The ability of Israel to thrive and defend itself in the year since the terror attack of last October 7 has biblical roots, a leading Israeli CEO said. “All of this costs ...
Read More »Ministry meets needs of Lebanese Christians persecuted by Hezbollah
Christian humanitarian organization Help The Persecuted is stepping up its efforts to address the growing physical and spiritual needs of persecuted Christians and other vulnerable communities in Lebanon. The efforts come as ...
Read More »Churchgoers increase giving to make up for lower attendance
Faithful churchgoers have stepped up their giving to make up for attendance declines since the pandemic, a new study from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research found. In “Finances and Faith: A ...
Read More »Churches spending more on salaries, benefits
More than 100,000 churches nationwide could be affected by mandatory salary requirements put in place by the Biden administration. The move will likely put a squeeze on many budgets and a new ...
Read More »Ministries report mosques closing, Iranians coming to Christ
Not all of the news coming out of Iran is bad. A million Iranians have accepted Christ as tens of thousands of mosques in the Islamic country have closed, according to reports ...
Read More »Today’s news briefs: All-you-can-fly airline deal; Taliban parade; Home Depot recession fears
News briefs include: Kid wins baking contest; Taliban parades US equipment; Home Depot sales; All-you-can-fly airline deal. Home Depot sales down over recession fears Home Depot, long a gauge of the strength ...
Read More »Affordable housing in God’s backyard: repurposing church property
As housing becomes a premium across the country, congregations are re-imagining their church space to find bible-based solutions. Faced with declining membership, aging buildings and large, underutilized properties, many U.S. houses of ...
Read More »Majority of congregations are in excellent or good financial health
More than six in 10 religious leaders report that their congregation is in excellent or good financial health, according to the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations research project released this week ...
Read More »July 4 cookouts soar to record high cost
This week’s patriotic cookouts found celebrants facing higher prices…again. Independence Day and weekend get-together meals cost $71.22 for 10 guests this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2024 annual market basket ...
Read More »While giving is up, inflation erodes its power
The good news is giving is up but inflation takes its toll. Individuals made up 67% of giving, an increase from 64% during 2022. Foundations contributed 19% of all philanthropy tracked compared ...
Read More »Optimism over giving in 2024 despite economy
A recent survey found reason for optimism about faith-based giving in 2024. Despite ongoing economic challenges, donations to churches and ministries remain strong. That’s according to the Giving in Faith report from ...
Read More »Here’s the retailers closing more stores in 2024
The nation’s large brick-and-mortar retailers continue to suffer after thousands closed in 2023. According to CBS News, major brands shuttered 4,600 locations last year and 2024 is not looking much better. Now, ...
Read More »JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon: U.S. unprepared for ‘worst case’
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon is issuing a stark warning, stating many U.S. businesses and investors are unprepared for the possibility of the Federal Reserve raising interest rates to a staggering 7 percent. ...
Read More »Mortgage applications tumble to lowest levels in three decades
As monthly mortgage payments reached a record high, mortgage applications fell to their lowest level in nearly 30 years. Redfin reports that mortgage payments have reached a near-record high due to over ...
Read More »Business bankruptcies highest in 13 years
Corporate bankruptcies in the United States this spring, based on the latest reports, with the first five months of 2023 seeing the highest number of filings since 2010. Filings from Serta Bedding ...
Read More »Technology pressures consumers to tip at self-checkout
Families squeezed by high inflation now are being asked to leave a tip even at many self-checkout kiosks. Many companies, including airports, bakeries, coffee shops and sports stadiums, have now introduced the ...
Read More »Christians take out payday loans despite excessive interest rates
More than one-third of Christians in states that don’t regulate payday loans say they have obtained them, despite believing that charging excessive interest is a sin. In a recent survey, Lifeway Research ...
Read More »U.S. households added $320 billion in debt last year
U.S. households continue to struggle, adding $320 billion in debt last year. It marks the highest level since the 2008 financial crisis which saw millions lose their homes. Households owe a combined ...
Read More »Used car prices in historic spike as new car prices up 42%
February is seeing the sharpest increase in used car prices in 14 years as the economy continues to struggle under historic inflation. From January through the Feb. 15, wholesale used-vehicle prices increased ...
Read More »Rethinking the question, ‘Are you for the rich or poor?’
Are you for the poor? Most people are conditioned to respond “Yes” to that question. It makes you feel good, doesn’t it? Are you for the rich? Most people are conditioned to ...
Read More »Financial decisions now can pay dividends in the coming year
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is a good time to not only take down the decorations but also plan for the coming year. David Ragland, CEO of IRC Wealth and ...
Read More »Government over-reported job growth numbers by 99% this year
The government has been caught spiking job growth numbers. In investigative research by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, job numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) were inflated by ...
Read More »Home values drop, new construction down 60 percent
Home real estate prices continue to drop but there could be much more to come, data and economists say. The median home price has dropped by about 7 percent since its peak ...
Read More »TV host Mike Rowe concerned about number of men not working
The nation is facing a crisis of men who not only don’t work but are not seeking jobs, television host Mike Rowe told Tucker Carlson on “Tucker Carlson Tonight.” Seven million able-bodied men ...
Read More »Economy impairs ministries providing Thanksgiving meals
High inflation and a slow economy are making it harder for local shelters to feed the needy this Thanksgiving. Shelter KC, which will serve nearly 4,000 meals this week, is feeling the ...
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