WASHINGTON – An international organization representing Baha’is says it is extremely concerned about Iran’s ongoing detention of up to 100 Baha’is at risk of contracting the coronavirus in Iranian prisons. In a VOA Persian interview on Monday, the Baha’i International Community’s chief representative to the U.N. in New York, Bani Dugal, said an estimated 50…
Christian publisher offers contents of newly launched book via online community platformHOUSTON — Bible Study Media (BSM), a Christian curriculum publishing ministry and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, announced today it will offer content from one of their recently launched books to the public at no cost through their new online community platform. “We are living in…
NEW YORK – The Teen Challenge addiction recovery ministry opened the doors of its first facility in Brooklyn, New York, in 1960. Founded in 1958 by brothers David and Don Wilkerson in 1950, Teen Challenge rose to prominence with the publication of David’s book, The Cross and the Switchblade in 1963. The book became “a…
LOS ANGELES — Since the Los Angeles Unified School District closed on March 13, the LA Dream Center immediately stepped in to provide meals for families who rely on free school meals every day. They have opened their doors 7 days a week from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm to provide food and other essential…
NEW YORK – The big, white Samaritan’s Purse 18-wheelers pulled into New York City during the last week of March. Within days, a fully-equipped field hospital had been erected in Central Park to assist local hospitals in treating Coronavirus COVID-19 patients. Providing Relief The 68-bed emergency field hospital medical staff is complemented by 60 Christian…
WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA World and its affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by KP Yohannan, reports on relief efforts to COVID-19 in Asia. India’s population exceeds 1.3 billion people. Within the nation, 470 million workers are currently restricted from moving about under directions to isolate in place. The Raw…
HOFFMAN ESTATES — Bright Hope publishes new, downloadable booklet for churches and Christ-followers to examine the COVID virus from an extreme poverty perspective. Food Security, health and hygiene, social distancing, and medical care are all vastly different for those living on less than $2.00 a day. The spread of the COVID-19 virus could have devastating…
American Heritage Girls Across the Country Virtually Join Together in Acts of Service Amid COVID-19 CINCINNATI — While an abundance of events and activities have been canceled and communities are being asked to stay home amid the rapid-spreading COVID-19, for members of American Heritage Girls (AHG), serving others is still on the calendar. Adapting to…
Slavic Gospel Association launches international prayer campaign; responds to coming avalanche of spiritual and humanitarian needs LOVES PARK — With on-the-ground reports indicating Russia’s coronavirus peak is less than two weeks away, a pioneering ministry to the former Soviet bloc today launched a global campaign – “Christ Over COVID: Much Prayer, Much Power” – calling…
Amid coronavirus outbreak, InChrist Communications sets up free ‘Crisis CONNECT Network,’ weekly webinars CHARLOTTE — Christian organizations, churches, and other faith-based nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are rushing to join a “crisis communications support group” set up to help them navigate the coronavirus storm. The online “Crisis CONNECT Network,” created by national integrated communications…
BEIJING – The world as we know it is at a virtual standstill in the presence of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. People are isolating in place to avoid falling victim to the virus. Businesses, churches, sports and entertainment venues, and even government offices are closed.For Christians in China, where the COVID-19 is believed to have…
LAS VEGAS — COVID-19 has caused many states to cancel Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Celebration for Recovery meetings to prevent the spread of the disease. People in recovery depend on those meetings for sobriety and without them, they are at a greater risk for relapse. To combat this risk, www.TrinityRecoveryCoaching.org is offering…
WILLS POINT, TX – A headline in the Los Angeles Times asked the question, “Social distancing during the Coronavirus? Not when a family of six shares one room.” The story introduced readers to some of the obstacles facing India ahead of the potential impact of the Coronavirus and some of the preventative actions being taken…
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, joined the ranks of the many nations battling the deadly coronavirus on January 26th, when the first COVID-19 case was officially reported. The 25,000 square mile island in the Indian Ocean, just off the southern tip of India, is home to approximately 21.6 million people—whom…
“Our ability to act quickly is critical.” — Open Doors USASANTA ANA, CA — Living conditions for Christians and other religious minorities worldwide are rapidly worsening due to the Coronavirus outbreak, says Open Doors USA, an organization working with persecuted Christians in more than 60 countries. “Their situation is going from bad to worse,” said…
MINNEAPOLIS — Following this week’s widely successful Leader Check-In, Nick Hall hosted an uplifting Good Friday Service to remember why “the darkest day in history is empowering our brightest future.” The service is an initiative of PULSE and Year of the Bible and was streamed at 5 p.m. ET, Friday, April 10, on GoodFriday.com and…
BIRMINGHAM, AL — The following is submitted by Fred Markert, he is director of YWAM Ascend (ascednmissions.com) and serves at Highlands College (highlandscollege.com): In his 1993 book, “Don’t Waste Your Sorrows,” author Paul Billheimer makes the point that it’s not the mere presence of anxiety, fear, pain, or suffering, but how a person reacts to…
