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We're always up to something! Usually, trying to give you the best in Christian television from around the world. Check in here often to stay up-to-date with what we're doing.
enjoy summer on your Australian Christian Channel
There is something for everyone this January with our amazing Summer Viewing line up. With special programs every night of the week, those long summer nights will be full of entertainment. History, movies, music, surfing and more, take a look and see whats in store this month. more
News desk in recess until January 15
To allow our hard-working staff to take a well earned break over the Christmas New Year period, the News Desk will be in recess for two weeks. The Daily News will resume on Thursday the 15th of January, 2008. We look forward to a great 2009 with you. more
win tickets to new Disney release
The lovely folk at Heritage HM have given you the chance to win double passes to the latest Walt Disney release staring Adam Sandler, 'Bedtime Stories'. more
Popular films announced as finalists annual San Antonia Christian Film Festival
Two widely distributed full-length feature films - 'Fireproof' and 'Expelled' - are among eight finalists for the fifth annual San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF) competition to be held January 8-10 in San Antonio, Texas, United States. more
Officials allow Muslims to demolish 30 Christian homes for stable
A human rights group is reporting that a powerful Muslim village elder and his nephews evicted about 30 impoverished Christian families from their homes in order to make way for a stable for their livestock. more
Blair says religion should provide 'values' for globalisation
Former British prime minister Tony Blair has completed his first semester as a visiting lecturer at Yale University, an experience he says has strengthened his belief that religious faith and economic and social globalisation are partners - writes Chris Herlinger (Ecumenical News International). more
Lo-Sheng Fellowship speaks out for seniors forced from their homes
Lo-Sheng Senior Complex is one of the three remaining leprosy homes in the world today. Built in 1929 during the Japanese colonial period, the complex is comprised of several buildings and located in Taipei county along Highway 1. Though it was once Taiwan’s first hospital build for leprosy patients, over the years, it became a senior home for those who used to be afflicted with the disease. more
Pastor "Bike" Zhang files administrative complaint, Court declines case
On December 4, 2008 Pastor "Bike" Zhang Mingxuan attempted to file an "Administrative Statement of Complaint" against the government decision to abolish the Chinese House Church Alliance, but the No. 2 Intermediate People's Court of Beijing refused to accept the case. more
Terrorism in Mumbai bringing attention to long-term problems in India
The world's eyes have been focused on Mumbai, India, during the last few weeks. The news was filled with frightening images of the carnage from a well-planned terrorist attack in which nearly 200 people died. But the attacks in Mumbai aren't the only terroristic activities occurring in India-they are just the most reported. more
National Council of Churches Eco-Justice staff named
The National Council of Churches' Eco-Justice staff are recipients of the 2008 "Blessed Are the Peacemakers" award of the United States Conference for the World Council of Churches. more
YWAM Mercy Team Brings Hope
In the slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh a small but dedicated team of Youth With A Mission workers is tackling extreme poverty head on through their vital work. more
Standing on his own two feet
As Mercy Ships recognises International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the charity tells the story of an 11-year old Liberian boy who has always stood on his own two feet, even though they pointed backwards. more
Rick Warren and Reader's Digest Association create a multi-platform partnership to serve 'Purpose Driven' readers
Rick Warren's 162-nation 'Purpose Driven' network of churches worldwide will enter into an extensive partnership with Reader's Digest Association Inc. (RDA) to publish content for the Purpose Driven Connection movement in a variety of high-tech and high-touch formats worldwide. more
Australia provides $8 million emergency aid for the people of Zimbabwe
According to Australian Government's AusAID Media Release, Australia will provide a further $8 million of urgent food and other assistance to the people of Zimbabwe in response to the escalating humanitarian crisis. more
Church leaders urge U.S. President to take action on anti-Christian violence in India
Several church leaders in the United States have written to their President, George W. Bush to protest the outbreak of violence against Christians in India, urging him “to hold the Indian government accountable to its own constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and religious expression for all its citizens.” more
