India Christians Forced To Become Hindus For Food
Aid workers say Christians, including pastors and their families, are excluded from government food aid in several parts of India despite an ongoing lockdown to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
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Pastor in China Reportedly Arrested for Posting Information About Coronavirus Outbreak in March
The wife of a pastor imprisoned by Chinese authorities has said her husband was arrested for re-posting messages about the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Zhang Xinghong said she was told by Chinese authorities that her husband Pastor Zhao Huaiguo has been charged with inciting subversion of state power because of these posts.
“Secret Church” service under apparent cyberattack
Organizers of the April 24 “Secret Church” online event reported that a cyberattack may have blocked many participants from logging on in real-time. Focused on God, government, and the Gospel, the event is simulcast to around 50,000 people worldwide and is centered on Bible study and prayer for persecuted Christians.
Nigerian Christian Couple Abducted at Their Wedding by Muslim Fulani Herdsmen in Ongoing Violent Attacks
Christians in Nigeria continue to be murdered and kidnapped by Muslim Fulani herdsmen who also burn down homes and invade churches in their communities. One Christian couple was recently kidnapped from their own wedding ceremony in Niger state, Morning Star News reports.
First Came the TN Revival, Now a LIVE Global Prayer Call Will Kick-off a Billion-Soul Outreach on Friday
The revival that was taking place in hundreds of churches in Tennessee before the pandemic is now moving online in anticipation of spreading the gospel around the world.
U.N. Agency: ‘Half of World’s Workers Lose Jobs Over Coronavirus’
A principal United Nations agency warns that nearly half of the world’s working population may lose jobs and incomes as the coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate lives and economies. The International Labour Organization (ILO) said some 1.6 billion people are in “immediate danger of having their livelihoods destroyed” by the economic impact of the virus outbreak and related measures.
Ongoing murderous attacks on Christians by Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria
In ongoing vicious attacks by Muslim Fulani herdsmen against Christian communities in Nigeria, two more people were killed and two others were kidnapped on April 22-23, Morningstar News reports. The herdsmen also burned down 25 homes and a church building in the raids.
Some 132,000 Turn To Christ In ‘Quarantine Revival’
More than 130,000 people from across the world, many in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, have decided to follow Jesus Christ after an online evangelism event, organizers said. “We are living through a Great Quarantine Revival, and I think God is just getting started,” explained evangelist Nick Hall, whose Pulse movement organized the virtual program.
Tennessee Governor attends multi-church drive-in worship service
The Governor of Tennessee expressed full support for holding drive-in church services during the COVID-19 pandemic by attending such a service himself, Christian Headlines reports. At a time when state and local leaders have grappled with whether to allow drive-in services, Gov. Bill Lee attended a multi-church ‘Beyond Our Walls’ worship service on Sunday evening.
About half of US churches planning to resume in-person services in May
After weeks of having online services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, about half of US churches are expected to resume holding in-person services in May, the Christian Post reported. Churches that reopen are expected to do so while still observing safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Report: ‘More Americans Believe in Satan than in God’
A new report of a respected U.S. researcher concludes that more Americans believe in Satan than belief in God. George Barna, whose work is based at the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, also writes: “Tens of millions of Americans consider themselves to be Christian but do not believe that God is really in control or cares what happens to them.”
US Pastor Dies Of Coronavirus After Preaching Resurrection of Christ
A Baptist pastor in the U.S. state of Michigan has died shortly after celebrating his recovery from the new coronavirus and preaching about the resurrection of Christ. David Ford, a pastor at Friendship House of Prayer Baptist Church in the state capital Lansing, had been hospitalized with the virus disease COVID-19, friends said.
US Pastor Defies Coronavirus House Arrest And Holds Services
A controversial pastor in the U.S. state of Louisiana held services in his evangelical church Sunday despite house arrest orders for violating social distancing measures linked to the coronavirus pandemic.
Pakistan Church Has Rooftop Services Amid Lockdown and Saves Slaves
An evangelical church and mission group has launched rooftop services in Pakistan after authorities banned regular church meetings amid a national lockdown to halt the coronavirus pandemic. Besides providing alternative worship, the church also saved 100 Christian families from slavery in some of Pakistan’s notorious brickyards, a pastor said in an extensive interview.
Facebook removes videos of military chaplains referring to God
Facebook has removed four videos of military chaplains encouraging prayer and referring to God during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fox News reported on Thursday. The posts were taken down after the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRRF) complained the videos constituted ‘illicit proselytizing’ of Christianity.
Christian organization calling on US churches to reopen May 3
The Liberty Counsel (LC) Christian non-profit organization has launched the ReOpen Church Sunday campaign, calling on US churches to resume congregating in person on May 3, the Christian Post reports. As the campaign follows weeks of on-line worship services due to the coronavirus pandemic, LC advises that congregations should continue to observe social-distancing and sanitation measures at in-person services. However, LC says: ‘Now is the time to act.’
Christians killed by Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria
Four Christians were killed last week in an attack by Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Kaduna state, Nigeria, Morningstar News reports. This attack is the latest in a string of murders committed by herdsmen targeting Christians: Nigeria ranks second after Pakistan on the Open Doors’ 2020 World Watch List for countries where Christians are killed for their faith.
California federal judge says churches cannot hold in-person services during pandemic
A California federal judge determined Wednesday that churches in the state are prohibited from holding in-person services during the coronavirus pandemic, the Los Angeles Times reports. The case was brought by three Southern California churches who argued that the state’s lockdown rules were a violation of the First Amendment and the right to freedom of religion and assembly.
Church in Harlem NY loses 11 members to coronavirus in 30 days
A church in Harlem has lost 11 members to the coronavirus pandemic in 30 days. Rev. Johnnie Green of the 1200-member Mount Neboh Baptist Church told the Christian Post: ‘It is simply unfathomable and unfortunate that so many people in our congregation [have died].’
Texas Governor says Jesus Christ will always be there for you
In a video interview on Saturday evening, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott encouraged Texans to put their faith in God, CBN News reports. Interviewed by Pastor Jack Graham during an online service at Prestonwood Baptist Church, the governor said: ‘We are all tested, we are all challenged. There is a solution that will support you and will always be there for you and that’s Jesus Christ, it’s God Almighty.’