Episode 496

Psalm 139 Project, Pastors Planning Christmas Events & 116 Army Soldiers Profess Christ

Dec 7, 2023

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) and the International Mission Board (IMB) have partnered together for the first time to place an international ultrasound machine as part of the ERLC’s Psalm 139 Project. Churches are offering Christmas events and activities beyond weekly worship services this Christmas season, which will make many churchgoers happy. And, when First Lawton of Lawton, Oklahoma sensed godly inspiration to add a second weekend to its Living Christmas Tree, Senior Pastor Mike Keahbone didn’t realize what was in store.

Transcript

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) and the International Mission Board (IMB) have partnered together for the first time to place an international ultrasound machine as part of the ERLC’s Psalm 139 Project.

The ultrasound machine was placed this October in a clinic in Southeast Asia, located within a community where IMB personnel Jacob Stanley* serves.

The machine was donated to Eternal Peace Primary Care Clinic, which serves the Coffee People of Southeast Asia.

Although this placement marks the second international ultrasound machine donated and placed through the Psalm 139 Project, it is the first time the ERLC and the IMB have directly partnered together to place a machine in a community where IMB personnel is ministering.
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Churches are offering Christmas events and activities beyond weekly worship services this Christmas season, which will make many churchgoers happy.

On average, pastors are planning four events or activities to help their churches celebrate Christmas this year, according to a Lifeway Research study. A Christmas Eve service tops the list, with 4 in 5 pastors (81 percent) planning to offer such a service this year in addition to weekly worship services. Most churches are also planning to offer a Christmas service project (66 percent) and a Christmas event or party for children or youth (65 percent).

Churchgoers say they enjoy going to an average of four church-led Christmas events from a list of potential events. Most say they greatly enjoy listening to a choir singing Christmas songs or a concert (60 percent), listening to congregational singing of Christmas songs (59 percent), participating in singing Christmas songs (57 percent), seeing children singing or in a drama for Christmas (57 percent) or participating in a Christmas service project (52 percent).
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Good News for Today is sponsored by The Voice of the Martyrs

Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.
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When First Lawton of Lawton, Oklahoma sensed godly inspiration to add a second weekend to its Living Christmas Tree, Senior Pastor Mike Keahbone didn’t realize what was in store.

The additional weekend, Dec. 1-3, accommodated an exclusive performance Dec. 2 for Fort Sill soldiers that drew 116 professions of faith among 700 attendees. Keahbone had been working to invite the soldiers to the 42nd annual event that at one time drew heavy attendance from the large Army base adjacent to Lawton.

You can read the full piece and learn more about our daily emails at Baptist Press.com.

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