Michigan

Christian high school students were challenged this week by The Friends of Israel to consider giving their lives to vocational ministry – a big push in church culture these days.

The Friends of Israel, an organization that focuses on ministry in Israel, held its annual Youth Ministry Fest at Gull Lake Ministries in Hickory Corners, Mich. The event ended Thursday.

In light of a recent Barna group study which found that “three out of every five young Christians (59 percent) disconnect either permanently or for an extended period of time from church life after age 15,” the youth fest was especially important for Friends of Israel Church Ministries Representative Tim Munger. more >>

An atheist organization is so offended by a public expression of faith that it has threatened to sue the city of Warren, Michigan.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation claims its purpose is "to promote the constitutional principle of separation of state and church, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism,” as stated on its website.

The group is outraged by a public Christmas Nativity scene and is calling on the Warren mayor, James Fouts, to display an anti-religion sign directly next to the nativity scene to promote balanced views and what they refer to as "equal time,” according to The Daily Caller. more >>

Mars Hill Bible Church founding pastor Rob Bell has written a farewell letter to the members of his congregation – thanking and warning them, and also making a confession.

“This church, this place, this community, was once simply a hunch. A dream. A vision. A picture in the mind of a new kind of church for the new world we find ourselves in,” he stated.

According to Bell, it was through the congregation that he was able to experience the joy of creation. “I will never be able to fully, adequately explain what it has been like to have imagined you, conceived of you – this church – and then have you exist.” more >>

A Michigan woman filed a lawsuit Wednesday against a public high school district and a teacher who allegedly kicked the woman’s son out of class for his religious beliefs regarding homosexuality.

The lawsuit, based on an Oct. 20, 2010, incident at a high school in the Howell Public School District, alleges that teacher Johnson McDowell asked student Daniel Glowacki, then 16, to leave his economics class when the Catholic teen shared that he did not support gays due to the teachings of his faith.

It was anti-bullying Spirit Day in the school district, and students were allowed to express their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth who are negatively targeted due to their sexuality. more >>

Christmas trees have gotten a lot more practical in the state of Michigan, particularly for one multi-campus church in Oakland County.

Skipping out on the usual ornamentation this season, Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church is opting to decorate their trees with toiletries instead, which they plan to donate to a local outreach center that provides for families in need.

“Our hope is that those who need these items for their day-to-day living and Christmas celebration is fulfilled,” Associate Pastor Ken Fouty told The Christian Post in an email. more >>

It appears Mars Hill Bible Church is preparing to say goodbye to founding pastor Rob Bell as the Grandville, Mich., megachurch has called on the community of believers to send Bell, said to be "on the cusp of a new journey," messages of blessings or to tell of his impact on their lives.

The "Grace + Peace" post, which provides an entry form for comments, reads:

"During his 12 years at Mars Hill, our founder and teacher, Rob Bell has impacted thousands of lives. Now, as he is on the cusp of a new journey, we’d like to offer you the chance to impact his. more >>