Teachers Unite to Help Christian Children In Iraq

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Teachers Unite to Help Christian Children In Iraq

They’ve already collected more than 20,000 coats, loads of hygiene products, clothing and cash donations to help Iraqi Christians who have been displaced from their homes and communities by Islamic State.

Now, a group of mostly Chaldean educators in metro Detroit is turning its attention to needs even closer to the members’ hearts and professions: collecting supplies and raising money to boost literacy efforts for the children.

“Most have been without schooling for months,” said teacher Melody Arabo of West Bloomfield, Mich., an instructional coach for Walled Lake Consolidated Schools and the current Michigan Teacher of the Year.

Arabo is one of the founding members of Teachers Educating and Creating Hope (TEACH), created in September through the Chaldean Catholic Diocese. It’s part of heightened efforts in recent months by the diocese to provide aid to Iraqi Christians. Arabo has highlighted the work of the TEACH group at recent meetings of the Michigan Board of Education, where she gets to provide input on education issues and deliver a monthly report as teacher of the year. Arabo was named the state’s top teacher in May.

Now, the group is partnering with the Michigan Reading Association, which has selected the TEACH effort as its international project for the school year. Together, they want to collect paper, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, coloring books, puzzles, non-battery-operated toys and books — preferably books in Arabic.

Metro Detroit is home to a sizable Chaldean population — about 121,000, according to the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. Many involved in the TEACH group have ties to Iraq, either through distant family relations or immediate family. And they’ve watched with grave concern as events unfold in Iraq. ISIL, a militant Islamic group, has been advancing across Iraq, forcing minorities in the country to flee.

“There’s such a loyalty in our community and everyone is so interconnected,” Arabo said. “Everyone is really deeply impacted by what’s going on there. It’s a horrifying situation…Read More

Source and Original Content by BCNN1

Mary, Mother of Christ, Feature Film to Debut this Easter

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Mary, Mother of Christ, Feature Film to Debut this Easter

A new feature film called ‘Mary, Mother of Christ’ is due to reach British cinemas in Easter 2015.

The film chronicles Mary’s life at the ages of 8, 15, 19 and 27. It includes Jesus up until the age 12, and also her husband Joseph.

The movie cost £20m to produce, and is set as a prequel to Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ’.

Mary will be played by Odeya Rush, a 16-year-old Israeli actress, while Ben Kingsley will play King Herod.

The film’s directed by Australian director Alister Grierson, and the script’s coming from Benedict Fitzgerald, who co-wrote The Passion with Mel Gibson.

US megachurch pastor and author Joel Osteen is the executive producer of the film.

‘Mary, Mother of Christ’ will be the third Bible-based epic to come within a year.

Last spring, Russell Crowe starred in the film ‘Noah’, and more recently Christian Bale starred as Moses in ‘Exodus’.

Source and Original Content by Premier Christian Radio

Service to Hold for Victims of Glasgow Bin Crash

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Service to Hold for Victims of Glasgow Bin Crash

Hundreds of people will gather at a Glasgow City Centre church later to pray for the six people who died in yesterday’s bin lorry crash.

Eight others were injured when the vehicle veered out of control and mounted the pavement in an area full of Christmas shoppers.

A service is being held St George’s Tron which is just a short walk away from the crash site.

Revd Alastair Duncan will lead the prayers.

Police are now investigating the accident in George Square which was packed with families enjoying the annual winter carnival.

Chief Inspector Mark Sutherland from Police Scotland said last night: “We are currently working with our other agencies to establish exactly what happened.

“It’s important that we do a thorough investigation to establish the full circumstances.

“It’s important that we take all the necessary steps to do it as quickly as we can so that we get the answers for the families and get their loved ones back to them as quick as we can.”

Dozens of floral tributes have been placed at the scene.

National Director for the Evangelical Alliance in Scotland, Fred Drummond, told Premier city churches were pulling together.

He said: “Chaplains, the support workers, everybody who’s involved in getting alongside people when tragedy actually hits.

“And just standing shoulder to shoulder with people and weeping with those who are weeping which I think is just part of the Christian ministry.”

Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway, the Rt Revd Dr Gregor Duncan, said those involved will need time to come to terms with what’s happened: “They need space to reflect, to think, to make this part of their own story and the city’s story.

“So, time and care and quiet I think and if need be professional help of course.”

