North Carolina

The Rev. Billy Graham made a rare appearance Monday at a book-signing for former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura Bush.

The 92-year-old evangelist, who sat in a wheelchair, and his son, Franklin, had lunch and prayer with Bush and the former first lady before heading to the Billy Graham Library to receive signed copies of the Bushes' books and pose for photos.

Bush and his wife were in Charlotte to sign copies of their respective memoirs,  Decision Points and Spoken From the Heart. more >>

Steven Furtick is a young pastor with a thriving church in Charlotte, N.C. But what's burdening his heart is the erosion of truth and biblical values among the younger generation.

"The truth is never more than one generation away from extinction," he said, taking his inspiration from former president Ronald Reagan.

For the past two weeks, Furtick has been shining the spotlight on a generation that some observers say is increasingly turning away from God. The signs seem apparent, such as the high number of young people leaving the church or the prevalence of sexual activity. more >>

One of the country's fastest-growing churches opened its fourth campus this past weekend in Charlotte, N.C.

Elevation Blakeney is Elevation Church's second permanent location and part of the church's ongoing strategy to reach the city for Christ.

"The local church is the hope of the world," Pastor Steven Furtick said, borrowing the famous phrase proclaimed by Willow Creek Community Church's Bill Hybels. "We have the opportunity now to advance the Kingdom like we've never had it before." more >>

The King City Council in North Carolina on Monday voted unanimously to develop a limited public forum policy in the wake of the Christian flag controversy at a veterans memorial.

Once drafted, the policy is expected to allow the Christian flag – which features a cross – to once again fly at Central Park's Veterans Memorial.

King City Manager John Cater said the 4-0 vote on Monday authorizes Mayor Jack Warren to work with the city's attorneys, along with the Christian legal firm Alliance Defense Fund to develop the policy. more >>

Hundreds of King, N.C., residents have held protests and camped out at the city’s Central Park for nearly two months after city officials were pressured into removing a Christian flag from the park’s Veterans Memorial.

Since September, King city veterans have taken 24-hour shifts to protect a replacement flag in Central Park and a statue of a soldier kneeling before a cross after city officials removed the original flag in August. City officials cited financial costs as the reason for the flag’s removal after it received complaints from the American Civil Liberties Union, in conjunction with Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.

Earlier this month, roughly 500 King residents packed a school gymnasium to meet with city council members and to protest the removal of the original flag, which had been up for roughly six years. Residents encouraged the city to “stand up” against the ACLU. more >>

Prominent Christian thinkers, including Chuck Colson and Josh McDowell, will be among the more than a dozen speakers at the 2010 National Conference on Christian Apologetics this weekend.

The annual apologetics conference, which is in its 17th year, expects to draw more than 2,000 people Oct. 15-16, to Charlotte, N.C. This year’s theme is defending faith and family.

“I believe like never before in our culture these two entities (faith and family) are under attack,” said Alex McFarland, president of Southern Evangelical Seminary, a co-host of the conference. more >>