World

Six months after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law targeting missionary and evangelistic activities, Baptists and others in the country face large fines and other penalties. The new law went into effect on July 20. Authorities prosecuted at least 32 cases in the first six months after the law went into force. Two Baptists were among the first charged in the law’s first month and other Baptists are now finding themselves targeted.

(RNS) As confusion continued over President Donald Trump’s ban on refugees and travelers from seven Muslim countries, Catholic leaders from Iraq are warning that the policy change will hurt thousands of Iraqi Christians languishing in Middle East refugee camps.

“They would like to continue their lives in Europe, Canada, Australia or America,” Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil told a news conference in Rome on Monday (Jan. 30).

Jordan: Where John baptized, the Hebrew exiles wandered and Moses caught a glimpse of the Promised Land.

Today the area of land that butts up to the east side of the Jordan River where first-century baptisms were recorded in Scripture is still known by the biblical name Bethany Beyond the Jordan.

CHALFONT ST. PETER, England — Building relationships and serving communities — even through politics — are the foundation to sharing the gospel in the United Kingdom three church leaders believe.

CHALFONT ST. PETER, England — Two by two, men and women of several denominations clustered near the worship stage, on their knees or standing with arms outstretched and praying for one another’s needs.

“We are all part of an amazing story — God’s story,” said Global Women Executive Director Cindy Dawson, sitting at a table set for tea at the 2014 Global Women Summit in St. Louis on March 7-8.

Thanks to partnerships between Baptist churches in Missouri and congregations in the Ukraine, leaders are being developed and new congregations are being planted.

Chronic poverty, hunger and homelessness can leave even the most committed Christian activists feeling overwhelmed and defeated.

How can Christians meet needs in ways that really help the poor?