Benny Hinn will be a guest speaker at Christian Faith Church in Sacramento, California.
Event Dates:
– Saturday, February 15 at 7pm
– Sunday, February 16 at 4pm
Location:
Christian Faith Church
5140 Elkhorn Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95842
Benny Hinn Speaks At Christian Faith Church
Church Leaders Raise Concerns Over Christianity’s Future In Iraq
The Islamic State has been defeated and bombings and kidnappings have also decreased, but Iraq’s Christians still don’t find the cradle of Christianity livable and continue to leave the country that has now become a land of militias, causing concerns among church leaders.
St. Joseph’s parish in Baghdad once had 5,000 families, but the number has now reduced to 150 thanks to a mass exodus in the last decade to the West. “They feel there is no peace, law or justice here in Baghdad, and that our country has become a land of militias,” the parish priest, Father Nadheer Dako, told The Telegraph.
A parishioner, Nasib Hana Jabril, further explained, “It is true that people are no longer getting kidnapped as much, and the Islamic State is gone. But the infrastructure of the country has been ruined, and people want a better future, not so much for themselves but for their children.”
Christians are also concerned about their safety, as they don’t have traditional tribal networks for self-defense. “We have no tribe here, so if things go wrong, there is nobody here to help us,” the parishioner revealed.
Dako, who earlier served as a priest in London, confirmed what the parishioner said. “Returning here from London after six years, I’ve noticed how the quality of education in Baghdad has gone down in nearly all the primary schools. The new generation just have very little hope of making a life here anymore.”
If Christians continue to leave, Dako fears, “Will there still be a Christian community here in Baghdad in 2050?”
The persecution facing Christians and other minorities in Iraq is “unprecedented,” said Loay Mikhael, head of foreign relations for the Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council, on Wednesday at the National Prayer Breakfast sideline event on religious persecution worldwide, co-hosted by the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., and 21Wilberforce.
He explained that because of persecution at the hands of the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or IS, the Christian population in Iraq dwindled from 1.5 million to just 250,000. He said his own family was forced to relocate due to persecution.
“We are all over the world,” he said, “not because of our choice, but because we were forced to flee. The challenge is tremendous.”
Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor
‘Watered-Down’ Gospel In U.S. Is Major Concern For 72 Percent Of Pastors
The prevalence of a “watered-down” gospel and the culture’s shift to a secular age are the leading concerns among Protestant pastors about the Christian church in the United States, according to a new Barna survey.
Barna surveyed 547 U.S. Protestant pastors and asked them which issues they believed were a major concern facing the U.S. Christian church.
Seven issues topped 50 percent: Watered-down gospel teachings, 72 percent; culture’s shift to a secular age, 66 percent; poor discipleship models, 63 percent; addressing complex social issues with biblical integrity, 58 percent; prosperity gospel teachings, 56 percent; reaching a younger audience, 56 percent and political polarization in the country, 51 percent.
Three issues topped 40 percent but failed to reach 50 percent: Negative perceptions of the church, 46 percent; the diminished influence of churches in the community, 45 percent and church leader burnout/exhaustion, 40 percent.
Few of those issues, though, were mentioned as a major problem when pastors were asked – in a separate question – to list their major concerns for their own church. On that list, only two issues topped 50 percent, with a total of nine reaching at least 20 percent: Reaching a younger audience, 51 percent; declining or inconsistent outreach and evangelism, 50 percent; declining or inconsistent volunteering, 36 percent; stagnating spiritual growth, 34 percent; declining attendance, 33 percent; biblical illiteracy, 29 percent; declining or unpredictable giving patterns, 28 percent; lack of leadership training and development, 23 percent and not reflecting the demographic of the community, 21 percent.
Michael Foust | ChristianHeadlines.com
The Send – Brazil brings together 140,000 youth — and Brazil’s President
Thousands of Christians – including President Jair Bolsonaro – gathered in three stadiums in Brazil Saturday to turn to Jesus and send out missionaries to the world.
