THE WORLD |
|
|
Haitian ministries feel the fallout of missionary deaths It’s been two weeks since American missionaries Davy and Natalie Lloyd and Haitian missions director Jude Montis were brutally killed by gang members in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Montis’s funeral was held last week, while Davy and Natalie Lloyd’s memorial service was Tuesday. The trio served with Missions In Haiti, Inc. operating an orphanage in the increasingly volatile capital. (ReachFM 6/8/24) READ MORE>>>>> Christians in Palestine ask why U.S. believers ignore them Since Hamas launched horrific attacks on Israel and Israel responded with its deadly and devastating war in Gaza, we’ve heard much about this conflict. But we’ve been deaf to the pained cries of Christian brothers and sisters caught up — and dying — amid the tragedy. Soon after Israel went to war in Gaza in October, believers living in Bethlehem and throughout Palestine pleaded with American Christians in their impassioned “Open Letter from Palestinian Christians to Western Church Leaders and Theologians.” (Tony Campolo; Baptist News Global 5/12/24) READ MORE>>>>> French evangelicals welcome new law to combat cults France has a new law to fight against harmful religious cults. The Law to “Reinforce the Fight Against Sectarian Drifts” (officially promulgated on 10 May) adapts the 2001 law to new scenarios in which groups might seek to manipulate the freedom of citizens psychologically or physically in new contexts such as social media. Two new offences are described. One is “placing or maintaining a person in a state of psychological or physical subjection”. The other is “inciting a person to abandon or refrain from care, or to adopt practices that clearly expose the person concerned to a serious health risk”. (Evangelical Focus 5/16/24) READ MORE>>>>> |
israelukraine
World Press:
Africa: - All Africa - CAJ News Africa - Gospel coalition Africa - Asia: Union of Catholic Asians - Australia: - Canberra Times -The Australian - Brazil: - The Rio Times - Canada: - BC Catholic - CBC Canada - CHVN 95.1 FM - CTV News - China: China Christian Daily - - Europe: Evangelical Focus - Ghana: - Ghana Web - Israel: - Israel 365 - Jerusalem Post - Watch Jerusalem - India: OpIndia - Ireland: The Nationalist - Jamaica: - Jamaica Observer - Kenya: The Standard - Malaysia: - Herald Malaysia Online - New Zealand: - Ashburton Courier - Otago Daily Times - Nigeria: - Leadership News - Premium Times - Pakistan: - Geo.TV - Kenya: - The Pulse - Phillippines: - Manila Times - Scotland: - The Scotsman - Turkey: - Daily Sabah - Zimbabwe: - The Chronicle - - |
==afghanistan======
God Reports: Afghanistan: Letters from Christians under Taliban rule 9.19.22
==africa======
Apr 9, 2023: The Guardian: The Guardian view on black British Christians: keeping the faith
Churches with African and Caribbean roots are thriving despite the secular times
Churches with African and Caribbean roots are thriving despite the secular times
March 23, 2023: Religion Unplugged: Is Pope Francis ‘The Only One Who Can Make A Difference’ In Uganda’s Anti-LGBTQ Bills?
The Episcopal priest who first documented links between U.S. evangelicals and an anti-gay bill in Uganda, the Rev. Kapya Kaoma, says that the “only person who can make a difference now in Africa is Pope Francis.”
The Episcopal priest who first documented links between U.S. evangelicals and an anti-gay bill in Uganda, the Rev. Kapya Kaoma, says that the “only person who can make a difference now in Africa is Pope Francis.”
