Iowa enacts religious liberty bill; ‘Senior adult’ church in Arizona making Gospel impact; The miracle of the resurrection

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in a ceremony Tuesday night (April 2). The legislation is similar to the federal act signed by President Bill Clinton in 1993. More than half of U.S. states have passed their own versions of the law since 1997.

The law states that state action “shall not substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability.” The only exceptions are cases in which the state can demonstrate “a compelling governmental interest” and the state must use “the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.” 

In comments to Baptist Press, ERLC policy director Hannah Daniel said religious liberty protections are increasingly necessary.

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Green Valley Church in Green Valley, Arizona calls itself a senior adult church. The members are mostly older, but you wouldn’t know if by their level of activity.

Among its many ministries, Green Valley Church – welcomes a mission team to help carryout Vacation Bible School that attracts about 160 area youngsters. They also staff the Shepherd’s Fold Preschool and Daycare, which has about 70 children enrolled.

For the last 13 years the church has had a partnership with the Sahuarita High School Football Boosters Club that includes pre-game meals for the football team, coaches, cheerleaders and others.

Also for the local community, on Veteran’s Day there’s a lunch and program that honors local veterans; full-course dinners for Thanksgiving and Christmas; and a drive-through Nativity with lights for two weekends in December, which attracts about 500 people to see the Christmas story.

Green Valley Church is a church showing how the retirement years can lead to green pastures for ministry work.

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Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.

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Think you’ve seen a miracle? Lifeway provides this commentary on a miracle. They write, “The signs of a true miracle and act of God is that God is glorified, Jesus is lifted up and many come to believe in Him.

God performed miracles through His people in the times of the early church to demonstrate and reveal the authority He had over all things, physical and spiritual.

Jesus’ most transformative miracle was dying for our sins and resurrecting to give us new life. We can trust in His power to do above and beyond all we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20) because He is God, all-powerful and sovereign. We can trust Him to accomplish His plan in us and in the world for His glory.”