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…
OKLAHOMA CITY — This year, daily Bible use and installs of the YouVersion Family of Apps, which includes Bible App, Bible App Lite, and Bible App for Kids, increased at higher rates than ever before. Throughout this record-breaking year, the verse that the global YouVersion Community engaged with most was: “So do not fear, 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,…
NASHVILLE, TN — Celebrating 40 years of ministry, Mercy Multiplied—a vision birthed when Founder and President Nancy Alcorn launched a single residential home in 1983 to share the hope of Christ with women in need—has now grown to include six locations throughout the United States and abroad. In addition to the Residential Programs, the ministry’s…
LANCASTER, PA — For nearly three decades, audiences have flocked to Sight & Sound Theatres to experience MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS live on stage. With their 2023 season completely sold out in Lancaster, the theater company is thrilled to host a special holiday streaming event for audiences worldwide on Sight & Sound TV December 1-3. Known…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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….
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 throughout…
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…
ASHEVILLE, NC — The Light FM, operated by Blue Ridge Broadcasting (BRB), celebrated a monumental occasion on Thursday, Oct. 12, with the dedication of their WMIT transmitter site near Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina as the “Munn Communications Facility.” A ceremony took place in memory of the late E. Harold Munn, Jr., who served as a long-time…
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….
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…
BAKERSFIELD, CA — In the fight against terror, CityServe International is making clear that help is on the way for the people of Israel. That’s the message from CityServe International, the global church-based humanitarian network headquartered in Bakersfield, California. CityServe International and its CityServe Israel affiliate announced the kickoff Monday of “Operation: Save Israel,” a…
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…
UNITED STATES — In response to the spiritual war that has occurred in recent years in children’s content, a pastor from the United States has created “The Galactic Adventures of Captain Zepto,” a series of comics that aim to preserve the innocence of children and convey moral and biblical values. Pastor Han Kuhneman of Omaha,…
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….
NASHVILLE — With the success of ROUTE 60: THE BIBLICAL HIGHWAY’S two day theatrical release, TBN and Fathom Events announce the extension of the film in theaters through September 21. This film follows ambassador, David Friedman, and secretary, Mike Pompeo, on their trek through Route 60 in Israel. “It’s wonderful to see the overwhelmingly positive…
WILLS POINT, TX — Mission agency GFA World (www.gfa.org) has launched an appeal to help thousands of “ostracized widows” around the globe at risk of starvation and abuse after being abandoned by their family and neighbors. “Millions of widows live in societies where they are blamed for their husband’s death, regardless of the illness, accident…
ROME — Franklin Graham is returning to Italy one year after his historic festival in Milan broke attendance records at the city’s largest indoor venue, the Mediolanum Forum, where 13,000 people packed into the arena. This November, Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) are returning to Italy and working with Christians from…
CHARLOTTE, NC — The Billy Graham Library will host a family-friendly, Biblically-focused Hispanic Heritage Celebration Day on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month. The day will include indoor and outdoor activities, guided Journey of Faith tours in Spanish, kids’ craft, and discounts in Ruth’s Attic bookstore –…
WASHINGTON — Focus on the Family established October Pastor Appreciation Month nearly 30 years ago in 1994. The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) has continued this tradition in the past five years through its Bless Your Pastor Program campaign. This grant-funded Easy as 1-2-3 program helps churches encourage and equip Christians to tangibly show and…
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Compassion International, a leading child development organization, is excited to announce the launch of its new “Hope Starts Here“ experience. Buoyed by compelling personal stories, “Hope Starts Here” is an immersive experience, transporting visitors to vulnerable communities where Compassion works. This free, family-friendly event is designed to inspire compassion and action…
EAST AFRICA — For years, Worke*, a Christian convert in East Africa, outwardly acted like a Muslim while secretly holding onto Jesus in her heart. But after her husband died of an illness, she openly embraced her faith in Christ – and his family strongly opposed it. *Name changed for security reasons Worke from East…
LOVES PARK, IL — The war in Ukraine has caused a dramatic surge in the number of “social orphans,” according to a U.S.-based organization responding to an escalating crisis of child abandonment. Ukrainian church leaders estimate there are as many as 50,000 “hidden” social orphans, children barely surviving under the radar who’ve been abandoned or…
BAKERSFIELD, CA — The charitable relief organization CityServe International has fully activated its church-based network, teaming up with No Child Hungry, to launch its distribution of over 250,000 meals and other emergency supplies throughout the fire-stricken Hawaiian island of Maui. Pastors and church members whose entire neighborhoods were wiped out by the flames are healing…
WILLS POINT, TX — A shocking number of adults around the world can’t read or write even a simple sentence, says mission agency GFA World (www.gfa.org) as it marks International Literacy Day, September 8. According to the United Nations’ education agency UNESCO, approximately 773 million adults worldwide — equal to more than twice the population…
IDAHO FALLS, ID — One month from today, the Idaho Falls Look Up Tour with Will Graham will officially take place in the Hero Arena at the Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls. Participants from 110 churches representing 27 denominations across the region are working together to host the weekend-long outreach, Sept. 23 and 24….
