Male and Female Pastors to Co-Lead Willow Creek Megachurch
“Willow Creek Community Church has named two people to take on the role of lead pastors at the church after founder Bill Hybels steps down. Hybels announced last week he will step down from the top post at his church in October 2018. Executive pastor Heather Larson and teaching pastor Steve Carter will become the lead pastors of the church,” Christian Headlines reports. “With the change, Willow Creek will become one of the largest churches in America with a woman in the lead pastor position. The church will also be the only major evangelical megachurch with male-female lead pastors who aren’t married.”
World Vision International Wins the 2017 AFP Pinnacle Award Grand Prize for Excellence in Treasury and Finance
“World Vision International was awarded the Association for Financial Professionals 2017 Pinnacle Grand Prize, which recognizes excellence in treasury and finance,” according to PR Newswire. “World Vision International had a major challenge in coping with sharp swings in currency rates, and potentially significant foreign exchange losses, in the approximately 70 countries in which it operates. World Vision introduced an active FX management solution that passed the savings to its country offices in the form of reduced costs—thus, helping the global humanitarian, relief and advocacy organization better fulfill its mission. The initiative resulted in $57.1 million in savings in 2016, and $19.1 million in 2017 as of February.”
Catholic Relief Services Enters Agreement to Bring Agricultural Innovations to Millions of Farmers
“Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) announced a new memorandum of understanding between the three agencies,” reports ReliefWeb. “The new formal relationship builds on over a decade of collaboration between the agencies. CIAT and CRS work to improve market access for farmers and in distributing naturally improved seed systems, new knowledge and best practices to improve what, where and when smallholder farmers plant. IITA works with CRS in many countries across Africa testing new improved varieties of staple crops such as maize, cowpeas, cassava and yam.”
Anti-Slavery Organization International Justice Mission Announces Grant From Walmart Foundation to Address Human Trafficking in Thai Fishing Industry
“International Justice Mission (IJM), the world’s largest international anti-slavery organization, announced support from the Walmart Foundation to address human trafficking, also known as modern slavery, in the Thai fishing industry,” according to CSRwire. “With funding from the Walmart Foundation, IJM commissioned Issara Institute to conduct groundbreaking research in Thailand documenting the prevalence of forced labor. The study surveyed migrant fishermen who worked on Thai fishing boats from 2011 – 2016. The findings show that labor trafficking of migrant fishermen has been widespread (37.9% were identified as victims of trafficking), and there are common patterns of abuse in the industry (14.1% were physically abused; 31.5% witnessed a crewmate’s abuse at sea; 76.2% accrued debt prior to even beginning work).”
Pope Francis Supports World Vision in Calling for an End to Child Abuse and Protection of Children From Pornography
“International children’s charity World Vision has described Pope Francis’ calls to end abuse against minors as ‘a huge moment in the movement to end violence against children,’” Keep the Faith reports. “The Pope demanded better protections for children online and backed proposals by World Vision and other organisations to toughen sanctions against those who abuse and exploit children online. The Pontiff met World Vision delegates at a Catholic Church-backed international conference in Rome on fighting child pornography and protecting children in the digital age.”
Samaritan’s Purse Launches Operation Christmas Child Campaign
“What you can stuff in a shoe box can make a child’s Christmas this year. Samaritan’s Purse has launched this year’s edition of Operation Christmas Child, with the goal of gathering donations from around the country,” according to 660 News. “Spokesperson Frank King says people can pack shoe boxes to send to developing nations. ‘So it’s a great idea to put in pencils, paper. Great idea to put in small toys, hygiene items like toothbrushes.’ National collection week is November 13th to 19th.”
