Worship Gathering in KansasDozens of national youth ministries, churches, prayer ministries, and denominations are working together to prepare a field south of Kansas City for a worship gathering for thousands of young believers May 25, 2008.
“With Christ the King as their sole focus, students will sing and proclaim praise to Him,” said Paradise organizers, who hope to “cultivate an environment where participants can encounter God with minimal distractions.” As a result, the “One-name-only” event will not feature any celebrity speakers or musicians. No products will be marketed or sold, and no organizations will be promoted.
Organizers are praying that students from across the nation will embark on “sacred pilgrimages” to the event, where they will participate in worship events designed by their peers.
Registration fees have been kept low ($20-27 before March 15) so more young people can participate. Students and leaders who register get access to online study materials that will help participants prepare for the event. For details visit
www.paradise08.com
Taking Care of AIDS VictimsOn Feb. 10, churches around the nation will rally together to address the worldwide HIV/AIDS pandemic.
The catalyst for this outreach is the National Day of Care. Participants are encouraged to funnel their AIDS-targeted donations through denominations, relief organizations, and ministries. Donations made directly to the Day of Care go to organizations such as World Vision, Save Africa’s Children, Samaritan’s Purse, Grace for Africa and Ikhayalethemba Village in South Africa.
Help in this arena is critical: 3 million people died of AIDS last year alone, and nearly 75 percent of those affected live in sub-Saharan Africa. The United Nations expects that as many as 25 million children will be orphaned due to AIDS by 2010.
“We want people to be enthusiastic about making a difference in a child’s life,” says Dr. Michael Hattabaugh, director of the National Day of Care. “Imagine what can happen when [we] all pitch in–we can save Africa. That’s the goal of the National Day of Care.”
For more information, go to
http://www.nationaldayofcare.org/ or call (800) 220-8776.
Getting in GearWillow Creek Community Church is hosting a youth ministry conference with an eye toward innovation April 9-11 at its South Barrington, Ill., campus. The conference is called “Shift” and brings together some of the church world’s most creative minds, including Brian McLaren, Kara Powell and Dan Kimball.