ACC
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.
winter adventure
To warm you up this winter catch this great set of action from Snowboarders for Christ USA, including the premier screening of the adventure 'Vincent Van Gogh Shred with Your Friends'. more
Enter the John Dickson competition now.
To celebrate the release of John Dickson's fascinating new book and DVD, we have 5 gift packs to give away courtesy of the Centre for Public Christianity. The exciting gift packs include a copy of John Dickson's fascinating new book 'Jesus: A Short Life', and insightful six-part historical documentary 'Life of Jesus'. We only have 5 gift packs to give away so enter now to be in the running. more
Compassion Day is this Thursday!
Christian radio stations, the Australian Christian Channel and Compassion Australia will join forces this Thursday 14 May, to drastically change the lives of 1500 children living in extreme poverty. From 6 am to 10 pm, the stories, struggles and triumphs of children living in poverty will be broadcast as we endeavour to find sponsors for 1500 children from Ethiopia and Bangladesh, two of the countries most affected by the current—and devastating—global food crisis. more
Competition Terms and Conditions - John Dickson Competition
win tickets!
This is your last chance to enter the 'The Boy in Striped Pyjamas' movie ticket giveaway. Entries close Monday 4th May so get your details in now. more
Queenslanders proud to host Uganda's Watoto Children's Choir
Queenslanders have a lot to be proud of. 150 years of history, beautiful coastlines and some of the best athletes in Rugby League are just a few obvious things. But now, thanks to the support of Queensland, Ugandan children like Jackie Nalumansi, age 10, and Fred Samula, age 11 can realise their dreams to someday become community and government leaders in Uganda. Jackie, Fred, and 16 other children between ages eight and thirteen are participating in a series of free concerts across Queensland and Australia as part of the Watoto Children's Choir. more
Sojourners magazine awarded top honours
Sojourners magazine, a monthly publication that addresses issues of faith, politics, and culture from a biblical perspective, has been recognised by two leading religious press organisations for excellence in magazine publishing. more
Winners of this year's Photo Competition have been announced.
The winning photo was submitted by Sudiptorana, a photojournalist from Calcutta, India. The photo features rural women in West Bengal, India, taking part in a traditional boat race, challenging male members of the village. The race has traditionally been dominated by men. more
Australians get sneak peek at ‘Angels’
Australians won’t have to go to heaven to see “Angels” this weekend. They won’t even have to go to New York. Jamie Malcolm, one of Australia’s leading television personalities, will host a Saturday evening concert performance of music and interviews celebrating the new musical "Angels" at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. more
Beijing to host "Champions" again
The beautiful city of Beijing had the honour of hosting some of the world's finest athletes in the 2008 Olympics. Only eight months later, late April of 2009 will bring a different sort of "champion" to grace these ancient streets. more
University president calls on Haitians to work together for national reconstruction
A prominent university president in Haiti has called upon that nation's individuals to work together for national reconstruction, saying that only Haitians can save Haiti. more
Candle cloths represent the 'ties that bind'
For generations, church women – and often men – have gathered around a quilting table. This was traditionally a time for sharing news (and some gossip) while enjoying fellowship. Quilt designs told prayerful stories of families and communities, preserving histories and legends for generations to come. In slave times, quilts, strategically hung in windows and on wash lines, gave directions on how to travel to freedom. more
North American Anglicans reaffirm their traditional mission
Orthodox Anglicans from the United States and Canada, meeting Wednesday night at Christ Church in a Dallas suburb, celebrated the creation of a Christ-centered, missionary Church – the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). more
An Offering of Letters
Micah Challenge is calling Christians all over Australia to pick up their pens to fight poverty. The ‘Offering of Letters’ campaign asks churches and other Christian groups to prayerfully write a letter to the Prime Minister calling for generosity and justice for 1.2 billion people who live in extreme poverty. The letters will be delivered to Mr. Rudd during the Micah Challenge national gathering, ‘Voices for Justice’, in September. more
Australian Baptist movement to launch new logo
The Baptist Union of Australia will shortly launch a new logo and name. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the beginnings of the Baptist movement. Baptists have ministered in Australia for more than 178 years. We are known as Bible-believing followers of Jesus: evangelical, missional, and contemporary in outlook. more
Baptist 400th celebration to focus on worship
Worship will be at the heart of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Annual Gathering to be held in Ede, Netherlands, from July 27 to August 1, as the BWA celebrates the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Baptist movement. The first Baptist church was established in 1609 by English exiles in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. more
87% of Australian Christians express a preference for Christian news electronically, says survey
Results of a survey released today reveal that eighty-seven (87%) percent of Christians prefer to receive news of what’s happening in the Christian world electronically. more
Chinese Christian sentenced to three years in Prison for printing and giving away free bibles
A Chinese Christian bookstore owner and house church leader has been found guilty by a Beijing Court of "illegal business operation" and sentenced to three years in prison and 150,000 Yuan fine (about $22,000 USD) for printing and distributing Bibles at no cost. more
Churches around the world join in prayer against Cancer
Churches and ministries in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines and South Korea observed Worldwide Cancer Prayer Day by hosting special services last Friday June 5th. more
The need to eliminate nuclear weapons is as urgent as ever, Kinnamon says
The general secretary of the National Council of Churches today affirmed President Obama's promise in Cairo "to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons." more
Churches in Winnebago Presbytery ‘pay it forward’ with donations for thrift stores
It’s nice to see a project succeed and grow. It’s even nicer when the product of that success can be used to “pay it forward” to help someone else succeed. It’s perhaps most rewarding of all when those who have been helped wish to do the same for others. more
Tearfund fears a protracted relief emergency in Pakistan as 3.4 million flee conflict areas
