91 feared dead in tornado-hit Oklahoma

By Alice Mannette and Ian Simpson

MOORE, Oklahoma (Reuters) - At least 91 people, including 20 children, were feared killed when a 2 mile wide tornado tore through an Oklahoma City suburb, trapping victims beneath the rubble as one elementary school took a direct hit and another was destroyed.

President Barack Obama declared a major disaster area in Oklahoma, ordering federal aid to supplement state and local efforts in Moore after the deadliest U.S. tornado since one killed 161 people in Joplin, Missouri, two years ago.

Emergency crews were desperately searching the wreckage of Plaza Towers Elementary School that took a direct hit from the tornado on Monday afternoon, Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb told CNN.

There was an outpouring of grief on the school's Facebook page, with messages from around the country including one pleading simply: "Please find those little children."

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The Spread of Multisite Churches

By Rod Anderson

Two movements among Christian congregations in the U.S. today, churches with multiple locations (multisite) and leadership development (discipleship), continue to gain momentum as new innovations are being introduced. In addition, perhaps in an even newer development, a growing number of churches are intentionally developing a culture of generosity, an effort to help carry the gospel message outside the church, says the director of new media and technology for the Leadership Network.

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Who is Saeed Abedini?

Pastor Saeed Abedini is a United States citizen from Boise, Idaho, who has been imprisoned for 223 days in Iran for “crimes against the Islamic Republic,” meaning sharing his Christian faith. Despite internal bleeding and other untreated injuries caused by months of beatings and torture, he is refused medical care and kept in solitary confinement, described by his wife as a “small dark hole.” Today is his 33rd birthday.

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CRC Spotlight pastor of the month