KANSAS CITY, MO — In coordination with the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and child welfare workers across the country, CarePortal connecting the needs of families with local churches and community members willing to help, launches a COVID-19 Disaster Relief platform. Through this new initiative, local churches across the nation will…
JERUSALEM — Leading up to Passover, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) is helping hundreds of thousands of Jews prepare for a joyous holiday, especially those who might otherwise not be able to celebrate. The Fellowship has announced they are dedicating $3 million to help more than 215,000 Jews observe Passover in…
PORTLAND, OR — The Luis Palau Association is offering encouraging resources and the opportunity to join a community of nearly 20 million believers through social media during these uncertain times amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. People are encouraged to find hope and join the community at covid.hopewithgod.com. Palau’s Hope with God platform includes evangelistic videos, articles,…
NASHVILLE — To help churches stay connected and minister to their members during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Back to the Bible is offering a free digital service. The BttB.App (https://www.bttb.app/) platform offers churches the ability to integrate their existing websites with various functions such as coordination of online groups and classes, social engagement between…
Stay-at-home Americans challenged to support coronavirus relief efforts WILLS POINT, TX — Faith-based humanitarian group Gospel for Asia (GFA World, and its affiliates like Gospel for Asia Canada) founded by KP Yohannan is helping to sustain desperate families pushed to the brink of starvation as South Asia battles the deadly coronavirus. More than 5,000 cases…
International Christian Relief Organization Responds at Epicenter in U.S. and ItalyNEW YORK — Samaritan’s Purse is opening an Emergency Field Hospital in Central Park adjacent to The Mount Sinai Hospital, the main facility of the Mount Sinai Health System to provide additional specialized care for victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. With nearly half of all…
PORTLAND, OR — Renowned evangelist Luis Palau is set to go big this Easter with a special digital experience sharing a powerful and heartfelt message of hope, love, and joy in the midst of his cancer and these trying times. This Easter Sunday message, in both English and Spanish, is being made available free of…
WILLS POINT, TX – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has placed the nation of India under a 21-day Janata (all people) curfew to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic among the country’s 1.3 billion residents. He announced the nationwide lockdown on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Although the number of reported cases and deaths due to…
WARRENTON, MO — Child Evangelism Fellowship has provided an effective, online tool for conversing with children about such troubling situations as the Coronavirus outbreak. In 2001, after the 9/11 tragedy, CEF prepared a booklet entitled “Do You Wonder Why?” to address tragedy. It speaks directly to children about the emotions they experience due to natural…
CONWAY, SC – Hospitals around America are literally being surrounded by Christians praying for the heroic medical staffs, for the healing of patients, and for both groups to find strength and hope in Jesus. On Friday evening, April 3, just one block away from this writer’s home, cars encircled the Conway Medical Center (CMC) as…
JÉRÉMIE, HAITI – Haiti could be a poster-child for disaster. It seems like it is bound by disasters linked together like an endless chain. The impoverished nation had not fully recovered from the massive 2010 earthquake when it was ravaged by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Even without these natural disasters, three-quarters of the households have…
ORLANDO — In light of the isolation many are experiencing as a result of the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic, Evangelist Daniel Kolenda and the Christ for All Nation’s (CfaN) team is releasing a timely, 60-day Bible study entitled, Immune to Fear. CfaN will offer the inspiring, faith-building, daily devotional free of charge. Once participants register online,…
IRVINE, CA — On Tuesday, March 31, CDF Capital will offer in excess of $5.25 million in relief to more than 150 churches across the United States. With over $550 million in loans, every network church with a loan in good standing is eligible to receive payment deferrals in the form of six months interest-only…
HOUSTON — In response to a plea from the White House for donations of supplies to hospitals, clinics, and other medical providers, Somebody Cares America/International has distributed over 40 thousand N95 masks, normally used by SCA for wildfires and relief efforts involving mold from flooding. Recipients include medical relief ministries in Texas and California; various…
During COVID-19 lockdown, Trail Life USA invites families across U.S. to campout in backyard April 17 GREENVILLE, SC — Boys adventure movement Trail Life USA (www.TrailLifeUSA.com) today announced its first-ever “National Backyard Campout” — encouraging families to “make memories” during the COVID-19 lockdown. At a time when “outward bound” has become “homebound” for families across…
CLEVELAND— While Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Maryland have made it clear that abortion clinics are not exempt from public health directives designed to stop the COVID-19 spread, only Texas has actually enforced it. “It appears only Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is taking the pandemic and the governor’s order to prevent the spread of…
