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Barna and Gloo Announce State of the Church Initiative

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Church-wide initiative will equip ministry leaders with research and common metrics to better measure human flourishing and church thriving

BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Gloo, the leading technology platform dedicated to connecting the faith ecosystem, and Barna Group, a visionary research and resource company, announced a new initiative called State of the Church 2025. The initiative seeks to equip ministry leaders and their communities with regular research findings and measurement tools to better advance human flourishing and church thriving. 

“State of the Church 2025 is a new vision, a new way of thinking about the oldest work that we could be called to — building Jesus’ work in the world,” said David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group. “As we listen to church leaders and analyze the data, it’s clear that leaders need new methods and resources to advance their mission. That’s why we’re excited to share regular research, stories, and measurement tools that help Christian leaders understand the current social and spiritual trends in the Church and in their own contexts.”

The initiative will include monthly research releases, success stories from the faith community, and practical content. It will also include the “State of Your Church,” a suite of tools — including assessments and dashboards to help network leaders and local church leaders see the state of their own church.

“The big C Church has gone too long without a common way to measure what really matters,” said Scott Beck, CEO of Gloo. “Using a common set of metrics like human flourishing and church thriving helps church leaders and their people know and be known — so that every person can become all they were born to be.”

About the measures:

Human Flourishing: Work from Barna Group and Harvard University points to seven dimensions of flourishing that provide a holistic view of well-being and quality of life. These areas include finances, physical and mental health, vocation and purpose, relationships, contentment, and spiritual formation.Church Thriving: Decades of research from Barna Group surface 15 unique areas that provide a framework for understanding the health of ministries. These include dimensions such as prayer culture, trusted leadership, and resource stability, to name a few.

The State of the Church was first launched in 2020, just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, and was primarily focused on research. Gloo and Barna pivoted quickly to serve the needs of church leaders by providing tools to help them stay close to the needs of their people while navigating the changing landscape.

“Our goal, then and now, with this research and these common metrics, is to help leaders be even more effective at knowing and discipling their people so that the Church can thrive in our complex and fast-changing culture,” said Kinnaman.

The initiative kicks off with early research releases and a free church toolkit in October, followed by regular research drops, new content, tools, and two major events in January and March of 2025.

Key Highlights From State of the Church

Monthly research based on key themes released throughout the yearSurveys and assessments based on common metricsResults dashboards, insights and next steps to help leaders know and serve their peoplePersonalized results and next steps for congregantsMonthly stories from the faith community on what’s workingPractical application content

“The initiative tools — whether it’s the research, the assessments and dashboards, or the content — are all designed to be used within the context of relationships, because that’s where people grow best,” said Beck. “But no single organization could support these growth journeys on their own. That’s why partners from across the faith community have come together to provide help to church leaders and their people in the form of content, resources, services and more. It’s really a Church-wide initiative.”

Learn more at stateofthechurch.com.

Gloo is the trusted tech platform that releases the collective might of the faith ecosystem. Gloo connects ministry leaders to resources, people, insights, and funding so their people and communities flourish and their organizations thrive. Gloo does this with the highest standards of trust and scalable economic models. Gloo serves over 75,000 churches and more than 1,000 resource partners. 

Barna Group is a leading research organization focused on the intersection of faith and culture. Since 1984, Barna has conducted more than two million interviews over the course of thousands of studies and has become a go-to source for insights about religion, leadership, vocation and generations. Barna is an independent, privately-held, nonpartisan organization based in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas.

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Citi Singapore receives dual award recognition from FinanceAsia and Forbes

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Citi named Best International Bank and Best International Investment Bank in Singapore by FinanceAsia for the second year in a rowCiti ranked as #1 in Singapore among Forbes World’s Best Banks 2026

SINGAPORE, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Citi Singapore today announced that it was conferred awards by both FinanceAsia and Forbes, underscoring its leading position in the financial industry.

The bank won multiple accolades from FinanceAsia, including ‘Best International Bank’ and ‘Best International Investment Bank’ in Singapore for the second year running. It was also ranked first in Singapore amongst Forbes World’s Best Banks 2026.

