BARDARASH, Iraq – More than 13,000 Syrian refugees have embarked on harrowing journeys through the conflict zones in their own country to find safety in neighboring Iraq. Their first stop across the border is the Sehela transit centre where Samaritan’s Purse staff has been present to greet them, help serve a meal, and offer them…
CAMBRIDGE, MA – According to a November 6 report in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), Takeda Pharmaceutical appears to be well on its way to producing an effective vaccine against one of the world’s top 10 threats to global health.There is currently no cure or preventative medication for dengue fever. In 2018 alone,…
ABUJA, NIGERIA – Faith-based organizations Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps were forced to suspend operations in northeastern Nigeria in mid-September. The Nigerian army closed two Action Against Hunger offices and four Mercy Corps facilities based on allegations that both agencies were aiding terrorist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State. Action Against Hunger vigorously…
LONDON – A leading theologian has claimed there is compelling evidence for the reliability of the Gospels, and spoken directly to the growing public perception of those who doubt Jesus’ existence. Peter Williams, Principal of Tyndale House and member of the Faculty of Divinity at Cambridge University said, “I now believe I have arguments for…
TULSA, OK – Gospel for Asia released a special report written by Karen Burton Mains in September 2019. “Literacy: One of the Great Miracle Cures” discussed resolving the limitations that illiteracy places on the human spirit.Mrs. Mains explained that because we read and write, we “often take for granted the treacherous limitations illiteracy places on…
MOSUL – Release International is working with Christians who have been forced to flee for their lives in the Middle East and other parts of the world. Halla is one. She lived in the Iraqi city of Mosul – and ISIS fighters were on their way. Their reputation went before them. Halla and her mother…
TOKYO – Last weekend, the month and a half Rugby World Cup concluded with South Africa emerging as the champions. The captain of the victorious Springboks is Siya Kolisi, a 28-year-old who has also found victory in Jesus. Siya was raised by his grandmother and his aunt and uncle in a cramped home in a…
WASHINGTON — The quality of life for hundreds of children in Malawi is about to improve thanks to a new partnership agreement between Prison Fellowship International and Prison Fellowship Malawi. After a year of preparation, Prison Fellowship International’s child sponsorship program launched in Malawi on November 1. The program commenced with the enrollment of the…
IRAQ – Growing insecurity in Iraq and on its border could lead to a fresh exodus of Christians from the country, warns Jamal Liddawi, a partner of Release International, which is supporting refugees in the country. The Turkish invasion of Syria and growing protests in Baghdad could drive even more Christians out of the country,…
Freedom should belong to the victim, not the abuser. But, unfortunately across the globe — and right here in America — that fact isn’t always the reality.Prostitution is jokingly labeled the oldest profession. But, working in the sex industry has rarely made a prostitute wealthy or given her financial freedom. Instead, girls who are paid…
ANHUI – According to China Aid authorities have destroyed a church in China and detained its pastors. No legal papers ordering the church’s demolition were provided, but officials tore it down on Friday October 18. It could seat more than 3,000 people and was part of the country’s officially-recognized church network. The large building –…
ORLANDO, FL — Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, says the demand for Bibles has dramatically increased—especially in the Middle East. In areas where Christianity is a minority religion and Christians risk persecution, even death, Wycliffe Associates’ Print On Demand…
BERKELEY, CA – Phillip Johnson has been called “The Father of Intelligent Design.” Even he knew that title was hyperbole at best and, most certainly, inaccurate. The Berkeley University law professor would say that the Lord God is the Father of Intelligent Design. Nonetheless, that same God created and uniquely gifted Phil Johnson to be…
WILLS POINT, TX — Faith-based mission agency Gospel for Asia (GFA) – on the frontlines in the fight against poverty–has released a new report declaring extreme poverty “public enemy number one,” and challenging people everywhere to help eradicate it. The release of the report – titled Poverty: Public Enemy #1: Eliminating Extreme Poverty Worldwide is…
ALGERIA – In an unprecedented crackdown on Algerian Christians, 8 churches have been shut down in the North African nation in this year alone. Just last week worshipers were forcibly removed from church services by police. The church closure are based around a law from 2006 which prevents any new non-Muslim places of worship which…
KONYA, TURKEY – Make note of the poster in the photo that accompanies this article. Copies of it were displayed at bus stops around Konya, Turkey, during the week of September 20. Read it carefully. In case your Turkish is rusty, here is an English translation of the sign, a quote from Surah Al-Maidah 5:51…
WASHINGTON — In a recent national survey, the MENA Collective, a new organization publicly launching November 1, 2019, asked active, church-going millennials their thoughts regarding giving and the Middle East. Their findings show that almost half of those surveyed did not trust their local church when it comes to giving their money. Equally surprising was…
