Good News for Today

 Episode 560

French Evangelicals Stand For Life, Christian Women Punished For Praying in Nicaraguan Prison & Tips on Speaking Effectively

Evangelicals in France spoke up to stand for life earlier this week. Human rights advocates are speaking up for believers in Central America. And, it’s something people desperately fear. Speaking in front of a group. Oklahoma pastor Stephen Rummage believes he can help anyone be a more effective public speaker.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

French evangelicals voice objection to constitutionalized abortion

Christian women punished for praying aloud in Nicaraguan prison

International Mission Board

TOOLBOX: Tips on speaking effectively

Transcript

Evangelicals in France spoke up to stand for life earlier this week. Believers voiced a measured objection to the enshrinement of abortion in the country’s constitution in advance of the historic move March 4, citing concerns for freedoms of conscience, expression and opinion.

France became the first country to enshrine abortion rights into a national constitution March 4.

The National Council of Evangelical Churches of France (CNEF) urged Parliament March 1 to protect the rights of conscientious objection for healthcare workers, and the freedoms of speech and opinion.

Ethics leader Brent Leatherwood said he believes France will grow to regret the constitutional change.
===

Human rights advocates are speaking up for believers in Central America.

Christian women wrongfully imprisoned in Nicaragua have been beaten and denied time outdoors for praying aloud with rosaries, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reported March 6.

The report comes days after the United Nations’ Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN) released a report documenting the nation’s increased governmental persecution of Christians, including false imprisonment of pastors, priests and lay members; confiscation of churches and other properties, cancellation of organizations linked to churches, and hate speech through governmental channels that has incited violence against Christians.

U.N. human rights experts also noted the criminalization of several evangelical leaders.
===

Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
===

It’s something people desperately fear. Speaking in front of a group. Oklahoma pastor Stephen Rummage believes he can help anyone be a more effective public speaker.

In the Baptist Press Toolbox he lists a handful of tips that anyone can use.

Have one dominating idea.

A speech about 20 things is a speech about nothing. You aren’t ready to make a speech until you can state, in a short, simple sentence between 8 to 12 words, what your speech is about.

Make every point of your speech “point” back to the dominating idea.

You should be able to draw a straight, solid line between each point and the...

 Episode 559

Pastors Remain Cautious of AI, Religious Freedom Restoration Act & Things to Consider When Using A Commentary

According to a recent Barna study, pastors are becoming slightly more comfortable with Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool for some uses in the church but remain wary of its role when it comes to personal relationships. Iowa and Utah are the latest states to pass legislation protecting religious freedom from governmental intrusion, with related legislation active in Georgia and four other states. And, maybe you’re interested in using a commentary to help in your study of God’s Word. A commentary is a book written by a scholar that provides additional perspective and background information on a Bible passage or topic.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Barna study: pastors remain cautious in probing uses of AI

Religious Freedom Restoration Act sees revival of state support

International Mission Board

5 things to consider when using a commentary

Transcript

According to a recent Barna study, pastors are becoming slightly more comfortable with Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool for some uses in the church but remain wary of its role when it comes to personal relationships.

According to the study, three out of four (77 percent) of U.S. pastors agree that God can work through AI. Top ministry-adjacent uses are for graphic design, marketing and tracking church attendance/engagement.

Using AI for theological tasks, however, remains a concern. While 43 percent of pastors see its potential for sermon preparation and research, only 12 percent say they are comfortable with using AI to actually write sermons.
===

Iowa and Utah are the latest states to pass legislation protecting religious freedom from governmental intrusion, with related legislation active in Georgia and four other states.

Iowa and Utah passed state versions of the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in February.

Bills are active in Illinois, Missouri and Rhode Island to strengthen or amend religious liberty laws already in place.

Hannah Daniel, director of public policy for the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), applauded the legislation that mirrors the 1993 RFRA, which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1997 only applies to federal legislation.
===

Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.

===

Maybe you’re interested in using a commentary to help in your study of God’s Word. A commentary is a book written by a scholar that provides additional perspective and background information on a Bible passage or topic.

Longtime seminary professor Thomas Schrenier offers some tips for picking a commentary.

First, make sure it’s a good one. He says commentaries written by sound scholars are generally best. “Not because they are necessarily better, but because they have r...

