A similar event last year drew 500 people.

Designed to help homeowners facing mortgage payment challenges, the workshop will provide opportunities for home owners to talk one-on-one with lenders and a HUD-approved housing counselor.

Attendees will also be able to find out if they qualify for the Federal Making Home Affordable Program, the Keep Your Home California Program or other options from lenders.

Reservations and early arrival are suggested. Reservations may be placed by sending an email to Connie Der Torossian at ConnieDT@housingcollaborative.org, visiting www.ochopc.org or calling (714) 599-1014.


‘40 Days for Life’ targets Orange clinic
ORANGE — Orange County’s pro-life community will participate in another round of 40 Days for Life, a focused campaign that has already mobilized more than 400,000 people worldwide, saved more than 3,500 lives from abortion, led to the conversion of 43 abortion workers, and seen nine abortion facilities close.

The Orange County effort will run from Feb. 22 to April 1, which coincides with Lent. The event involves three distinct elements, including prayer and fasting, hosting peaceful vigils and community outreach.

Regular prayer vigils are slated for the Planned Parenthood facility at 700 S. Tustin in the city of Orange.

For more information on other events, visit www.40daysforlife.com/orangecounty or call (949) 360-1380 or (714) 963-4753.


Faith & Business Forum to feature See’s CEO
IRVINE — Bradley D. Kinstler, president and CEO of See’s Candies, Inc., will be the keynote speaker for Concordia University Irvine’s ninth annual Faith & Business Forum.

Kinstler’s topic will be “Quality without Compromise.” Headquartered in San Francisco, See’s is owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway Group and has more than 200 retail locations worldwide.

Concordia University hosts the annual Faith & Business Forum to offer opportunities for business professionals and students to hear about ways to integrate their faith and their work.

According to the organizers, the annual forum is an extension of the work the university is doing for students by providing programs and events that highlight best business practices and biblical insights, which can be embraced by those engaged in the business marketplace.

The goal, they said, is to show how Christians have an important role in being dedicated representatives of their Christian faith in the office and boardroom.

From a biblical perspective, the Faith & Business Forum aims to inspire attendees to put God first and live their faith in a manner that makes them excellent workers and leaders.

This year’s title sponsor is Philip L. Liberatore, CPA.

For more information, visit www.centerforfaithandbusiness.com.


Church hosts Black History month events
LAKE FOREST — Reach Community Church is sponsoring a month-long celebration of Black History Month with events at 6:30 p.m. every Saturday during the month of February.  

The Feb. 11 event will feature a presentation of the “Drum Major Instinct,” an unheard speech of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The following week the Hip Hop Generation youth will share their worship style, which includes a presentation from The Spoken Word Ministry, with Leve Ross V, Shynell Blanson, and Candace Nicholas-Lippman, students from the InterVarsity Christian Group at California State University, Los Angeles. In addition, Authentic People and World Renowned Apostolic Boys, a local mime group, will perform.

The celebration concludes Feb. 25 with a program called
“Connecting with Historical Black Colleges/Universities.” Black fraternities and sororities from local colleges and universities will participate in a panel discussion regarding their purpose and community services.
The church is located at 22600 Lambert, Bldg. D, Suite 1006,

For more information, visit www.reachcommunitychurch.com or call (949) 597-0700.


Conference to explore exploitation of girls, women
COSTA MESA — The Global Center for Women and Justice will host “Ensure Justice 2012: Standing Together to End the Exploitation of Girls,” a two-day conference, beginning March 2 at Vanguard University.

The conference will bring together frontline leaders from across the country, including law enforcement officers, doctors, nurses, social workers, educators and community faith leaders, who will share their experiences and expertise. Speakers will include Las Vegas Juvenile Justice William Voy and Orange County Juvenile Justice Douglas Hatchimonji.

A major focus of the event will be exploring “Standing Together to End the Exploitation of Girls,” a strategic plan to proclaim dignity, train advocates and educate communities to respond to commercial sexual exploitation of girls and young women.

For more information, call (714) 966-6361.


Alpha Course to start
SANTA ANA — Calvary Church of Santa Ana will host a 10-week Alpha course where people can explore some of life's big questions over a relaxed time of dinner, learning and group discussion.

The sessions, billed as non-threatening and non-judgmental, will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays from Feb. 1 to April 25.

The Alpha course is for anyone with questions about how, where and if God fits into this life. It is perfect for people wanting to know who Jesus is and why He is so important. It’s also a good vehicle for followers who still have some big and basic questions.

Free childcare will be provided.

For more information, contact Lois Chandler at (714) 550-2312.


Opera series features Poulenc masterpiece
LA MIRADA — The Biola University Opera Theater will present “Dialogue of the Carmelites” through a series of February performances in Lansing Auditorium in Crowell Hall.

Dr. Jeanne Robison will direct Francis Poulenc’s modern masterpiece accompanied by members of Biola University’s Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Marlin Owen. Prior to each performance, a topical pre-show lecture will be presented by members of the university’s music and humanities faculty.

Performances are planned for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10, 11, 17 and 18 and 3 p.m. Feb. 12 and 19.

Tickets are $18 for the public and $13 for students, faculty, alumni, staff, seniors and groups of 10 or more.

For more information, call (562) 903-4892.


Global school network seeks teachers
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Christian teachers seeking an opportunity to work overseas are invited to attend the seventh annual Network of International Christian Schools’ Educator Job Fair, set for Feb. 25 at Stoneybrooke Christian Schools.

Many of the network’s member schools will have officials, including campus directors, on site. The annual event offers potential teaching candidates an opportunity to see a wider view of what is happening globally through the group’s member schools. The ministry is looking for teachers who have a passion not only for students but also the subjects they teach.

One-on-one interaction is also available during breaks and lunch.

