Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.
In today's edition:
- Food for the Hungry Responds to Help Victims of Mozambique Flood
- Habitat for Humanity to Build 1,000 Homes in Gulf Coast by Summer
- America's 'Most Influential Black Spiritual Leaders'
- Christian Law Firm Promoting Stand for Purity in Public Schools
Food for the Hungry Responds to Help Victims of Mozambique Flood
Extreme rainfall leading to massive flooding in the area of Caia in Mozambique, Africa, has left at least 68,000 people homeless. Experts predict 280,000 more people could be forced from their homes over the next week. Mozambique Prime Minister Luisa Diogo fears this flood may even be worse than 2001, when 800 people were killed and 500,000 displaced. Food for the Hungry has relief and development programs already in place in the country, but is also rapidly responding in concert with the World Food Programme and other international agencies to increase the efforts in the face of recent flooding. Mozambique is on Red Alert status, one step removed from declaring a national disaster.
Habitat for Humanity to Build 1,000 Homes in Gulf Coast by Summer
Nearly 18 months after Hurricane Katrina swept over the Gulf Coast, Habitat for Humanity is closing in on its initial 1,000-house goal to help low-income families displaced by the storm. According to a Religion News Service release, to date more than 700 homes have been built or are under construction with plans to meet the organization’s goal of having its first 1,000 houses complete or under construction by mid-summer. Once those homes are completed, Habitat has already begun to acquire land and plan for the next 1,000 homes, which will help ensure that local affiliates will be able to deliver affordable houses to qualifying low-income families. “I am proud of the exceptional work that dedicated Habitat for Humanity affiliates, volunteers, supporters and employees are doing in the Gulf Coast recovery,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International.
America's 'Most Influential Black Spiritual Leaders'
A story in The Christian Post states that a new report has named today's "most influential black spiritual leaders" in the U.S. From some of the most prominent spiritual figures and preachers to up-and-coming figures, spiritual website Beliefnet released a non-comprehensive list of African American religious leaders who have had the greatest influence in America. Bishop T.D. Jakes, pastor of the Potter's House in Dallas, the Rev. Floyd Flake of the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y., and the Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, were all recognized.
Christian Law Firm Promoting Stand for Purity in Public Schools
For the fourth straight year, Liberty Counsel is helping public school students take a stand for purity this Valentine's Day. AgapePress reports that the "Day of Purity" is designed to help those students educate their peers on the value of remaining sexually pure -- one benefit being the avoidance of contracting a sexually-transmitted disease. For the annual "Day of Purity," Liberty Counsel provides flyers, shirts, and wristbands students can take to their public schools. The project began in response to the promotion of sexually charged movies, television shows, and music produced by the entertainment industry. Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver says the Day of Purity gives Christian students a chance to counter pop-culture messages that exalt promiscuous sexual behavior and attempt to convince teens that they should give up traditional values and explore their sexuality early and often. But as Staver points out, there is a devastating price for those who choose to go down that path.