 Episode 558

Father of Slain Student Teaches Forgiveness, Drug Dealer Turned Church Planter & Grieving With Hope

The father of the 18-year-old student who was murdered at Campbellsville University in Kentucky spoke at the school’s chapel service last week and asked those assembled to choose forgiveness because “it’s the center of what Jesus is.” In Sterling, Virginia, Jefferson Hernández had not given a moment’s thought to what he and his wife Carol would call their new church in Sterling. And, “Grieving with Hope” by Terry Dorsett reflects on his journey through grief after losing his wife to pancreatic cancer.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Father of slain student gives message of forgiveness at Campbellsville chapel

WEEK OF PRAYER: Drug dealer turned church planter now harvesting ‘white fields’ for Christ

International Mission Board

FIRST-PERSON: Grieving with hope

Transcript

The father of the 18-year-old student who was murdered at Campbellsville University in Kentucky spoke at the school’s chapel service last week and asked those assembled to choose forgiveness because “it’s the center of what Jesus is.”

The emotion-charged service centered around the life of Josiah Kilman, who was found dead in his dorm room early the previous Saturday morning. He died by manual strangulation, according to preliminary autopsy report from the state medical examiner’s office. A wrestling teammate was charged with his murder.

University President Joseph Hopkins said in a statement to the campus community Saturday that Kilman was a “bright light, and a person of incredible hope,” adding that his faith was contagious.
===

In Sterling, Virginia, Jefferson Hernández had not given a moment’s thought to what he and his wife Carol would call their new church in Sterling. Not until one day, when he was unexpectedly asked the name of his new church plant, and Jefferson said the first thing that popped into his head.

The words were “white harvest” – based on what Jesus said about non- believers being ready to trust in Him in John 4.

God called the Hernández family to follow all those immigrants to Loudon County, the county Jefferson now calls “White Field,” to show them what a “better future” really looks like. And that calling – to plant a church that would make Jesus known – was a calling Hernández never would’ve imagined for himself.
===

Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
===

“Grieving with Hope” by Terry Dorsett reflects on his journey through grief after losing his wife to pancreatic cancer. He shares how his faith provides comfort, knowing she is in heaven and free from pain, yet acknowledges the profound sense of loss he experiences daily. Dorsett draws strength from 1 Thessalonians 4:13, emphasizing that while Christians grieve, they do so with hope—anticipating reunion with loved ones. He encourages ...

 Episode 557

Summer Camps Set to Run Ahead in 2024, How Alabama Court’s Ruling Affects IVF & How God Conveyed His Word to the Prophets

Years after a summer of practically no camps, the institution is continuing its comeback. University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) healthcare system announced that it was pausing all in vitro fertilization (IVF) fertility treatments. And, how did God convey His Word to the prophets and the apostles, such that we can trust it today?

Host

Resources

Transcript

Years after a summer of practically no camps, the institution is continuing its comeback. And according to a study from the Christian Camp and Conference Association (CCCA), the figures have caught up with and even exceeded pre-COVID numbers.

In terms of enrollment, there were more camps at or near capacity in 2022 (15 percent) than 2019 (9 percent). The number of camps reaching 90-99 percent capacity was also slightly higher in 2022 (29 percent) than in 2019 (28 percent).

Thirty-five percent of camps in 2019 were at 75-89 percent capacity, higher than the 29 percent of camps reporting as such in 2021.
===

University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) healthcare system announced that it was pausing all in vitro fertilization (IVF) fertility treatments. This pause is due to the perceived fear of prosecution and lawsuits in light of the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday, Feb. 16, stating that human beings in the embryonic stage have the same legal rights and protections as children who are born.

In an explainer piece at Baptist Press, ethicist Jason Thacker stresses that believers must remember that “It is vital to note in these conversations about the ethics of IVF that all children conceived through this technology are not only made in the image of God, but should also be seen as good gifts from God. How a child is conceived does not change that fundamental truth. Further, the desire for children is a moral good as designed by God, rooted into the fabric of the created order. Infertility is a widespread reality, affecting 1 in 6 couples today, and is a sad reminder of the devastating effects of the Fall.”
===

Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
===

How did God convey His Word to the prophets and the apostles, such that we can trust it today? Different theories of inspiration have been offered, but conservative evangelicals like I am hold to the “verbal plenary” view of inspiration.

This view grants the initiative in inspiration to the Holy Spirit as divine author. The human author, moreover, remains fully involved in the process of writing as a particular human being with distinct experiences shaped by a definite context using personal expression. Due to the supervising authority of the Holy Spiri...

