World Christian News

Songs of Hope
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  • CHRISTIANITY

Weekly audio posts of world Christian news. From Songs of Hope radio program in Melbourne, Australia. News Bulletin prepared by Vic Campbell.

  1. 04/11/2021

    11Apr21 Christian News Bulletin

    POPE FRANCIS CHALLENGES THE FAITHFUL Religion News Service reports that Pope Francis used the Easter Saturday service to invite the faithful to “begin anew”, to follow Jesus by letting go of the nostalgia for the past. In his homily, Francis said going to Galilee means “it is always possible to begin anew, because there is a new life that God can awaken in us in spite of all our failures. “From the rubble of our hearts, God can create a work of art; from the ruined remnants of our humanity, God can prepare a new history,” he said. “HEALING THE WOUNDED HEART” US prison inmates who participated in a Bible-based trauma healing ministry program showed enhanced emotional well-being and a significant decrease in the negative consequences of trauma, a recent study by the American Bible Society and Baylor University revealed. The Christian Post reports that through participating in “Healing the Wounded Heart,” ABS’ Bible-based Correctional Trauma Healing Program, participants experienced a decline in PTSD and vengefulness. Also, they experienced increases in forgiveness, resilience and meaning in life. “A WEEK AWAY” A new faith-based musical debuted recently in the Netflix Top 5 and even reached No. 3 on the worldwide most-popular list. According to christianheadlines.com A Week Away, a faith-based movie featuring popular Christian songs, reached No. 8 on Netflix’s list for most popular titles in the U.S. and No. 4 on Netflix’s list for most-popular movies. The film tells the story of a troubled teenager who finds Christ – and romance – at a summer church camp.  It includes music by Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant and For King and Country. The soundtrack reached No. 1 on the iTunes Christian album chart and No. 18 on the “all genres” chart.

  2. 04/04/2021

    4Apr21 Christian News Bulletin

    RESURRECTION—THE MOVIE Emmy-nominated actress and producer Roma Downey has released a new movie called Resurrection that she produced with her husband Mark Burnett. The film tells the story of what happened after Jesus' crucifixion. During an interview with CBN, Downey explained that the time frame for the film takes the audience through the Gospel and into the book of Acts, by focusing on the death and resurrection of Christ. NICK VUJICIC Nick Vujicic, who's known as the "limbless evangelist" because he was born without arms or legs, has shared his life story with people around the world to show that all life has value.  Vujicic was born in the early ‘80s without arms and legs. According to his biography, growing up proved to be difficult for him, and during his school-age years, he struggled with depression and loneliness. It was his faith in God that would eventually grant him victory over his struggles. Vujicic says that regardless of what appears to be a roadblock, God has a plan for every life. HARRY CONNICK JR. Well-known singer Harry Connick Jr. is about to release a new Gospel album, titled Alone with My Faith, which will consist of songs he has written, performed and recorded all by himself. The album aims to include the experiences of both Christians and non-Christians into a single album. Harry Connick Jr. told CBN: "I’m a Christian and I’m proud of my faith, but I also realize this is a big world and there’s a lot of people in it."

  3. 03/28/2021

    28Mar21 Christian News Bulletin

    SOUTH SUDAN Mission Network News reports that 50,000 Bibles and Christian books are on the way to South Sudan. The organisation Mission Cry collects donated resources like these and ships them to believers around the world. Executive Director Jason Woolford says two former Marines partnered with them to make the latest shipment possible. DIGITAL OUTREACH According to The Christian Telegraph, the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association has begun a new partnership. They have joined with Groundwire an organisation with an extensive track record in successful digital strategies to reach people with the Gospel. Kevin Palau, president of the Palau Association, says that the partnership is committed to engaging millions of people through videos on social media. The goal is to open the door to online conversations about Jesus at the website JesusCares.com In the last six months, more than 38 million people have watched Groundwire’s videos online and 50,000 have made a decision to follow Jesus. THY KINGDOM COME This year's global Thy Kingdom Come prayer initiative will focus on church newcomers and people drifting from church. The prayer movement, across denominations, has a presence in 90% of the world’s countries. It will take place online from 13-23 May.

  4. 03/22/2021

    21Mar21 Christian News Bulletin

    LUIS PALAU Religion News Service reports that Luis Palau, a Christian evangelist known for his smile and hearty laugh and described by some as “the Latino Billy Graham,” died on Thursday March 11th at his Portland, Oregon, home. He was 86. Over the past 50 years, the Luis Palau Association, based in Beaverton, Oregon, estimates that it has reached 30 million people in 75 countries. WORLD VISION Not long after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020, World Vision, an interdenominational aid organization that operates in nearly 100 countries, launched the largest global response in its 70-year history. Erica Van Deren, a senior program manager on World Vision’s emergency response team, told The Christian Post that as the world was shutting down, World Vision kept working since that is the purpose God has bestowed on the organization and its staff. “COVID-19 has been our largest both domestic response and international response that we’ve ever organized” Van Deren said. “It’s been a remarkable amount of work and really just a wonderful opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this really, really challenging time.” KELLY ROWLAND In an interview with Gospel singer Kirk Franklin, Kelly Rowland came out strongly about her faith in Christ. According to The Christian Post, Rowland declared, "I believe in God, I believe in Jesus, I believe in faith more than I do religion. It's such a personal walk." Rowland is best known as a member of the popular music group Destiny's Child. She told Kirk Franklin that her faith has "carried her," and made her the woman she is today. "It's made me the woman that I am. It's making me the mother that I am. It's continuing to make me the woman that I am. It's teaching me how to be a wife. It's continuously stretching me."

