Christians: ‘US Seizure Of Afghan Funds Wrong’
A Christian aid group has condemned U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to seize $7 billion in Afghan funds, saying it could increase Islamic extremism.
Bible
Southern Baptist Convention reports large increase in new believers despite COVID-19
While wracked by controversy over race relations and sexual abuse at home, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has nevertheless been able to report a substantial increase in new believers through its international missions, Christianity Today (CT) reports.
Pluto Return Marking Rise And Fall of US?
Biblical conscious Americans may be forgiven for looking for signs in the stars these days as the United States is experiencing a cosmic rebirth.
India: Hindu extremists destroy churches
Hindu extremists on February 5 destroyed two church buildings in separate states in India, Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOM) reports. Persecution against Christians in India has intensified greatly since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014.
Chinese government is rewriting the Bible to reflect communist values
The government of China is working to rewrite the Bible to reflect communist views and deny the deity of Christ, Christian Headlines (CH) reports. The project is part of the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s imposition of a nationwide Sinicization policy.
China: Prosecutor recommends 15 years imprisonment for Bible seller
A prosecutor in China’s Inner Mongolia has suggested a 15-year prison sentence be given to the first of four Christian defendants arrested for selling Bibles last year, International Christian Concern (ICC). China banned the online sale of Bibles in 2018, and many Bible sellers have been arrested.
Hungarians: ‘Don’t Make Quoting Bible A Crime’
Thousands of Hungarian Christians rallied Sunday near Finland’s embassy in Budapest against the “hate speech” trial of two prominent Finns who publicly quoted the Bible on homosexuality.
Yiddish-language New Testaments delivered to Jewish communities in NY
An unnamed missionary organization has been delivering Yiddish-language New Testaments to Jewish communities in New York, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports. The Bibles were delivered anonymously but had phone numbers inside which apparently linked to the Jews for Jesus Messianic Jewish organization.
North Korea: Letter to advocacy group offers rare insight into life for Christians
Offering a rare glimpse into the life of Christians in secretive, isolated North Korea, advocacy group Open Doors UK recently shared a letter from an underground church leader who was exiled to do hard labor in a remote village without the possibility of returning home, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. North Korea is one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians: Open Doors describes the level of persecution there as “extreme.”
India: Police officer believed to have burned down church in Chhattisgarh state
Christians from India’s Koya tribal community in Kistaram village, Chhattisgarh state believe the head of their local police station is responsible for burning down their church in the early hours of 5 February, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.
Hungarians Protest Trial Of Christian Finnish Leaders
Hungarians will rally at Finland’s embassy in Budapest against the trial of two Finnish Christian leaders who may face jail for sharing Biblical views on homosexuality, organizers say.
India: Hindu radicals attack two pastors in Haryana state
A group of Hindu extremists violently attacked two pastors in northern India’s Haryana state last month, accusing them of receiving foreign funding to forcibly convert Hindus to Christianity, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Persecution of Christians in India has increased dramatically since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took power in 2014.
Uganda: Christian pastor dies from beating by Muslim relatives
A former Imam who became a Christian pastor in eastern Uganda has died from injuries he sustained during a violent attack by relatives enraged at his conversion, Christian Headlines (CH). Christianity is legal in Uganda, but believers have come under frequent attack from Muslim extremists.
Open Doors Calls For Boycott China Olympics
A leading advocacy group supporting persecuted Christians has urged Americans to boycott the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.
New study shows that reading the Bible increases hope
A recent study has shown that reading Scripture on a regular basis can substantially improve people’s sense of hope, Christianity Today (CT) reports. The study was conducted by the American Bible Society (ABS) with help from Harvard University’s Human Flourishing Program.
Uganda: Radical Islamists severely beat up wife and daughter of evangelist they murdered last year
Radical Islamists who murdered Christian evangelist Simon Olinga in eastern Uganda last year have now beaten up his widow and daughter so harshly the girl remains unable to walk, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Believers in Uganda have come under increasing attack from Islamic extremists although Muslims are a small minority and Christianity is legal.
Jerusalem: 2,600 year-old clay seals indicate presence of First Temple treasuries
Archaeologists studying 2,600-year-old clay seals uncovered on and near Jerusalem’s Temple Mount believe the artifacts show ancient Israelites had two different treasuries, one for the First Temple and one for the Kingdom of Judah, the Jerusalem Post (JP reports).
Bible translators plan Scripture versions in 400 sign languages for deaf people around the world
IllumiNations, an alliance of 11 Bible translation organizations, has added 400 sign languages to the thousands of Bible language versions it wants to provide for people around the world, Christianity Today (CT) reports. illumiNations has a stated aim of providing Bibles in all languages by 2033.
COVID Pass Injected As Microchip Raises Concerns (Worthy News In-Depth)
A Swedish firm producing injectable microchips for humans entered the New Year wishing that its product would be used globally as a COVID-19 health pass, despite worries among Christians.
Alabama: Pastor’s wife killed by stray bullet during Bible study in Mobile County
A pastor’s wife in Mobile County, Alabama was killed during a Bible study last week when a stray bullet shot from outside went through a door of the church she was in and hit her in the chest, Christian Today (CT) reports. Police have arrested and charged an Alabama woman with murder and shooting into an occupied dwelling.