Pastor in Eritrea Released after Decade in Prison

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Pastor in Eritrea Released after Decade in Prison


Pastor in Eritrea Released after Decade in Prison


International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Pastor Oqbamichel Haiminot has been released after more than a decade of imprisonment. According to VOM Australia, Pastor Oqbamichel was the first senior pastor in Eritrea to be arrested and held after the controversial and wrongful crackdown on religion in 2002. Though he was only in jail for a short period after his initial arrest in 2003, he was constantly harassed and rearrested over the next four years. In 2007, he was finally arrested and jailed for more than 10 years even though no charges were ever filed against him.  

Pastor Oqbamichel is one of hundreds of Christians in Eritrea who have been arrested and held for years due to their faith. In 2017, more than 200 Christians were arrested, yet never charged with any criminal activity. One of ICC’s sources shared, “There are only four legalized religions allowed in the country, which include Eritrean Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, and Sunni Islam. The regime touts this as religious freedom, however, to join any of these religions, people must first make four pledges.” One must pledge to never be “born again,” that his or her loyalty is to the government, not God or the Church, to never carry a Bible outside of church or the home, and to turn in any missionaries or evangelists to the government. When you turn in a missionary or evangelist, you get paid three months’…

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Oscar Wilde was ‘better than Christ’, Rupert Everett says

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Oscar Wilde was ‘better than Christ’, Rupert Everett says

Everett, who was cast as Wilde in the new historical drama film The Happy Prince, also said he finds the late writer’s character flaws “tremendously appealing and touching”.

The 59-year-old was asked during BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show about his previously description of Oscar Wilde as a “Christ-like” figure.

 

He replied: “For me, he’s better than Christ because he’s half God with his talent and his human side – which Christ number quite pulled off except having his feet washed by Mary Magdalene – is very human.

“Greed, ego, vanity, snobbery; all the things that brought him down I find tremendously appealing and touching, because most of us have all these qualities and most of us get away with it.”

Harald Bischoff/Wikimedia Commons

 

Born in Dublin in 1854, Oscar Wilde studied at Oxford University before becoming a popular novelist and playwright.

The Happy Prince traces the final days of Oscar Wilde, after he was outed over a homosexual affair and jailed for gross indecency.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Millennial-Majority Churches Detail Challenges, Success Stories in Growth and Finances

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Millennial-Majority Churches Detail Challenges, Success Stories in Growth and Finances

As many surveys have documented, the United States’ two youngest generations are leaving churches in large numbers, with many taking up the label of religiously unaffiliated, or “nones.”

The millennial generation, which includes Americans born during the 1980s and 1990s, is known for having higher rates of unaffiliation than the general population.

A 2016 study by the Public Religion Research Institute found that 39 percent of Americans aged 18–29 did not belong to a church, even when many had a Christian upbringing.

Generation Z, the population born at and after the start of the 21st century, are also noted for their increasing disbelief in organized religion.

The Barna Group released a report in January which found that 35 percent of teenagers identify as atheist, agnostic, or religiously unaffiliated, a higher percentage than millennials.

And yet, in congregations like The Table in Washington, D.C., City of Truth in Kansas City, Missouri, and Grace Capital City in Washington, D.C., millennials are not only part of the church, they basically are the church.

In recent years, some churches have been planted or have shifted their worship style to reflect the preferences of younger generations in hopes of reaching these religiously unaffiliated demographics.

The Christian…

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Two swords handed over to London church as young man gives his life to Christ

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Two swords handed over to London church as young man gives his life to Christ

A Londoner has brought two huge swords to church after turning his life around.

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Jeff Sessions and Romans 13: Should Christians always obey the government?

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Jeff Sessions and Romans 13: Should Christians always obey the government?

I don’t remember the last time a biblical citation generated so many headlines.

Last week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions sought to defend the Trump administration’s immigration policies, especially with regard to separating families. At one point, he stated, “I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13 to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained the government for his purposes.”

His citation set off a firestorm of debate in the culture and among Christians.

My purpose today is not to discuss the multitude of ways Romans 13 has been interpreted through history. Rather, it is to consider the larger question: When should Christians obey or disobey the government?