The suffering and need of millions of Pakistan’s displaced people has the potential to be protracted, lasting for many months, according to UK relief and development agency Tearfund. According to local sources, as many as 3.4 million people are now reported to be vulnerable after being uprooted from their homes in the Swat Valley and neighbouring areas of northern Pakistan; the majority leaving since the Pakistan Army began its recent offensive last month. more
Baptist World Aid offers assistance to cyclone victims in Bangladesh and India
Baptist World Aid (BWAid), the relief and development arm of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), has sent grants totaling US$12,000 for cyclone emergency relief to Bangladesh and India. more
Korean students prepare for ministry via “travelling theology”
A Korean professor who has taken theology students to live with nomadic herders in Mongolia and with the urban poor in Viet Nam believes he may be creating a new branch of theology, one which he has dubbed “Travelling Theology”. more
Pre-Christian values can help shape modern Christianity says Indonesian theologian
Villagers in Indonesia are drawing on pre-Christian traditions to shape modern Christian responses to community problems. Through a project in a rural area of South Sulawesi, a Reformed church theologian is working with subsistence farmers to transform ancient traditions into solutions to modern day challenges. more
Christians speak out on health impact of climate change
Members of the faith community are stepping up and speaking out today at an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) public hearing to determine if greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide that contribute to global climate change, are a threat to public health and welfare. more
Faith Comes By Hearing launches audio Bible ambassador campaign
Faith Comes By Hearing, an audio Bible ministry, recently launched a program to distribute audio Bibles. Individuals who sign up are called Audio Bible Ambassadors. more
East German protestants remember their day of liberation
A regional Protestant church in former East Germany has launched a special Internet blog to mark the 20th anniversary of rigged elections in May 1989 that led to protests which helped end 40 years of communist rule. more
Baptist group assists those displaced by conflict in Sri Lanka
The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) is providing assistance for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka. Conflict between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam forces has left tens of thousands of citizens displaced within the South Asian island nation, says a media release from the BWA. more
Japanese youth treks across Taiwan to raise awareness for the environment
How do we show that we appreciate our planet? One youth from Japan plans to walk from one end of Taiwan to the other end in the next three months to raise awareness on environmental issues. Yuji Miyata marked the beginning of his trek in Taiwan on April 22nd in Tainan city as he participated in Earth Day activities hosted by several organisations in Tainan city. more
Sixth-grader inspired by Bible story donates savings to help seniors
sixth grader in Yunlin county was so touched by Jesus’ teaching about the kernel of wheat that he decided to donate all the money he had saved from red envelopes toward an fund that supports maintenance work for an ambulance for seniors in his community. This was an example of how rural children are learning to contribute and help those in need even as they are recipients of aid so that God’s love is continually passed on from one person to another. more
Tutu hopeful about South Africa despite doubts over the new president
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has re-iterated his belief that corruption allegations against the new president, Jacob Zuma, should have been tested in court, but he remains hopeful for the political process in South Africa. more
Jesus Pro Am presented by Bible Society NSW and Coastalwatch set to Celebrate its 25th year in style
The Jesus Pro Am presented by Bible Society and Coastalwatch will celebrate its 25th year in style when it returns to the iconic Manly Beach on May 2 and 3. more
Nick Vujicic talks to the Arabic-speaking world via Alkarma TV and The Healing Channel
Nick Vujicic, 25, was born in Australia without any arms or legs, yet his vision to reach the world for Christ despite his physical handicap, took another huge step forward on Monday, April 20, 2009) when he took questions from around the globe from Arabic-speaking viewers during an extraordinary live two-hour show from the Southern California studios of Alkarma TV and relayed to the Middle East via The Healing Channel. more
Taiwan Sa’owac aboriginals reclaim and rebuild their homes after forced eviction
“We finally have land to rebuild our reserve!” said retired pastor Rev. Sinci Mayaw from West Amis Presbytery. He lives in Sa’owac aboriginal reserve, which was seized by the local government this winter. Since their houses have also been torn down, residents from Sa’owac have been living in tents ever since. more
Built to biblical proportion: Noah's Ark—Hong Kong
Built for land, not sea, and housing only fiberglass animals; the latest Noah's Ark replica touts being the only one built to Biblical specifications. It is the 17-year project of Hong Kong's three billionaires—the Kwok brothers. more
Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew meets President Obama
The Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had a private meeting with the United States President, Barack Obama, in the run up to Easter, touching on environmental concerns and issues about the future of Turkey. more
Seminaries receive free copies of the NRSV "Green Bible"
In honour of Earth Day, more than 50 free copies of The Green Bible are being sent to seminary professors and administrators by the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Programs and the bible's publisher, HarperOne. more
United States volunteers bring Jesus to Eastern Congo
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, there are people who have never heard about Jesus - until now. This Easter, a group of U.S. volunteers will celebrate the holiday by taking the JESUS film to the Budu-koya, Budu-neta, Lika, Mangbetu and Mayogo people groups of Eastern Congo. more
Ministry reports Iranian Christian women 'held in cell with 27 other women and suffering ill-health'
Two Iranian Christian women are still being held at the notorious Evin prison in Iran. They were arrested on March 5, 2009 because of their Christian faith and have been accused of 'anti-government' activity. more
Uruguay witnesses tremendous growth in Christian radio stations
God is answering many prayers in Uruguay as the country has been experiencing a tremendous growth in the number of Christian radio stations over time. And this has grown from zero to more than 50 in just four years. more
Schindler's list discovered in Australian library
An 'Easter find' regarding Jewish survivors of the Nazi Holocaust is causing excitement among library workers in Sydney, Australia. more
Escalating violence in Sudan raises concerns over stability