FinanceAsia Awards 2026

FinanceAsia, a leading Hong Kong-based financial publication reporting on Asia Pacific’s financial and capital markets, recognized Citi’s strong financial performance, as well as its commitment to client service and innovation across various segments of its institutional and wealth management businesses in Singapore.

Besides the ‘Best International Bank’ and ‘Best International Investment Bank’ awards, Citi also won ‘Best International ECM House’ and ‘Best International M&A House’ in Singapore.

“We are incredibly honored to receive these significant recognitions from FinanceAsia and Forbes,” said Lee Lung Nien, Citi Country Officer for Singapore. “These awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our teams, who consistently strive to deliver exceptional value and service to our clients. Singapore remains a critical hub for Citi, and these accolades reinforce our strategy and commitment to driving growth and innovation in this market.”

Forbes World’s Best Banks 2026

Citi’s #1 ranking in Singapore in the prestigious Forbes World’s Best Banks 2026 list is based on a comprehensive survey conducted by Forbes and Statista. Over 50,000 consumers from 34 countries were engaged for this survey in 17 different languages.

Survey participants evaluated banks where they currently have a checking or savings account (within the last three years), or that they knew through family or friends. They shared how satisfied they were with each bank and whether they would recommend it to others, then rated each on trustworthiness, terms and conditions, digital services, customer service and financial advice.

Yeo Wenxian, Head of Wealth for Asia South, said “We are honored to be recognized by FinanceAsia and Forbes. The accolades are a powerful affirmation of the trust our clients place in us and the unwavering commitment of our teams. The awards fuel our determination to keep raising the bar, serving with excellence, and delivering wealth management experiences centered on our clients’ needs.”

These awards reflect Citi Singapore’s robust performance, strategic initiatives, and client-centric approach, solidifying its reputation as a pre-eminent financial partner in the region.

About Citi 
Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services.

Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | X: @Citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi 

 

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“Pretty Messy” Completes Jūji’s Debut Album Journey — A Luminous Title Track About Embracing Pain and Moving Forward

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BANGKOK, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Thai indie pop–jazz outfit Jūji gracefully wraps up its debut full-length album with “Pretty Messy,” a beautifully crafted title track that invites listeners to embrace past wounds before stepping into the future.

Based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and currently signed to Melodic Corner, Jūji has steadily captured audiences with its signature blend of indie pop and jazz, weaving deeply personal narratives in both English and Japanese. Its growing international presence includes performances at Bangkok Music City 2026 in Thailand, Music Lane Festival Okinawa 2026 in Japan, and Minrock Festa 2025 in Busan, South Korea.

Following these international appearances, Jūji reaches a defining milestone with the release of its debut full-length project, The 1st Album, culminating in “Pretty Messy” — a reflective and healing composition that encourages listeners to find beauty and meaning within life’s imperfections.

Finding Beauty in Imperfection

“Pretty Messy” explores the process of accepting and embracing sadness. Inspired by real-life experiences, the track reflects on memories, emotional baggage, and the inevitable act of letting go. At its core, it offers a message of quiet optimism: that pain, in hindsight, can reveal its own kind of beauty — especially once we find the strength to move forward.

A Journey Through Love, Longing, and Self-Discovery

As part of The 1st Album, “Pretty Messy” completes a narrative arc centered on love in its many forms — spanning self-discovery, heartbreak, infatuation, and even the longing for something that may never exist.

Over the past year, listeners have followed this journey through standout tracks including “Moon Or Stars,” “You,” “More & More,” “Never This Far Away Gone (All In),” “No Turning Back,” “Forbidden Love,” and “Dreamland,” all leading to the album’s poignant conclusion.

The Sound of Jūji

The 1st Album showcases Jūji’s distinctive indie pop–jazz sensibility, enriched by each member’s unique musical influences. The result is a cohesive body of work that feels both dreamy and sincere — capturing the emotional complexity and quiet vulnerability of the human experience.

Watch & Listen

Experience the beauty of imperfection in Jūji’s “Pretty Messy,” now available as an official music video on YouTube via Melodic Corner. The 1st Album is also available on all major streaming platforms.

Stay connected with Jūji for upcoming projects and uniquely curated content across all official channels.

