http://www.resourcefoundation.org Chattanooga Matters http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=103 The Global Day of Prayer is a world-wide celebration centered around Pentecost Sunday. The mission of this celebration is to unite the global body of Christ, to seek God for revival, intercede on behalf of our world, and collaborate for the blessing and transformation of our cultures. It is preceded by ten days of prayer (Acts 1:14); celebrated in public venues on Pentecost (Acts 2:1) and followed by “90 Days of Blessing” on communities after Pentecost (Acts 2:42). For more information on the Global Day of Prayer click here. LOCAL GATHERINGS: CHATTANOOGA - Sunday, May 31 - 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. (Come and go) at Cross Culture Christian Church, 5600 Brainerd Rd. at Eastgate Town Center. For more information go to www.awaken2009.info. CLEVELAND - Sunday, May 31 - 6:00 p.m. at North Cleveland Church of God. For more information call (423) 479-6652 or go to clevelandnet.org We encourage you to join in at one of these locations to cry out to God for revival in our city and the world. http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=99 Perspectives Course scheduled for August 16th - December 6th 2009 sponsored by AMG International and hosted by Woodland Park Baptist. Perspectives has a long and singular track record in the business of opening students' eyes to the Bible, world history, international culture, and God's purpose for it all in a way that no other course can offer. Who should take Perspectives? The short answer is anyone who wants a closer walk with the Lord, who is serious about gaining a deeper understanding of His ultimate purpose in the world. It's for anyone who wants to learn how to strategically invest their lives in seeing God glorified; for anyone who wants to gain insight and direction that will help them to impact their generation. If the above describes you, no matter what your age or position, Perspectives is for you! For more information or to enroll in the class please contact Ron Stokes at 423.894.6060 http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=98 Chattanooga Matters welcomes Family Life Radio, 91.5, to the airwaves in Chattanooga. According to their website..."Family Life Radio communicates the Biblical, Christ-centered Truth to ignite individual transformation by affirming faith, inspiring hope and equipping each person into healthy relationships and growth in Jesus Christ. Everything we do at Family Life Communications is to one end: to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others, and help them continue to build that relationship - through some of the best Christian music, incredible teaching partners like Intentional Living, Insight for Living and Focus on the Family...and a message that will allow us to always point you in the right directions." Help us make FLR feel welcome in our awesome town. http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=95 We have a great line-up of Forum speakers for the second half of 2009. We hope you will join us. These are FREE noontime (12:00 until 1 p.m.) events but seating is limited and those attending should R.S.V.P. in advance to: info@chattanoogamatters.org. Don’t miss your opportunity to hear from informative speakers covering a wide range of subjects that should be of interest to people of faith in Chattanooga. The locations of some events are still to be determined but, please keep checking back on our web site for future details. The upcoming Chattanooga Forum Events are: TUESDAY, JUNE 16th: Sarah Lester, one of our Leadership 21 graduates, will be sharing about STAND, a new initiative in Chattanooga to engage community members to express their ideas for the future, organize around common purposes and translate vision into action. Sarah is the STAND Campaign Coordinator. The meeting will take place at Create Here, the STAND headquarters, at 55 E Main Street, Suite 105. For more information on stand, go to www.chattanoogastand.com. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th: Roger Helle, Director of Teen Challenge, will inspire us with his personal testimony, a story of faith in the face of overwhelming adversity. Meeting will be at the Oak Street Center, 433 Oak St. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20th: Michael Poore will speak to us about Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture. Meeting will be held at the Oak Street Center. Please plan now to attend all, or many, of these Chattanooga Forum events. Again, the events are FREE and we urge you to bring your own brown bag lunch and R.S.V.P. in advance to insure seating. Thank you! We look forward to seeing you at these events. *Note: All dates and speakers are subject to change. Please continue to check our website for current information. http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=93 Chattanoogan.com Zach Wamp To Run For Governor Of Tennessee // posted January 5, 2009 Rep. Zach Wamp said Monday he plans to run for the office of governor of Tennessee. He made the statement after former Sen. Bill Frist said Sunday afternoon he will not seek the governor's post in 2010. Rep. Wamp said, “One of the highest honors of my life has been to serve the very best people in the world — the citizens of Tennessee’s Third District — in Congress for the last 14 years. I am grateful and humbled that you have again elected me to serve in Congress, and I will be sworn in tomorrow to serve you in the 111th Congress. I will continue to make my service to you my highest priority. Our country faces difficult challenges in the days ahead, and I will do my best to bring reasoned, conservative solutions to the problems we face. “However, I believe the time is at hand for me to expand my service to help even more people in our great state by pursuing the office of Governor. While so much is good in Tennessee, I know in my heart we can continue to do better. From education, economic development, infrastructure and transportation