Category: Christian News Bulletin

HOPE FOR YOUTH IN PERU
According to Christian Today, underprivileged youth in Peru are expecting a brighter future after attending the first Siloam Christian Ministries’ Bible camp in the country. The camp theme was ‘Our Eternal Father’, aimed at helping young people find a greater hope for their life. 66 children between the ages of 12 and 16 attended the camp, most coming from one‐parent or dysfunctional families. 27 campers made a decision for Christ during the camp.

CHRISTIANS PLAY MUSLIMS IN CRICKET
Eternity News reports that while the Australian men’s cricket team played Pakistan in the Emirates and the Aussie Women played Pakistan in Malaysia, Christians played Muslims in a special harmony match organised by the Pakistan Bible Society in Sheikhupara.

THE JESUS FILM
The Jesus Film project has completed its 1,700th language translation of the film. CBN News reports that the latest translation of the film is in the Cheke Itolo language for people living in the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific.

SRI LANKAN CHRISTIANS UNDER ATTACK
Morning Star News reports that attacks and other actions against Christians in Sri Lanka have escalated this year, with Hindu extremism beginning to take root along with long-time Buddhist aggression. 67 incidents against Christians in Sri Lanka were reported from January through to September.

BIBLES RELEASED IN SUDAN
In a surprise move, Sudan has released shipments of Bibles long held in port, including one detained nearly six years ago, according to the head of the Bible Society in Sudan. The estimated 2 million Christians in Sudan have had to endure a critical shortage of Arabic-language Bibles.

‘FESTIVAL OF LIFE’ IN UK
According to Premier News, an estimated 40,000 Christians recently crammed into London’s Excel Centre for the Festival of Life. The annual event run by the Redeemed Christian Church of God is the largest single gathering of believers in the UK. Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu was just one of those invited to preach during the 8 hour service.

CRACKDOWN ON INDIAN CHRISTIANS
At least 10 pastors have been arrested with their families as they worshipped in church services across the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, a leading persecution watchdog has reported. Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a United Nations’ accredited NGO that serves in over 20 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, reports that authorities in the Indian state are continuing their crackdowns on Christians.

RELIGIOUS REVISIONISM IN CHINA
The Christian Post reports that the Chinese government is supervising a five-year plan to make Christianity more compatible with socialism in which there will be a “rewrite” of the Bible. Rev. Bob Fu, a prominent religious freedom activist, has told the United States Congress that the revision of China’s religious regulations is to actively guide religion to “adapt to socialist society.”

POP SINGER CRIES OUT TO GOD
Pop singer Avril Lavigne has re-emerged after a five-year hiatus with a powerful song that reveals her cry to God after encountering a near-death experience. Lavigne has been battling Lyme disease since 2014, and her new single, “Head Above Water,” reveals just how difficult that fight has been. In the song’s chorus, she sings “God keep my head above water / Don’t let me drown / It gets harder / I’ll meet you there at the altar / As I fall down to my knees / Don’t let me drown / Don’t let me drown.”

“HILL OF THE BIBLE”
The caretaker of a massive hillside Bible sign in Mexico hopes to break four Guinness World Records while also spreading a positive message about God’s Word. Gabriel Andavazo, a pastor in Ciudad Juárez, is caretaker of a huge hillside sign that can be seen miles away and that says in Spanish: “The Bible is the Truth.” Made of stone, it recently was re-painted with the help of around 2,000 people, according to Evangelical Focus.

BILL HAYDEN BAPTIZED
Various media outlets report that Bill Hayden, a former Governor-General of Australia and lifelong atheist, has found God and been baptized in a Roman Catholic Church at 85 years of age. According to The Australian newspaper, Hayden said “it was witnessing so many selfless acts of compassion by Christians over his lifetime, and deep contemplation while recovering from a stroke, that prompted his decision.” Australia’s The Catholic Leader reported that Hayden, who during his political career identified as a humanist, was baptized on September 9 at St. Mary’s Church in Ipswich, Queensland.

HILLSONG NOW A DENOMINATION
Eternity News reports that Hillsong Church has become an official denomination, withdrawing from the Australian Christian Churches (ACC). In a letter addressed to the ACC network, Hillsong Senior Pastor Brian Houston announced the “global nature” of Hillsong Church had prompted the decision. Hillsong now has the ability to credential its own pastors.

ANCIENT CHRISTIAN WORSHIP SITE DISCOVERED
Archaeologists searching for the site where Jesus performed His water-to-wine miracle have said that excavations of tunnels of ancient Christian worship provide a strong clue. Tom McCollough, lead researcher at the excavation site of Khirbet Qana, a Jewish village that existed between 323 B.C. and 324 A.D., told The Daily Star that a network of tunnels used for ancient Christian worship has been found. The tunnels reportedly are marked with crosses and the Greek phrase for “Lord Jesus.” They also contain an altar, and the remains of a stone vessel.

MORE BIBLES IN MORE HOTELS
According to Eternity News, the world’s largest hotel chain is putting Bibles in another 300,000 rooms. Although the Bible often seems to be brushed aside as outdated or unnecessary, Marriott International is reportedly stocking its Starwood hotels with the good book.

AN ACTOR’S APPROACH TO PRAYER
Christianheadlines.com has reported on actor Mark Wahlberg’s daily approach to prayer. Wahlberg said he does not pray so he can have success but focuses his prayer time on his wife, his four children, and his character. “For me to sit down and ask for material things is ridiculous. It’s a much bigger picture than that. I want to serve God and to be a good human being and to make up for the mistakes I made and the pain I put people through. That’s what I’m praying for, and I recommend it to anybody.”

MORE BIBLES NEEDED IN CHINA
Eternity News reports that last year, in China’s Henan Province, more than 120 believers, mostly aged in their 50s, were baptised, leading to a great need for many more Bibles.  Most of the believers are rural poor who can only afford subsidised Bibles. The Bible Society Australia is providing free Bibles for those in need, making it possible for churches to give Bibles to believers for spiritual growth as well as to seekers as a means of community outreach. More Christian news