Aug. 6, 2019: Response to shootings, church in Turkey, boy recovering
Aug. 6, 2019
Here are the latest headlines, brought to you by The Christian Post.
— Responses to two shootings in US
Twenty-nine people were killed in two separate mass shootings over the weekend.
In remarks given Monday, President Donald Trump called on the nation to condemn “racism, bigotry and white supremacy” and said “hate has no place in America.”
Police in El Paso, Texas, where 20 people were killed, say the suspect posted a manifesto online that included anti-immigrant rhetoric.
In Dayton, Ohio, where nine people were killed, police have yet to identify a motive for the shooting.
San Antonio pastor Max Lucado urged the country to turn to Jesus rather than respond with anger and fear.
— Foundation stone laid for Turkey’s first new church
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan oversaw a ceremonial laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the first new church building in Turkey in nearly a century.
On Saturday, Erdogan said Turkey belongs to everyone and that it was the “Turkish republic’s duty to meet the need for space to worship for the Syriac community.”
The church is expected to be completed within the next two years.
— Boy thrown from Mall of America balcony leaves ICU
The parents of a 5-year-old boy who was thrown from a third-floor balcony at Mall of America are praising God after announcing their son has left intensive care and remains “strong” and “vibrant” despite the life-threatening fall.
Landen Hoffman continues to recover from the extensive injuries he incurred when a 24-year-old man threw him nearly 40 feet from a third-floor balcony in April.
Noah Hanneman, who set up a GoFundMe page for the Hoffman family, said the “Lord is good” and are thankful for the improvements he has made.
The boy still has a long recovery process ahead with two broken arms, a broken leg and fractures to his face and skull.
— Joshua Harris marches in LGBT pride parade
Joshua Harris, a former evangelical pastor and author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye, participated in an LGBT pride parade in Vancouver, a week after he announced that he is no longer a Christian.
He posted photos of himself on social media alongside LGBT advocates, including Matthias Roberts, host of Queerology: A Podcast on Belief and Being, and gay rock singer Trey Pearson.
Harris had apologized to the LGBT community in his announcement a week ago, saying he is sorry for the views he taught regarding sexuality and that he regrets standing against same-sex marriage.
— ‘The Red Sea Diving Resort’ to give hope to those being persecuted
A new film on Netflix titled “The Red Sea Diving Resort” tells the true story of international agents who saved Jewish Ethiopians from genocide in Sudan and smuggled them to Israel.
The film brings to life “Operation Brothers,” a mission that occurred between 1981 and 1985. Undercover operatives with the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad purchased a waterfront resort called Arous holiday village on Sudan’s Red Sea coastline and used it as a front to smuggle a lost tribe of Ethiopian Jews to Israel.
Director Gideon Raff believes their story is relevant today. He hopes the film gives hope to those being persecuted for their faith.
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