==argentina======
Argentine election: As politicians look to woo evangelicals, experts say their votes may have little impact on results
None of those parties please Rev Ariel Diaz, a Pentecostal pastor in Mar del Plata who heads the Argentinian Federation of Evangelical Pastors (known as FAPE), an association that has some 5,000 ministers. “Some politicians use the name of the Christian church, but at the same time they are together with the worst political groups in the country,” he says. Diaz is a critic of Hotton who, he says, "is now associated with pro-abortion politicians". Hotton is part of the administration of Buenos Aires’s Governor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta and is supporting him in his bid for president. Larreta is a major leader of 'Propuesta Republicana' ('Republican Proposal', known as PRO), former President Mauricio Macri’s party. Macri, who has also announced he is not running in this election, endorsed the pro-abortion bill. (Eduardo Capos Lima/Sight Magazine 5/2/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
None of those parties please Rev Ariel Diaz, a Pentecostal pastor in Mar del Plata who heads the Argentinian Federation of Evangelical Pastors (known as FAPE), an association that has some 5,000 ministers. “Some politicians use the name of the Christian church, but at the same time they are together with the worst political groups in the country,” he says. Diaz is a critic of Hotton who, he says, "is now associated with pro-abortion politicians". Hotton is part of the administration of Buenos Aires’s Governor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta and is supporting him in his bid for president. Larreta is a major leader of 'Propuesta Republicana' ('Republican Proposal', known as PRO), former President Mauricio Macri’s party. Macri, who has also announced he is not running in this election, endorsed the pro-abortion bill. (Eduardo Capos Lima/Sight Magazine 5/2/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
==australia======
Christmas in Australia has become an expression of diverse, personalised and secular joy
How is it that Australia has become a country without a Christian majority and yet we voluntarily outstrip ourselves year on year with the scale of our Christmas festival. Friends, I think we’re in it for the good time. The 2022 census revealed religious affiliation in Australia is in sharp decline. In 1901, the year of federation, 96.1% of Australians identified as Christian, but today only 43.9% do. Nearly 40% told the census they had no religious affiliation at all. In South Australia, there are now more people with “no religion” than Christians, and in Tasmania, non-believers are the majority. (Van Badham/The Guardian)
READ MORE>>>>>
How is it that Australia has become a country without a Christian majority and yet we voluntarily outstrip ourselves year on year with the scale of our Christmas festival. Friends, I think we’re in it for the good time. The 2022 census revealed religious affiliation in Australia is in sharp decline. In 1901, the year of federation, 96.1% of Australians identified as Christian, but today only 43.9% do. Nearly 40% told the census they had no religious affiliation at all. In South Australia, there are now more people with “no religion” than Christians, and in Tasmania, non-believers are the majority. (Van Badham/The Guardian)
READ MORE>>>>>
==belgium======
Daniel Darling: A lesson for American Christians
Last Tuesday in Brussels, Belgium, the National Conservatism Conference known as NatCon found itself being confronted by police who refused to let any more guests enter the building and also stopped food and beverage deliveries. They were enforcing an order by the socialist mayor of the district where the event was to take place. The police later retreated. The mayor’s justification was that this gathering consisted of European thinkers and politicians of a variety he didn’t like. He objected to their ethically conservative views, such as hostility to legalized abortion and same-sex unions. He also criticized their defense of “national sovereignty” and their “Euro Scepticism” or their opposition toward a stronger European Union. To put it in the clearest terms possible, a bureaucrat in Belgium tried to shut down an event promoting reasonable viewpoints he did not like. The conflict in Brussels illustrates the fragile nature of free speech in many European countries. Belgium, like other countries, says it guarantees the right of assembly and speech, but the protections
are much flimsier than America’s Bill of Rights and Constitution. (World; 4/23/24) READMORE>>>>>
Last Tuesday in Brussels, Belgium, the National Conservatism Conference known as NatCon found itself being confronted by police who refused to let any more guests enter the building and also stopped food and beverage deliveries. They were enforcing an order by the socialist mayor of the district where the event was to take place. The police later retreated. The mayor’s justification was that this gathering consisted of European thinkers and politicians of a variety he didn’t like. He objected to their ethically conservative views, such as hostility to legalized abortion and same-sex unions. He also criticized their defense of “national sovereignty” and their “Euro Scepticism” or their opposition toward a stronger European Union. To put it in the clearest terms possible, a bureaucrat in Belgium tried to shut down an event promoting reasonable viewpoints he did not like. The conflict in Brussels illustrates the fragile nature of free speech in many European countries. Belgium, like other countries, says it guarantees the right of assembly and speech, but the protections
are much flimsier than America’s Bill of Rights and Constitution. (World; 4/23/24) READMORE>>>>>
==canada======
Pastors oppose Franklin Graham crusade in Canada
Two Canadian Baptist pastors have announced publicly they won’t be taking part in a citywide crusade next March in Vancouver, British Columbia, featuring U.S. evangelist Franklin Graham. Tim Kuepfer, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vancouver, and Tim Dickau, pastor of Grandview Calvary Baptist Church, joined three other local religious leaders in publicly declining a request by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association that they endorse the Festival of Hope gathering scheduled March 3-5, 2017, at the 18,000-seat Rogers Arena. The pastors said they “unreservedly oppose” the invitation to Franklin Graham, citing public comments by the evangelist they say are a poor witness for the gospel message. “Given that the express goal of this event is evangelism, with the commitment of new believers to Christ, we do not believe that Rev. Graham, with his expressed broader belief system, should be the exemplar that impresses itself upon these new believers.”
