Canada: Nova Scotia wildfires state of emergency
02 Jun 2023
After days of wildfires, Halifax City declared a state of emergency and mandatory evacuations were ordered for 16,500 citizens. Prime Minister Trudeau tweeted ‘Nova Scotia’s wildfires are serious. We are ready to provide federal support and assistance.’ Halifax suburb citizens cannot return home until municipal authorities advise. Police are monitoring communities for thefts and suspicious activities. By May 30th, fires covered 43,095 acres, destroyed 200+ homes, and grew to the largest wildfires in Nova Scotia’s history. People who need to leave must bring pets, important documents, medication and food supplies. On June 1st, evacuations continued. People were told to have a bag packed and be ready to go at short notice. Forest technicians ask for patience from tens of thousands of residents awaiting news of their homes. 18,000+ people remain under the Halifax evacuation order. ‘We’ve got more fires than resources to support them. We are prioritising safety and human life ahead of infrastructure’. said the manager of forest protection.
Niger: Believers respond to persecution
02 Jun 2023
In the city of Maradi, a growing number of Fulani men and women are encountering Jesus, but it’s enraging Fulani Muslims, who use different tactics to persecute Christians. In response, Open Doors local partners ran persecution survival training for 120 new believers. ‘Thanks to this training, my eyes are opened to how to respond to persecution,’ says Lydia. ‘I now understand that these are the footsteps that Jesus Christ left for all those who believe in Him. Persecution is inevitable, but we must stand strong, and we should pray for our persecutors.’ ‘I am blessed with the Word of God; I have strategies to overcome the persecution,’ adds Zeinabou. ‘I never knew anything about persecution response, but now my eyes are open - I am more than victorious, I must overcome persecution because Jesus is with me, and He will never let me down.’
Palestine: Mission mindset of the Church
02 Jun 2023
2% of Palestinians are Christian, outnumbered and persecuted by their Muslim neighbours, facing marginalisation outside their Palestinian community under occupation. Yet Palestine is a top missionary-sending country, sending out roughly 3,400 missionaries per one million Christians. Jack Sara of Bethlehem Bible College says, ‘Palestinian Christians are very proud of their faith and will share it wherever they are. The situation with occupation and difficulty suffering certainly has made them resilient. This commitment to missions reveals the Gospel heart cultivated in the Palestinian Church and serves as a challenge and encouragement to other believers. The global Church would do a good thing to provide a platform for Palestinian Christians to speak, to come and share experiences and lessons learned from living the Gospel in such hard circumstances. These hard circumstances qualify Palestinian missionaries to connect with people in other countries where life is difficult and offer them the Living Hope of Jesus Christ.’
Sudan: Families trapped as Darfur burns
02 Jun 2023
Over 90,000 people have crossed into Chad from Darfur as Sudan became gripped by war when fighting began between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on April 15th. Amid the chaos, fighting also reignited in the west of the country that is still haunted by 20 years of conflict between Arab militias and non-Arab groups - including the Arab Rizeigat tribe and the non-Arab Masalit - fuelled by competition for dwindling resources. At least 500 people died across Darfur in the first weeks of fighting, according to Sudan’s health ministry, while over 250,000 people in West Darfur were displaced. The figures are likely to have increased since they were reported before a total communication blackout in el-Geneina on 19 May. el-Geneina suffered two waves of violence at the end of April and in mid-May. They both started when Arab militias stormed it, exploiting the army’s non-interference.
Recently gunmen opened fire at a birthday party, killing at least four guests and injuring many. Two girl victims were severely hurt and on ventilators for weeks. Then during a live stream church broadcast Pastor Michael kept hearing the word ‘shooting’. He believed God wanted to heal someone injured in a shooting and began to pray, not knowing who he was praying for. Meanwhile an Alabama resident who had been interceding for the girls was watching the live stream. When Pastor Michael called out for the shooting victims God wanted to heal, she immediately shared the video. They agreed with his prayer and stood in the gap for the girls. The girls woke up the next day. One girl at once said, ‘Jesus’, and she started singing, ‘Jesus, do it for me.’ Then the second girl woke from her coma. Doctors were amazed, believing they would never recover. But with God, all things are possible.
Zambia shaken with the gospel
26 May 2023
Evangelist Daniel Kolenda’s Facebook post on 10 May stated: 11 crusades, 11 cities in Zambia in two weeks. 55 meetings, resulting in over one million documented decisions for Christ! Countless miracle healings! An entire nation shaken with the Gospel! In a YouTube video, Daniel shared, ‘Souls have been saved, healings have taken place, and hearts have been transformed through powerful corporate worship.’ In one testimony on GOD TV a man wheelchair bound for 13 years joined the crusade and was healed. He walked again. The evangelist said. ‘The power of God was felt by everyone as they witnessed the miracle of this man walking to the stage and leaving his wheelchair behind. God wants to save His lost children.’ May this good news remind us that God is alive.
Down's syndrome and abortion law
26 May 2023
Heidi Crowter is a woman with Down's syndrome who has previously challenged legislation allowing foetuses with the syndrome to be aborted up until birth. But judges at the Court of Appeal decided the Abortion Act did not interfere with the rights of the living disabled. Heidi is taking her case to the European Court of Human Rights ‘because it is downright discrimination that people with disabilities are treated differently. Disabled people are valued equally after birth but not in the womb.’ In England, Wales and Scotland there is a 24-week time limit for abortion, unless there is a substantial risk that the child would suffer from physical or mental abnormalities, including Down's syndrome. If Heidi’s appeal is successful, it would not only have implications for the UK, it would set a legal precedent for all 46 member countries of the Council of Europe.
Christian concerned over freedom of speech
26 May 2023
Hatun Tash, a Christian street evangelist who regularly preaches at Hyde Park's Speakers’ Corner, has raised concerns about freedom of speech in the UK after Edward Little, 21, pleaded guilty on 19 May to attempting to kill her. In September, police arrested him when they found him in possession of thousands of pounds in cash, intending to purchase a gun to murder Tash and her camera crew. He was apprehended before he could carry out his plan. In response to his admission of guilt, Tash said, ‘l am glad that the police were able to act and stop Mr Little before he harmed me and people around me. This should concern everyone in the UK. It shows that the teaching of Islam is not compatible with British values if it inspires men to attempt to murder Christian evangelists.’