BARTLESVILLE, OK The Voice of the Martyrs is calling on Christians around the world to pray for persecuted believers in North Korea as the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church takes place on Sunday November 3. To help mobilize informed prayers, VOM’s 2019 IDOP short film, “Sang-chul: North Korea”, provides a dramatic example…
WILLS POINT, TX – Earlier this month, Gospel for Asia released a special report entitled “Poverty: Public Enemy #1.” Author Palmer Holt of InChrist Communications shared the almost incomprehensible fact that some 736 million people worldwide earn less than $1.90 a day, less than many of us spend for our favorite morning latte. The Tip…
HYDERABAD – The World Health Organization (WHO) made a significant, forward-looking announcement at a global gathering of the 50th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Hyderabad. A leading expert on the subject of tuberculosis told BBC News that a new vaccine, currently in development appears to be “a real game-changer” in providing long-term protection…
JACKSONVILLE, FL — With an estimated 110,000 honored guests expected to attend the foundation’s annual Night to Shine prom next February, the Tim Tebow Foundation is honored to announce OneShare Health as a new global partner equally committed to celebrating people with special needs. “The support of OneShare Health, in addition to our other partners,…
JERUSALEM — The Algemeiner, a leading publication in Israel, has unveiled its latest “Jewish 100” (J100) list—an exclusive roster of “the top one hundred individuals who have positively influenced Jewish life this past year.” The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) is pleased to announce their new President, Mrs. Yael Eckstein, 35, has…
SACRAMENTO, CA — The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) is launching a series of nationwide campaigns to protect the sanctity of human life, defend religious liberty and advocate for biblical justice. The campaigns, drawn from the NHCLC’s life, religious liberty and biblical justice directives, are a collaborative effort with some of the most influential…
NEW YORK — In an era in which places of worship have become, too often, targets for violence, United Nations officials and religious leaders gathered in New York City on to talk over plans for preventing attacks against people of faith.The event, titled “Uniting to Prevent Violence in Places of Worship,” was held at the…
LOS ANGELES, CA — UNPLANNED, the true story of a former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson, who is now a prominent pro-life advocate, opened these past few weekends in select theaters in Northern Ireland and Ireland. “I urge every person in Ireland to see this movie,” says Johnson UNPLANNED debuted in United States theaters…
WILLS POINT, TX — While Americans take washing their hands for granted, thousands of children in Asia die every year because their families don’t wash their hands properly, mission agency Gospel for Asia (GFA) reported, marking Global Handwashing Day, October 15. Under the theme “Clean Hands for All,” Global Handwashing Day promotes the vital importance…
SOUTH ASIA – Pollution is dangerous for everyone living on planet Earth. The editors of the Lancet Medical Journal estimate that pollution causes the premature death of 9 million people every year. That’s three times the number who die from AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. It is also 15 times the number who die from…
WARRENTON, MO — Not long ago, a young lady who is deaf sent an email to Child Evangelism Fellowship® requesting that training in child evangelism be offered in ASL. She said she was willing to travel anywhere in the world to receive this training. Her desire was to learn how to share the Gospel with…
JERUSALEM, Israel – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the terror attack near a synagogue in Halle, Germany that killed two people Wednesday is “additional testimony that anti-Semitism in Europe is increasing.” The anti-Semitic attack took place during Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Witnesses say the gunman tried but failed to break…
SACRAMENTO, CA — The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), led by Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, has recently announced a partnership with Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) to offer legal aid to its member congregations. The partnership – which will allow NHCLC member churches throughout the U.S. to access religious freedom legal help at a discounted rate…
TEHRAN – By nearly all accounts, more people in Iran are forsaking Islam and becoming followers of Jesus Christ than in any other country in the world. FAI Studios, producers of the movie “Sheep Among Wolves,” commented that “Muslim-background Iranians are leading a quiet but mass exodus out of Islam and bowing their knees to…
NEW YORK – The UNHCR estimates that there are about 12 million stateless people in the world today. The number is somewhat of a wild guess. Although some are in refugee camps or detention centers, there is no method currently available or in use to determine who else is stateless or where they are. Stateless…
KERALA – Workers supported by Gospel for Asia (GFA) held rallies and gatherings across the subcontinent in observance of the International Day of the Girl on October 11. Now in its 25th year, the UNICEF-backed day was initially named the International Day of the Girl Child. The movement calls for a world “where every girl…
GENEVA – The World Economic Forum (WEF) has generated its Global Competitiveness Index for 40 years. According to the WEF, “the report shows that those countries which integrate into their economic policies an emphasis on infrastructure, skills, research and development, and support those left behind are more successful compared to those that focus only on…