60 Hunter Churches ‘sign-up’ for Jesus
Over 180 representatives from 60 Hunter Region churches gathered together for a ‘Jesus. All about life’ campaign launch breakfast at The Salvation Army Eastlakes Corps in Belmont, on Thursday, November 13, 2008. more
Serving In Mission (SIM) adopts "AIDS Cube" to teach HIV/AIDS prevention in Ethiopian churches
Serving In Mission (SIM) in Ethiopia has adopted the use of the recently developed educational tool HIV/AIDS cube in educating the church on HIV/AIDS prevention and care. The Cube developed by e3 Resources in association with SIM is said to be the size of a Rubik's Cube but folds out into seven individual panels that share the message of HIV/AIDS prevention and care. more
Winter chill begins to bite for Moscow pentecostals
Members of Moscow's Emmanuel Pentecostal Church braved subzero temperatures last Sunday, December 14, as - barred from their adjacent building - they packed away the blue-and-yellow-striped marquee, benches, portable heaters and electricity generators now required for their weekly worship. more
Baptist-Catholic talks continue
The third round in the second series of theological conversations between the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) and the Vatican is taking place December 14-19 at Duke Divinity School in the state of North Carolina in the United States. more
Christian graveyard demolished for shopping mall in Pakistan
The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) has told ANS that it has just learned that Christians held a rally for a second day on December 10 to protest the desecration of 50 Christian graves in Khurrarianwala, a city in Pakistan's province of Punjab. more
When childhood is denied: Underage domestic servants in Haiti
In Haitian Creole they are called "restaveks" (from French rester avec- to stay with) because they live with a family that is not their own. Rather than foster children, they are like slaves to their host families. more
Terror in Nigeria
Nigerian born social worker Helen Bako didn't expect to be right in the middle of post-election violence in the central Nigerian city of Jos, where she was just visiting. The violence, which broke out on Nov. 28 and left hundreds dead and thousands fleeing their homes, began when Muslims started attacking Christians on charges of vote-tampering. more
Zimbabwe Bishop calls for water drilling help
Rt Rev Dr Sebastian Bakare, Anglican Bishop of Harare in Zimbabwe, has called on the Australian Government for help in applying Australian water-drilling expertise to save Harare residence from a potential catastrophe from the rapid spread of cholera. more
World AIDS Day commemorates 20 years in the struggle against HIV/AIDS
December 1, 2008, marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Since 1988, the face and response to AIDS has greatly changed. While many of these changes are positive, this anniversary offers us an opportunity to highlight how much more still needs to be done. more
More than 1.8 million scriptures placed with people in China
As a result of fervent prayer and faithful giving from Bible League supporters, more than 1.8 million Scriptures have been placed into the hands of people in China so far this year—45 percent more Scriptures than in the previous year. more
Russia: Fifty-six religious organizations officially scheduled for ‘liquidation’ including several Western ministries
A Youth with a Mission leader has delivered a bombshell to Western missionary organization working in Russia: You may be 'liquidated'. more
Military causing 'no go areas' for aid workers in Afghanistan
Humanitarian work must be de-linked from the military and the political process in Afghanistan, aid agency Christian Aid has said. more
Indonesian Sunday services begin in South Taiwan
A group of Indonesian Christian women found that they shared many similarities upon coming to Taiwan. They are all in a foreign land, their husbands are Taiwanese, they are not very affluent, and they would love to worship the Lord in their native language. Because of this, these women have met in parks, small eateries and other places in their quest to find a place to worship together. Now, their search is finally over because they have found a permanent place to worship God at Kaoshiung Chong-Seng Presbyterian Church. more
Church responds to deepening crisis in conflict-torn Congo
Tearfund’s church partner agencies are delivering lifesaving food, water, shelter and emergency medical supplies to some of the tens of thousands of families affected by the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. more
Churches in Britain urged to remember Asia on World Aids Day 2008
Churches across Britain are being encouraged to mark this year's World Aids Day, and an Asian worship service is being distributed for use in local congregations. The liturgy is endorsed by the Christian Conference of Asia. more
Children suffering in Congo conflict
World Vision reports unrelenting fighting between the rebel force loyal to Laurent Nkunda and the pro-government militia in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has led to renewed calls for more humanitarian aid and UN peacekeeping troops this week. more