Source and Original Content by Premier Christian Radio

Boko Haram Releases Video of Christian Killings in Nigeria

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Boko Haram Releases Video of Christian Killings in Nigeria

The Muslim extremist group Boko Haram’s released a video of them killing around 100 non-Muslims with machine guns.

The massacre reportedly happened in a town called Bama, 40 miles from Gwoza – an area known to be Christian.

Boko Haram previously released a video showing the murder of dozens of civilians in a mass grave in Gwoza.

It remains unclear how many of those killed in the attack in Bama are Christians.

In the video, the people were on the floor before militants came in with AK-47 machine guns, firing indiscriminately. They then targeted anyone who reacted to the gunfire.

The speaker in the film said: “We have made sure the floor of this hall is turned red with blood, and this is how it is going to be in all future attacks and arrests of infidels (or non-Muslims).”

“From now, killing, slaughtering, destruction and bombing will be our religious duty anywhere we invade.”

Open Doors’ World Watch List ranked Nigeria the most dangerous country in the world for Christians to reside in 2013.

Boko Haram has killed an estimated 1,800 Christians this year alone, according to International Christian Concern (ICC).

ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, Cameron Thomas, said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims of this inexcusable atrocity.

“Militants, armed with AK-47s and a perverted theology of violence and bloodshed, have decimated community after community on their rampage across Nigeria’s northeast.

“Boko Haram has laid waste to the Nigerian church, slaughtering believers for their refusal to convert to Islam, abducting and enslaving schoolgirls for their Christian faith, and murdering pastors for preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The insurgency can and must be eliminated before its caliphate spreads, claiming innocent lives with each and every advance.”

Source and Original Content by Premier Christian Radio

Just For Laughs: Minions Carol

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Just For Laughs: Minions Carol

No one says “Merry Christmas” quite like the Minions do – and they are bringing festivity and smiles to all with their antics singing these Christmas carols. What a fun and silly way to say Merry Christmas – thank you Minions for making us all smile once again!

#Christmas Means Twitter Campaign Gathers Mass Followership

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#Christmas Means Twitter Campaign Gathers Mass Followership

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York joined with thousands of other bishops, clergy and laity today to promote the”real meaning” of Christmas with #ChristmasMeans on Twitter.

Dr John Sentamu, of York, was one of the first with two tweets, “God is at work amongst us. He is closer than you think. Praise Him!” and “No need to be tongue tied any more – tell it out! #ChristmasMeans There is Good News to discover.”

Church House, the admin headquarters for the Church of England in London, urged congregations and clergy across 12,000 parishes to get out their smartphones and get the topic trending.

Sentamu said: “Christmas means letting the light of Christ shine out in what we do and what we say. Don’t follow the path, rather be bold and set out new paths for others to follow. God’s message is one of great joy and hope for the world – embrace His love”.

Durham diocese said: “#ChristmasMeans being responsive to the needs of others and speaking up for them.”

Lichfield diocese tweeted: “#Christmasmeans a down-to-earth God who cares about us and our lives. Can we make room for Him in ours?”

And endearingly, Hunton church near Winchester ‏@ChurchHunton tweeted: “#ChristmasMeans our noisy nutty nativity at 4 this afternoon.”

CofE comms director Arun Arora said: “We are delighted that #ChristmasMeans gives us this opportunity for parishes to take the good news of the first Christmas beyond churches and into people’s lives and homes.”

#ChristmasMeans follows the #EasterMeans campaign earlier this year which reached 29 million people from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday.

Source and Original Content by CT

One Thing 2014 Conference, Mike Bickle and Reinhard Bonnke Join Forces

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One Thing 2014 Conference, Mike Bickle and Reinhard Bonnke Join Forces

While Gov. Bobby Jindal works to plan a stadium prayer event in Baton Rouge so intercessors can respond to a nation in crisis, Mike Bickle is holding a stadium event in Kansas City to help today’s youth focus on one thing.

Thousands of young adults will gather for the International House of Prayer’s Onething conference at the Kansas City Convention Center Dec. 28-31. Believers will gather to set their hearts to live with passion for Jesus through extended times of worship, teaching of the Word and ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit.

“The main theme of the conference is focused on calling people to a Joel 2 response in face of God’s promise of a transforming national awakening and revival and a national crisis,” Bickle, director of IHOPKC, tells Charisma News.

Speakers and worship leaders include Bickle, Allan Hood, president of the IHOP University and associate director of IHOP, Reinhard Bonnke, an international evangelist and founder of Christ for all Nations, Misty Edwards, senior leader and worship leader at IHOPKC, Kari Jobe, worship pastor at Gateway Church, and worship leader Phil Wickham.

