Obama Names Sharon E. Watkins to Lead Day After Inauguration Prayer Service
President-elect Barack Obama has selected the Rev. Sharon E. Watkins to deliver the sermon at the national prayer service that is held the day after the inauguration.
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Black Immigrants See Personal Triumphs in Obama
There is no box on U.S. Census forms that accurately describes Ray Gongora.
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(Video) Israel Hammers New Hamas Targets, Enlists Reserves 
Israeli ground forces advanced deep into Gaza's most populated areas today, broadening their offensive even as diplomatic officials issued urgent appeals for a ceasefire.
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Decision on Burris' Fate Likely to Come this Week
Roland Burris will probably replace Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate this week once the Senate's legal counsel completes a review, Assistant Majority Leader Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) said Sunday.
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Get Your Copy of Scandalous Truth. The New Novel by Monica Carter
Can this family survive the scandalous truth?
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BCBP Sale Continues--Ends Soon Get 10% Off of Black Christian Book Promo's Already Low Summer Lite Sale Prices Complete Book Promo is only $161.64 www.BlackChristianBookPromo.com

Churches Offer Aid Amid Protracted Hamas-Israel Clash
A large number of churches from around the world this past week joined the international call for a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel as the conflict entered its second week and the death toll approached nearly 1,000 lives lost.
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Pastor Calls Tebow a 'Servant Leader'
For sure, it's his ability to throw a football that got University of Florida's Tim Tebow a Heisman Trophy as a sophomore -- and helped his team win the national championship Thursday night.
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What's Hot on BCNN1.com
The Top Ten Most Popular Articles on Black Christian News, According to our Audience.
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Obama Presses Congress for Swift Action on Stimulus
President-elect Barack Obama urged Congress yesterday to move quickly on a stimulus package to calm what he called the worst recession since the Great Depression.
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A Rush of Spiritual Outreach, Spirited Partying
Saying they see a spiritual nature to Barack Obama's inauguration, dozens of area churches and other faith groups are planning an unusual rush of activities to mark the occasion, from assisting food banks to Bible lectures on public policy to hosting of hundreds of out-of-town church members.
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Russia Says European Gas Deal is Off
Russia's president says a deal to resume the supply of natural gas to Europe is off, crushing the hopes of Europeans suffering without heat. 
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Rebel Force in Congo Shows Signs of Division
Disagreements over tactics and power have split the once seemingly invincible Congolese rebel group that has played havoc across the eastern side of the country over the past year and has brought the weakened government to the edge of collapse.
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Christian Youth Prepare for Online Missions Trip
Dozens of churches around the world are planning to participate in a special missions trip that involves bringing Christ and His message to a huge community where the Gospel is not the most popular subject.
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Evangel Contact The Reliable and Convenient Christian E-mail Marketing Service You've Been Looking For Pay as Low as $10 per Month; Make Your First Payment and Get Your 2nd Month Free www.EvangelContact.com

Get Your Copy of the Barack Obama 2009 Wall Calendar by CushCity Now
ONLY $15.99. 8-1/2" x 11" glossy calendar opens to 11" x 17". Cover features photo of the First Family with the Presidential seal. Calendar features more than 30 full-color photos from the Obama presidential campaign. Each month features an inspirational quotation.
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The 2009 Black Christian Conference/Convention Season. All major conventions and conferences are listed here at BCNN1.com  
Hampton Ministers’ Conference; 10th Annual First Lady Conference; all 6 Church of God In Christ Conferences; all 4 National Baptist Conventions; Reaching Creatures Conference; E.K. Bailey Expository Preaching Conference; FBFA Conference; Tony Evans' Kingdom Agenda Conference; and more.

ENTIRE VIDEO--NEW! Sermon of the Week
Waiting For a Word, by Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer. Click Here for Video.

On "Being Saved" in Black America
While growing up in a very religious and church-going family, I often heard the phrase "Being Saved." Now to me and my peers, "Being Saved" was a rather spooky and mystical thing, and only the real holy folk could be such — whatever it was.
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Steps to Peace with God
God loves you, and He wants you to live in peace with Him and to receive eternal life. The Bible Says: "...we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1
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What to Do After you Enter Through the Door
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FEATURED ADVERTISER LINKS:

Promote your book, CD, or event through Black Christian Book Promo. E-mail: info@blackchristianbookpromo.com. Website: www.BlackChristianBookPromo.com. 

Want to reach all audiences, black, white, Hispanic, etc., you can do that too through www.ChristianMediaPromo.com. E-mail: cmp@christianmediapromo.com.

Visit the premier online resource for black Christian books and products at www.BlackChristianBookCompany.com. E-mail: blackcbc@blackchristianbookcompany.com.

Pastor or church leader, do you have a book inside of you? If so, let St. Paul Press Publishers help you bring it out. E-mail: stpaul@stpaulpresspublishers.com. Website: www.StPaulPressPublishers.com.

