Three workers for a Christian relief organization were abducted in Sudan Tuesday evening, the group reported.

The Samaritan’s Purse team of two Sudanese men and a 36-year-old American woman from California was stopped by a group of armed men 25 miles southwest of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state. Samaritan’s Purse is working with the U.S. and Sudanese government to secure the safe return of its workers.

“I have visited Darfur several times and it is one of the most difficult places in the world to work,” said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, in a statement. “I’m asking for the prayers from people around the world for a quick resolution and the safe return of our Samaritan’s Purse staff.” more >>

The officially atheist Chinese government on Monday requested religious groups and people of faith to help with the rebuilding efforts in a northwest province devastated by a massive earthquake.

In an open letter posted on its official website, China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs asked the religious community to donate towards reconstruction in the Tibetan area of Yushu in Qinghai Province, which was ravaged by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake on April 14.

According to the letter, the religious community has already donated more than 86.9 million yuan, $12.7 million, for the quake-hit area. The religious affairs department hopes religious leaders and individual believers can make further donations. more >>

More than 5,000 people attended an all-star Christian festival Saturday in Dallas that focused on combating summer hunger.

Grammy award-winning music artists TobyMac and Casting Crowns led the worship at the “End Summer Hunger” concert and family festival. Three-time Super Bowl winner Chad Henning, who formerly played for the Dallas Cowboys, delivered the keynote address. And Texas Rangers baseball star Josh Hamilton appeared to the crowd via a special video.

The one day festival sought to raise awareness about summer hunger – a phenomenon that affects millions of school children each summer when school lets out – and to challenge attendees to work together to tackle social problems. more >>

A three-time Super Bowl champion, a baseball star, and Grammy Award-winning artists are just some of the special guests that will take the stage Saturday for a Christian festival benefiting the hungry.

The “End Summer Hunger” festival and concert will take place in the Dallas-area with the goal of raising awareness about summer hunger – a phenomenon that affects millions of school children each year when summer vacation begins.

Among those set to speak and sing at the concert are former Dallas Cowboy’s Chad Henning, Texas Rangers’ Josh Hamilton, TobyMac, and Casting Crowns. Gospel for Asia’s president, K.P. Yohannan, is also expected to speak at the event. Henning will deliver the keynote address. more >>

Russia has threatened to freeze child adoptions to U.S. citizens, but so far there seems to be no changes, said a Christian ministry with an adoption program in Russia.

Buckner International’s Russia staff said they have not received any notice of changed policies regarding international adoptions.

“[There] has been no official announcement from the Ministry of Education regarding the suspension of adoptions,” said Andrei Pukhlov, director of Buckner International Russia’s adoption program, to Mission Network News. more >>

The apparel company behind popular clothing brands Calvin Klein, Van Heusen, and IZOD is lending a hand to the Salvation Army’s national clothing drive.

People who donate clean and gently used clothing, furniture, and household goods to Salvation Army stores from April 1 through May 31 will receive a $10 gift certificate at any Van Heusen, IZOD or Bass retail location.

The goal of the campaign is to replenish the clothing, furniture and household goods at Salvation Army Thrift and Family Stores, which have seen demands spike during the economic downturn. Money from the sales in these stores in turn directly support the Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers where more than 300,000 men and women receive treatment for drug and alcohol addictions each year. more >>