SHAWNEE, OKLAHOMA — Neil and Zana, married for 48 years, had always wanted to serve together. Once they retired, they discovered that volunteering with Samaritan’s Purse on disaster relief deployments was a perfect match for them.The couple recently served in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to help bring relief to heartbroken homeowners whose properties were badly damaged when…
ORLANDO, FL — Paul Eshleman, best known for leading JESUS to become the most-translated film of all time, passed away the evening of Wednesday, May 24, in Southern California. He was 80 years old. Eshleman’s life was driven by the desire for everyone—everywhere—to hear the message of Christ. A graduate of Michigan State University with…
KYIV, UKRAINE — The war between Ukraine and Russia does not prevent this congregation from joyfully celebrating the biblical festival of Purim. Celebrating joy and happiness is one of the commandments of Purim. This year, the Jewish-Messianic congregation of Kiev celebrated the biblical feast for the second time in the course of the war on…
WASHINGTON — A new Baylor University study provides evidence of the virtuous effects of religion on mental health among prisoners, affirming the mission of Prison Fellowship International (PFI) in-prison program, The Prisoner’s Journey® (TPJ). “This study confirms what we have believed for a long time,” said David Van Patten, Chief Operating Officer of PFI. “That…
LOVES PARK, IL — A one-of-a-kind podcast featuring inspiring stories from Ukraine, Russia, former Soviet countries and Israel will give Americans the hope they’re looking for, its producers say. “We’re delivering an entirely new type of podcast,” said Michael Johnson, president of Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org) that produces “Encountering Hope – The Podcast.” “They’re…
NIGERIA — In the 2014 Nigeria kidnappings, Boko Haram kidnapped over 270 girls from their school in Chibok in northern Nigeria. Nine years on, nearly 100 girls are still missing, and their parents are in agony. Open Doors speaks to those mothers and fathers as they continue to deal with the trauma of their children…
WILLS POINT, TX — A new three-month campaign aims to help some of the poorest families in Africa and Asia “sew their way out of poverty” — one stitch at a time. Texas-based mission GFA World’s “Sewing Their Way Out of Poverty” campaign aims to provide 500 new sewing machines and vocational training for 500…
NEW YORK — Christian pastor and author Timothy J. Keller died this morning at age 72. Timothy Keller was the son of William B. Keller and Louise A. Clemente Keller. He was born and grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, receiving his B.A. from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, his M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Seminary in S….
EUROPE — Over the past seven years Sports Chaplaincy UK has more than trebled the amount of people they have serving in the sports community across the country. GNA reporter Peter Wooding caught up with their chaplain at Chester Football Club Guy Lister. Each week a rapidly growing number of Christian chaplains faithfully minister behind…
NIGERIA — This month, Leah Sharibu from Nigeria turns 20. Her teenage years were spent mostly in captivity after bravely refusing to renounce Jesus after she was among more than 100 girls kidnapped in February 2018. Open Doors caught up with her mother, Rebecca, to find out how she and her husband are doing as…
ORLANDO, FL — Christ for all Nations (CfaN) has just completed a landmark campaign, making history in mass evangelism. Over the past two weeks, the trailblazing ministry, led by Daniel Kolenda, has conducted 11 mass evangelistic campaigns in 11 different cities and districts across the nation of Zambia. These campaigns lasted 5 nights in each…
BOGOTÁ — In Colombia, the “March for Life” was held, which reaffirms the country’s friendship with the Jewish people and rejects any type of anti-Semitism. Thousands of people attended this event, which took place in Bolivar Square. The March of Life began in 2007 when grandchildren of the authors of the Holocaust against the Jewish…
NORMAN OK — A crowd of approximately 16,000 people converged on Oklahoma Memorial Stadium April 29 for “Fill the Stadium” (FTS). This Christian outreach included award-winning recording artists Chance the Rapper, Kari Jobe, and Chandler Moore and a message from Evangelist Nick Hall. The first-of-its-kind student-led event successfully reached a total of 50,000, including nearly…
ALBANIA — Christian leaders from 30 countries across Europe gathered in Albania recently for a conference to be equipped, inspired and pray for a move of God across the continent. GNA reporter Peter Wooding was there to find out more about the impact of this event. More than 120 believers who head up various ministries…
NORTHERN IRAQ — Sharo and Alex Ahmedi with Hope For Communities share how they are helping some of the most marginalized people and children in the Kurdish region of Northern Iraq. In partnership with the Christian children’s charity CRY they are teaching young people English and empowering them with life skills. Sharo & Alexis Ahmedi:…
LOVES PARK, IL — The Ukraine war and growing desperation in hard times are driving a surge in the number of children expected to flock to Bible camps this summer across the former Soviet Union, a region once steeped in atheism. Amid fears the Ukraine conflict could escalate at any moment, Illinois-based Slavic Gospel Association…
GRAND GEDEH, LIBERIA — Samaritan’s Purse is helping mothers and children in Liberia where malnutrition and infant mortality rates are high by providing access to safe delivery rooms and critical maternal healthcare training. Daniel Ruiz – Samaritan’s Purse: The needs for mother and children across Liberia are many. Malnutrition rates are high. Maternal and infant…
COLUMBIA — Like many of the youth in Colombia, Reina* was recruited to the illegal armed groups who fight to gain and control territory for drug trafficking and other criminal activities. Now according to Open Doors in her forties, Reina has found faith in Christ and left her old way of a criminal life behind….
