5,100 Christian and other at-risk Afghans evacuated in private rescue mission, says Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck says a privately sponsored rescue mission has successfully evacuated 5,100 Christians and other vulnerable people from Afghanistan.

A fundraising campaign led by the Blaze presenter raised over $30m towards the airlift, which was carried out on the ground by the Nazarene Fund, a US non-profit that works to support persecuted Christians.

The evacuation mission was aimed at Christians but other at-risk people, including women and US nationals, were also airlifted on the flights.

The evacuation flights have ended after the US started withdrawing troops from Kabul following a deadly terrorist attack on Thursday that killed at least 170 people, including 13 US Marines.

Beck said, "We will not forget those left behind. Our mission there gets tougher and more dangerous."

He said the refugees are now in an undisclosed country awaiting settlement. 

"We also still have more work to do as now we have 5,100 refugees sitting in another country wondering who will claim them? Sadly, but certainly not America," said Beck. 

He added, "May God bless the refugees and new home countries and may He heal their land. These refugees are good and faithful servants that make me embarrassed to call myself Christian." 

Tim Ballard, CEO of the Nazarene Fund, said he was concerned about those left behind. 

"This also includes Christians," he said in a Facebook update. 

"Now while these Christians aren't American citizens ... consider the fact that if you're a girl who's 19-years-old, all you've known is freedom based on the protection the United States government offered.

"I mean, we've been there for 20 years, it's all they've known - the freedom to be able to say I'm a Christian or I'm whatever, I can convert to any religion.

"And we promised that to them and now we're leaving them." 

News
UN officials demand explanation for Iranian church seizure
UN officials demand explanation for Iranian church seizure

Iran has not responded to questions fromUN officials.

AI could become a ‘very dangerous master’, warns John Lennox
AI could become a ‘very dangerous master’, warns John Lennox

Apologist and Oxford mathematician John Lennox warned Christians that artificial intelligence could contribute to a generation becoming increasingly disconnected from Scripture and cautioned that technology meant to serve humanity can become a “very dangerous master.”

Catholic baptisms fall sharply across Ireland as births decline and secularisation grows
Catholic baptisms fall sharply across Ireland as births decline and secularisation grows

The number of Catholic baptisms taking place across the whole island of Ireland has fallen by almost 30% over the past decade, with declining birth rates and the growth of religious non-affiliation identified as the main reasons.

Against backdrop of conflict and tough working conditions, seafarer happiness falls
Against backdrop of conflict and tough working conditions, seafarer happiness falls

Seafarer wellbeing has declined for the second consecutive quarter as heavy workloads, restricted shore leave and concerns over pay increasingly weigh on crews, according to new research from The Mission to Seafarers.