WorldWatch: Updates on the Global Church
Christian World News
CWN.org - Read or click play for this week's top stories affecting Christian's around the world.
Indonesian Churches Close under Pressure
Compass Direct News reported that 110 churches were closed between 2004 and 2007.
Radical Muslim groups put pressure on local governments to order churches to close. Churches that failed to comply were attacked, and some were set on fire.
An Indonesian human rights commission has called on the President to speak up on behalf of Christians.
Indonesia has more Muslims than any country in the world. Christians account for about 9 percent of its 250 million people.
World Has More Muslims than Catholics
A Vatican official says there are more Muslims than Catholics in the world for the first time in history.
In 2006, Muslims made up more than 19 percent of the world's population, while Catholics only numbered about 17 percent.
But these figures do not include all Christians.
When Protestants are taken into account, Christians still outnumber Muslims, and add up to nearly one-third of the world's population.
Israeli Family Rallies Around Injured Son
Here is an update on a story out of Israel. Fifteen-year-old-Ami Ortiz continues to improve after suffering massive injuries in a terrorist attack.
Ortiz was injured when a bomb disguised as a gift box blew up in his hands. The blast blew out windows three stories below his apartment.
CBN's Chris mitchell says the Christian community is rallying around Ami's family.
FOR MORE: Update on Ami
Web Site Urges Prayer for Terrorists
A new Web-based ministry allows Christians to have a prominent role in the war on terror. It's called Adopt-A Terrorist for Prayer.
First Christians select a terrorist, and then pray daily for a change of heart.
The model follows Jesus' command to pray for our enemies. It acknowledges the need for spiritual resources in the war on terror.
FOR MORE: Ministry Urges Prayer for Terrorists
Bibles will be handed out to Olympic athletes and visitors during the Summer Olympics in China.
A group of Chinese believers is working with the Olympic committee to hand out New Testaments as gifts.
They plan to print 20,000 copies, which include both English and Chinese translations.
One missionary says this is a new China that everyone's seeing. And while believers still can't hand out tracts or evangelize, he says bibles can now be bought out in the open - in bookstores and the market.
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
