“Episcopal Relief & Development and Trinity Church Wall Street share a common understanding of the value of long-term disaster response and resilience work,” said Rob Radtke, President & CEO, Episcopal Relief & Development.

NEW YORK (PRWEB)
February 08, 2023

Episcopal Relief & Development has received a 5-year, $5 million grant from Trinity Church Wall Street to respond to disasters and strengthen the resilience of marginalized communities around the world. With the support of this grant, Episcopal Relief & Development will work with community-based Anglican partners to meet the immediate needs of one million people impacted by disaster and bolster the economic stability of an additional 125,000.

“The recent layering of devastating events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate-influenced disasters and human conflict, has created increased economic instability for families worldwide,” said Rob Radtke, President & CEO, Episcopal Relief & Development. “This flexible funding will allow us to respond to a broad range of emergencies as they arise. We are grateful for the vision and confidence placed in us by Trinity Church Wall Street’s Rector and Vestry, along with Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies’ Executive Director Neill Coleman’s partnership and guidance over the past five years. We share a common understanding of the value of long-term disaster response and resilience work as we serve the most vulnerable among us.”

Episcopal Relief & Development, with the support of Trinity Church Wall Street, will work with partners around the globe to deliver robust and rapid responses in the face of major disasters by providing cash, food and other supplies to the people most affected. This grant will also support responses to crises that may not gain as much international attention, including climate-related emergencies and conflicts that create an increased number of refugees, migrants and internally displaced people.

Additionally, partners will work with families in their communities to strengthen economic resilience by promoting Savings with Education groups. These member-led groups equip people with financial literacy, small business skills and disaster risk reduction strategies to enable them to prepare for and recover from future emergencies without the need for outside assistance.

“Trinity supports and appreciates Episcopal Relief & Development’s commitment to providing disaster relief to those around the world who suffer the short- and long-term effects of crises,” said The Rev. Phillip A. Jackson, Rector of Trinity Church Wall Street. “We are proud to extend and deepen our partnership with Episcopal Relief & Development as we learn together how best to serve those who are often forgotten or marginalized. “

Over the past three years, Episcopal Relief & Development and Trinity Church Wall Street have partnered to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 Haiti earthquake. These response and resilience projects are on track to reach over three million people in 40 countries.

Learn more about Episcopal Relief & Development’s Climate Resilience work.

ABOUT EPISCOPAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT:

For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.

ABOUT TRINITY CHURCH WALL STREET:

Now in its fourth century, Trinity Church Wall Street is a growing and inclusive Episcopal parish of more than 1,200 members that seeks to serve and heal the world by building neighborhoods that live Gospel truths, generations of faithful leaders, and sustainable communities. The parish is guided by its core values: faith, integrity, inclusiveness, compassion, social justice, and stewardship. Members come from the five boroughs of New York City and surrounding areas to form a racially, ethnically, and economically diverse congregation. More than 20 worship services are offered every week at its historic sanctuaries, Trinity Church and St. Paul’s Chapel, the cornerstones of the parish’s community life, worship, and mission, and online at trinitywallstreet.org. The parish welcomes approximately 2 million visitors per year.

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In his new book “The Blood of My Blood, A Journal of Bible Meditations,” Oscar Destruge shares with readers daily Bible meditations, his explanations, and applications of those texts.

“By feeding daily on God’s affirming and loving statements found throughout the Bible and this journal, we can come out of our depressions and take our place in society with gratitude and humility.”

NORWALK, Conn. (PRWEB)
February 07, 2023

Even in precarious and turbulent times when politics, war, and the uncertainty of the future are on people’s minds, God is always here for us if we open our hearts and minds to His word.

Oscar Destruge, a retired senior pastor at El Camino United Methodist Church in Norwalk, Connecticut, shares that positive message through his book “The Blood of My Blood, A Journal of Bible Meditations.”

To help people rediscover the joy and purpose of living and sharing God’s abundant love, Destruge shares with readers daily Bible meditations that include daily assigned Bible readings, his explanations and applications of those texts, and insights into his personal and family life.

