Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.
In today's edition:
Pastor Charged with 'Forced Conversion' in
Compass Direct
The chief of a local Hindu extremist group told Pastor Masih Das Rai of Chattisgarh state that he wanted to embrace Christianity, then sprang a trap on the pastor at the baptism ceremony. On November 10, the day he was to be baptized, Govind Verma, chief of a local chapter of the Bharatiya Janata Party, instead notified a militant Hindu organization that then attacked Rai and 12 other Christians as they were worshiping. Just six months ago, Verma had threatened to harm Rai if he continued his pastoral work in
Uzbekistan Protestant Churches Persecuted Despite Registration
The Christian Post
Persecution of Christians in
Families of Beheaded Indonesian Girls Forgive Killers
CBN News
The three families who suffered the loss of their young daughters when they were brutally murdered are still in shock and grief over the horrible way they died. On October 29, a group of unidentified men wearing masks beheaded the girls with machetes as they walked to school. The father of one girl who survived the attacks believes that the girls were targeted because they defied Idul Fitre, an important Muslim holiday signifying the end of Ramadan when "there should be no school, but the Christian school is open.” The deaths have brought unity to the Christian churches in Poso, and the lives of the girls have encouraged believers to be strong in the faith. Their parents have released forgiveness to the murderers of their daughters. They believe that it is God who will judge them. Markus Sambuwe, the father of one of the girls, remarked," I am really angry, but the Holy Spirit touched my heart and changed me. I forgive them just as Jesus has forgiven my sins." The girls’ pastor said, “We hope peace will come to Poso. Because of the three girls who were martyred, we are challenged, and our faith is put to a test like gold. But we become strong because of their example.” While tensions remain high in Poso, Christians are, so far, responding in a spirit of forgiveness and restraint.
Bible Belt Residents Most Charitable in
Associated Press
New Englanders remain among the most tightfisted in the country when it comes to charitable giving while Bible Belt residents are among the most generous, according to an annual index. For the fourth year running,