CASTLE ROCK, CO — On Tuesday, the 24th of March, Groundwire saw 536 people place their trust in Jesus. God continues to prove that in the midst of a crazy worl of social isolation, He is accessible. The paradigm of “Social Distancing”, in the midst of the Coronavirus chaos, is being encouraged so that germs…
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed its concern over reports of the provincial government of Balochistan, Pakistan targeting Hazara Shi’a for the spread of COVID-19 amid the Coronavirus lockdown. “We are troubled that government officials in Balochistan are scapegoating the already vulnerable and marginalized Hazara Shi’a community…
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA — Professor and Harvard graduate William Jeynes is organizing a National Day of Repentance for Easter, Sunday, April 12th. He is contacting governors to announce the proclamation for their states, and religious leaders to make the proclamation for their houses of worship and denominations. He is hopeful that President Trump will make…
International Christian Relief Organization Responds at the Epicenter of the Coronavirus in the U.S. BOONE, NC — Samaritan’s Purse deployed its Emergency Field Hospital to New York City, New York, where the local medical infrastructure is severely overwhelmed. In cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), New York state officials, and local hospital authorities,…
Small churches poised to embrace new technology ahead of Easter Sunday 2020 LENOIR CITY, TN — ChurchStreaming.tv and easyTithe, Ministry Brands companies, reported an unprecedented surge in congregant online worship and tithing as in-person church attendance levels decrease. easyTithe saw a 99% increase in online giving and ChurchStreaming.tv saw a quadrupling of its streaming usage…
JERUSALEM — In a miraculous display of fortuitousness and resolve, 31 new Jewish immigrants (olim) from Brazil managed to find their way to Israel last weekend despite myriad restrictions required to contain the spread of COVID-19. “The fact is that our work must continue,” said Yael Eckstein, president and CEO of the International Fellowship of…
WALL, PA — Fear. Panic. Anxiety. Uncertainty. As people throughout the U.S. and around the world are experiencing these emotions, Cornerstone Television Network (a faith-based TV network) has decided to extend its daily programming special, entitled “Coronavirus: Hope for Today” on its own network, and through other networks across the nation. Originally announced as a…
GENEVA – April 7th of this year marks the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the observance of World Health Day. The special awareness day was established in 1948 by the first World Health Assembly (WHA). The WHA is the governing body over the World Health Organization (WHO), the sponsor of World Health Day. The…
JERUSALEM — As the number of individuals in Israel diagnosed with the COVID-19 coronavirus rises, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) plays a critical role in Israel’s fight against the pandemic. On March 20, 2020, The Fellowship approved $2 million in special grants to 15 hospitals for respiratory equipment and other lifesaving machinery. Additionally, The Fellowship purchased 20 special testing…
WARRENTON, MO — Child Evangelism Fellowship operates over 99,000 after-school clubs around the world. GOOD NEWS CLUBS feature Bible teaching, music, games and snacks for children once a week. When schools and churches closed for weeks in South Korea due to COVID-19, a plea went to CEF International Headquarters in Missouri for help with an…
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) across the nation face obstacles as they continue working to reach clients during the COVID-19 outbreak. “Keeping PRCs open and reaching clients is of upmost importance during this crisis,” said Chief Communications Officer Diane Ferraro. “It is more important than ever for clinics that provide free resources…
SAN DIEGO — With COVID19 coronavirus shutting government schools, millions of parents have a historic opportunity to try homeschooling and non-government alternatives, declared leaders with the new movement “Public School Exit.” According to the non-profit, founded in 2019 by Christian leaders passionate about K-12 education, government schools are seriously harming children through sexualization, indoctrination, and…
PLANO, TX – As the COVID-19 virus stokes worldwide fear for physical, financial and employment well-being, Global Media Outreach – the pioneer and leader in online ministry – is seeing an unprecedented rise in inquiries about faith, God and the Bible during this pandemic. “Fear is a natural response to a situation like this that…
BELLINGHAM, WA – In support of the many churches that will operate online for the foreseeable future in recognition of CDC recommendations to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Faithlife Giving, an online giving solution from Faithlife, makers of Logos Bible Software, is now offering six months of premium rates with no subscription fees…
BOONE, NC — Today, the Samaritan’s Purse Emergency Field Hospital, specially equipped with a respiratory care unit, opened in Cremona, Italy. The 68-bed unit was airlifted to Italy on March 17 using the relief organization’s DC-8 cargo plane to provide critical surge capacity to an overwhelmed hospital. The tent facility began receiving patients as soon…
GENEVA — The following is the fourth in a series about the response of the WCC, member churches and all people of goodwill to COVID-19. The purpose of these stories is to share hopes, concerns and best practices among our one human family. – WCC director of communication Marianne Ejdersten As the world grapples with…
WILLS POINT, TX — Hundreds of millions of people around the world can’t take the most basic precaution against the coronavirus or other diseases — because they don’t have clean water or soap to wash their hands, mission agency Gospel for Asia (GFA) warned today. Marking World Water Day, Gospel for Asia (GFA) says millions…