 Episode 556

Evangelicals Views on Immigration Reform, Relationships Drive Support of Urban Churches & You Gotta Have Friends

Evangelicals’ nuanced views on immigration should encourage faith leaders to offer biblical responses to all concerns, key evangelical leaders said Feb. 28 upon the release of a new Lifeway Research study. In an inspiring union between Champion Forest Church in Houston and urban congregations in Detroit, led by the friendship between Senior Pastor Jarrett Stephens and Pastor Torion Bridges of Detroit, a heartwarming initiative unfolds. And, Friendship is perfectly demonstrated in the Trinity by the relationship between God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit, writes Jared Pryer in the Baptist Press Toolbox.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Evangelicals urge biblical response to nuanced views of immigration reform

Relationships drive Champion Forest’s support of urban churches

International Mission Board

FIRST-PERSON: You gotta have friends

Transcript

Evangelicals’ nuanced views on immigration should encourage faith leaders to offer biblical responses to all concerns, key evangelical leaders said Feb. 28 upon the release of a new Lifeway Research study sponsored by the Evangelical Immigration Table.

Both the compassionate care of immigrants and border security rank high among evangelicals, the poll showed, with respondents overwhelmingly desiring a clear path to citizenship and cohesive care for immigrant families.

Evangelical groups represented at the press conference called for cross-partisan solutions to immigration this year – ahead of the next U.S. presidential term – and did not endorse a political party nor candidate best positioned to accomplish desired goals.

Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition and an Assemblies of God pastor, instead endorsed justice, love and mercy in the public sphere, and promoted “conviction and civility.”
===

In an inspiring union between Champion Forest Church in Houston and urban congregations in Detroit, led by the friendship between Senior Pastor Jarrett Stephens and Pastor Torion Bridges of Detroit, a heartwarming initiative unfolds.

This partnership, deeply rooted in mutual respect and shared vision, goes beyond mere financial support, focusing on creating meaningful, long-term relationships. It aims to empower pastors in underserved communities, sharing resources, knowledge, and encouragement.

Their friendship has sparked a unique partnership, focusing on providing resources and encouragement to pastors in under-resourced communities. This initiative is not just about financial aid; it’s about building long-lasting relationships and sharing the wealth of experience to uplift each other’s congregations.
===

Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free ...

 Episode 555

DR Teams Respond to Panhandle Wildfires, Evangelicals Back Immigration Reform & Pastoring Through an Election Year

In the wake of devastating wildfires that sweeping through the Texas Panhandle, Governor Gregg Abbott declared a state of disaster for 60 counties. American evangelicals have complex perspectives on immigration and want a nuanced political response, but most want Congress to act soon. And, in the Baptist Press Toolbox, Rick Harrington, a pastor in Massachusetts offers guidance for believers in an election year.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

SBTC DR teams respond to Panhandle wildfires

Evangelicals back immigration reform, increased border security

International Mission Board

Pastoring through an election year

Transcript

In the wake of devastating wildfires that sweeping through the Texas Panhandle, Governor Gregg Abbott declared a state of disaster for 60 counties. This rapid escalation of the fires, which doubled in size in just a day, prompted an immediate and ongoing response from the Southern Baptists of Texas Disaster Relief (SBTC DR) teams.

One such response team, a Quick Response Unit (QRU) based in Pampa, Texas, and led by James Greer from the Top O’ Texas Baptist Association, quickly sprang into action. They set up their operations at the association office in Pampa, dedicating themselves to preparing meals for the first responders battling the fires. Despite facing threats to their own homes, the volunteers managed to prepare both lunches and dinners before temporarily leaving for the evening.

Active Panhandle blazes currently cover a combined area of some 374,000 acres.
===

American evangelicals have complex perspectives on immigration and want a nuanced political response, but most want Congress to act soon.

A Lifeway Research study sponsored by the Evangelical Immigration Table found evangelicals are increasingly concerned about the number of recent immigrants to the U.S. but still believe Christians have a responsibility to care for those who are in the country illegally. While most want to secure the border to prevent additional illegal immigration, evangelicals also advocate for a path to citizenship for those already in the country.
===

Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
===

In the Baptist Press Toolbox, Rick Harrington, a pastor in Massachusetts offers guidance for believers in an election year.

Political ads make it sound like the future is entirely in our hands, as though it’s all up to us as citizens and every election is the most important one in the history of humanity. If the opposing candidate wins, it will be the end of the republic! That is a sure recipe for anxiety, and for roughly half of Americans, a severe disappointment. As spiritual leaders, we ...

