Samuel Smith and World Watch Monitor
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Evangelical leaders call for release of some detained immigrants to stop spread of COVID-19
Influential evangelicals are calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to utilize “alternatives to detention” and release some detained undocumented immigrants as they await their hearings so long as they don’t pose a threat to public safety.

$250K donated to help churches impacted by COVID-19; over 50 churches chosen for grants
A new initiative championed by retired NFL tight end Benjamin Watson and the AND Campaign to help churches in danger of closing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has raised over $250,000 in its first week of fundraising.

New alliance unites seminaries, Christian colleges and schools amid ongoing struggles
Dozens of Christian colleges, high schools, seminaries and Bible colleges have banded together to form an alliance uniting all sectors of Christian education to address the mutual challenges they face in an increasingly secular culture.

New wave of locusts threatens millions in Africa, Middle East with food insecurity
The historic spread of desert locusts that has left tens of millions in danger of food insecurity in East Africa is expected to get 20 times worse as the United Nations predicts a dramatic increase in swarms throughout Africa and the Middle East in the coming months.

Mich. gov. clarifies school closing order after complaints from homeschool groups
Michigan Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has clarified that an executive order issued earlier this month suspending all in-person schooling for the remainder of the school year does not ban homeschooling.

Missionary abducted in Niger shown alive in video released by jihadists
A Catholic missionary priest who was abducted in Niger in 2018 is still alive, according to a proof-of-life video released last week that was purportedly filmed in late March.

Judge allows church to hold drive-in Easter service after mayor 'criminalized' communal celebration
A federal judge on Saturday issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the city of Louisville, Kentucky, from barring drive-in Easter worship services in order to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Judge denies Christian college 'ministerial exception' to ex professor’s discrimination lawsuit
A judge has barred Gordon College from using a “ministerial exception” defense in a lawsuit brought by a former professor who claims she was denied a promotion over her opposition to the evangelical institution's policies on sexuality.

Strong majority of pastors see current events as 'birth pains' of Christ's return: survey
Most pastors serving at evangelical and historically black churches see some current events lining up with what Jesus said would happen shortly before His second coming, according to a new poll on Christian eschatology from LifeWay Research. Over half believe Christ will return during their lifetimes.

Calif. pastor resigns from city council before hosting communion attended by hundreds
A California pastor resigned from his role on a local city council one day before he tested statewide social distancing orders by holding an in-person communion attended by hundreds.



















