It’s Friday, June 12th, A.D. 2020. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)

By Jonathan Clark

Chinese Communists removed crosses from 250 churches

Chinese authorities have removed crosses from over 250 state-sanctioned church buildings in Anhui province between January and April this year.

A state employee told the Bitter Winter magazine, “All Christian symbols are ordered to be removed as part of the government’s crackdown campaign.”

One local Christian told the magazine, “As crosses are being removed throughout the country, those who refuse to cooperate will be accused of opposing the Communist Party. We are pressured to give up our faith, but we will persevere.”

Matthew 10:22 says, “You will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

Abortion in England & Wales at all-time high

Abortions in England and Wales rose to an all-time high of 207,384 last year.

Government funding covered 99 percent of the abortions. Over 3,000 of the unborn babies were killed just for possibly having a disability. 40 percent of the women seeking an abortion already had one or more abortions.

European Christians returning to in-person services

Europe has an estimated 23 million evangelicals, and many are gladly getting back to in-person worship services, reports Evangelical Focus.

While churches in Ireland are not allowed to meet until July 20, evangelical churches in France, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, and Italy are meeting again.

A pastor in Spain said it’s one thing to “hear a message on the internet, but communitarian worship is irreplaceable” and that it was amazing “to meet people who have given their life to Christ during this time of coronavirus crisis.”

Senator McConnell: D.C. Mayor is selectively applying First Amendment

Religious liberty legal groups like First Liberty Institute and the Thomas Moore Society are helping churches in New Jersey and Massachusetts to defend their right to assemble despite coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

On Tuesday, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell criticized Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser among other leaders who are selectively applying the First Amendment.

MCCONNELL: “In the District of Columbia, the mayor celebrates massive street protests. She actually joins them herself. But on her command, churches and houses of worship remain shut. I believe even the largest church buildings in the district are still subject to the 10-person limit for things the mayor deems essential. … Apparently while protests are now permissible, prayer is still too dangerous.”

On Wednesday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany also pointed out the double standard being used by leaders to promote protests but restrict worship.

MCENANY: “There are absolute double standards that we’ve seen. And that’s why the Department of Justice set up a task force, if you will, or a group to look at civil liberties during coronavirus shutdowns. I read about one case where you had an allowance of outside gatherings and protests but indoor churches could not gather even with socially distance protocols . . . That’s unacceptable. People should be allowed to worship. We have a First Amendment in this country.”

Federal Reserve keeping near-0 interest rate through 2022

The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday it would be responding to the economic fallout from coronavirus lockdowns by keeping its near-zero short-term interest rate through 2022 to induce consumer and business spending.

The Fed’s benchmark rate influences numerous loans like home, auto, and credit card loans.

Southern Baptists dropped by nearly 300,000

Total membership in the Southern Baptist Convention fell over 280,000 or 2 percent to 14.5 million members from 2018 to 2019, the largest single-year drop in a century.

The Annual Church Profile by Lifeway Research found average weekly worship service attendance dropped by less than one percent, baptisms fell by over four percent, and total church receipts fell by over one percent.

However, some states and regions saw growth outside the traditional Bible Belt, mostly in the Midwest and Northwest as well as Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

Place of George Floyd’s death transformed into place of prayer, evangelism, & baptism

In God’s providence, the intersection where George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis has now became a place of prayer, evangelism, and baptisms!

Joel Bomberger, a preacher with the Circuit Riders, reports, “A team of our Circuit Riders went to Minneapolis to hold open-air preaching of Jesus and healing calls at the intersection where George Floyd was killed. There are too many testimonies to recount! They were able to preach to thousands and saw hundreds responding to the Gospel of Jesus!”

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

Only listeners in 7 states, 2 foreign countries have sent emails

In response to my invitation for you to share with me why you like The Worldview in 5 Minutes, I’ve only heard from and published emails from listeners in 7 states including Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington and the two foreign countries of Liberia, Africa and Northern Ireland.

If you didn’t hear your state or country in that list, take a moment and send me a short 4-6 sentence email.  Is there a specific story that stands out?  Do you like our practical calls to action like signing a petition or contacting a government representative to voice your opinion?  Do you like our calls to prayer for persecuted believers abroad? What do you think about our Special Reports, the use of newsmaker audio clips, and inspirational stories?  Do you listen at home, while you exercise, or during your commute?

Send me an email to Adam@TheWorldview.com. Make sure to include your full name, city and state.  And, if you’re under the age of 18, please include your age.

Still $2,301 short of the $30,000 goal by 12 midnight TONIGHT!

Toward our goal of raising $60,000 by June 31st to keep The Worldview in 5 Minutes on the air, we ‘re trying to raise $30,000 by 12 midnight TONIGHT.  Listeners have already pledged $27,219

Our thanks to our new donors including Sebastian in North Bergen, Oregon and Richard in Dry Ridge, Kentucky – each of whom gave $25.

And praise God for the generosity of Jeffrey in Hayden, Idaho who gave $130 and Datisha in Pitman, New Jersey who pledged $25/month for 12 months for a total gift of $300.

Those 4 donors gave $480.

Ready for the new grand total? Drum roll please. (drum roll sound effect) Our new total is $27,699. (crowd cheering effect)

We are now $2,301 away from hitting our second week’s goal of $30,000 by 12 midnight tonight!   I’m getting nervous about whether we’ll hit it.

I need to find 4 listeners to pledge $25/month for 12 months or give a one-time gift of $300.  And another 2 listeners to pledge $50/month for 12 months or give a one-time gift of $600.

Please go to TheWorldview.com, click on “Give” on the top right, and select the correct dollar amount. Don’t forget to click on the box to make it a recurring donation if that’s your wish.  Please do so by 12 midnight tonight.

What would God have you do?

Close

And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Friday, June 12th in the year of our Lord 2020. 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.