Ministry Updates

BreakPoint - We Must Carry On

2012-05-24T00:00:00-06:00

What a privilege it was for me to be part of the group who had assembled together in Lansdowne, Virginia on March 30th for what would be Chuck Colson's final message given at The Colson Center's Break the Spiral of Silence conference.

That evening, Chuck shared his growing concern that the church is failing to speak out against the lies, against injustice, and present our case in a winsome way. He believed that if we could do this, then the cultural debate would begin to shift. Chuck passionately expressed that "the time is ripe for a movement of God's people, under the power of the Holy Spirit, to begin to impact the culture we live in."

Now, on behalf of The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, it will be the powerful voices of Eric Metaxas and John Stonestreet most frequently heard on "BreakPoint" calling us "to live it, and express it, and contend for it"!

Emily Colson shared at her father's memorial service last week that "there is work to be done" and urged us to "seek the truth, defend the weak, and live courageous lives."

And, this is what BreakPoint and The Colson Center will continue to do! Thank you for standing with us in carrying out Chuck's message and contending for the Christian worldview.

Just as a reminder, we have produced a 1-hour radio special titled, "Chuck Colson - A Life Remembered" that is available for airing at any time. The complete special was delivered to your station's Amb-OS receiver earlier this month and it is also available at our ftp site.

Thanks again for your continued partnership on behalf of BreakPoint and The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview.

Jennifer Perez

Ambassador: We Connect. Ministry and Media.

Click here for updated program information for "BreakPoint"

The latest program titles for "The Point with John Stonestreet" are provided here.

The Heritage Foundation - Defending Marriage

2012-05-21T00:00:00-06:00

Since President Obama's recent announcement on homosexual marriage, many are speaking out in defense of traditional marriage. Why is the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman so important to our society?

The Heritage Foundation is providing excellent analysis on this critical issue - in case you missed their piece on "Obama and the Truth about Marriage," I think you'll find this article and their other resources helpful when you find yourself engaged in this debate.

In fact, each day on "Family Facts," The Heritage Foundation provides thoughtful insight on many issues facing the traditional family - timely information that's based on valued research.

In addition, Heritage offers many resources for your station including their experts who are available for interviews on the day's hottest news. To book an interview, it's as easy as calling them at: (202) 675-1761 or sending an email to: heritagepr@heritage.org.

To add "Family Facts" on your station or receive more information on Heritage resources, please contact me.

Thanks for all you're doing to help spread this important message.

Jennifer Perez

Ambassador: We Connect. Ministry and Media.

Three Decades

2012-05-14T00:00:00-06:00

The years of my mortgage.

The age I thought sounded "old" . . . until I hit my mid -forties.

And from the mundane to the significant . . . the years "Joni and Friends" radio has been ministering to listeners.

This month marks 30 years since the radio outreach of "Joni and Friends" was birthed. And, through those over 7000 broadcasts, countless lives have been encouraged by Joni's life testimony. In the daily program, Joni has shared from her life experience about how God equips us to share His love and encouragement with others.

"I thank my Savior for the energy, breath, and the insights from His Word - and I'm looking forward to sharing more with our listeners in the months and years to come," says Joni.

Today, "Joni and Friends" is heard on over 1100 outlets nationwide and the ministry's 1:00 vignette, "Diamonds in the Dust" airs on over 700. Yes, the numbers are significant but more than the numbers are the lives impacted by Joni's testimony:

"Hearing your words of hope and comfort, singing, poetry and sometimes funny stories you share that make me laugh even during a hard day . . . Sharing is one of the main things the Lord has commanded us to do! His love, peace, joy and especially His words! Those 30 years of people hearing your voice doing that everyday makes my heart leap! And encourages me to use my own voice. Thank you again, Joni and thank you to everyone who also makes these radio programs possible!"
-- Rachel

Rejoicing with the many for Joni's commitment to Kingdom service through the radio outreach of "Joni and Friends!"

Lee Ann Jackson

Ambassador Advertising

We Connect. Ministry and Media.

P.S. We invite you to take :30 seconds (or 3:00 or 30:00!) to congratulate Joni and the ministry team on this milestone by commenting below!

Moms Matter In Life

2012-05-07T00:00:00-06:00

There's a print that hangs in my home at the base of the stairs: "I hear your footsteps down the hall. You are home again, and safe. All the burdens of the day are lightened - and all the night noises are music to my ears."

My daughter is home from college for the summer. My other two children are asleep in their beds. While "all the burdens of the day" are not gone, they are indeed lightened . . . my children are all home and being their mom is my greatest blessing, day or night.

