David Wise: Olympics Are ‘Temporary,’ Faith and Family Are Forever
(RNS) — Team USA freestyle skier David Wise has one foot in the snow, and the other in church.
He and his wife, Alexandra, lead the youth group at their church in Reno, Nev., where Wise grew up. He’s needed her and his church family on the road to the Pyeongchang Olympics: It’s been a rocky one, offset by triumphs on the slopes.
Religious Leaders Call for Prayer and Action Following Florida School Shooting
(RNS) — “A child of God is dead.”
That message came Wednesday (Feb. 14) not from a religious leader, but from CNN counterterrorism analyst Phil Mudd as he broke down while discussing the school shooting that had happened earlier in the day.
Faith Brought Olympic Figure Skater Alexa Scimeca Knierim ‘Back on the Ice’
(RNS) — After overcoming a life-threatening illness two years ago, Olympic pairs figure skater Alexa Scimeca Knierim had to relearn how to skate. The touch of her husband and skating partner Chris Knierim’s hand was enough to reopen the wounds from her surgeries.
When Ash Wednesday Falls on Valentine’s Day, What’s a Clergyperson to Do?
(RNS) — For many this year, Feb. 14 is a day of mixed messages.
It’s Valentine’s Day, a time for chocolate, roses and perhaps a dinner date. But it’s also Ash Wednesday, which for many Christians is the start of Lent, a period of penitence that precedes Easter Sunday.
‘It’s All Right,’ Christian Kelly Clark Says After Final Olympics Run
(RNS) — In 2002, Team USA Olympic snowboarder Kelly Clark, then 18, had everything she ever wanted: money, fame and an Olympic gold medal.
But at another competition, she heard someone tell a young female competitor who wiped out, “It’s all right, God still loves you.”
Glitz and a Surprise Guest at the Prom for Those Who Often Don’t Get to Go
OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) — A red carpet. Friendly paparazzi. Limousine rides.
All of the above greeted the special-needs teens and adults — most clad in tuxedos and fancy dresses, many using wheelchairs — who showed up at the Putnam City Baptist Church on the Friday night (Feb. 9) before Valentine’s Day.
IMB President Asks Trustees to Begin Search for Successor
RICHMOND, Virginia (IMB) — International Mission Board President David Platt has asked the mission agency’s trustees to begin searching for his successor. Platt announced his decision to IMB field personnel and staff on Monday, Feb. 12, in person and via email to those not in Richmond.
‘Purpose over Politics’ at the National Prayer Breakfast
WASHINGTON (RNS) — This week, the National Prayer Breakfast reminded us that the dream needs to be stronger than the struggle.
Study: Churches on Solid Ground as Economy Rebounds
NASHVILLE (BP) -- Church collection plates were a little bit fuller last fall, according to a new study released today (Feb. 8) by LifeWay Research.
If You Build It, Will They Pray? Constructing Religious Worlds with Minecraft
(RNS) — Jeremy Smith wanted to talk about Jesus, so he picked up a shovel and headed out to build a tunnel.
A virtual shovel, that is.