Those who register in advance and meet the networking associations’ qualifications may also interview during the job fair.

Positions are available for new and veteran teachers. Applicants must have or be working toward a state teaching certification.

All network teachers represent a Christian worldview at the schools they teach.

The Network of International Christian Schools is a mission agency whose purpose is to reach the world for Christ through international Christian education, It was founded in 1983 with the construction of a school for missionary children living in Korea.

The ministry now has more than 4,500 children enrolled in 19 English-speaking schools in 15 countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, China and Japan. Presently NICS has 20 schools in Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Brazil, Peru, Suriname, Japan, China, Kenya, Ghana, Turkey, Central Asia, Bolivia and Venezuela.

The school is located at 26300 Via Escolar.

For more information, visit www.nics.org.


APU to host conference on holiness
AZUSA — A Holiness Pastors and Leaders’ Day will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 16 in the Upper Turner Campus at Azusa Pacific University.

The theme of the meeting, sponsored by the regional leadership of the Wesleyan Holiness Consortium, is “The Relevance of Holiness Today.” It will feature special presenter Dr. David Neff, editor of Christianity Today, who will speak on “How Does Holiness Fit in the Larger Church?” Dr. Jim Garlow, pastor of Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, will also be presenting, with the topic “What Does it Mean to Preach Holiness Today?”

A special panel will explore “Raising Up Young Leaders.”

The purpose of the meeting is to assist pastors and leaders in understanding the message of holiness and its power in engaging and transforming communities.

For more information, visit www.holinessandunity.org.


‘Genesis’ conference in Bellflower
BELLFLOWER — Hosanna Christian Fellowship is hosting “Answers Conference,” a two-day conference put on by Answers In Genesis on Feb. 26 and 27.

Topics for the free conference, the only one scheduled in Southern California, will include evolution, Noah’s Ark and the flood, dinosaurs, the Bible and the age of the earth.

Sunday’s sessions will be at 10:30 a.m., 6:30 and 8 p.m., and Monday’s talks will be 6:30 and 8 p.m.

The conference will feature Dr. Tommy Mitchell.

The church is located at 16705 Bellflower Blvd.

For more information, visit www.hosannachapel.org or call (562) 925-5093.


Joyce Meyer to headline April conference
SAN DIEGO — Joyce Meyer will host a three-day conference April 12 to14 at the Viejas Arena on the campus of San Diego State University.

The sessions will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, and 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Each session is unique and will include a message from Meyer.

Matt Redman and Christy Nockels will lead the worship sessions.

Meyer is one of the world's leading Bible teachers. A bestselling author, her books have helped millions of people find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ.

Admission is free and no registration is required, although seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Doors will open two hours prior to each session. Resource tables will be available on site. Interpretation for the hearing impaired and Spanish translation will be available.

The arena is located at 5500 Canyon Crest Drive.

For information on event parking, visit www.viejasarena.com for other details, visit www.joycemeyer.org/Events.aspx or call (619) 594-0234.


Tickets on sale for Spirit West Coast Del Mar
DEL MAR — Spirit West Coast is returning to the Del Mar Fairgrounds May 25 to 27 after a one-year hiatus.

Early confirmations for the music festival include TobyMac, MercyMe, Tenth Avenue North and Family Force 5. Additional Main Stage artists include top radio hit maker Matthew West, The Afters, current Dove Award winner for Male Artist of the Year Chris August and legendary Jesus Music era band Love Song.

Others slated to appear include Fireflight, Seventh Day Slumber, Disciple, Manafest and The City Harmonic, Press Play, Abandon, Dominic Balli, Peter Furler, Britt Nicole and Manic Drive.

Festival producer Jon Robberson is still adding acts, so more announcements are expected.

The featured speaker for the 3-day event will be Nick Vujicic, who spoke in 2009, and was described by Robberson as “probably the most effective evangelistic speaker in the history of SWC.”

Comedians Bob Smiley and Stephen B. will also take the stage.

Tickets are on sale at www.spiritwestcoast.org.


Seminar for Worship Arts tech personnel
VISTA — Vista Assembly of God will be the host site for the Worship Arts Tech Training Seminars which will take place March 1 and 2.

Sponsored by the AVDB Group, the two-day conference will cover a wide variety of subjects regarding digital audio and video, lighting and visual media.

Some of the topics include digital mixing, digital audio recording, wireless mic technologies for worship services, sound design and system tuning, computer-video interfaces, control systems, projection and visual media production.

The AVDB Group is a leading “design and build” audio, video and control (AVC) company that seeks to help churches use all aspects of media in their worship services.

For more information or to register, contact Eric Evans at (858) 549-1094 or eevans@avdb-group.com.


Gaither Homecoming Tour coming to Long Beach
LONG BEACH — Multi-Grammy winning songwriter Bill Gaither will appear with his all-star Gaither Vocal Band at the Long Beach Arena, on Saturday, Feb. 11.

Gaither, along with his wife Gloria, has penned more than 700 gospel songs including “He Touched Me,” “Because He Lives,” and “The King is Coming.”

The Gaither Gospel “Homecoming” video series, featuring many of the top Southern Gospel singers and groups, has seen nearly 20 million copies sold over the past two decades.

Since 1996 the Homecoming Tour, featuring singers from the videos, has been one of the leading concert tours crossing all genres of music.

The Gaither Vocal Band features Gaither along with comedian Mark Lowry, Michael English, David Phelps and Wes Hampton.

Also appearing in Long Beach will be The Martins and The Nelons, Gene McDonald, Charlotte Ritchie, Kevin Williams and pianist Gordon Mote.

Tickets for the 6:00 p.m. concert start at $19.50 and can be purchased at the Long Beach Box Office, online at www.gaither.com, or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.