Mark Crow -- founder of the Oklahoma multi-site congregation Victory Church -- stepped down from his role as senior pastor last week after confessing marital infidelity, the Christian Post website reports today (May 4, 2014).
"Mark will be focusing his full attention on his personal relationship with God, and beginning the process of bringing healing to the fractured relationships in his family and life," said the Rev. Dale Swanson, executive pastor of the church, in a statement. "Victory Church is fully committed to providing the counselors and ministers who will guide him through the process of reconciliation with God, and ensuring the best possible outcome for this next season in his life."
Crow -- who is also known as a televangelist, author, and international speaker -- has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for more than 20 years, and together they have five children and three grandchildren.
Crow and his wife began the church in 1994 with only 53 people, according to the church's website and now thousands gather in campuses in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, and the African nation of Lesotho. Also, the church has a Hispanic satellite campus called Victory Iglesia.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Egyptian Court Sentences 102 Islamists to Prison; Sentenced to 10 Yrs. for Killing, Inciting Violence
More than 100 supporters of Egypt's deposed Islamist President Mohamed Morsi were sentenced to ten years in jail today (May 3, 2014) on charges of killing and inciting violence, the Big News Network website reports.
The verdicts for the 102 defendants -- handed down ahead of a May 26-27 presidential election -- relate to deaths that occurred during clashes in Cairo last July between supporters of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood and security forces.
Two other Brotherhood supporters, who were defendants in the case, received seven-year jail sentences, judicial sources said.
Militant violence has spiraled since last July, when the army toppled Morsi and the authorities launched a crackdown on his supporters in the Brotherhood. Thousands of the movement's supporters have been arrested and hundreds killed, and its leaders are on trial.
The verdicts for the 102 defendants -- handed down ahead of a May 26-27 presidential election -- relate to deaths that occurred during clashes in Cairo last July between supporters of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood and security forces.
Two other Brotherhood supporters, who were defendants in the case, received seven-year jail sentences, judicial sources said.
Militant violence has spiraled since last July, when the army toppled Morsi and the authorities launched a crackdown on his supporters in the Brotherhood. Thousands of the movement's supporters have been arrested and hundreds killed, and its leaders are on trial.
Pope's New Panel for Protection of Minors Meets; O'Malley: Church Must Be Made Safe for Children
The Roman Catholic Church failed to recognize the worldwide reach of clerical sexual abuse, Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley said today (May 3, 2014) at a press conference in Rome, according to the Religion News Service website.
"Many don't see it as a problem of the universal church," said O'Malley who heads the Vatican's new commission for the protection of minors.
"In many people's minds it is an American problem, an Irish problem or a German problem," he said. "The church has to face it is everywhere in the world. There is so much denial. The church has to respond to make the church safe for children."
O'Malley -- whose Boston archdiocese was at the center of a wave of sex scandals that rocked the church a decade ago -- addressed the media after the panel's eight members held their first meeting in Rome.
"Many don't see it as a problem of the universal church," said O'Malley who heads the Vatican's new commission for the protection of minors.
"In many people's minds it is an American problem, an Irish problem or a German problem," he said. "The church has to face it is everywhere in the world. There is so much denial. The church has to respond to make the church safe for children."
O'Malley -- whose Boston archdiocese was at the center of a wave of sex scandals that rocked the church a decade ago -- addressed the media after the panel's eight members held their first meeting in Rome.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Atheist Handbook Is Sent to Every UK Sec. School; Sent by British Humanist Assoc. for Free Thinking
A free copy of "The Young Atheist's Handbook" has been sent to every secondary school in England and Wales by the British Humanist Association (BHA), the Christian Today website reports today (May 2, 2014).
Subtitled "Lessons for Living a Good Life without God," the guidebook tells the true-life story of Bangladesh-born Alom Shaha, a science teacher who was brought up as a Muslim in southeast London.
He rejected Islam in favor of atheism following the early death of his mother, and wrote a book detailing his journey to encourage others who are searching to find meaning apart from religion.
The Young Atheist Handbook for Schools campaign was launched by science teacher and blogger Ian Horsewell, who wanted to offer every UK student the opportunity to consider and explore their own belief system in more detail.