Rising tensions in South Sudan are threatening to further destabilise a region already struggling with widespread poverty, chronic unemployment and inadequate access to basic services, including health care, education, and clean water, reported the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). more
Sri Lanka: Health of displaced people major concern
As the first phase of resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) continues in Sri Lanka, a lack of basic emergency resources, such as water, food, and proper sanitation, are compromising the health and well-being of those currently residing in temporary camps in the northern region of the country, reports the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). more
G8 inaction contributing to a billion going hungry, says NGO
G8 inaction is contributing to hunger spiralling out of control with more than one billion people – a sixth of the world’s population – going hungry every day, the UK agency ActionAid said today. more
Pakistan Aid response requires higher guality
In hopes of improving the effectiveness of aid to people displaced by the crisis in Pakistan, Church World Service is urging the humanitarian community to pay closer attention to internationally established quality standards and practices. more
‘Wake-up call’ on climate change means UK must show leadership
Campaigners say that a report published today on the impact of climate change over the next 100 years, is a ‘wake up call’. The UK Climate Projections 2009, based on Met Office science, illustrate the extent of the changes the UK may face in the absence of global action to cut emissions - warmer and wetter winters, hotter and drier summers, increased risk of coastal erosion and more severe weather. more
Churches must respond to 'threefold crisis' anti-racism conference says
"We believe that this is a moment where we are invited by God to commit ourselves to be instruments of change in the church and the wider society," participants in an international conference on 'Churches against Racism' said yesterday (17 June). more
Pakistan's Minorities Minister distributes relief packages to internally displaced People in the troubled North West Frontier Province
Pakistan's Federal Minister for Minorities, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, has visited camps set up for internally displaced people (IDP) in the wake of military crack down against Taliban militants in the troubled North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan. more
CSW gravely concerned for US journalists sentenced to 12 years hard labour
Christian Solidarity Worldwide is gravely concerned for the future of two American journalists in North Korea, who have each now been condemned to 12 years of hard labour in the country’s macabre imprisonment system. more
Rebuilding of bombed-out church hailed a sign of hope and transformation
A church which rose from the ashes of a bombed out city symbolises the hope and belief that humanity can transcend horror and violence and that God can heal lives, the Anglican Archbishop of Wales has told a special civic service. more
Killing illustrates challenges to Northern Ireland politics and peace
Politicians representing all the communities in Northern Ireland have condemned the killing of a Catholic man in what had come to be seen as a rare sectarian attack in a once conflict-afflicted area - writes Ray McMenamin. more
Declaration by German churches in 1934 inspires Reformed churches today
The actions of a group of German church members in 1934 to resist the Nazi regime still serve as a powerful model for churches today according to the General Secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC). more
Baptist group offers assistance to cyclone victims in Bangladesh and India
An international group of Baptists is sending grants for cyclone emergency relief to Bangladesh and India, where some 700 villages were affected, destroying 6,000 houses and damaging 8,000 more in India alone. more
South African Methodist bishop calls for respect for Zimbabwean refugees
A Methodist bishop in South Africa, who runs a shelter for people fleeing from his country's northern neighbour, wants police here to stop arresting Zimbabweans now that the law concerning their visas has been changed - writes Munyaradzi Makoni of Ecumenical News International. more
More than 4,000 helped at GFA medical camps
Gospel for Asia (GFA) Compassion Services teams reached out to more than 4,000 people through medical camps conducted at 12 Bridge of Hope centres in the Delhi, India area. more
African churches leader calls for a united voice on human rights
The leader of Africa's largest grouping of churches is urging faith communities and civil society on the continent to unite in a campaign for human rights - writes Fredrick Nzwili of Ecumenical News International. more
ALASKA: Flood cleanup begins
Disaster-weary Alaskans on May 14 began clean-up efforts in some areas and kept a watchful eye on others, hoping floodwaters threatening three Episcopal villages would recede. Diocesan officials, who had yet to receive damage assessments because of the sheer geographic size of affected areas, said they believe they will need to replace at least one church and repair or possibly replace two others. more
Pakistan fighting means international aid is vital, say NGOs
Pakistan could face one of the world’s worst conflict-driven people displacement crises and needs even more international help, warn development agencies, including the US-based Church World Service (CWS). more
Life difficult for Pakistanis fleeing conflict
Church World Service staff responding to the humanitarian crisis in Pakistan precipitated by recent fighting between Pakistani military forces and Taliban insurgents in the northwest part of the country are providing a glimpse into the on-the-ground realities of the situation. more
Pakistan situation worsening says humanitarian agency CWS as aid is delivered
International humanitarian agency Church World Service is warning of a worsening humanitarian disaster in northern Pakistan and is calling on the United Nations and governments to increase their assistance to the affected region, where some 200,000 persons have been displaced in recent days. more
Increased commitment needed for tackling conflict in Chad
Amnesty International is calling on all parties to the conflict in eastern Chad not to attack civilians or place them at risk and for a full complement of United Nations peacekeepers be immediately deployed and provided with adequate resources. more
UN chief denounces ongoing 'blood bath' in Sri Lanka
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has joined international NGOs and religious groups in expressing horror at the killing of many hundreds of civilians in 'no fire zones' in embattled Sri Lanka over the weekend. more
CWS in Pakistan begins delivering aid to thousands displaced by conflict
With hundreds of thousands of people in northwest Pakistan fleeing fierce fighting in the region, international humanitarian agency Church World Service (CWS) has personnel from its Pakistan/Afghanistan offices working to provide basic shelter, food, water and sanitation to those displaced in the region. more
Human rights and political activists detained in Zimbabwe