World churches' team will seek path to dialogue in Pakistan
Religious freedom and inter-religious dialogue will be on the agenda of an international ecumenical delegation visiting Pakistan from 24 November to 1 December. The group will discuss how churches can help ease political and religions tensions with representatives from churches, the Muslim community and government officials. more
Sri Lanka's "forgotten war": a call for global church advocacy
In Sri Lanka, the conflict between the army and Tamil rebels has caught the civilian population between a rock and a hard place. Although the world turns a blind eye, Christian global advocates say churches should insist that attention be paid to victims caught in the violence. more
Foursquare church in the Philippines shows compassion for children, feeds over three hundred weekly
In an effort to rid the streets of the Philippines of destitute children, the Church of Foursquare Gospel in the Philippines is helping to feed over three hundred street children weekly. more
Global church groups say cosmetic change in Zimbabwe is not enough
Six global church organizations have called for an effective protection of the right to life, dignity and democracy of the people of Zimbabwe and criticized the stance of the Southern African Development Community on the political deadlock in the country. more
UK Faith leaders join students on visit to former Nazi death camp in Poland
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams with the Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks, invited representatives from all the religious communities to join the Holocaust Educational Trust's Lessons from Auschwitz Project tomorrow on their one day visit to the former Nazi camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland. more
Religious leaders say Congo conflict is over resources
African religious leaders meeting in Uganda have been told that a crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo in which civilians are suffering the greatest atrocities has been triggered by a conflict over natural resources. more
Dalit people find worth in Christ as Operation Mobilization raises national leaders
It is amazing what the Lord is doing among the Dalit people group in India, who after centuries of being in bondage, are now finding acceptance with God and realising their worth and feeling hope for their future for the very first time. more
Taiwan Christians rally for referendum law amendment
Led by its chairman Tsai Ting-kuei, the Taiwan Association of University Professors (TAUP) organised a sit-in protest calling for reform of existing referendum laws. Taiwan Church News reported on this event on the 9th day of the sit-in. more
People are tired of war, Church leaders will tell Presidents of D.R. Congo and Rwanda
A delegation of church leaders from Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has set out to meet the presidents of the latter two countries in order to convey them a strong message in favour of peace. more
Reconciliation means transforming society, says Kobia in Nicaragua
To achieve reconciliation takes nothing less than the transformation of society, the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia said in Managua, during a 2-5 November visit to Nicaragua. more
Haiti's tragic school collapse is sign of nation's instability
As the search for survivor's in Haiti's worst building collapse in recent memory, hope grows dim for finding any more alive. This horrific event is a reminder that Haiti's political and economic stability is very fragile. more
Zimbabwe Christian leader criticises lack of action by the churches
The leader of Zimbabwe's largest functioning alliance of Christians says the country's main grouping of traditional Protestant churches and the African and global umbrella church organisations with which it is affiliated have been notable for their silence on what is happening in his country - writes Peter Kenny of Ecumenical News International (www.eni.ch). more
Crisis in Congo
Recent conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have displaced 250,000 persons. The latest outbreak of violence began in late October in the province of North Kivu in eastern DRC when a rebel group, the National Congress for the Defence of the People, engaged the Congolese army in armed conflict, and captured territories close to Goma, capital of North Kivu. more
The post-Olympic state of China
Now that the fireworks have ended and the 2008 Olympic and Paralympics winners have left their winning places, the 1.3 billion people of China have now returned to "normal" operations, according to documentary producers who have recently visited the country. more
Burma Army kills four and forces hundreds to flee Karen state
250 Karen villagers have been forcibly displaced and three others have been killed along with a Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) soldier, following attacks by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Burma Army in Dooplaya District, Southern Karen State. more
