Jesus Selfie Ad: Advertising Campaign aims at Drawing Young Adults back to Church.

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Jesus Selfie Ad: Advertising Campaign aims at Drawing Young Adults back to Church.

The Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn is trying to remind young adults who have strayed from the church or are seeking a place of worship that God is ever-present with a new advertising campaign portraying a woman taking a selfie with Jesus.
The daring ad shows a lone young woman taking a selfie. However in the snapped picture, she is not alone; an image of Jesus is just behind her. Emblazoned at the top of the ad are the words, “It’s Never Just a Selfie”; at the bottom, the diocese bids viewers, “Join us for Christmas.”

Monsignor Kieran Harrington, the vicar for Communications for the Diocese of Brooklyn, explained the ad stating, “New York is an exciting place to live. Yet for some it can also be lonely. We launched this campaign to remind our neighbors that they are not alone, that we are family.”

Brooklyn Bishop Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio said the ad is also a creative response to “Pope Francis’ call for a church of mercy and hope ‘where everyone is welcomed, loved and forgiven.”

The Diocese hopes the message behind the ad will drive young adults in its 187 parishes to attend Christmas mass.

The Christmas “Selfie” ad is one of 11 clever ads translated in English, Spanish and Mandarin. One urges the unchurched to “party like it’s 1 AD” while another proclaims Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and the three wise men as “the original friends and family plan.”

A similar ad campaign last year proclaimed Jesus the orginial hipster.

The “Selfie” ad became more well known after National Public Radio’s Peter Sagal mocked the ad during the “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!” weekend game show. Last weekend he joked “The Catholic Church preaches that Jesus is always with us. In fact, He’s right behind you.” He then quipped, “For starters, why didn’t Jesus just offer to take the picture Himself? His hands were occupied.”

First Baptist Church in Dallas Senior Pastor Robert Jeffress said of the jokes on FOX News, “When it comes to Christianity, it’s open season.”

NPR President and CEO Jarl Mohn told FOX News Host Bill O’Reilly that the show’s goal is to poke fun at the news and make people laugh, and he “regrets that we didn’t succeed in this case.”

The controversy hasn’t seemed to put a damper on the Diocese’s efforts. It is featuring the ads in print as well as making them the inspiration for 30-second radio messages inviting the borough of Queens to join its 213 churches for Christmas.

Source and Original Content by CP

Laws to Fast Track Woman Bishops into Lords Set to be Unveilled

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Laws to Fast Track Woman Bishops into Lords Set to be Unveilled

New laws due to be unveiled this week will mean woman bishops will be fast tracked into the House of Lords.

There had been fears it could be at least a decade before a female member of the clergy was given a place in the Lords after the Church of England’s General Synod voted in favour of woman bishops last month.

The Sunday Times reports that Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has ordered the law to be re-written to allow woman to jump the queue of bishops waiting for a seat.

It means the first female bishop would take the next place in the ‘Lords Spiritual’ when it becomes free.

The first could be in place by the middle of next year.

Twenty six bishops have a place in the House of Lords but only five, Canterbury, York, Winchester, Durham and London, have a permanent seat.

The rest of the Church of England’s seats are given on the basis of service length, with the average wait around ten years.

Reports suggest the law will last a decade to create equal representation before being changed back.

Source and Original Content by Premier Christian News

New Jersey Church Raises $25,000 to Aid Christians Persecuted by ISIS

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New Jersey Church Raises $25,000 to Aid Christians Persecuted by ISIS

As religious and ethnic violence spreads across portions of Syria and Iraq, one Wall church worked to raise more than $25,000 for Christians persecuted by extremists of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.

Pastors of Grace Bible Church handed over a check for $25,752 Sunday morning to an organization that will purchase supplies for the Christians fleeing from or living within areas threatened or controlled by ISIL.

Half of the money will be used to purchase 400 to 500 plastic emergency packs stuffed with blankets, clothing, hats, gloves and soap, and the other half of the donation will purchase mattresses and heaters.