(Bob Allen/Baptist News Global 9/2/16)
READ MORE>>>>>
Two Canadian Baptist pastors have announced publicly they won’t be taking part in a citywide crusade next March in Vancouver, British Columbia, featuring U.S. evangelist Franklin Graham. Tim Kuepfer, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vancouver, and Tim Dickau, pastor of Grandview Calvary Baptist Church, joined three other local religious leaders in publicly declining a request by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association that they endorse the Festival of Hope gathering scheduled March 3-5, 2017, at the 18,000-seat Rogers Arena. The pastors said they “unreservedly oppose” the invitation to Franklin Graham, citing public comments by the evangelist they say are a poor witness for the gospel message. “Given that the express goal of this event is evangelism, with the commitment of new believers to Christ, we do not believe that Rev. Graham, with his expressed broader belief system, should be the exemplar that impresses itself upon these new believers.”
(Bob Allen/Baptist News Global 9/2/16)
READ MORE>>>>>
china
Feb 28, 2022: Christian Headlines: Chinese Court Sentences Female Pastor to 8 Years in Prison for Preaching the Gospel
A female pastor in China's Hubei province has been sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of "fraud for preaching the Gospel" after her house church refused to join the state-run church, which monitors and regulates Protestant churches.
A female pastor in China's Hubei province has been sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of "fraud for preaching the Gospel" after her house church refused to join the state-run church, which monitors and regulates Protestant churches.
germany
May 2, 2023: Breaking Latest News: Germany: fewer and fewer faithful, the Evangelical and Catholic churches will sell 40,000 properties
Forty thousand buildings by 2060. This is the number of properties that the Evangelical and Catholic churches in Germany will find themselves forced to sell or demolish following the drastic drop in numbers of faithful in their respective congregations and running costs. This was reported in a joint report by the Evangelical Church in Germany (Ekd) and the Catholic Association of German Dioceses (Vdd), as reported by the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung.
Forty thousand buildings by 2060. This is the number of properties that the Evangelical and Catholic churches in Germany will find themselves forced to sell or demolish following the drastic drop in numbers of faithful in their respective congregations and running costs. This was reported in a joint report by the Evangelical Church in Germany (Ekd) and the Catholic Association of German Dioceses (Vdd), as reported by the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung.
ghana
The Conversation: Christian nationalism poses a threat to human rights in Ghana
Ghana is a religious country. According to the 2021 census, about 71% of the population is Christian and 18% Muslim. Followers of indigenous or animistic religious beliefs make up another 5%, and 6% are members of other religious groups or don’t have religious beliefs.
Many Ghanaians regard Ghana as a “nation of Christians.”
The New Patriotic Party’s electoral slogan in 2016 and 2020 was: “For the battle is the Lord’s.” These are words David is said to have uttered when confronting Goliath in their biblical combat. The party’s electoral slogan referenced the Christian god and implied the party was fighting a holy battle in seeking the presidency and a parliamentary majority.
10.24.22
Ghana is a religious country. According to the 2021 census, about 71% of the population is Christian and 18% Muslim. Followers of indigenous or animistic religious beliefs make up another 5%, and 6% are members of other religious groups or don’t have religious beliefs.