Every day Brad Mattes brings the latest news regarding critical issues of our day. And mothers are highly regarded. Every unborn baby who avoids abortion means she had a mother who chose life. As Brad has shared on "Life Issues," "Next to Jesus, there's no greater gift."

While not every child is able to be "home again" this Mother's Day, take time to call your mom and as Brad has also shared, "tell her how much you love and appreciate everything she does for you."

Because moms matter in life.

Lee Ann Jackson

Ambassador

We Connect. Ministry and Media.

P.S. As the Life Issues Institute continues in its dedication to changing hearts and minds of millions of people through education, Brad shared recently in a "Life Issues" radio program how Wikipedia has launched an effort to redefine the meaning of being pro-life - if you missed the program, go to the ministry's web site for the informative transcript.

God's Word Never Changes

2012-05-07T00:00:00-06:00

Recently, my daughter and I were in a trendy little store in Brooklyn when she spotted a 45 rpm. She stared at it with a quizzical look. I realized it was the first time she'd ever seen a vinyl record.

Indeed, much has changed through the years.

More than ever, though, I'm thankful for what hasn't.

What hasn't changed is God's Word . . . and what it says about marriage. And that's exactly where Billy Graham is pointing his fellow North Carolinians to look for God's definition of marriage as the state considers a pivotal marriage amendment.

"At 93, I never thought we would have to debate the definition of marriage," says Mr. Graham in a full-page ad running in 14 North Carolina newspapers. "The Bible is clear-God's definition of marriage is between a man and a woman. I want to urge my fellow North Carolinians to vote for the marriage amendment on Tuesday, May 8. God bless you as you vote."

Mr. Graham continues to remain in overall good health. His most recent book, Nearing Home: Life, Faith and Finishing Well, has become a best-seller since its October 2011 release, and last week was named Christian Book of the Year at the annual convention of the Evangelical Christian Publisher's Association. He is currently working on a new book-his 32nd-on salvation, which should be released later this fall.

"I feel truly blessed to have lived at a time when real men like Billy Graham have lived lives that have set such a great example of how God wants us to live." - just one of the many comments on the BGEA web site.

Lee Ann Jackson

Ambassador

We Connect. Ministry and Media.

P.S. Join the BGEA in committing to pray for our nation in 2012 - for more information, go to the ministry web site.

Your Days are Written in His Book

2012-05-01T00:00:00-06:00

One of my favorite verses is Psalms 139:16; “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Just think on that a minute. . . God planned each of us, ordained each day of our lives, “. . . before one of them came to be.” Amazing!

Before Emilie Barnes became an organizational speaker, writer, and had a radio program (KEEP IT SIMPLE), she was a wife and mother who loved her “stay at home” job. She loved organizing a family, cooking and cleaning.

Then one day Emilie found herself with an empty nest. Her children had left for college and with her husband very busy with his work, she felt she wasn’t really needed much anymore.

But, as Emilie says, “God’s plan was already in progress.” He used her homemaking and organizational skills to reach out to others, and her talents became future ministries to individuals and families through seminars, books, and of course her radio program, “KEEP IT SIMPLE!”

Be encouraged! God sees and knows all you are going through today, and if you are willing, He will use it for good, today and in the future – because, all your days are written in His book.

Blessings to you,

Sheri Cooper

Ambassador Advertising

Win a trip to Israel!

2012-05-01T00:00:00-06:00

Do you have plans for July 2013? You and a guest may be on your way to Israel with HCJB Global Ambassadors Ron & Barb Cline!

Enter by May 31 for your chance to win: Send an email to hope@hcjb.org with your name and the name of your radio station.

This special invitation is a part of HCJB Global's "Journey of Hope" campaign. Did you know that it's estimated that 95 percent of the people who live in the Arab World will never personally meet a Christian? But radio changes that!

Today across the region, individuals hear the voices of HCJB Global's partners through daily shortwave and satellite radio. Believers who produce these programs become the voices of trusted companions -- friends who speak words of life and hope to those on a journey toward discovering who Jesus Christ really is and accepting Him as Savior. Learn more about how to help bring God's Word to the Arab world >>

Katie Burke
Ambassador Advertising Agency: We Connect. Ministry and Media.

P.S. Please tell your listeners, friends and family to "like" HCJB Global on Facebook for the general entry sweepstakes! Facebook entry >>

Best Mother's Day Gift

2012-05-01T00:00:00-06:00

Jewelry, a gift card, flowers, candy, a spa day ... all would make a nice Mother's Day gift. However, none of those would bring me near as much delight as the one I recently received from my son.

