Today’s Headlines:

MUSLIM MAN DROPS ‘BLASPHEMY’ CHARGE AGAINST PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN

EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS IN PAKISTAN BRACE FOR BLAST OF WINTER COLD

CHURCH IN IRAN GROWS AMID INCREASING PERSECUTION

GERMAN YOUTH CONFERENCE CONFIRMS HIGH INTEREST IN MISSIONS

HUNDREDS OF CHURCHES JOIN INITIATIVE TO END HOMELESSNESS IN DENVER

Today’s Top Stories:

MUSLIM MAN DROPS ‘BLASPHEMY’ CHARGE AGAINST PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN

A Pakistani Muslim in the Punjabi town of Sangla Hill dropped formal charges last week against a Christian he had accused of setting fire to pages of the Koran. Mohammed Saleem’s accusations last November triggered a violent reprisal from local Muslims, destroying four churches and landing Yousaf Masih in jail for allegedly desecrating the Koran. As part of a reconciliation agreement reached by local Muslim and Christian leaders on Thursday, Jan. 5, Saleem signed an affidavit declaring Masih innocent. Local Christian leaders agreed not to press charges against the mob of 2,000 Muslims who attacked the town’s Christian community. Police have held 88 rioters in custody since the assault. It is not yet clear how the agreement will affect legal proceedings. Bail has been denied to the rioters, and Masih also remains under arrest. (Compass)

EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS IN PAKISTAN BRACE FOR BLAST OF WINTER COLD

More than 2 million people, all survivors of the earthquake that hit the Kashmir region of Pakistan, face heavy snow this weekend as unusually cold weather tightens its grip across much of Asia. “They don’t have winterized tents, no stoves for heat or cooking,” said Kevin Turner of Strategic World Impact (SWI). “Children are standing in the snow without shoes.” It could also cause problems for a team from SWI heading to the region this Sunday. While this is a predominantly Muslim area, Turner believes Christians can make a difference. “They’re absolutely flabbergasted when they see Christians are coming in to assist them,” he said. SWI recently held a training conference in Pakistan attended by more than 50 pastors — men who are willing to lay down their lives for the gospel. “Some of the pastors are scared and you can understand why,” Turner explained. “Churches are burned to the ground, people are raped and killed, and it’s terrible. However, calamity clarifies. When calamity strikes it’s the opportunity . . . a stepping stone for the church to be there and be the body of Christ, ministering to the afflicted, no matter what their religion, pointing them to the truth.” (Mission Network News)

CHURCH IN IRAN GROWS AMID INCREASING PERSECUTION

American evangelist Sammy Tippit says the church in Iran is growing despite increasing persecution against Christians in the country. “One of the things that has happened is that when threats begin to come against Christians, those who are in leadership are pressed into a corner where they have to raise up other leaders because they know that they could be taken away at any moment,” he said. “God just has a way of turning those types of things into something good for His glory.” Many Christians live under the constant threat of harassment, imprisonment or even death. “We do know of some instances where people have been arrested just . . . for meeting together with other Christians in their homes,” Tippit said. He recounted an incident in which a Turkish Christian was sharing his faith with people from the same ethnic background living in Iran “Just within the last week-and-a-half, he was martyred.” (AgapePress)

GERMAN YOUTH CONFERENCE CONFIRMS HIGH INTEREST IN MISSIONS

A youth conference for world missions in Stuttgart, Germany, Sunday, Jan. 8, registered 6,000 participants between the ages of 15 and 25, showing this generation’s interest in missions and evangelism. Detlef Bloecher, director of the German Missionary Fellowship and chairman of the Association of Evangelical Missions, reminded the conference participants of the need to fulfill the Great Commission. Erwin Damson, executive director of the evangelical Ludwig-Hofacker Association which organized the conference, said the event proves that young Christians are not self-centered but interested in reaching out with the gospel. (Assist News Service)

HUNDREDS OF CHURCHES JOIN INITIATIVE TO END HOMELESSNESS IN DENVER

The Denver Post reported that more than 450 religious leaders took part Tuesday, Jan. 10, in the official kickoff of a new effort to help homeless families and seniors find housing. The “Family and Senior Homeless Initiative: One Congregation, One Family” program is part of Mayor John Hickenlooper’s 10-year plan to end homelessness in Denver. Since the program’s start in July, more than 55 homeless families and one senior have been paired with mentoring teams from 45 area congregations. Of those, 47 families have been placed in permanent housing. When a church congregation commits to working with a homeless family, it gives $1,200 to the Denver Rescue Mission which will find a home for the family and pay for its first month’s rent and deposit. Mentors meet with the family seven times during a four- to six-month period to teach such things as budgeting and parenting skills, keeping a job, and getting information on community resources. (Religion Today)

— No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition.