Today’s Headlines:

HINDU ‘REAWAKENING’ EVENT IN INDIA CONCERNS CHRISTIANS

WORLD VISION JOINS CHRISTIAN AID WORKERS IN KENYA TO BATTLE FAMINE

COMMENTS PROMPT ISRAEL SO SUSPEND TIES WITH PAT ROBERTSON

Today’s Top Stories:

HINDU ‘REAWAKENING’ EVENT IN INDIA CONCERNS CHRISTIANS

A number of key Christian leaders recently called on the government ban to “strictly supervise” a massive Hindu “reawakening” event to be held in the tribal district of Dangs in western India’s Gujarat state Feb. 11-13. More than 500,000 Hindus are expected to attend. Rights groups fear the event may unleash a wave of violence against tribal Christians and animists. Hindu extremist groups have organized the event and expect it to generate enough momentum to trigger thousands of Christians to turn “back to the Hindu fold.” They have also published materials calling for the destruction of the Christian faith in the same way that the Hindu god Ram destroyed the demon Ravana in the Hindu scriptures. (Compass)

WORLD VISION JOINS CHRISTIAN AID WORKERS IN KENYA TO BATTLE FAMINE

World Vision teams are working to address a raging food shortage in Kenya where more than 2.5 million people face starvation. Teams are working in five of the hardest hit areas with food distribution and recovery projects. The teams, realizing the potential of the crisis, are half-way through a six-month emergency operation phase. Kenyan believers and churches are partnering with World Vision to meet both physical and spiritual needs in this time. Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has officially declared the region a “national disaster.” Government estimates show the region has already experienced a crop failure of roughly 60 percent. With food reserves already low, the toll of the crisis could be staggering. (Mission Network News)

COMMENTS PROMPT ISRAEL TO SUSPEND TIES WITH PAT ROBERTSON

Israel has suspended contact with evangelist Pat Robertson for suggesting Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s stroke was God’s punishment for withdrawing from the Gaza Strip. But Israel’s tourism minister says the order does not apply to “all the evangelical community, God forbid.” Israeli leaders see evangelicals as tireless lobbyists in Washington and elsewhere. The controversy has cast doubt on plans for a Christian Heritage Center in Israel’s Galilee region, a tourist attraction that would showcase the growing flow of money and influence from U.S. church groups. Robertson is leading evangelicals who have pledged to raise $50 million for the project. Under a tentative agreement, Robertson’s group was to put up the funding while Israel would provide land and infrastructure. Robertson’s comments on Sharon have been condemned by many Christian leaders. Ted Haggard, president of the 30 million-member National Association of Evangelicals, said the controversy is a “blow to evangelical-Israeli relations — and the situation is unfortunate,” reported CNN. Robertson later apologized for his remarks. (AgapePress/Associated Press/Assist News Service)