NewLife Faith News - April 9th
Compiled and Edited by Stan Hunt
YouVersion marked its highest day ever for daily Bible engagement, soaring nearly 22 per cent compared to Easter in 2023. On Easter Sunday alone, 16.8 million individuals turned to God’s Word through the YouVersion family of apps, with 2.4 million verses shared through the Bible App.
According to YouVersion, the significant uptick in Easter Bible engagement can be attributed in part to enhanced accessibility and the data-friendly Bible App Lite. Premier News reports YouVersion launched among the first free Bible apps in 2008.
Since then, it’s been installed in every country of the world, using features like Verse of the Day, Bible Plans, Guided Prayer, and Daily Refresh. As Easter unfolded, the most shared verses covered the essence of the holiday's significance such as Matthew chapter 28 and Luke 24. YouVersion is available in more than 2,000 languages.
Source: Premier Christian News
After decades as the poster boy for New Atheism, 'God Delusion' author Richard Dawkins says he is a "cultural Christian". Speaking on radio, Dr Dawkins said it would be "truly dreadful" if Christianity were to be replaced in the UK with another religion.
The straight-talking scientist admits he was "slightly horrified" to see Ramadan lights being displayed in parts of the UK over Easter. We are a Christian country, he said. I count myself a cultural Christian. Dr Dawkins said that given the choice between Christianity and Islam, he would go for Christianity "every single time”.
Reacting to his comments, Chine McDonald Theos Think Tank CEO, told Christian Today she will save her excitement for when Dr Dawkins starts talking about the radical love of Jesus Christ. Dawkins has in the past spoken about his "normal Anglican upbringing" before abandoning Christianity in his teenage years.
Source: Christian Today
Since President Tebboune of Algeria took office in 2019 the government has shut down more than forty churches.
Yet Algeria’s capital-C Church is far from crushed. A North African church leader serving with the A3 mission says the churches are people, and they cannot be shut down.
The leader (who can’t be named for security) says the government cannot prevent the Holy Spirit working in peoples’ hearts. And many are continuing to come to the Lord. He told Mission Network News they must meet wherever they find peace. Sometimes that means private homes, sometimes it means out in forests where there is greater freedom.
A3 leaders say the fact that churches have caused government concern attention in a country that is 97% Muslim shows the Lord is growing His Church. The A3 mission is working to equip North African church leaders with mentorship and resources for godly leadership.
Source: Mission Network News
Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) has operated quietly behind the scenes in Russia, the former Soviet Union and Israel for decades. Now, they are in a unique place to help tens of thousands of people whose lives have been torn apart.
Michael Johnson president of SGA told CBN News they are serving the most vulnerable, and the forgotten, amid the two devastating wars in Israel and Ukraine. SGA is supporting missionary pastors and church workers on the Gaza border — men and women who put their lives on the line to bring help, hope and the Gospel to thousands of anxious and traumatized people.
In Ukraine, they are partnering with churches to provide refuge, food and the Gospel to people experiencing death and destruction all around them. 2024 marks 90 years of SGA serving churches across a huge landmass covering 11 time zones, reaching even into the Arctic Circle.
Source: CBN Christian World News
A Christian ministry in Haiti is in danger as armed gangs try to control its headquarters. So far, security personnel are able to stop them and save the lives of at least 120 staff members. David Vanderpool is CEO and co-founder of LiveBeyond, a ministry that operates a hospital, school, and church, just outside of the capital Port au Prince.
Dr Vanderpool told the Baptist Press that on March 21, gunmen came to the ministry's compound and started shooting, trying to get in. Nobody was injured. “But it's just constant gunfire, constant danger," he says. He says the gunmen are looking for supplies to steal, and hostages to capture for ransom.
Port-au-Prince is the centre of extreme political tension and street violence as Prime Minister Ariel Henry fights to stay in power. Around 1,200 people have been killed and more than 700 injured within the last two months.
Source: Baptist Press
A shipment of Bibles, books, medical equipment and musical instruments from Mission Cry has arrived safely in Liberia. Distribution has already started to churches, prisons, clinics and Bible schools. Jason Woolford with Mission Cry says their work spreading God’s Word comes under direct spiritual attack.
The safe arrival of our shipment is a victory in itself, he says. He told Mission Network News the very real devil hates what they are we’re doing and makes sure they face opposition. But now people are receiving practical help and the everlasting Word of God, he says.
Prayer is requested for protection for the Mission Cry team, their partners, and the people receiving the shipment. Mission Cry sends free Bibles to people around the world. Mr Woolford says they have three more containers ready to go, fully packed. In some places distributing and receiving Bibles can cost a person their safety, their business, even their life.
Source: Mission Network News