Bolsonaro wasn’t invited by the event organizer, The Send Brazil, but he showed up at the stadium in Brasilia, the nation’s capital, because he wanted to be there for the historic event, which local news outlets called the “largest Christian simultaneous event in Brazil’s history.”
The leader nicknamed the “Trump of the Tropics” was met with thunderous applause when he declared that he is a believer in Jesus and that Brazil belongs to God.
More than 140,000 people attended the 12-hour event at three different stadiums – Brasilia Nacional Stadium, and Morumbi Stadium and Allianz Parque Stadium in Sao Paulo – with 1.7 million watching on the Portuguese livestream and more than 560,000 on the English one.
Andy Byrd and Teo Hayashi, co-organizers of The Send Brazil, told Fox News it took “unparalleled unity” to put together the massive three-stadium event, in which thousands made decisions for Jesus, committed to fasting, Bible reading plans and missions to the nations, colleges and high schools.
The Send Brazil was brought together by seven ministries collectively called “The Send,” which first launched last year in Orlando.
“The outpouring of healing, miracles, signs and wonders was mindblowing, the display of God’s power in all three stadiums,” Byrd, leader of Youth With a Mission (YWAM), said.
“This whole event was about the exultation of Jesus and the empowerment of the 24-year-old, equipping the next generation to change the world.”
Hayashi, founder of the Dunamis Movement (a university ministry) and pastor of Zion Church in Sao Paulo, said the strong emphasis on social justice – reaching college campuses and high schools, as well as adoption of vulnerable children and teenagers – struck a chord with the nation.
“God activated a huge evangelical youth church to the great commission and God empowered a generation to do the works of Christ beyond the four walls of the Church,” Hayashi said.
Evangelical leaders – Francis Chan, Michael Koulianos, Todd White, Daniel Kolenda, Randy Clark, Christine Caine and many others – were joined by worship leaders Lindy Conant-Cofer, Jeremy Riddle, Steffany Gretzinger, Dante Bowe and others from the United States and several prominent Christian leaders in Brazil. In all, 180 people spoke throughout the day.
Daniel Kolenda, whose ministry has seen more than 80 million come to Christ in Africa, declared: “God is on the move in Brazil!”
Dennis Haysbert ‘Got Emotional’ Narrating TBN Christian History Documentary Series
Dennis Haysbert’s unmistakable voice may be as well-known as his face. That’s what happens when your voice is heard on popular Allstate ads and shows like Meet the Press. It’s also a reason the creators of a new TBN series, Inexplicable: How Christianity Spread to the Ends of the Earth, wanted him as the narrator.
Haysbert – who played President David Palmer in 24 and more recently a medical doctor in the faith-based film Breakthrough – told Christian Headlines he was “blessed” with a memorable voice.
“Everybody has a great voice in my family,” he said, laughing, while referencing his eight siblings and father.
The six-part Inexplicable seriesopens in the first century and examines the spread of Christianity across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It includes interviews with historians, faith leaders and other experts. Haysbert narrates it.
The series, Haysbert said, doesn’t use “kid gloves” when telling the story of Christianity’s history. Some of the episodes, he said, are “bloody” and even “scary.”
“There are billions of Christians out there. This is a story they need to see,” said Haysbert, who calls himself a lover of history. “… We absolutely have to learn [history] in order to get through this life. What you forget – or what you don’t know – you’re doomed to repeat.”
Viewers aren’t the only ones learning, though. Haysbert, too, said he learned a lot about Christian history while recording the narration. On more than one occasion, he became overwhelmed by what he was reading.
“I had to pause a couple of times and tell the guys, ‘Hold on, stop for a second. Let me consume this and let me feel this for a second before I continue on.’ There were points where I got emotional about the things I was reading,” Haysbert said. “… You start narrating, and you’re bringing life to it.”
Iranian Christian Convert Granted Early Release From Prison
One Iranian Christian convert imprisoned for his faith has been released early from prison and it is expected that two more converts will also be granted an early release.
