News

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) — Andrew Brunson, the American pastor recently released after two years of confinement in Turkey said Friday that he suffered a breakdown during his time in prison and was put on anti-anxiety medication.

But the worst of it, he said, was the uncertainty.

(RNS) — The number of Christian refugees coming to the United States from the countries where Christians are most persecuted has dropped dramatically under President Trump's administration.

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (BP) -- For the past six years, White Sulphur Baptist Church has hosted a unique event that brings youth, police and military personnel together for a night of fun -- and much more.

BEIJING (AP) — China is saving Muslim ethnic minorities from the lure of religious extremism by teaching them to speak Mandarin and accept modern science, a senior Chinese official said in a report Tuesday, Beijing's latest propaganda effort to defend its internment of Muslims against mounting criticism.

(RNS) — A New York City grand jury has indicted Christian Media Corp., the publisher of evangelical news website The Christian Post, and William Anderson, its former chief executive, on financial fraud charges, along with Etienne Uzac, who ran Newsweek magazine's parent company.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (BP) -- Hurricane Michael damaged at least 50 Southern Baptist church buildings in Florida and Georgia, according to initial estimates, with some virtually destroyed.

But that hasn't stopped the congregations from doing the work of ministry.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Freed American pastor Andrew Brunson fell to one knee in the Oval Office and placed his hand on President Donald Trump’s shoulder in prayer on Saturday, asking God to provide the president “supernatural wisdom to accomplish all the plans you have for this country and for him.”

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) – Dr. Evan Atar Adaha knows that faith matters to many of his patients at the Maban Referral Hospital in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State.

So, before administering the anesthetic for surgery, he recites verses from the Bible or the Quran with patients. Then the 52-year-old surgeon, who is Roman Catholic, follows with a short prayer — according to the patient’s faith — before taking up his surgical knife.

MANSFIELD, Ohio (RNS) — At the BibleWalk wax museum in Mansfield, Ohio, visitors will find Jesus, Moses, Paul and other biblical figures.

They also may find Tom Cruise.

(RNS) — How is Hurricane Florence different from past storms along the Eastern Seaboard?

For some houses of worship, it may have brought the potential of government help.