Following two pilot events in May, Christians in Politics (CiPol) will be travelling around the UK later this year to encourage believers to channel their enthusiasm for societal change into action.

CiPol are a non-affiliated political charity who work with Christians in parliament and beyond to disagree well and put ‘Kingdom before tribe’.

This latest idea to tour the country was explained on Premier’s News Hour by Executive Director Andy Flannagan.

He said churches can fall into the trap of not thinking politics is for them: “Often we’re [Christians] doing that classic thing of being the paramedic, being those who provide the emergency services, we’re treating the victims of a sick system but not necessarily speaking truth and justice and righteousness to the system itself”.

The Influence tour will involve showing Christians the biblical call to be engaged with public life and provide opportunities for those who are considering politics to speak to Christians in the field.

He explained that many people don’t realise that the outreach they do at church puts them in a valuable position to be a Christian voice in politics: “So often the focus in politics is the soap opera of Westminster.

“We’re trying to encourage those folks who are already involved in doing that work that often they are best placed to represent their communities.”

The tour starts in November and runs…

Police Scotland said 11 women and one man, aged between 62 and 85, have been arrested as part of an investigation into the Lanark home which was run by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul and closed in 1981.

Former residents spoke about their experiences of Smyllum Park at Scotland’s child abuse inquiry earlier this year and police said 12 people have now been arrested, with a further four individuals to be reported to prosecutors.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Twelve people, eleven women and one man, ages ranging from 62 to 85 years, have been arrested and charged in connection with the non-recent abuse of children.

“All are subject of reports to Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal. A further four individuals will be reported today.

“Enquiries are continuing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor, from the national child abuse investigation unit, said: “Investigating child abuse offences is highly complex and every care is taken to ensure that enquiries are proportionate, appropriate and that victims’ needs are central to our investigations.

“If you or anyone you know has been a victim of abuse or wishes to report abuse you should feel confident in reporting to Police Scotland.

“We will listen and we will take action regardless of when or where the abuse…

Pastor Moreen Sanyu of Greater Love Church – just outside Uganda’s capital Kampala, told Morning Star News about being left unconscious when she was hit by a stone thrown through the church’s window.

“I fell down and became unconscious. When I woke up, there were only a few members who surrounded me – the rest of the church members had fled in different directions.”

She had to spend two days in hospital as a result of her injury before she was discharged.

Sanyu said no one turned up to the church’s service the following Sunday as they were afraid.

The church is based in a predominantly Muslim area and Sanyu explained, before the attacks began, up to 400 people used to join her to worship at the church.

An Islamic teacher told the news service that covers the persecution of Christians why some of the Islamic community do not tolerate the church.

“We cannot watch our children joining infidels’ church,” said the sheikh, who requested anonymity.

“The pastor has no respect for other people’s religion, especially our innocent and immature children in Islamic faith.”

Uganda’s constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate one’s faith and convert from one religion to another.

Muslims make up less than 12 per cent of Uganda’s population.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily…

Brunson has been detained in Turkey since October 2016, accused of trying to overthrow the Turkish government. He denies all charges and is currently under house arrest.

However, the pastor has now become somewhat of a political pawn in international relations – being seen as a bargaining chip between America and Turkey amidst retaliatory tariffs and sanctions and Turkey’s desire for the release of their own political figure, Fethullah Gülen.

America first imposed sanctions on Turkey for the release of Brunson, which caused the Turkish currency, the lira, to lose a third of its value against the American dollar.

Over the weekend, America rejected an offer from Turkey to release Brunson because it was on the condition of them bailing out the Turkish bank Hallbank. Turkish President Erdogan said he believes the US are targeting their economy deliberately.

The court rejected a release request last week from Brunson’s lawyer Ismail Cem Halavurt.

Halavurt told Turkey’s Hurriyet newspaper that once that decision was in writing he would pursue the route of appeal and possibly take it to the European Court of Human Rights.

“We are hopeful regarding the constitutional court, but if it is rejected there, we will go to the European Court of Human Rights without hesitation,” he added.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily…

Mr Corbryn has called for Somer and Areeb Umeed Bakhsh, who attend Possilpark Parish Church, to be allowed to stay in Glasgow with their family.

“Let’s put the h word – human – into our processes,” he said.

“Somer and Areeb are wonderful boys, have made great achievements in school and have wonderful parents.”

On Wednesday Mr Corbyn and Scottish Labour Party leader Richard Leonard spent around an hour with the boys and their parents, listening to their story, and those of many other asylum seekers supported by the Church of Scotland.

Almost 83,000 people have signed an online petition calling on the Home Office  not to deport the 15-year-old ad 13-year-old.

They fear they will be killed by Islamic extremists if they are forced to return to Pakistan.

Somer and Areeb have lived in Glasgow with their parents since their family fled the Muslim country in 2012 after their father was subjected to death threats due to his Christian faith.

However, according to the Church of Scotland, the UK Government has repeatedly rejected the family’s plea for asylum, largely because officials do not believe they would be at risk.

Pakistan carries the death penalty for blasphemy.

“I urge the Home Secretary to stop the hostile environment and recognise the human value of those who have decided to make their homes in this country because of the oppression they face back…