  5. 03/14/2021

    14Mar21 Christian News Bulletin

    SCHOOL IN A CONTAINER Mission Network News reports that Tent Schools International have had success reaching out to Syrian refugees with schools in shipping containers. The customised truck will be able to reach refugee children anywhere in Lebanon. When it is not being used for school it will be used to teach trade skills to young adults. If the project goes well, TSI also hope to replicate this format in other countries.  CARING FOR CHILDREN The $5 million CURE Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe will bring life-changing surgery to children with disabilities. The Christian Telegraph reports that the hospital was recently completed by the Zimbabwe Orthopaedic Trust in partnership with the Zimbabwean government.. Professor Chris Lavy says that the work of this ministry will change the lives of children with disabilities. He says the ministry is already bringing new hope to hundreds of thousands of families, while also sharing the love of Christ. They provide medical care to children regardless of their economic means, ethnicity, gender, or religion.  DOLLY’S “AMAZING GRACE” According to christianheadlines.com the version of "Amazing Grace" sung by Christian country singer Dolly Parton may become the official state hymn of Tennessee. Two lawmakers introduced a house bill in Tennessee's state legislature that would make the song the official song of the state. The purpose, according to the bill, is to " recognize songs of historic significance that have influenced" the state of Tennessee.

  6. 03/07/2021

    7Mar21 Christian News Bulletin

    COVID-19 VACCINE Premier Christian News reports that Catholic Archbishop, the Most Reverend John Wilson, has called for Governments to develop special strategies to ensure that marginalised and stigmatised communities, including people with leprosy, receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Archbishop Wilson stated "We know from the experience of the Covid-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom that protecting the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable is a priority. As soon as vaccines against Covid-19 are available to every country, it is vitally important that disadvantaged communities, such as those affected by leprosy, are enabled to receive the same benefits from vaccination as the rest of society." BOOKS ABOUT PRAYER According to Religion News Service, several new books about prayer from popular Christian authors have landed on bookshelves in the past month — and they seem to be resonating with readers. “A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal,” edited by progressive Christian author Sarah Bessey, made bestseller lists recently in both the United States and Canada. And the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor-at-large of America Magazine, appeared on “A Late Show with Stephen Colbert” to discuss his latest book “Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone.” CHURCHES CARE FOR COMMUNITIES Leaders from across the political spectrum in the UK have commended the efforts made by local British churches to support and care for their communities throughout the pandemic, as a new poll finds perceptions of the role of the Church are improving. Assist News Service reports that the study, which surveyed 2,170 respondents, found that 42% of UK adults agree that local Christian churches are making a positive difference in their community with only 24% disagreeing.

  7. 02/28/2021

    28Feb21 Christian News Bulletin

    RECOVERING FROM COVID An alliance of Christian community organisations has committed to playing its part in Australia’s recovery from COVID. Eternity News reports that organisations including World Vision, Wesley Mission, Bible Society, Mission Australia and the Presbyterian Church issued the following statement: “We vow to provide service and love to all in need without prejudice or judgment—to share our common table with the hungry, to bring warmth and care to the frail, and to proportion our common wealth among the poor and destitute.” UK HELP FOR HONG KONGERS Christian Today reports that A UK-wide Church initiative has been launched to welcome Hong Kong residents migrating to the UK as a result of China's increasing suppression in the city. The website, www.UKHK.org, was launched in London recently by Home for Good founder Krish Kandiah with the help of the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally.  Over 500 churches have already signed up to be 'Hong Kong ready' via the website, which has been launched after the UK Government opened the door to Hong Kong holders of the British National Overseas (BNO) passport. THE MOST RELUCTANT CONVERT A new C.S. Lewis movie set before the 1950 publication of Lewis's The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, seeks to tell the history of how Lewis turned from atheism to Christianity. According to Christianheadlines.com ‘The Most Reluctant Convert’ is a screen adaptation of a one-man stage play starring Max McLean. According to the production company's website, the film seeks to show Lewis's journey from becoming a "hard-boiled" atheist into the convert and apologist he became.

  8. 02/21/2021

    21Feb21 Christian News Bulletin

    CHRISTIANS RELEASED FROM PRISONS Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that seventy Christians from evangelical and orthodox backgrounds, including women, have been released from three prisons in Eritrea, some after being held without charge for more than a decade.  HILLSONG GLOBAL LEADERSHIP The Christian Post reports that Hillsong Church Global Senior Pastor Brian Houston announced last week that he and his wife, Bobbie, have decided to transition away from their leadership role. Gary and Cathy Clarke, lead pastors of Hillsong Church London, who are also responsible for much of the denomination’s growth in Europe, were announced as the leaders who will take over the global management of the church over the next two years. NEW FILM ON JOHN WYCLIFFE UK-based film ministry Trinity Digital have announced the development of a new film with the title Morningstar, exploring the life and legacy of John Wycliffe. Their aim is to shoot the film at some point this year.  NOAH AND THE ARK ON TIKTOK A minister from Aberdeen in Scotland has got on board with the latest TikTok sensation of sea shanties. According to Premier Christian News, Rev Peter Johnston, from Ferryhill Parish Church in Aberdeen, was inspired by his daughter who had been watching sea shanties online and decided to re-tell the story of Noah and the Ark in the form of a shanty, sung to the traditional melody of "Wellerman," with the help of a virtual choir. The Noah and the Ark shanty has been made available to other congregations who may want to use it and has been well received.

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About

Weekly audio posts of world Christian news. From Songs of Hope radio program in Melbourne, Australia. News Bulletin prepared by Vic Campbell.

Information

  • Creator
    Songs of Hope
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2021
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Songs of Hope
  • Show Website
    World Christian News