Christian News Bulletin

HOPE FOR YOUTH IN PERU According to Christian Today, underprivileged youth in Peru are expecting a brighter future after attending the first Siloam Christian Ministries’ Bible camp in the country. The camp theme was ‘Our Eternal Father’, aimed at helping young people find a greater hope for their life. 66 children between the ages of 12 and 16 attended the camp, most coming from one‐parent or dysfunctional families. 27 campers made a decision for Christ during the camp. CHRISTIANS PLAY MUSLIMS IN CRICKET Eternity News reports that while the Australian men’s cricket team played Pakistan in the Emirates and the Aussie Women played Pakistan in Malaysia, Christians played Muslims in a special harmony match organised by the Pakistan Bible Society in Sheikhupara. THE JESUS FILM The Jesus Film project has completed its 1,700th language translation of the film. CBN News reports that the latest translation of the film is in the Cheke Itolo language for people living in the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific.

90,000 PEOPLE AT “TOGETHER 2018” A Minneapolis-based ministry called PULSE hosted an event called “Together 2018” recently at the Texas Motor Speedway. According to CBN News, PULSE partnered with over 1,000 churches across the USA in order to coordinate the event. “Together 2018” featured major Christian artists like Jesus Culture, Bethel Music, Lecrae, Hillsong, and Jonathan Taylor along with speakers including Robert Morris, Francis Chan, Todd White and Ravi Zacharias. Charisma News reports that while there were 90,000 people present at the event, an additional 13,000 people from 89 different countries watched the event live online. CRACKDOWN ON CHURCHES IN UKRAINE The Christian Post reports that Russian-backed rebels in Ukraine's Luhansk region have been cracking down on Protestant Christianity by raiding churches, dispersing worshipers, and preventing re-registration. Forum 18, a Norwegian human rights organization, revealed that the rebels have issued mandatory re-registration orders for religious organizations in the region, but have denied approval for many. No Baptist or Seventh-day Adventist communities were reportedly able to re-register, with the latter having to halt all activities in order to prevent churches being seized. CHRISTIAN SINGER ON ‘THE ELLEN SHOW’ Award-winning Christian singer Lauren Daigle has appeared on The Ellen Show, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.  After the performance of Daigle’s song Still Rolling Stones, DeGeneres announced that she would be giving everyone in the audience a copy of Daigle’s new album Look Up Child. Many are seeing Daigle's appearance on Ellen as a breakthrough in Hollywood and in the music industry for Christians and Christian music.

SRI LANKAN CHRISTIANS UNDER ATTACK Morning Star News reports that attacks and other actions against Christians in Sri Lanka have escalated this year, with Hindu extremism beginning to take root along with long-time Buddhist aggression. 67 incidents against Christians in Sri Lanka were reported from January through to September. BIBLES RELEASED IN SUDAN In a surprise move, Sudan has released shipments of Bibles long held in port, including one detained nearly six years ago, according to the head of the Bible Society in Sudan. The estimated 2 million Christians in Sudan have had to endure a critical shortage of Arabic-language Bibles. ‘FESTIVAL OF LIFE’ IN UK According to Premier News, an estimated 40,000 Christians recently crammed into London's Excel Centre for the Festival of Life. The annual event run by the Redeemed Christian Church of God is the largest single gathering of believers in the UK. Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu was just one of those invited to preach during the 8 hour service.

CRACKDOWN ON INDIAN CHRISTIANS At least 10 pastors have been arrested with their families as they worshipped in church services across the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, a leading persecution watchdog has reported. Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a United Nations' accredited NGO that serves in over 20 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, reports that authorities in the Indian state are continuing their crackdowns on Christians. RELIGIOUS REVISIONISM IN CHINA The Christian Post reports that the Chinese government is supervising a five-year plan to make Christianity more compatible with socialism in which there will be a "rewrite" of the Bible. Rev. Bob Fu, a prominent religious freedom activist, has told the United States Congress that the revision of China’s religious regulations is to actively guide religion to "adapt to socialist society." POP SINGER CRIES OUT TO GOD Pop singer Avril Lavigne has re-emerged after a five-year hiatus with a powerful song that reveals her cry to God after encountering a near-death experience. Lavigne has been battling Lyme disease since 2014, and her new single, "Head Above Water," reveals just how difficult that fight has been. In the song’s chorus, she sings "God keep my head above water / Don't let me drown / It gets harder / I'll meet you there at the altar / As I fall down to my knees / Don't let me drown / Don't let me drown."

“HILL OF THE BIBLE” The caretaker of a massive hillside Bible sign in Mexico hopes to break four Guinness World Records while also spreading a positive message about God’s Word. Gabriel Andavazo, a pastor in Ciudad Juárez, is caretaker of a huge hillside sign that can be seen miles away and that says in Spanish: “The Bible is the Truth.” Made of stone, it recently was re-painted with the help of around 2,000 people, according to Evangelical Focus. BILL HAYDEN BAPTIZED Various media outlets report that Bill Hayden, a former Governor-General of Australia and lifelong atheist, has found God and been baptized in a Roman Catholic Church at 85 years of age. According to The Australian newspaper, Hayden said “it was witnessing so many selfless acts of compassion by Christians over his lifetime, and deep contemplation while recovering from a stroke, that prompted his decision.” Australia’s The Catholic Leader reported that Hayden, who during his political career identified as a humanist, was baptized on September 9 at St. Mary’s Church in Ipswich, Queensland. HILLSONG NOW A DENOMINATION Eternity News reports that Hillsong Church has become an official denomination, withdrawing from the Australian Christian Churches (ACC). In a letter addressed to the ACC network, Hillsong Senior Pastor Brian Houston announced the “global nature” of Hillsong Church had prompted the decision. Hillsong now has the ability to credential its own pastors.

