AP

SUDAN’S CIVIL WAR HAS CREATED SEVERE HUMANITARIAN CRISES.

The plight of Sudan Sudan’s civil war has created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Thousands have died in the conflict, and famine and disease have followed. International experts reported 28,000 cases of cholera and 836 deaths in one recent 4-month period. Pray for an end to the conflict, that the people of Sudan will get the assistance they need and that the Lord will sustain our brothers and sisters in this time of hardship. Christian aid agencies are providing vital food and practical aid, especially to the hundreds of Christian families displaced by the conflict. Thousands of civilians have taken refuge on the border between Sudan and South Sudan, a country that nominally is majority-Christian. [Source: Barnabas Aid]

COMMON SENSE PREVAILS – US BILL PROTECTING WOMEN SPORTS PASSED
Transgenderism has made its inroads into the sporting world, since the International Olympic Committee first allowed transgender athletes to participate in the Olympic Games in 2004. Anyone who opposed biological men claiming to be women participating in women’s sports, was classed as a ‘hater’, a biassed discriminator of trans-sexual people.
For Christians this was a Biblical issue, for the Bible does have a lot to say concerning men and women. From creation, we can see that God intentionally created men and women different: “male and female He created them” (Gen. 1:27). The biblical teachings on men and women show more than just a slight change in hormones. They show a significant difference between genders that reaches back to creation.  
The folly and unfairness of allowing biological males to compete against girls and women came to a head recently, when a 22-year-old swimmer – Lia Thomas – at the University of Pennsylvania – shattered records, winning in the Women’s 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle. None of this is surprising since Lia is a biologically male collegiate swimmer competing against females. Parents who had daughters with a promising sporting career were frustrated by this absurdity, women athletes and teams refused to compete against teams with biological men claiming to be women, and dreams shattered.
However common sense scored a major victory in the US Congress on January 14, 2025. The House of Representatives passed a bill protecting women’s sports from biological males. All this confusion, heartache, disappointments and unfairness, could have been avoided had God’s word and plan for men and women been followed. [Sources: Media outlets, The Gospel Coalition and the Patriot Journal.]

CHRISTIANS IN MYANMAR’S ONGOING CONFLICT
There is still no end in sight to the civil war in Myanmar that began after the 2021 coup. Civilians and targeted ethnic groups, especially those known as Christian (about 6% of the population), have paid the price. More than 5,300 people have been killed and over 3 million displaced, among them tens of thousands of Christians. But hope remains and the church moves forward. Despite the brutality of the Buddhist nationalist military government, especially in the hill tribe regions, resilient local Christians, including large numbers of young people, hand out physical resources to villagers attacked by government forces. When one groups of Christians, who were engaged in Bible translation, found an abandoned ambulance, they put mattresses in it for soundproofing and are using it as a ‘studio’ to make recordings. The Christians of Myanmar never give up, but keep praying and working. {Source Mission Network News /Barnabas Aid]

THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL IN THE FAEROE ISLANDS
The Faeroe Islands is an archipelago of 18 rugged islands between Iceland and Scotland. It is a self-governing region of Denmark and, in contrast to Denmark itself, it has a lively church scene. About 30% of the people are evangelical in belief and practice. Though having a population of only 50,000, the islands have sent more than 100 missionaries to more than 20 countries. Pray that the Spirit of God will continue to impact the church and that believers will be wise in dealing with secular attitudes that increasingly challenge the Bible and Christian belief. [Source: Operation World]

THE SUFFERING OF CHRISTIANS IN NORTH KOREA
Persecution watchdog, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), is sounding the alarm about the grim and dire conditions for Christians inside North Korea. The hermit nation has long been one of the most diabolical Christian persecutors, but a new report underscores the true gravity of the deteriorating conditions inside the nation. A statement from CSW reads. “The situation of human rights in the country remains unchanged at best and may even have deteriorated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increased prioritization of weapons testing and development, and the continued forced repatriation of North Korean refugees from neighbouring China.” David Simpson, an East Asian advocate for CSW states: “Christian groups are executed, exiled, and sent to jail for the possession of a Bible, for holding church services. The Communist Government sees them as being  traitors.”
Simpson said Christianity, in particular, is targeted for a variety of reasons. One issue centres on the help North Korean refugees who are able to escape receive from Christian missionaries in China and South Korea, two bordering nations. The first people in the outside world that North Koreans have contact with, are Christians. So, Christians are the ones who are telling them, ‘You’ve been sold a lie and you’re living in a hermit, isolated kingdom, and this is what the real world’s like.’” This obviously isn’t seen as a positive by North Korean government officials looking to continue their horrific rule.
Beyond that, Simpson said South Korea and the US have very large Christian populations. With both nations standing as enemies of North Korea, this plays a role in views on the faith. Third, the underground Christian church in North Korea has reportedly been growing and is seen as “completely undermining the authority and rule” of the government. Christianity is also seen as undermining North Korean leaders’ status as deities where citizens are essentially forced into worship of these governmental figures.
Simpson said this isn’t resonating anymore among some younger North Koreans. “They follow along in order to survive.” Simpson and CSW are hoping the new report sheds further light on the chaos inside North Korea, helping educate the world about the troubling situation within its borders. “There’s a complete dehumanization of the people, and we cannot look away from their suffering,” he said. [Source: Faithwire]

PARENT PRESSURE – DISNEY CUTS TRANSGENDER STORYLINE FROM SHOW
Christians can be encouraged that speaking out against anti-Biblical values being pushed on society, does bring results. After immersing itself in the culture wars, it seems Disney might now be doing a bit of an about-face. The children’s entertainment giant has cut a transgender storyline from “Win or Lose,” a Pixar animated series slated to premiere in February. according to The Hollywood Reporter (THR). A spokesperson for Disney, which owns Pixar, confirmed the news to THR — and appealed to parental rights as the reason for the surprising decision.
Alleigh Marre, executive director of American Parents Coalition, said in a statement to CBN News that this is a step in the right direction. “Many organizations are realizing that pushing gender ideology on kids is not only irresponsible, but it comes at the expense of parental support and the company involved loses business,” she said. “While there is still much work to be done in promoting appropriate streaming and media options for kids, parents should take heart that their voices are being heard.” Marre continued, “Parents should always be in the driver’s seat for how and when personal and sensitive topics are introduced and discussed.” Various decision on cutting LGBT content, could be evidence Disney is taking a different route and more cautiously respecting parental rights on such contentious issues. [Source: Faithwire]

CHRISTIANS SUFFER BECAUSE OF COLOMBIAN VIOLENCE
Buenaventura, an important port in Columbia, is ranked among the world’s most violent cities. With 39 criminal gangs fighting for control, its citizens live in such fear of extortion and violence that many fear to move about freely. Churches and Christian groups feel intimidated and besieged by the armed groups that target anyone who opposes their illegal activities. Many believers, including church leaders, have left the region, which has weakened congregations and increased the workload on those who remain. One pastor’s cry for help was, “This is not a matter of money, but of spiritual and emotional support.” [Source: Open Doors]

– compiled by Guido Kettniss