Author: Gordon Govier

Except for the awesome view of pink-tipped peaks from its parking lot, Wasilla Bible Church, in Wasilla, Alaska, is perhaps most remarkable for being unremarkable. It’s a big modern building near a strip of car lots. Its sanctuary is full of folding chairs; two video screens display the lyrics to hymns and there’s a simple cross behind the altar.Read more of this story. Sarah Palin’s FaithMore on Sarah Palin’s faithSarah Palin’s Pentecostal backgroundPalin’s Pastor Urges Flock to Pray for the Press

Three priests from India are now at Marquette University studying for advanced degrees in business administration and communications, so they can return to India and aid in the advancement of those they serve.Although immersed in their studies here, they keep a watchful eye and receive regular bulletins on events unfolding around Orissa, where they say attacks and persecution against Christian communities remain a constant and growing threat. Read more of this story. Video documentary from Indian television

Jason Ford, 29, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., will be spending Election Day at home this year. A self-identified evangelical Christian, Ford cast his vote for President Bush in 2004, but says he and his wife plan to stay away from the polls Nov. 4, rather than vote for Sen. John McCain."I’m not going to be able to vote for anyone who doesn’t take a 100-percent stand against abortion," said Ford, "so right now I’m in a dilemma."Read more of this story. Evangelicals Are Energized with Palin – The Washington Post

Every year for 57 years, new international students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have been offered a free tour of their new home-away-from-home. And for 57 years there has always been enough community volunteers to drive the international students on the tour.

Joe Eszterhas’ latest book is a shocker, but not the kind that made him rich and famous. The upcoming release from the man who penned dark thrillers such as Basic Instinct and Jagged Edge tells the story of his spiritual conversion and his newfound devotion to God and family. In Crossbearer: A Memoir of Faith, to be published Sept. 2 by St. Martin’s Press, Mr. Eszterhas describes how his life got turned around during the summer of 2001.Read more of this story.

LA PUENTE, Calif. (BP)–He’s "J.L." on his business card. His wife calls him "Mac." Some friends call him "James," although he often forgets to stand up when he’s introduced as James. But he’s best known simply as "The Hitchhiker," especially among Southern Baptists in California.James L. McCollough’s motto is "Sharing the Gospel around the world, one highway at a time."Read more of this story.

As the trombones blared, the "saints" — dressed in white — filled the streets in front of God’s White House in Northwest Washington yesterday to be soaked in the name of Jesus during the final day of the 82nd annual Holy Convocation of the United House of Prayer for All People. The mass outdoor baptism service was the first major event presided over by Bishop C.M. "Sweet Daddy" Bailey, the new leader of the District-based organization that has more than 1.5 million members nationwide. Read more of this story.

NEW DELHI, INDIA (ANS) — At least 18 people are confirmed dead in 92 incidents of violence against Christians since suspected Maoists murdered Hindu leader Swamiji Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others on Saturday (Aug. 23) in Orissa state, says Compass News Direct (CND).With Hindu extremists inciting hatred by heated accusations that Christians killed Saraswati, the national newspaper Hindu reported yesterday that nine people had been killed in Orissa violence, and a CND source near the state capital of Bhubaneswar confirmed an additional nine people slain. Read more of this story.

PORTLAND, OR (ANS) — Leadership can be lonely. When you’re the mayor, people who talk to you very often want something from you. That’s why Portland, Oregon, Mayor Tom Potter was so surprised when one citizen – a prominent international figure – asked what he and his network of local leaders and activists could do for the mayor and the city. “In all my years of public service,” says Potter, “I rarely have people ask what they can do for me – and for our city. My answer, of course, was immediate – please help us solve the problem of…

NEWS RELEASESome generous gardeners explicitly planned to grow a row or two for the pantry this year. Others just have more tomatoes, carrots or cukes than they can handle. In any case, local members of the green-thumb set are invited to help neighbors in need now by supplying Dane County’s busiest food pantry with the bounty of their harvest.In April, as gardeners laid plans for the growing season, St. Vincent de Paul issued the invitation – through local media and in church bulletins – to "grow a row" or two for the Society’s pantry. Now, St. Vincent de Paul is…