Women and children at highest risk following deadly Pakistan earthquake
In the days following a deadly earthquake in a remote region of Pakistan, women and children are facing severe health hazards, according to assessments by Catholic Relief Services' emergency response teams on the ground. more
Humanitarian crisis spirals in DR Congo
Staff working with a Tearfund partner agency in the Democratic Republic of Congo's unstable eastern region are reporting a growing humanitarian crisis and evidence of torture. more
World Vision staff in Congo evacuate to Rwanda as Rebels advance
The British and French foreign ministers have said urgent action is needed to ease the current crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Congo is located in Central Africa, northeast of Angola. more
Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines vows to stop passage of reproductive health bill
The Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines is not relenting on its decision to put to a stop the passage of the controversial Reproductive Health Bill before the House of Representatives. more
170 killed as strong quake hits Pakistan
At least 170 people have been reportedly killed after a powerful earthquake hit south-west Pakistan, leaving thousands homeless. The death toll is expected to rise. A strong earthquake of 6.4 magnitude struck parts of Baluchistan province in South-Western Pakistan before dawn on Wednesday. more
World Vision meets the needs of thousands of flood victims in Zambia
God has continued to use World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organisation, to meet the needs of thousands of Zambians affected by the recent flooding in that country. In statement, the organisation said that it has approved an emergency budget of US$202,443 to go toward aid and relief in districts such as Sinazongwe adding that in March and April, it distributed nearly 50,000 pounds of food to 392 families in Sinazongwe. more
Town of Bethlehem rests more peacefully this Christmas
The peaceful images evoked by the Christmas carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" have not always reflected the current reality in the birthplace of Jesus but this year there are reasons for hope. more
Silent Night in Arabic heralds Christmas season in Bethlehem
An Arabic version of Silent Night playing in the background on Manger Square heralded in the beginning of the Christmas season in the Holy Land at the 8th annual Bethlehem Christmas market on November 30th and December 1st. more
Prayers for Bethlehem during Advent and Christmas encouraged
As many Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Advent and Christmas in the security of their homes and communities, they are invited to pray for justice, peace and security for Palestine and Israel - and to send a prayer or a peace message to Bethlehem. more
Iraq pledges $900,000 to help displaced Christians
Iraq's president on Sunday pledged nearly $900,000 to help Christian families who have fled the northern Iraqi city of Mosul because of killings and threats. more
Internet evangelism expands worldwide discipleship access
In the 21st Century, whenever people look for information, they look to the Internet. Using the Internet and emerging technologies to bring people to Christ is one enterprising organisation's mission and the heart of what it does every day, with a long-term goal of presenting the Gospel to 1 billion people worldwide through leading-edge communication and technology. more
Audio Bibles help United States troops with God's word
Since July 2008, Albuquerque, United States-based Faith Comes By Hearing, an audio Bible ministry, has sent more than 7,600 audio New Testament listening devices to military chaplains around the world. According to a news release, ministry leaders at Faith Comes By Hearing specially designed the Military Bible Stick to encourage America's military. more
Over 10,000 accept Christ at 2008 Taipei Franklin Graham Festival
The 2008 Taipei Franklin Graham Festival (TFGF) was held at the Liberty International Convention Centre in Taipei from October 30~November 2. Festival organisers estimate that over seven hundred churches and 180,000 participants attended the four-day event. Organisers also say that over 10,000 individuals gave their lives to Christ. The last session was held on a Sunday afternoon and many churches arranged tour buses to transport guests from Taoyuan, Hsin-Chu, Tainan, I-Lan to the venue in Taipei. more
Brazilian churches to conduct one of the largest Christian evangelistic efforts in history
Last Thursday 6th November, millions of Brazilians across the country will gather around a television during prime time to watch one of the world’s greatest athletes – but they didn't see a sporting event. more
Christian aid worker in Somalia beheaded for converting from Islam to Christianity