VIRGINIA BEACH – Operation Blessing began in 1978 under the leadership of businessman, Bible teacher, philanthropist, and founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, Pat Robertson. Over the years, Operation Blessing has “touched the lives of millions of people in more than 90 countries” and every one of the United States. Operation Blessing exists to provide…
WASHINGTON — The newly launched Bless Your Pastor campaign (BlessYourPastor.org) has gained quick momentum as thousands across America have signed up to be part of the movement. The campaign is focused on encouraging and equipping America’s churchgoing faithful to “show and share God’s love” for their hard-working — and often under-compensated — pastors during Pastor…
ROME – When the United States Secretary of State speaks, it is usually about political affairs of state. When Mike Pompeo addressed a symposium in Rome on October 2, his message was about increasing global threats to the right of religious freedom. Secretary Pompeo was a featured speaker at a symposium about the work of…
HONG KONG – Speculation about the future of Hong Kong abounded in 1997 when Great Britain handed over its governing authority to mainland China. Anxiety-ridden headlines predicted China would move swiftly to integrate the city under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). When a one-country, two-systems approach was proposed, the world breathed a…
AL-HOL, SYRIA – The refugee camp at al-Hol is currently home to 70,000 refugees from the Syrian Civil War. Contained in close quarters in a space initially occupied by 9,000 persons, the population now includes about 11,000 widows, wives, and children of ISIS fighters. Local and international authorities believe that ISIS is attempting to muster…
Marking International Day of the Girl Child, October 11, Mission Agency Gospel for Asia Says Thousands of Girls in Asia Saved from Possible ‘Fate Worse than Death.’ WILLS POINT, TX — Tens of thousands of girls in Asia at risk of being sold into prostitution or slave labor have been saved from a possible “fate…
MELBOURNE, FL — Christian Care Ministry (CCM), which offers the popular Medi-Share healthcare sharing ministry, is inviting the entire community to its second annual “Day of Sharing,” a nationwide initiative to motivate and mobilize people to share their time, talent and treasure to serve others Oct. 5. The theme of this year’s event is, “Find…
TYLER, TX – CityFest East Texas is a large, multicultural music festival scheduled for October 5-6, 2019, with Andrew Palau as the featured speaker. The festival will include performances by top Christian recording artists Blanca, Marisol Park, Ryan Stevenson, The Newsboys, Pat Barrett, and Lecrae. Additionally, award-winning country artist Josh Turner will perform during the…
Noel Yeatts, author, speaker, and the President of World Help, an international, Christian humanitarian organization, discusses the devastation Hurricane Dorian left behind in the Bahamas, the great humanitarian need, and the resilience of the people despite the crisis they have been put through. This past week I was on the ground in the Bahamas helping…
ABUJA – Conducting charitable humanitarian work in any developing country or crisis situation is difficult at best. Working in disease or conflict-ridden regions is not only hard but sometimes downright dangerous.This is rapidly becoming the scenario for NGOs working in strife-torn Nigeria where Boko Haram rebels are attempting to establish the Islamic State in West…
BEIRUT – Lebanon has declared a national “state of economic emergency.” President Michel Aoun told the Lebanese people, “We have to unite our efforts to come out with solutions to the economic crisis that is strangling the dreams and hopes of our people.” One of the leading factors that have driven Lebanon to the edge…
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – A high profile group of US Christian leaders visited Saudi Arabia on the eve of 9/11. During their visit, the delegation issued a statement including why their visit coincided with the 9/11 tragedy. “While it may surprise some that we would choose the week of September 11 to visit the Kingdom,…
NEW YORK – As we head into the fourth and final quarter of 2019 and begin the third decade of the 21st century, it seems like a good time to review the progress of South Asian countries toward reaching the United Nations’ sustainable development goals for 2030. This information originally appeared in the “United Nations’…
Resolving the Limitations Illiteracy Places on the Human Spirit WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA) issues an extensive Special Report on illiteracy, the dominant disabler to flourishing for millions around the world, and the miraculous potential of literacy that is able to change the lives of men, women and children for generations. Few…
MIRPUR – It’s too soon to have an accurate count on injuries and the death toll from a 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Tuesday night, September 24, near Mirpur in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. The earliest news was had the death tolls near 20 with 100 injured in the quake that collapsed homes and businesses. By late…
STOCKHOLM – Access to clean drinking water is an existential problem that must be overcome in developing countries. It is almost always a companion of poverty and disregard for women. Safe Water Network India (SWNI) has implemented a pilot project that borders on genius. If someone who solves a problem is a hero, those who…
