February 2009 Headlines

French Ministry Takes Gospel to Internet

The Internet has been blamed for numerous social ills, but a ministry in France is taking the Gospel to cyberspace with spectacular results.

Pakistani Christians Want End to Blasphemy Laws

Pakistani Christians have launched a petition campaign demanding that the nation's blasphemy laws be repealed.

Iraq's 'Safe Haven' a Refuge from Torture

ERBIL, Northern Iraq - Security conditions in Iraq have improved greatly in recent months. But for Christians living in this war-ravaged nation, life is still very challenging.

El Salvador Christians Pray Over Pivotal Election

El Salvador's Christian community is helping the country through a tense presidential election season.

Many Churches Thriving Despite Economy

Many Christian ministries appear to be surviving during this economic downturn. Some are even flourishing.

Hunting Down the Masterminds of the Malatya Martyrs Murders

The identities of the middlemen linking the attackers and the alleged masterminds in the murder of three Christians in Malatya, Turkey are expected to take clearer focus following the latest hearing.

Christian Music Gets Counselor Suspended

CBNNews.com - A California group home's decision to suspend a veteran counselor for "exposing" four teens to Christian music is being called a "ridiculous [act of] state hostility to religion."

Spiritual Songs Still Inspire Blacks Today

February is Black History Month and part of that history includes the role that faith played in the lives of African-American slaves.

Australian Christians Praying for Rain

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Although the smoke is beginning to lift over Melbourne, it will take some time before the people here come to grips with the worst wildfires ever to strike their nation.

Australian Fires Revive Faith in God

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Though the death toll continues to rise in the horrible Australia wildfires, there are many stories being told of divine intervention and survival.

Group Unites Muslims, Christians for Peace

KAUSWAGAN, Philippines - In the southern Philippines, the military is fighing a group of Muslim rebels.

What Sharia Law in Pakistan Could Mean

CWN.org - Pakistan recently reached a deal with militants in the country that will allow Islamic "Sharia law" to be imposed on the people there.

Clinton Meets Protests on First Trip to Asia

CWN.org -  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited several Asian nations in her first official trip.

Pope Tells Pelosi to Protect Life

CWN.org - U.S. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, found a stern reception when she visited the Vatican this week.

WorldWatch: Updates on the Global Church

Read below or click play for this week's stories affecting the global church.

Murder Trial Brings Forgving Spirit to Cambodia

CWN.org  - In Cambodia, a trial is now underway that promises to expose in detail some of the worst crimes of the 20th century.

Christian Bookshop in Turkey Vandalized

(CWN.org) - Following threats from Muslim nationalists, a Turkish Bible Society bookshop in the southern city of Adana was vandalized for the second time in a week on Thursday.

Revival Comes to the Muslim World

CBNNews.com - IRAQ - Some call it a revolution in the Middle East but it's not the result of political movement. Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus Christ in large numbers.

Millions Still Needed After Burma Cyclone

The nation of Burma still needs $700 million to recover from last year's devastating cyclone.

Jerusalem Light Show Wows Viewers

CWN.org - Imagine watching the history of Jerusalem in less than an hour.

'Fireproof' Book Transforming Marriages

The faith-based film, Fireproof, was the surprise blockbuster hit of 2008, and much of its success can be attributed to The Love Dare, a book used in the movie. 

WorldWatch: Updates on the Global Church

CWN.org - Read below or click play for this week's stories affecting the global church.

Netanyahu: The Best Chance to Govern?

CBNNews.com - JERUSALEM - As the final votes are counted in Israel's elections, both opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni claim they will be the next prime minister. Their two parties ran neck and neck in the voting. But the candidate who finishes first may not be Israel's new leader.

China: Officials Grapple with Spread of Christianity

CWN.org - Concerned by the growth of unregistered house church groups in an uncertain political and social climate, the Chinese government has ramped up efforts both to identify Christians and to portray Christianity as a subversive foreign force.

India: Charges Filed in Rape of Nun

On January 29, Orissa police filed preliminary charges against 10 men in the rape of a nun during anti-Christian violence in Orissa last August.

UK Nurse Returns to Work; Still to Pray

A Christian nurse from England is going back to work after a six-week suspension.

Sharia Law Increases in Indonesia

CWN.org - In the largest Muslim nation in the world, Sharia law is gaining ground.

Orissa Refugees Fear Returning Home

Many victims of the violence by militant Hindus last fall now fear being victimized again.

Obama Says Faith Should Not Divide

CBNNews.com  - WASHINGTON - Hours before officially establishing a new faith-based initiatives office Thursday, President Barack Obama reminded thousands of attendees at the National Prayer Breakfast about the importance of the Golden Rule.

Africans Ministering Through Mercy Ships

CWN.org -- As the world's largest non-governmental hospital ship is set to arrive in Benin, West Africa next week for it's next field service, it will be particularly poignant for 40 crew members who will be returning to their own continent to serve onboard the Africa Mercy. While docked in Benin until December this year, the floating hospital will provide free medical care and life-saving surgery for thousands of the people.

Indonesia: Sharia-based laws Creep into Half of Provinces

CWN.org - As candidates hit the campaign trail in preparation for Indonesia's presidential election in July, rights groups have voiced strong opposition to an increasing number of sharia-inspired laws introduced by local governments. They say the laws discriminate against religious minorities and violate Indonesia's policy of Pancasila, or "unity in diversity."

British Nurse Suspended for Offering Prayer

A British nurse has been suspended and could lose her job for offering to pray for one of her patients.

Beloved Graham-Crusade Singer Turns 100

George Beverly Shea, the Christian bass singer whose voice rang over Rev. Billy Graham's gospel crusades for more than 60 years, will be a century old Feb. 1.