CHRISTIAN PUNJABI BOOK RELEASED
Amritsar: A Punjabi book - Rooh di Khurak (Food for the spirit) - first- of- its kind spiritual resource in Punjabi was released in Amritsar during a gospel convention held on 30 and 31 May organised by Bethlehem Punjabi World Outreach.  READ MORE

APOSTOLIC CHURCHES ALLIANCE (ACA)
With a desire to promote unity, build relationships, and see increased cooperation amongst Churches, a few pastors from growing independent churches in Kerala have come together and formed a body called the “Apostolic Churches Alliance” (ACA). Based upon voluntary relationship and partnership, this Alliance has been designed to bring support and strength to leaders of similar vision and like-passion, who have a desire to see the five-fold ministry fully operating in the Church so that believers everywhere are equipped for God's service and the Body of Christ is built up. READ MORE

CHRISTIAN COUNCIL WELCOMES BINAYAK SEN'S BAIL
The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) welcomed the release of award winning renowned doctor and human rights activist Dr Binayak Sen who was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Monday. Dr Sen, who was awarded the 2008 Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights, was confined in Chhattisgarh jail for two years over his alleged links with a banned group. His detention has been declared in breach of international law by Amnesty International. READ MORE

ORISSA VICTIMS TO RETURN FROM KERALA
Dozens of Christians who were sheltered in Kerala during the Kandhamal violence will revert to their villages in Orissa. Tentative plans are underway by the Kerala Government to send back at least 56 Christians who were offered refuge during last year's Orissa carnage. READ MORE

VATICAN APPOINTS NEW BISHOP IN KOCHI
Bishop Dr Joseph Kariyil is the new Bishop of Kochi, replacing the former Bishop John Thatunkkal, who was suspended for adopting a 29 year old woman as his daughter. The Vatican on Monday made the announcement after Pope Benedict XVI appointed three new Indian bishops. READ MORE

FIVE CHRISTIANS ARRESTED ON CONVERSION CHARGES
Allegations of "forced conversion", last week, led to the arrest of five Christians in Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh. The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) reported that Hindu extremists on May 7 barged into a prayer meeting attended by members of Jeevan Lal Church and Campus Crusade for Ministry and injured some of the attendees. READ MORE

CHURCH GROUPS MOBILIZE AFTER CYCLONE LEAVES HUNDREDS DEAD
Church people are mobilizing relief supplies after a powerful cyclone ripped through India and Bangladesh leaving hundreds dead and millions marooned. Cyclone Aila on Monday hit the Indian state of West Bengal and the coast of Bangladesh leaving 200 dead and 2.6 million people stranded, officials said. READ MORE

AICC AND NESC CONDEMN EX-DEAN'S MURDER
Imphal, May 26, 2009: All India Christian Council and North East Support Centre & Helpline have condemned the gruesome Killing of Former Dean of Manipur University on Monday, 25 May 2009, in the University campus. Md. Islamuddin was killed by three unidentified persons on Monday around 12.30 noon. READ MORE

COMMUNAL OUFIT WORRIES ORISSA CHURCH LEADERS
Church leaders in Orissa have expressed apprehensions over a growing outfit, which they say could be a potential threat to the communal harmony and peace in the State.In a letter to the chief minister of Orissa, Naveen Patnaik, Catholic and Protestant leaders said "a certain Laxmi Baba staying in Mahindragiri in Ganjam district is organizing an outfit on communal lines and has already trained 300 youth as per information available." READ MORE

NO CRPF FORCES IN KANDHAMAL FROM NEXT MONTH
From next month, there would be no CRPF forces to guard the Christians in relief camps in the communally sensitive Kandhamal. According to reports, the Centre has decided to withdraw all paramilitary forces by the end of this month. READ MORE

GFA TAKES UP RELIEF WORK IN SRI LANKA
Colombo, May 19: Sri Lanka's civil war between the government and the Tamil Tigers rebel group is now over, and it is time to minister to the survivors, says Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan. "While the 30 year long conflict has come to an end by the news of the Tamil Tigers' surrender, in reality this is the beginning of pain and crisis for hundreds of thousands of people who are displaced," Dr. Yohannan said. "There are 25,000 now in refugee camps, and the suffering is especially acute among the children and elderly. READ MORE

This page is updated on June 8, 2009