Charisma Staff


U.S.

130 Young Preachers Gather In Louisville

Charisma Staff

How can the lost call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

Enter 130 young preachers.

The young men and women of God are gathering together in Louisville this weekend for the second National Festival of Young Preachers. Hosted by the Academy of Preachers, the Lilly Endowment is underwriting the event, which is open to young preachers between the ages of 16 and 28.

World

Egyptian Muslims Serve as Christian ‘Body Shields’

Charisma Staff

We read plenty about Christian persecution in Islamic countries—Islamic countries dominated the Open Doors World Watch List this year—so when a headline emerges that reads “Egypt’s Muslims attend Coptic Christmas mass, serving as human shields”—it causes you to look twice, or even three times.

That’s the true story from Ahram Online by Yasmine El-Rashidi. El-Rashidi reports that Egypt’s majority Muslim population stuck to its word to protect Christians Thursday night:

U.S.

Televangelists Pass Senate Probe, But New Commission Formed

Charisma Staff

Sen. Churck Grassley’s probe into high-profile television ministries may be over, but the ranking member of the Committee on Finance’s investigation has led to the formation of a new commission on accountability and policy issues for churches and other religious organizations.

Grassley reviewed the activities and practices of six media-based ministries’ “Joyce Meyer Ministries, Kenneth Copeland Ministries, Creflo Dollar Ministries, Bishop Eddie Long Ministries, Benny Hinn Ministries, and Paula White Ministries” and found no wrongdoing.

U.S.

Updated NIV Bible Ebook Hits Bestseller Lists

Charisma Staff

It’s official. Zondervan’s new NIV Bible e-book has made its way onto the USA Today bestsellers list. Released on Dec. 15, the digital release marks the first time that a new Bible translation has launched in a digital format prior to publication in a print format.

Here are some additional breakthroughs: The NIV Bible made its debut as the number one e-book in the Religion & Spirituality Category of Apple’s iBookstore and rose to number 7 for all books on Apple. It is also among the Top 100 in Amazon’s Kindle Store and a Top 25 e-book in Barnes & Noble’s Nookbook Store.

U.S.

SBA List Calls on Congress to Repeal Pro-Abortion Health Care Law

Charisma Staff

As part of its Stop Abortion Funding campaign, the Susan B. Anthony List has mobilized its 280,000-member grassroots network to lobby members of Congress to vote for the repeal of the pro-abortion Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

“Keeping abortion out of health care”as the antitheses to it “was the critical issue with enough votes to stop or pass healthcare. It was a dramatic caving in on abortion in health care by a group of now former Members of Congress that finally sealed the deal on the bill,” says SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser.

U.S.

Short-Term Missions Impact At-Risk Youth

Charisma Staff

Could short-term missions be an answer to stemming the tide of lost youth? A new Barna Research study offers good news about the ministry model.

Barna took a look at Scripture Union’s SuperKids program. SuperKids offers one- and two-week outreach missions programs that aim to make an impact on youth at a time when many are leaving the church as soon as they get old enough to drive.

World

Lao Officials Arrest 11 Christians at Gunpoint

Charisma Staff

Following the arrest of 11 Christians at gunpoint on Tuesday (Jan. 4), three house church leaders remain behind bars for “holding a secret meeting,” according to advocacy group Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF).

Lao authorities today released six of the house church Christians, including two children ages 4 and 8, from Khammouan Provincial Prison, central Laos. Two other men were released yesterday (Jan. 5).

The charge against the three church leaders is a political offense punishable by law, HRWLRF said. It identified the three men only by their given names as Pastor Wanna from Nakoon village church, Chanlai from Tonglar village church and Kan from nearby Nahin village church, all in Hinboun district, Khammouan Province.


U.S.

Charisma Starts New Year With Focus on Forgiveness

Charisma Staff

“When the Vow (Almost) Breaks.” “Forgiveness That Transcends.” “The Devil in Pew No. 7.” Those are just a few of the impactful headlines in the January 2011 issue of Charisma magazine.

The new year is all about starting with a clean slate, says Charisma Editor Marcus Yoars. Beyond the resolutions that are likely to fade by the end of the month, he says, New Year’s represents a chance to start over again. That’s why the January 2011 issue of Charisma focuses on the theme of forgiveness and its power in giving people a second chance.

U.S.

Pat Robertson Offers Dire Prophetic Word for 2011

Charisma Staff

Undaunted by criticism over past prophetic utterances, Pat Robertson is once again sharing what he believes the Lord has spoken to him for 2011.

Before sharing the prophetic word on CBN, Robertson explained that sometimes his prophetic inspiration is “so spot on its frightening,” while other times he has put things out tentatively to see if it is what the Lord has. He made it clear that he is no psychic, but that sometimes God graciously gives him direction.

With that preface, here is some of what Robertson shared on a TV interview with Terry Meeuwsen about the Lord’s thoughts for 2011:

Share