“I wrote this book to be a positive reminder to friends, readers, family, and future generations that we all go through periods of depression, questioning life itself,” he said. “But, no matter our past or what we feel about ourselves, or our doubts and fears, we must realize that we are of great value to God and our family. By feeding daily on God’s affirming and loving statements found throughout the Bible and this journal, we can come out of our depressions and take our place in society with gratitude and humility.”

With his book, Destruge also addresses what he described as “the great lie” imposed on many people—the misguided distrust of God, the Bible, and “organized religion.”

“They’ve believed the great lie that God doesn’t exist, God doesn’t care about them, and God is distant,” he said. “In addition, many know about God, but fewer know or have personally experienced God’s “agape” love. According to Britannica, agape refers to ‘the fatherly love of God for humans, as well as the reciprocal human love for God.’ Without God’s love, protection and guidance, we’re easy prey to the enemy’s lies, leading to isolation, low self-esteem, depression, and suicidal thoughts.”

Speaking of his experience as a pastor, Destruge wants readers to take away four Bible-based main points:

• 
  You are loved. Nothing in your past or present can prevent God from forgiving and receiving you back into His family.
• God is with you. God is and has been with you at all times, and you will be able to look back at your most difficult moments, and realize that God carried you through.
• The best is yet to come. Nothing in this world compares to the joy and peace that awaits us in heaven. Knowing the best awaits will give you the strength and courage to endure today’s trials.
• The Bible is God’s trustworthy guide to lead you home. The Bible says: “All Scripture is inspired by God and useful to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be perfect, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

“I could be wrong in placing my trust in God’s Word, but if I’m going to be wrong, I’d rather be on the side of the One who inspires followers to be at peace with everyone, to love the unlovable, to help the needy and weak, to seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness,” he said. “My life is completely different than it was 33 years ago before I placed my faith in God and the Bible. Then, I was on the verge of suicide, with months of sleepless nights, afraid of what might happen. I’ve found nothing but peace, guidance, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God and my loved ones. There’s no other trusted guide for me besides God’s Holy Word.

“The Blood of My Blood, A Journal of Bible Meditations” is available on Amazon.

About the Book:

“The Blood of My Blood, A Journal of Bible Meditations” by Oscar Destruge is a collection of Daily Bible Meditations derived from the common lectionary, which includes the assigned Bible reading for that day and Pastor Oscar’s explanation and application of that text. Destruge is a retired senior pastor at El Camino United Methodist Church in Norwalk, Connecticut.

The book invites the reader to learn about Pastor Oscar’s life and family and contains beautiful travel pictures. Each daily meditation takes about four minutes to read and ends with a prayer. There are indexes by Scripture and keywords.

Pastor Oscar’s goal for readers is for them to strengthen their faith and walk with God and to encourage them into a routine of spending four minutes daily with God’s Word to help them discover God, who they are, and what is their God-given purpose in life. Lastly, he wants them to develop the courage to face challenges knowing that God is with them and that no matter the obstacles, they will have victory. For more information, visit https://www.pastoroscardestruge.com/. ###

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MANCHESTER, N.H. (PRWEB)
February 07, 2023

In “Ecclesia Communities: Key to a Godly Social Order,” by Lou and Greg Poumakis, readers are provided with a doctrine of the Biblical Christian faith.

This book explores the Word of God and the true meaning behind Jesus’ and the Apostle’s use of the term “ecclesia,” and how it shaped the early ecclesia communities.

The authors provide that, shortly after the Bible was first translated to English, the institutional church and governments defined ecclesia to be the institutions of the then current day by using the word “church” for ecclesia. This changed the meaning from ‘the people’ to ‘the institutions’ – authoritarian institutions rather than a community.

“Since then, many have declared that “ecclesia” does not mean “church,” Poumakis said, “but they have failed to explore the deeper ramifications or articulate that it was a specific intended misuse to manipulate and control the body of Christ.”

This book differentiates between the true teachings and false traditions of the term “ecclesia.” According to the authors, these traditions concern three main topics: who individual believers really are in Christ, what defines the structure of a local ecclesia community, and the full mission of the ecclesia communities.

There is currently a large movement in the country, the ‘house’ or ‘home’ churches, where Christians are rejecting the institutional church and embracing the early church communities by gathering outside of institutional churches.