Many Ghanaians regard Ghana as a “nation of Christians.”
The New Patriotic Party’s electoral slogan in 2016 and 2020 was: “For the battle is the Lord’s.” These are words David is said to have uttered when confronting Goliath in their biblical combat. The party’s electoral slogan referenced the Christian god and implied the party was fighting a holy battle in seeking the presidency and a parliamentary majority.
10.24.22
==haiti======
April 22, 2023: Christian Post: Catholic archdiocese in Haiti calls for protection after latest church kidnapping
Catholics in Haiti are calling for protection after another church service suffered a kidnapping attack as abductions and insecurity in the Caribbean nation are at an all-time high.
The Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince says that on April 13, armed men broke in during a mass at Saint Charbel Oratory in Port-au-Prince officiated by Archbishop Max Leroy Mesidora, kidnapping multiple people. Two men were injured in the attack, both of whom required hospitalization.
Catholics in Haiti are calling for protection after another church service suffered a kidnapping attack as abductions and insecurity in the Caribbean nation are at an all-time high.
The Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince says that on April 13, armed men broke in during a mass at Saint Charbel Oratory in Port-au-Prince officiated by Archbishop Max Leroy Mesidora, kidnapping multiple people. Two men were injured in the attack, both of whom required hospitalization.
==india==========================
Manipur Evangelical prayer movement leader dies: 'A void that will be deeply felt'
The Rev. H. Chungthang Thiek, a prominent evangelist and former secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India's northeast region, has died, leaving a profound legacy in northeast India's spiritual and social spheres. He was 75. His 27-year tenure at EFI, from 1988 to 2015, was marked by significant contributions to the organization and the broader Church community, said the EFI, a national alliance of Evangelical Christians, in a Jan. 4 statement. He is credited with launching the "Prayer Mountain" movement near Churachandpur.
(Anugrah Kumar/Christian Post)
READ MORE>>>>>
The Rev. H. Chungthang Thiek, a prominent evangelist and former secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India's northeast region, has died, leaving a profound legacy in northeast India's spiritual and social spheres. He was 75. His 27-year tenure at EFI, from 1988 to 2015, was marked by significant contributions to the organization and the broader Church community, said the EFI, a national alliance of Evangelical Christians, in a Jan. 4 statement. He is credited with launching the "Prayer Mountain" movement near Churachandpur.
(Anugrah Kumar/Christian Post)
READ MORE>>>>>
Bishop Joseph D'Souza, of the Good Shepherd Church in India, has asked people to pray for Manipur and the people of India. |
May 9, 2023:
Release International has received reports from India of Christians being attacked across 27 villages in Manipur, sometimes "in plain sight of state police and military, while mobs roamed the street". At least 60 people are reported dead, while around 50 churches have been set on fire and destroyed. The violence is concentrated on the Imphal Valley and Churachandpur, where tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes. |
indonesia
Sept 28, 2023: Persecution.org: Mob Attacks Church in Depok, Forcing Congregation to Shift to Online Worship
Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – On the morning of Sept. 16, approximately 50 people arrived at the Maranatha Chapel, which serves as the prayer house or chapel for the GBI Cinere Christian congregation in the Gandul area of Cinere, Depok City. The group created a disturbance with many shouting and pushing against the fence of the shophouse that functions as the church building.
Fortunately, no congregational services were taking place at the Maranatha Chapel during this incident. After creating a disturbance by shouting and banging on the chapel gate, most of the disrupters eventually left the premises.
Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – On the morning of Sept. 16, approximately 50 people arrived at the Maranatha Chapel, which serves as the prayer house or chapel for the GBI Cinere Christian congregation in the Gandul area of Cinere, Depok City. The group created a disturbance with many shouting and pushing against the fence of the shophouse that functions as the church building.
Fortunately, no congregational services were taking place at the Maranatha Chapel during this incident. After creating a disturbance by shouting and banging on the chapel gate, most of the disrupters eventually left the premises.
