ALBANIA — Christian leaders from 30 countries across Europe gathered in Albania recently for a conference to be equipped, inspired and pray for a move of God across the continent. GNA reporter Peter Wooding was there to find out more about the impact of this event. More than 120 believers who head up various ministries…
NORTHERN IRAQ — Sharo and Alex Ahmedi with Hope For Communities share how they are helping some of the most marginalized people and children in the Kurdish region of Northern Iraq. In partnership with the Christian children’s charity CRY they are teaching young people English and empowering them with life skills. Sharo & Alexis Ahmedi:…
LOVES PARK, IL — The Ukraine war and growing desperation in hard times are driving a surge in the number of children expected to flock to Bible camps this summer across the former Soviet Union, a region once steeped in atheism. Amid fears the Ukraine conflict could escalate at any moment, Illinois-based Slavic Gospel Association…
HOUSTON — On Saturday, April 29, churches and parachurch organizations from across the region descended on metro Houston to lend a helping hand to neighbors enduring varying levels of hardship. In partnership with Love Has No Limits (LHNL) for 1DayHouston, CityServe International resourced 96 local churches so they can provide tangible support as part of…
UKRAINE — A new report from the Institute for the Study of War claims Russia is ‘weaponizing religion’ in its conflict with Ukraine. It says Russia is persecuting churches in the occupied areas. Here’s Andrew Boyd from Release International. The report says Russian forces have closed or taken over 76 places of worship, looted or…
NAPLES, FL — Biglife, a non-profit that empowers indigenous Christians to reach and disciple their local communities, has identified over 600 families — 8,500+ individuals, 80% of whom are women and children — under death threat by the Taliban because of their faith. Biglife aims to raise $4.5 million to secure the evacuation of these…
WILLS POINT, TX — Few people knew George Verwer, legendary founder of Operation Mobilization (OM) who died April 14, in the same way as KP Yohannan, founder of GFA World, who first met Verwer at the age of 17. More than a half-century ago, Yohannan, the self-described “skinny village teenager,” responded to Verwer’s radical invitation…
KOMANDA — Violence is continuing to displace Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo – but believers have not been forgotten. Thanks to the charity Open Doors displaced Christians in Komanda have received food and other relief aid. Man: It’s clear that the displaced people suffer enormously. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, ADF, an…
UKRAINE — Since the war began Russia has targeted faith-based locations all over Ukraine. Pastors have been killed. Ukraine Churches have been emptied because Ukrainians are fleeing for their lives. But the church is growing. According to Mission Eurasia there were 4,000 baptisms in 2022 in the Union of Evangelical Christians – Baptists alone, and…
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — YouVersion and OneHope created the free Bible App for Kids in 2013 to encourage children to engage with God’s Word. Since then, the app has been installed by families in every country in the world. While it took seven years to reach the first 50 million installs, the app saw another…
NORMAN OK — Revival is set to continue through a major stadium event to take place on Saturday, April 29 at the University of Oklahoma (OU) in Norman, Oklahoma OU students Josh Robinson and Nathan Wong started praying for revival many months ago. They formed a core team that has now grown to over 150…
EL SALVADOR — Through its flagship Wheels for the World™ program, Joni and Friends collects and restores used wheelchairs, then delivers the like-new chairs to people around the world in need of mobility equipment.Joni and Friends recently opened its first international wheelchair restoration center, located in El Salvador—the first of multiple centers slated to open…
BAKERSFIELD, CA — On Saturday, March 25, CityServe International officially launched CityServe Costa Rica in Carrillo Canton. In partnership with the Mission in Action Foundation, CityServe Costa Rica has hit the ground running with a robust plan to resource a network of local churches to help impoverished communities. CityServe Costa Rica opened with 8 containers…
NIGERIA — As violence escalates in Nigeria, there are warnings of a humanitarian crisis in the making. Partners of UK-based Release International, which serves persecuted Christians worldwide, warn if the new government doesn’t stop the violence, Christians will leave the country in droves. According to reports more Christians are killed for their faith each year…
WILLS POINT, TX — Mission agency GFA World (Gospel for Asia) now provides a water lifeline to nearly 40 million desperate people – a number roughly equal to the entire population of California. Globally, 663 million people lack clean water. Every year, around 500,000 people — including 360,000 children under the age of five —…
NICARAGUA — Melquisedec Herrera is an evangelical committed pastor in a community in northern Nicaragua. His faith leadership has led him to assume responsibilities on the potable water committee in his locality and to become involved in environmental protection. He has been trained by World Vision in the FECSA methodology (Healthy Family, School, and Community)….