HOUSTON — On Saturday, April 29, churches and parachurch organizations from across the region descended on metro Houston to lend a helping hand to neighbors enduring varying levels of hardship. In partnership with Love Has No Limits (LHNL) for 1DayHouston, CityServe International resourced 96 local churches so they can provide tangible support as part of…
UKRAINE — A new report from the Institute for the Study of War claims Russia is ‘weaponizing religion’ in its conflict with Ukraine. It says Russia is persecuting churches in the occupied areas. Here’s Andrew Boyd from Release International. The report says Russian forces have closed or taken over 76 places of worship, looted or…
SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Thursday, May 4, was America’s National Day of Prayer, a day when people of faith united to lift up pleas and intercessions before Almighty God on behalf of the nation. For nearly 22 years, The Presidential Prayer Team has actively encouraged prayer for the United States and those who are in positions…
ORLANDO, FL — Christ for All Nations (CfaN) has just completed an unprecedented week of coordinated events across Zambia. Over a two-week period, the trailblazing evangelistic ministry led by Daniel Kolenda will conduct large-scale evangelistic events in 11 different cities and districts throughout Zambia. This campaign marks a new milestone in the history of missionary…
NAPLES, FL — Biglife, a non-profit that empowers indigenous Christians to reach and disciple their local communities, has identified over 600 families — 8,500+ individuals, 80% of whom are women and children — under death threat by the Taliban because of their faith. Biglife aims to raise $4.5 million to secure the evacuation of these…
TURKEY — Samaritan’s Purse has distributed over 3,500 tents and hygiene kits to families in Turkey whose homes were badly damaged or destroyed when devastating earthquakes struck the region. Fatma Daglen – Beneficiary: Life is very hard for us right now because most of Hatay has been destroyed in the earthquake. The working conditions have…
COLOMBIA — The Church Casa Sobre la Roca visited the women’s prison in the city of Armenia, Columbia, in alliance with the Colombian Prison Fraternity that supports people deprived of their freedom, the families of inmates, graduates of prisons, and victims of the Colombian armed conflict through various programs inside and outside prisons. Casa sobre…
IRPIN, UKRAINE — On the second day of their mobile dental clinic the team from Kyiv Jewish Messianic Congregation had already treated 27 patients in Irpin, an area near Kyiv badly hit by the war. Dentist: This is the 2nd day of our mobile dental clinic field trip. In total, 27 people received treatment. Each…
SENEGAL, WEST AFRICA — It’s every parent’s joy to see their baby take their first steps. But for Binti and Ibrahima in Senegal, something troubled them about their daughter, Sira. She struggled to walk and stand. When Sira was six, her legs had bowed outwards.Her parents prayed for healing. One day, they heard of Mercy…
KOMANDA — Violence is continuing to displace Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo – but believers have not been forgotten. Thanks to the charity Open Doors displaced Christians in Komanda have received food and other relief aid. Man: It’s clear that the displaced people suffer enormously. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, ADF, an…
UKRAINE — Since the war began Russia has targeted faith-based locations all over Ukraine. Pastors have been killed. Ukraine Churches have been emptied because Ukrainians are fleeing for their lives. But the church is growing. According to Mission Eurasia there were 4,000 baptisms in 2022 in the Union of Evangelical Christians – Baptists alone, and…
ROLLING FORK, MISSISSIPPI — Samaritan’s Purse volunteers in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, are helping clean up properties after a fierce tornado swept through the area and damaged or destroyed homes. But mainly they are “loving on homeowners” as one volunteer said and sharing with them the hope of Christ. Daniel Gerardo – Volunteer: I’m Daniel with…
AFGHANISTAN — After the takeover of the country by the Taliban, Afghan Christians share their reality and needs. On August 15, 2021, the Taliban reached the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul, in the final step towards complete military takeover of the country. Later that month, the US military forces withdrew from the country, and the nation…
NORTHERN IRAQ — In 2014 when ISIS entered Mosul persecuted Iraqi Christian Namir was forced to flee the city with his family and seek safety in Northern Iraq in Erbil. But he struggled to earn a living to feed his family until he received help from Christian charity Help The Persecuted to start up his…
SOUTH EAST ASIA — Jade* is an Open Doors worker who supports Muslim-background believers in a country in south east Asia. Tragically, she lost her fiancé in an attack on a church. But despite the tragedy, it’s because of his example that Jade herself came to enter the ministry. *Name changed for security reasons Jade…
UKRAINE —Samaritan’s Purse is providing warming centers in Ukraine where people can come to get warm, gain access to news, charge their phones, eat a hot meal, and find shelter during bombings. Ryan Lane – Samaritan’s Purse: Samaritan’s Purse is here in southeastern Ukraine, and indeed, all across the country, setting up warming centers like…
