Category: News Briefs

Source: Christian Aid, November 11, 2013

As their nation reels from incomprehensible destruction in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, several Philippine ministries are pleading for immediate help and steadfast prayers.

One of the strongest storms in recorded history – with winds reaching upwards of 235 mph – slammed ashore November 8 in the central Philippines. Tens of thousands are feared dead and more than half a million are now homeless.

Entire coastal villages were swept away by giant waves reminiscent of the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. The wide swath of structural destruction across the archipelago has directly affected some 4 million Filipinos.

The city of Tacloban on the island of Leyte was hit particularly hard, where the death toll is expected to rise to thousands.

Recovery efforts will take months, even years, and structural damage has been immense across the central Philippines. However, survival is the most pressing concern now, and water, food, and shelter are critically needed.

“The devastation on the islands is heartbreaking,” said a ministry partner. “We covet your prayers.”

» Read full story.

» Reports of how specific groups are responding to this disaster are too numerous to include here, but see How Churches Can Help without Hurting after Super Typhoon Haiyan (Christianity Today). Learn more about praying for the Philippines (Prayercast) and Muslims in the Philippines (30-days).

Source: Worthy News, October 23, 2013

The Sultan of Brunei has announced the implementation of severe corporeal punishments as his sultanate shifts towards a stricter interpretation of Sharia law, according to The Standard.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah – who first instituted Islamic law in 1966 – said a new Sharia Penal Code would soon be implemented in phases; punishments will now include stoning to death for adultery, severing of limbs for theft, and flogging for the consumption of alcohol.

Currently, Brunei has a dual court system with civil courts based on British law and Sharia courts that were limited to family issues and personal disputes.

» Read full story and a related story (PBS NewsHour), as well as more information about Brunei (Operation World) and how to pray for Brunei (Window International Network).

Source: SAT-7, November 8, 2013

» Read full story. See also recent demographic information about Arab-American Christians (Arab American Institute).

Source: OM News, November 19, 2013

As the woman served the team coffee, an OM team member asked if their family wanted prayer for anything. The woman’s eyes brightened, and with uncommon honesty she explained their struggles.

“We are always working so hard for the harvest,” she said, “but are never seeing the results of our efforts.”

A team from Transform (an outreach to Mediterranean peoples) heard this prayer request as they trekked the villages of Kosovo. For one week in July, 22 believers from around the world set out by foot to deliver Albanian New Testaments house by house.

While they walked, the teams kept their eyes open for opportunities for deeper spiritual conversations and prayer. When this Egyptian family opened their door, the team sensed this was a wider opening for Jesus’ work…

Source: Wycliffe Global Alliance, October 2013

Today, millions more people around the world have access to God’s Word in the language they understand best. God is accomplishing his mission through his power and through partnership.

In this issue: Festival of hope in Iceland, feeling forgotten in Syria, and a move toward freedom in Egypt

• ICELAND: Signs of Revival in Reykjavik
• SYRIA: Christians Feel Forgotten
• EGYPT: A Move Toward Full Religious Freedom
• PAKISTAN: Bringing Hope to Victims
• CHINA: Visit Your Parents – or Else!
• USA: Bhutanese Refugees Spread the Gospel

Source: God Reports, November 1, 2013

It normally takes a lot to move Skúli Barker to tears. But what he witnessed [that] Sunday night in his country…

He’ll be the first to tell you, that simply doesn’t happen in Iceland. “My wife was sobbing next to me,” Skúli said. “And I started to cry. It’s just amazing.”

It started off as a few souls responding at the end of Franklin Graham’s gospel message and before he knew it, throngs were flooding the stage, elbow-to-elbow, hundreds of people packed in, aisles backed up. People wanting to meet Jesus. And willing to say that out loud. Pray that out loud.

Skúli doesn’t want to be overdramatic, mind you, but he’s a native Icelander in his 40s now, and he’s seen the state of Icelandic people when it comes to talking about God or anything spiritual.

“There’s a joke here that we are the ‘frozen chosen,’ ” Skúli said. “But it’s really true. In Iceland, people don’t show their feelings.

“So for Icelanders to come forward to receive Jesus …” Skúli’s voice went silent. His eyes turned red. “It’s just been a real fight here for Christians,” he said. “And this gives us hope.”

» Read full story, or see the original report from the Billy Graham Association, with pictures. The meeting described above was part of a “Festival of Hope” which took place in late September.

Source: Morning Star News, November 5, 2013

Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Selwanos Boutros Alnemeh called it “the most serious and biggest massacre of Christians in Syria in the past two years and a half.”

The October 21 Islamist rebel siege of Sadad, a small town of 15,000 mostly Syriac Orthodox Christians 160 kilometers (95 miles) north of Damascus, left 45 civilians dead, including several women and children. Many were thrown into mass graves, reports the Fides News Agency.

Before Syrian government forces retook Sadad, about 2,500 families had fled and are now living as refugees scattered among the cities of Damascus, Homs, Fayrouza, Zaydal, Maskane, and Al-Fhayle, the archbishop said.

“The churches are damaged and desecrated, deprived of old books and precious furniture. Schools, government buildings, [and] municipal buildings have been destroyed, along with the post office, the hospital, and the clinic,” he told Fides.

» Read full story.

» See also 128-Foot Bronze Jesus Statue Erected in War-torn Syria (Assyrian International News Agency).

Source: Barnabas Aid, November 6, 2013

A 50-member body is amending the 2012 constitution, which was suspended following the removal of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi in July. His Islamist allies had dominated the constitutional assembly and pushed through that code, which threatened basic rights and freedoms and laid the foundations for Egypt to become an Islamic state, against the opposition of liberals and Christians.

A draft of the revised constitution is now being drawn up and has a distinctly more secular character.

Last week, a spokesperson for the constitutional committee said that the majority of members were in favor of absolute religious freedom. His statement followed a debate about whether or not the right should be restricted to the three Abrahamic religions (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism).

The committee also adopted a transitional article that will cancel existing restrictions regulating the building of churches.

» Read full story.

Source: OM News, October 23, 2013

After the September bombings in which hundreds were injured and over 150 lost their lives, OM Pakistan implemented a plan to support those who were particularly in need of help.

A small team visited the area to assess how best to help the community practically and began a series of hospital visits, bringing fruit, listening to the tragic stories of lives damaged by the bombing and praying for individuals.

As the news went out globally of OM Pakistan’s support plan, a number of OM fields pledged financial help, enabling those in the area to begin offering practical help in meeting hospital bills and paying school fees for children.

“We are visiting the people in the hospital every day,” said a team member. “We are praying with them, for them and seeking how we may help them.”

» Read full story.

» See also Scotland Pastor Forgives Mother’s Killer in Pakistan Blasts (BosNewsLife).