Christian ministry leader "Mama Maggie" Gobran has been nominated for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize by several members of the United States Congress for her selfless work offering aid and assistance to the impoverished people of Cairo's garbage slums.

Congressmen Frank Wolf, Bill Huizenga, Joseph Pitts, Robert Aderholt, and John Carter all signed a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee Council urging council members to consider "Mama Maggie" for the prestigious award. The deadline for nominations closed on Wednesday of last week.

"Ms. Gobran is a woman of the utmost integrity and her tireless work has served thousands of Egyptians, including countless children. She has given a voice to the poor," the letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee read. more >>

While many people opened up their houses and apartments to friends and family to watch Super Bowl XLVI, one Washington state church decided to invite the homeless.

First Covenant Church of Spokane held a Super Bowl watch party where over 130 homeless people came for a good meal, dessert, and of course, to cheer on either the Patriots or the Giants.

Rob Bryceson, pastor at First Covenant, told CP that this was part of the church's weekly effort that began in 2009 to care for people from an impoverished surrounding neighborhood. more >>

The Bowery Mission is giving New Yorkers the chance to answer the question "How can I help the homeless?" during one of the coldest months of the year.

The goal of its new four-week initiative, "Don't Walk By," is to offer every homeless person on the streets of Manhattan the opportunity to change their lives.

Many organizations try to help the poor with a handout, but Bowery, a faith-based organization, gives those on the street the chance to engage in long-term solutions to their problems. more >>

A chapter of the Occupy Wall Street movement may have helped a historic black church in Georgia get a modified loan, thereby saving the church from foreclosure.

Higher Ground Empowerment Center was given a second chance at avoiding foreclosure when BB&T agreed to craft a resolution that would allow the congregation to remain at the church, which has been open since 1903.

“BB&T is committed to continue to work with the Church until there is a mutually agreeable solution,” said David White of Corporate Communications for BB&T in a statement. more >>

Monday marks the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday, a time when many Americans will participate in the official MLK Day of Service.

World Vision is also taking part, and has created a new opportunity for those to pitch in. The Christian humanitarian aid organization is encouraging those who can’t volunteer somewhere in person to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by volunteering virtually.

They have created a way for people to purchase food kits or pre-packaged meals online. Each kit contains three to four meal packets (breakfast, lunch, dinner) or enough food to feed a family of five for one day by providing sustenance such as oatmeal, lentil soup, and pasta. more >>

African-American talk show host and Barack Obama critic Tavis Smiley expressed disappointment with an Illinois employee group’s decision to drop him as the guest speaker of its Jan. 16 Martin Luther King luncheon after another local group threatened to boycott the function.

Smiley, a liberal, told Fox News Monday morning, “Something is wrong with this country that so often the political right, and I am no defender of the political right … gets accused of playing the game of political correctness. What this underscores is that those on the left, the Democrats can play that game of political correctness as well.”

Alma Brown, an organizer for the Public Employees for Community Concerns’ luncheon, told the Peoria Journal Star it dropped its contract with Smiley last week over ticket sale concerns. more >>