Obeying the state

God’s word consistently calls us to obey and support our governing authorities.

Paul urged that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

His instruction to Christians living in Rome was clear: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” (Romans 13:1-2).

The apostle then stated that “the authorities are ministers of God” (v. 6) and urged his readers: “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (v. 7).

Peter added: “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good” (1 Peter 2:13-14).

It would seem clear, then, that Christians are to submit to the authority of the government, seeing its exercise of power as God’s…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Denison Forum.

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Rev Al Sharpton says Trump is an ’embarrassment’ to USA

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Rev Al Sharpton says Trump is an ’embarrassment’ to USA

The International civil rights icon, who was a White House advisor to former president Barack Obama, told the Independent the President had worsened race relations in the US.

“I think that Trump represents a backlash of the eight years of President Obama and has given every dog whistle or racial signal to the worst elements in American society,” he said.

 

The talk show host, who has his own radio show, Keepin’ it Real, accused Mr Trump’s administration of trying to negatively impact positive changes his predecessors had introduced.

“He is trying to turn back the clock on voting rights, on health care, and on people’s civil rights and liberties. We are determined that while he can turn back the clock, he will not turn back time.”

PA

 

Sharpton also argued Trump’s often shocking and divisive rhetoric has inspired and made the so-called “alt-right” movement in the US more powerful.

“Trump has emboldened the far right to come out with a lot of racism, xenophobia and homophobia,” he said.

Referencing the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville last summer, which left a 20-year-old man woman dead, he added: “When you have the president of the United States making a moral equivalence between neo-Nazis – saying there are ‘some good people there’ – and comparing them to people protesting against confederate statues which represent…

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Contemporary Trends in Church Names

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Remember when denominational names were en vogue? Remember when you could figure out which denominational church came to the city first: First Methodist; First Baptist; First Presbyterian? Remember when you could tell two churches that split: Harmony Baptist Church and Greater Harmony Baptist Church?

Those days are gone. But what has not changed is that many churches have commonalities in names. In their attempts to be different, they have become common. I went to social media and to Church Answers to learn from my community about church names. Their responses were both fascinating and funny.

  • “Point” has become ubiquitous. LifePoint. CrossPoint. Add an “e” to be fancy: GracePointe; LifePointe; CrossPointe.
  • “Life” has a new life: Life Church; Real Life; New Life; LifePoint or LifePointe (see above).
  • Tim Keller put Redeemer back into vogue. Both Redeemer and Redemption get a lot of love.
  • City Church, usually with another name in front of it. These churches can be found in the city, suburbs, and the country.
  • Christ Church. It’s simple and popular.
  • Five biggies the past ten years: Journey, Bridge, Foundry, Mosaic, and Generation.
  • Cross has made a surge. Cross Church. Cross Fellowship. Cross Roads. CrossPoint or CrossPointe (see above).
  • Simple Church. Sorry, that was a book (available at LifeWay.com).
  • Meaningful names. Impact. Potential. Epic. Transformation. Renovation. Innovate.
  • Fellowship can be found in almost any town. It usually has other words, but sometimes it’s just Fellowship…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

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Salvation Army praised over Irn Bru and butties response after art school fire

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Salvation Army praised over Irn Bru and butties response after art school fire

Volunteers prepared hot rolls and Iru Bru drinks for police officers and firefighters who were called to the landmark Mackintosh Building on Friday night.

Speaking with BBC News, Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Alasdair Hay praised the “warm-hearted” response of both the Salvation Army and emergency crews.

 

Several small sections of the site were still burning on Sunday evening. Firefighters were using thermal imaging to detect which areas were still alight.

The West Scotland Salvation Army’s emergency response team member, Jon Scott told BBC Scotland on Saturday: “There’s quite a lot of fire and police personnel on site, so there’s been quite a demand and it’s been quite hard to keep up with it but we’re just about managing.”

Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

 

Responding to the interview, Scottish Nationalist Party MP for Glasgow Central, Alison Thewliss tweeted: “Absolute credit to the Salvation Army.”

