Author: Gordon Govier

TORONTO, CANADA (ANS) — He’s the pastor of Saddleback Church, one of America’s largest churches – and the author of the runaway best-seller, “The Purpose Driven Life,” but now Rick Warren his turned his purpose to waking up the Church to become more involved in helping with the AIDS pandemic. Read more.

It’s Friday night at Bible camp. Campers and staff are gathered on blankets around a campfire, surrounded by trees and facing the lake. Campers reflect on the week of camp, sharing decisions made for Christ and ways they have grown. Some share the friends and activities they will miss in the coming weeks. As the sun sets over Lake Waubesa, the white dome of the capitol building becomes visible against the darkening night sky.

News ReleaseMadison, WI — The Family Research Institute of Wisconsin ("Institute") announced today that it has released its 2006 Voter Information Publication (VIP). The VIP includes incumbents’ voting records on selected bills and candidates’ responses to a wide range of survey statements.

Rev. Bill Hybels opens his eyes at dawn, rolls out of bed and lands on his knees. For 10 minutes, he says, he kneels in prayer, thanking God.That one-on-one time came more easily three decades ago, when Hybels was an evangelist working outside the mainstream, launching an experimental ministry called Willow Creek Community Church. Read more.

VENTURA, California, August 11, 2006 – An analysis of how Americans perceive themselves in relation to 33 different descriptions studied in research conducted by The Barna Group, of Ventura, California, reveals that adults generally see themselves as good people, spiritually stable, and living a good and honorable life. Yet, despite the spiritual focus people claim, the study found that people’s lifestyles, attitudes and self-perceptions are more likely to be affected by their life-stage and ethnic culture than by their faith commitments.Read more.

Billions of dollars have been stolen in religion-related fraud in recent years, according to the North American Securities Administrators Association, a group of state officials who work to protect investors. Read more.

TORONTO, CANADA (ANS) — “The best use of money is to help other people,” Rick Warren, pastor, best-selling author, global strategist and philanthropist, told a gathering of faith-based organizations meeting to address the scourge of HIV/ADS in Toronto, Canada, this weekend. Read more.

WAUNAKEE – One man’s calling has breathed life into another man’s legacy, creating a gift that will resonate with generations of parishioners at St. Victor Catholic Church in Monroe. Read more.

Many of the men and women gathered at Madison’s High Point Church this week consider the Willow Creek Leadership Summit the high point (no pun intended) of their year and the very best way to prepare for another year of ministry.

Green Lake Conference Center plans to sell part of its 1,000-acre spiritual retreat on Wisconsin’s deepest lake, using proceeds from the possible $25 million-plus sale to help America’s pastors revitalize their congregations and reach out to everyday "unchurched" people. Read more.