to safer cities and healthier children, I will lead our state with vision, planning and implementation while setting goals and achieving results for a better Tennessee. “In the next few days, I will travel the Third District to thank and hear from the people who have been so good to Kim, Weston, Coty and me over the years. I will also file the paperwork necessary to begin raising money as a candidate for governor of the great state of Tennessee. “Bolstered by a strong record of public service, a strong faith in God and the support of thousands of people like you who have stood with us through the years, I begin this extraordinary journey with a servant’s heart and a commitment to the common sense values that makes Tennessee the state we all love. Please pray for us and spread the good word. “Thank you so much.” http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=82 Will you help end the tragedy of abortion one life at a time? Volunteers are needed to assist with on-going efforts to address abortion issues in Chattanooga. Training classes are held regularly at AAA Women's Services on Vance Rd. For more information on how you can get involved, contact AAA Women's Services - mpage@aaawomen.org or call (423)892-0803 for training time/location. http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=81 Be A Truth Champion… From Oprah’s new found spirituality to the debate over intelligent design, the battle of worldviews continues to rage across popular culture. Whether you believe it’s absolute or relative, one thing is certain: The world will never stop searching for truth. In the midst of the confusion, the worldview of many Christians has shifted. According to a 2003 Barna study, only 9% of Christians now possess a biblical worldview. In response, The Truth Project, a new initiative of Focus on the family, created by Senior Vice President Dr. Del Tackett, offers a systematic and comprehensive way to bring biblical truth to church communities across North America. Individuals and churches can learn how to lead this life-changing DVD-based small group curriculum in their homes, churches and/or communities to equip people to make a positive impact on culture by applying God’s principles to daily life. The Truth Project is an on-going movement, bringing people together in small groups to experience personal transformation from biblical truth,” says Bill Dallas, founder and CEO of CCN. For example, trainees from Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church will present The Truth Project to the congregation in small group format on Wednesday nights beginning January 2009. To learn more about The Truth Project go to www.thetruthproject.org http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=79 We are now able to report that a ProMacc representative has received confirmation from Joseph Barack, an owner of the property at 4066 Hixson Pike, that the contract with the abortion clinic has expired and appears to be dead. This does not mean that we should let up on our efforts to speak out in favor of LIFE and continue to voice our opposition to an abortion clinic locating here in Chattanooga. This past August, a contingent of more than 40 Chattanoogans traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina to confront the owners of this chain of abortion clinics. Their peaceful demonstration, augmented by Christians and church members from North Carolina as well as Knoxville, was met by a highly depraved response from abortion clinic workers. They came outside and sprinkled handfuls of manure in front of the Chattanooga contingent…apparently to say they couldn’t care less that the Chattanooga community does not want an abortion clinic here. Please continue to log onto our web site for further information…and let your family, friends and co-workers know where they can come to receive the latest information. Continuing to keep our city free of an abortion clinic will take a united effort of prayer. Thank you to all those who have made donations to help fight the proposed Chattanooga abortion clinic. To listen to the PSA announcements click here. http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=73 Please find below the text of the letter sent from the "PRO-LIFE MAJORITY COALITION of CHATTANOOGA” to the owners of the national chain of facilities planning to hire professional abortionists for a clinic here in Chattanooga. It would be helpful if you could pass along the content of this letter to your church pastors, bible study groups and friends and neighbors. It is hoped concerned Christians will phone the clinic owners at their North Carolina phone number (1-704-665-4120) and them know that we do not want their clinic here in Chattanooga today, tomorrow or ever. Chattanooga is the largest city in the United States without a professional abortion clinic and that has been true for more than fifteen years. It would be nice if we could keep our city clean of such a reprehensible business. ************************** To: A Preferred Woman’s Health Clinic www.apwhc.com We are sending this letter to ask you not to locate one of your abortion facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In Chattanooga, we place a very high value on human life. We have a great love for our mothers, fathers, and children. Chattanooga does not need abortion services, and we do not want this type business in our city. We believe the clinic will only hurt the people of our city. Some people think that an abortion only hurts the child whose life is ended. This is only partly true. The mothers of these lost children suffer in great ways after they make the choice to end their pregnancy. The grief and torment felt by these women after they decide to abort their child is almost unbearable. In our city, we show love to these women and walk beside them on their journey back to health. For the mothers in our city who would consider an abortion, we offer love, compassion, education, health, and hope. We tell them we will walk with them through their pregnancy. What