Among at least 24 aid workers killed in Somalia this year was one who was beheaded last month specifically for converting from Islam to Christianity, among other charges, according to an eyewitness. more
British Lord Taylor's Christmas message of hope
During the current financial crisis, Lord John Taylor, the first ever black peer in the British House of Lords, is urging Christians to share a message of hope this Christmas. more
Peace found after tragedy
One year on from the night of shootings on the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Denver campus, which left two young people dead and two injured, a celebration service took place this week. more
‘Mr Jitters’ helps anxious children
Southern Community Welfare launched its latest publication, "Mr Jitters" at the Kareela Public School, in Sydney's Sutherland Shire, on Thursday, 11th December, 2008. The book is aimed at providing a positive solution to help childhood anxiety. more
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church dies after long illness
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexiy II, has died at the age of 79, according to the BBC. There is no word on the cause of his death at his residence outside Moscow, but he had been sick for some time, and no date has yet been set for the funeral. more
Urgent prayer requested for hospitalised ministry leader
Ministry staff at Hopegivers International are requesting urgent prayer for Dr. M.A. Thomas, founder of Hopegivers International. Dr. Thomas recently arrived in the United States for a month-long trip and shortly thereafter came down with flu-like symptoms. His condition took a turn for the worse last week and he has since been hospitalised with pneumonia for the last 7 days. more
German church wants to help mother of baby abandoned in manger
A church in Germany where a new-born baby boy was found in the manger of its nativity scene has said it wants to try and help the mother and child. more
New York's St. John the Divine cathedral shines at rededication
The world's largest Gothic cathedral St. John the Divine staged a coming-out celebration November 30 after a $41 million restoration revealed a gigantic space full of light and colour. more
Christian bus adverts declare Good News to London's commuters
MEMO, a ministry dedicated to spreading the Good News on public transport networks in the UK for 125 years, has launched a new advertising campaign on London buses reassuring commuters of God's comfort in the midst of the global credit crunch. more
Evangelist Billy Graham celebrates 90th birthday
For half a century, he trotted the globe, Bible in hand, a dashing, wavy-haired figure of history preaching to 215 million people in 185 countries. Millions more have read his books and seen him on television. Graham has also prayed with and counselled every American president from Harry Truman to George W. Bush. Now Evangelist William (Billy) Franklin Graham will celebrate his 90th birthday on November 7, marking the milestone celebration at his mountaintop home in Montreat, outside Asheville, North Carolina, United States. more
Renewed government campaign of arrests reaches Asmara, the capital of Eritrea
A campaign of mass arrests initiated in late November has now reached the Eritrean capital city of Asmara, occasioning the detention of over 100 men, women and children from a variety of Christian denominations. more
Authorities destroy new church building in Vietnam
Local government officials in Dak Lak Province made good on their threat to destroy a new wooden church building erected in September by Hmong Christians in Cu Hat village. more
Indian Christians fear Christmas violence in Orissa; Celebrations cancelled
Fearing violence, many Christians in India's volatile state of Orissa will for the first time in their history not celebrate Christmas but instead mourn victims of recent anti-Christian attacks, which killed dozens, and those who died in shootings in Mumbai, a priest told BosNewsLife, Saturday, December 13. more
Nigeria: Six pastors killed, 40 churches destroyed
Compass Direct News has reported that the murderous rioting sparked by Muslim attacks on Christians and their property on Nov. 28-29 left six pastors dead, at least 500 other people killed and 40 churches destroyed, according to church leaders. more
China reaches out to house churches; raids, arrests continue
In recent months Chinese officials have attempted to build bridges with the Protestant house church movement even as police raided more unregistered congregations, arrested Christian leaders and forced at least 400 college students to swear they would stop attending such worship services. more
Comoros: Christians oppressed on Indian Ocean Islands
Christians on the predominantly Muslim islands of Pemba and the Comoros archipelago are beaten, detained and banished for their faith, according to church leaders who travel regularly to the Indian Ocean isles off the east coast of Africa. more
Adventist Church in Serbia requests protection from international community
Criminals broke windows, scrawled threats on walls and destroyed private property at five Seventh-day Adventist churches in Serbia in November, prompting church leaders in the region to appeal to the international community for help. more
