Georgia

One of the year's biggest youth evangelism events ended today when Passion 2012 closed its 4-day conference at Atlanta's Georgia Dome. Louie Giglio, the movement's founder, urged the audience of 42,000 college students to advance the Gospel of Christ in all that they do.

"Can we just stick a pin in the balloon that says, 'What is God's will for your life?" Giglio asked the roaring crowd in the part-church-service, part-rock-concert gathering as part of his closing remarks. "You don't have to wait to participate fully in the plans and purposes of God. It's now that God can use you."

Giglio said he founded the Passion movement in 1995, convinced that an untapped audience for the Gospel lies in the world's college students. This year's speakers included Passion conference regulars Francis Chan, John Piper and Beth Moore. It also featured music from Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Charlie Hall and other prominent Christian musicians. more >>

A drive-thru prayer service has popped up near Atlanta. But volunteers at Snellville United Methodist Church say it’s not just for convenience, it’s for the connection as well.

Drivers sitting in rush hour traffic along busy Highway 78 can pull in for a quick prayer and a little stress relief. Iris Green, a volunteer for Drive-thru Prayer, said on a video for the project: “A lot of people, through their busy life, don’t take time to pray. Or sometimes they might feel that their prayer is not heard and if they can get someone to pray for them and with them, that kind of encourages them.”

Volunteers for the service stand out in front of the church waving a small red flag with signs that read: “Drive Thru Prayer Today.” Cars can drive up to the church underpass and volunteers will take prayer requests and pray with them through their car window – in true drive-thru fashion. more >>

In inner city Atlanta, parents on a tight budget have the opportunity to find toys and gifts for their children without feeling like a charity case this Christmas.

A sale called “Pride for Parents” takes place every year at the South Atlanta Marketplace, a ministry of FCS Community Economic Development.

Inside the marketplace are rows of toys, bikes, soccer balls, games and much more for children of all ages. Everything is marked at half their retail price. more >>

Bishop Eddie Long, the Atlanta megachurch pastor who was embroiled in a sexual misconduct case with four young men this past year, announced Sunday that he is taking a break from the church – just days after his wife filed for divorce.

In front of thousands of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church congregants, Long announced that he will take time off in order to focus on his family.

“I’m still your pastor. You’ll still receive my direction,” Long said with his wife, Vanessa, and two of their children standing by his side, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. “You’ve given me some weeks to take care of some family business.” more >>

In a strange series of events Friday, it was brought to the public's attention that Vanessa Long, the wife of New Birth Missionary Baptist's Bishop Eddie Long, had filed for divorce, per a statement from her attorneys. However, just three hours later, the Lithonia, Ga., megachurch issued a statement said to be from Long insisting the first lady had experienced a change of heart. Again, shortly thereafter, Mrs. Long's attorneys released a second statement, making it clear that Mrs. Long had every intention of following through with a divorce – and was seeking to do so "expeditiously."

The most recent statement for Mrs. Long, an elder at New Birth, came from Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton law firm partner Michael W. Tyler, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The statement, made available to members of the media Friday evening, reads:

"Consistent with her original statement made this morning, Mrs. Long continues to hope that this matter may be resolved expeditiously, harmoniously and fairly; however, she has determined that dismissal of her divorce petition is not appropriate at this time." more >>

Only hours after it was announced Friday that the wife of legally embattled Georgia minister Bishop Eddie Long had filed for a divorce, it now appears that Vanessa Long has had a change of heart, as the first lady of New Birth Missionary Baptist church has announced that she will withdraw the suit.

Vanessa Long issued a statement Friday morning saying that after "a great deal of deliberation and prayer, I have decided to terminate my marriage to Bishop Eddie L. Long" and that she had authorized her attorneys to do so on Thursday, Dec. 1, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

However, by the afternoon, Mrs. Long sent a second statement, saying, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "Upon prayerful reflection, I have reconsidered and plan to withdraw my petition for divorce from my husband, Bishop Eddie L. Long. I love my husband. I believe in him and admire his strength and courage." more >>