America.”

To purchase a copy, visit https://www.liferichpublishing.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/850410-america-accept-the-truth-repent-and-save-our-country.

“America Accept the Truth, Repent, and Save Our Country”

By Dr. Derek Lawrence-Harper

Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 200 pages | ISBN 9781489746993

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 200 pages | ISBN 9781489746979

E-Book | 200 pages | ISBN 9781489746986

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Dr. Derek Lawrence-Harper, “The Minister Artist,” is a servant of the “Most High God” who is a husband, father, and life-long learner who earned a doctorate degree in biblical studies. He is an educator, author and artist who seeks to find biblical and scriptural truths that are often dismissed or ignored by society and align them with world history and biblical prophecy. The author’s paintings and drawings often tell a story about biblical and society issues. The author’s wife began a Bible study with the author on Thursday nights called Read it 4 Yourself Ministries. He also previously authored “The Origins of SelFLESHNess: According to the Scriptures,” published by Empowerment Zone Publishing in 2020.

LifeRich Publishing, the strategic publishing partnership of Reader’s Digest and Author Solutions, LLC, was created to provide all writers a platform for sharing their stories, recipes, advice and more. LifeRich authors will benefit from a wealth of editorial design, marketing and education resources, specially created by Reader’s Digest editors for the enrichment of these LifeSmart individuals. Books can be published in print, ebook or audio formats, with additional distribution to up to 25 million Reader’s Digest customers through its online properties. For more information or to publish a book, please visit liferichpublishing.com or call 844-686-9607.

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God Meant For His Word To Transform His Children’s Lives

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This book is a must read for all ages. It will help you understand the word of God, in ways that you haven’t imagined

Author Marvin L. Smith invites believers to harness the power of God’s Word in The Penetrating Power of the Word of God: Unlocking the Secrets of Using the Limitless Power of the Word to Change Your Life Forever! ($12.49, paperback, 9781662871900; $5.99, e-book, 9781662871917).

Smith wants to see lives transformed by God’s power, and he knows the power that is contained with the promises of God’s written Word. In this book, he teaches Christian how to access the power within these promises and how to activate them in their lives in order to achieve the transformation that God intended for them.

“This book is a must read for all ages. It will help you understand the word of God, in ways that you haven’t imagined,” said Smith.

Apostle Marvin L. Smith is President of Faith in Action School of Theology and Founder of Faith in Action Church. He attended Norfolk State University, Tidewater Community College and Victory Life Bible College. He proclaims the truth of the gospel as a prophet, preacher and teacher.

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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 Penetrating Power of the Word of God is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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