Christian Today
ICC Expresses Concern Over Further Threat of Church Closures in Indonesia
A Christian persecution watchdog group expressed concern over further threats of forcible church closures in Indonesia under the newly drafted religious law and the power of radical Muslims. In a statement by International Christian Concern (ICC)...
Persecution against Christian Converts in Iran Escalating
Christians in Iran, especially converts from Islam, have experienced growing persecution from the government since the new Iranian President was installed, according to reports. The recent wave of persecution traces...
New Report Documents Widespread Torture in Burma’s Prisons
A new report interviewing former prisoners in Burma documents for the first time the extent of torture in Burma’s prisons. The 124-page report was released this week by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)...
Invitation to the Thirsty
The Lord is calling us to Him. Even though we may not even know it, out spirits are thirsty and quenching for the satisfaction that only the Word of God can bring...
Six European Countries Join to Declare Objection to EU Stem Cell Research Funding
Six European countries have joined together to declare their objection to the European Union’s highly controversial plans to fund stem cell research. On Monday, Malta’s Competitiveness Minister Censu Galea held...
Catholic Church Publicly Ordains 57 Priests in Vietnam
The Roman Catholic Church ordained the largest number of priests at one time in the history of communist Vietnam on Tuesday. The 57 new priests were ordained to service at...
Swedish Pastor Accused of Hate Crimes Not Guilty
Christian groups were grateful that a Pentecostal pastor in Sweden was found not guilty of hate speech charges stemming from 2003 comments he made for criticising homosexuality. Pastor Ake Green, who had denounced homosexuality...
Chinese Pastor Convicted of Bible Selling to Get Second Trial
Chinese Pastor Cai Zhouwa, who had been convicted of “illegal business operation” after he distributed Bibles to Christians in China will undergo a second trial, according to China Aid Association...
Mexican Evangelicals Worry as Authorities Attempt to Remove Bible Monument
Evangelicals in Mexico have expressed concern over the growing religious intolerance following an attempt by authorities to remove a monument to the Bible in Mexico's capital city. At the end of October...
Vatican Releases Public Instruction on Gay Clergy
The Vatican officially released its highly-anticipated document yesterday naming restrictions on gays in the clergy. The five-page document – Instruction – advising against sexually active gay clergy...
Saddleback Opens AIDS Conference; Warren Urges Churches to Care
“Purpose Drive” Pastor Rick Warren opened the Saddleback AIDS/HIV Conference on Tuesday with a talk on how the church must be more than just a mouth. In his opening talk, Warren lectured to the 1,300-plus participants, from pastors and ministry...
Lutherans & Methodists Step Toward Full Communion
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Methodist Church released the draft of a possible full-communion statement after years of dialogue that began nearly three decades ago. Since 1977, Evangelical...
Christian-Based HIV/AIDS Program Brings Hope to Ethiopia
An official from the Joint United Nation Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) gave tribute to a Christian-based initiative in Ethiopia for its battle against the deadly global epidemic. On Nov. 17, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) formally launched...
Churches in Sri Lanka Help Rebuild Lives despite Environmental Constraints
One month away from the first anniversary of South East Asia’s devastating tsunami, churches in Sri Lanka are helping to rebuild lives of people despite the presence of many environment constraints...
2005 Christmas Message from the LWF President
In this year's Christmas message, the president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Bishop Mark S. Hanson, appeals to the worldwide Lutheran communion to let faith rather than fear become "our defining reality...
Christians Worldwide Mark First Day of Advent
Christians worldwide observed the first day of the season of Advent on Sunday, Nov. 27, marking the time for reflection, introspection and preparation leading up to Christmas. Advent, the liturgical period preceding Christmas, begins...