Kazakhstan: Parliament passes new law seriously restricting religious freedom
Kazakhstan’s parliament has passed a harsh new law which seriously restricts freedom of religion or belief. The legislation will now be sent to President Nursultan Nazarbaev for his approval. more
Authorities target baptist churches in Lipetsk, Russia
In what they believe is targeted state action against them, two Baptist congregations in the regional centre of Lipetsk (approximately 400km south-east of Moscow) have lost their legal status and a third has lost its rented prayer house. The news was reported in a story by Geraldine Fagan on the Forum 18 News Service. more
In Mosul, a battle for Christians
A month after thousands of Christians fled the northern Iraqi city in terror, many of the refugees have returned home, but church leaders say that some fear a new wave of sectarian violence. more
Vietnamese authorities pressure new christians to recant
Authorities in Lao Cai Province in Vietnam's far north are pressuring new Christians among the Hmong minority to recant their faith and to re-establish ancestral altars, according to area church leaders, in violation of Vietnam's new religion policy. more
Nigeria: two churches destroyed in Bauchi State
Tension is rising in the northern Nigerian town of Yelwa, Bauchi State after two churches were attacked and destroyed within a three day period. more
Nuns abducted in Kenya near Somali border
Negotiations continued today for the release of two nuns abducted by insurgent Somali militia at midnight on Sunday (November 9) from Kenya’s northern Mandera district near the Somali border. more
Human rights organization encourages UN Secretary-General to make the release of political prisoners a priority during his upcoming visit
A human rights organization is calling on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to go ahead with his planned visit to Burma next month. The call comes in light of the recent prison sentences passed on pro-democracy activists and the continued military offensive by the Burma Army against civilians in Karen State. more
Orissa Bishops warn state leader of "master plan" to wipe out Christianity
Denouncing what they called a "master plan" to wipe out Christianity, the bishops of India's troubled Orissa region have written a letter to the state's Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik concerning the persecution of Christians at the hands of Hindu extremists. more
Christian reformed church helps those dying for their faith
In Yemen a group of people meet in secret to worship, whispering their songs of praise. To worship openly would lead to discrimination, imprisonment and even death. more
Detained Baptist pastors face uncertainty in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan
Two Baptist pastors in two former Soviet republics faced legal challenges Monday, November 3, because they continued worship services despite opposition from local authorities, Christians and rights watchers said. more
Holy God Television in Paris attacked
A former homeless man who lived on the streets of Paris for more than three years after fleeing the violence in his native Sri Lanka, has revealed that Holy God Television, which he began on July 7, 2005, has been attacked. more
Religious leaders renew calls for end to Orissa violence
Attacks by Hindu extremists on minority Christians in the Orissa district of eastern India have entered their third month, amid renewed calls from religious leaders for an end to the cycle of violence that has claimed around 60 lives, left more than 18,000 injured and rendered 50,000 homeless. more
More Co-operation planned between the United Nations and World Religions
Representatives from the United Nations and religious leaders met together with non-government organisations in New York December 16 to promote greater co-operation between the UN and religious groups worldwide. more
African churches pray for the end of Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe
Africa's largest Christian grouping, the All Africa Conference of Churches, has pledged to "pray for an end to illegitimate rule in Zimbabwe" after debating and toning down a statement about the country on the doorstep of Mozambique, where they have been meeting - writes Frank Jomo for Ecumenical News International (ENI). more
Jailed Bible College students released
Four Gospel For Asia Bible college students have been released from jail in Karnataka, India. The four men, all students at GFA's Karnataka Bible college, had been attacked and brutally beaten before being charged with forcing people to convert to Christianity. They were arrested in late November. more
Publishing landmark for Africa now available in French
It was a historic moment when the launch of the French edition of the Africa Bible Commentary - the Commentaire Biblique Contemporain - took place on the November 19, 2008. more
Prayer for persecuted christians held in Pakistan church