Christians have been fleeing cities under ISIL’s control, and though estimating refugee and population numbers in war zones is difficult, various news agencies estimate that tens of thousands of Christians have fled portions of Syria and Iraq. Nearly 2 million people from various minority groups have fled the region, according to a United Nations undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief…Read More

Source and Original Content by BCNN1

Ebola Leads to Ban on Christmas Events in Sierra Leone

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Ebola Leads to Ban on Christmas Events in Sierra Leone

Christians in Sierra Leone have been told they cannot celebrate Christmas in public in an attempt to halt the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.

The country has the highest number of cases of the disease that has left at least five thousand dead in West Africa.

In a bid to stop the illness spreading any further the National Ebola Response Committee has said Christians must celebrate the birth of Christ at home.

More than a quarter of the country is Christian and public gatherings are common during Advent but this will now be banned.

It’s still unclear if the restrictions will extend to church but in previous measures people were allowed out to ‘worship’.

Reports suggest events like carol services will come under the new curfew.

There will be no ban on going outdoors or to work.

Source and Original Content by Premier Christian News

Carol Singers Attacked in India

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Carol Singers Attacked in India

A group of Christians have been attacked in India as they sung Christmas carols.

It’s claimed Hindu radicals assaulted the believers after saying they were trying to convert people to Christianity.

The incident happened on December 13 in Singareny Colony of Sarurnagar in India’s southern city of Hyderabad.

Pastor Bhim Nayak, head pastor of Banjara Baptist Church, and fifteen of his church members were singing Christmas carols and visiting with other Christian families when they were attacked.

International Christian Concern says the group of extremist Hindus surrounded their vehicle and claimed the Christians were attempting to forcefully convert people to Christianity by singing Christmas carols.

The van’s windows were smashed and the attackers dragged the Christians out into the street where they were badly beaten.

Pastor Nayak and four other were severely injured as the radicals used sticks and clubs during the attack.

The pastor is now in a critical condition in hospital.

International Christian Concern (ICC) said: “Pray for Pastor Nayak who remains in critical condition. Also pray for the ten other Christians injured in this attack.

“Remember India’s Christians this Christmas, as this is likely not the only attack they will be forced to endure this holiday season.

Source and Original Content by Premier Christian News

US Pastor Undergoing ‘Severe Pains’ in Iranian Prison

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US Pastor Undergoing ‘Severe Pains’ in Iranian Prison

U.S. Pastor Saeed Abedini, who has now been in an Iranian jail for his Christian faith for more than two years and has been subjected to harsh beatings, is in “severe pain,” according to a relative who was able to visit him in prison.

“Saeed continues to have severe pain and would appreciate your prayers,” American Center for Law and Justice quotes Pastor Saeed’s wife, Naghmeh, as saying.

The American pastor must be allowed to return to his wife and children in the United States and to receive the critical medical care that he so desperately needs, the group says.

Many Christians who are supporting the demand for Saeed’s release set out an empty place at the table on Thanksgiving to remember him and other persecuted Christians.

“Saeed had been made aware of the empty Thanksgiving plate settings to remember him. I had gathered the pictures you all had shared to show it to Saeed. He was so encouraged and moved by it!” Naghmeh says.

“He has felt the presence of Jesus ever so near to him during this time and has felt all of your prayers,” she adds. “He wants you all to know how your prayers have crossed prison walls and how the Lord has been ministering to him. He wanted to thank you all for it!”

This will be the third Christmas for Saeed’s family without him. “The journey is quite difficult,” Naghmeh says. “There are a lot of unknowns regarding Saeed’s release and the timing, but both Saeed and I are trusting the Lord. Jesus Christ has never failed nor forsaken us.”

Obama raised the issue of the pastor’s detention during his first phone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani last September, but authorities in Iran have not responded.

Saeed grew up in Iran before converting to Christianity at the age of 20. He later traveled with his family back and forth between Iran and the U.S. to meet other members of his family and for Christian work.

During one such trip in 2009, Saeed was detained by Iranian officials and interrogated for his conversion. While he was released with a warning against engaging in underground church activities, he was once again arrested in 2012 while working on a non-sectarian orphanage project.

Saeed was sentenced for endangering “national security,” but the ACLJ believes the punishment has more to do with Saeed’s Christian faith.