ANCIENT CHRISTIAN WORSHIP SITE DISCOVERED Archaeologists searching for the site where Jesus performed His water-to-wine miracle have said that excavations of tunnels of ancient Christian worship provide a strong clue. Tom McCollough, lead researcher at the excavation site of Khirbet Qana, a Jewish village that existed between 323 B.C. and 324 A.D., told The Daily Star that a network of tunnels used for ancient Christian worship has been found. The tunnels reportedly are marked with crosses and the Greek phrase for “Lord Jesus.” They also contain an altar, and the remains of a stone vessel. MORE BIBLES IN MORE HOTELS According to Eternity News, the world’s largest hotel chain is putting Bibles in another 300,000 rooms. Although the Bible often seems to be brushed aside as outdated or unnecessary, Marriott International is reportedly stocking its Starwood hotels with the good book. AN ACTOR’S APPROACH TO PRAYER Christianheadlines.com has reported on actor Mark Wahlberg’s daily approach to prayer. Wahlberg said he does not pray so he can have success but focuses his prayer time on his wife, his four children, and his character. “For me to sit down and ask for material things is ridiculous. It’s a much bigger picture than that. I want to serve God and to be a good human being and to make up for the mistakes I made and the pain I put people through. That’s what I’m praying for, and I recommend it to anybody.”

MORE BIBLES NEEDED IN CHINA Eternity News reports that last year, in China’s Henan Province, more than 120 believers, mostly aged in their 50s, were baptised, leading to a great need for many more Bibles.  Most of the believers are rural poor who can only afford subsidised Bibles. The Bible Society Australia is providing free Bibles for those in need, making it possible for churches to give Bibles to believers for spiritual growth as well as to seekers as a means of community outreach. COPTIC CHRISTIANS JAILED According to ChristianHeadlines.com, authorities in Egypt ordered 15 more days of jail for Christians arrested last month for worshipping in a house without a permit. After Muslim mobs demonstrated against the Virgin Mary and St. Mahrael church in Luxor Governorate, 435 miles south of Cairo, police accused the Coptic Catholics of worshipping without a permit, according to Coptic rights activist Safwat Samaan. ‘BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN’ MOVIE The faith-based movie, “Beautifully Broken,” released recently in USA, tells a story of redemption and trust while reminding viewers that, though our situations and circumstances might be worlds apart, God’s sovereignty is big enough to cover it all. The film follows a Rwandan family and an American family, revealing the true story of how all their lives intertwined.  In an interview with Faithwire, Christian singer Michael W. Smith, who portrays the American family’s pastor in the movie, described the story as “remarkable” and “a faith-riser.”

AUSTRALIANS AND THE BIBLE New Life reports that a book charting the history of the interaction of Australians with the Bible has won this year's Australian Christian Book of the Year award. Written by historian Meredith Lake, The Bible In Australia: A Cultural History, was described by the judges as ‘a history of national importance and a unique insight into Australian culture.’ CATHEDRAL TO BE REBUILT Rebuilding of New Zealand’s earthquake‐damaged Christchurch Cathedral will commence soon. The cathedral has sat desolate since the 2011 earthquakes, as the Anglican Church and heritage groups battled over its future, but last year the Church agreed to restore it. The cost of the project and a timeframe to complete it is still to be determined. BIBLES FOR CUBA OneNewsNow reports that thousands of young people in a country that has suffered under a communist dictatorship for almost 60 years are getting their very first look at a Bible. Evangelist Tim Todd has spent nine days in Cuba handing out 50,000 Truth For Youth Bibles. Mr Todd stated that the young people held their Bible like it was a piece of gold, close to their chests. ‘Their response is overwhelming,’ he says.

CRUSADE IN COLOMBIA Evangelist Luis Palau's Association reported big numbers for its recent Gospel crusade in Bogotá, Colombia, where over 18,500 people decided to follow Jesus Christ. The Christian Post reports that over 200,000 people attended the events, with another 410,000 viewers watching videos online. 18,545 people made decisions to follow Christ during the events, which were supported by 852 partnering churches. WHERE ARE THE WORLD’S MOST COMMITTED CHRISTIANS? The world’s most committed Christians reside mostly in Africa, Latin America and the United States, according to a new Pew Research Centre report documented by christianheadlines.com. Ethiopia has the world’s most committed Christians, according to Pew, with 98% saying their faith is very important. In the Philippines, it’s 91% and in the USA 68%. ‘CHASING COMETS’ The movie Chasing Comets, written by retired NRL star Jason Stevens, was released in cinemas late last month. Eternity News states that, essentially, Chasing Comets is the story of Stevens’ own life – his struggle to keep his footy career on track in the midst of a party-hard culture and, most importantly, his journey to Christian faith.

BILLY GRAHAM ON SATELLITE The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is partnering with a satellite radio provider for the launch of a permanent channel called The Billy Graham Channel. According to Christian Newswire the channel will be headlined by the messages of the late Christian evangelist and will feature his timeless sermons from many years in ministry. The Billy Graham Channel is on SiriusXM Channel 460. SURVEY OF BIBLE READERS The average Bible reader reads the Old Testament far less than the New Testament, and finds the Prophetic books of the Old Testament the most difficult to understand. That’s according to a survey of 6,000 Bible readers by the Christian book publisher Crossway as reported by Christian Headlines. CHURCH HELPS FIND JOBS Inspire Magazine reports that in the current climate of unemployment, a church in Scotland is helping people to find work. The Methodist Church in Glasgow, partnering with the charity Christians Against Poverty, has already assisted 1,000 job hunters. The church formed the Job Club believing it is living out the good news of Jesus in a practical way.