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) was observed in Pakistani city of Lahore on November 9. more
Nigerian Christian newspaper 'Praise the Lord' marks 14th anniversary
One of the foremost and dynamic Christian newspapers in Nigeria, Praise the Lord News (PTL News), is set to mark its 14th anniversary in Lagos , Nigeria. more
International Day of Prayer for the persecuted Church Sunday 9th November
Christians across the world are being invited to pray for over 100 million suffering Christians during the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) on Sunday, November 9th. During that day churches around the world, will focus on prayer and support for our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. IDOP is one of the largest prayer events in the world and has heightened awareness of persecuted Christians since its inception in 1996. more
Peru highlights West's global warming action challenge
A front-line worker tackling poverty in Peru has talked of his ‘sadness’ at the modest progress made in the past week at climate change talks in Brussels and Poznan, warning that without stronger action from the West ‘millions of poor people will be abandoned to the escalating ravages of an unpredictable climate.’ more
Zimbabwe pleads for help as crisis bites
Zimbabwe is in a national emergency over a cholera epidemic and the collapse of its health care system and is in urgent need of international help to pay for food and drugs to combat the crisis. more
Zimbabwe cholera outbreak: World Vision distributes 500 cholera kits
Following the recent outbreak of Cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe, the World Vision is at present distributing 500 cholera kits to help protect its staff and other members of the communities that were affected. more
Drugs a growing concern for young Australians
Australia’s largest annual survey of young people has found that body image, drugs and family conflict are the biggest worries for 11-24 year olds with one-in-four regarding each as major concerns – but it’s drugs that are increasingly weighing on their minds. more
Town rallies behind rescue mission to feed thousands over 'Thanksgiving'
Merced, California, is a city with problems. With a population of more than 80,000, the majority Hispanic, the city's longtime reputation as "the gateway to Yosemite" has been replaced with the unofficial moniker "Foreclosure Capital of America." more
Australian consultation on freedom of religion and belief moves forward
The Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner, Tom Calma, has called for as many Australians as possible to become involved in a discussion about the current state of freedom of religion and belief in the country launched two months ago, and aimed at gathering opinion by the end of January next year. more
Church leader declares unity of churches will make the world believe in peace
Threats to peace and security around the world ought to give urgency to the quest for Christian unity, says Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC). more
Don Stephens of Mercy Ships comments on 'global financial crisis'
Mercy Ships Founder/ President, Don Stephens said in Texas, United States, on Monday (10th November) that he was confident that Mercy Ships operation would not be adversely affected in the short term by the Global Financial Crisis. He is however concerned about what affect the Crisis could have on developing nations where Mercy Ships operate. more
13 million American children live in poverty
According to the Casey Journalism Center on Children, 13 million American children live in families with incomes below federal poverty levels. more
German Protestant church calls for change in lifestyle
The synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) has called for a change in lifestyle to counter climate change and preserve creation. The new lifestyle should be marked by "intelligent love" and a voluntary restriction of one's own wishes. more
Rwandan government minister endorses Hands for Hope project at gala fund raising dinner
Dr Charles Murigande, Minister for Cabinet in the Office of the Prime Minister of Rwanda, was the keynote speaker at Saturday night’s (9th November) ‘Hands for Hope’ dinner held in Sydney’s Westin Hotel. more
45 million people are blind
Approximately 45 million people worldwide are blind. 37 million are suffering from blindness caused by disease, and eight million lack visual aids, according to the German Christian development agency Christoffel Mission to the Blind (CBM) in Bensheim near Frankfurt. more
Carers to commemorate homeless people who have died in London
St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in London, United Kingdom, and campaigning network Housing Justice will next week hold an Annual Service of Commemoration for those homeless people who have died in the capital in the past year. The theme of this year’s service is “The Light belongs to everyone” and it will be held on Thursday 6 November 2008 at 12 noon in the newly refurbished St Martin's. more