Michigan

The first few billboards promoting atheism are up in the Metro-Detroit area with more signs on the way next month, announced the group sponsoring the signs.

In total, seven large billboards reading “Imagine No Religion” or “Praise Darwin: Evolve Beyond Belief” will be erected at locations around the city. The billboard designs feature the phrases written in calligraphy against a stained-glass window background, like those found in churches.

The signs are part of a campaign by Freedom from Religion Foundation, which has placed similar billboards in over 10 states and more than 30 cities. Currently, “Imagine No Religion” billboards are up in Indianapolis and suburban St. Louis. Next month, the group plans a “billboard blitz” in Las Vegas. more >>

A Detroit-area church is asking that prayers be said for their executive pastor, who was repeatedly and severely stabbed in his home early Tuesday morning by an intruder.

Staff and members at Revival Tabernacle Church in Highland Park, Mich., are also praising God for the series of miracles that have so far kept Pastor Kevin Ramsby alive.

“Pastor Kevin is now in recovery, and his wife and children are surrounded by family and church family that are helping them through this,” Revival Tabernacle staff reported on the church’s website. more >>

More than 2,000 mourners overflooded a Detroit city megachurch Wednesday to celebrate the life of David “Pop” Winans, patriarch of gospel music’s Winans family dynasty.

Among the host of family and friends were popular gospel music artists and prominent ministers – all of whom gathered in Perfecting Church to pay tribute to Winans, who died last Wednesday at a hospice in Nashville, Tenn.

The “homegoing celebration” featured musical performances, preaching, and stories and testimonies about the man whose family, combined, have been recognized with more than 35 Grammy Awards, over 20 Stellar and Dove Awards, and about a half-a-dozen NAACP Image Awards. more >>

Friends and family of David “Pop” Winans Sr. will be gathering this week to remember and celebrate the life of the patriarch behind the Winans Family musical dynasty.

Winans died at the Alive Hospice in Nashville, Tenn., last Wednesday – less than two weeks before his 75th birthday.

The Winans family has since asked for prayers and privacy, directing well-wishers to send flowers, donations, and other items of sentiment to Perfecting Church in Detroit, where the family will be hosting events in remembrance of “Pop” Winans. more >>

Sports celebrities and hundreds of basketball fans will gather Saturday morning for the presentation of the prestigious John Wooden Keys to Life Award, which will this year honor NBA legend David Thompson.

The presentation will be the highlight of the 2009 Legends of the Hardwood Breakfast event, which has grown to become one of the premier events of the NCAA Final Four weekend.

“This event is one of the best I have attended, where character is so strongly emphasized,” says Jerry Colangelo, chairman and CEO of the Phoenix Suns. more >>