COLOMBIA — Christian music is a powerful tool for strengthening the faith of young evangelicals and conveying a message of love and hope. Recognized Christian musicians emphasize its positive impact on the spiritual life of young people. Christian music has become an important part of the lives of many evangelical young people. Young people are…
USA — Dr. Charles Stanley received the call to ministry at the age of fourteen. He passed away April 18th at the age of ninety. In his 65 years as a minister of the gospel, Dr Stanley served as a pastor, author, Bible teacher, and international Christian broadcaster through “In Touch Ministries”. In 65 years…
LONDON — Naz is a young Londoner who was angry, depressed and felt empty. He was among the 50% who don’t know a Christian. But thanks to the Body and Soul gym outreach at Word of Life Church in London, Naz gave his life to the Lord and now attends church twice a week, has…
WASHINGTON — Women and girls worldwide face compound persecution and discrimination due to their religion or belief. Yet, until today there has been no global landscape analysis of the state of women and freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). FoRB Women’s Alliance’s Women At the Table: Accelerating FoRB Capacity is the first such global exploration…
LATIN AMERICA — In recent years, the Evangelical Church has experienced significant growth in Latin America, transforming the religious and social landscape of the region. The increase in the number of evangelicals has been notable in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina, and has sparked the interest of experts and scholars. In the…
COLOMBIA — María Alejandra, a Venezuelan migrant, praises God for her new community in Colombia and for the physical and spiritual help that the Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse has provided to her family and neighbors. María Alejandra: They are my two daughters. They are my reason to live, and because of them, I keep going….
UKRAINE — Throughout the war in Ukraine, Great Commission Media Ministries has coordinated the evacuating of many children and families from some of the worst-hit parts of the East of the country. Here’s just one story of how Hannu Haukka and his team rescued Andrei’s family and many others from near Mariupol and brought them…
NORMAN OK — Revival is set to continue through a major stadium event to take place on Saturday, April 29 at the University of Oklahoma (OU) in Norman, Oklahoma OU students Josh Robinson and Nathan Wong started praying for revival many months ago. They formed a core team that has now grown to over 150…
AFGHANISTAN — Sitara* was already studying in a different country when the Taliban forcibly took control of Afghanistan in August 2021. Here she shares what life is like for the women who remain in Afghanistan. *Name changed for security reasons. Sitara* – Afghanistan Christian: Taliban took Afghanistan and everything changed, like the days changed to…
ROLLING FORK, MISSISSIPPI — Becky Myles praises God for the Samaritan’s Purse volunteers in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, who cleaned up debris on her property and searched for precious keepsakes after her house was destroyed by a tornado. Becky Myles – Homeowner: You hear all the potential of a tornado, but you never really think a…
ATLANTA — The death has been announced of George Verwer, who founded the global Christian mission agency, Operation Mobilization, and directed it for 45 years. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side at his home near London, England, the evening of April 14. He was 84 years old. Verwer was born in…
WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World) founded by K.P. Yohannan, which inspired numerous charities like Gospel for Asia Canada, to assist the poor and deprived worldwide, discussing Kylan and his village’s struggle with unclean water, and the access to clean water through newly installed GFA World Jesus Wells. Ten times each day,…
ROLLING FORK, MISSISSIPPI — Samaritan’s Purse has staff members and a Disaster Relief Unit in the Rolling Fork/Silver City area of Mississippi to help hurting homeowners in the wake of a devastating EF-4 tornado. Serving as the hands and feet of Jesus, they will cut up trees, tarp roofs, and sift through debris. Shannon Daley…
ROMANIA — Christian business leaders can play an important role in transforming society and spreading the gospel. They need to understand how God can use their organizations to share His Word so that communities and people are changed. This was the purpose of the meeting organized in Bucharest by BAM Romania, which brought together international…
TURKEY — Samaritan’s Purse is installing hygiene containers in Turkey, each complete with three showers, three toilets, and sinks. These facilities will be maintained for up to a year through their partnerships in Turkey. Reg Smallwood – Samaritan’s Purse: I’m here with Samaritan’s Purse in Antakya, Turkey, formerly called Antioch. What I’ve noticed around here…
NASHVILLE — No child, no matter where they live, should have to face hunger and malnutrition. Unfortunately this is the tragic reality for millions of children around the world. In just two years, food insecurity has doubled to affect 276 million people. In 2021, 22% of children under age five experienced stunted development from malnutrition…
