The family of imprisoned U.S. pastor Saeed Abedini was able to visit him in Evin Prison in Iran, revealing that he was in "good spirits" and that the most severe medical symptoms he had been suffering from have waned.

At the same time, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which represents Abedini's wife and two children in the U.S., offered The Christian Post a perspective on Iranian president-elect Hassan Rouhani, explaining that his election victory last week is unlikely to change much for the U.S. pastor and other persecuted Christians in the Islamic country.

"President-elect Hassan Rohani brings to the Iranian presidency historical ties with the religious authorities in Iran," Tiffany N. Barrans, ACLJ's International Legal Director, shared with CP via email on Wednesday. more >>

The former pastor of Second Baptist Church in Union City, Tenn., and a woman he is accused of having an affair with have been charged with plotting to poison his wife during her mission trip to Honduras. The Christian minister, who served the congregation for 15 years before quitting in February, was supported by his wife as he answered to the charges in court.

The family of Edward Paul "Eddie" Mallonee, 54, appeared with him in court where he and Shelley Shannon Moran both pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit first degree murder and attempt to commit first degree murder, with the target said to be Cathy Mallonee.

Mr. Mallonee's father-in-law and other relatives were also in attendance with him at court. Church members also expressed support for their former pastor, with one news source reporting the presence of flyers outside the Obion County Courthouse during his appearance last week reading "the blood of Jesus forgives sins." more >>

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association recently launched "Lose to Gain," its second half-hour video program installment of the My Hope America with Billy Graham campaign series. With less than five months remaining in the campaign, nearly 14,000 churches have registered in the project that culminates in an evangelistic video featuring portions of Billy Graham's preaching, intertwined with true stories of people who decided to follow Christ.

The latest installment available for online viewing at billygraham.tv features pro-skateboarder Brian Sumner, comedian Michael Jr., and young professional Shannon Culpepper telling their story.

"Each wanted something different – success; laughs; love. Each was living a life that met their dreams, but then it all fell apart," stated BGEA . more >>

Various pastors in Arizona living near an airport that some believe has a miraculous image of Jesus Christ on its tile floor have expressed skepticism over the claim.

Recently, individuals at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport have claimed that a smudge on the floors of terminal three bears a miraculous resemblance to Jesus.

However, Chuck Foreman, pastor of teaching and missions at First Christian Church of Phoenix, told The Christian Post that "it looks more like a grease smudge to me." more >>

Wilfredo "Choco" De Jesus, pastor of New Life Covenant Church in Chicago, shared Tuesday that he believes the massive growth his Illinois megachurch has experienced during his 13 years of leadership is due to an active and bold outreach to society's outcasts.

De Jesus, whose New Life Covenant Church is the largest Assemblies of God congregation in the U.S., is home to 18,000 global members (4,000 locally) due to its more than 135 outreach ministries that stretch all over the world.

The Chicago pastor, who appeared on "The 700 Club" on Tuesday, attributed the boost in New Life's congregation size, which numbered less than 70 when he and his wife took over leadership in 2000, to its decision to reach out to those in need and those "that nobody wants," such as the homeless, gang bangers, drug addicts. more >>

Mbano Police recently rescued a Pentecostal Pastor and his wife from a possible lynching from town youth after they suspected his involvement in the kidnapping of a one-month-old baby in Nigeria this week.

Angry Amauzari youths had arranged to punish the man known as Pastor Obinna for his crime against the child. Obinna along with two other men who are still at large allegedly stormed a family residence in Okwuosu Amauzari around 1:30 a.m. and kidnapped an infant at gun point.

An anonymous villager commented on the incident to Vanguard, stating that the mother's loud cry attracted residents of the vigilante group who would later plot to kill the pastor. more >>