Follow Jūji
YouTube : https://youtube.com/@jujiband.official?si=Oqz9qvv59XMdlTCY
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/jujiband.official/?hl=en
Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@jujiband.official?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

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Protiviti Congratulates Brand Ambassador Matt Fitzpatrick as Fitzpatrick Brothers Win Zurich Classic of New Orleans

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Alex Fitzpatrick Earns PGA TOUR Card

MENLO PARK, Calif., April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Protiviti Golf Brand Ambassador and professional golfer Matt Fitzpatrick continued his strong 2026 season with a victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside his brother, Alex Fitzpatrick. The Fitzpatrick brothers delivered a composed and cohesive performance throughout the team-format event, completing rounds of 64-65-57-71 (-31). The win secured Alex Fitzpatrick his first PGA TOUR card, marking a significant milestone in his professional career.

This marks Matt Fitzpatrick’s third win of the season, most on the PGA Tour, the 14th professional win of his career, and fifth on the PGA Tour. Fitzpatrick is currently No.1 on the FedEx Cup ranking and No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking, the highest ranking of his career. 

To commemorate Fitzpatrick’s win, Protiviti donated 25,000 meals through its “Birdies for Meals” campaign. Since its launch in 2021, the Birdies for Meals program has already donated more than 825,000 meals to people in need. 

“Congratulations to Matt Fitzpatrick and Alex Fitzpatrick on an outstanding victory—an inspiring showcase of chemistry and consistency. We also applaud Alex on earning his PGA TOUR card, a significant step in his career,” said Joseph Tarantino, Protiviti’s president and CEO. “In celebration of this win, Protiviti will donate 25,000 meals through our Birdies for Meals campaign, extending the impact well beyond the course.”

As Matt Fitzpatrick’s Official Performance Data Partner, Protiviti collaborates closely with Matt and his coaching team to enhance performance through advanced analytics and technology. By leveraging Microsoft technologies, Protiviti has developed a custom analytics platform, tailored dashboards, and a mobile application that streamline data collection and deliver real-time, shot-level insights. These tools enable more informed, data-driven decision-making across practice and competition, helping identify trends, refine preparation, and improve consistency. Learn more at www.protiviti.com/golf-data.

“It has been an incredible opportunity to work with Matt and see Protiviti’s work play a role in his on-course success. Just as we do with many clients, our team has built a bespoke program leveraging emerging technologies, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to provide Matt, his caddie, and coaches with analysis and insights that aid in his preparation and guide strategy for each event he plays,” said Nick Ciafardini, associate director, Innovation for Protiviti.

“This win is surreal for me, especially doing it alongside my brother. I’m incredibly proud of Alex earning his PGA TOUR card—it’s a huge milestone for him and one we’ll always share. I’m also so grateful for the unwavering support from my family, my team, and my partners at Protiviti, whose data-driven approach to performance has become a key part of my preparation and constant pursuit of improvement,” said Matt Fitzpatrick.

After taking control with a historic 15-under in the fourball third round, the Fitzpatrick brothers briefly dropped the lead in the final round. With the tournament on the line at the 18th, they delivered a clutch closing sequence to seal the victory. Matt’s precision tee-to-green and Alex’s timely putting proved decisive, highlighting their chemistry under pressure.

Other notable Fitzpatrick wins include the 2015 British Masters, 2016 Nordea Masters, the 2016, 2020, and 2025 DP World Tour Championships. On the PGA Tour, Fitzpatrick also won the 2022 U.S. Open, RBC Heritage (2023 & 2026) and the 2026 Valspar Championship. He has been a Protiviti brand ambassador since 2020.

For more information about Protiviti’s golf brand ambassador program, please visit www.protiviti.com/golf.

About Protiviti 
Protiviti (www.protiviti.com) is a global consulting firm that helps clients transform and protect their businesses, and respond to planned and unexpected events. Through a network of more than 90 offices in over 25 countries, Protiviti and its independent and locally owned member firms deliver deep expertise and tailored capabilities across technology, artificial intelligence, data, operations, finance, legal, compliance, HR, marketing, digital, risk, and internal audit – enabling organizations to accelerate innovation, navigate risks and safeguard what matters most.

Named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list since 2015, Protiviti Inc. has served more than 80 percent of Fortune 100 and nearly 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies. The firm also works with government agencies and smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public. Protiviti Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI).

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