==kenya======
Muslim Extremists Kill Christian Convert in Kenya
Muslim extremists on March 8 ambushed and killed an evangelist from Kenya and severely injured three others from Uganda near a town on Kenya’s border with Uganda, sources said. The four Christian workers were returning to Bugiri, Uganda after a four-day outreach in Kenya when they were attacked near Busia, Kenya. At least 10 Muslims blocked their return by placing stones in front of their motorcycles at about 6:30 p.m., said a survivor, evangelist Rooney Masaba of Uganda. “The attackers began asking us many questions and said not to involve Muslims in open-air outreach,” Masaba told Morning Star News.
(Christian News 3/22/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Muslim extremists on March 8 ambushed and killed an evangelist from Kenya and severely injured three others from Uganda near a town on Kenya’s border with Uganda, sources said. The four Christian workers were returning to Bugiri, Uganda after a four-day outreach in Kenya when they were attacked near Busia, Kenya. At least 10 Muslims blocked their return by placing stones in front of their motorcycles at about 6:30 p.m., said a survivor, evangelist Rooney Masaba of Uganda. “The attackers began asking us many questions and said not to involve Muslims in open-air outreach,” Masaba told Morning Star News.
(Christian News 3/22/24) READ MORE>>>>>
==latvia======
President Of Latvia Responds To Pope's Statement: We Cannot Capitulate To Evil
Commenting on Pope Francis' controversial statement on negotiations in the Russian war against Ukraine, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said that it is not allowed to capitulate to evil. He wrote about this on the social network X, Ukrinform reported. “One must not capitulate in face of evil, one must fight it and defeat it, so that the evil raises the white flag and capitulates”, he wrote. As reported, in an interview with the Swiss broadcaster RSI, the Pope called for negotiations in the Russian war against Ukraine, noting that "the one who has the courage to raise the white flag will be stronger." (Menafin 3/11/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Commenting on Pope Francis' controversial statement on negotiations in the Russian war against Ukraine, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said that it is not allowed to capitulate to evil. He wrote about this on the social network X, Ukrinform reported. “One must not capitulate in face of evil, one must fight it and defeat it, so that the evil raises the white flag and capitulates”, he wrote. As reported, in an interview with the Swiss broadcaster RSI, the Pope called for negotiations in the Russian war against Ukraine, noting that "the one who has the courage to raise the white flag will be stronger." (Menafin 3/11/24) READ MORE>>>>>
==netherlands======
June 22, 2023: The Christian Chronicle: Ukrainian Christians: Life in The Hague need not be a prison sentence
THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Don’t expect to see Vladimir Putin here anytime soon.
The Russian president has a standing invitation to visit this coastal city on the North Sea, known for its sandy beaches, museum-lined streets and the International Criminal Court. In March, the multinational tribunal issued an arrest warrant for Putin and his commissioner for children’s rights, accusing them of forcibly taking Ukrainian youths from their homeland.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Don’t expect to see Vladimir Putin here anytime soon.
The Russian president has a standing invitation to visit this coastal city on the North Sea, known for its sandy beaches, museum-lined streets and the International Criminal Court. In March, the multinational tribunal issued an arrest warrant for Putin and his commissioner for children’s rights, accusing them of forcibly taking Ukrainian youths from their homeland.
==nicaragua=================
Nicaraguan Government Revokes Legal Status of Religious Groups, Including Catholic and Evangelical Institutions
In a recent assault on the Catholic Church and various Christian communities in Nicaragua, President Daniel Ortega’s regime, led by his wife Vice President Rosario Murillo, has taken a severe measure by revoking the legal personhood of multiple religious congregations and evangelical groups. This move adds to the ongoing challenges faced by religious organizations in the country.
(Julian Olanisebee/TDPel Media 1/20/24)
READ MORE>>>>>
In a recent assault on the Catholic Church and various Christian communities in Nicaragua, President Daniel Ortega’s regime, led by his wife Vice President Rosario Murillo, has taken a severe measure by revoking the legal personhood of multiple religious congregations and evangelical groups. This move adds to the ongoing challenges faced by religious organizations in the country.
