President Barack Obama and leaders from around the world have spoken out following the death of Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, reflecting on the controversies that made him a hero to some but a dictator to others.

"At this challenging time of President Hugo Chavez's passing," Obama said in a statement on Tuesday, "the United States reaffirms its support for the Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government."

Chavez, who was 58 years old when he passed away at a hospital in his homeland, had been recovering from cancer treatment in Cuba, where he spent New Year's. The outspoken Roman Catholic leader often shared of his faith and placed his trust in Jesus Christ, and was adored by many supporters in Venezuela who saw him as a voice for the poor for his policies that sought economic stability. more >>

This upcoming weekend will mark the beginning of the second annual Fun in the Son festival, a week-long open air festival in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, organized by American evangelist Andrew Palau in collaboration with the Haiti Broilers, a local poultry company.

Palau and his ministry team will spend March 9-16 in the central public park of Haiti's capital city, known as the Champs de Mars, to hold free medical clinics, action sports demos, and children's programs, among other events.

The week of festivities will culminate with a free open-air music festival, available to all Haitians wishing to attend. more >>

For the past year, Steve and Andrea Kohlman of Lexington, Ky., have been creating and selling unique pieces of repurposed furniture, and donating their entire proceeds to the people of Haiti through Waves of Mercy, a mission organization dedicated to improving the lives of Haitians through education, nutrition, and Christianity.

The Kohlmans recently told The Christian Post that they chose to name their refurbishing project Repurposed Soul, primarily because they feel what they do with furniture is similar to what God does with His followers.

"What we do with furniture is the same thing Christ has done for my wife and me. He has refurbished our lives, and given us a new direction in life," Steve Kohlman told CP. more >>

Pastor Louie Giglio and supporters of the global "End It" anti-slavery campaign are participating in a day-long social media blackout today in order to raise awareness for the 27 million people living as slaves.

Giglio, who preaches at Passion City Church in Roswell, Ga., recently held his popular Passion 2013 conference, which attracted an attendance of 60,000 young Christians at the Georgia Dome. Over $3 million was raised to help deliver the 27 million men, women, and children around the world who are currently enslaved out of bondage.

For the entire day on Wednesday, Giglio and all those who have pledged their voices to fight slavery have gone quiet on social media websites and blacked out their profiles, posting simply a link to an inspirational video that highlights the mass-scale problem currently afflicting humanity. more >>

A coalition of prominent Christian leaders has recently issued a letter urging members of Congress to spare the "hungry and poor" when implementing the forced spending cuts, due to take place this Friday.

The letter  encourages President Barack Obama, Majority Leader Harry Reid, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to "frame the budget debate in terms of moral choices that are understandable to the American people."

"Important choices must be made: we must weigh the benefits of tax credits for low-income people and tax breaks for high income people; of nutrition assistance to low-income families and subsidies to agricultural businesses," the letter reads. more >>

PHILADELPHIA – The first step to addressing poverty, Dr. John Perkins, who is considered a father of the Justice Movement, said during the last panel at The Justice Conference, is recognizing the dignity of every human being.

Citing Genesis, Perkins said, "All mankind was created in the image of God. People don't have to do nothin' to have dignity." It is important for the Church, therefore, to "affirm the dignity of the poor."

Perkins was active in the Civil Rights Movement. Now in his 80s, he has founded many ministries and authored many books over his lifetime. more >>