Muslim Radicals Kill 10 Christians in Nigeria

International Christian Concern has learned that members of a radical Islamic group, Boko Haram, killed at least 10 Christians in Maiduguri, Nigeria over the past two months in what a Christian leader is calling a “silent killing” of Christians.

In an interview with ICC, an anonymous local church leader explained: “Boko Haram is seeking to eliminate Christianity because they want Islamic (Shariah) law. They don’t want to see anything Christian in the northern states [of Nigeria]. That is why churches are being persecuted and Muslims who don’t follow the [hardline teachings of] Boko Haram are also persecuted.”

Boko Haram is close to achieving its goal of eliminating Christianity from Maiduguri. Most of the Christians have fled the city in fear of further attacks by the Islamists. Of the churches that remain, some have felt compelled to suspend their services to protect their congregations.

Illinois Megachurch Denies Anti-Gay Stance After Starbucks CEO Cancels

An “anti-gay” church controversy that’s been brewing has finally become frothy.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has canceled his speech at an influential megachurch in Illinois. The decision comes as a response to a Change.org petition that cast anti-gay aspersions on the congregation. At the same time, a Christian group that opposes homosexuality is also picketing the church.

The Change.org petition accused Willow Creek Community Church of “anti-gay persecution” based on its past association with Exodus International, a Christian ministry that works to help gays and lesbians leave homosexuality. Meanwhile, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality is upset because Willow Creek, an evangelical church in South Barrington, Ill., broke ties with Exodus in 2009.

London Riots Spark Prayer Unity Movement

Roiling balls of angry flames throb from gutted buildings and shops in north London. Rioting young people with faces masked by dark cloth wrappings clash with London riot police. Charred frames of metal that were once cars litter the streets.

Violent London riots have been raging since the police shooting of 29-year-old Mark Duggan on Aug. 4. Police were attempting to arrest him in Tottenham, a city with a familiar history of riots.

Following Duggan’s death, his friends and family gathered for a peaceful protest at the Tottenham police station. But things did not stay peaceful after 300 people joined the protest and violence quickly erupted.


How Christians Should Respond to Debt Crisis

By the time many of you read this, Congress may have found a solution to the current debt-ceiling crisis. The immediate danger may be averted—temporarily.

The real issue, however, isn’t the budget, the debt ceiling or anything else, as much as it is a philosophical battle over the direction of the country. This is the root of the intransigence and increasing bitterness exhibited by both parties.

People defend philosophies more vehemently than they do money. It’s like defending one’s religion as one side against the other claims to be the only source of truth. And make no mistake, politics and political ideology have the force of religion in America.

Father Tortures Teenage Daughter for Leaving Islam

A 14-year-old girl in western Uganda is still unable to walk 10 months after her father tortured her for leaving Islam and putting her faith in Christ, according to area Christians.

Susan Ithungu of Isango village, Kasese district, has been hospitalized at Kagando Hospital since October 2010 after neighbors with police help rescued her from her father, Beya Baluku. He was arrested shortly afterward but quickly released, sources said.

Susan and her younger brother, Mbusa Baluku, lived alone with their father after he divorced their mother. In March 2010 an evangelist from Bwera Full Gospel Church spoke at Susan’s school, and she decided to trust Christ for her salvation.

Americans Urge Appeals Court to Defund Planned Parenthood

In an effort to prevent states’ rights from being curtailed by partisan interests, members of Congress and thousands of Americans are speaking out on Planned Parenthood funding.

The American Center for Law and Justice is urging a federal appeals court—on behalf of 41 members of Congress and more than 25,000 Americans—to uphold an Indiana law prohibiting federal funding of abortion providers like Planned Parenthood.

“Planned Parenthood receives more than $350 million a year in taxpayer funds. Indiana’s decision to no longer use federal money to fund the nation’s largest abortion provider is not only a constitutionally sound decision, but one we hope is implemented in other states across the country,” says Jay Sekulow, ACLJ chief counsel. “Indiana and other states have the constitutional authority to determine how they spend federal funds.”

Terrorists Exit, Allow Famine Relief in Mogadishu

The United Nation Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says the number of Somalis arriving in northeastern Kenya continues to grow, with thousands more arriving each week.

The stream of refugees is the most obvious sign of drought conditions in Somalia. Numbers provided by UN show that almost half of Somalia’s population, 3.7 million people, is affected by the current crisis. The Horn of Africa famine could claim an entire generation by the time it’s over. Worse, al Shabaab—a militant rebel group—was standing in between the starving people and the food brought in by the international community.

K-Love Radio Raises $2 Million for Rwanda

Amid fears of an economic crisis, listeners of national Christian radio stations K-Love and Air1 donated nearly $2 million in a daylong campaign to provide Compassion’s Water of Life safe water systems to those living in extreme poverty in Rwanda.

K-Love and Air1 focused on the immense need for safe water in Rwanda where 60 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. More than one-third of the population is without improved drinking water sources and nearly half are without improved sanitation facilities.

“The money raised will provide over 35,000 Compassion children and their families with safe drinking water for the rest of their lives,” says Mark Hanlon, Compassion’s senior vice president for US operations.

Making Disciples, One Click at a Time

Based on John 3:16, PeaceWithGod.net uses videos, testimonies and a simple gospel presentation to explain how a person can be saved through faith in Jesus Christ.

Although Sue was too depressed to leave her apartment, she mustered enough energy one day to go online and search for encouragement. She found a page that helped her see other people struggle with depression and that Christ could heal the hurt in her heart.

Across the ocean, Emad, who lives in a country where Christianity is not embraced, searched for topics about eternity after his mother passed away. He stumbled on a page explaining how Jesus is the only way to heaven, and how to begin a relationship with Him.