 Episode 554

Royalty Rates Push Religious Webcasters Out of Market, Send Relief Partners Persevere in Ukraine & The Value of Keeping Alert

Noncommercial religious broadcasters are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review copyright royalty fees, alleging they favor secular speech over religious expression. In the midst of Ukraine’s ongoing conflict, which has tragically claimed over 10,000 civilian lives, the story of Luba, a woman whose life was shattered by the bombing of her home in Bakhmut, highlights the profound impact of compassion and faith. And, in the midst of Ukraine’s ongoing conflict, which has tragically claimed over 10,000 civilian lives, the story of Luba, a woman whose life was shattered by the bombing of her home in Bakhmut, highlights the profound impact of compassion and faith.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Royalty rates push religious webcasters out of market, asserts SCOTUS appeal

Two years into Russia’s war on Ukraine, Send Relief partners persevere

International Mission Board

Stay awake: The value of keeping alert

Transcript

Noncommercial religious broadcasters are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review copyright royalty fees, alleging they favor secular speech over religious expression.

Religious broadcasters have asked the court to review a July 2023 decision upholding U.S. Copyright Royalty Board royalty rates that in some cases are 18 times higher for religious noncommercial webcasters than for secular National Public Radio (NPR) broadcasters.

At issue are the royalty rates stations must pay copyright owners to stream their songs. Rates are set every five years in statutory licenses the royalty board issues, allowing webcasters to forgo getting separate licenses from individual copyright owners.
===

In the midst of Ukraine’s ongoing conflict, which has tragically claimed over 10,000 civilian lives, the story of Luba, a woman whose life was shattered by the bombing of her home in Bakhmut, highlights the profound impact of compassion and faith.

Luba’s journey from despair to belief in God, thanks to the support of Send Relief partners, underscores the wider narrative of suffering and hope in Ukraine.

Send Relief has completed over 100 projects that have reached 1.9 million people and led to more than 10,000 individuals embracing faith in Christ. The ministry’s efforts, from providing food and hygiene supplies to offering trauma counseling and spiritual support, have not only addressed physical needs but have also fostered spiritual openness and hope amid adversity.

Churches, transformed into beacons of hope, play a pivotal role in this response, demonstrating the power of faith in action. Despite the challenges, including rising living costs and the psychological toll of war, the commitment to aid and inspire hope through Send Relief continues, emphasizing the need for ongoing support and the difference it makes in the lives of many.
===

Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to he...

 Episode 553

ERLC Releases Guide For Gender Confusion, An Answer to Prayer by a Mississippi Church & Essential Resources for Sermon Illustrations

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) has released a practical resource to help churches navigate difficult questions and scenarios surrounding the topic of gender confusion. A Mississippi church, Longview Heights Baptist Church, became the answer to a Romanian pastor’s 30-year prayer for partnership in serving his community. And, preachers and teachers are in regular need of illustrations. They hold the listeners attention and aid in the learning process. Sam Rainer offers a couple of helpful sources to find illustrations.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

ERLC releases practical guide for addressing gender confusion

Mississippi church is answer to Romanian pastor’s 30-year prayer

International Mission Board

5 essential resources for sermon illustrations and why they’re important

Transcript

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) has released a practical resource to help churches navigate difficult questions and scenarios surrounding the topic of gender confusion.

The guide contains a theological framework addressing the topic of gender from a biblical worldview and offers answers to practical scenarios that churches or pastors may face or have faced regarding the topic. The guide also contains links to additional resources on the topic of gender confusion from a variety of Christian sources.

“Nearly one-third of Generation Z (the youngest generation for which we have statistics) identify on the LGBT spectrum. It may have (arguably) taken longer for the sexual revolution to reach our churches, but the time is long gone when we could assume it would pass us by completely,” ethic leader Brent Leatherwood told us.

The resource is available at ERLC.com

===

A Mississippi church, Longview Heights Baptist Church, became the answer to a Romanian pastor’s 30-year prayer for partnership in serving his community. The church’s medical team, led by Jan McMurphy, collaborated with local believers in Romania to provide medical care and share the Gospel. This partnership, initiated by IMB missionary Linda Gray, focused on communities with Roma and Gypsy populations often viewed as outcasts. Their work not only provided essential health services but also opened doors for local pastors to share the Gospel, marking the beginning of a long-term relationship between the church and the Romanian community.
===

Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
===

Preachers and teachers are in regular need of illustrations. They hold the listeners attention and aid in the learning process.
Sam Rainer offers a couple of helpful sources to find illustrations.

Real life. About half of my sermons include a personal illustration, preferably ...

