Some of us, like Churchill and Isaac, may have a defining period in our lives, which leaves everything else in the shade.

Syria, Central African Republic, Egypt, Iraq, and Vietnam are also among the “countries of particular concern.” For the first time, Western Europe is in the list as a place that “deserve monitoring.”

The World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General participated in the Italian Evangelical Alliance assembly (Rome, 8-9 April). In this interview with Evangelical Focus, Bp Tendero talks about the need to listen to local churches and to face challenges like the refugee crisis and climate change. 

Imagine you are a former member of a guerrilla. Imagine you met Jesus and you became a pastor. 

The regime claims Billy Graham told a North Korean newspaper Kim Il Sung was “God” who “rules the human world.” Voice of the Martyrs says the controversy is an example of why religious figures should not travel to the isolated country.

President Xi Jinping threatens non-official churches with more controls and says Communist party members must remain “staunchly atheist.” State media spread the conclusions of governmental conference on religion.

Robert Strong (OM Netherlands) on the experience of opening the church building to offer tea and a safe place changes the perspective of Christians and creates opportunities to speak about God.

Free Church of Scotland Moderator David Robertson analyses low numbers of church attendants. “There are great opportunities for the gospel, many people think they have rejected Christianity but they haven't a clue what it is.”

The Italian Evangelical Alliance welcomes the move of Senator Lucio Malan. He asks to reduce the number of parishioners needed for a church to have state-recognised church ministers.

The videos, released on April 14, also feature Chilean miner Jose Henriquez and author Alister McGrath, among other well-known Christians.

Efraim Tendero (World Evangelical Alliance) and Jaume Llenas (Spanish Evangelical Alliance) agree in their disapproval of ecumenism and emphasise mission: “If we stop sharing the gospel, we stop being evangelical Christians”. A second report from the 2016 Italian Evangelical Alliance assembly.

“We support tackling extremism, but not in this sweeping, overly broad manner", EAUK, CARE, Christian Concern, Lawyer's Christian Fellowship and The Christian Institute say in a joint statement. Government's strategy against terrorism risks freedom of speech.

What can members of local churches do to welcome asylum seekers living in their region? Robert Strong (Netherlands) suggests some easy steps we can follow.  

Five evangelical families declined to pay the quota for the Roman Catholic patron saint celebration, and the local authorities cut off their water supply. Several organisations confirm rising trend of persecution in rural Mexico.

Jesus was able to command others to follow him, yet his approach to leading these followers was to build close relationships where he taught in small groups, challenged, mentored, and answered their questions. 

The archbishop of Canterbury confirms that his father is Churchill's last private secretary. “It was surprise, but in my life and in our marriage Caroline and I have had far worse”, he says.

“There is no dichotomy between doctrinal content and relationship”, pastor Mark Stirling says.

Believers of churches in Córdoba (Spain) gathered after the Sunday worship services to pray and demand action “against terrorism, and in favour of Christian minorities”. Media should inform fairly about persecution.

Survey finds only 20% identify with Church of Scotland. 15% are Catholics, and 11% other Christians.

An evangelical association in Barcelona will send 4 trucks to Idomeni and other refugee camps in Greece. Many media reported about the project.

The Evangelical Council in the region of Asturias expresses clear condemnation and “solidarity with those who suffer any type of spiritual abuse.” Prosecutor asks for 22 years of jail for the man.

Assemblies of God pastor: “There is no security, our non-Christian neighbours insult us almost daily, and we are scared.” 

An evangelical emphasis on nurturing societies that encourage openness, tolerance, and diversity of religious expression should be seen as a benefit to all citizens and beneficial to mission and ministry globally.

God is at work in a powerful way that in the last 40 years it is estimated that over 100 million people have become disciples of Jesus Christ in China.

Taliban faction Jamaat ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility for the attacks. "The target were Christians", they said. Al least 72 have died, 29 children.