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| | June 30, 2008
Welcome to The Gathering online Update. This week, we bring you an interview with Donald Miller regarding his ministry to fatherless boys, a travel opporunity from fellow Gathering participants John and Sharna Coors, a heartwarming tribute to Fred Smith, Sr. written by his daughter, and several articles related to the changing climate of America's faith. We hope the articles will both inform and inspire you, enhancing your ability to give with competence and confidence. Please feel free to forward this update to anyone you think might like to read it. And, as always, we'd love to hear from you at editor@thegathering.com. | |  | | The Old Religious Right Just Ain't What it Use to Be
There's a new movement of Evangelicals who don't have a name or a leader, but they're zealous about making a difference in the world based on Jesus' teachings on the poor, the outcast and peacemakers. They're theologically conservative, but don't like the angry intolerance of the religious right and cringe when they're associated with it. How will this movement affect national politics and the upcoming election? These two articles offer some insight...
The New Evangelicals, The New Yorker Obama Works to Close Faith Gap, Real Clear Politics | |  | | Visit Africa with John and Sharna Coors
Gathering participants John and Sharna Coors invite you to join them on a trip to Kenya and Mozambique to see firsthand what two ministries they've founded, Circle of Light and Children of Hope, are accomplishing there. Circle of Light delivers light, cooking power, and the gospel in Kenya, while Children of Hope exists to meet the needs of orphans in each one of the Circle of Light communities. Read an interview with John Coors about Circle of Light Visit the Circle of Light website | |  | | Donald Miller on a Mission to Mentor Fatherless Boys
Most people know Donald Miller as the New York Time's bestselling author of Blue Like Jazz. But did you know he's also a philanthropist who's passionate about helping to mentor fatherless boys? We recently interviewed Miller and Wade Trimmer, director of The Belmont Foundation, to find out how they're trying to help boys who are victims of our nation's epidemic of fatherlessness. Visit the Belmont Foundation%u2019s website Purchase Don%u2019s book, To Own a Dragon | |  | | Pew Forum Poll Reveals Surprising Results
What? More than half of Evangelical Christians believe there's more than one way to God? Over 20 percent of those who call themselves atheists believe God exists? These are some of the findings of a poll of more than 35,000 American adults conducted by The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. Below is a sampling of articles written about the survey, as well as a link to Pew Forum's website.
Americans Religious in Unpredictable Ways, CT A Tactical Leap of Faith %u2013 Washington Post Christians: No One Path to Salvation, Time U.S. Atheists Seem to Be Confused, Reuters Link to Pew Forum%u2019s Website for summary of key findings | |  | | Fred Smith, Sr. Remembered in Daughter's Road Trip
Last August, the Christian community lost a great leader and mentor in Fred Smith, Sr., but his wisdom can still be accessed today through his books and the website, BreakfastWithFred.com. In this article, his daughter, Brenda, recounts a 4,000-mile road trip that was fueled by memories of her father and his wisdom.
Click to read article | |  | | Andy Crouch: Creating Culture
Andy Crouch believes it's time for Christians to stop condemning, critiquing or copying culture, and to start creating it! Here's what he's saying about his new book, Culture Making.
Also an accomplished musician, Andy will be leading worship for us at The Gathering Conference in Amelia Island, Florida in September, and moderating a panel on young scholars. Watch Andy discuss his book, Culture Making, on YouTube Read an interview with Andy in Publishers Weekly See a sample of Andy speaking on Stepping Into Culture Purchase Andy%u2019s book, Culture Making | |  | | Paul Polak, Tackling Global Poverty His Own Way
Paul Polak doesn't believe that poverty has to be permanent for anyone, and his follow through on that belief has helped over 17 million people move out of it. His book, Out of Poverty, What Works When Traditional Approaches Fail, offers simple, practical principles for helping the extremely poor - like talking to them and listening to what they say. Watch an interview of Paul Polak on The Hour NPR interview with Paul Polak and book highlights Visit Paul Polak%u2019s website | | |