According to Middle East Concern, Asghar Salehi was freed from his six-month prison sentence this week after being charged with propaganda against the Islamic Republic.
The nonprofit advocacy group that operates in 24 countries across the Middle East and North Africa previously reported that Salehi was arrested along with Mohammadreza Rezaei and four other associates in the Fars Province after their homes were raided by intelligence officers in September 2018.
Asghar was allegedly interrogated for three days in which he was kept blindfolded for most of the time. He was eventually transferred to Eghlid prison for eight days before being released on bail.
Asghar, Mohammadreza and one other convert whose name was not reported were summoned to a court hearing in Eghlid last April and charged for their Christian activities.
According to the advocacy group, the judge refused to allow Asghar to speak. Additionally, he was warned that he was being monitored and told he would have to commit to stopping his Christian activities before another court session.
Last September, the three men were reportedly sentenced to six months in prison under Article 500 of the Iranian legal code banning “propaganda against the System through promoting Zionist Christianity.”
Asghar was again arrested last December and sent to Eghlid prison. He and the other two applied for a pardon and early release. According to MEC, Asghar’s request for early release was granted after serving only two months of the six.
While he was freed on Feb. 2, MEC reports that the two other converts are scheduled to be released on Feb. 8.
A source close to Asghar told MEC that pardons are less likely in the larger cities or for Christians accused of acting against national security.
Samuel Smith, CP Reporter
Christians In China Courageously Share Gospel In Coronavirus Crisis Zone
As if rallying around the apostles’ declaration that “We must serve God rather than men” (Acts 5:29), Christians continue to boldly share the Gospel in the streets of Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak. Witnesses who share their faith openly not only face possible infection from the dangerous respiratory disease caused by the virus, but also could be subject to potential persecution by authorities, as well.
Despite the potential dangers, CBN News Asia correspondent Lucille Talusan reports that Christians in Wuhan are meeting needs created by the crisis and by doing so are creating opportunities to share the Gospel.
The believers, often operating underground to avoid persecution and prosecution by Communist authorities, are taking advantage of the need for surgical masks. In addition to helping prevent contracting the respiratory disease caused by coronavirus, the masks also help shield the identity of the witness.
Talusan reported that a “very courageous” group of Christians in Wuhan have hit the streets to distribute the protective facemasks. As they hand out the masks, Talusan said, “They say that they are Christians and they share the love of Christ and point to Jesus to bring hope to them and their families and the whole of China. … This is really a breakthrough.”
Talusan said that the uncertainty of the crisis has helped heighten the receptiveness to the message of Christ.
While the Chinese Communist government includes Christianity-based Catholicism and Protestantism among the nation’s five officially sanctioned religions, activities of these faith traditions require registration and are subject to complex state-regulatory agencies that manage “all aspects of religious life, including religious leadership appointments, selection of clergy, and interpretation of doctrine.
Tim Tune | ChristianHeadlines.com
President Trump Speaks At 68th Annual National Prayer Breakfast
After his acquittal on two articles of impeachment, President Donald Trump addressed the 68th annual National Prayer Breakfast Thursday extolling his victory while bemoaning those “who use their faith as justification.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who many believe was the target of his comments and who created a firestorm after tearing up a copy of Trump’s State of the Union address just two days ago, sat at the opposite end of the head table. The two did not interact.
Lost in the shadows of the political animosity was the president’s tribute to an African American pastor from Louisiana who is working to rebuild his 140-year-old church after it was leveled last April in an arson fire.
Prior to the president’s speech, Harvard professor and conservative author Arthur Brooks urged those gathered in the International Ballroom at the Washington Hilton not to hold political enemies in contempt, but to follow the lead of Jesus who preached “love your enemies.” He said that true moral courage was “standing up to those with whom you agree on behalf of those with whom you disagree.”
“Contempt,” Brooks added, “is ripping our country apart. We’re like a couple on the rocks in this country. Don’t believe it? Turn on prime time TV … it’s tearing our society apart.