“I believe that this book will help those readers come to the realization that they have taken the correct step in their faith,” Poumakis said.

“Ecclesia Communities: Key to a Godly Social Order”

By Lou and Greg Poumakis

ISBN: 9781665557672 (softcover); 9781665557658 (hardcover); 9781665557665 (electronic)

Available at AuthorHouse, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Lou Poumakis is a retired electrical engineer. He has been a student of the Bible since his conversion in 1974, he then became ordained as an elder in the Christian Reformed Church and later as a minister in the Federation of Reformed Churches. Greg Poumakis, Lou’s son, attended Pensacola Christian College and later graduated from Dordt College. He came to the faith in 1970. Lou published a book prior called, “Faith On Earth.” This new book is a collaboration of Lou and Greg. Lou currently resides in Boynton Beach, Fla. and Greg in Manchester, N.H.

To learn more, please visit http://www.ecclesiacommunities.life.

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General Inquiries:            

LAVIDGE – Phoenix                        

Ashley Baccaro

480-648-7557

abaccaro@lavidge.com

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I was in heaven for an hour plus. Why me? I can’t really tell you, but I can tell you this: I am more than grateful for what Jesus Christ has done in my life

ELLIS, Kansas (PRWEB)
February 06, 2023

Author Timothy E. Garrison relates his hour-long visit to a mansion in Glory in Heaven, I Was There! ($22.49, paperback, 9781662866975; $9.99, e-book, 9781662866982).

At the end of a fast in 1995, Garrison and his wife Helen were privileged to tour Heaven for an hour. Helen was not able to see the inside of the mansion they visited, but Garrison was even able to meet his personal angel, Joseph, and have a glorious encounter with Jesus Christ Himself.

“I was in heaven for an hour plus. Why me? I can’t really tell you, but I can tell you this: I am more than grateful for what Jesus Christ has done in my life,” said Garrison.

Timothy E. Garrison, known as “timothy e,” loves God, country, and family. He and his wife Helen, have been in full-time ministry since 1998. Prior to that, he owned businesses in Colorado and southern California.

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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. Heaven, I Was There! is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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Joy experienced on trips. People met and satisfaction from helping.

HOPE HULL, Ala. (PRWEB)
February 06, 2023

Author Dr. Tony Hopper shares his engaging adventures in Fourth-Quarter Fishing: A Memoir of an Engineer’s International Mission Trips ($36.49, paperback, 9781662866098; $9.99, e-book, 9781662866104).

Presented with a clever “fishing theme,” Dr. Tony Hopper’s memoir details his courageous later-in-life mission trips. This Electrical Engineer from Alabama, turned farmer, contractor, violinist and Beatitudes teacher shares his risky, humorous and rewarding personal experiences. Accompanying Dr. Hopper’s powerful stories are numerous color photos from trips to Mexico, Zimbabwe, Togo, Nigeria, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya and Ghana. Dr. Hopper relates actual events – all transformational and worth the risks – to fishing for men, as the author taught the Beatitudes in schools of preaching and many local churches in Africa.

When asked what inspired the author to write this book, Dr. Hopper said, “Joy experienced on trips. People met and satisfaction from helping.”

Dr. Tony Hopper holds a PhD from Auburn University in Electrical Engineering. He and his wife, Iva Kate, are both graduates of Lipscomb University and have two children and five grandchildren. They reside on Iva Kate’s family’s farm in Alabama, just south of Montgomery. For forty years, they operated a working beef cattle operation while running a site work and grading company. Dr. Hopper enjoys gardening, fishing, hunting and plays violin with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra. He is the author of Dearest Darling, It’s Been a Long, Long Time: Love Letters from World War II, based on 325 letters his father Bert Hopper wrote to his wife, Lois, during Bert’s 27-month Army service. Dr. Hopper’s future work will include a study of the Beatitudes as found in Matthew Chapter Five, a study called “The Heart of Jesus”, which Hopper shared on mission trips.

