Volume 3, Issue 3
March 2006
*********** From the Director's Desk ************
This month was a busy month. We have been working on getting new things on the website. I know we have not sent newsletters out over the last few months, and apologize for the lack of communication. As this last monthhas progressed, we have been getting back to a normal routine. We're in anew season. The season of Spring. The flowers blooms, the bees are buzzing, children are playing, outdoor activities are going, and we are praying and fasting. I love the cool, sunny, breezy afternoons. School is going to end soon and summer vacation will be here. I would like to personally thank everyone for being faithful readers of our newsletter and please continue to enjoy what we offer. Keep coming back and seeing what’s new on our website. I enjoy reading what you have to say, articles, interviews, and anything we have for you, so please visit to http://www.christianscoop.com/about_us/contacts.htm to leave feedback!
*********** MINISTRY NEWS ***********
Up to date news and info on Christians in media is sent to Media Scoop each week. This list receives news on writings, music, television, etc. To join send a blank email to MediaScoop-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Sign up and see what they offer you, your family, and friends! Feel free to comment on things sent through the list. You are welcome to share your own media news as well. This list is as much YOURS as our own.
Donations have been few and far between for 2006. Actually, they have been non-existent. You can make a huge difference in helping to keep this ministry up and going. You can donate money directly by visiting PayPal and sending money to info@teens4jesus.org. A link can be found on the index page of the site. Or you can send checks, money orders, or cash to Teens4Jesus, 2412 Charleston Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93308. We need all of the support we can get, no matter how small it may seem.
********* Contest / Giveaway **************
There are no contests or giveaways at this time.
********* CS LITERATURE CIRCLE **********
The Christian Scoop Literature Circle book club is looking for someone to take on the job of being a Moderator of the group. The job duty is to help facilitate discussions, to promote the group and find new members to join, and to manage discussions and maintain a safe, fun group for all participants. Currently the group isn't going so great with a lack of active leadership. So we are praying for God to lead that one person to the group to boost things up. If you are interested in helping boost the book club please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CS_LitCircle and start posting! Then let us know you are interested in moderating by contacting us through the site and we will talk about what needs to be done and further requirements.
We are always looking for exciting books to read. If you are a member and would like to request that the group read a book or would like more information about the book club please contact us.
********** Content Added This Month **********
There was much content added to the website this last month. You can always find updates listed on the index (bottom of main page) section of the website.
We have some great news! If you haven’t noticed already the homepage of CS says that T4JMusic.com is joining us! That's right - we're merging T4J Music with CS to form one overall media center. Over the next few months you will see different things such as music artists interviews, features, ways to help Christian music, and a ton of other great things. We are very happy about this merge. This means everything on the music site will eventually be merged with Christian Scoop, offering you tons of new reading material.
Though we have not made public announcements, the website has been updated over the last few months. The focus, though, is on this month. We began majorly updating the website on the 1st of March. We added a few Media Spotlights on different organizations, Christian music reviews, articles from writers that granted us permission to reprint, interviews with artists, and 70 fiction reviews were re-uploaded after temporarily being lost.
When we do have book reviews we provide the affiliates links to buy the books from stores such as Barnes and Noble and Amazon. By purchasing books through these affiliate links you are indirectly supporting the ministry. We get a small kick back on purchases made through our site’s links. Another alternative for obtaining books is to visit Ebay.com and search for trishableau in the sellers. She offers the books reviewed for low prices and that money is now being used to support the ministry. Currently there are no books listed, but they will resume in April.
We are trying to add more secular books as well. Though the site is intended for a Christian audience we don't expect Christians to limit their entertainment ONLY to Christian products. So we are trying to branch out beyond the Christian books to begin including other books and media as well. Your reviews are welcome as well. Visit the site and click on Interact to find forms to submit your own reviews. Or follow any of the links at the bottom of the pages.
***** CURRENT STAFF POSITIONS AVAILABLE *****
We are still in the process of finding volunteers! We are looking for people interested in working on the Christian Scoop Ministry website and promoting it to the public (so we can be known). Be sure to pass that on to family members, friends, church members, youth leaders, and let them know about our ministry and what we are doing.
We need people interested in writing reviews, uploading information, promoting the site, conducting interviews, finding information about Christian people and media, and encouraging visitors to submit their own reviews and creative works for feature in our Writer's Showcase. Plus we are always looking for more ideas on what we can offer you on the site.
*NEEDED: Volunteers to contact Christians in media and conduct interviews
with them.
*NEEDED: Volunteers to write articles on various topics relating to Christians and media, features on Christians in media, features on Christian media companies, etc.
* NEEDED: (NEW)Volunteers to research music artists, write music reviews, and conduct musician interviews.
You can volunteer by filling out the application located on the site under the About Us section. There is a direct link to it on the index page of the site. We'd love to have you join us as a volunteer. (You can get letters of recommendation, community service credits, etc. from our staff if you need them. Details are available upon request. There are no age limits for volunteering. Any person willing to volunteer is welcome.)
***** SPONSORSHIP NEWS *****
We desperately need regular monthly sponsors to help us maintain our sites and offer better services, so please pray about how YOU might get involved. Even the smallest amount can make a major impact on the ministry! Your few dollars combined with the dollars of other individuals come together and make a huge impact on thousands of individuals each and everyday. The various websites currently reach over 30,000 visitors everyday, and your donation helps us offer better services, information, and opportunities for God to touch lives.
Please share our needs with your church families, friends, coworkers, and anyone else you feel might help us out with prayer and possible funding. Tax receipts are issued for deductions. Help support Christian Scoop and ALL of the ministries of Teens4Jesus. If you would like to help support our ministry please contact us or donations can be mailed directly to Teens4Jesus Ministries, 2412 Charleston Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93308. We ask you to please continue to pray for God to provide the financial support we need to grow and provide for the needs of our visitors.
*********** THANK YOU'S ***********
We would like to thank the following publishers for donating books to Christian Scoop for review purposes:
Baker Books/Revell, Bethany House, Harvest House, HarperCollins, Harcourt, Gospel Light/Regal, Integrity, IVPress, Kregel/Monarch, Moody, NavPress/Pinion Press, New Hope Publishers, Thomas Nelson, Tommy Nelson, Tyndale House, Waterbrook Press Word Books, Christian Publications, Augsburg Fortress, Zondervan, and Christian Focus Publication
Thank you to all of the publicity teams for the various publishers that helped to set up interviews and a special thank you to all of the authors who agreed to do interviews this month.
We can't leave out thanks for the people who have sent us interviews, reviews, stories, poems, and other content because without you we'd not be able to offer the site we have.
*********** FINAL NOTES ***********
As always if you have any concerns, suggestions, etc. please contact us. God bless and have a wonderful day!
Please pass this newsletter on to those you know. Share with them a little about our ministry and invite them to check us out.
Items may be freely used and distributed as long as permission and subscribe info is left intact.
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©2001-2006 Christian Scoop
All rights reserved.
ISSN 1537-4998
