Listen again to Songs of Hope Sunday Worship for Sunday 19Aug18. Play time is 18 minutes.
Category Archives: podcast
19Aug18 Christian News Bulletin
ONGOING CRACKDOWN IN CHINA
According to The Christian Post, Christians in China have revealed new details about the Communist Party’s ongoing crackdown on religion. The Associated Press reported recently on what believers have described as increasing persecution under President Xi Jinping’s government, which has ordered several churches to be demolished while others have been forced to remove crosses and paintings of Jesus. A 62-year-old shopkeeper from Henan province opened up about what he and other Christians have suffered, such as local officials showing up at their church and demanding that the cross, Bible verse calligraphy, and a painting of the “Last Supper” be taken down.
CHURCH CLOSURES IN RWANDA
A report from ChristianHeadlines.com suggests that more than 8,000 churches in Rwanda have been closed by the government as part of an alleged crackdown on unsafe structures, although religious liberty advocates say the government is closing congregations that should be considered acceptable. Christians in the country fear the movement is a cover for the government’s drive toward secularism.
CHURCH PLANTING IN ENGLAND
Eternity News reports that, in its homeland, the Church of England is doing something that most denominations in Western countries have not been able to ignite or sustain. It is taking Church planting seriously, and will spend 47 million dollars to create 100 new churches by 2020.
Aretha Franklin tribute podcast
Songs of Hope paid a tribute to Aretha Franklin yesterday (19Aug18) by playing some of her gospel songs
Gordon Moyes helped thousands
Listen to the story of Gordon Moyes, superintendent of Sydneys Wesley Mission for many years. His social welfare work was amazing. Broadcast on Songs of Hope on 12Aug18. Press play to listen or download.
12Aug18 Christian News Bulletin
PRAISE AND THANKS IN UKRAINE
According to Mission Network News, the streets of Kiev in Ukraine filled with songs of praise and thanks as approximately 200,000 people gathered to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Many travelled from all four provinces just to be a part of the celebration and to thank God for the freedom to worship and for the freedom to preach the Gospel in their country.
A CHRISTIAN CHARITY SHORTLISTED FOR AWARD
Inspire Magazine reports that a Christian maritime charity has been shortlisted for charity of the year. Sailors’ Society, in its 200th year, will compete against six other organisations at the Charity Times Awards in London on 3rd October. The charity works internationally to provide practical, emotional and spiritual welfare support to the world’s 1.6m seafarers, regardless of background or faith. Their chaplains and ship visitors have a presence in 91 ports, with wider projects and services covering 30 countries.
NEW BIBLE TRANSLATION FOR INDONESIA
Indonesia, home of the world’s largest Muslim population, is getting a fresh translation of the Bible. It’s been about 30 years since the last full Bible translation was launched in the country. New Life reports that Biblica is translating the dated version and will present it as a contemporary version using modern idiomatic Indonesian.
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