For 14 years she shared the gospel, but with little response. But following a family crisis, Mrs. M and her family began to seek for true comfort and to learn of Christ: following an extensive instruction class with the pastor, they made profession and received baptism last November. This is but one of many examples of faithfulness and perseverance in the long-haul by which the church in Japan testifies to the need to wait upon the Lord to produce his fruit in his season.

Conley's also seeking endorsements from well-known pastors who might be willing to record video and audio clips that can be played at churches taking part in Maine's collection-plate drive, he said. Those clips would also be sent to the state's Christian radio stations as public service announcements.

"I'm just trying to bring positivity and faith and this idea that we are created people for good reason, that there's a God who loves us and that changes the message of our lives," she said

Johnathan Arnold, headmaster of Covenant Christian Academy in Cumming, Ga., said he viewed using the program to discount tuition for existing students as unethical. “We, as a Christian school, felt that wasn’t the right approach,” he said. “You’re giving money out of the goodness of your heart with the intent to receive nothing in return.

[Former President Bill] Clinton and his wife, Hillary, attended the church [pastored by Ward] at the time and traveled with Ward on a tour of the Middle East. As a result, Ward and his wife, Mary Ann, developed something of a friendship with the Clintons.

Admitting he was being deliberately provocative, the Stornoway minister suggested the name Edinburgh Theological Seminary as a starter for discussion as the College grapples with promotion in an image-driven world. The idea seemed to be embraced by commissioners, with Reverend Iain Thomson believing it was worth looking at the denominational name too.

You know, this year I kept thinking of a Beatles' song that I remembered back in the 60s, because my wife still needs me and she still feeds me and I am 64

"We also will be having our convention sessions during the day, and having no night sessions gives you freedom to fellowship with your friends and family members and enjoy some of the great food that's there in New Orleans," Wright said. By eliminating evening sessions last year, Wright noticed greater participation by messengers

"Forbidden as contrary to God’s law are homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, transgenderism, bisexuality, pornography and any other sexual sins that take the place of or corrupt the union of man and woman in the holy state of matrimony. Not only are the acts themselves forbidden by God, but the very thoughts themselves are condemned.”

Leaders make mistakes, but create blame-free cultures. "I'd rather reward a great failure, than a mediocre success," Upton commented. Failure without blame is not a bad thing for organizations, and part of the learning curve of innovative cultures.