Faith Facts

• A Sudanese pastor was jailed after helping a young woman who turned to Christ.
• The woman’s family threatened the church and refuses to release the pastor.
• Church leaders urge international aid to protect converts facing danger in East Africa.

A Sudanese family expelled 18-year-old Amona Ibrahim Kaki from their home in a South Sudan refugee camp when she embraced Christianity. Pastor Joseph Shawish, who helped provide her refuge, was dragged to the camp police by a family member and remains in custody without charges.

Amona quietly turned to Christ after secretly reading the Bible and attending church; her decision led to threats and violence from her Muslim family. The local church faces increased hostility as the family blames them for her conversion and demands her return, but leaders refuse, citing concerns for her safety.

“I wouldn’t allow her to go back, because I know very well the reaction of the family,” said one church leader. “So, I want the girl to stay with me because she is very young, and it’s risky for her to return.”

Amona shared, “My mother took a stone and chased me away from the house, and my older brother told me that we will never stay together in one house, and that one of us must die. He said as long he is alive, he will never allow me to live in the house.”

Church leaders call on international organizations to help protect Christians who commit their lives to Christ in hostile environments. In a nation where Christians face persecution, believers must remain steadfast and uphold the values of faith, family, and freedom as guided by biblical truth.

Read the full story at Christian Daily

Faith Facts

• Nearly 45% of women studied faced moderate to severe psychological struggles decades after abortion.
• Persistent grief and emotional distress often matched that of mothers who endured miscarriage or stillbirth.
• Emotional harm was much greater for women whose abortions conflicted with personal values or were coerced.

Recent research reveals that many American women carry deep emotional scars for decades following an abortion. The studies highlight that nearly half of women report moderate to severe distress, challenging the notion that abortion’s effects are always brief or minor.

Persistent grief, sadness, and even symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress continue to impact millions, often disrupting daily life and relationships. The emotional effects were stronger among those whose decision went against their beliefs or was pressured by others.

“The fact that a quarter of postabortive women experienced serious long-term emotional distress suggests that, as a therapeutic strategy for resolving stress associated with undesired pregnancies, induced abortion was often unsuccessful.”

Women who felt forced to terminate a pregnancy showed similar levels of grief to those who suffered miscarriage, underscoring the importance of respecting conscience and faith in such decisions. Healthcare experts recommend compassionate care, better screening, and honest conversations about the lasting consequences of abortion.

Our faith calls us to cherish every life and uplift those carrying hidden pain. Let us advocate for loving options, emotional healing, and steadfast support rooted in Christian compassion and hope.

Read the full article here

Faith Facts

• The local church quietly provides personal and timely help where public services fall short.
• One in five using benefits in the UK have recently needed food banks, revealing a deep need for Christian action.
• Acts 435 partner churches are offering direct support to individuals and families in crisis, reflecting Christ’s love in tangible ways.

As needs rise and government systems struggle to keep pace, the Church stands ready as a source of hope, acting locally and personally for those in hardship.

Every winter highlights the limits of secular safety nets, but the faithful actions of believers continue bringing relief and dignity to those at their lowest point.

“It is a constant battle to keep the meter topped up, and this causes so much anxiety. Families are not able to cook…children will just have a cold sandwich for tea. The need for basic food and gas and electricity is at a crisis point within our community.”

Stories like Kay’s, who received urgent aid in her hour of greatest vulnerability, show how the faithful can answer Christ’s call to compassion, restoring both practical support and the hope that comes from God.

The Church’s true mission is not to replace public structures, but to model servant-hearted love—living as the hands and feet of Jesus in a world longing for mercy, especially when hardship peaks.

Let us continue to champion the values of faith, family, and freedom—serving boldly, so many more can witness God’s love in action.

Read the full article at Christian Today