DALLAS — Bishop T.D. Jakes celebrated his 35th anniversary of ministry Friday with surprise tributes from Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Pastor Paula White and Chaka Khan at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas. Celebrities and Christian leaders honored the black minister as a "spiritual leader" and "prophetic voice."

WASHINGTON - Hispanic advisers to Mitt Romney have told him that it is vital that he soften the sharp rhetoric on immigration that he adopted during the Republican primary race and that he work to make inroads with one of the fastest-growing segments of the electorate.

As Pentecostalism explodes around the world, new efforts emerge to find unity in the profound diversity of the movement.

Converge21 (C21) brought together a select group of leaders, pastors, educators and next-generation thought leaders to collaborate on the future of the Spirit-empowered (a.k.a. Pentecostal or Charismatic) movement in the United States. From February 29 to March 3, over 700 Pentecostal and Charismatic influencers attended the event held at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

America's largest Hispanic Christian organization is weighing in on President Obama's recent change of heart on gay marriage.  The Hispanic Evangelical Association (officially the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference or NHCLC) is calling on its 40,118 member churches to take part in a 40 day fast starting on June 1.  The purpose is to pray for "righteousness and favor in defense of God's institution of marriage". 

Hispanic Evangelicals’ Biblical Definition of Marriage Is a Matter of Faith Not Politics        

National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference Takes Bold Action That Defends Truth with Civility

William Jessup Wants School to Mirror Area

ROCKLIN -- Aurora Alarcón, a México City native and sophomore at William Jessup University, is the kind of student the small, private Christian university wants.

"There aren't too many of us (Latinos) here yet, but the population is slowing growing," said Alarcón, 20.

Alarcón decided to attend William Jessup over UC Davis after receiving a $5,000 scholarship from the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce two years ago.

ROCKLIN, Calif., - William Jessup University, the first WASC accredited private, four-year residential Christian Liberal Arts University in the greater Sacramento region will celebrate its annual Commencement on Saturday, May12 from 10 a.m. to noon at Adventure Christian Church in Roseville. This is the university's largest graduating class to date.
 
"We look forward to the impact our graduates are going to make as they transition from our university setting," said Dr. John Jackson, president of the 72 year old university.
 

President Obama is attending a campaign fundraiser Monday night co-hosted by gay- and lesbian-rights leaders and a Latino nonprofit. The event is being headlined by singer Ricky Martin.

Obama maintains a commanding lead over likely GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney when it comes to support among Latino voters. But those same voters are generally regarded as socially conservative, leading some to wonder how the president's support for same-sex marriage might affect the Latino electorate.

Fox News is decrying the inclusion of needed provisions in the Violence Against Women Act that would protect immigrants, Native Americans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered individuals from domestic abuse. Critics contend that not extending these protections would render victims more vulnerable to domestic violence.

The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference presented a Champions of Justice Award to Matthew Soerens, co-founder of Undocumented.tv and US Church Training Specialist with World Relief. He won the award for his groundbreaking and tireless work for immigrants and immigration reform. The award was presented at a special celebratory church service during the week-long board meetings of the NHCLC.