University of Haifa archaeologists working at the “Burnt Church” Hippos site in Israel have discovered several brightly colored mosaics. One of the uncovered mosaics depicts a basket with five loaves and is most likely an illustration of the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000.
Mosaic decoration depicting a basket with five loaves. (photo credit: DR. MICHAEL EISENBERG)
For the third consecutive year, the United Soccer Coaches organization is sponsoring a “Play with Pride” week. During the week of September 16-22, club, high school and college teams across the United States are encouraged to wear rainbow laces in their cleats to show support for athletes and coaches of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
In 2016, Russia passed the Yarovaya laws, which ban Russians from inviting outsiders to join their faith, even online or in their own homes, unless they have a government permit through a registered religious organization. Even with the permit, they can only evangelize in designated churches and religious sites.
In June, at the invitation of the Israeli Knesett, I had an incredible opportunity to speak along with former Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachman and several Israeli leaders at the National Prayer Breakfast in Jerusalem. I was so honored to be selected to participate in this four-hour event to pray for God’s blessing on Israel.
On June 21st, the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom released its latest report on International Religious Freedom across the globe, which contained both positive examples of lessening of religious persecution but also focused on many of the world’s largest nations in religious persecution.
Wang Yi, the imprisoned pastor of Early Rain Covenant Church in China, is now facing an additional charge of “illegal business activity.” According to Radio Free Asia, Wang has been detained by police in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan since December 14, 2018. At that time, he was arrested with his wife, Jiang Rong, and about 100 members of Early Rain.
In a stunning victory for pro-life advocates everywhere, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notified abortion facilities on Tuesday that new pro-life rules will take effect. These rules stipulate that any facility receiving federal Title X tax dollars cannot provide abortions or abortion referrals.
Only in Jerusalem would a burst sewage pipe lead to a major biblical and historical discovery. In 2004, construction workers accompanied by archaeologists – a common practice in the Old City – were sent in to repair the pipe. This group stumbled upon a set of stairs leading to Shiloah, also known as the Siloam Pool where Jesus healed the blind man (John 9:1-11).
In a 7-2 decision, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of 40-foot memorial cross in Bladensburg, Maryland. Known as the Bladensburg Peace Cross, this monument was erected in 1925 to honor 49 local men who died in WWI. Funds for this tribute were raised by the families, local businesses and the American Legion.
During several weeks of demonstrations in Hong Kong, Christians could be heard singing “Sing Hallelujah to the Lord” by Linda Stassen-Benjamin while protesting and marching in the streets. “Sing Hallelujah” became the unofficial anthem for those fighting an extradition bill that would send criminal suspects to communist China for prosecution.
