Churches Struggle As Haiti Quake Deaths Rise To 1,300
As the death toll of western Haiti’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake rose to 1,300, churches struggled to provide hope and relief to a wounded nation.
Christian Persecution – Americas
Dozens Of Canada Churches Destroyed Amid Rising Anti-Christian Sentiments
Police in Canada are concerned about growing anti-Christian sentiments after dozens of churches were attacked, with at least ten churches destroyed by fires.
Revival Interrupted by Rifle Carrying Black Lives Matter Protesters (Video)
An outdoor revival in Louisville was interrupted by a noisy ‘Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest, including at least one gunman, organizers said.
Two Christian leaders released after being jailed for protesting human rights violations, “God help me”
Although numerous people remain in custody, two of the Christians who were jailed during the government crackdown on the recent nationwide protests in Cuba were released into house arrest on Saturday, Christian Today reports.
Cuba protests: Christian leaders beaten, imprisoned in government crackdown; Call for Christians worldwide to pray; “Help us!”
Christian pastors are among at least 100 people who have been beaten and imprisoned by the Cuban government amid nationwide protests against systemic rights violations, the severe economic crisis, and the surge in COVID-19 cases, the Christian Post reports. Pleading for help from the international community, the wife of an imprisoned pastor has called on Christians worldwide to pray for Cubans suffering government violence.
Wife Detained Cuban Pastor Worried About Whereabouts
The wife of a Cuban pastor detained amid unprecedented protests against Cuba’s ruling Communists has expressed concerns about his whereabouts.
Christian leaders among those detained by Cuban government amid nationwide protests
Christian leaders are reported to be among people being detained in Cuba amid rare nationwide protests about the country’s lack of freedoms and worsening economic situation, Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports. Responding to the demonstrations, Cuban President Miguel Díaz Canel has called for “revolutionaries” to fight against the protestors in order to defend the ‘Revolution.’
Another Church in Canada Set Ablaze
Police are investigating a suspected arson attack against the House of Prayer Alliance Church in south-east Calgary, Canada on Sunday evening, CBC News reports. A refugee from Vietnam, the church’s pastor Thai Nguyen said no one was in the building at the time of the attack, but that his congregation would still have to be “more careful” in the future.
Bomb Destroys Brazil Bible Memorial; More Attacks Expected
A bomb attack seriously damaged the Memorial to the Bible in northeastern Brazil amid mounting anti-Christian sentiments in the South American nation, Christians say.
Argentina “blacklist” of “anti-democratic” organization includes Christian organizations
Evangelicals in Argentina have expressed alarm at a “blacklist” that appeared temporarily online of some 400 Argentinian individuals, churches and Christian organizations deemed “reactionary right” and “anti-democratic.”
270 evangelical pastors have died of COVID-19 in Mexico
Mexico’s Religious Affairs Unit has reported that 270 evangelical pastors have died of COVID-19 in the country, Evangelical Focus reports. Seventy-two Catholic priests, and 15 nuns have also died of the virus, the Unit reported.
Arsonists Set Canadian Pastor’s Property on Fire After Arrest Over COVID Violations
The Canadian pastor who has been confronted repeatedly by law enforcement officials claimed over the weekend the garage at his private resident was set ablaze by arsonists.
Third pastor in Canada arrested for violating COVID-19 restrictions
The third church leader to be arrested in Canada this month, Pastor Tim Stephens of Fairview Baptist Church in southeast Calgary was arrested Sunday for holding a service in violation of COVID-19 restrictions. Local authorities said the arrest was made after weeks of attempting to collaborate with church leadership to address ongoing health concerns.
Canada pastor arrested for holding “illegal” church service
The pastor in Canada who last month ordered police and COVID-19 health inspectors to leave his church building was on Saturday arrested for holding an “illegal” service in breach of a new Alberta Health Services order.
Canada: 1,000 people protest COVID-19 physical closure of GraceLife church
Around 1,000 people attended a demonstration outside GraceLife Church in Alberta, Canada on Sunday, to protest against the government’s physical closing of the church’s premises on the grounds it had violated COVID-19 restrictions, Christian Headlines reports. GraceLife is led by Pastor James Coates, who was arrested and detained for holding services in contravention of coronavirus regulations; Coates’ trial is set for May 3.
Clergy Kidnapped In Haiti As Abductions Rise
Seven Catholic clergy, including two French citizens, were abducted Sunday in Haiti, where kidnappers increasingly target churches, officials said.
Federal Court: University administrators personally liable for damages for discrimination against Christian student group
The 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that individual University of Iowa administrators are personally liable for monetary damages for breaching the First Amendment rights of the Business Leaders in Christ (BLinC) student organization and removing it from the college campus.
Christian Baker Jack Phillips Back in Court as 8-Year Legal Saga Drags on – This Time It’s a Transgender Cake
Colorado baker Jack Phillips is back in court again, facing another lawsuit. For more than eight years, LGBT activists have targeted him for his beliefs. This time, he’s being sued for declining to bake a cake celebrating a transgender transition.
Number of Protestants in historically Catholic Mexico now exceeds 10% of population
A new census shows that the number of Protestants in Mexico now exceeds 10 percent of the predominantly Catholic population, Christianity Today reports. Mexico has historically been dominated by the Catholic Church and ranks as one of the most strongly Catholic countries in Latin America.
Mexican Evangelicals are helping Catholics turn to Christ, away from idols
Evangelical Christians in Mexico have been preaching the Gospel to their Syncretist Catholic neighbors, turning them toward Christ and away from idols, the Christian Post reports. According to a recent survey, the number of Mexican evangelical Christians has increased by 49% since 2010.