News

CEN responds to emergencies both large and small. Christian counselors Bobbie Rill and Shirley Goodman team up to launch the CEN Crisis Counseling response group. Plans are underway to develop topical crisis related resources in the Christian Emergency Directory on pressing issues as the crisis of job loss, suicide, and the emergency of the loss of a spouse through separation or divorce.

Both Bobbie and Shirley bring a wealth of years of counseling experience with adults and children to the CEN ministry.

Now CEN chapter leaders and Ready Churches will have the support of their expertise as they face numerous issues well served locally with biblically based resources, referrals, and training. Christian first responders will be served in their own well-being as they minister in the fields of disaster themselves.

Log onto the CED to find out more of the resources that they offer as well as additional material on counseling and dealing with personal crises.

JUAREZ, Mexico - One of the biggest issues that sparked the Arizona immigration law was the growing crime and violence along the border from drug gangs.

The violent cartels have been blamed for robberies and even murders.

Yet despite the risk, pastors are taking the gospel to the streets to lift up their communities.

In the world's most violent city of Juarez, Mexico, a battle between the government and drug cartels has no end in sight. A military surge of 10,000 soldiers did nothing to curb the violence. Juarez is across the border from El Paso, Texas, and has seen more than 5,000 people executed in less than three years.

Research: Bible Reading Leads to Less Debt and More Giving
Survey reveals surprising financial, debt, and giving/tithing practices of 1000 Christian families

By Dr. Brian Kluth
Special to ASSIST News Service

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (ANS) -- What is the best financial advice you will ever receive? The surprising answer is to read your Bible on a daily basis.

New www.StateofthePlate.info View from the Pew research shows that the more faithful someone is in their daily Bible reading, they will have less debt and be more likely to give 10% or more to the LORD’s work.

Over 1000 Christian households participated in the second annual View from the Pew surveys, a collaborative research project by my Maximum Generosity ministry and Christianity Today International. Survey participants provided the following valuable insights into how the economy has impacted their employment, finances, debts, and giving/tithing.

Haiti: Many small successes six months into recovery
Friday, July 9, 2010

A market vendor covers her face from garbage smoke in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, March 17, 2005. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Humanitarian groups such as Church World Service are the first to acknowledge that, six months after the devastating Jan. 12 Haiti earthquake, the road to recovery will be long and difficult.

"We are all frustrated by the apparent lack of speedy recovery for Haiti," said Aaron Tate, the Haiti earthquake response coordinator for Church World Service, in anticipation of the half-year anniversary of the quake, which falls on July 12.

Tate, based in Port-au-Prince, noted that there "were a lot of dreams early on that this was an opportunity to build a 'new Haiti' better than the old Haiti."

"But the reality is that with such devastation, it is an incredible effort just to rebuild at all," he said.  Still, on a smaller scale, "you do see successes."