LOVES PARK, IL — A unique Christmas program is bringing the gift of hope to thousands of children caught in the devastating wars in Israel and Ukraine. American Christians are supporting the annual Christmas campaign called Immanuel’s Child that will deliver gifts and a “star of hope” to as many as 75,000 needy children this…
GREENSBORO, NC — Packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child is one of the many activities Lela Mae Cummings enjoys in her still-active lifestyle at “98 and a half years old.” Leila Mae Cummings: I’m Leila Mae Cummings , and I’ve lived in the Guilford College area all my life. And I’m at Friends Home Guilford,…
ASHKELON, ISRAEL – Every time the air-raid sirens sound, I have to interrupt my work of sharing the Gospel with my Israeli neighbors and dash to the nearest bomb shelter. For me, there is no more vital task in Israel right now than sharing the hope of the Good News of Jesus Christ as our…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
BARRE VERMONT — Linda Macris praises God for the Samaritan’s Purse volunteers who helped clean up her Barre, Vermont, home after a devastating flood swept through her town. Linda Macris – Homeowner: It was mean. It was mean water that wouldn’t stop. Black, dirty, mean water. And it wiped out our whole street. Everyone. I…
ACAPULCO — Samaritan’s Purse North American Ministries and Disaster Assistance Response Teams are providing hope by giving food and water to residents of Acapulco, Mexico, in the wake of a category 5 hurricane. Hassan Villegas: Acapulco has struggled. It used to be the pinnacle of Mexico. And then once corruption came in and scandals, it…
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…
BARTLESVILLE, OK — Five years ago, the controversial death of American missionary John Chau created an international conversation around modern Christian missions which continues even today with the release of a new National Geographic film about Chau’s life and death called, “The Mission.” The Voice of the Martyrs Spokesperson Todd Nettleton screened the documentary and…
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…
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…
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…
HONDURAS — Ivanna, a 12-year-old girl in Honduras, shares how receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift gave her hope and introduced her to Christ’s love.
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…
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…
POLAND — An Operation Christmas Child volunteer in Poland started a Christian club for children who wanted to continue to meet for Bible study after they received shoebox gifts and graduated from The Greatest Journey. Wiestawa Szymczak – Volunteer: One day God laid it in my heart that if the children come to know Him…
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…
CHICAGO — As Israel’s war with Hamas continues to intensify, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) announced this week the immediate release of 20 million shekels (more than $5 million) to be distributed to support those in need. Since the war began, The Fellowship has been actively working with partner organizations, the…
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…
PERU — Marleny was without support for her daughter Gaudalupe, who lives with disabilities. Running out of hope, Marleny had nowhere to turn for help in Peru. That’s when Jesus came in… A neighbor visited Marleny and told her about Jesus. The Good News strengthened Marleny to keep going, and she joined a local church….
MIDDLE EAST — As the war in the Middle East intensifies and the region faces a devastating surge of violence, Help The Persecuted is on the ground as their teams minister to those fleeing into Lebanon. Neighboring Israel and Syria, Lebanon is the most open country in the Middle East to Christianity. Many persecuted believers…
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…
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,…
PAKISTAN — Journey into the heart of Pakistan’s brick kilns, where resilient Christians labor under the harsh sun and the heavy yoke of modern slavery in the form of bonded servitude. This is more than a look into the world of brick-making, it’s a glimpse into the lives and faith of our brothers and sisters…
MOROCCO — Just after the Morocco earthquake killed thousands of people and left hundreds of thousands more homeless Christian charity Help The Persecuted sent their team to some of the most hardest to reach communities to provide practical and spiritual support.
ESSEN — Approximately 260 churches from seven major denominations supported the Festival of Hope, and even communities from Bremen and Hamburg arrived in Essen with numerous buses. The turnout was so large that many people had to be turned away at the door because there were no more seats available. “Your soul is worth more…
PERRY, FLORIDA — Liberty University leaders and students served with Samaritan’s Purse and Edward Graham in Florida today to help homeowners suffering after Hurricane Idalia. Edward Graham – Chief Operating Officer, Samaritan’s Purse: So today I’ve been out here with LU-SIN in Taylor County, Florida, where a hurricane has come through here recently and devastated…
COLOMBIA — At the age of 10, Luis survived an attack by the FARC on his village in one of the “red zones” of Colombia. After accepting Christ at the age of 13, he knew that God was calling him to serve villages like his own. This is a report from The Voice of the…
LOVES PARK, IL — Churches in Ukraine are using portable solar-powered “survival systems” to bring relief and hope to those without electricity as drones relentlessly target the nation’s power grid. Illinois-based Slavic Gospel Association (SGA, www.sga.org) — an evangelical mission that has been supporting local churches in the region for decades — has supplied 40…
NAIROBI, KENYA — In a massive effort to share hope with hundreds of thousands around Kenya, the Luis Palau Association partnered with more than 2,000 churches from every denomination to put on the Love Nairobi Festival. This free evangelistic festival, featuring live music, action sports, and fun for the whole family, aimed to unite churches…
ETHIOPIA — After Lalise’s husband was killed in 2012, Open Doors shared her story and asked believers to pray. When Melanie from Germany heard about Lalise, she began to pray for her every day – and didn’t stop shedding tears for ten years. Open Doors Prayer News 298 (September-October 2023) Lalise and Dabela had been…
COLORADO SPRINGS— Loren Cunningham, Founder of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), died at 88 on Saturday October 7 in his sleep at home in Kona, Hawaii. He is survived by his wife, Darlene, daughter Karen, son David and Judy Cunningham, and three grandchildren, Madi, Kenna, and Liam. This video looks back on his remarkable life….
CHARLOTTE, NC — Over two consecutive weekends in September, evangelist Will Graham shared the Gospel with a total of 23,239 people in the cities of Curitiba, Brazil, and Idaho Falls, Idaho. The back-to-back events in South and North America resulted in 1,729 people embracing hope and beginning a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. Esperança Curitiba…
BEVERLY HILLS, CA — A remarkable evening unfolded on September 21 as The Salvation Army Southern California proudly hosted the prestigious 2023 Finding A Way Gala. Sponsored by Payden & Rygel, the event drew an array of renowned celebrities, including the likes of retired NBA star Olden Polynice, Annalynne McCord, Erica Ash, and Tisha Campbell,…