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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. Fourth-Quarter Fishing: A Memoir of an Engineer’s International Mission Trips is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

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MEADVILLE, Pa. (PRWEB)
January 31, 2023

“Moving from Information to Revelation: Living Your Best Life Being Reconciled with God”: a heartfelt message of hope for those in need of spiritual rejuvenation. “Moving from Information to Revelation: Living Your Best Life Being Reconciled with God” is the creation of published author Leanetha Pustay.

Pustay shares, “Moving from Information to Revelation: Living Your Best Life Being Reconciled with God. It is to the Glory of God, written by Leanetha Pustay. It came about her whole life, Jesus Christ has been her hero. It was Jesus Christ who died for her and rose in three days with all authority and power so that she can rise up and live in this world with Jesus Christ’s authority and power. Jesus Christ’s victory is hers, His victory is her victory, and she receives it. It is faith that moves mountains. Being reconciled with Father God is the best thing anyone can do. It is crucial, even vital, that we cannot live without the Holy Spirit, and it is vital to move from your feelings to faith. It is faith that moves mountains. Lay hold of a personal relationship with Father God, bonding together as one. By doing, you are creating a powerful Christian who’s overcoming circumstances, living victoriously, and mastering the universe.”

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Leanetha Pustay’s new book will challenge readers to a new level of understanding of the need for spiritual awareness and growth.

Pustay shares in hopes of aiding others in finding a deepened connection with God so they can experience the fulfillment and comfort He promises.

Consumers can purchase “Moving from Information to Revelation: Living Your Best Life Being Reconciled with God” at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about “Moving from Information to Revelation: Living Your Best Life Being Reconciled with God,” contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.

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MEADVILLE, Pa. (PRWEB)
February 01, 2023

A Biblical, holistic resource for anyone seeking spiritual rejuvenation, “WHERE YOU GO, I GO: FINDING OUR WAY HOME THROUGH THE BOOK OF RUTH” is the creation of published author Elisabet Fountain, a seasoned pastor’s wife in Miami Beach, FL, who was born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Fountain shares, “What you hold in your hand is a tool to guide you through shadowy seasons with the Word of God as your compass. Written during the first global lockdown in 2020 for our newly scattered sisterhood, this study proved to be a powerful lifeline, not just among the sisters who joined us in online discussions but, more importantly, among the individual souls and their creator.

“Over and over, dear friends shared that they heard God’s voice for themselves with new clarity, and that is our deepest prayer for you. In the spirit of Ruth and Naomi, we recommend journeying with an accountability partner, but should that not be available to you, Jesus himself will fill that gap.

“Though often applied to waiting for our earthly Boaz, the book of Ruth is much more than that. From famine, death, and bitterness to the layers of friendship and longing, this ancient book reveals profound relevance. The creator is inviting us on a journey with Him that is simultaneously individual and communal.

“The timeless Word of God is so rich in its own right, guiding the reader back to Himself. The heart of this study is simply uncovering the original language and cultural contexts to better attune our hearts to the nuanced intentions of its author. By allowing the Word to speak for itself, the goal of this study is to create a space where our hearts are prepared to receive Him.

“But while the sown Word is incorruptible, the soil of our hearts varies. One way or another, every soul has been wounded and every mind has a filter through which He is perceived.

“Each day begins with preparing our garden. We connect to our honest thoughts and emotions through practical exercises to break up the fallow ground and receive the Word. “

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Elisabet Fountain’s new book will challenge and empower readers in their understanding of the connection between God and humanity.

Sambra Zaoui, LCSW, CCTP, shares, “Elisabet’s weekly thought-provoking questions draw one to meditate, be still, examine, and savor the revelatory insights that are gained about oneself and our relationship to our living creator. The greatest gift of this study was how Elisabet made space for my faith, Scripture, and much-needed introspective work we all so desperately need. The Book of Ruth is none other than a gentle slow dance toward our heavenly Father, Abba, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—while engaging the whole of ourselves in this holistic experience.”

Consumers can purchase “WHERE YOU GO, I GO: FINDING OUR WAY HOME THROUGH THE BOOK OF RUTH” at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about “WHERE YOU GO, I GO: FINDING OUR WAY HOME THROUGH THE BOOK OF RUTH,” contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.

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