Early Rain Covenant Church Worships in Park After Building Blocked by Police, Those Leading Gathering Taken Away

Early Rain Covenant Church Worships in Park After Building Blocked by Police, Those Leading Gathering Taken Away

 CHENGDU — Video posted to social media on Sunday shows members of Early Rain Covenant Church in China meeting outside after over 100 members were detained last week and police surrounded the building today so that none could enter. A report from the church outlines that those leading the river-side gathering were led away […]

More Than 100 Believers Arrested in Iran Amidst Government Crackdown

More Than 100 Believers Arrested in Iran Amidst Government Crackdown

(The Christian Institute) — More than 100 Christians have been arrested in Iran in just one week and ordered to cut all contact with religious groups and house churches. They were detained by Iranian authorities, questioned on their involvement in Christian activities, and told to expect a call from Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence. Christian charity […]

Boy Scouts of America Considers Bankruptcy Filing Amid Dwindling Membership, Sex-Abuse Lawsuits

Boy Scouts of America Considers Bankruptcy Filing Amid Dwindling Membership, Sex-Abuse Lawsuits

(Wall Street Journal) — The Boy Scouts of America is considering filing for bankruptcy protection as it faces dwindling membership and escalating legal costs related to lawsuits over how it handled allegations of sex abuse. Leaders of the Boy Scouts, one of the country’s largest youth organizations, have hired law firm Sidley Austin LLP for […]

Nepali Church Grows Despite Anti-Conversion Law

Nepali Church Grows Despite Anti-Conversion Law

(Mission Network News) — In a new report, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom says anti-conversion laws are on the rise in South Asia. The USCIRF is calling on the U.S. government to work with South Asian allies and “[apply] pressure on governments to rescind laws that deny individuals the right to share and […]

Elder of Chinese Church Pens Letter in Hiding as Over 100 Members Detained: ‘We Are in the Hands of the Lord’

Elder of Chinese Church Pens Letter in Hiding as Over 100 Members Detained: ‘We Are in the Hands of the Lord’

CHENGDU — An elder of Early Rain Covenant Church penned a handwritten letter providing spiritual exhortation and guidance on how the church should proceed in the middle of persecution as over 100 members, including pastors, elders and deacons, were detained on Sunday by Chinese police. “Beloved brothers and sisters, do you have joy?” asked Li Yingqiang. […]

Dutch Doctor to Be Prosecuted for Euthanizing Woman With Dementia Despite Her Resistance

Dutch Doctor to Be Prosecuted for Euthanizing Woman With Dementia Despite Her Resistance

(The Christian Institute) — A doctor has been charged with unlawfully ending a patient’s life in the first case of its kind since euthanasia was legalized in the Netherlands in 2002. The nursing home doctor, who remains anonymous, administered a lethal injection to a 74-year-old dementia patient despite the fact that her will was “unclear […]

‘Educate Yourself,’ Post-Abortive Mother Tells Irish Politician Who Claimed Abortion Regret Is ‘Makey-Uppy Thing’

‘Educate Yourself,’ Post-Abortive Mother Tells Irish Politician Who Claimed Abortion Regret Is ‘Makey-Uppy Thing’

(The Christian Institute) — A mother of three has lambasted an Irish politician for claiming that abortion regret does not exist. In a recent debate in the Irish parliament, two politicians proposed a pro-life amendment to the government’s abortion bill. Carol Nolan and Paedar Tóibín said they represented citizens who have experienced abortion regret, but […]

Teen Who ‘Snapped,’ Killed Parents While Struggling With Gender Identity Is Sentenced

Teen Who ‘Snapped,’ Killed Parents While Struggling With Gender Identity Is Sentenced

AUGUSTA, Maine (Associated Press) — A teenager who told authorities he “snapped” and killed his parents while struggling with gender identity and acceptance was sentenced Tuesday to 40 years in prison. Andrew Balcer, who was 17 at the time of the fatal stabbings, asked for forgiveness from his remaining family members, many of whom had […]