Do you need postcards, business cards, flyers, or posters for your next event? If so, visit www.SaintPaulPrinting.com. E-mail: info@saintpaulprinting.com.

Do you need to submit a press release and have it distributed worldwide? If so, visit www.VisionPublicityServices.com. E-mail: coo@visionpublicityservices.com.

Do you need a professional church website, author website, or business website? If so, visit www.KingsHighwayWebDesign.com. E-mail: info@kingshighwaywebdesign.com.

Visit the new Torch Leader Magazine at www.TorchLeader.com.

NEW! View the Winter 2008 Edition of The Virtuous Girl E-Zine here.

Black Christian News/BCBC National Bestsellers List (New List Every Month)
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Black Christian News/BCBC National Independent Publishers Bestsellers List (New List Every Month)
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NEW! January-March 2009 Edition of the Black Christian Book Catalog
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Be Encouraged and Be an Encouragement

Christian Author of the Week: Monica Carter
Monica Carter is an author, speaker and entrepreneur. She is a former journalist and the author of several titles, including Scandalous Truth, her latest book. She is the president of RootSky Creative, a copywriting and design company that produces websites, brochures, books, newsletters, and more.  E-mail address: monica@monicacarter.com. Website: www.MonicaCarter.com.

Pastor of the Week: Dr. Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr., Pastor of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church in Jacksonville, Florida
Dr. Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr., is Senior Pastor of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, located in Jacksonville, Florida. Prior to Pastoring in Jacksonville, Dr. McKissick pastured in Virginia and Ohio. He shares the Senior Pastor role at Bethel along with his father Rev. Rudolph McKissick, Sr. Since his return to Bethel in 1995, over 9,000 thousand souls have been added to the ministry, bringing the active discipleship to over 12,000. McKissick is uniquely gifted at blending styles of worship from the very contemporary and urban down to the traditional without sacrificing one for the other. It has resulted in a church that is built around a unique diversity of persons from various age groups and cultures who all gather together in celebrative worship. Dr. McKissick serves as a Doctoral Mentor at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. In this role Dr. McKissick serves as focus group mentor for a group of students who are working towards their Doctor of Ministry degree and will become McKissick Fellows upon graduation. He also serves on several boards: National board member-National Action Network, founded by Rev. Al Sharpton; Jacksonville Community Council Incorporated; and the board of the African American Pulpit Magazine. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Jacksonville University with a double major in the field of music: one in Opera and the other in Sacred Church Music, with a minor in pipe organ performance. He holds the Master of Divinity Degree from the Samuel Proctor School of Religion at Virginia Union University, and the Doctor of Ministry Degree from the United Theological Seminary. Dr. McKissick was awarded the honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Bethune Cookman College. He is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., as well as Sigma Pi Phi Boule. He is married to the former Kimberly Joy Nichols and they are the proud parents of three beautiful children; Jocelyn, Janai and Joshua. E-mail address: bethelite@bethelite.org. Website: www.Bethelite.org. 
(If you want to submit information about your pastor to be reviewed for possible inclusion in this section, please send that information to  bcnn1@blackchristiannews.com.)

Music Minister of the Week: Tye Tribbett & G.A.
When one listens to his lyrics and feels the spirit which encompasses gospel performer Tye Tribbett, it's easy to see that Tye is indeed anointed. A native of Camden, New Jersey, Tye -- whose father was a preacher and mother was a choir director -- heard his calling early on. "I always wanted to do something for the Lord," he acknowledges. On his third full-length album Stand Out (also available as a DVD), Tye Tribbett and his aptly named choir, Greater Anointing (G.A.), deliver a series of passionate gospel performances celebrating and sharing the glory of God's Kingdom. Recorded live at Rock Church International in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in August 2007, Stand Out premieres a collection of spirit-filled musical testimonies to the power of the Living Word. With his new songs, Tye Tribbett is ready to stand up and Stand Out for the Rock of Ages. "It's time," he says, "for a new normal to be presented." In 1996, Tye founded a gospel choir, Greater Anointing (G.A.), consisting of a group of family and friends whose hearts were set simply on praising the Creator through the gift of great music. Tye knew from the beginning they'd tapped into something real and glorious. Tye Tribbett -- husband, father of two, Gospel singer, songwriter, producer, preacher and business man -- has touched many with his message. Recognizing that it is all the "anointing of God," Tye stands out not only on what believes, but what he wants people to understand about his calling. "I love the Lord and above all I just want everybody to realize how much better it is to do things God's way," Tye testifies. "You have to actually have to try it for yourself. You can see how God has blessed me, but I would love for you to experience how much better it is to do things God's way. That's what Stand Out is about. Try God's Way, y'all!" E-mail address: Thomas@TheAllianceAgency.com. Website: www.TyeTribbettandGA.com.

The Prayer Motivator for this Week
MOTIVATING VERSE: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." --Ephesians 6:18

PRAYER QUOTE: "I have so much to do today that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer " —Martin Luther

The Soul-Winning Motivator for this Week 
"And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." --Matthew 4:19