Eighteen human rights and political activists, including the Director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, were detained in Zimbabwe on Tuesday 5th May just two months after they were released on bail after being tortured in prison. more
Adventist join Interfaith group collaborating efforts against malaria
Members of faith groups from around the world, including representatives from the Seventh-day Adventist Church, are co-ordinating efforts to slow the spread of and eventually eradicate malaria. more
Taliban-inspired attacks in Pakistan hit Christians
As Taliban control hits pockets of Pakistan and threatens the nation's stability, Christians worry their province could be the next to fall under Islamic law. more
Mexican poor die of flu while world panics, say health activists
Health promoters, community and church workers in Mexico are asking why people in their country are dying from swine flu, while wealthy countries panic and the virus spreads around the world. The answer, they say, is that the poor are always the first victims. more
Bible Society donors to see Bible distribution in China first hand
Seventeen Bible Society supporters and donors, together with three Bible Society staff, left Sydney this week for a two-week visit to China. Those on the tour will see how God’s Word is being distributed, taught and appreciated among the believers in China. Each of the supporters on the tour contributed to Bible Society’s Christmas appeal to provide funding for Bibles to be printed on the Amity Bible Printing Press and Bible distribution. more
Ten years later, Lutherans remember Columbine
Anne Marie Hochhalter stepped outside of her Colorado high school in 1999 just as two seniors armed with guns began shooting. They killed 12 students and a teacher at Littleton's Columbine High School before killing themselves. more
Jewish peace activist faces jail after homes demolition protest
A Jewish peace activist today faces a jail sentence of up to 18 months after protesting against the demolition of Palestinian homes. more
Outrage at news that UK inquiry into Iraq war will be held in private
The United Kingdom government has sparked heavy criticism by announcing that an official inquiry into the Iraq war will be held in private. more
Global action week seeks peace with justice in Israel-Palestine
Australia is focusing on Gaza, Austria has town pilgrimages. Brazil has seminary students debating conflict over "holy" land. Canadians, Scots, Norwegians, British and French are making contact with lawmakers. Directors of church-related aid agencies are visiting Israeli and Palestinian partner organisations. And on the high Wall that hems in Bethlehem, Palestinians are "showing" prayers at night. more
Religious leaders applaud Obama's Middle East peace efforts
President Barack Obama's efforts towards a two-state solution in Israel/Palestine and lasting peace in the Middle East continue to be a source of optimism for the global religious community. more
Christian Peace Witness continues to press for end to Iraq war
On April 29 and 30, Christians from around the country will gather in Washington to protest the ongoing war in Iraq and ask President Obama to bring a just and lasting peace to Iraq. more
Lutheran Presiding Bishop meet with King of Jordan
Four United States religious leaders – two Christian and two Muslim - met with King Abdullah II of Jordan here April 20 to discuss specific topics about the Middle East. The topics included the current conflict between Israelis and Palestinians with a focus on concerns for Jerusalem, deepening Muslim-Christian relationships and the future of Arab Christianity in the Middle East, said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Chicago, United States. more
Violence in Burma forces Karen villagers to flee to Thailand
Recent attacks by the ruling Burmese military junta against ethnic Karen villagers have forced thousands of refugees to flee across the border into Thailand, creating a humanitarian crisis. more
Bishop to head new church planting group
Archbishop Dr Peter Jensen has announced the appointment of Bishop Alan Stewart to spearhead a major diocesan church planting initiative. more
Good news in Nepal
Despite growing unrest in Nepal, Gospel for Asia missionaries in the country are experiencing God's blessing on their efforts to encourage the Body of Christ. "For a long time, GFA Radio listeners were asking for a chance to meet the radio speakers face to face," wrote GFA's correspondent. more
New Zealand kids friendly churches multiply
Churches in New Zealand have been learning how to make their Sunday worship an event children won't want to miss at a special conference in Dunedin. more
Road Trip drives Couple cross-country for “Eat Well Food Tour”
Today begins a six-week road trip for a young couple who have loaded up their Volkswagon diesel and set out to talk with faith communities across North America about the connection between their spiritual beliefs and the food they eat. more
Bible ministry reaching further during recession
It's no secret that the United States economy is struggling to stay afloat. Big businesses and well-known ministries are cutting costs, services and jobs. In a recent Christianity Today article, "The Not-for-Profit Surge," author John W. Kennedy writes that many ministries report drops in regular donations, major gifts and investment income. Some ministries have even seen double-digit percent decreases in their 2009 budgets. more
BWAid Rescue24 offers assistance after Hungarian ice storm
BWAid/HBAid Rescue24, the rescue and recovery arm of Baptist World Aid, participated in a rescue effort following a severe ice storm that affected eastern Hungary on Sunday, June 7. more
CSW returns from fact-finding visit to Kachin State, Burma
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) returned last week from a three-week visit to South-East Asia with fresh evidence of human rights violations in Burma. more
Ernabella children combine with African orphans to make a beautiful harmony
Northern Territory Australians will have the opportunity this winter to take part in an harmony of combined cultures when the world famous Watoto Children's Choir joins with the Australian loved Ernabella Anangu School's choir for the first time. more
Yard sale nets money for missions, unexpected blessings
With the help of a small army of volunteers, World Gospel Mission (WGM) recently held a massive yard sale to clear out mountains of furniture, computers, and more. more
World Refugee Sunday to raise global church awareness on refugee issues
World Refugee Sunday, a day where the churches are encouraged to focus on refugees and refugee related issues, will be commemorated on June 21st this year. World Refugee Sunday is an annual event, held on two consecutive Sundays and celebrated by the Refugee Highway Partnership (RHP) in co-operation with the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). The event aims to raise awareness and to pray for the situation of refugees around the world. more
Aid reaches Pakistani women & children with needed essentials
The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee is assisting some of the millions of Pakistani civilians who are being displaced by increased government assaults on Taliban militants in the last month. Over the weekend, Pakistan’s government urged civilians to continue to leave areas where fighting is ongoing according to Al Jazeera reports early today. more
