news in brief
Iran: Christians released
Human-rights
advocates
are mystified
about why two Christians, imprisoned in
Iran for their church leadership roles, have
been freed a few days after a fire broke out
in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison.
The
leaders
are Pastor Naser Navard
Goltapeh, who had spent two months
in
solitary confinement, and Fariba Dalir, who
was jailed for starting a house church. She had
spent 38 days in solitary confinement. Both
pardons were unexpected and had previously
been denied. One theory is that Evin Prison
is hosting Mahsa Amini protestors and is
quickly running out of space.
news in brief
Jesus loves journalist
Journalist Matthew
Parris
(see photo)
was
‘curiously
moved’
after
a
young
Deliveroo
cyclist
stopped
alongside him and
asked if he believed
in the Lord Jesus.
In his regular The
Times column, Parris, a former Conservative
MP, wrote:
‘I replied that I’m sure Jesus
existed, and love and respect the character
whose description has come down to us
through the ages, but that I do not believe
he was the Son of God, and do not believe in
God at all. ‘“But He said He was,” said the
young man. I replied that Jesus probably was
under a misapprehension. The cyclist paused
to think. ‘Well,’ he said, ‘Jesus loves you even
if you won’t acknowledge him. I will pray for
you.’ And with that, he cycled off. I walked on, curiously moved.’
news in brief
Egypt: Christians attacked
by Muslim
A Christian man and his son have been
attacked by a Muslim man in Giza, Egypt.
Joseph Israel and his son were attacked
by Ahmad Mouhammad outside Mr Israel’s
wine shop. Mr Mouhammad attacked both
with a knife before
some of Mr Israel’s
Muslim neighbours
intervened and beat
the assailant badly. Mr Mouhammad, Mr
Israel and his son are currently in hospital
receiving medical
treatment
for
their
injuries. Journalist Nader Shokry suggested
that
these attacks are
the
result of hate
speech and
sectarian
incitement by
local
Islamist preachers.
news in brief
Mexico: evangelical
leader sentenced
Naasón
Joaquín García,
the
leader
of
Mexico’s largest evangelical church, has been
sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison for
sexually assaulting three teenaged girls from
his church. He will also be required to register
as a sex offender for life.
The 53-year-old
led
the
congregation
La Luz Del Mundo based in Guadalajara,
Jalisco, Mexico, which
runs churches
in
several
locations
throughout
the United States and Mexico.
news in brief
Cost of living
As
the cost of
living crisis deepens,
the
Evangelical Alliance
(EA)
is urging UK
churches to use their power to take action,
such as helping with the means that churches
already have; and supporting other Christians
in what they are doing in the community.
Writing on the EAUK website, advocacy
coordinator Jo Evans said:
‘As Christians
who trust in a good God who commands
us to love our neighbour as ourselves, we
should be motivated above all other sectors
of society to take action and do something about the problem at hand.’
news in brief
Evangelical Presbyterians thankful for Oxford growth
It has been standing room only at times for Oxford Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) as it returned to in-person Sunday morning services after 83 weeks online.
The church, which has held its 5pm services in person through most of the pandemic, has given thanks for the many new people, including couples, students and families, it has seen. Last November, the church held its first ever Thanksgiving celebration since its initial planting four years ago.