Iran’s protests felt like a revolution was in the wind.

The protestors seemed to be bolder, more focused, and overall, observers thought that what was happening in Iran reflected a shift in the Middle East of growing anger and intolerance of injustice.

What started as the mourning of a national hero, a beloved general quickly transformed into anti-government fury as Iran admitted to accidentally shooting down a Ukrainian airliner.

The government’s denial and cover-up just added fuel to the anger over corruption, economic stagnation, and mismanagement. After all, these were the same issues behind the November protests.  This time around, people were calling for Ayatollah Khamenei to step down. The next step he takes, as Supreme Leader, determines whether the uprising turns into a real revolution.

Past responses to quash the demonstrations included an active military and police response, which led to violent clashes.  Although not everyone connected to the opposition wants the same thing, the shame Iranians suffered over the Ukrainian plane crash seems to keep them focused for the time being.

There’ve been sweeping arrests of the ‘troublemakers’ to try to regain control.  On January 12, while protests were taking place in Tehran, police arrested Christian activist Mary Fatemeh Mohammadi. Since her arrest, her whereabouts remain unknown.

Heart 4 Iran’s Mike Ansari says the ministry, “strongly condemns the arrest of Mary Fatemeh Mohammadi, a Christian human rights activist.”  Last year, she faced several challenges as a result of her converting from Islam to Christianity and sharing her faith. Ansari explains that “Mary is among a large number of Iranians who have converted from Islam to Christianity.   These are Iranian citizens who are seeking ways to promote religious freedom and human rights in the face of real danger.”

SOURCE: Mission Network News, R.B. Klama

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source

Polarization in American Christianity — and American politics — may be at its highest in recent memory, but experts on the role of faith in public life nevertheless have some hope about ways to address it.

Panelists at a Georgetown University discussion on “Christians in American Public Life” suggested on Thursday (Jan. 23) a few remedies even as they held up recent reaction to a Christianity Today editorial as Exhibit A of the divisiveness in the country as President Trump’s impeachment trial was underway.

“It has been a sadness to me that things have become more frayed over time,” said Melissa Rogers, author of the new book, “Faith in American Public Life.” That book was the focus of the event sponsored by Georgetown’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs. Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne, a senior research fellow at the center, served as moderator of the event that drew more than 100 people.

Melissa Rogers speaks at Georgetown University in
Washington on Jan. 23, 2020. RNS photo by Adelle M.
Banks

Rogers recalled thinking “the nadir of the religious liberty debate” had been reached during the Clinton administration. But current times have proved her wrong. She said religious differences over LGBTQ and abortion rights have intensified the battles.

“We need to respect everyone and find ways for the rights of religious liberty to co-exist with other key civil and human rights,” said Rogers, former executive director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. “That’s the goal. We’ve got to get there.”

Ted Olsen, editorial director of Christianity Today, said reaction to his magazine’s editorial that Trump should be removed from office — published in December right after the president was impeached — filled his email box with a mix of messages.

Olsen said it was “heartbreaking” to hear from readers who were disappointed in Christian leaders who said “character matters” during the Clinton administration but were now saying the opposite. He also cited an email from a conservative Christian concerned about liberals, who wrote: “Who then will save us from the tyranny that will befall us? Jesus? Where is he now when freedom depends on him?”

Source: Religion News Service

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source

When a woman comes to see Christie Gambrell at Christian Women’s Job Corps in Rusk County, Texas, she may be looking for help getting her GED or learning English. But that’s not all she will get.

“At CWJC,” Gambrell said, “We help meet the felt needs of women as we help them find their true worth through Jesus.”

As executive director of Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC) of Rusk County, Texas, Gambrell has worked with hundreds of women. The CWJC chapter, which opened its doors in Henderson, Texas, in 2002, seeks to reach women with the love of Jesus while helping equip them for life and employment.

Among CWJC’s diverse offerings are English as a Second Language, which includes citizenship classes, and Life Skills training, which addresses such topics as money management, healthy relationships, computer proficiency, Bible storying and mentoring. Volunteers also provide literacy and high school equivalency (GED) tutoring. Additionally, CWJC of Rusk County is one of six CWJC programs in the nation that include a WorldCrafts artisan group, a fair trade compassion ministry of National Woman’s Missionary Union.

Noting that “we work with about 50 women every year and usually about that many volunteers,” Gambrell said, “When you work with this many women, you see women who succeed and women who don’t. But that’s true in every form of education and Christian ministry.

“We’ve had some wonderful successes,” she added. “Each semester we see women successfully enter the workforce. This past year we had four women who received their citizenship. We have women who’ve gone to college. We have one who’s working on her master’s degree right now.”

She said they also have participants “who we’ve gotten to see their children go to college and their children get awards which is so fantastic because that goes back to the founding thought of Christian Women’s Job Corps that you’re changing the children’s lives and changing the family.”

Nita Tirado is among those success stories. She first came to CWJC to get help with earning her GED. She then enrolled in the Life Skills classes where she gained computer skills and other practical training.