 

The cause of the fire – the second blaze to strike the site in four years -…

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Two held over fire that gutted Newport church

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Two held over fire that gutted Newport church

Fire crews were called to the former Zanzibar club and Bethel Community Church in the Stow Hill area of Newport at 6.30pm on Friday.

Gwent Police said significant damage was caused by the fire, which was brought under control after three hours.

 

More than 70 firefighters using 10 fire engines and 11 supporting appliances, including a crane, were needed to tackle it.

A 43-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman from Newport were being held on Sunday morning after being arrested on suspicion of arson.

Around 40 people were evacuated as a precaution after the fire broke out, while others were told to keep doors and windows closed, Jennie Griffiths, joint head of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said.

Bethel Community Church organised a prayer meeting on Sunday morning in the Stow Hill car park.

 

Pastor Andrew Cleverly said: “Our building may be gone, but the church is alive.”

Shocked former regulars at the nightclub, which was also previously known as Brooklyn Heights and Lasers, took to social media to comment.

Twitter user @WelshMumWriting wrote: “So sad for the old Brooklyn Heights/ Zanzibar building, and awful for Bethel. A loved centre for the community. Awful, really awful.”

Police say the cause of the fire is still under investigation and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

 

Local commander, Supt Ian Roberts, said: ‘We are continuing to work with South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Newport City…

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MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional Monday, 18 June 2018 – Giving Hands, Happy Heart

CM Editor
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TOPIC: Giving Hands, Happy Heart (Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Monday, 18 June 2018)

TOPIC: Giving Hands, Happy Heart

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Mark 8:35-36

MEMORY VERSE: “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:28

The MESSAGE:

Very recently, one of our brothers walked up to me and asked me an interesting question: he said, “Pastor, do you think that planned giving is giving at all?” Initially, my thought was “Yes, of course” But the more I thought about this, the more I realised the answer is not that simple.

Obviously, gifts, donations, tithes, offering etc we make during our lifetime represent a purposeful and voluntary separation from some of our resources. Planned gifts on the other hand, represent a purposeful but involuntary separation from our possessions after we can no longer use them. With the former, your possessions are voluntarily leaving you. With the latter, you are involuntarily giving whatever possession remains. With one, you freely give from what you have, while with the other, you are giving the leftovers. From this perspective, a major difference emerges between the two.

The manner in which we use our God-given resources is affected by the urgency of our heavenly perspective. Believers who are not passionately engaged in doing something with eternal value will see little difference between life-time giving now and planned giving later. Either way, the purifying fire of Christ’s judgement seat will one day “test each one’s work of what sort it is.” and only those activities built on this sure foundation will endure and receive a reward in eternity (1 Corinthians 3: 3-14).

In the end, the best giving approach calls for a balance between the two options. First, on the bountiful and cheerful “sowing” during life (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) followed by a purposeful leaving of whatever might remain. Gifts made during our life-time, provides us with the added blessings of seeing the increase God will produce for the cause of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). So if we can willingly trust God for our eternity, surely we can trust Him to take care of us while we support worthy Christian Ministries, doing His work on earth.

To have a happy heart you have to practise generosity every day. Matthew 20:28 says, “Even as the Son of Man came, not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” Jesus came to serve and to give. Those are the two things that will bring more happiness in your life than anything else, and they define what it means to follow Jesus. If you are not serving, if you are not giving, then you are not following Jesus. It is very simple.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
Those who leave everything in God’s hand will eventually see God’s hands in everything.

PROPHETIC WORD:
You will have money to spend for God.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. O God my Father, take my life and let it be consecrated to You, in Jesus’ name.
2. Everything God gave me, I give them back to You, in Jesus’ name.
3. Power of stinginess, my life is not your candidate, catch fire, in Jesus’ name.

EVENING
4. O God, forgive me where I have held back in offerings and tithes, in Jesus’ name.
5. My Father, let me be like You in giving, in Jesus’ name.
6. Power to give my best to the Master, fall on me, in Jesus’ name.
7. I will not come to my Father’s house empty handed, in Jesus’ name.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

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