ORLANDO, FL — Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, welcomes short- and long-term volunteers at its Florida-based headquarters and even offers an on-site RV park to accommodate long-term volunteers. Some volunteers spend between two and four months during the winter…
PAKISTAN — Former Muslim, Abdul spent several years hiding on the roof of his family’s house because he had nowhere else to sleep. His family had completely rejected him after he chose to follow Christ. Abdul grew up under the Sharia in Pakistan. When he wondered where eternity would go, his uncle told him that…
NORTH KOREA — Ji Ho* in North Korea counts the cost of following Jesus every day. Her father was taken away by police agents when his Bible was discovered, and she has to keep her faith secret – or face terrible consequences. *Name changed for security. Ji Ho*: I didn’t know what the book was,…
IRAN — Those Christians who are Iranian who want to live their faith in Jesus freely are often sent to prison, where they are frequently tortured and interrogated. They flee the persecution that plagues the country, becoming refugees in other nations. Kouroush is one of them. Kouroush: I had to leave everything behind. My country,…
SPAIN — According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, 22% of American adults consider themselves ‘spiritual but not religious’. This group views organized religion as divisive or propagating intolerance, which aligns with the decline of some traditional religious practices. A quarter of adults in the US consider themselves ‘spiritual, but not religious’…
BOLIVIA — Children’s Heart Project arranges critical cardiac surgeries for boys and girls in countries where the operations are not readily available. Children and parents in Bolivia tell how their lives have been transformed through the ministry. Congenital Heart Disease are defects in the heart. Therefore, these children do not have a long life expectancy….
BELLINGHAM, WA — Logos, the most widely used Bible study and sermon preparation platform available, today released its highly anticipated new version, Logos 10. With a sleek and modern design and lightning-fast speed, Logos 10 is designed for the global Church and includes multiple new features geared to help readers engage more deeply with the…
YEMEN — In Yemen, Christian believers like Saleh* risk arrest, beatings and death threats when they choose to follow Jesus. But despite these dangers Saleh is encouraging and discipling believers across the country. Saleh*: My name is found on the radicals’ wanted list. They have my picture. Sometimes they watch me going from place to…
CAMAGÜEY, CUBA — In the vibrant city of Camagüey, Cuba, the impactful “Bible Event” took place, an evangelistic campaign that gathered more than 10,000 people. With the participation of various Christian denominations, including the Baptist Church and the Assemblies of God in the province, the event was marked by a message preached by a Russian…
VIETNAM — When Xuan* converted away from tribal, animistic beliefs, her Hmong community told her she could be a Christian, as long as she didn’t evangelise. But Xuan visits houses in Vietnam in the dead of night as a Brave Witness to tell people about Jesus… Xuan*: There are no churches in my area. We…
CHINA — In a context of growing digital surveillance in China, Ming, a faithful Christian, faces increasing challenges in sharing the Gospel. As persecution intensifies, constant monitoring, and restrictions on religious freedom, Ming finds himself at a crossroads between his faith and the threats posed by the regime. Ming: I feel like I’m being watched….
NIGERIA, AFRICA — Mary*, 20 years old, was in church when Fulani militants attacked. In her village in northwestern Nigeria, there is always the threat of attacks from Islamic extremists. However, this does not prepare the community for the reality of experiencing an attack. Mary*: They attack Christians because we worship Jesus and they want…
WASHINGTON — Prison Fellowship International’s flagship in-prison program, The Prisoner’s Journey® (TPJ) has reached its 10-year anniversary. This program, launched in South Africa and Nigeria in 2014, now runs in 35 countries across six continents. TPJ takes those in prison on a journey of self-discovery through the Gospel of Mark where they encounter Jesus the…
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…
WINCHESTER, VA — The latest numbers from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) reveals a pace in charitable giving to Christian ministries that is mostly steady, however, due to inflation and other factors, dips for the first time in a decade. In ECFA’s 14th annual State of Giving report, data reported by exactly 2,000…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
SAN DIEGO — Thousands of people go missing every day, and an average of 150 species have disappeared forever. Occasionally, these disappearances make the news, and millions take notice, but most of these disappearances impact only a handful of people. However, there is a day that has been predicted for thousands of years when a…
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,…
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…
MEXICO — In the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, an entire family organized a humanitarian aid campaign for immigrants from Central America and Venezuela. The people received food, clothing, Bibles, and, in addition, a message of hope in Jesus. Isa Vásquez reports from Chiapas. An entire family organized this weekend…
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…
MEXICO — While authorities and officials search for political and humanitarian solutions to the migration crisis, there is a human side that is often overlooked. Víctor Hugo Castillo, from Reynosa, Mexico, introduces us to ministries and faith communities that are joining forces to serve and assist the migrants who are at the northern border of…
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….
DUBLIN — Leading The Way Founder and President Dr Michael Youssef shared an uncompromising Gospel message as thousands flocked to the Hope Ireland celebration events in Dublin and Belfast September 1st and 3rd. After a year of preparation with many different churches it’s hoped the impact of these outreach events will spark a movement of…
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…
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…
TULSA, OK — In his newly released book, The Power of One: Reaching Every Person on Earth, Dr. Billy Wilson, President of Oral Roberts University and Global Chair of Empowered21, provides a clear path forward to a new era of evangelism. In order to fulfill the Great Commission, Dr. Wilson asks: How can eight billion…
JARANWALA, PUNJAB — Christians in Pakistan are considering how to rebuild their homes and churches in the aftermath of mob violence attacks on townships in Jaranwala, Punjab, following unsubstantiated allegations of blasphemy. Christians were forced to meet in the open air on Sunday (August 20), after rioters burnt churches and destroyed their homes. Partners of…
MINYA, EGYPT — Jessica gave her life to Christ after receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift and attending The Greatest Journey course in her Egyptian village. When COVID shut down the churches, Jessica started her own discipleship group and led her friends to the Lord. Jessica – Shoebox Recipient: My name is Jessica and…
ENGLAND — A healthcare provider in England withdrew a job offer to a social worker after it discovered that he held Christian beliefs and views on marriage and human sexuality. Felix Ngole was told by Touchstone Support Leeds that unless he could demonstrate how he would ‘embrace and promote homosexual rights’ at the organisation, the…
PAKISTAN — Christians in several communities in Pakistan have come under attack from angry mobs this week after two teenagers were accused of allegedly desecrating a Quran. Christian leaders and others said it was a false accusation. Nearly 30 churches were attacked, some being completely destroyed as hundreds of Bibles and Christian literature was burned….
