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World Watch: Updates on the Global Church

By CWNews

CWNews.com – Christian Woman Denied Right to Change Her Religion

Malaysia's highest civil court refused a woman's appeal to be recognized as a Christian.

Muslims hailed the court's ruling that the woman, Lina Joy, must appear before an Islamic Sharia court to legally change her religion. The chief justice said only an Islamic court can ratify her decision to leave Islam.

Joy could face criminal charges if she takes her case to a Shariah court. Apostasy is a crime punishable by fines and jail sentences in Malaysia.

Joy says she may leave Malaysia.

Bush Proposes New Sanctions on Sudan

President Bush is proposing new sanctions against Sudan to end the suffering in Darfur.

The sanctions would bar about 30 Sudanese companies from doing business in the U.S. banking system. They also targets rebel leaders, who could have their bank accounts confiscated, and be barred from traveling to the U.S.

The plan also includes a new U.N. resolution that would apply international sanctions against the Sudanese government.

With 200,000 dead and 2 million displaced in Darfur, some say the sanctions are too little too late.

But Andrew Natsios, the U.S. envoy to Sudan, says they'll have real impact.

“It has not been done before in Sudan,” Natsios said. “It will affect these 31 companies but 130 companies already on this and have been for some years. This is much more aggressive, much more powerful, enforcement mechanism.”

Liberia Welcomes Mercy Ship

The president of Liberia welcomed the world's largest charity hospital ship at the Port in Monrovia this week.

The crew of the African Mercy gave President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson a tour of the ship.

The ship's surgeons will perform hundreds of operations to correct birth defects. Johnson said the ministry gives handicapped Liberians a chance for a normal life.

“How you enable us, many of our people to live again,” Johnson said. “To be able to become a part of society in a normal way.”

The ship is the fourth ship to be operated by the ministry Mercy Ships.

Guatemala Mega-Church Dedicates New Building

In Guatemala City this week, the Fraternidad Cristiana Church dedicated its new church building.
The structure holds more than 12,000 people at a time and is said to be the largest church in Central America.

It also holds a Christian school for 3,000 children and a multi-story parking garage.

Furthermore, the church paid off the $250 million building costs over a six-year period and moved into the structure debt-free.

The church began with 22 families meeting in a hotel and kept moving from hotel to hotel as its membership grew.

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