
Christians in Africa participate in counter-terrorism efforts
“Africa has emerged as the key battleground for terrorism, with a major increase in the number of active groups ...

“Africa has emerged as the key battleground for terrorism, with a major increase in the number of active groups ...
In South Africa today, scriptural injunctions about welcoming the foreigner confront a present crisis: the persistent reality of xenophobia. On both sides of the issue are strong feelings that have led to violence. But violence will not lead to a better future for all. It requires leadership that affirms human dignity, values that are embodied in Christ.
It may not be every migrant's story, but when a person feels often enough that they do not fully belong they instinctively look for somewhere they do. This relates as much to churches as it does to host societies in general. But churches should be different. Biblically faithful theology demands it of it. Here is advice for pastors who desire to mature their congregants into the full stature of Christ.
In the midst of persecution and abuse, believers suffering trauma in the Sahel have a new option for healing as they rebuild their lives. A healing center offers a pathway to recovery that centers on Jesus as the one who heals, bringing wholeness of mind, body, spirit, and soul. The healed then tend to want to help their abusers come to know Jesus too.
An aggressive South Korean missionary cult called Shincheonji is luring unwary believers in Africa and elsewhere to enroll in Bible training online or at its local “Zion Truth Bible Centers.” Its recruiters slip into churches, Bible studies, and campus fellowships. Let believers beware.

Religious freedom advocacy groups are criticizing the Biden administration for leaving Nigeria off the U.S. State Department list of the world's worst violators of religious freedom despite constant attacks and violence impacting Christian communities. The U.S. State Department released its annual list of Countries of Particular Concern Thursday, a label assigned to nations that have "engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom."

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) released a report this month forecasting a sharp global increase in the humanitarian crisis in 2024. In its 2024 Emergency Watch list, IRC President David Miliband’s wrote, “it’s the worst of times.” The report lists armed conflicts, rising debt crisis, climate change and donor apathy as contributing factors to what it described as “heightened” humanitarian crisis in 2024.

Islamic extremists killed a 75-year-old woman and her two grandchildren in western Uganda on Christmas Day, sources said.

Islamic extremist terrorists rampaged through a predominantly Christian village in northeastern Nigeria on Christmas Day, setting houses on fire, looting shops and killing two Christians, area residents said.

A recent investigation in Spain revealed more than 200,000 endured sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy. The 700-page report, ordered by Spain's Congress, unveils the “devastating impact” on victims, criticizing the Church for its inaction and attempts to conceal or deny the abuse. Is the situation different in Africa? Child Safety Investigator Philip E. Morrison says no.

Unidentified terrorists on Thursday (Dec. 28) killed eight Christians in Taraba state, Nigeria, after 13 others were slain the previous week, sources said.