It’s Wednesday, March 29th, A.D. 2023. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)

By Jonathan Clark

Ugandan Muslim relatives kill pastor over his evangelism

Morning Star News reports that Muslim relatives of a pastor in eastern Uganda killed him on March 10th for his Christian faith.

Pastor Adinani Bulwa had been preaching to family members, some of whom converted to Christianity. But his brother resisted and warned him to stop sharing the Gospel. 

Bulwa’s wife, Zabiina, said, “Two weeks later my husband was invited to attend a family meeting, where he was pressured to recant the Christian faith, but he said he was ready to die for Christ’s sake.”

After the meeting, relatives forced Bulwa out of his home before killing him. He leaves behind five children.

Zabiina and the children had to flee their home. She said, “We need prayers so that God may guide us on what to do next.”

British preacher vindicated

Christian Concern reports that a British judge overturned the conviction of a Christian street preacher earlier this month.

Police arrested Dave McConnell in England back in 2021 for allegedly “misgendering” a member of the public. Before that, the preacher had been assaulted, abused, and had his belongings stolen while preaching. Dave was also reported as a potential “terrorist.”

The street preacher successfully appealed his conviction this month. Dave welcomed the legal victory, saying, “Jesus told Christians to expect persecution. … I am determined to continue my ministry. … Jesus changed my life as a young man, and I am passionate about engaging people with the hope that made such a difference to me.”

In 2 Timothy 3:12-14, Paul wrote, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it.”

Bank of England raised interest rates

Last Thursday, the Bank of England raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 4.25%. The central bank is trying to reduce inflation. In February, the U.K.’s inflation unexpectedly surged to an annual 10.4%

Meanwhile, in the U.S., the Federal Reserve raised interest rates last week to nearly 5%. It’s the ninth time in a row the Fed has raised rates in an attempt to stifle inflation. U.S. annual inflation was 6% in February, down from nearly 10% last June, but still above the Fed’s target of 2%.

U.S. bank customers withdrew $100 billion

After several recent bank failures in the U.S., Federal Reserve data found customers pulled nearly $100 billion from their bank accounts for the week ending March 15.

Small banks were hit the hardest by the pullouts. Outflows from smaller banks reached $120 billion while large banks received deposit increases of $67 billion.

Pro-abortion woman arrested for vandalism

New York police arrested a woman last week on charges of vandalizing a pro-life pregnancy center near Buffalo on March 16.

CompassCare runs the pregnancy center as well as several other locations across the state.

The recent attack follows an attack last year on the same location. Pro-abortion activists firebombed the center, causing about half a million dollars in damage. Police have not arrested anyone in connection with the first attack.

Pastor Jim Harden with CompassCare said, “We’ve been saying all along that the FBI possesses this kind of forensic power, but has chosen not to employ it on behalf of pro-life people when victimized by pro-abortion Maoist  Antifa.”

Poll: Traditional values like patriotism and religion have plunged

And finally, a new poll from the Wall Street Journal found that only 39% of Americans say faith is a top priority. That’s down from 62% in 1998.

Older people were more likely than younger people to say religious beliefs were important. Other values that have fallen in importance for Americans include patriotism, community involvement, and raising children.

However, the study did identify one value that has grown in importance over the last 25 years—the love of money, reports the New York Post. The significance of money has risen from 31% to 43%.  

In Mark 4:19, Jesus warned of seeds sown among thorns. He said, “But the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the Word, and it proves unfruitful.

Close

And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, March 29th in the year of our Lord 2023. 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.