EASTON, MD — Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, has canceled its traditional Christmas celebrations, a move that spotlights the challenges Christians in the Middle East face this festive season. Amid the suffering caused by the Israel-Hamas war, Bethlehem’s leaders reportedly feel it’s inappropriate to hold festivities, and the town’s Christian elders agree. It’s a difficult…
SENEGAL —“I have never had hope that one day I would be healed.” Samba carried this outlook about his cleft lip until the medical vessel the Global Mercy Ships came to Senegal. He admitted, “I wasn’t happy I was born like that,” but without access to affordable surgical care, he couldn’t imagine a different future….
CHARLOTTE, NC — Each year, thousands of people from across the Carolinas and the Southeast visit the Billy Graham Library to experience Christmas at the Library. The Christ-centered festivities have become an annual Christmas tradition for many, with more than 500,000 visitors experiencing this seasonal celebration since 2008. The 16th annual Christmas at the Library…
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — This past weekend, nearly half of the NFL’s punters were slated to participate in “Punts for Purpose,” a charitable-giving initiative designed specifically for punters. After funding two child development centers and traveling to Tanzania to see the work of child development organization Compassion International, Bradley Pinion (Atlanta Falcons) and his wife,…
UK — More than 42,000 Christians from more than 360 UK churches are taking to the streets December 16-17 in various Christmas Shine Your Light outreach events with the sole purpose to share that Jesus is the reason for the season. Dr. Jonathan Oleyede – National Day of Prayer and Worship: This Christmas the whole…
VIETNAM — Vietnamese Pastor Zoong Tee Tie — also known as Mrs. Ly — helped start Vietnam’s house church movement. Lucille Talusan of CBN News, brings us the story from Hanoi. Although Christians still face persecution in communist Vietnam, churches thrive because leaders endured suffering to spread the gospel. That includes 95-yr-old, pastor Zoong Tee…
CHARLOTTE, NC — As we commemorate the birth of Jesus, Evangelist Will Graham has recorded his fourth annual online Christmas program for release this weekend. Featuring award-winning musical guest Natalie Grant, the special will focus on the gift of Christ, and the hope of salvation that can be found in Him today. Joy to the…
LOS ANGELES — Thousands of homeless and underprivileged children in Los Angeles are set to experience the magic of Christmas at one of the biggest Christmas celebrations in the city on Saturday, December 16th, 2023. Generously donated by compassionate individuals, over 7,000 new toys will bring smiles to the faces of approximately 2,000 children in…
BOONE, NC — Today, Samaritan’s Purse has deployed disaster response specialists to Tennessee and pre-positioned two Disaster Relief Units—tractor-trailers stocked with tools and equipment—in the wake of deadly tornadoes that struck multiple communities on Saturday. The catastrophic storms have killed at least six people with search and rescue efforts underway. Many homes have been damaged…
CHARLOTTE, NC — The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying to two locations in central Tennessee after tornadoes tore through the area, killing six people and injuring dozens more. Two children are among those killed in the storm that ravaged parts of Tennessee and Kentucky – a storm that spawned at least 22…
BAKERSFIELD, CA — CityServe’s disaster-relief operations is mobilizing its national church-based network to render aid and support for those hit by the devastating tornadoes that struck Tennessee on Saturday. The first semi-truck filled with emergency supplies such as water, clothes, toiletries, and medical supplies will be leaving for Clarksville Tuesday morning from CityServe Oklahoma’s distribution…
SOUTH UKRAINE — In November 2022 Kherson in South Ukraine hit the news when it was liberated after the Russian occupation. A year later families living in a nearby village are rebuilding their lives in South Ukraine thanks to support from Christian charities like Mercy Projects More than a year after this village near Rson…
NIGERIA — New reports highlight the growing kidnapping crisis in Nigeria, where Christians are regarded as soft targets for abduction. Release International is calling on Nigeria to protect vulnerable Christian communities. Andrew Boyd has the details. New reports confirm that Christians are being targeted for kidnap and ransom in Nigeria, sometimes by bandits hungry for…
UGANDA — After Waswa’s* mother was poisoned by relatives because of her decision to follow Jesus, Waswa and his siblings became orphans. But after receiving care and support from local Open Doors partners, Waswa now runs an orphanage in Uganda, caring for many isolated children in his community and sharing his faith with them. When…
RIO DE JANEIRO — The humanitarian organization, Joni and Friends, aims to provide wheelchairs in Rio de Janeiro to respond to Jesus’ mandate in Luke 14: “…bring the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame…so that my house will be full.” Katie Oliver – Wheels for the World: Over 40 million people live in…
PHOENIX — Grand Canyon University’s CityServe has reached a major milestone, having supplied over $10 million in household goods and necessities to more than 30,000 Arizona families, including nearly 32,000 children, in the past two years. GCU CityServe was formed in 2021 after the University partnered with CityServe and its collaborative network of faith-based nonprofits,…
ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Salvation Army, the nation’s largest private provider of social services, is asking the public for support this Giving Tuesday and throughout December. The organization, which has a presence in nearly every ZIP code in the country, relies on donations from the public to support life-changing programs for nearly 24 million people…
WILLS POINT, TX — Can a chicken really change someone’s life? It’s happening all around the globe, according to mission agency GFA World (www.gfa.org). The Texas-based organization has launched its annual Christmas “Chickens & Goats” campaign on WAY-FM Radio — an opportunity for people to buy life-changing gifts, such as chickens and goats, for families…
NICARAGUA — The evangelism campaign is reaching so many people that organizers are hoping to cover the entire nation by the end of next year. Mark martin of CBN News offers this report. A surprising series of mass evangelism meetings is shaking the central American country of Nicaragua. The campaign is reaching so many people…
LANDOVER, MD — Giant Food, the leading greater Washington, D.C. regional grocery chain, announced its annual holiday turkey donations. In partnership with Shady Brook Farms®, Giant Food will be donating 11,000 turkeys to its local Feeding America® food banks partners as well as local organizations including Martha’s Table, Men Aiming Higher, THEARC: Building Bridges Across…
WASHINGTON — Renowned pastor, author, and evangelist Greg Laurie was this year’s esteemed recipient of the Museum of the Bible’s Narrative Pillar Award. The prestigious Pillar Award was conferred to individuals recognized for their unrelenting commitment to engage the world with Biblical truths during the Museum of the Bible’s 2023 Gala & Experience. The Museum…
GOSHEN, IN — Reverend Brian Kamwendo, the Presidential Advisor on Religions Affairs in the African nation of Malawi, held a press conference at First Baptist Church Elkhart on Thursday, November 16, 2023. He was speaking on how Malawi is experiencing the fruit of repentance, the beginnings of which can be traced back to reviveINDIANA in…
SOUTH EAST ASIA — In Pastor Yohannes’* community, Christian children can face discrimination at school, like Ermias’ twin boys, Fasil and Ezana. But thanks to your prayers and support, they now attend a bridge school, run by Open Doors partners – and it’s helping to unite a divided community. Pastor Yohannes*: This area is an…
ISRAEL — Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham traveled to Israel and saw areas devastated by Hamas massacre in October. Samaritan’s Purse is helping displaced survivors with food and other relief and also providing 21 new ambulances to Magen David Adom, Israel’s medical emergency system. Franklin Graham – President & CEO, Samaritan’s Purse: Terrorists came, shot…
SOUTH EAST ASIA — Abraham* came to follow Jesus, encouraged by Eti*, the Christian woman he would later marry. But Abraham’s family were about to face persecution in south east Asia, until he was saved by a miracle. Abraham* – South east Asia: I was born and grew up in a Muslim home and all…
BOONE, NC — When Hamas attacked Israel in early October, Samaritan’s Purse immediately deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team. Now, the international Christian relief organization is supporting church partners—meeting the emergency needs of innocent civilians who are suffering as a result of the war. Samaritan’s Purse has committed to providing Magen David Adom with fourteen…
PANAMA — A turbulent crisis is shaking the Republic of Panama. Labor strikes, school closures, and roadblocks have paralyzed the nation. The Republic of Panama has been paralyzed for more than three weeks by labor strikes, closed schools and roadblocks throughout the national territory. “Panamanians, I believe in democracy and as president, I understand the…
MADAGASCAR — Each week a team of local volunteers in North Wales in the UK tirelessly gives of their time to convert YWAM’s latest vessel into a medical ship. They’ve set themselves the goal to have the Island Reach ship ready to set sail for Madagascar in April 2024 for its first medical mission. Dedicated…
ROME, ITALY — More than 10,000 people from all around Italy attended the Noi Festival in the Palazzo dello Sport—Roma to hear a message from Franklin Graham. More than 500 people responded to the evangelist’s invitation to receive Jesus Christ, during this historic outreach, the first of its kind in Rome. When I saw that…
CHARLOTTE, NC — The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is responding to a mass shooting that happened Wednesday night in Lewiston, Maine. Police say at least 18 people are dead and 13 more are wounded. Police report the shooting took place at two locations in Lewiston, which is just north of Portland. “The tragic…
BOONE, NC — Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization, responded to Hurricane Otis after the deadly storm destroyed homes, businesses, and livelihoods. The Category 5 hurricane rapidly intensified from a tropical storm over a 24-hour period—catching the town of Acapulco completely off guard. Today, Samaritan’s Purse airlifted more than 19 tons of emergency relief…
COVENTRY — A warehouse in Coventry has been transformed into a new state-of-the-art headquarters for an international Christian relief organisation whose projects include a large-scale disaster response in Ukraine and a well-known Christmas initiative for children in need called Operation Christmas Child. Relocating from London, the humanitarian charity is moving their offices and operations to…
IRAN — The upsurge in violence in the Middle East has led to claims that Iran has been active behind the scenes in supporting the Hamas group that attacked Israel. A new report also accuses Iran of putting pressure on Christians to keep away from the country’s hijab protests. It warns that Christians who are…
BRAZIL — Evangelical churches in Brazil grew by 543 percent in 20 years. In 2019 alone, 17 new churches were opened every day, according to a survey by the University of Sao Paulo. Evangelicals could become the majority in the coming years. In 1990, there were 7,033 evangelical churches in the country. In 2019, the…
BRAZIL — Joni and Friends aims to provide wheelchairs to respond to Jesus’s command in Luke 14 to “Go out quickly…and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame…so that my house will be full.” Their Wheels for the World program is just one of the ways they seek to answer that…
CENTRAL ASIA — A journey along the ancient Silk Road in Central Asia. Experience the rich culture and traditions that define Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, while maintaining a balance between ethnic diversity and the unity fostered by their authoritarian regimes, Muslim traditions, and strong family bonds. Immerse yourself in the moving stories of…
ORLANDO, FL — Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, is working with churches and translation partners to print and distribute newly translated Scripture. In one village in Southern Africa, the Wycliffe Associates team distributed the first-ever New Testaments in the…
WILLS POINT, TX — A U.S.-based global mission agency says several of its partner churches were left “broken” by a devastating earthquake that struck remote Western Nepal Nov. 3, killing more than 150 people. “We have also lost cherished members of our church family in this heart-wrenching tragedy,” said K.P. Yohannan (Metropolitan Yohan), founder of…
LEWISTON, MAINE — Following the mass shooting that claimed 18 lives in Maine a team of chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team quickly deployed to provide spiritual and emotional support to this devastated community. BG-RRT chaplains are now helping in six locations. The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team is responding to a mass…
CHARLOTTE, NC — The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is deploying to Mexico after Hurricane Otis, a category 5 storm, slammed into Mexico’s southern Pacific coast last week. The hurricane claimed the lives of at least 48 people and resulted in widespread property damage, including more than 200,000 homes. “Our thoughts and prayers are…
PLANO, TX — In the new White Chair Film released by global storytelling organization I Am Second, Cuban-born immigrant and Dallas-area megachurch pastor Gilberto Corredera shares about his surprising transformation, the difficult transition of moving his family to America and how his dreams ultimately came true. Growing up during the hardships of Cuban communism, a…
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Yesterday, during Belmont University’s annual Hope Summit event, child development organization Compassion International and Belmont Innovation Labs announced a new partnership to pilot Impact Teams, groups of expert volunteers and mentors who will come alongside social innovators dedicated to addressing the world’s most formidable challenges. Impact Teams are designed to work…
ARMENIA — A Samaritan’s Purse medical team is caring for burned patients in an explosion while fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh. They are are sharing by word and deed that Jesus cares and has not forgotten them. Peter Holz – Samaritan’s Purse: Samaritan’s Purse has arrived in Armenia. We are treating patients with severe burns to them from…
LOVES PARK, IL — Jewish Christians in Israel, including Russian-speaking immigrants who’ve fled the war in Ukraine, are delivering aid to traumatized Israeli families, even as rockets continue to rain down. Hamas continues to fire rockets at the Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon, where many frightened families are huddled in bomb shelters. Partnering with Illinois-based…
LAHAINA, HAWAII — Volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse are sifting through the ashes of properties, helping homeowners in the Maui community devastated by wildfires. Todd Taylor – Samaritan’s Purse: Here in Lahaina, the catastrophic wildfire blew through this area. It devastated everything in its path. The whole way from the mountains out to the sea. Buildings,…
BARTLESVILLE, OK — The Voice of the Martyrs has released a new short feature film about a Nepali boy’s journey from life in a Buddhist monastery to finding new hope in Christ. Sejun: Nepal will inspire viewers to join in the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians (IDOP)—a global prayer movement on Sunday, Nov….
ARMENIA — Samaritan’s Purse is providing emergency relief supplies, including hygiene kits, bedding, blankets, school supplies, and more, in Armenia to displaced families fleeing violent conflict in their homeland. Susan Pineda – Samaritan’s Purse: We are here with Samaritan’s Purse in Armenia responding to the crisis of people that have been displaced due to the…
PASADENA, CA — TENX10, a collaborative discipleship initiative, is calling on Christian faith leaders from all denominations and faith traditions to join them in supporting the young and faithful. Their mission – to make faith matter more for a generation that is leaving the faith at the alarming rate of over 1 million young people…
NORTH KOREA — In North Korea, saying the word “Jesus” can be a death sentence. Hea-woo is a persecuted Christian, one of the prisoners in North Korea. Although her mother was a Christian, she only heard about Jesus through her husband. To maintain her faith, the Christian fled to China, but there she was discovered…
EASTON, MD — As a young girl, Christina Issa found a way to block out the horror of war raging in her homeland of Syria — by watching a faith-based television channel for kids, broadcast in her native Arabic. She never dreamed that a few years later she’d be a presenter on the same channel,…