MAF ushers in new era in missionary aviation as it dedicates its first KODIAK missionary plane
MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) inaugurated a new era in missionary aviation when it dedicated its first KODIAK aircraft on May 2 at its headquarters in Nampa, Idaho. The event, attended by 900 guests, featured a full afternoon of activities to unveil the next generation in missionary aircraft. more
The railway children of North India
Serving In Mission (SIM) is doing great work among the children who live in the slum areas of North India. SIM is doing everything possible to ensure that these kids who have made the railway lines and stations their homes are resettled and given a new lease of life. more
Kenyan helps orphans see 'new dawn'
Raised in an impoverished Kenyan village, James Kariuki already knew at an early age that his life was going to be about helping others, he said. more
American Christians called to 'be ready' to reach out to Non-believers during Swine Flu outbreak
A Christian organisation that helps believers prepare for emergencies and natural disasters is calling on Christians across America to 'Be Aware, Be Ready and Be There' for those who don't know Jesus Christ as Savior during the current outbreak of Swine Flu. more
Pirates attack second Ship carrying food aid for World Vision programs in Africa
A second ship carrying donated food to Rwanda was attacked last week by pirates off the coast of Somalia. more
School in refugee camp celebrates 25 years
The Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Bible School and College (KKBBSC) in the Mae La refugee camp in Thailand celebrated its 25th anniversary from March 25-29. more
Mission worker combines passion for photography, HIV/AIDS work
Of the more than 65 million people living in Thailand, just over 9 percent are living with HIV/AIDS. Of those, 14,000 are children under the age of 15. Brett and Shelly Faucett, members of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA, were sent to Chiang Mai, Thailand in August of 2007 as part of the Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts and Hands campaign of the Presbyterian Church (United States of America). more
World Vision set to combat the child killer disease, Malaria
World Vision, the Christian humanitarian organisation, is more than ever committed to combating malaria, one of the top killer diseases of children, especially in the developing world. more
52 people healed
The prayers of Gospel for Asia-supported missionary Zaw Chan are turning out to be the healing balm so desperately needed in Myanmar (Burma). Zaw has seen 52 people healed through prayer during an 11-month period. Zaw's prayers are one of the only sources of hope in this area of Myanmar, which was devastated by Cyclone Nargis in May 2008. more
Mending bodies – healing hearts this Mother’s Day
Last year, Australian mothers and Mercy Ships supporters of a special Mother’s Day appeal exceeded all expectations. more
New Tenth Avenue North music video highlights work of Billy Graham rapid response team
A new music video by a top Christian band will help promote and raise awareness of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team of crisis-trained chaplains. Tenth Avenue North, recently named 'New Artist of the Year' at the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards, has collaborated with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) by filming an exclusive new music video of their hit song 'By Your Side.' more
British doctors want the right to talk about faith with their patients
Doctors in the United Kingdom are demanding that National Health Service (NHS) staff be given a right to discuss spiritual issues with patients as well as being allowed to offer to pray for them. Medics will tell the British Medical Association (BMA) conference this week that staff should not be disciplined as long as they handle the issue sensitively, according to a story by Nick Triggle, BBC News Health reporter. more
Teens contribute £300 million a year to society
Teenagers in England are contributing £300 million (AUD$620 million) each year to the economy, through voluntary work and donations to charity, a report by the Evangelical Alliance has found. more
Churches unite for JAAL giving Sunday
Hundreds of churches across all Christian denominations will come together this month for ‘Jesus. All about life’ Giving Sunday (JAAL Giving Sunday). All New South Wales churches have been asked to dedicate July 12 or July 19 to the campaign, which aims to introduce the whole state to Jesus. more
Desperation in Burma: children orphaned by Cyclone Nargis take refuge in the jungle from violence
Orphaned by a devastating cyclone in 2008, thousands of children in Burma (Myanmar) are now engaged in a deadly game of hide and seek with Burmese soldiers. more
Billy Graham TV Special captures bold witness of counter-cultural teens
'Dare to Be a Daniel' -- that's the challenge to counter-cultural teens made by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in a bold program to help them 'go against the grain' of cultural norms with Jesus. more
Introducing an online forum aimed at bringing Christians in local communities closer together
The National Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commission is introducing an online "Faith Forum" to stimulate local ecumenical dialogue and bring Christians of various traditions closer together for conversations about their faith. more
Major boost for kids literacy in Sydney's Inner-West
Rev. Bill Crews’s Exodus Foundation opened a brand new literacy Tutorial Centre at Ashfield Friday 5th June. more
Compassion reaches one million sponsored children
One of the world’s strongest women is now sponsoring one of the world’s most vulnerable children. Last week, Korean Olympic gold medallist weight lifter Jang-Mi-Ran sponsored eight-year-old Fellow Blewussi Kpodo from Togo, West Africa, making him Compassion International’s one millionth sponsored child. more
Chinese Christians work together in disaster response
Soon after an earthquake struck the Sichuan province in south-western China one year ago, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) developed a $1.6 million plan to help reconstruct areas devastated by the earthquake. Today Lutherans remain committed to rebuilding areas that have received little attention. more
Western Australians help raise future Ugandan leaders
Western Australians may some day look upon the future leaders of Uganda with pride, knowing that they are the ones who helped to put those leaders into power. Western Australians are helping Ugandan children like Jackie Nalumansi, age 10, and Fred Samula, age 11 realise their dreams to someday become community and government leaders in their country. more
UK survey reveals deepest recession sparks search for deeper answers among brits
Three in four UK adults have had cause to reconsider core values or think about 'the meaning of life' in the past year - according to a new survey. In a study of 2,000 online interviews conducted with a nationally representative sample of UK adults, by Research Now April 24-27th, 2009 for Christian Research, the survey discovered more than two out of three people are searching because of the credit crunch, personal finances or job insecurity. more
