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.
Christian
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.
Singing in churches temporarily banned in California as coronavirus cases spike
Californians are temporarily banned from singing in churches as part of an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
US Evangelical Lutherans publish handbook on gender identity to welcome the LGBTQIA+ community to church life
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has published a handbook on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression to “affirm God’s love for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities,” the Christian Post reports. The publication is part of an ELCA effort to welcome and include members of the LGBTQIA+ community to all aspects of church life.
Christians in Atlanta March Against Racism and Pray for Police
Praying and marching against racism Friday, thousands of Christians took part in the “March on Atlanta” event organized by OneRace Movement, a Christian coalition aiming to “displace the spirit of racism and release racial reconciliation,” The Christian Post reported. Participants also prayed in support of the Atlanta Police Department which is reeling from nationwide rage against law enforcement following the police killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta itself.
‘The Revival is Spreading’: Souls Find Salvation on the Streets of Minneapolis
The streets of Minneapolis where George Floyd was killed are being used by God to save those searching for hope and healing.
The Gospel is Being Shared as Christians Minister to Their Neighbors in Former Soviet Union Countries
The Gospel is being spread in difficult-to-reach former Soviet Union countries, Mission Network News reported Wednesday. Local Christians have been reaching out to share the Gospel and offer practical help to neighbors struggling with poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. State Park Bans Blind Woman For Evangelism
Authorities in the U.S. state of Rhode Island have banned a blind woman from a public park and library for speaking about her faith in Christ, her lawyers confirmed Wednesday.
Boston: Prayer event organized by former New England Patriot Ben Watson
Over 1,000 people attended a prayer event organized by former NFL New England Patriot Ben Watson this weekend, CBN News reported. Named “Boston Pray,” the event was a call to prayer to seek God for spiritual change in regard to racism.
Florida Rally: “Racism Breaks the Heart of God. Racism Should Break Our Hearts, Too.”
Church leaders joined with a crowd of some 400 racially diverse citizens in Lakeland, FL last week for what was called the “One Heart Community & Faith Rally,” CBN News reports. Participants prayed together and proclaimed unity against racism following the police killing of George Floyd.
Casinos Are Open, But Churches Are Closed?
Last week, hundreds of people poured through the doors of Nevada casinos, which reopened after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, it is illegal for churches in Nevada to meet with more than 50 people.
New Jersey governor lifts church restrictions after violating shutdown order to protest
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy lifted restrictions on church services and protests Tuesday, a day after he violated his own stay-at-home order to join a demonstration against racial injustice.
Southern Baptist Convention Sees Sharp Decline in Membership
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has suffered its most serious decline in membership for over 100 years, Christianity Today reports. According to the SBC’s 2019 Annual Church profile published by Thursday, the denomination saw a loss of 288,000 church members last year.
U.S. Christians Worship Amid Concerns over Damaged Churches
American Christians prepare to worship amid concerns about damaged churches after U.S. President Donald Trump urged more prayers for America.
Max Lucado attends George Floyd prayer vigil, calls on Americans to turn to Christ
Popular Christian author Max Lucado took part in a prayer vigil in Texas Wednesday night amid the societal unrest in response to the killing of African American George Floyd.
Wycliffe Associates Reports That Bible Translators in 21 Countries Risk Starvation Due to COVID-19 Food Shortages
Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, reports that Bible translators and their families in remote and poverty-stricken areas are facing starvation due to food shortages resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.