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By Chris Rickert – Wisconsin State Journal – Over nearly 40 years working with Madison-based InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Scott Bessenecker has helped send thousands of college students on trips to “slum communities” overseas as part of programs to build bridges between those of us living in developed, rich countries like the United States and those of us who don’t. The point is not to proselytize, Bessenecker says, and not even necessarily to help people dig wells or build community centers or do other immediately tangible good works like in the Peace Corps. Instead, the summerlong programs might be called “incarnational,”…

By Patricio Crooker – Madison Capital Times – Led by retired Madison Police Chief David Couper, a crowd of protesters literally took up a cross on Saturday to send a message that President Donald Trump’s policies are cruel to vulnerable people. Marchers carried an 8-foot-long wooden cross, mimicking the suffering of Jesus Christ as he carried his own burden leading to his crucifixion, as told in the Christian bible. Couper and many of the other protesters are members of the clergy, representing a variety of faith communities. Read more of this story.

A few religious leaders will carry an eight-foot wooden cross up State Street at 11 a.m. Saturday to protest the cruelty of Donald Trump’s government. They will start at Lake and State streets and will finish at the state Capitol. Everyone is invited. Madison, of course, has many protests, but this one stands out because of the backstory of its principal organizer. For much of his adult life, David Couper was Madison’s transformational police chief, employing innovative policies and hiring a diverse and well-educated workforce. Couper’s mastery as police chief extended to peacefully accommodating Madison’s many protests, always honoring First…

By Nicholas Garton – Madison365.com – A few local churches are gathering on Sunday, July 27, at the Duck Pond, the home of the Madison Mallards and Madison Night Mares, for a special worship service. The service will run from 10:45-11:45 a.m. and will be followed by a Night Mares game at 1:05 p.m. The church service will be free and the game will have regularly priced tickets. Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church, Sugar River United Methodist Church, and St. John’s Lutheran Church will be involved in the worship service, with Sherman Church reverend David Hart speaking from the pulpit.…

Where else are you invited to a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how visionary, faithful Christians are creatively meeting needs in the local population, and then given the opportunity to vote on who might be the most deserving to receive extra needed funding? That’s was the format once again as United Madison Christian Givers (UMCG) met this week at the InterVarsity building in University Research Park, for their third quarterly Grant Award Meeting. Our previous reports are here: Winter and Spring.  “We are a Jesus-centered Christian organization,” UMCG president Josh Kaurich said as he introduced the evening. These ministries were then given the…

By David Dahmer – Madison365 – The greater Madison community is welcome to jog, run, or walk at the 7th annual Madison Gospel 5K, 10K Run/Walk & Health Fair on Saturday, July 12, 8 a.m. at Penn Park. “I encourage everybody to come out because this will be fun and fellowship and fitness,” Uchenna Jones, founder of the Madison Gospel 5K Foundation and Race, tells Madison365. “It’s a chance to learn about different organizations in our community. We will have so many fun activities, including dance contests where we will give out beautiful plaque awards that are custom-made.” Read more…

BELLEVILLE, Wis. (WMTV) – A church near Belleville celebrated over a century and a half of history on Sunday. The Primrose Lutheran Church has hosted families and communities for the last 175 years. After forming in 1850 by Norwegian settlers, the church’s congregation split apart shortly after because of teaching disagreements. The two churches, which were only down the road from each other, eventually reconciled and rejoined about 100 years later. Read more of this story.

By Wisconsin Institute for Life and Liberty (WILL) – Generac Refuses to Accommodate Religious Beliefs in Violation of Federal Law The News: WILL has filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) on behalf of Spencer Wimmer, a devout Christian, who was fired by Generac Power Systems, Inc. (“Generac”) after sharing his Christian beliefs on gender identity with his manager and Generac’s HR department. Wimmer’s faith does not allow him to deny the existence of two sexes or affirm gender transitions. His approach in the workplace had been simply to avert any issue by avoiding the use…

United Madison Christian Givers held their 2nd Quarter event on April 22nd at InterVarsity’s office in University Research Park. Six local ministries shared their hearts and visions: Brat Fest Athletes in Action Shelter From The Storm Ministries Every Daughter Jesus Lunch Outside the Walls UMCG members present considered each ministry and then voted to select these three to receive grants they had applied for, for this quarter: Every Daughter – This ministry walks alongside women in our community who have been sexually exploited or trafficked—helping them reclaim their lives and find healing in Christ. Grant funds will support legal fees,…

By Kayla Huynh – The Capital Times – On Madison’s west side, 4-year-old kindergarten through eighth grade students at Lighthouse Christian School welcome guests with greetings unique to each class. In the Eagles class, named after Edgewood College, seventh graders eagerly stand atop their seats to recite a mantra.   “Welcome to the home of the Edgewood Eagles, where we soar to new academic heights, and we grow in maturity and responsibility, and we rely on the joy of the Lord to be our strength,” the students chant in unison. “May you be blessed today!”   Lighthouse has grown rapidly…