Blake Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:5. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and t…

Rick Morton, Sr. VP of Engagement at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 2 Corinthians 8: 1-15 LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disc…

Majority of married same-sex couples say marriage equality threatened Twenty years after Massachusetts became the first state to permit marriage equality, a majority of same-sex married couples say it had a profound positive impact on their lives. A new report finds it strengthened couples' relationships, provided legal protections, financial secur…

Chris Johnson, Vice President of Church Partnerships & Government Affairs at Lifeline, leads the discussion of 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:16 LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to b…

MA boosts funding for 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline services Community groups in Massachusetts will see continued funding to support the state's 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.Public health officials have announced more than $8 million in grants to better support those experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts. Nearly 7,000 calls were…

Marine national monument off MA coast protects ocean biodiversity A new marine national monument in the Atlantic Ocean aims to protect one of the most biodiverse spots on the planet from overfishing.Located 130 miles off Cape Cod, the area spans more than 3 million acres and is part of the Biden administration's plan to conserve at least 30% of U.S…

Herbie Newell, Executive Director & President at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 2 Corinthians 6:1-10. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and …

Blake Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 2 Corinthians 2:5-17. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to …

MA Commission on Poverty tackles historic wealth gap A Legislature-backed Commission on Poverty in Massachusetts aims to address the state's historic wealth gap. The commission will study demographic disparities and existing programs to reduce poverty over the next decade, and has been holding public hearings to gather feedback. State Sen. ...(Read…

Federal funds help build Boston’s climate-ready workforce The City of Boston has been awarded nearly $10 million in federal funding to help build a Climate-Ready Workforce.More than 1,000 people will receive job training in construction, wastewater management and more, to combat the growing threat of sea level rise.Gina Raimondo, U.S. ...(Read More…

Jeremy Simpson, Global Orphan Care Director, leads a discussion on 2 Corinthians 4. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples. …

MA could become 11th state with medical aid-in-dying law Lawmakers in Massachusetts are considering legislation to allow medical aid in dying as an option for mentally capable, terminally ill adults. Patients age eighteen and older with less than six months to live could request medication from their physician, to take at their time of choosing and…

High housing costs in MA impacting childrens’ overall well-being Massachusetts is known for its quality education and health care systems, but high housing costs are straining family budgets and impacting childrens' well-being, according to a new report. The 2024 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation finds more than 30% of childre…

Free community college plan in MA burdens underpaid, overworked staff The Massachusetts Senate has proposed free community college for all residents, but educators say an influx of new students could overwhelm the system.The MassEducate plan invests $75 million in new spending to cover tuition and fees and creates a fund for emergency costs, like c…

Nate Bruns, Kansas & Missouri State Director, leads a discussion on 2 Corinthians 3. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disciples.…

Housing, transportation limit MA seniors' access to quality health care High housing and transportation costs are preventing some Massachusetts seniors from seeing their health care providers, according to a new report.United Health Foundation found despite an increase in the number of geriatric care providers and access to telemedicine, measures o…

New transmission planning rule takes MA wildlife into account Conservation groups in Massachusetts are backing the Biden Administration's new plan to update the nation's power grid.Studies show the U.S. must double its existing transmission capacity to meet clean-energy goals over the next decade....(Read More)…

MA ballot measure would end MCAS graduation requirement Massachusetts voters could face a possible ballot measure this November to end the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System graduation requirement.Supporters have until July 3 to complete the signature gathering process to put the measure on the ballot, which would keep the standardized t…

Chris Johnson, Vice President of Church Partnerships & Government Affairs at Lifeline, explores the significance of Memorial Day in this special Defender Bible study podcast episode. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is fo…

Blake Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 2 Corinthians 2:5-17. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to …

Parents press for online child safety reforms amid Congressional reform Massachusetts parents of children harmed by social media platforms are calling on Congress to advance the bipartisan "Kids Online Safety Act."The bill would require platforms to default to their most restrictive parental controls, creating a "duty of care" to protect children b…

MA household debt grows as grocery prices remain at post-pandemic highs Massachusetts residents struggling to pay high food prices are acquiring a growing amount of debt to pay their bills, according to a new report.The Urban Institute found 60% of adults reported using credit cards to buy groceries but only 20% managed to pay the minimum monthly p…

MA lawmakers push Medicaid expansion to improve maternal mortality rates On the heels of Mother's Day, Massachusetts lawmakers are backing legislation to address the country's high rates of maternal mortality.The "Mamas First Act" would expand Medicaid coverage to include doula and midwife services, which are proved to reduce the rates of C-section…

Herbie Newell, Executive Director & President at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel an…

Chris Johnson, Vice President of Church Partnerships & Government Affairs at Lifeline, leads the introduction of 2 Corinthians and a discussion on 2 Corinthians 1:1-11. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable c…

Northeastern University students, staff condemn arrests, charges of antisemitism Students and faculty at Northeastern University are demanding their school issue a public apology for what they say are false charges of antisemitism during recent protests.School administrators cited the slurs as justification for police to dismantle a pro-Palestinian…