Three Pastors embark on bamboo bicycle trek to end hunger
Three 60-year-old best friends are on a "mission from God." They plan to stop at 65 cities, covering 13,000 miles in 100 days -- all on a bamboo bicycle built for three. Their mission is to help bring an end to world hunger. more
Tutu launches Solomon Islands truth and reconciliation body
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has flown to the Solomon Islands to launch a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, modelled on the body he chaired in South Africa to tackle crimes and injustices under the former the apartheid regime. more
Power of forgiveness continues for German missionary widow Susanne Geske
Two years after Susanne Geske went on Turkish television and forgave those that killed her husband Tilmann Geske, her testimony continues to impact many lives today. After this humble missionary shared her story of the power of forgiveness recently at the mission-net congress in Oldenburg, Germany, the 3,000 delegates were so inspired and moved by her story they all stood to their feet and applauded her in a powerful display of solidarity. more
Lutheran teenagers hold dodge ball event to raise money for world hunger
Some teenage Lutherans from the Chicago area learned that every 3.6 seconds someone in the world dies of hunger. "That's every time you take a breath," according to Luke Terrell, a member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chicago. In an effort to build awareness about ending world hunger, Terrell and 30 other teenagers participated in a dodge ball tournament to raise money for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) World Hunger Appeal. more
Bible and Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" banned in Uzbekistan
The senior religious affairs official for the Karakalpakstan Autonomous Republic of north-western Uzbekistan, has banned specific religious books and films confiscated from religious believers on at least three occasions in 2009. The seizures occurred during police and National Security Service (NSS) secret police raids. Uzbekistan is located in Central Asia, north of Afghanistan. more
Video launched to expose torture of Christian attorney Gao Zhisheng
It has been more than 100 days since Christian human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng has been seen in public. Now two Christian groups, who work for the rights of believers in countries where they face persecution or discrimination, are working together for his release. And a group of US Senators is calling on the Chinese President to have Gao released. more
Global pressure builds against Aung San Suu Kyi trial
As global outrage builds, Burma's ruling military dictatorship has "strongly rejected" a statement by the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN) condemning the trial of the imprisoned pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. more
Pastor and believer attacked and beaten
More than 20 people were killed and 300 homes have burned since May 19 as ethnic violence broke out between two tribes in Asia. Gospel for Asia-supported missionary Eno Mager serves as pastor of a church in the area. Some people did try to burn the church down, but by the grace of God, it was protected. more
After communal violence, Indian Christians draw hope from elections
According to an Indian church worker, the violence against Christians in the Indian state of Orissa last year was not a one-time event but the consequence of a fragmented society. However, the results of the recent general elections are heartening. more
Amnesty spells out the urgent action needed on Sri Lanka
Amnesty International has demanded that the Sri Lankan authorities allow international monitors and humanitarian agencies access to the country's troubled areas – including the so-called 'Safe Zone' - to assess the situation at first hand and help ensure that the humanitarian and human rights crisis is addressed. more
Cuban church leader's trial finally set after one year in jail
A Cuban pastor will finally face trial next week in the city of Camaguey, Cuba, after spending a whole year in prison. more
Iran releases jailed American journalist
Jailed United States-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi has been freed from Iran's notorious Evin prison and is soon expected to leave with her parents and travel to the United States to her home in Fargo, North Dakota. Roxana Saberi reported from Iran for NPR and the BBC. more
Tiananmen Square leaders issue declaration of repentance and reconciliation on 20th anniversary
An unprecedented statement regarding the June 4 1989 massacre at Tiananmen Square has just been released. The document from 80 Chinese Christian leaders calls for forgiveness, repentance, truth, justice and reconciliation. more
Chinese Pastor released from Prison after international attention
A Chinese human rights watchdog organization says a Christian House Church leader has been freed by government authorities as the result of international pressure. more
Pakistani Christians will be able to celebrate the Good Friday holiday from next year
The Pakistan Minister for Minorities, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, has said that Christians will be to able to enjoy a holiday on Good Fridays from next year. more
Jim Wallis calls for new model of prophecy
Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners magazine, blogger and writer, lecturer, prominent theologian, told an enthusiastic audience at the 27th General Synod, that the election of Barak Obama has put mainline American Protestants in a new place. more
Prayers held in Welsh refugee centres
Christians held prayer events in four asylum seeker dispersal centres in Wales last Thursday (June 18) to mark Refugee Week. Refugees and asylum seekers asked God to intervene in their plight and that of their countries in the centres in Swansea, Newport , Cardiff and Wrexham, where asylum seekers are sent to while their claims are processed. more
London flooded with prayer during Pentecost weekend
As the British government deals with the credit crunch and politicians come under continual media scrutiny over expenses claims, Christians across London flooded the city with prayers during Pentecost weekend with a series of events that's hoped will help turn the tide of a country in crisis. more
Week of prayer for Christian unity
Churches Putting Sticks Together for Reconciliation is the theme for 2009. This year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) will see churches and many other Christian gatherings praying together from 24 May through 3 June. more
Adventist Church's North Philippine region gains new status
Seventh-day Adventist world church leaders recognised spiritual maturity and financial stability last month when they voted a change of administrative status for the North Philippine region of the church. more
Anglican Bishop enjoins Nigerian seminarians to pray fervently
The Rt. Rev. Precious Nwala, Bishop of the Diocese of Etche, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has enjoined Seminarians to go a "step beyond routine prayers and lift their voices in prayer," following the example of the Church, as recorded in Acts 4:23-31. more
