CHRISTIAN SCHOOL RE-OPENS IN IRAQ
According to World Watch Monitor, the re-opening of the oldest Christian school in Mosul, a northern Iraqi city once controlled by IS, is ‘a victory over terrorism and extremism.’ The primary school was closed for four years, but now has 400 students aged between 6 and 12.

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS
Inspire Magazine reports that Christians in the UK are being encouraged to prepare spiritually for Christmas with free daily Bible readings throughout Advent. Each day the Bible readings Fresh From The Word can be received by email together with commentary.

PAINTING DEPICTS CHRIST’S BAPTISM
Archeologists have discovered a 1,500-year-old painting of Jesus they say is the oldest known depiction in Israel of Christ being baptized.   Christianheadlines.com states that the painting was found inside a church in the Negev Desert of southern Israel and dates to the Byzantine empire. The church was located in the village of Shivta. Archaeologists believe it was painted in the 500s.

CHRISTIANS RESPOND TO POVERTY
According to Christian Today, four out of five Christians (87 per cent) have taken action on poverty in the past year – a far higher proportion than the general population – according to a poll of 2,958 UK adults by Barna Group for Christian relief and development agency Tearfund. The research shows that Christians are more likely to donate to charity and to give food, clothing, furniture or other resources to someone in need.

AGGRESSION IN NEPAL AND INDIA
ChristianHeadlines.com reports that a policeman in Nepal was reprimanded and punished last month for talking about his faith in Christ at a public, multi-faith religious gathering. And Morning Star News states that Christian leaders in India continue to be concerned about acts of aggression against Christians in that country.

MICHAEL BUBLE GRATEFUL TO GOD
Several news outlets have reported that Canadian singer Michael Buble and his family rallied together to support his young son last year, while he battled cancer. During a recent tv appearance the singer tearfully shared that Jesus Christ deserves the credit for his son’s cancer remission. Buble’s wife, Luisana, has also credited God for her family’s strength.

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.