During his teenage years, my son struggled with making good choices. At that time, a young co-worker told me "just keep praying and never give up." He shared how his own mother prayed for him during the troublesome times of his youth ... and it was her prayers that finally led him back to the Lord. Needless to say, I heeded that young man's advice and haven't stopped praying, especially during recent years.

Then last week, my son called to tell me he was sorry ... sorry for the poor choices he made and its impact on our family ... and to say how grateful he was that I was always there to support him. He's expressed his gratitude many times before, but this was different. Before we said our goodbyes, he also shared his intentions to return to church. My heart was so encouraged by his words. And though I know it's a small step, it's one that's now in the right direction.

FamilyLife knows moms need daily doses of encouragement just like that. That's why this month on "FamilyLife Today," Dennis Rainey has asked several women, including his wife Barbara, to join him on the broadcasts to share their own stories of motherhood and how God has used them to provide His children what they really need. Here's a sample of what you can expect in the coming weeks:

The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers (airs 5/1-5/2)
Help Wanted: Moms Raising Daughters (airs 5/3-5/4)
The New Passport to Purity (airs 5/14-5/18)

And coinciding with the last series, is the release of the newly updated Passport2Purity® kit. It's the perfect resource to assist parents in building heart-to-heart communication with their preteens. Through a shared listening experience, the kit provides helpful ideas for conversation during a P2P weekend getaway. Listeners can find out more by visiting FamilyLife.com.

Thanks for all you do to encourage the moms in your audience this month. In fact, be sure the special women in your life know just how much you appreciate them! It could be their best Mother's Day gift ever!

Blessings ...

Michelle Blood

Ambassador: We Connect. Ministry and Media.

Praying for Life

2012-04-30T00:00:00-06:00

Every week at AWANA, I give our Sparkies an opportunity to close our night in prayer. And every Sunday night, it's the same routine . . . nearly every single hand shoots up in the air! There is no hesitation to pray (and pray out loud!) in this group of 5, 6 and 7 year old boys and girls.

We can learn a lot from children. They remind me that I should be that eager to pray . . . about all things - from the mundane to the significant.

On an upcoming "Life Issues," Brad Mattes speaks to the effectiveness of prayer as a tool to end abortion as he shares about a prayer outreach called "Three for Five."

Vital Signs Ministries has launched a prayer initiative to stop Planned Parenthood. The idea is that we pray for three minutes a day for the five weekdays. The ministry provides a prayer topic, sample prayer and a coordinating scripture verse for each day:

1) Monday's focus: Pray for Planned Parenthood's scheduled victims for the week.

2) Tuesday's focus: Pray for shame and scandal to be the portion of Planned Parenthood.

3) Wednesday's focus: Pray for spiritual conversion among Planned Parenthood employees and supporters.

4) Thursday's focus: Pray for those who stand against Planned Parenthood's assaults on the culture of life.

5) Friday's focus: Pray for a dramatic reformation of sexual ethics among American youth.

(For more information, go to http://www.vitalsignsministries.org/index.php/3-for-5-prayer-program/

As Brad notes, "We can move mountains with prayer, so let's save lives with it too!"

Lee Ann Jackson

Ambassador Advertising.

We Connect. Ministry and Media.

P.S. In addition to this daily radio commentary, follow Brad on Twitter to stay current on pro-life news: http://twitter.com/#!/bradmattes

In God We Trust

2012-04-30T00:00:00-06:00

This Thursday, May 3^rd, is the National Day of Prayer. . . a yearly day set aside to mobilize and encourage personal and corporate prayer. Following is a thought from Anne Graham Lotz to commemorate the day:

"Our coins say, "In God We Trust!" Isn't it time we practiced it?

"It concerns me when a nation shakes its fist at god and says, "God we want you of out of the schools, we want You out of our public life, our businesses, our marketplace." And God who is a gentleman, has quietly backed out of our public life. On this National Day of Prayer, we need to turn to God first of all and say, "God, we're sorry we've treated You this way. We invite You now to come into our national life. Isaiah 56:7 says, "For my house will be called a house of prayer for all national."

Make it your prayer today that God will wake us up. That a passion will be reignited in each of our hearts. A passion to see Jesus. A passion to share Him with a desperate world."

Here's to the importance of prayer . . . on May 3^rd and everyday of the year!

Lee Ann Jackson

Ambassador Advertising.

We Connect. Ministry and Media.

P.S. And thank you for prayers as Anne will be the keynote speaker at the Tampa Bay National Day of Prayer Brunch this Thursday!