When medical equipment fails, prayer saves a baby's life
Grigory Bosy and wife Maria have ten children and still work to help many poor families in their remote northwestern region of Ukrain more
Baptists urge South Africans to vote, pray in forthcoming elections
The Baptist Union of Southern Africa (BUSA) is urging its members to vote in national and provincial elections set for April 22 in South Africa. more
Easter Hope in a financially fallen world
The global financial crisis, fires and floods at home, violence and abject poverty overseas: all are signs of a deeply fallen world. Yet, as our Churches celebrate Easter this year, we affirm the mystery of God's saving grace, born precisely out of suffering, destruction and death. more
Kids' Easter prayers reveal haunting trends
This year the financial gloom, bullying in schools, personal sadness, the Victorian fires, floods, and the earth quake in Italy are the dominant themes in this year's kids prayers. more
Colombia's Mennonites seek prayer and solidarity from USA and Canada
Colombia's Mennonite churches are calling on congregations in Canada and the United States to join together in a unified cry for justice, peace and healing in the war-torn South American country. more
Manchester Churches partner with Police to combat crime
With one of the highest rates of gun and knife crime in the UK more than 150 church leaders in greater Manchester linked up with neighbourhood police teams this week for the launch of a nation-wide campaign to help combat this crisis. more
With world hunger on the rise, Lutherans set to respond, hunger leader says
According to a June report of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), hunger is increasing. World hunger is predicted to reach "a historic high" in 2009 with more than 1.02 billion people experiencing hunger every day. That's 100 million people more than 2008. The FAO attributes the increase in hunger to soaring food prices and the global economic downturn. more
Report reveals vital role of refugees
Palestinian refugees inject US$350 million into Lebanon’s economy every year despite being barred from many highly-paid professions. The findings come in a report by Association Najdeh, a group which works with Christian Aid. more
Rich countries ‘risk wrecking climate deal’, says Christian Aid
Following the close of the latest UN negotiations in Bonn, Christian Aid has warned that rich countries risk wrecking vitally important international talks on a climate agreement. more
Sri Lanka's war refugees face continuing hardships
Tearfund and other relief and development agencies are warning that the condition of Sri Lankans living in refugee camps will remain a major challenge for months to come. The assessment comes in the aftermath of a bloody war in which the United Nations estimates that around 300,000 people have been displaced. more
Urgency grows for investment in conflict prevention as 42 million uprooted
The number of people forcibly uprooted by conflict and persecution worldwide stood at 42 million at the end of last year, according to new figures from the UNHCR. However, neither the United Kingdom nor the United States feature amongst the main refugee-hosting countries in the world, despite waging wars in Afghanistan and Iraq which have caused the biggest refugee movements. more
Christians affected as Cyclone Aila hits Bangladesh
An under-reported yet devastating cyclone has hit Bangladesh and parts of eastern India, leaving at least 200 people dead and over half a million people homeless. more
USA must protect most vulnerable from the impacts of climate change
A church public policy advocate today urged a House committee to increase funding for international adaptation assistance in the recently introduced American Clean Energy and Security Act. more
Orphanage in Burma attacked by Burmese Government forces
International Christian Concern (ICC) says that it has just learned that Burmese government forces attacked two internally displaced people's camps along the Thai border last night in a heightened effort to defeat the Karen. According to our initial reports, there were at least 400 people who were being sheltered between the two camps, including 200 children. Deaths have been reported, but full details are still being confirmed. more
Flood victims in New South Wales receive assistance
Tens of thousands of homes were without power and hundreds of schools closed on May 21 as a wild storm front lashed Australia's northeast coast. Heavy rains caused severe flooding in northern New South Wales (NSW). The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Australia provided immediate support to those affected, through the activation of its disaster recovery teams as part of the NSW Government’s Disaster Plan. more
Economic crisis is a human rights time bomb, says Amnesty
Billions of people throughout the world suffer from insecurity, injustice and indignity and the international NGO Amnesty International, is demanding that world leaders invest in human rights as strongly as they are investing in the economy. more
Australian’s urged to share Rudd handouts with charity
At a time when Australian’s are being handed money by the Federal Government to stimulate the flagging economy an Australian Christian charity wants people to consider donating some of their windfall to the impoverished in Zimbabwe where the inflation rate is 90 sextillion percent and prices double EVERY day. more
Thrown at the Doorstep
Frustrated and desperate, Ganga's husband and father threw her down on the doorstep of a church at midnight. They had nowhere else to go and no one else to ask for help. The demons attacking Ganga had power beyond any of their attempts to deliver her. more
Christian communicators highlight climate justice on the road to Copenhagen
The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) is calling on religious leaders and communicators to emphasise the need for urgent and radical action on climate change in the run-up to the international Climate Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark from 6-18 December 2009. more
How World Vision is helping displaced families in Pakistan
World Vision is helping in the resettlement of displaced families who were victims of intense fighting between militant groups and Pakistani forces in and around the Swat Valley of Pakistan's North West Frontier province. more
World Vision concerned about growth of child labour in the downturn
Aid and development agency World Vision has warned that the continuing global financial crisis and the damage it is causing local economies is forcing more and more children around the world into the worst forms of child labour. more
Record inequality shows need for a fair society, says Church Action on Poverty
New government figures released on 7 May confirm that progress on fighting poverty in the UK had come to a halt, even before the current recession, says Church Action on Poverty. The campaigning group is calling on all political parties to take urgent and concerted action to tackle the growing gap between rich and poor. more
Overseas aid budget holds steady but is it enough for the world’s poorest?