Herbie Newell, Executive Director & President at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 1 Corinthians 16 closing out our time in 1 Corinthians. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to…

MA municipalities aim to lower voting age for local elections Cities and towns across Massachusetts hope to increase young voter turnout in local elections by lowering the voting age to sixteen or seventeen. Somerville, Northampton, Southborough and Concord are just a few of the municipalities which have attempted but failed to secure state approva…

Dr. Rick Morton, Sr. VP of Engagement at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 1 Corinthians 15:20-58. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to mak…

Boston U. Prison Education Program celebrates 50 years of changing lives Boston University's Prison Education Program is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and is hoping to expand. Students at Massachusetts Correctional Institution Norfolk and MCI Framingham are earning undergraduate certificates and Bachelor of Liberal Arts degrees, to reform their…

Turnover in MA election officials as presidential election nears Heightened scrutiny and harassment are helping fuel an increasing turnover rate of election officials in Massachusetts and beyond, according to a new report. More than a third of all Massachusetts municipalities have had a change in their chief election official or town clerk since 20…

Blake Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and t…

MA Haitian-led groups call for end to deportations as terror grips island Haitian-led groups in Massachusetts are calling for a temporary pause in deportations as political instability and violence engulf the island.They said anything less would be a death sentence. Armed gangs now control most of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, cutting distribut…

MA taxpayers benefit from IRS Direct File pilot program Massachusetts residents can take advantage of a new pilot program from the Internal Revenue Service, which allows people to file their taxes online for free. IRS Direct File is expected to save people both time and money while making tax preparation more equitable and inclusive. Adam Ruben, vi…

MA students urge lawmakers to fund campus anti-hunger efforts A coalition of college students and administrators is asking state lawmakers to help fight food insecurity on campus.The group is asking for $2 million for the Hunger Free Campus Initiative and to pass legislation to better fund programs already helping thousands of low-income students o…

Dr. Rick Morton, Sr. VP of Engagement at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 1 Corinthians 14. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to make disc…

MA seniors encouraged to take advantage of dual-use special needs plans Health care advocates in Massachusetts said special health care plans are available for seniors and people with disabilities to help ensure they get the care they need.Dual-use special-needs plans combine services and coverage for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and they o…

GOP proposal threatens cuts to MA Social Security benefits Congressional Republicans' proposed changes to Social Security have advocates for Massachusetts beneficiaries concerned about the future of the key safety net program.A recent GOP budget proposal suggested raising the benefit eligible retirement age to 69, "to account for increases in life …

Queer churches in MA and nationwide offer all identities safe, sacred spaces By Sara Youngblood Gregory for Yes! Magazine. Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Commonwealth News Service reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service CollaborationIn December 2023, Pope Francis announced that Catholic priests may bless same-sex unions-as long as…

Herbie Newell, Executive Director & President at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 1 Corinthians 13. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to m…

New England anglers seek greater protections for Atlantic herring stock Recreational fishermen in New England say commercial trawlers are threatening the survival of smaller businesses relying on a healthy stock of Atlantic herring.The small forage fish is vital to both the marine food chain and the region's economy.Rich Hittinger, first vice presi…

Blake Wilson, Vice President of Operations at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 1 Corinthians 12:1-31. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to…

Proposed Amesbury school budget cuts rally parents, educators The Amesbury School Committee will hear from educators and parents tonight as they rally to prevent more than $2 million in proposed cuts to their schools.They are asking Kassandra Gove, the mayor and school committee chair, to use any funds at the city's disposal to ensure schools can a…

MA diaper distribution program helps families make ends meet Supporters of a federal pilot program to distribute diapers to low-income families in Massachusetts hope to build upon its success.More than 1 million diapers, along with wipes and other needed supplies have helped some 1,600 families over the past several months.Adriana Leo, director of …

Dr. Rick Morton, Sr. VP of Engagement at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and to mak…

Long-COVID fighters feel 'sucker-punched' by new CDC guidance Advocates for people who suffer or have died from COVID-19 in Massachusetts and around the country say they're alarmed by new federal health recommendations regarding the disease.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced people no longer need to isolate for five d…

Herbie Newell, Executive Director & President at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communities to be transformed by the gospel and…

MA reforestation plan aims to counter urban heat islands A proposed urban reforestation program in Massachusetts aims to help cities mitigate the effects of climate change.Legislation would create a state advisory council to help municipalities choose the best timing for tree plantings and which native species would be most effective in reducing ur…

Chris Johnson, Vice President of Church Partnerships & Government Affairs at Lifeline, leads a discussion on 1 Corinthians 10: 23-33 and 11:1. LIFELINE CHILDREN'S SERVICES The mission of Lifeline Children’s Services is to equip the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children. Our vision is for vulnerable children and their communit…

'Deceptive' tactics by crisis pregnancy centers focus of MA legislation Legislation in Massachusetts would ban some of the tactics used by "crisis pregnancy centers" to prevent people from having abortions.Many of the centers have the words "medical" or "health" in their names, but do not offer licensed reproductive medical care.Laurie Veninger, re…