By Charles Boyd|Christian Today Reporter

LONDON – A Church of Scotland minister has planned a “Chocolate Sunday” this weekend to encourage his flock to think about sacrificing something greater than the usual chocolate during Lent.

While the Rev. Albert Bogle of Bo’ness St Andrew’s suspects that a chocolate fountain and chocolate sweets for parishioners may entice some non-churchgoers, he insists he is holding Chocolate Sunday to remind his congregation about the true meaning of Lent. (more…)

By Maria Mackay|Christian Today Reporter

LONDON – The Kingdom of God is not about me but about transforming the world and everything in it, says Brian McLaren.
Speaking on day two of the Faithworks conference on Saturday, the popular emerging church leader asserted that Christians tend to put themselves and their entry to Heaven at the center of their faith, while neglecting to consider the significance of their faith for the world around them. (more…)

Just reading that in the type in front of you probably has some of you angry. Let me help you see why that is, and, in so doing, why caring for those with AIDS is part of the gospel mandate given to us in the Great Commission.

The statement that Jesus has AIDS startles some of you because you know it not to be true. Jesus, after all, is the exalted son of the living God. He has defeated death in the garden tomb, and defeated it finally. Jesus isn’t weak or dying or infected; he’s triumphant and resurrected.

Yes.

Yes, but, what we’re often likely to miss is that Jesus has identified himself with the suffering of this world, an identification that continues on through his church. (more…)

By Joshua A. Goldberg
Scripture outreach ministry Biblica marked its 200th anniversary Friday, celebrating two decades of connecting people to the life-transforming message of the Bible.

To date, the group, formerly known as the International Bible Society, has distributed more than 650 million Scriptures to people around the world.

Biblica has also been active in Bible translation, and is currently working on translations in 27 languages.

“We are deeply grateful that God has guided us through two centuries of Bible outreach in order to proclaim His message of salvation to the world,” commented Biblica U.S. President Doug Lockhart. (more…)

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association wrapped up “Festival de Esperanza” (Festival of Hope) in Colombia’s capital city Saturday, recording over 11,700 decisions for Christ.

47 Years After Billy, Graham Association Returns to Colombia
Of the more than 11,700 decisions, over 7,200 were made by children who joined Saturday for what turned out to be the largest kid’s event in the history of Franklin Graham Festivals. In total, more than 80,000 children were present. (more…)

Churches are invited to involve their congregants in online mission work through a recently launched Web site that brings spiritual seekers to them.

An Indian pastor was stopped from praying and warned that he will be attacked if he prays again for the sick in South Indian state of Karnataka; he is also accused of forcefully converting the people.
According to Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) report on Monday, Rev. John Quadros was invited by Suraj, 23, a believer to pray for his ailing father at their home in Padmanabhanagar, Karwar District, Northern Karnataka he was attacked and warned not to pray. (more…)

Maher El Gohary is something his Muslim compatriots can’t fathom: a convert to Christianity. He and his daughter live like fugitives, moving frequently to avoid those who’d like to see him dead.
Sectarian strife

Christians and Muslims clashed in 2005 at St. George’s Church in Alexandria, Egypt, where Muslims demanded an apology for a play they said was offensive to Islam. (Alexandria Tomas / EPA / October 22, 2005) (more…)