Dave Ramsey Responds to Dow Jones Dips

So much for stabilizing the markets with a Federal Reserve promise to keep interest rates low. Europe’s debt problems are sending a ripple effect through U.S. stock markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial average declined 519 points, or 4.6 percent, on Wednesday. The dip marks the third time in the last five trading days that the Dow has lost more than 500 points. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq dropped 101 points, or 4.1 percent, and the S&P 500 is down 51 points, or 4.4 percent.

But now is no time to panic. So says Dave Ramsey, a nationally syndicated radio show host discussing personal finance topics. Ramsey has launched what he calls “The Great Recovery,” a grassroots movement spread by people who are tired of looking to Washington for answers.

Muslims Murder Christian in Upper Egypt

A Coptic Christian was killed and several others were injured in Upper Egypt after Muslims on Sunday attacked a predominantly Christian village following an argument between a Muslim and Christian.

The attack at Nazlet Faragallah village in Minya, 218 kilometers south of Cairo, lasted until Monday morning, Christians said. The attackers raided an unknown number of homes owned by Christian villagers and set eight on fire, area residents said.

The assailants killed Maher Nassif, 46, a civil servant and livestock farmer, when he tried to defend his home. The men burst into Nassif’s house, shot him in the head and slit his throat while his teenage son watched from under a bed where he was hiding, Christian villagers said. The men looted the home and stole Nassif’s livestock as his son escaped into the night, according to villagers who spoke with the boy.

Crystal Cathedral Creditor Forces Sale

The Crystal Cathedral’s creditors aren’t backing down. The creditors have made it clear that the megachurch property will be sold whether or not the Schuller family agrees, according to United Press International.

The California church was believing God for a $50 million fundraising miracle, but creditors filed a plan in federal bankruptcy court in Santa Ana, Calif., on Tuesday calling for the sale.

Creditors want at least $50 million, The Orange County Register reported. The plan would reportedly allow the Schullers to lease the 3,000-seat building from the buyer.


Four Texas Abortionists Busted for Violations

Four Texas abortionists associated with the Whole Women’s Health abortion chain are facing disciplinary action based on complaints filed by Operation Rescue.

The Texas Medical Board notified Operation Rescue President Troy Newman that William Watkins West Jr., Robert E. Hanson Jr., Pedro J. Kowalyszyn and Sherwood C. Lynn will appear before an Informal Settlement Conference/Show Compliance hearing on Oct. 28 to determine what, if any, disciplinary action should be taken against them.

They join five other Texas abortionists who are also facing disciplinary action based on Operation Rescue complaints.

Does Education Influence Religious Beliefs?

It’s pretty much a given that the more educated someone becomes, the more likely they are to question their religious beliefs, stop going to church and even abandon their faith entirely.

Or is it?

A new University of Nebraska-Lincoln study challenges that age-old notion with findings that show education actually has a positive effect on Americans’ churchgoing habits, their devotional practices, their emphasis on religion in daily life and their support for religious leaders to weigh in on the issues of the day.

Charismatic Leaders Speak Out on U.S. Debt Woes

The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Monday saw its worst day since Dec. 2008, with the day’s final numbers dropping 600 points.

As the U.S. national debt continues its climb past $14.5 trillion, Charismatic and evangelical Christian leaders are responding from various perspectives. Some take a prophetic look. Others take a pragmatic look. But all agree that something has to change.

International evangelist Perry Stone, known for his end-time prophetic ministry, addressed the economic collapse in his Aug. 8 “Prophecy Update.” In his update, he notes that the federal government couldn’t even begin to cover its debt—even if the richest of Americans were taxed 100 percent of their earnings.

The King’s University Discusses Crystal Cathedral Bid

A large arts and crafts retailer known for its philanthropic support of Christian causes has offered to purchase the Crystal Cathedral Garden Grove, Calif., property for $47.5 million.

If the bid is successful, the Oklahoma-based Hobby Lobby would lease the property to The King’s University for a year and then donate it to the university. The King’s University is a Pentecostal/Charismatic Bible college and seminary of which Jack Hayford is founder.

“Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. offered the Crystal Cathedral Board of Directors $47.5 million to purchase the Crystal Cathedral property,” says Mart Green, the vice chairman of the board for the retailer and son of founder David Green. “Although Hobby Lobby believes its offer is adequate to pay in full all secured, priority and trade creditors, such an allocation of sale proceeds is not a closing condition. Our offer is in cash, which allows for creditors to be paid back as soon as a sale is completed.”

Study Proves Religious People Have More Joy

There may be a few atheists in foxholes, but a new study suggests that in societies under stress, those who are religious outnumber—and are happier than—their nonreligious counterparts.

Where peace and plenty are the norm, however, religious participation is lower and people are happier whether or not they are religious, the researchers found.

The study analyzed data from the 2005-2009 Gallup World Poll, a survey of people in more than 150 countries that included questions about religious affiliation, life satisfaction, respect, social support and positive and negative feelings. The researchers also looked at 2009 Gallup polling data from the U.S.

Netanyahu Urges Ambassadors to Oppose Unilateral Palestinian Move at U.N.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday urged 19 visiting diplomats to oppose a drive by the Palestinians to win unilateral recognition of statehood at the United Nations without negotiating a peace agreement with Israel.

The delegation of 18 Washington-based ambassadors from four continents and one other senior diplomat met Netanyahu on day two of a five-day fact-finding mission to Israel and the West Bank organized by The Israel Project.

“I am going to ask you not to support this resolution,” Netanyahu told the group. He said the resolution, which Palestinian leaders are expected to bring to the United Nations General Assembly next month, could seriously damage the peace process and make future negotiations much more difficult.

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