“How do we break the habit of contempt? Some people say we need more civility and tolerance. I say, nonsense. Why? Because civility and tolerance are a low standard. Jesus didn’t say, ‘tolerate your enemies.’ He said, ‘love your enemies.’ Answer hatred with love.”
Trump began his speech before 3,500 invited guests, including foreign dignitaries from more than 140 countries, by triumphantly showing off headlines from several newspapers. “ACQUITTED,” emblazoned USA Today, while the Washington Times read, “Trump acquitted.”
Early on, the president referenced Brooks’ challenge saying, “I don’t know if I agree with you,” which brought laughter from the audience.
Trump then addressed the impeachment ordeal.
“My family, our great country and your president has been put through a terrible ordeal by some very dishonest and corrupt people,” Trump said. “They have done everything possible to destroy us and by so doing, very badly hurt our nation.
“They know what they are doing is wrong but they put themselves far ahead of our great country. Weeks ago and again yesterday, courageous Republican politicians and leaders had the wisdom, fortitude, and strength to do what everyone knows was right.”
The president then took a stab at some of his critics.
“I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong,” he said. “Nor do I like people who say, “I pray for you,” when they know that that’s not so. So many people have been hurt, and we can’t let that go on.”
Although Trump did not mention any names, many observers said the comments were likely directed at Pelosi, who offered a prayer for the poor at the gathering, and Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, the sole Republican who voted to convict Trump on the abuse of power charge.
“As a senator juror, I swore an oath before God to exercise impartial justice,” Romney said Wednesday about his decision. “I am profoundly religious. My faith is at the heart of who I am. I take an oath before God as enormously consequential,” Romney said Wednesday about his decision.”
Lori Arnold | ChristianHeadlines.com Contributor
3rd National Bible Reading Marathon Begins
The Church of Pentecost took up the challenge of reading through the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelations continuously for 96 hours as part of the church’s Bible Awareness Week observance.
The event, dubbed the “3rd Bible Reading Marathon,” was jointly organized by the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) in collaboration with the Bible Society of Ghana and the Adabraka Local Council of Churches.
The marathon officially took off on Sunday, February 2, 2020, at a grand ceremony organized at the Freedom and Justice Park (formerly Obra Spot) near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange. The marathon opened with the reading of the first chapter of Genesis by the General Secretary, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi; the subsequent chapters were read by other dignitaries present at the event.
Delivering the keynote address at the event on behalf the Chairman, Apostle Kumi-Larbi said that the vision of the public reading exercise is to encourage a greater number of committed Christians in the metropolis to read the scriptures.
He added that the goal of the Bible Reading Marathon is to follow the words of Paul the Apostle who encouraged the believers in 1Timothy 4:13 to devote themselves to the public reading of scripture.
“The word of God is powerful, and the reading of scriptures in strategic public places is a form of prayerful declaration that Ghana, and for that matter, the people of Accra, will find their destiny in Christ the Living Word,” he noted.
Apostle Kumi-Larbi said that the theme for the Bible Awareness Week, which is also the theme for the event, “The Bible and Politics,” was strategically chosen to reflect the political season as the country prepares to go to the polls in December. According to him, the week would also be used to educate and encourage members of the church, in particular, and Christians, in general, on the need for them to be actively involved in the governance of the nation.
The PEMEM Director, Apostle Emmanuel Ankra-Badu, on his part, said that, unlike two editions, the public Bible reading exercise is being replicated at the various levels of the church.
2020 Season Of Healing Jesus Campaigns Begin in Yopougon
The 2020 season of Healing Jesus Campaigns with Evangelist Dag Heward-Mills have began in Yopougon, Abidjan.
It was 4 nights of miracles, healings and deliverance from the power of satan as the Evangelist ministered the word of God powerfully with signs and wonders accompanying it.
The Evangelist also taught many Pastors and Church Leaders during the Pastors’ Conference during the mornings.
Truly Yopougon will never be the same again. God Bless Evangelist Dag Heward-Mills and The Healing Jesus Campaign Team for going.