 Episode 552

770 Volunteers For Augusta Serve Tour, White Powder Scare At Mike Johnson’s Church & Signs of Spiritual Neuropathy

While Augusta, Georgia may be known as the home of the PGA Masters tournament…it like most cities…has great needs. An envelope with a suspicious white powder on it found at the Louisiana church membership of U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed no toxicity in field tests, the FBI said Feb. 19. And, Theologian Chuck Lawless is experiencing neuropathy in his feet – that’s a tingling sensation that eventually leads to numbness.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

SBC DIGEST: 770 volunteers for Augusta Serve Tour

No toxicity in white powder found at U.S. House Speaker Johnson’s local church

International Mission Board

7 signs of spiritual neuropathy

Transcript

While Augusta, Georgia may be known as the home of the PGA Masters tournament…it like most cities…has great needs.

Last week more than 750 believers from 65 churches gathered to meet some of those needs.

The activities ranged from revitalizing community spaces and parks to organizing food drives, underscoring Serve Tour’s commitment to serving immediate needs and fostering long-term community development.

Send Relief President Bryant Wright in the event’s opening ceremony. “Together with local churches, we’re addressing immediate needs and laying the groundwork for lasting change in these communities.”

In addition to physical projects, the Serve Tour placed a significant emphasis on addressing food insecurity, a pressing issue in many Augusta neighborhoods. Teams assembled and distributed hundreds of food packages to families, offering sustenance and a connection to local churches.

Local leaders and churches supported the volunteers’ efforts, guiding the projects to ensure that the work aligned with the community’s needs and aspirations.
===

An envelope with a suspicious white powder on it found at the Louisiana church membership of U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed no toxicity in field tests, the FBI said Feb. 19.

Cypress Church in Benton received the letter containing the substance, sparking an investigation by the FBI, and other federal, state and local authorities. Officials evacuated the church and a Louisiana Hazmat unit investigated. No injuries were reported.

As Feb. 19 was a federal holiday, it’s not clear how or when the letter was actually delivered to the church. Neither did authorities reveal whether the letter was addressed to a specific individual.

===

Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
===

Theologian Chuck Lawless is experiencing neuropathy in his feet – that’s a tingling sensation that eventually leads to numbness. He said the disorder has led to him to think about what he calls spiritual neuropathy – a spiritual numbness of sorts. He shares some ind...

 Episode 551

ERLC Releases First State Policy Agenda, Alabama Ruling on Frozen Embryos & Spiritually Gifted for Vital Work

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has released its first state public policy agenda, which examines upcoming pieces of state legislation that are noteworthy. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled last week that frozen embryos are “children” for the purposes of a wrongful death lawsuit. The decision reverses two lower court rulings. And, shadow Christians can feel unimportant and believe their contributions don’t matter, since they and their efforts reside behind the scenes and out of the spotlight.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

ERLC releases its first state policy agenda

Alabama Supreme Court rules frozen embryos are ‘children’

International Mission Board

Bible Study: Spiritually gifted for vital work

Transcript

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) has released its first state public policy agenda, which examines upcoming pieces of state legislation that are noteworthy.

ERLC President Brent Leatherwood spoke to the document’s importance amid the current political landscape.

“With dysfunction dominating Washington, more and more consequential decisions are being made at the state level,” Leatherwood said.

The guide covers legislative issues concerning life, religious liberty, marriage and family and human dignity. It can be found at ERLC.com.
===

The Alabama Supreme Court ruled last week that frozen embryos are “children” for the purposes of a wrongful death lawsuit. The decision reverses two lower court rulings.

The suit involved three couples whose embryos, created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) at a fertility clinic in Mobile, were accidentally destroyed.

The embryos were stored in a cryogenic freezer at the clinic when in December 2020, another patient at the clinic somehow obtained access to the freezer through an unsecured door. The patient removed several embryos, and the subzero temperature of the embryos freeze-burned the patient’s hand. Five embryos dropped to the floor and were destroyed.

Many couples who have trouble conceiving use IVF, a process that combines sperm and egg in a petri dish. The resulting embryos are then either implanted in the woman or frozen. Doctors often create more embryos than necessary to allow for more chances at conception or for future children for the couple. The unused embryos can be stored for years. In this case, the youngest embryo killed had been in storage for four years.
===

Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
===

Shadow Christians can feel unimportant and believe their contributions don’t matter, since they and their efforts reside behind the scenes and out of the spotlight. But in a Lifeway Bible Studay, Jeff Iorg, inc...