Like It or Not – Churches Plunge Into Online Ministry
Churches across the country are grappling with an immediate need to provide online ministry at a time when meeting face-to-face is considered risky at best and life-threatening at worst.
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Ex-Terrorist Leads Indonesia’s Christian Convert Movement
The married-father-of-three has come a long way since he nearly blew up a Protestant church in Jakarta. Author Ahmad Quraisy, which isn’t his family name, was a commander of the feared Islamic State of Indonesia (NII), an Indonesian militant group. But the former Islamic terrorist now leads an underground movement in Indonesia converting Muslims to Christianity or, in his words, ‘personal faith in Christ.’
Gospel Spreads as Coronavirus in Indonesia’s Jungle Villages
They suggest their faith in Christ spreads as fast as the new coronavirus. Pentecostal pastors of several Muslim dominated jungle villages in Indonesia’s South Sumatra province report church growth. That’s despite local protests, poverty, and occultism. ‘I even received one hundred boxes of tiles from the village chief to complete our church building,’ explains Pastor Frani Pondaag.
UK: Churches make national call to prayer for coronavirus pandemic
Church leaders are calling on people across the UK to “light a candle of hope” by praying in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
South Korea threatens to shut down churches not complying with coronavirus measures
Churches in South Korea could be shut down for failing to implement preventative measures amid the spread of the coronavirus in the country’s most populous metropolitan region.
Three-Self Church in China becomes secret house church
A church in China formerly part of the government-recognized Three-self branch of churches was shut down, propelling around 200 believers to begin to meet in secret.
Finnish MP under investigation for supporting biblical view of sexuality
A Finnish Member of Parliament is under investigation for expressing the biblical view of sexuality in a series of television interviews, police charging her with “hate speech” in a case that civil liberties groups are seeing as a harbinger of ill-fortune for free speech.
First the UK, Now Germany: Politician Calls Franklin Graham ‘Hate Preacher’ and Tries to Cancel His Festival
Evangelical churches in Germany are defending Rev. Franklin Graham in the face of criticism over his biblical beliefs on sexuality.
Iranians to be released from prison in droves as government fumbles to contain coronavirus
Iranian Christians are asking for prayer support as the Islamic Republic, in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus, has begun releasing huge crowds of prisoners that include persecuted Christians.
Calif. considers bill to allow low income housing on church property
A California state senator has proposed a bill that would allow religious groups and nonprofits to build affordable housing on their properties regardless of local zoning laws.
Federal judge rules that coach not allowed to pray on field
A federal judge upheld the right of a Washington state school district to fire a football coach for his practice of praying at the 50-yard line after games following four years of legal battles.
African Christians fulfill ‘blessed reflex’ prayed for by European missionaries
A professor of African Christianity at a University in England says that the prayers of European missionaries to Africa centuries ago are being answered by a wave of Christian immigrants to the increasingly secular European continent.
Iran’s leadership falls prey to coronavirus
Iran’s leadership has been hit especially hard by the coronavirus, as the Islamic Republic predicts that 40% of residents in its capital of Tehran will be infected by the spreading virus within two weeks.
Pastor tests positive for coronavirus, shook 100s of worshippers’ hands in historic DC church
The pastor of a historic Georgetown Episcopal Church in Washington D.C. has become the first confirmed case of coronavirus in the district, and in an alarming development, officials are now reporting that the church leader shook the hands of hundreds of worshippers during recent services.
Saudi Crown Prince Eliminates Opposition
The Saudi crown prince has arrested two former rivals in a move that many see as an attempt to position himself to seize the throne from his 84-year-old father.
Pastor of Wuhan church says coronavirus an “opportunity to glorify God”
A church in Wuhan, China recently testified to God’s grace in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak that has infected 90,000 people and killed 3,100 people worldwide.
Nigerian government acknowledges for first time that Christians are being targeted by Islamic terrorists
The Nigerian government has done an about-face in regard to its assessment of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacks that have slain thousands of Christians in the last few years.
Russia: Putin seeks constitutional ban on gay marriage
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday submitted a proposal to establish a ban on same-sex marriage in the country’s constitution.
South Korea closes churches as coronavirus tally passes 3,700
Churches were closed in South Korea on Sunday, with many holding online services instead, as authorities fought to rein in public gatherings as 586 new coronavirus infections took the tally to 3,736 cases.
Majority of Protestant churchgoers do not attend alone: LifeWay
The vast majority of Protestant churchgoers in the United States do not attend alone, but rather go with family or friends, according to a new report by LifeWay Research.