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“People are not our enemies, they are our mission,” said Rev. Dr. Elie Hasbani, the speaker at this year’s annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by Milwaukee’s Christian Courier newspaper. The Grand Ballroom of the Wisconsin Club on West Wisconsin Avenue was filled with several hundred attendees. Rev. Hasbani is a native of Lebanon, was trained as a soldier by Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and was severely wounded when he stepped on a landmine. He came to the US in 1991 and now pastors Ethnos Church in Milwaukee, while also operating a ministry called Running for Hope that provides healthcare in…

By Fred Grossenbach – Dear Friends, Dane County is home to incredible Christian ministries—transforming lives through compassion, leadership, and service. Yet, so many of these efforts go unnoticed. What if more people knew? Imagine the impact we could have together. Last week, I attended the second quarterly meeting of United Madison Christian Givers. The event was held at the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship offices on Whitney Way and featured presentations by six Christian leaders in Dane County. About 65 people attended. What struck me was the reach and life-changing impact that each of these organizations has. Read more of this letter…

By Samara Kalk Derby – Wisconsin State Journal – On the day when at least 250,000 people paid their respects to Pope Francis at his funeral in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Catholics in the Diocese of Madison gathered to remember him. Roughly 350 mourners, including about 20 local clergy, attended a special Saturday Mass led by Bishop Donald Hying at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church on Madison’s West Side. Read more of this story.

By Katie Castellano MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Dane County organization, Zeteo Community, will be hosting a benefit fundraiser to support its mission in building safe housing for women and children who have been trafficked. Co-Founder of Zeteo Community Marlene Sorenson visited WMTV on Thursday and explained the resources that the organization provides to the community. “We are currently building residential programming for survivors of human trafficking and their children, building a supportive community to heal and restore victims,” she said. “We want to be a part of the solution. We want bring hope to women and the community.” Read more…

By Mike “Jocko” Jacques VERONA, Wis. (WMTV) – As Leslie and Mark Johnson’s groundbreaking ceremony began for the Agape Ranch, there’s no doubt the foundation is an unconditional love for people and for horses. “She read this book. We went out to bend or we got educated and, you know, healing and horses and young kids and anxiety and depression. The miracle that they each can do to each other to heal each other. And so, it’s like, al of a sudden the bell rings. That’s we’re supposed to do. That’s we’re meant to do,” said Mark Johnson, legendary Badgers…

By Nicole Pollack – Wisconsin State Journal – The Salvation Army of Dane County won city approval in 2019 to demolish its shelter for homeless women and families on East Washington Avenue and convert the site into a campus with office space, more beds and some low-income apartments. Half a decade later, the 44-unit Shield Apartments has been completed at the intersection of East Mifflin and North Blount streets. But the old shelter, an aging former Catholic school, still stands at 630 E. Washington Ave., just east of Downtown. It’s the only drop-in shelter for women and families in the…

By Jim Polzin – Wisconsin State Journal – “A Road at Night,” produced by Madison-based Roach Projects, is being shown Sunday night at the Wisconsin Film Festival. Tickets still are available for the 7 p.m. showing at the Barrymore Theater. The film was funded by UW-Madison alumni and philanthropists George and Pamela Hamel. It wasn’t until John Roach and his crew began the first wave of interviews for their 20-month project that he fully began to understand what made Howard so special. “One teammate after another talked about what a great teammate and friend Howard was, and how selfless he…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court appeared Monday to be leaning toward a Catholic charitable organization pushing back against the state of Wisconsin in the latest religious rights case to come before the court. In a case that could have wide-ranging effects, the justices suggested the Catholic Charities Bureau should not have to pay unemployment taxes because the work of the social services agency is motivated by religious beliefs, and the state exempts religious groups from the tax. Read more of this story.

How faith helped the Abundant Life Christian School boys basketball team heal and make it back to the State Tournament. By Mike “Jocko” Jacques – MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – As the Abundant Life School Challengers prepare for a return to the state boys basketball tournament, practice has risen to new levels this week. But for the team and the community, it’s what they had to rise above to get back there. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,” said Abundant Life Christian Head Coach Mike Thies. When the tragedy took place at Abundant Life…

Badger Prairie Needs Network in Verona needs your help. Families throughout Dane County use the BPNN food pantry. This year, we are already seeing record-setting demand for services. Can you help by donating food, funds, or your time and talent? BPNN is 100% volunteer. Every dollar contributed goes directly to the mission of fighting poverty and ending hunger locally. To learn more or sign up to volunteer, check us out at www.bpnn.org. If you don’t have access to the internet, we are at 1200 E. Verona Ave. or call us at 608-848-2499. Thank you! BPNN PANTRY HOURS Tuesday 10 am…