Christian News: Church News

(Portland, OR)  Evangelist Luis Palau teamed up with the Mayor of Portland, Oregon, and with civic leaders and 350 area pastors to launch the "Season of Service," a collaborative effort between the city, local churches and nonprofit organizations to address the area's social needs.

At the official kick-off event on February 26, evangelist Luis Palau presented a $100,000 check to Portland Mayor Sam Adams - a gift to the city from Portland-area churches.  It is designated for the Home Again Mentoring Project, which helps homeless families transition into stable housing, and to help fund the Portland Schools Transition Center, which encourages youth who have dropped out of school to resume their education.

"The money will absolutely go to very good use," said the mayor. He and City Commissioner Nick Fish told the audience Portland had cut $20 million from the city budget. "This $100,000 means more than you will possibly know."  Oregon's unemployment rate has recently moved close to 10 percent.

"In 2008 we were 'practicing,' not knowing the worst economic downturn was headed our way," said Kevin Palau, executive vice president of the Luis Palau Association. The 2008 event brought together more than 600 churches and agencies, and nearly 30,000 volunteers to work on hundreds of critical service projects. This year's projects will focus on five areas, said Rick McKinley of Imago Dei Community: homelessness; schools; health and wellness; environmental projects; and hunger and poverty.

James Martin of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church reminded the group to remember also the point of Christian service. "Yes, we help the homeless and clean schools, but we also take the opportunity to share the Gospel."

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