(Julian Olanisebee/TDPel Media 1/20/24)
READ MORE>>>>>
nigeria
|
Mar 27, 2023: Church Leaders: Terrorists Kill 27 Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria
Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists killed 27 Christians in two attacks this month in Kaduna state, Nigeria, local sources said. Both attacks took place in Zangon Kataf County, where 10 Christians were killed on March 14 in Langson village and 17 slain in Ungwan Wakili village on March 10, residents said. |
Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, with 5,014, according to Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report. It also led the world in Christians abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married or physically or mentally abused, and it had the most homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons. As in the previous year, Nigeria had the second most church attacks and internally displaced people. |
Feb 1, 2023: Missions Box: Why Are so Many Christians Killed in Nigeria?
More Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than in the rest of the world combined.
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces a vast humanitarian catastrophe, as a wave of religiously motivated violence nurtured in Nigeria has swept across the region, targeting Christian populations at an alarming rate in countries like Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali and Niger. Signs of jihadist expansion are also clearly visible in Mozambique , Congo DR and other countries. This is the disturbing finding of Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List.
More Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than in the rest of the world combined.
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces a vast humanitarian catastrophe, as a wave of religiously motivated violence nurtured in Nigeria has swept across the region, targeting Christian populations at an alarming rate in countries like Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali and Niger. Signs of jihadist expansion are also clearly visible in Mozambique , Congo DR and other countries. This is the disturbing finding of Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List.
June 13, 2022: Catholic News Agency: Expert says Nigerian Christians no longer view the U.S. as a 'credible partner'
More than a week after a devastating massacre at a Catholic church in Nigeria on Pentecost, an advocate for persecuted Christians says that Nigerian Christians largely do not view the U.S. government as a “credible partner” that will advocate on their behalf.
More than a week after a devastating massacre at a Catholic church in Nigeria on Pentecost, an advocate for persecuted Christians says that Nigerian Christians largely do not view the U.S. government as a “credible partner” that will advocate on their behalf.
philippines
UCA News: Christians, Muslims condemn bombing in the Philippines
Christians and Muslims have deplored the bomb explosion on a bus that left one passenger dead and 11 injured in the southern Philippines.
The bomb went off inside an air-conditioned bus at a terminal in Sultan Kudarat province of Mindanao region on Nov. 6.
Among the injured nine are Muslims and two Catholics.
11.7.22
Christians and Muslims have deplored the bomb explosion on a bus that left one passenger dead and 11 injured in the southern Philippines.
The bomb went off inside an air-conditioned bus at a terminal in Sultan Kudarat province of Mindanao region on Nov. 6.
Among the injured nine are Muslims and two Catholics.
11.7.22
russia
Feb 1, 2023: Evangelical Focus: “Freedom of religion is seriously violated by the Belarusian regime”
A survey by Forum 18 shows that “violations of the human rights have increased since fraudulent presidential elections and the regime's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine”.
A survey by Forum 18 shows that “violations of the human rights have increased since fraudulent presidential elections and the regime's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine”.
The Dispatch: The Spiritual Lessons of a Christian Nationalist Military Defeat
On February 24, the world’s most powerful Christian nationalist went to war, at the helm of what many people considered to be one of the world’s most potent militaries. Russian President Vladimir Putin spent more than two decades—exercising more power than any American president could ever hope to possess—forging church, state, and culture into an (allegedly) mighty instrument of raw, anti-woke national power. 10.9.22
On February 24, the world’s most powerful Christian nationalist went to war, at the helm of what many people considered to be one of the world’s most potent militaries. Russian President Vladimir Putin spent more than two decades—exercising more power than any American president could ever hope to possess—forging church, state, and culture into an (allegedly) mighty instrument of raw, anti-woke national power. 10.9.22
Jan 20, 2022: Catholic Standard: Ukrainian crisis threatens peace and democracy in Europe, observers warn
Ukrainian-American Catholics warn a Russian military buildup on Ukraine’s border poses a grave threat not only to that nation, but to Europe and democracy itself.
