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].’

New Bible translation scrubs references to Israel

A new Danish Bible omits the word ‘Israel’ from its pages, publishers claiming the modern nation of Israel and the ancient kingdom of Israel have nothing to do with each other.

Indonesia Islamists Break Up House Church

Indonesia’s hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) group broke up a house church meeting in the country’s West Java province, prompting an angry response from the governor. Video footage obtained by Worthy News showed two men bursting into a home Sunday in Cikarang, 48 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Jakarta, the nation’s capital.

Atheist group awarded over $450,000 in South Carolina lawsuit against prayer at high school graduation

A South Carolina federal judge has awarded an atheist group over $450,000 in attorney’s fees and expenses after it filed a lawsuit to block public prayer at high school graduations, Christian Headlines reports. The award follows a finding last year that there should be limits to student-led prayers at graduation ceremonies. Given on April 14, the award is in respect of legal action initiated by the American Humanist Association (AHA) against Greenville County Schools in 2013. The suit was on behalf of the parents of a pupil who objected to students leading prayer at a graduation ceremony.

Georgia’s Orthodox Hold Easter Services Despite Coronavirus

Orthodox believers in the ex-Soviet republic of Georgia held church services, despite warnings that they complicated efforts to halt the new coronavirus pandemic. Worldwide, millions of Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter – the most important festival in their calendar, amid a series of restrictions and bans to prevent more infections.

‘Pakistan Christians Starving For Rejecting Islam’

Christians and other minorities in Pakistan face starvation as they are denied food aid for refusing to convert to Islam, aid workers say. The Emergency Committee to Save the Persecuted and Enslaved (ECSPE) confirmed that authorities and government-backed groups refuse to provide relief to non-Muslims despite a nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Pastor in China arrested for subversion of state power

A pastor in the Hunan province of China was arrested on April 2 for suspected subversion of state power. Persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC) reports that the pastor was arrested after his church refused to join a government-approved religious organization.

Christians in Pakistan denied food during coronavirus lockdown

Christians in Pakistan have been denied food by authorities since the country’s COVID-19 lockdown began on March 21, Arutz Sheva 7 reports. In four incidents recorded this month by International Christian Concern (ICC) and Jihad Watch, Christians were told food aid was for Muslims only.

Survey finds nearly half of US adults believe the Bible should influence laws

The results of a new survey published on Monday show nearly half of adult Americans believe the Bible should influence laws, the Christian Post reports. Carried out by the Pew Research Center, the survey found 49% of respondents think the Bible should have “some” or a “great deal” of influence on national legislation. Of these, 28% thought the Bible should have precedence over the will of the people.

Christians in Nigeria being killed by Muslim Fulani herdsmen

Two Christians in Benue State, Nigeria were beheaded Monday by Muslim Fulani herdsmen, Morning Star News reported. Another Christian was shot dead on Saturday by a group of herdsman in Bokkos county, Plateau state. These are the latest in ongoing murderous attacks on Nigerian Christians. Nigeria ranked second in Open Doors’ 2020 World Watch List of countries where Christians are killed for their faith, after Pakistan.

Evangelicals Pressure Trump To Release Detainees

U.S. President Donald Trump has come under evangelical pressure to release people from immigration detention centers amid concerns the new coronavirus will spread in the overcrowded facilities. Nine leaders of evangelical groups urged the Trump administration to release those “who do not pose a threat to public safety” during the coronavirus pandemic.

Dutch Town Celebrates Easter Outside Closed Churches

Christian songs reverberated throughout the Dutch town of Urk as residents took to the streets to celebrate Easter outside closed churches in one of Europe’s most God-fearing communities. They gathered Sunday after the 57-year-old housewife Jannie Molenaar expressed concern that locals would no longer be able to sing in churches due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Worthy Christian News