NewLife Faith News - May 7th
Compiled and Edited by Stan Hunt
Nigeria has been put back on an international list of Countries of Particular Concern. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom took Nigeria off the list in 2021, much to the dismay of persecution watchdogs dealing with the unfolding situation in the country.
Countries of Particular Concern are based on their governments permitting violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief. The Commission makes recommendations, advising the U.S. government on responses, such as sanctions.
Nigeria has been returned to the list because Islamist extremists have increased the frequency of their attacks. Todd Nettleton, with Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) says regularly Christians are being killed and churches destroyed.
He told Mission Network News it happens so often in northern Nigeria it is no longer news. Since 2000, 62,000 Christians in Nigeria have been murdered in genocide perpetrated by Islamist jihadist groups.
Source: Mission Network News
One of the world’s leading Christian humanitarian organisations has launched a new donation program. World Vision’s “Subscribe to World Change” program encourages donors to use money typically spent on unused subscriptions to support its global ministry efforts instead.
Chief Marketing Officer Priscilla Tuan told Baptist News Global the program is focused on helping end extreme poverty. When people subscribe, they’re putting their faith into action and making a lasting impact both practically and spiritually, she says.
World Vision research found many people significantly underestimate their monthly spending on services such as Netflix etc. 42% admitted they have stopped using one or more services and forgot they were still paying for them. It was more common among young people.
World Vision’s new program urges donors to tally their monthly spending on unused subscriptions and to consider redirecting those dollars to benefit more than 700 million people living in extreme poverty worldwide.
Source: Baptist News Global
The She Reads Truth devotional Bible has sold more than 1 million copies since its release in 2017. To mark the milestone, it has received a Platinum Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.
The devotional Bible derived from the work of Amanda Williams and Raechel Myers, the founders of the She Reads Truth social media community which centres on regular Bible reading. By 2017, the community had more than 800,000 followers across multiple social media platforms.
Andy McLean, Lifeway Publishing director of Bibles and Reference told the Christian Post the Bible’s beautiful message is reflected in the devotional Bible’s physical beauty. It is smart, inviting, and engaging, and it lends the beautiful message the aesthetic beauty it deserves.
It includes a reading plan, multiple detailed maps, as well as supplemental readings to aid readers with overall context.
Source: The Christian Post
Hundreds of Ukrainian Christians are taking shelter in the few remaining buildings just a few kilometres from the front line of the war. People close to the conflict zones are seeking refuge where they can, having lost everything when they fled their homes.
The war is creating shortages of the basics with many facing futures without food, medicine or hope. Churches and Christian communities are helping as much as they can, but they too are poor and struggling. But thanks to Barnabas supporters, they have renewed hope.
In the 12 months to February, Barnabas Aid has sent 16 shipping containers of food, medicine and other aid, to Christians in Ukraine. Thousands of Christians in the region have been sustained thanks to generous supporters. Barnabas continues to provide aid to Ukraine, as well as Ukrainian refugees in neighbouring countries.
Source: Barnabas Aid
For the first time the history of Jerusalem from 1200 BC has been scientifically reconstructed.
The study ranged from before the days of David and Solomon to the Babylonian destruction in 586 BC, according to a Christian Headlines report.
The science concludes the city was already an important urban centre in David and Solomon's time, matching the biblical description. The study was conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), Tel Aviv University, and the Weizmann Institute of Science.
A spokesman for IAA says that as part of the research, scientists studied natural materials found in structures at four different excavation areas in the City of David. Measuring the amount of carbon in organic material and using ancient tree rings allowed the researchers to create a precise timeline, he says.
Archaeologists and historians have debated for decades about the size of Jerusalem during the time of kings David and Solomon.
Source: Christian News Headlines
“The Chosen,” the popular Bible series about the life of Jesus, will soon be streaming on Disney+. Disney News blog “Inside the Magic” reports that bringing “The Chosen” to Disney+ could be a “tremendous win for Disney’s image”.
It says the platform has been criticized for its less-than-family-friendly content. According to Faithwire it’s significant to see “The Chosen” on Disney+ because VidAngel, the original distributor for “The Chosen” was once caught in the crosshairs of The Walt Disney Company.
In 2016, Disney, along with three other Hollywood studios, filed a copyright infringement against VidAngel, a faith-based company, for allowing users to filter objectionable language and scenes out of movies and TV shows.
VidAngel was ordered to pay $62 million in damages and another $1 million for violating Copyright. Episodes of The Chosen are also streamed on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, the Angel app, and The Chosen app.
Source: Faithwire