Even more significantly, she learned about the Gospel of Christ and accepted Jesus as her Savior. Following her CWJC involvement, she successfully found employment before eventually getting married and becoming a stay-at-home mom.

Her CWJC classes “gave me confidence in general,” Tirado reflected. “My favorite class out of Life Skills was Bible study,” she added. “It was amazing for me. It really was. I just felt peace. It was something that I was needing at that time in my life.”

Over the past few years, Tirado and her husband have been paired with a CWJC volunteer couple who provide mentoring and Bible study.

That connection “has been very important in my family’s life because our mentors are the sweetest people,” she said. “In my life, I’ve never had anybody like them. They show you love as a couple. They’re older and they’re still holding hands and that just gave me this really nice feeling of that’s how I want to be with my husband when we’re old.

“The mentoring has been the biggest thing that has helped me in my life,” Tirado noted. “It helps us to be better parents and to guide our kids on God’s path. That’s the biggest blessing of coming here for me.”

Gambrell noted that recruiting mentors typically is one of the biggest challenges for most CWJC sites.

Source: Baptist Press

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source

Frustration and fear reign in Nigeria. On Monday, Boko Haram executed a well-known pastor and regional Christian leader, Lawan Andimi. Yesterday, the Christian Association of Nigeria demanded answers from the Nigerian government.

“The sentiments were ‘Hey, national government, you have announced repeatedly that you defeated Boko Haram. But, look at what happened,” Voice of the Martyrs USA spokesman Todd Nettleton says.

“‘They obviously are not defeated. They’re still killing Christians. They’re still killing pastors.’”

Send tangible help to persecuted believers through VOM.

As explained here, Boko Haram surfaced as a serious threat to Nigeria’s believers in mid-2009. Its name means “Western education is sin,” and the terrorists’ goal is to eradicate everything associated with the West – including Christianity.

President Muhammed Buhari was elected in 2015, reportedly on “the strength of promises to end terrorism and improve security in the country.” After a brief lull, Boko Haram attacks surged again in 2019.

Boko Haram isn’t the only danger. 

SOURCE: Mission Network News, Katey Hearth

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source

Most eyes on the Middle East are watching Iran and potential conflict. However, with the announcement of Lebanon’s new government in the face of recent protests, some focus has shifted back to Lebanon.

Most questions concern Lebanon’s new leadership and its political implications, but Pierre Houssney of Horizons International says there’s something else to consider; how is Lebanon’s economic situation affecting regular citizens?

Lebanon has access to economic prosperity, but Houssney says it’s mostly concentrated in a mega-rich upper class. That means “working class people are living on a really, really tight margin because…the living expenses in the country are very high, on par with [or] even above some places in the US.”

The working or middle class faces tight budgets in the face of increasing costs of living. That means they don’t have the same access to education for themselves or their children, basic living expenses, or streams of income they once held.

Houssney says some people are even receiving only 50% of their salaries on a monthly basis. What’s more, some local banks won’t let them withdraw any cash. Some banks have even been accused of selling dollars to money changers on the street to make a profit, giving their customers Lebanese currency as a major decrease.

Couple that with 30-40% prince increases on essentials such as groceries and you have a recipe for intense economic stress.

SOURCE: Mission Network News, Alex Anhalt

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source

Bellevue Baptist Church in Owensboro, Ky., takes literally the command to make disciples of all nations. Many times, the nations are in the neighborhood.

“For a while at Bellevue, we had five services with four different languages,” pastor Greg Faulls said.

Under Faulls’ leadership, Bellevue has become a multi-ethnic church, ministering to Hispanics as well as Burmese people, including people from the Chin and Kayin (Karen) tribes. Last October, the church’s culture was illustrated in an unusual incident.

A 20-year-old woman who was born in America but then moved to Mexico relocated to Owensboro for a job opportunity. She was befriended by a Burmese Christian who attends Bellevue. Although the Burmese woman was not proficient in English, she began to share Christ with the Mexican-American woman.

“She knew the Mexican-American woman would not be able to understand the language in our Burmese service, so she took her to the English-speaking service,” said Faulls, who ultimately led the visitor to the Lord. “So you had a Chin woman who knew very little English sharing Christ with someone proficient in Spanish and English, and a Caucasian English-speaking pastor led her to Christ.”

Experiences such as that fuel the desire of Bellevue to continue its desire for missional engagement of its members on a local, national and global scale.

“God really gave our people a vision for other ethnic groups,” Faulls said. The vision began in 2002.

“We had members who noticed a number of impoverished Hispanics in a nearby apartment complex,” Faulls recalled. “We started a ministry fair and we had people providing furniture and other items. But more than that, they showed much care and kindness. We began a Bible study for them, and at that time we were the only Protestant church in Owensboro doing any ministry to that ethnic group.”

The need to begin a worship service for the Hispanic population became evident. In the summer of 2003, Jesus Amaya and his wife and two children came from Texas to Owensboro where he served as a summer missionary for Bellevue.

