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World Watch: Updates on the Global Church

By CWNews

CWNews.com – Christian World News brings you updates on the church around the globe in our World Watch segment.

Tormented Christians Flee Iraq

In a mountain village near the Turkish border, the Assyrian Christian community has increased from 200 families to 2,000, in the past year.

One official said, “I don't know how we can adapt to all the families here.”

Others have fled to neighboring Jordan and Syria. The U.S. commission on international religious freedom says Iraq’s Christians are the target of vicious attacks, including church bombings, murder, rape, kidnapping, and forced conversion.

This week, the commission called on the U.S. state department to make it easier for Iraqi Christians to emigrate to the U.S.

For some, it's their only hope for survival.

Meanwhile, several U.S. Christian ministries are calling on believers worldwide to pray daily for Iraq.

The 40-day prayer focus begins March 25th.

Nigerian Kids Forced to Convert to Islam

Moving to Africa, where Muslims in northern Nigeria are reportedly kidnapping the children of Christians, particularly in the town of Sokoto.

Compass News Direct reports that the Muslims are forcing the kids to convert to Islam.

This is the case for 13-year-old Victor Udo Usen, who was snatched by Muslims back in November.

Rev. Reuben Yaro -- an evangelical leader in the Sokoto district -- says the practice is happening more often.

He says one family in his church had their children taken away because the mother converted from Islam.

Mozambique: Christian Orphanage Bombed

A Christian ministry to poor and orphaned children in Maputo, Mozambique, was damaged when several bombs exploded in the city.

An accident at the country's national weapons depot set off a chain reaction, killing scores of people and shaking buildings in the city's center.

Three blasts rocked a ministry center run by missionaries Heidi and Roland Baker.

A spokesman said one of the blasts damaged their church, shattering its windows.

Although many children were inside worshipping, no one was hurt.

Germany: 5 Homeschoolers Taken into Custody

A German court has taken custody of five home schooled children in Zittau.

The children could be taken from their parents if they're not put in public school.

This is a separate incident from the Busekros case in Germany that we told you about last week.

In that case, a 15-year-old homeschool girl was taken from her parents and placed in a mental hospital and then into foster care.

Homeschooling is illegal in Germany and homeschooling families have been jailed and fined.

And some have fled the country.

Episcopals Oppose Anglican Ultimatum

Episcopal bishops meeting in Navasota, Texas have rejected an ultimatum from global Anglican leaders.

The rejection could force the Anglican Church to expel the Episcopal branch from its worldwide family.

Conservative Episcopalians have opposed their denomination's liberal theology and its support for homosexuality.

So the Anglican Church had ordered the U.S. branch to provide an alternate leader for those conservatives.

But Episcopal bishops refused to obey the Anglican Communion’s mandate.

Anglican leader Rowan Williams called the decision 'discouraging.'

Beijing Hotels to Provide Bibles in Rooms

Visitors at the 2008 Beijing Olympics might find an unusual surprise: Bibles in their hotel rooms.

A Chinese government advisor said that Beijing hotels should provide Bibles to foreign visitors.

He told the China Daily that most people have religious beliefs and they should be catered to.

So Chinese officials are encouraging local Christians, and the country's only Bible printing house, to help meet the demand.

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