Sudan: Kidnapped Christian worker freed
An aid worker for Christian relief organisation Samaritan's Purse (SP) was released on 30 August after being held hostage for 105 days in Sudan. 35 year-old Flavia Wagner is exhausted but in good health and is currently in Khartoum. In May, Wagner and a Sudanese driver were abducted after their two-vehicle convoy was stopped by eight armed men 15 miles southwest of Nyala in Sudan's Darfur region. Seven days after the kidnapping, the two Sudanese men were released unharmed and without explanation in Thur, Darfur. Wagner remained in captivity but was allowed to contact her family and SP staff. ‘We thank God that Flavia is safe and free’ commented Franklin Graham, SP president, ‘and appreciate the help of the governments of the Sudan and the United States. People around the world have been praying for her safety and her release. Today, those prayers have been answered.’ Praise: God for answering the prayers seeking Flavia’s release (Lk. 4:18) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/kidnapped.christian.relief.worker.freed.in.sudan.after.105.days/26605.htm
Religious education's 12-year growth
This week’s GCSE results have confirmed that the number of students taking Religious Education has increased for the twelfth year running.’ Religious Education has entered the top ten league table of subjects in terms of the number of candidates, and remains in the top five of growing subjects with more than 75,000 candidates; above subjects like Mathematics and History. Nick McKemey, the Church of England’s Head of School Improvement, said ‘Young people are clamouring for a deeper understanding of religious perspectives on issues of the day and how moral and ethical questions are considered by the major faiths. Twelve years of organic growth in student numbers cannot be ignored. This is a phenomenon that indicates students’ appreciation that exploring faith and belief helps them to understand the world and become better global citizens.’ He also said it underlines the importance of investing adequate resources and time in its teaching. Praise: for our young people who are making important decisions having received exam results recently. (Jas.1:5) More: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr7510.html
Religious education's 12-year growth
This week’s GCSE results have confirmed that the number of students taking Religious Education has increased for the twelfth year running.’ Religious Education has entered the top ten league table of subjects in terms of the number of candidates, and remains in the top five of growing subjects with more than 75,000 candidates; above subjects like Mathematics and History. Nick McKemey, the Church of England’s Head of School Improvement, said ‘Young people are clamouring for a deeper understanding of religious perspectives on issues of the day and how moral and ethical questions are considered by the major faiths. Twelve years of organic growth in student numbers cannot be ignored. This is a phenomenon that indicates students’ appreciation that exploring faith and belief helps them to understand the world and become better global citizens.’ He also said it underlines the importance of investing adequate resources and time in its teaching. Praise: for our young people who are making important decisions having received exam results recently. (Jas.1:5) More: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr7510.html
North Korea executes underground church leaders
North Korea has executed three leaders of the underground church and jailed 20 other Christians, reports a news agency focused on Asia.Although the execution and imprisonment happened in mid-May, news only got out this month. According to AsiaNews, North Korean police raided a house in Kuwal-dong in Pyungsung county, Pyongan province, and arrested all 23 believers who were gathered there for religious activity. The leaders were sentenced to death and soon after executed. The other 20 were reportedly sent to the infamous prison labour camp No 15 in Yodok. The 23 Christians had come to faith after some of them travelled to China on business and met with church members there. North Korea Intellectual Solidarity, a group of North Korean defectors based in Seoul that seeks to raise awareness about injustice in North Korea, confirmed the events. Pray: for the estimated 400,000 Christians in North Korea who live under the constant threat of imprisonment, torture or public execution if authorities discover their Christian faith. may they have opportunities to meet together and provide encouragement to one another. (PS.62:2) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/north.korea.executes.underground.church.leaders/26540.htm