Dozens of people were led to Christ. Amaya went back to Texas, and for two years Bellevue kept that service going. Then Amaya finished school and returned to Bellevue and has been on staff for 14 1/2 years.

“The attendance has fluctuated over the years,” Faulls said, “but lately it has been averaging about 90 people.” The fluctuation is the result of members constantly leaving to plant new churches.

With Bellevue’s growth came facility needs.

“We quickly realized we would grow out of our facility, so we were able to relocate to a 72,000-square-foot facility on an 86-acre tract in the fall of 2008.”

Source: Baptist Press

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source

From the bright lights of a New York City film festival to a river running through the jungles of Burma in Southeast Asia, Kevin Eubank and the Free Burma Rangers continue to change lives.

The documentary named after the group, made in association with LifeWay Films and Deidox Films, won Best Feature Film at The Justice Film Festival in New York City in November 2019.

“Free Burma Rangers,” which will show in select theaters across the U.S. as a Fathom Event on Feb. 24 and 25, 2020, follows the Eubank family, their work with the Free Burma Rangers, and the more than 1.5 million displaced individuals they have assisted around the world.

“We are equal parts thrilled and humbled to have Free Burma Rangers recognized in this way,” said director Chris Sinclair. “It was a personal privilege to help capture the compelling story of the Eubank family and their bravery in going on rescue missions throughout the Middle East.”

Sinclair said he was “glad those in attendance at the festival were just as moved by the raw compassion and lived-out love that is displayed in the movie.”

LifeWay Film’s Trent Myers said winning Best Feature Film at The Justice Film Festival “is an honor for our team and LifeWay as a whole. We believe it is a great indicator of the film’s potential Kingdom impact.”

Brent Gudgel, the director and producer of Free Burma Rangers said it was a timely recognition for the film. “In these dark times in the Middle East, the Eubanks model real compassion, which knows no limits or bounds, by helping whoever is hurting, no matter their culture, color or creed.”

In 1993, after 10 years in the U.S. Special Forces, David Eubank answered a call from his father, serving on the mission field in Thailand, to help the people caught in the middle of a civil war.

After Eubank married, instead of a traditional honeymoon, he and his wife Karen went to Burma to help free the oppressed and rescue victims there.

As they went on relief missions into the height of conflict, more locals joined in. Eventually, indigenous leaders asked Eubank to train teams. In 1997, the Eubanks founded the Free Burma Rangers.

Today, David, Karen and their three children continue to provide humanitarian aid to some of the most difficult areas in the world. They’ve trained more than 4,500 members of the Free Burma Rangers.

In April, the group will receive the 2020 Foley Humanitarian Award at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. from the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation.

This past December, the group graduated 141 new rangers at their training camp in the Karen State of Burma.

U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, a member of Alto Baptist Church in Rayville, La., attended the graduation.

The congressman, who served as a First Lieutenant in the Army National Guard, encouraged the graduates with stories from U.S. history of individuals displaying bravery and standing for freedom.

Source: Baptist Press

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source

How to Forget the Troubles, Problems, and Failures of the Past and Make the New Year the Best Year of Your Life podcast episode #5

Welcome to the How to Forget the Troubles, Problems, and Failures of the Past and Make the New Year the Best Year of Your Life podcast episode #5. My name is Daniel Whyte III the author of the book with the same title.

We are living in “times that try men’s souls.” These are truly difficult days for many people around the world. This podcast is to encourage you to forget the troubles, problems, and even failures of the past and to truly have the best year of your life. If you do what I am encouraging you to do in this little book, by the grace of God, and with His blessings on your life, you will have a great year. How do I know? Because every year over the past 10 years of my life have consistently gotten better and better because I am following the simple principles contained in this podcast. So shake the previous year off of you, and get ready for the best year of your life!

Our scripture passage for today is Romans 14:11 which says: “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”

Our New Years quote for today is from Benjamin Franklin who said, “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”

The Inability to Forget Hinders Millions from Reaching Their God-Appointed Goals and Destiny

There Are Some People Around You Who Don’t Want You to Forget Your Failures Either

Nehemiah 6:3 says “And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?”. Now, these dear folks may not be the devil, but they are certainly of the devil. I will tell you in a few minutes what to do with these people. But in the meantime, don’t let anything or anybody detour you from your God-given goals and destiny be it family, friends, or foes. Despite your family, friends, and foes, forget anyway. Forget you must, if you are to reach your God-appointed goals and destiny. If the blood is still running warm in your veins, and there is still air in your lungs, you must learn how to forget a lot of stuff in this life if you expect to be happy and successful.

Focus on your God-given dreams and win. It’s as simple as that. Life is full of choices and you have to choose to forget your troubles, problems, and failures of the past; you have to choose to forget those who keep reminding you of your failures; you may have to cut ties with your family or your friends or whoever the devil is using to put a damper on your New Year.

Here is how you can forget the failures of the past and make the New Year the absolutely best year of your life:

PRAYER

Now, if you are listening today, and you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, allow me to show you how.

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now this is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9-13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

God Bless You!

All Content & Images are provided by the acknowledged source