World Vision International, the world's largest Christian humanitarian organization, announced a new head this week.

Kevin Jenkins, managing director of a Canadian investment firm and vice chair of the board of World Vision Canada, has been appointed as the organization's new president and chief executive officer.

The WVI board combed through 300 candidates from 40 countries before selecting Jenkins during its semi-annual meeting in Kenya last week. more >>

President Obama announced on Monday nine more members of his Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, bringing the total number up to 25.

The new members include, among others, Bishop Charles E. Blake, presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ; the Rev. Peg Chemberlin, president-elect of the National Council of Churches USA; and Harry Knox, director of the Human Rights Campaign’s Religion and Faith Program.

Notably absent from the list, meanwhile, is former NFL coach Tony Dungy, whose invitation drew considerable protest last week. more >>

Social conservatives are responding to protests over the White House’s invitation of former NFL coach Tony Dungy to join its Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Earlier this week, a spokesman for Dungy confirmed media reports of the recent invitation but said the former Indianapolis Colts head coach had not yet made a decision about whether or not he will accept.

Since then, groups including Americans United for Separation of Church and State have castigated the White House move, claiming that Dungy “has well-known ties with intolerant Religious Right groups.” more >>

Retired NFL coach Tony Dungy has been invited to join the White House’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, reported a spokesman for the former Indianapolis Colts head coach.

“He was invited and has not yet made a decision about whether or not he will accept,” Todd Starowitz, a publicist at Dungy’s book publisher, Tyndale House Publishers, told The Christian Post on Tuesday.

In total, there will be 25 members on the council, composed of religious and secular leaders and scholars from different backgrounds. Members of the council, each appointed to a one-year term, so far include prominent figures such as Dr. Frank S. Page, president emeritus of the Southern Baptist Convention; the Rev. Jim Wallis, president and executive director of Sojourners; Pastor Joel C. Hunter, senior pastor of Northland, a Church Distributed; and Richard Stearns, president of World Vision. more >>

Habitat for Humanity’s international, student-initiated week of advocacy kicked off Monday and will mobilize youth far and wide to social action.

Throughout “Act! Speak! Build! Week 2009,” young people, ages 5 to 25, will be working worldwide in partnership with local Habitat affiliates to plan and host events focused on ending poverty house.

“Today’s young people are very aware of our current housing crisis and are eager to get involved,” says Erin Rank, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. “Act! Speak! Build! Week empowers youth to make a tangible difference, while developing skills in teambuilding, leadership and community development.” more >>

The prison once deemed the most violent in America hosted the nation’s largest gathering of inmates and their children on Saturday to promote reconciliation and healing within families.

The Returning Hearts Celebration reunited more than 500 kids with their incarcerated dads at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola for a special day of activities and bonding. The annual event enables fathers who may not have seen their sons or daughters in years to seek forgiveness and build connections in an effort to break the cycle of familial crime.

“These fathers do not want their children to end up in prison,” says Jack Eggar, president and CEO of Awana Lifeline prison ministry, which initiated the Returning Hearts Celebration. “So they are intentional in encouraging and teaching their children to pursue a life of character and faith.” more >>