Source and Original Content by CP

US Priest faces Prison for Fraud

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US Priest faces Prison for Fraud

An American Catholic priest will be sentenced later for embezzling money from a charity meant for Detroit’s poor.

Revd Timothy Kane stole money from the Angel Fund ranging from one thousand to 20 thousand dollars.

The charity provides cash for people in urgent need in Detroit.

Revd Kane, 58, was removed from St. Moses the Black Parish in Detroit when allegations were initially made against him.

Some parishioners have written character references to present to the judge.

The priest could face up to 20 years in prison although it’s not thought the sentence will be that long.

During his trial the jury were told how he collaborated with a prison inmate to recruit people to make false claims for aid which he would approve.

The Angel Fund has now been scrapped.

Source and Original Content by Premier Christian News

Archbishop Appeals for Prayers for Sydney Café Hostages

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Archbishop Appeals for Prayers for Sydney Café Hostages

The Archbishop of Sydney is appealing for prayers as a number of people are held hostage in a city café.

“Please join me in prayer for those held hostage in Martin Place, Sydney, and for the police who are trying to resolve the situation,” said Most Revd Anthony Fisher OP.

A number of people have managed to flee the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Martin Place and it’s still unknown how many people are inside.

The gunman is wearing an Islamic headband and made hostages hold up a flag which appeared similar to that of Islamic State.

Police are in contact with the hostage taker and officers say no-one has been hurt so far.

Australian prime minister Tony Abbott earlier said he cannot think of a more “distressing or terrifying” event to be caught up in than the unfolding incident.

He said the motive was unclear and he would not rule out terrorism.”Our thoughts and prayers must above all go out to the individuals who are caught up in this,” Mr Abbott said.

Bishop of South Sydney Rt Rev Robert Forsyth told Premier the siege is very close to his office.He said: “I was more surprised, many thought it would happen, but I would say at first sight I did find it hard to believe.
“It’s a place I know very well, it’s near one of our churches.”It’s the shock of the unfamiliar, the violence in the midst of something you know so well, I think that’s the shock…Read More

Source and Original Content by Premier Christian News

Book : Listening to God – How to Hear when God is Speaking

CM Editor
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Book : Listening to God – How to Hear when God is Speaking
Listening To God
Listening To God

Hearing when God is speaking – How to Listen to God

Mission
To teach the people of God on how to Listen, when God is Speaking

Description
The word of God – the Bible says “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). In this present world, you cannot achieve anything or live a purpose driven life without having access to the voice of God.

Everyone who is always led by the Spirit of God is assured of Victory. And it is also the will of God that all His children understand His voice and listen when He is speaking or leading them.

This book reveal the truth about hearing the voice of God

Buy this Book – Enter your email below to Buy Now : This book will be sent electronically to your email or mobile phone in PDF format.

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Christian Radio Host Bags 40 Years Sentence for Child Sex Abuse

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Christian Radio Host Bags 40 Years Sentence for Child Sex Abuse

A judge branded the actions of Christian radio host John Balyo “filthy [and] obscene” yesterday, and handed him a 40 year sentence for sexually exploiting a minor as well as possessing child pornography.

Balyo, a former morning host at WCSG, a Christian station operated by Cornerstone University in Michigan, was accused of leading a “double life”.

In court on Thursday, Judge Robert Holmes Bell, father of pastor and author Rob Bell, said: “I’m having a lot of trouble trying to reconcile two people in the orange jumpsuit before me.

“There’s the Christian man with a reputation as a value-driven individual. But there is something else going on that is troubling…filthy, obscene. I don’t get it. I don’t get where you went off.”

Prosecutor Assistant US Attorney Tessa K Hessmiller accused Balyo of being a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” in a sentencing memorandum.

“On the outside, he was a law-abiding, charitable, upstanding citizen. He was able to gain people’s trust, leading no one to suspect anything was amiss. But underneath the surface, he was feeding a morbid and sadistic fascination with children, creating and accumulating pedophilic materials, rehearsing a sexual kidnapping fantasy with a gun and a child-sized mannequin and meeting clandestinely in hotel rooms with young boys in bondage,” Hessmiller continued…Read More

Source and Original Content by CT

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