Church Street Cafe at First UMC in Cape May Court House is hosting Praise Fest 2010 with special guests Dave Pettigrew, DavidMac Band, Crossfire Band and the worship teams from First UMC and First Baptist on Friday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m. Phone 609-465-7087 for more info.

New Covenant Community Church and Safe Haven Cafe in Somers Point are hosting a Beth Moore simulcast on Saturday, April 24. Order tickets online at www.newcovenantcc.net

Bethel Baptist Church in Cherry Hill presents the Story of Ruth on April 23, 24, 25 & 30 and May 1 and 2.

Fountain of Life Center in Burlington is hosting the production He Is Alive in the month of March and April leading up to Easter Sunday. Production dates are March 17, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 31 and April 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Go to www.heisalive.org.

Delanco Camp in Tabernacle is hosting a youth group challenge event on Saturday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be a day of games and tournaments for local youth groups. There’s a $50 registration fee for groups of 10-20 people. (A youth group can register for multiple teams).

This registration fee includes all the games, lunch and a closing worship time at the end of the day.

Click HERE to download the registration form and flier.

Mark your calendar for Bike To The Bay, the sixth annual benefit bike ride for Ranch Hope’s Camp Edge on Saturday, May 8

Click HERE for more info.

By Dom Ruggiero

I recently had the pleasure of talking to one of the most interesting people i have ever met. Her name is Mary Materniak, or Pastor Mary as she is known by her volunteers and the many people she helps.

A former missionary, Pastor Mary has been to more places than that fellow in black with a guitar who sings “I’ve been everywhere man, I’ve been everywhere.” India, Asia, Europe, South America, Africa; throw a dart at a world map and chances are Pastor Mary has been there.

During that time she saw many things…….poverty, famine, depression, oppression and sickness. But she always stayed focused on her mission to minister to the people.

“You can’t teach the message of the gospel and Jesus Christ to anyone if their stomach is empty and they are hungry,” she said. “Feed them, clothe them, help them, teach them and they will listen.”

One day about four years ago God came calling.

Click HERE to read the rest of the article.

Pitman United Methodist Church at 758 N. Broadway, Pitman, NJ (856-589-8313) invites all to attend March 21, 2010 with Rev. Dr. Steve Seamands. Rev. Dr. Seamands is the professor of theology at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky.

Dr. Seamands will speak about “Wounds that Heal: Bringing Our Hearts to the Cross”, Sunday morning at 11 a.m., Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m., covered dish dinner at 5:30, and a closing worship service at 6:30 p.m.

Seamands writes, “There is power in the cross of Christ not only to provide forgiveness for our sins, but also healing for our brokenness. During the course of this seminar, we will focus on how the cross of Christ provides healing for our emotional and spiritual wounds.”

Celebrate the Emerald Isle and help benefit Ranch Hope at the First at the First Coffeehouse at First UMC in Moorestown on Friday, March 5. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and admission is $5.