Subtitled "Lessons for Living a Good Life without God," the guidebook tells the true-life story of Bangladesh-born Alom Shaha, a science teacher who was brought up as a Muslim in southeast London.
He rejected Islam in favor of atheism following the early death of his mother, and wrote a book detailing his journey to encourage others who are searching to find meaning apart from religion.
The Young Atheist Handbook for Schools campaign was launched by science teacher and blogger Ian Horsewell, who wanted to offer every UK student the opportunity to consider and explore their own belief system in more detail.
Afghan Landslide Caused by Heavy Rain Kills 350; Thousands Still Missing, UN Aids in Rescue Effort
A landslide triggered by heavy rains buried a village in northeastern Afghanistan today (May 2, 2014), killing at least 350 people, according to a UN official, the USA Today website reports.
Ari Gaitanis -- from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan -- says the UN is working with authorities on the ground to rescue people still trapped.
According to Badakshan Provincial police chief, Fazluddin Hayar, as many as 2,000 people are missing and dozens more are trapped under rocks.
The landslide occurred at about 1 p.m. today when a hill collapsed on the village of Hobo Bank, said Badakshan province Gov. Shah Waliullah Adeeb. More than 300 homes -- about a third of all the dwellings there -- have been buried, he said.
Ari Gaitanis -- from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan -- says the UN is working with authorities on the ground to rescue people still trapped.
According to Badakshan Provincial police chief, Fazluddin Hayar, as many as 2,000 people are missing and dozens more are trapped under rocks.
The landslide occurred at about 1 p.m. today when a hill collapsed on the village of Hobo Bank, said Badakshan province Gov. Shah Waliullah Adeeb. More than 300 homes -- about a third of all the dwellings there -- have been buried, he said.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
US Officials: Syria Keeeping 27 Tons of Chemicals; Assad Uses Them as Way to Keep Storage Facilities
U.S. officials revealed today (May 1, 2014) that the months-long effort to dismantle Syria's chemical weapons program has ground to a halt because Syria is holding on to 27 tons of sarin precursor chemicals as leverage in a dispute with the international community over the future of facilities used to store the deadly agents, the Washington Post website reports.
Having turned over all but an estimated 8 percent of its chemical arsenal to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Syria missed a deadline of April 27 to relinquish the remnants of its arsenal, which are stored in 16 containers in Damascus, U.S. officials said.
The OPCW is insisting that a network of tunnels and buildings that were used to store the weapons must be destroyed. The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has argued that the facilities should be repurposed.
"They're just stalling for time to hold on to some of these facilities," said a U.S. official familiar with the matter who would discuss the issue only on the condition of anonymity.
Having turned over all but an estimated 8 percent of its chemical arsenal to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Syria missed a deadline of April 27 to relinquish the remnants of its arsenal, which are stored in 16 containers in Damascus, U.S. officials said.
The OPCW is insisting that a network of tunnels and buildings that were used to store the weapons must be destroyed. The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has argued that the facilities should be repurposed.
"They're just stalling for time to hold on to some of these facilities," said a U.S. official familiar with the matter who would discuss the issue only on the condition of anonymity.
Today Marks 63rd Annual National Day of Prayer; DC Lawmakers Urge Americans to Pray for Nation
Today (May 1, 2014) marks the 63rd annual National Day of Prayer. This year's theme is "One Voice, United in Prayer," the CBN (Christian Broadcast Network) website reports.
An estimated 40,000 events nationwide will mark the day, including many at local, state, and national government buildings.
In Washington, D.C., lawmakers will observe the National Day of Prayer on Capitol Hill, where congressmen -- like Rep. James Lankford of Oklahoma -- are urging Americans to pray for the nation.
"There is still a God in heaven who hears our prayer" and "cares about our lives," Lankford said.
An estimated 40,000 events nationwide will mark the day, including many at local, state, and national government buildings.
In Washington, D.C., lawmakers will observe the National Day of Prayer on Capitol Hill, where congressmen -- like Rep. James Lankford of Oklahoma -- are urging Americans to pray for the nation.
"There is still a God in heaven who hears our prayer" and "cares about our lives," Lankford said.
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