AP

COMMUNITY TURNS TO GOD AFTER SCHOOL SHOOTING

Fourteen-year-old Colt Gray will be charged with murder and tried as an adult after police say he killed four people and wounded nearly 30 others at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia Wednesday. Authorities identified the fatalities as two 14-year-old students, and two teachers. Terrified parents rushed to the school, many already communicating with their children. One mother texted her daughter the Lord’s Prayer. Others spoke by phone. Investigators are trying to determine how the shooter obtained the AR-style rifle used in the killings, which the suspect surrendered when an armed school resource officer confronted him.

      The evening of the day of the shooting, saw a number of prayer meetings taking place at various churches and other locations in the community.  Winder First Baptist Church Pastor Chad Mantooth told CBN News: “Life, the Bible says, is like a vapour, and we do not know how long we have, and we do not know when that life will come to an end in this physical body. But we do know that if we’ve trusted in Christ, and we have salvation that is granted to us by grace through faith in Him, then our hope is secure.” [Source: CBN news]

MISSION INDIA RESPONDS TO DEVASTATING MONSOON SEASON WITH RELIEF KITS

India (MNN) — Heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, and landslides continue to wreak havoc across parts of India. “India’s rainy season happens every year, but this year, the damage has been so much worse. It’s been going on for a couple of months now,” says Regan Miller of Mission India. In some areas, the flooding is the worst it’s been in decades. One state experienced its most severe floods since 1983, triggering over 2,000 landslides and causing catastrophic damage.

     The floods have severely impacted Mission India’s programs. Many families have lost everything—homes, crops, and personal belongings. In response, Mission India is providing disaster relief kits, offering immediate help to those in need. “The hope is that people who receive the relief kits would ask why, and that would open the door to share the Good News.” Most importantly, pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to soften hearts in India so people will be receptive to the Gospel message.

US SECURES RELEASE OF 13 MISIONARIES IN NICARAGUA

The United States government says it has secured the release of a group of 13  pastors, who had gone to Nicaragua to conduct evangelism meetings with the US-based Mountain Gateway ministry. They were part of a group of 135 prisoners released, most of whom were political prisoners. The Christian ministers had been given sentences ranging between 12 and 15 years and more than $80 million in fines per person, after a trial the Alliance Defending Freedom called a “sham.” All the freed captives have been released to neighboring Guatemala where they non-citizens are being processed to enter the US.  Other political prisoners are still being held captive by the regime in Nicaragua. [Source: CBN News]

POOR CHRISTIAN BROTHERS CHARGED WITH BLASPHEMY IN PAKISTAN

Two Christian brothers in Pakistan were arrested and charged with blasphemy after they were accused of desecrating pages of the Quran, sources said. Tabish Shahid and Kalu Shahid were arrested on Tuesday (Aug. 27) on the complaint of a Muslim, after the illiterate brothers were alleged to have torn pages of the Quran. Desecrating the Quran carries a life sentence in Muslim-majority Pakistan, but intent must be proven for a conviction.

      Mustafa alleged that on Monday night (Aug. 26) the brothers had desecrated quranic pages at a local village fair. “The boys were making TikTok videos by throwing fake currency notes and bits of paper during the annual Urs [anniversary] at the shrine of Baba Ronaq Shah when some locals noticed quranic verses on the torn paper,” Mustafa stated in the First Information Report (FIR) registered under Section 295-B of Pakistan’s widely condemned blasphemy statutes.

      Sajid Christopher of the Human Friends Organization said the brothers were illiterate and belonged to a poor family. “Tabish and Kalu had gone to the shrine to watch the Urs celebrations and make TikTok videos,” Christopher told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “When they saw other people throwing money into the air in jubilation, the boys thought of having some fun. “Due to their illiteracy and ignorance, the two did not realize that they had inadvertently torn pages of a quranic booklet placed nearby.” Christopher said many accused Christians lack basic education. “While it’s true that a majority of blasphemy allegations arise from personal disputes and rivalries, there are instances where Christians have found themselves in trouble due to their illiteracy,” Christopher said. [Source: My Christian Daily]

CHILDREN IN LEBANON FIND RELIEF AT SUMMER CAMP AMID THREATS OF WAR

Lebanon (MNN) — This year, Triumphant Mercy Lebanon summer camps gave kids a brief safe space where they could have fun and learn about the God who they can trust. Kids were able to laugh with friends, play games, watch Bible story skits and more. After seeing the story of David and Goliath, one girl said, “I know that if God is with me, nothing can conquer me.” 

      Many of the children TM Lebanon serves are refugees whose families are struggling. Even inside Lebanon, [refugee families] have been moving from place to place. So now that there’s another war in the horizon, they don’t know where to go. Should they move? Should they stay? PRAY: that the ministers of the gospel would be refreshed, that they will not give in to the news. The news [is] just spreading fear and anxiety and gloom, which stresses not only parents, but the children also. Pray that more and more will put their trust in Jesus.

 – compiled by Guido Kettniss