It’s Thursday, April 22nd, A.D. 2021. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)

By Jonathan Clark

Eritrea, Africa arrested 35 Christians for prayer meetings

Authorities in the African nation of Eritrea arrested 35 Christians last week for conducting prayer meetings. Most of the believers were women.

Christians are often arrested without charges and imprisoned indefinitely in the country.

The arrests reverse a six-month trend of officials releasing nearly 200 Christians. An estimated 165 believers are still in jail. Some have been there for 15 years under harsh conditions.

Eritrea has cracked down on churches since 2002 when the country outlawed most religions.  It is the sixth worst nation in the world for the persecution of Christians.

These believers’ faithfulness remind us of how the prophet Daniel prayed despite the king’s decree. Daniel 6:10 says, “Now when Daniel knew that the [decree] was signed, he went home. . . He knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God.”

U.K. might ban helping people embrace heterosexuality

Officials in the U.K. are considering a ban on “conversion therapy.” The practice involves trying to  help people embrace their God-given heterosexuality.

The Evangelical Alliance sent a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, warning that such a ban could pose a direct threat to religious liberty. The letter warns that Christian leaders could be prosecuted for preaching or counseling about sexuality and marriage.

Johnson reportedly responded to the letter, saying the ban would not apply to pastors and churches.

Evangelicals represent 54% of French Protestants

Evangelicals now represent 54% of French Protestants, up from 10% in the 1960s.

Of French people who profess a religion, 9% are Protestant, 53% are Roman Catholic, and 16% are Muslim.

Evangelicals are concerned about a new proposed law to curb Islamic violence. Christians say the bill targets all religious groups, not just Muslims.

Nebraska towns become Sanctuary Cities for Unborn

Two towns in Nebraska became the first in the state to become Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn this month.

Hayes Center  voted to outlaw abortion in the town on April 6. The ordinance declares human life begins at conception, categorizes abortion providers as murderers, and calls the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision lawless and unconstitutional. The ordinance also outlaws abortion-inducing drugs.

The City of Blue Hill  passed a similar ordinance on April 13, living up to the city’s seal which says, “Preserving Our Heritage for Future Generations.”

Arizona GOP Governor declared southern border an emergency

Arizona Republican Governor Doug Ducey  declared a state of emergency at the border with Mexico this week.

Ducey called in 250 National Guard troops amid increased illegal migration.

Border patrol agents made over 160,000 arrests last month, compared with about 70,000 last December.

57% of U.S. churchgoers attended fewer services in 2020

A new LifeWay Research study found fewer U.S. churchgoers attended church services and Bible studies during the coronavirus pandemic.

This year, 37% of respondents said they participated in a church small group, down from 59% before the pandemic. And 57% of churchgoers said they attended services less often last year compared with 2019.

However, young adults were the most likely to increase their participation in worship services and Bible studies last year.

Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, said, “Our research has shown that Christians involved in in-person small group Bible studies . . . are more likely to exemplify Christlike behaviors of serving those outside the church . . . volunteering within the church . . . and investing in spiritual disciplines. During the pandemic, far fewer churchgoers benefited from these Bible-focused, relational meetings and only a portion took advantage of online options.”

115-year-old woman: “Live so that the Lord can use you. Live right”

And finally, America’s oldest woman, Hester Ford, died peacefully at the age of 115 over the weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Ford had 12 children, 68 grandchildren, 125 great-grandchildren, and at least 120 great-great-grandchildren.

When asked about her long life, Ford would talk about the Lord. She said, “Live so that the Lord can use you. Live right.”

Ford’s granddaughter, Mary Hill, told Yahoo Life, “She prays at 12 o’clock every day for our family, and she prays the 23rd Psalm, John 14, and the Lord’s Prayer.”

Jesus said in John 14:2-3, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Close

And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, April 22nd, in the year of our Lord 2021. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.