Today’s Headlines:

GANG DAMAGES CHURCH IN PAKISTAN, RAISING RELIGIOUS TENSIONS

DROUGHT IN EAST AFRICA AFFECTS COMPASSION’S PROJECTS IN KENYA

PASTOR FLEES HOME IN SRI LANKA FOLLOWING MOB ATTACKS

Today’s Top Stories:

GANG DAMAGES CHURCH IN PAKISTAN, RAISING RELIGIOUS TENSIONS

Unidentified intruders broke into a church in a central Pakistani city and torched its furniture in what officials described as an attempt to stir up religious tensions. Police are unclear who was behind the assault which took place at about midnight Thursday, March 20, in the town of Mian Channu in the eastern Punjab province. There were no injuries. “We have started an investigation into the incident but we think it was designed to create religious unrest in the area,” a local police official said. Another police official, Tikka Khan, said a pastor who lives in the same compound saw a gang of people entering the church after breaking glass windows and later setting fire to the furniture. Amid the tense situation in the town, a local Christian politician said the attack was meant to create conflict between the local Christian community and Muslims. In February a mob torched a church, ransacked another and damaged a nearby school run by nuns in the southern city of Sukk. (WorldWide Religious News/AFP)

DROUGHT IN EAST AFRICA AFFECTS COMPASSION’S PROJECTS IN KENYA

The severe drought in East Africa which has put the lives of 7 million people in jeopardy is also affecting Compassion International’s projects in the region, says Bob Thorp. “In Kenya about 20 of our Compassion-assisted projects have been severely affected, and we’ve had to go in and help them with food,” he said. “In Tanzania more than half of the population makes their living off agriculture. When you can’t grow anything it makes it more difficult.” Compassion also works with local churches, helping them reach out with relief and evangelism. “We can provide the resources so that they can address the crisis that’s around them every day,” Thorp said. “If you can address somebody’s most urgent felt need and then share the gospel with them, it’s a great way to enhance God’s kingdom and also grow your church.” (Mission Network News)

PASTOR FLEES HOME IN SRI LANKA FOLLOWING MOB ATTACKS

A pastor was forced to leave his home and take refuge with a nearby family in Elpitiya in the Galle district of Sri Lanka because of mob attacks. Now the home where Pastor Sarath Induruwa and his family have taken refuge is being attacked. Excrement and burned oil has been thrown at the home. A neighbor has been providing water for the pastor and his family but, according to a March 24 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, the children of that neighbor suddenly fell ill. It was later discovered that someone had poured burned oil into the well. (Voice of the Martyrs)