SENEGAL — While on board the Christian medical ship The Africa Mercy in Senegal, Hamady repeatedly called his friends back home to tell them that his son Daouda had been healed. No one could believe it until he sent a picture. After all, Hamady had already tried unsuccessfully to have Daouda treated at several hospitals…
SALT LAKE CITY — Today, Parker Migliorini International (PMI Foods) announced the donation of 10,500 pounds of beef bone-in rib ends to several Los Angeles area food banks. This is the latest in a series of donations from PMI Foods in an ongoing effort to directly help thousands of homeless residents. More than 67,000 people…
MAUI — When Maui residents heard about 65-mph hurricane winds from the south, they never expected the deadly flames that the wind would bring.The wildfires—now the deadliest in the nation’s modern history—engulfed parts of Maui and decimated the beach town of Lahaina, leaving more than 100 people dead, thousands more missing, and miles of homes…
BAKERSFIELD, CA — “Help and hope are on the way,” declared Dave Donaldson, co-founder and CEO of the CityServe disaster relief network of churches that is assembling and delivering over a quarter-million meals to Maui. They are doing this in collaboration with No Child Hungry. Donaldson’s reassurance on behalf of the nation’s leading faith-based church…
ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO — June 13, 2023 Shawn Chrisagis passed away at 55 years old. His legacy was one of LOVE. He was an identical twin of Brian Chrisagis. These two men of integrity formed the Chrisagis Brothers Ministries. The ministry was known all over the world for family entertainment, reaching and recruiting legends in…
EL SALVADOR — Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. They bring this vision to reality through programs like International Family Retreat. Andre’s family in El Salvador experienced finding inclusion in Christ, transforming acceptance and love through family retreat…
BENTON, AR — The 11th annual Amplify Music Festival takes place Aug. 18-19 in Benton, Arkansas. Gates will open at 3 p.m Aug. 18 and 1 p.m. Aug. 19. The two-day event will include a message of hope by Evangelist Nick Hall and feature Christian artists: Chris Tomlin Casting Crowns Rend Collective Lecrae Passion Natalie…
IRAQ — Bishop Daniel has known persecution all his life, and despite many opportunities to flee, he chose to stay and support his church and those in his community who could not leave the country. Bishop Daniel: On my 16th birthday, my family got a gun threat from the radical groups in Baghdad. The threat…
BURKINA FASO — Almost two million people in Burkina Faso have been displaced by extremist violence. Many are Christian widows and orphans. Traore* (17) is one of them. He moved to a safer area after a jihadist attack brought tragic loss to his family. Traore*: Sometimes, my heart is broken when I think about my…
IRAQ — Farah was just one of around 70,000 Christians who fled to Erbil to escape the advancement of so-called Islamic State in 2014. When she returned, Open Doors partners helped her to restore her home and business in Nineveh Plains. Farah can well recall the day in 2014 when her family fled their home…