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Calvary Church announces New Mexico’s biggest sunrise service and favorite Easter tradition is Sunday, April 9, at 7 am at UNM Stadium. The community-wide church service is open to everyone and is free to attend. “The Heist” is the theme for Easter sunrise service, and attendees can expect a creative multimedia interpretation…
LOVES PARK, IL — Courageous pastors, some wearing bulletproof vests, are risking everything to deliver life-saving aid to desperate people living near the frontline of the war in Ukraine. “Jesus used to go where there was pain, where it was difficult, where people needed him,” said armor-wearing Pastor Vlad, as he and church members distributed food…
WASHINGTON — At sunrise on Sunday, April 9, thousands will gather at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for one of the nation’s largest Easter sunrise service to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A crowd of more than seven thousand people of all ages, races, and backgrounds comes together in unity to sing, celebrate,…
ARABIA — In the Arabian Peninsula, with its predominantly Islamic faith and culture, choosing to follow Christ can be costly. Nadia* struggled with loneliness and isolation when she became a Christian – but she has seen the impact of prayer. *Name changed for security reasons. Nadia*, name changed for security purposes: If I look back…
BAKERSFIELD, CA — This week, a team from CityServe International joined Dream City Church in Phoenix, alongside hundreds of leaders from all around the world, during a three day leadership training at the Dream Conference. At the conference, CityServe was pleased to announce a new global partnership with Dream City Church and various Dream Centers…
ALEPPO, SYRIA — Many people in Syria felt abandoned when they saw the response to help them was too slow following the devastating earthquake last month which left thousands homeless.However Christian charity Help The Persecuted was quick to mobilize their team to provide vital supplies as well as work alongside local churches to also care…
TURKEY — Kouroush* is an Iranian Christian now living in Turkey, after he fled to escape persecution, leaving everything behind. We hear how, with Open Doors’ support, he is now opening a Center of Hope to help care for fellow refugees. Kouroush*, name changed for security purposes: “I didn’t murder anyone. I didn’t steal anything….
POMPANO BEACH, FL — OneHope, an international Christian ministry, has crossed the threshold of sharing God’s Word with two billion children since 1987. To commemorate this incredible milestone, Bob Hoskins, OneHope’s founder, traveled to El Salvador, where OneHope’s programs launched in 1987. Watch the live recording of this special moment here. The vision of OneHope…
BURLINGTON, NC — “Making Him Famous,” God Had Other Plans For Him, a new feature film by North Carolina-based Cornelius Muller Productions, will release in select theaters in Greensboro/High Point/Winston Salem, Durham and Charlotte DMA March 17th. “Making Him Famous” tells the story of Mario King, a young man who exemplifies his faith as he…
LOVES PARK, IL — Thousands of abandoned and unwanted orphans in orphanages across Russia, Ukraine and the former Soviet countries are highly vulnerable to recruitment by organized crime groups, a U.S. mission agency says. “When children turn 18 they age out of the orphanages and have to fend for themselves,” said Michael Johnson, president of…
COLORADO SPRINGS— YWAM Emerge’s aquaponics program, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is creating a global model that is being replicated throughout the world. The program helps local ministries to generate income and a healthy food source that is sustainable and reproducible. Josh Emhoff – director of YWAM Emerge: When my wife and I decided to…
BELEN, TURKEY — Beyza* and her family began sleeping on the street in front of their apartment building after it was badly damaged during the Feb. 6 earthquakes. A few weeks later, they were still living on the street—with no place else to go—when they met a Samaritan’s Purse team who offered them an emergency…
ORLANDO, FL — Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, will participate in a New Testament dedication in South Asia nation (undisclosed for security reasons) this month, which is the first completed Bible translation project in a minority language. Local Bible…
BAKERSFIELD, CA — In coordination with No Child Hungry, CityServe International is helping provide meals and other essentials to those left homeless from the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria last month. On March 4, at City of Destiny Church in Apopka, FL, CityServe will be working with volunteers to package meals provided by No…
WILMORE, KY — The revival at Asbury university in Kentucky is has continued for weeks, and is attracting national and global attention. Thousands of people are traveling from around the country to join in this move of god. Wendy Griffith of CBN news traveled to Wilmore, Kentucky, and talked to students who say they just…
LEXINGTON, KY — The Asbury Revival has drawn over 50,000 people from across the country and around the world to the chapel of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. The New York Times calls it “the nation’s first major spiritual revival in decades — one driven by Gen Z.” This is even more remarkable because Gen…
WARRENTON, MO — The world’s largest mission organization dedicated to children celebrated a record number of children reached in its 2022 world-wide, in-person Christmas Party Clubs. Hundreds of Zoom connections and YouTube attendees facilitated representatives from countries around the world to join the International Headquarters staff of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) on Friday, February 10th,…
ALEPPO, SYRIA — Christian charity Help The Persecuted has mobilised field ministry teams in some of the worst-hit parts of Syria working alongside their local church partners to provide practical and spiritual support to those devastated by the recent earthquake. Their regional director Samar brings an update during one of their relief distributions in Aleppo….