abortionists offer is a one-time solution to a problem. They abort the child, collect their fee, and turn the woman away to a life of despair and shame. We believe the clinic will also hurt the children of our city. What an abortionist does ends the life of an innocent child. What they do sends a message to children that life is not precious. The children of Chattanooga are our future and our treasure. What an abortionist does hurts young women by devaluing the wonderful gifts the Creator gave to women; namely, the gifts of child bearing and motherhood. Abortionists teach young women that they are not unique in this wonderful way. We believe the clinic will also hurt the men of our city. Abortionists teach young men that they do not have to be responsible for themselves and others. They teach young men disrespect for women. When the consequences of irresponsible behavior fall only to the aborted child and mother, abortionists allow men to not be men. Our city needs solid men that respect women. Our city needs families that choose to stay together; mom, dad, and baby. At times this can be hard. We offer these women, children, men, and families’ real help. Today, in Chattanooga, there are many organizations that serve those among us dealing with an unwanted pregnancy. These groups serve moms and babies during the pregnancy and after the birth. These groups help men be the men they were created to be. These groups offer assistance to single or struggling mothers. These groups serve our children. Chattanooga has no need for what abortion clinics sell. Chattanooga holds a unique place in the history of abortion. The United States National Memorial for the Unborn is located here on the site where 35,000 babies died as a result of abortions. Please leave our city alone. The voices that oppose your efforts are many and strong and will not fade away. Respectfully, ProMaCC “Pro-Life Majority Coalition of Chattanooga” www.promacc.org http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=71 Many prayers were spoken in support of the Chattanooga leaders...from all walks of life and vocation...political, civic,church, media, etc...who endeavored to bring new opportunities to our city by securing the Volkwagen Auto Manufacturing Plant. The nation's newspapers are predicting that roughly 10,000+ jobs will be added to our area in direct and indirect association with Volkswagen. We are pleased to welcome our new German friends to Chattanooga...and pray they will find the commonality of spirit and resulting quality of life that we enjoy. VW has proven, yet again, that CHATTANOOGA MATTERS! http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=70 Leadership21 is a ten week series of classes for a select group of Christian leaders in the Chattanooga area. The 27th class was completed on April 14 and the next class will begin in September 2009. If you are interested in being a part of this nationally renowned leadership program, please take time to download the Application Materials or contact us at info@chattanoogamatters.org or 423-756-0410 if you have any questions. Class 28 will begin on Friday/Saturday, September 11-12 with a retreat (no overnight, attendance is required). The ten-week schedule is included in the application package. The application materials outline the comprehensive and highly informative course of study and practical application. To date more than 480 individuals have "graduated" from our Leadership21 training program and most serve today as leaders in their home, place of business, church, mission field or para-church organizations as examples of spiritual servant leaders. We hope to hear from you! Click here for printable Leadership21 Candidate Application Materials. Please read all the material carefully and prayerfully consider applying for this life-changing course. http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=67 Biblical servant leadership is the cornerstone of our nationally recognized Leadership21 training course. Each class must decide upon and complete a project that will impact the community in some way. The most recent graduates of Class 26 completed an outdoor classroom for Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy in the Alton Park neighborhood. Congressman Zach Wamp, along with several other dignitaries, was present for the dedication of the classroom. Photos from the event can be seen by clicking here. Class 25 applied the servant leadership concept by dedicating their efforts to establish ‘Common Grounds’ a bookstore and coffee shop for the St. Andrews Center in the Highland Park neighborhood. The CHATTANOOGA TIMES FREE PRESS carried a story on the Leadership Class and their project. Please click on the following link to read about this exciting project in our city! TIMES FREE PRESS ARTICLE http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=47 Whether you are searching for a local area ministry, a low fare airline ticket, Christian publications, colleges or radio stations, please use the LINKS page here at our website. We will continue to add to this list and believe this make the Chattanooga Matters website a ‘first stop’ on your local search for information. Just scroll down to the left on this home page and click on ‘Links’. You’ll be glad you did. http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=45 The folks at YOU TUBE recently informed us that our videos ranked 62nd in the nation (for non-profit organizations) for video viewership. We thank our entire growing list of YOU TUBE watchers for such a designation. If you scroll down to the left of our home page you’ll see our current list of videos. We’ll be adding more soon. Check back to our website to stay informed. http://www.resourcefoundation.org/news.php?newsId=43 Yes, we understand how people, particularly young people, communicate here in the year 2008. Therefore we established a FACEBOOK account as a means of getting our messages and news to the community. We’ve already had a number of ‘friends’ sign up…so please don’t hesitate to do so. Thank you.