Bickle will speak on this crisis and call to prayer on the first and last nights of the conference, Dec. 28 and Dec. 31. Hood will speak on the national crisis and intercession on Dec. 29. Bonnke will speak on revival on Dec. 30.

“We feel very urgent about the crisis in the America and along with our conviction of a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit,” says Bickle. “People can join us by the web steam without any charge.”

Source and Original Content by Charisma News

Pastor Tunde Bakare Sets Record Straight on Presidential Candidate

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Pastor Tunde Bakare Sets Record Straight on Presidential Candidate

The Pastor and the Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare has set the record straight about the APC’s presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

The controversial pastor, in an exclusive interview with SaharaTV, has debunked insinuations and impressions that the social media has circulated that he is against General Muhammad Buhari. It would be recalled that Bakare ran with Buhari in 2011 on the presidential ticket of the Congress For Progressive Change.

In the new video, Pastor Bakare explained that the audio tape being circulated was a talk he gave immediately after the last governorship election in Ondo state in 2012, saying he made it clear for those who cared to listen that he supports Buhari’s ambition come rain, come shine.

In the new video, Bakare pledged his utmost loyalty to Buhari, making it known that he knows what he is doing and when he supports someone, he does so fully. The pastor, who had just arrived from a trip to the United States, told Sahara Reporters that he was knowledgeable about the behind-the-scenes political horse-trading that produced Yemi Osinbajo as Buhari’s VP candidate.

The interview was conducted at the Latter Rain Assembly church in Lagos, and Pastor Bakare spoke on a variety of topics. Enjoy watching the revealing video below:

Source and Original Content by Naij

Australian Bishops Commend Steadfast Faith of Middle East Christians

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Australian Bishops Commend Steadfast Faith of Middle East Christians

Christ is being “reborn again in the lowly stable” this Christmas because of the remarkable faith of Iraqi Christians who were driven out of their homes, a group of Australian bishops have said after visiting refugees in Lebanon and the displaced in Erbil, Iraq.

The December 15-19 mission of the seven bishops was aimed at offering spiritual support, humanitarian aid and hope to Christians exiled from their homes in Mosul and the Nineveh Plain after they refused to convert to Islam.

Around 120,000 Christians were displaced in the incursions last summer by ISIS militants. Nuns and clergy, including bishops, are among the displaced in Irbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

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During the visit to Iraq, the bishops met families still camped in tents on church grounds, in half-finished buildings or in pre-fabricated huts in Erbil as well as in some surrounding villages.

“So many of the people we met said, ‘We lost our homes, our lands, our jobs, all our possessions — everything — but we will not lose our faith,” Archbishop Julian Porteous of Hobart told Catholic News Service in Beirut. “You can feel the faith.”

An elderly woman told the bishops that when she was threatened by the Islamic militants and ordered to convert to Islam, she defiantly responded: “I am a Christian. I will not convert. You can kill me if you want.”

“We saw extraordinary courage and depth of commitment to the Christian faith,” Archbishop Porteous said. “It is quite remarkable…Read More

Source and Original Content by Catholic Herald

Phillipine City Where all Taxis Are Required To Have A Bible Verse Painted on Them

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Phillipine City Where all Taxis Are Required To Have A Bible Verse Painted on Them

One city in the Philippines requires that a Scripture be painted on the main public transportation method—a three-wheeled motorcycle. (Photo via CBN News)

Any driver caught without a Bible verse is fined or has their license revoked. The city wants the world to know how much they love God’s Word.

Smack in the middle of the Philippines, 395 miles south of Manila, lies a tropical paradise dripping with natural beauty.

It’s easy to see why the island province of Bohol is one of the country’s famous tourist destinations.

Mile after mile of pristine white sandy beaches and crystal clear water attracts scores of outdoor enthusiasts from around the world.

But the tranquil island getaway is also famous for something else: thousands of noisy, but fast three-wheeled motorized taxis known as tricycles that serve as the island’s main mode of public transportation.

“It can get you to any part of the island. It’s cheap and you can fit between four and seven people at one time,” said Dennis Cantina, who has built these tricycles for 10 years. (Photo via CBN News)

But he and many others who live in Bohol will tell you these are no ordinary tricycles.

“Not only is this the most reliable form of transportation, but on the back of every tricycle is a message of hope and that makes me very proud to build them,” he said…Read More

Source and Original Content by BCN

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