LOVES PARK, IL — The war in Ukraine is accelerating an orphan crisis in the embattled nation and neighboring Russia, a U.S. mission agency says. Children are being swept up in the turmoil in Ukraine and taken to overcrowded orphanages miles away across borders, often separated from family members desperately searching for them, says Illinois-based…
SAN DIMAS, CA — Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU) donated $5,000 to International Ministries (IM) emergency relief efforts for survivors of the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023, which was followed hours later by a second powerful jolt. Many buildings collapsed including hospitals,…
TURKEY — Samaritan’s Purse is caring for earthquake survivors in Turkey. Among them is a 14-year-old boy pulled from the rubble after eight days. Hasan: We were waiting for eight days by the rubble. There were six people in there my nephew, his mum and dad, his two sisters and his brother. They lived on…
LAOS —Khamsay* and his wife Mali* were attacked by their family and community in rural Laos, who follow local traditions and beliefs. Khamsay has taken part in literacy training run by Open Doors – now that he can read the Bible, he has been strengthened in his faith which he is keen to share with…
EASTON, MD — U.S. media ministry SAT-7 USA (www.sat7usa.org) is responding to the humanitarian crisis in Turkey and Syria following Monday’s catastrophic earthquake. SAT-7 USA president Rex Rogers issued this statement: “Our local channel, SAT-7 TÜRK, is offering words of comfort and strength to viewers across Turkey, and calling for prayer for families who are…
GARLAND, TX — “You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world” is the rallying cry surrounding a timely new resource, designed to empower the Church “to raise up a new vanguard of civil servants in the area where you live.” For such a time as this, “Salt and Light:…
UKRAINE — Elizabeth Groff praises God for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift she received while living in an orphanage in Ukraine. It softened her heart for the Gospel to take hold. Elizabeth Groff: When I was about one year old, my father was killed. After his passing my mom just really could not deal…
NORTH KOREA — More than 360 million Christians worldwide suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith – that’s a staggering 1 in 7 believers. Open Doors has launched this year’s World Watch list highlighting the 50 countries where faith costs the most, with North Korea returning to number one as the world’s…
SACRAMENTO —The NHCLC has received a grant of $1 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. to launch “Equip2Impact,” an NHCLC initiative training active and aspiring pastors in fundamental preaching skills that will engage their churches, so they make a cultural impact in their community with conviction and compassion. The initiative is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s…
CENTRAL ASIA — Forty-year-old Abdulla*, his wife Nilufar* and their three children fled Afghanistan when the Taliban came to power in August 2021. Now living as a refugee in Central Asia, he shares his story about what life is like for Afghan people – and Christians – remaining in the country. *Name changed for security…
SANTA ANA, CA — Open Doors, which for more than 65 years has supported persecuted Christians worldwide and awakened the global church to “strengthen what remains,” has appointed Lisa Pearce as Interim CEO of the U.S. national base. Pearce assumes the role immediately following the departure of the previous CEO, David Curry, who is now…
KIBERA, KENYA —A Christian charity is empowering and educating children in Africa’s largest slum in Kibera on the outskirts of Nairobi in Kenya. Most of the residents live in extreme poverty. There are few schools, little clean water, and very little electricity, medical care or toilet facilities. With no government services, schools, clinics, water and…
EASTON, MD — A U.S. organization focused on the Middle East and North Africa is casting the spotlight on what it calls the region’s top 5 “evolving crises” at the start of 2023. With the world’s gaze fixed on Ukraine-Russia and muscle-flexing in China, “seismic events unfolding in the Middle East are simply off the…
STONEY CREEK, ONTARIO — Every year GFA World and their mission partner, St Cyprian BEC, work together to bring beauty and light to their neighbourhood. One of the ways we do this is by turning three large evergreens into Christmas trees! On November 27 we held a Christmas Tree Lighting. At this event, the Christmas…
MIDDLE EAST — As winter continues, persecuted Christians in the Muslim world are facing hunger and bitter cold. When humanitarian aid does make it to these areas for distribution, Christians are overlooked — intentionally left out by authorities because of their faith. They cling fervently to Christ despite all opposition and hardship.In response the Help…
SURINAME — Charahja began teaching the discipleship course The Greatest Journey to other children in her native Suriname on the northeastern coast of South America. When she was just 14 years old. Working with her mother, the two are passionate about seeing children reached with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Charahja Van Broekhoven –…
