Christian Scoop, www.ChristianScoop.com - YOUR scoop on Christians and media

Volume 3, Issue 5
May 2006

*********** From the Director's Desk ************

The month of May has been kind of slow with updating the website. It’s the season of summer and everyone is out enjoying their vacation. But despite that staff members are working hard to keep up with the latest news and with new content to update to the website. Keep coming back and seeing what we have added to the website. I enjoy reading what you have to say about the website, articles, interviews, and anything we offer you, so go 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!

As always we still have financial needs that are not yet covered. Your help is greatly appreciated. You can donate money directly by using PayPal and sending money to info@teens4jesus.org. A link can be found on the index page of the site. 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 **********

We have added a couple of reviews of books, computer games, and movies. You can find them on the index (bottom of main page) section of the website. To keep from having a LONG list of reviews that we update each month, at the bottom of the main page, you can click on the New Reviews Link and see every review that we have added to the website in that month.

Over the next few months, you will see different things such as music artists, interviews, features on them, reviews, and a ton of other great music related content. We are very happy about this great plan as T4JMusic.com merges with Christian Scoop.

When we do book reviews we provide affiliates links to buy the books from stores such as Barnes and Noble and Amazon. A portion of the sales goes back to our ministry, so please consider clicking on the links on our site to purchase if you plan to buy. To purchase any of the books reviewed for lower prices please visit Ebay.com and search for trishableau in the sellers. She offers the books reviewed for low prices and that money is used to support the ministry. It has been a few months since books were offered, but a ton of new books will be listed throughout the summer months. Most books are in bundles of five and the total breakdown comes out to about a dollar a book that you spend, plus shipping.

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.

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 45,000 visitors every day, 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.

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