’End Near’ For Frail Evangelist Luis Palau, Family Says
“The end seems near” for international evangelist Luis Palau after a decision to stop all treatment for his incurable lung cancer and start hospice care, his family said Friday.
Christian
Over 500 US evangelical pastors condemn ‘Radical Christian Nationalism’ in open letter
More than 500 US evangelical pastors and leaders have condemned ‘Radical Christian Nationalism’ in an open letter responding to the January 6 assault on the US Capitol, Religious News reports. Entitled “Evangelical Leaders Statement Condemning Christian Nationalism’s role in the January 6th Insurrection,” the letter explains the signatories come from diverse backgrounds and political persuasions, but stand together against ‘the perversion of the Christian faith” displayed at the insurrection, and against “the theology and the conditions” that led to the attack itself.
Canada Pastor remains in police custody after refusing to stop holding COVID-19 defiant services
A Canadian pastor is in police custody in Edmonton, Canada, after he refused to stop holding church services in defiance of local COVID-19 regulations, Christianity Today reports. Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church handed himself in to police on Tuesday last week, and twice refused bail conditions that he stop holding services that defy regulations.
Leading Rights Activist Faith McDonell Advocacy Director At GKI Global Amid Massive Persecution (Worthy News Focus)
Leading Christian rights activist, broadcaster, and author Faith McDonnell, has become director of advocacy at the U.S.-based Katartismos Global (KGI Global) charity. The group says it “exists to equip the Church for mission and ministry” by supporting persecuted Christians and other believers in need.
‘This World Has Lost a Light in the Darkness’: Iconic Christian Music Artist Carman Dies After Health Crisis
Trailblazing Christian music artist Carman Licciardello, known to fans simply as Carman, has died.
Hundreds of UK churches join initiative to welcome Hong Kong migrants
Over 500 British churches have joined a UK-wide initiative to welcome Hong Kong residents escaping China’s increasingly oppressive policies in the city, the Christian Post reports.
Federal court permanently blocks NY restrictions on houses of worship
A US federal court has permanently blocked New York’s highly contested COVID-19 restrictions on indoor worship, the Christian Post reports. Tuesday’s ruling by District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto follows a temporary block on the restrictions that were issued by the US Supreme Court in November.
New report: most churches suffered financial anxiety
A new survey reveals that some pastors worry their church may not survive the COVID-19 pandemic because of financial pressures, Christian Today reports. Titled “Something other than a Building,” and compiled by Churches in Ireland and Queen’s University, Belfast, the survey shows finances have been a source of anxiety for most of the pastors who participated.
Twitter Censors Focus on the Family, Accuses Them of ‘Hateful Conduct’
Attacks against free speech by big tech companies have quickly escalated into a full-blown censorship campaign as social media giants are now regularly targeting and silencing Christians and conservatives. Their latest target? Focus on the Family.
‘We’re Just Getting Started’: God Poured out His Presence During ‘Let Us Worship’ Events in Florida
Souls are being saved and God is being lifted up in Florida as worship leader Sean Feucht presses ahead with his outdoor “Let Us Worship” rallies across the U.S.
Bombing at California church accused of hateful messaging against LGBT community
The FBI is investigating a bomb blast that broke windows at a California Baptist church that has been subject to protests for what has been described as extremist, hateful messaging against the LGBT community, Religion News reports. El Monte police said the city’s First Works Baptist church building was attacked at 1 am Saturday when an “improvised explosive device” was thrown at it. No one was in the building at the time and no injuries have been reported.
Supreme Court rejects Nevada church protesting coronavirus worship restrictions
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from a Nevada church protesting Gov. Steve Sisolak’s coronavirus worship restrictions.
Christian advocacy group: Biden’s executive order targets people of faith
A Christian advocacy group has said one of President Joe Biden’s first executive orders is an “assault on biological reality” that negatively targets people of faith and faith-based organizations that provide social services, Christian Today reports. The Family Research Council (FRC) said the president’s Executive Order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation may result in Christians having to violate their consciences and even lose government contracts for failure to comply.
Christian Photographer Challenges Northam’s ‘Wedding Cake’ Law
A Christian photographer is challenging a Virginia law that would compel him to work at a same-sex wedding on religious-liberty grounds.
Waitress Thanks God After Saving Abused Boy
A waitress in the U.S. city of Orlando is “thanking God” after saving the life of an 11-year-old boy tied up and tortured by his evil parents.
“It’s time for an Evangelical reckoning on Trump” says head of Billy Graham Center
Ed Stetzer, head of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College has publically asserted that white Evangelicals should consider whether their behavior in supporting President Donald Trump contributed to fuelling the Capitol insurrection last week.
Pakistan: Christian leader threatened with death for Facebook post criticizing Islam
A Christian lay leader in Pakistan was taken into police custody last month as hundreds of Muslims descended on his Lahore neighborhood threatening to kill him for sharing a post against Islam on his Facebook page, Morning Star News reports. The outraged mob also threatened to burn down homes in Raja Warris’ neighborhood in the Charar area of Lahore, causing Pakistani Christians in the community to flee for their lives.
Trump Faith Advisors and Other Christian Leaders Were Among First to Condemn Capitol Violence: ‘That’s Not Jesus’
As Americans watched in horror on their phones and televisions, a violent mob overwhelmed police at the US Capitol Wednesday, storming the building and taking over the legislative chambers. Evangelical leaders were quick to respond and urge an end to the rioting.
Church Asks Ninth Circuit to Lift California’s Ban on Indoor Worship
A Ninth Circuit judge Monday expressed concern that California’s effort to curb Covid-19 transmission by banning all indoor religious gatherings could extend into the summer months or beyond if the pandemic worsens, further restricting people’s constitutional right to practice their religion.
Wycliffe Associates Providing Technology That Helps Keeps Bible Translators and Their Work Safe in High-Risk Areas
In regions where Christians risk intense persecution and even death because of their faith, Wycliffe Associates is helping believers translate the Bible for their language communities through its Tablets for National Translators initiative.