The Micah Challenge coalition has welcomed the Australian Federal Government’s continued commitment to overseas development assistance in the 2009-10 aid budget announced last night (May 12, 2009). more
It’s the break-even city: half of Sydney households are not saving
A major study of 450 Sydney residents has found that more households are plunging into debt and families are finding it harder to escape the clutches of the financial downturn compared to two years ago. more
Vicar shaves half his beard as a reminder of inequality
Roger Gayler, the 65-year-old vicar of St Mark’s Church at Mark's Gate in Barking and Dagenham is to preach, meet the scouts, speak to schoolchildren, study with his Bishop and collect envelopes door-to-door with just half a beard – for Christian Aid week. more
Operation Mobilisation launches appeal to help over 15, 000 deprived children in India
In an effort to meet the needs of the poor and deprived children in India, Operation Mobilization (OM), has launched an appeal for sponsorship of the children. The appeal tagged "Help Feed a Child in India" is targeting more than 15,000 of the poorest children in India, from the severely oppressed Dalit people, also known known as "the untouchables." more
A year on from cyclone Nargis: relief and recovery in a harsh environment
A year after cyclone Nargis tore through Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady Delta taking the lives of over 125,000 people and seriously affecting another two million, relief programmes supported by Tearfund have brought hope to thousands of families in the region. However, Tearfund says that there is still much more to do to equip remote communities for future cyclones in this harsh environment. more
Methodists welcome budget support for jobless under-25s
The Methodist Church in Britain has welcomed the Chancellor’s budget commitment today to provide work or training for under 25s who have been jobless for more than a year. It has also welcomed his green pledges. more
Stakes have never been higher for the poorest says Church World Service
An increased number of forced migrations, continued global food crises, shrinking water resources and other serious results of climate change represent the principal humanitarian and development challenges of 2009, global humanitarian agency Church World Service said today in a year-end assessment. more
Christian Peace Witness for Iraq to gather on Obama's 100th day
After five years of conflict, Christian peace advocates are still asking for an end to the war in Iraq and for accountability surrounding the detention and torture of suspected terrorists and war criminals – writes Gregg Brekke. more
Anglican ‘double bill’ to boost climate campaign
As the world prepares for this December’s crunch UN summit in Copenhagen, two of the Church of England’s leaders are to join forces with Operation Noah, an ecumenical organisation which campaigns on climate change. more
World Malaria Day: Community mobilisation crucial to Malaria eradication
On World Malaria Day, April 25, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is continuing its work to reduce the numbers of people infected and killed by malaria every year worldwide. In Mozambique, a country ravaged by this deadly disease, ADRA is working to change the attitudes and behaviours of more than a million people through the power of community mobilisation. more
World event unites 100 cities in 9 countries worldwide to rescue child soldiers from the Lord's Resistance Army
On April 25, Invisible Children, a media-based organisation dedicated to ending Africa's longest-running war, is going global for their third and largest Awareness Event to date: a 100-city, nine country rally called the RESCUE. The event will demand attention for the plight of children abducted and forced to fight as soldiers in the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) throughout Central and East Africa. more
Dalits' inner strength defeats caste-based discrimination
Caste-based discrimination in India may be 3,500 years old, but something new is unfolding. An emerging liberation movement has consciously chosen not to focus on Dalits' victimhood, but on the latent strength of the Dalit people, drawn from their own history and culture. more
Churches to gather in mass demonstration of support for migrant amnesty
In what is set to be one of the largest ever Christian expressions in the public square, thousands are to attend simultaneous services celebrating the place of migrants before moving to Trafalgar Square to call for citizenship for large numbers of those who have overstayed their visas or been refused asylum. more
Parliament protesters say they will stay until the government acts
Some 28 hours after their protest began, Tamils are still in Parliament Square in London. They say they will not leave until the UK government pledges to help stop the slaughter in Sri Lanka. Over one thousand people have defied attempts to disperse them, mostly peacefully but with some confrontations and six arrests. more
Survey says British have "Fuzzy Faith"
Britain is one of the least religious nations in Europe, according to a major survey by the European Union to be published next month (May). more
Homeless still on London streets despite ‘sub human’ policy of water spraying
More than 200 people are still sleeping on the streets of central London despite policies to stop them bedding down which have included spraying them with water. In the early hours of Saturday 4th April the Simon Community carried out its twice yearly head count of people sleeping rough in Central London. more