Ukrainian-American Catholics warn a Russian military buildup on Ukraine’s border poses a grave threat not only to that nation, but to Europe and democracy itself.
Spain
May 2, 2023: Evangelical Focus: Europe: “I came to the undeniable conclusion that God revealed himself in Jesus and the Bible”
Oriol Jara, a successful scriptwriter for comedy TV shows in Spain, shares how his life took a radical change when he encountered Jesus.
Oriol Jara, a successful scriptwriter for comedy TV shows in Spain, shares how his life took a radical change when he encountered Jesus.
syria
Jan 23, 2022: New York Times: ‘Now There Is No One’: The Lament of One of the Last Christians in a Syrian City
Michel Butros al-Jisri is among the few Christians left from a once-vibrant community in Idlib on the brink of disappearing. The city, in the only territory in Syria still controlled by rebels, is ruled by Islamists.
Michel Butros al-Jisri is among the few Christians left from a once-vibrant community in Idlib on the brink of disappearing. The city, in the only territory in Syria still controlled by rebels, is ruled by Islamists.
turkey
Feb 23, 2023: Christianity Today: Christians Assess Criticism of Turkey’s Earthquake Efforts
As the dust settled on the rubble of Turkish cities, citizens began asking hard questions. Why was the government response so slow, and why did so many buildings fall in the first place?
As the dust settled on the rubble of Turkish cities, citizens began asking hard questions. Why was the government response so slow, and why did so many buildings fall in the first place?
Feb 17, 2023: China Christian Daily: Chinese Missionary Says He Is Also 'Shaken' After Earthquake in Türkiye
The Christian Times, an online Christian newspaper in China, recently interviewed Rev. Apollos Zhang (pseudonym), a millennial Chinese missionary who has served in Türkiye for two years. Although his city, Istanbul, was unaffected by the earthquake, it was a great shock to him and the people around him.
He shared the disaster and rescue situation, Türkiye's geographical, political, and religious environment, his personal thinking and perception, and the pain and joy of cross-cultural missions.
The Christian Times, an online Christian newspaper in China, recently interviewed Rev. Apollos Zhang (pseudonym), a millennial Chinese missionary who has served in Türkiye for two years. Although his city, Istanbul, was unaffected by the earthquake, it was a great shock to him and the people around him.
He shared the disaster and rescue situation, Türkiye's geographical, political, and religious environment, his personal thinking and perception, and the pain and joy of cross-cultural missions.
Feb 15, 2023: Mission Box: Samaritan’s Purse Airlifts Emergency Mobile Field Hospital to Turkey
Ken Isaacs – Vice President and Programs and Government Relations, Samaritan’s Purse:
Samaritan’s Purse is responding to the horrible earthquakes that just happened in Turkey and Syria killing thousands of people. What we are focused on is sending a tier free hospital, that means it has two operating rooms and about 52 beds. We call it an emergency field hospital. We have it packed and prepared in boxes in our warehouse and we’re flying it over. Please keep the people of Turkey in your prayers and please pray for us as we do all that we can to help in Jesus’ name in this area that has been devastated by these earthquakes.
Ken Isaacs – Vice President and Programs and Government Relations, Samaritan’s Purse:
Samaritan’s Purse is responding to the horrible earthquakes that just happened in Turkey and Syria killing thousands of people. What we are focused on is sending a tier free hospital, that means it has two operating rooms and about 52 beds. We call it an emergency field hospital. We have it packed and prepared in boxes in our warehouse and we’re flying it over. Please keep the people of Turkey in your prayers and please pray for us as we do all that we can to help in Jesus’ name in this area that has been devastated by these earthquakes.
uganda
June 22, 2023: Flux: American Evangelicals promoted anti-gay bills in Uganda, now US talks sanctions against Uganda for passing very same anti-gay bills
Uganda recently signed an anti-gay bill into law. Called by some the “worst of its kind in the world,” the law imposes life imprisonment for same-sex relations while using colonial language that such acts are “against the order of nature.”
