California churches rally against Newsom coronavirus restrictions
California churches this weekend rallied against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s worship restrictions as many pastors continue to disregard state-imposed bans on singing and indoor services.
Christian
California Christians gather for outdoor and indoor services in spite of coronavirus restrictions
Despite California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s COVID-19 lockdown measures, thousands of Christians have been gathering in both indoor and outdoor services across the state, Fox News reports.
Third church looks to Supreme Court for protection from state-ordered worship restrictions
A Chicago church on Tuesday announced its intentions to appeal to the Supreme Court, following an unfavorable ruling from an Illinois federal appeals court upholding Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s worship ban.
71% of churches meeting for in-person worship, study finds
For most U.S. congregations, in-person worship has returned to mid-March levels despite a nationwide rise in coronavirus cases, a new report says.
More than a thousand gather for religious service on California beach after church closures
More than a thousand people gathered on a beach in California to hold a worship service while churches are closed over coronavirus concerns.
California Christians take to the streets to minister the Gospel as indoor services are banned
While some California Christian leaders have filed lawsuits because state coronavirus measures ban indoor church services, others have seen their congregations grow dramatically in size as Gospel ministry has been forced out of buildings, CBN News reports.
Americans’ Bible engagement dramatically declining amid COVID-19: survey
The coronavirus pandemic has affected Americans’ Bible engagement, with the number of U.S. adults who read Scripture declining drastically amid the outbreak, a recent study found.
California churches sue Governor over COVID-19 ban on indoor services
A group of California churches filed a lawsuit against Gov. Gavin Newsom Friday because state COVID-19 lockdown orders prohibit indoor services, even while people are allowed to gather in ongoing racial injustice protests, Fox News reports.
Jonathan Cahn Announces National and Global Day of Prayer and Repentance: 26 September 2020
Jonathan Cahn, author of The Harbinger and many other bestsellers has launched The Return: a national and global movement of prayer and repentance culminating in Washington DC on September 26, 40 days before the presidential election. “America is in deep, deep trouble,” Cahn told CBN News. “The Return is a chance for America, 40 days prior to our next election, to turn back to God, just like Nineveh.”
Pew Poll: 72% of Americans Say God Plays an Important Role in Their Life
In a new survey, the Pew Research Center found that 72% of Americans said God plays an important role in their life, and 67% said prayer also plays an important role. Worldwide, the poll showed that 61% of people say God plays an important role in their life.
Is COVID-19 Causing a Church Crisis? Almost Two-Thirds of US Churches Report Drop in Giving
America’s churches could be facing a critical COVID-19 financial crisis.
Number of Christian Refugees Allowed in the US Has Drastically Declined Since 2015
Christians around the globe face growing persecution and many look to the United States for refuge. New numbers, however, show they’re not getting near the protection compared to previous years and advocates are sounding the alarm.
Three California churches sue Gov. Newsom for ban on singing in places of worship
Three evangelical churches in California have sued Gov. Gavin Newsom for banning singing and chanting in places of worship but permitting such activities elsewhere.
Virginia drops criminal charges against pastor who held 16-person church service
Criminal charges against a Virginia pastor who held a Palm Sunday service in violation of coronavirus lockdown orders were dropped on Friday. He faced a $2,500 fine and possible jail time.
California beach revival attended by 1,000: ‘The church has left the building’
Days before California churches closed due to a surge in coronavirus cases, there was a massive evangelical Christian gathering on Huntington Beach near Los Angeles.
Alarming reduction in number of Christian refugees allowed into the US
As Christians around the world face increasingly intense persecution, the number of Christian refugees being allowed entry to the US has dropped by 90% since 2015, CBN News reports. This year the Trump administration set the total maximum number of Christian and non-Christian refugees to be allowed in at 18,000. Historically, the yearly average was 81,000.
Turkey Court: ‘Istanbul’s Main Former Cathedral Turned Into Mosque’
Turkey’s top administrative court decided Friday that the Byzantine Empire’s main cathedral, which eventually became a museum, can be converted back into a mosque. Christian leaders condemned Friday’s ruling.
650 Cases Out of 3 Million: The NY Times Falsely Accuses Churches as ‘Major Source’ of COVID-19
After finding 40 churches connected to around 650 cases of the coronavirus, The New York Times is calling Sunday worship services “a major source” of COVID-19 cases.
Christian ministries among religious organizations receiving $6 billion in pandemic aid for small businesses
Churches and Christian non-profits were among religious organizations that received at least $6 billion in COVID relief loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) run by the Small Business Administration (SBA), Ministry Watch reports. In order to receive PPP funds, applicants must claim: “Current economic uncertainty makes this loan request necessary to support the ongoing operations of the Applicant.” PPP beneficiaries in the religious organization category also included mosques, synagogues and other houses of worship.
Wycliffe Associates Providing Technology That Makes the Bible Accessible for Oral Cultures and for Those Who Can’t Read
Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, has received requests for 479 Bible Translation Recording Kits (BTRKs) that make it possible to complete an entire recorded translation of the Bible.