Uganda recently signed an anti-gay bill into law. Called by some the “worst of its kind in the world,” the law imposes life imprisonment for same-sex relations while using colonial language that such acts are “against the order of nature.”
June 16, 2023: Christian Post: Church of England Evangelical Council opposes Ugandan Church's support for criminalization of homosexuality
The Church of England Evangelical Council has issued a statement rejecting the criminalization of homosexual behavior.
The Church of England Evangelical Council has issued a statement rejecting the criminalization of homosexual behavior.
united kingdom
UK Christians Asked to Give Up Their Banks for Lent
Climate activists say finance is a justice issue and moving accounts can have a significant impact. (Christianity Today 3/11/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Climate activists say finance is a justice issue and moving accounts can have a significant impact. (Christianity Today 3/11/24) READ MORE>>>>>
June 16, 2023: Christian Post: Church of England Evangelical Council opposes Ugandan Church's support for criminalization of homosexuality
The Church of England Evangelical Council has issued a statement rejecting the criminalization of homosexual behavior.
The Church of England Evangelical Council has issued a statement rejecting the criminalization of homosexual behavior.
Nov 30, 2022: Christianity Daily: Christians Become a Minority in England, Raises Questions for Disestablishment of Church of England
Questions about the position of church leaders in the House of Lords and the disestablishments of the Church of England rise as less people identify as Christians. The Guardian reported that a study stated that less than half of the population of England and Wales identify as Christians.
The ONS Census reported that there are 5.5 million fewer Christians from 2011 to today. The Muslim population grew from 2.7 million to 3.9 million.
Questions about the position of church leaders in the House of Lords and the disestablishments of the Church of England rise as less people identify as Christians. The Guardian reported that a study stated that less than half of the population of England and Wales identify as Christians.
The ONS Census reported that there are 5.5 million fewer Christians from 2011 to today. The Muslim population grew from 2.7 million to 3.9 million.
Nov 30, 2022: Charisma: R.T. Kendall Not Surprised Christianity Has Become a Minority in UK
According to Census 2021, Christianity has now become a minority in England and Wales. And pastor and author R.T. Kendall, who spent 25 years as the senior minister at Westminster Chapel in London, says it's only going to get worse.
The 2021 census revealed that only 46.2% of people identified themselves as Christians, compared with 59.3% of the population in the 2011 census, a 13-percentage point drop over the past decade.
According to Census 2021, Christianity has now become a minority in England and Wales. And pastor and author R.T. Kendall, who spent 25 years as the senior minister at Westminster Chapel in London, says it's only going to get worse.
The 2021 census revealed that only 46.2% of people identified themselves as Christians, compared with 59.3% of the population in the 2011 census, a 13-percentage point drop over the past decade.
Alistair's Adversaria: The Death of the Queen and a Christian Understanding of Sovereignty 9.12.22
vietnam
Open Doors: Three church leaders in Vietnam falsely arrested and their homes destroyed 11.4.22
--wales---------------------------
Welsh Christianity’s Surprising Rise and Decline
Christianity in Wales has had a big effect on church history, not merely through a long walk by a teenager hungry for Scripture. For the first time in English and in a single volume, A History of Christianity in Wales connects stories of Wales’s Christian past to present day readers. This engaging book is not just for historians, but for those who want to be encouraged by seeing how God has worked in and through the Welsh people. I had a chance to interview one of the authors about the book. David Ceri Jones, reader in early modern history at Aberystwyth University in Wales, highlighted some of the contours of Welsh Christianity.
(Andrew Spencer/Gospel Coalition)
Read More>>>>>
Christianity in Wales has had a big effect on church history, not merely through a long walk by a teenager hungry for Scripture. For the first time in English and in a single volume, A History of Christianity in Wales connects stories of Wales’s Christian past to present day readers. This engaging book is not just for historians, but for those who want to be encouraged by seeing how God has worked in and through the Welsh people. I had a chance to interview one of the authors about the book. David Ceri Jones, reader in early modern history at Aberystwyth University in Wales, highlighted some of the contours of Welsh Christianity.
(Andrew Spencer/Gospel Coalition)
Read More>>>>>