The persecution of Christians in Nigeria and Iraq illustrates the serious way in which freedom of religion or belief is being denied to so many. Surely every MP in the House of Commons should take a serious interest in this?

This is why we are pleased to see that Christians on the Left, a group affiliated to the Labour Party, are hosting an event with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief specifically to engage with and inspire Labour MPs about freedom of religion or belief.

“International Religious Freedom – the next human rights frontier?” will be held on 8 July at 5pm in Committee Room 20, Parliament, and is a brilliant opportunity for Labour MPs to get involved in the discussion.

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how
much her Department saved for the Exchequer by closing the Passport
Office in Newport.

Howard stands alone as the last line of the U.S. defense, and he shoulders the burdens and scrutiny of the position. To succeed, Howard depends on his own anchor, his faith in Jesus.

“The most important thing in my life is Christ,” Howard told a youth group he volunteers with. “He’s more important to me than winning or losing or whether I’m playing or not. Everything else is just a bonus.”

Reported cases of slavery in Wales are the “tip of the iceberg” a government expert has said.

The Welsh government’s anti-slavery co-ordinator Stephen Chapman told BBC Wales they just “don’t know how big that iceberg is”.

Mr Chapman appealed to communities to reported suspected cases of slavery.

In total, CISWO now runs 15 clubs in former South Wales coalfield areas, which give members a chance to socialise with other women whose loved ones worked underground, as well as providing support, advice on a variety of issues and regular excursions

If you, your wife, husband or partner worked in any department of the coal industry, or if you are a dependent child of a former coal mining employee and would like more information about CISWO’s services or social groups, visit www.minerswelfare.org or contact Phil Williams on 01443 485233 or phil.williams@ciswo.org.uk..

A Tsonga Bible – a Bible written in the heart language of Mozambique – is a rare item to possess. But in the hands of a believer who is equipped with Bible  Training, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, it is proving to be a powerful tool for building the Kingdom of God.

Once he met Jesus and began to know Him better, David knew that he had to tell others the Good News he had learned. By the grace of God, he had the courage to start with his own family and relatives. That can sometimes be a difficult road, especially if the important people in a believer’s life reject the message he or she is sharing. David’s message to those he loves was simple: “After long and many years of suffering, now I find peace in Jesus. This is the Jesus that I am testifying about to you. Come and let us follow Him together.” Next, David reached out to the people in his village. Since Bibles are scarce, having the Tsonga Bible and study materials available was a huge blessing for David.

The versatile Fulham left-back, capped 8 times by England, found God in 2007 but only went public with his faith last December when he too revealed a T-shirt with the words-“ I belong to Jesus’’ after scoring for Sunderland against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Synonymous with Football’s ‘bling’ culture, partying and looking good eventually came before his football. “ Five years ago all I cared about was going out, clothing and looking good. I wasn’t happy. I started thinking more about money rather than football. I’d go out with my friends after a game to nightclubs, get drunk and meet women. But I wasn’t happy”.

But a visit to a church with his girlfriend at the time changed the course of his life:  “My life changed. It didn’t change straightaway. It was a gradual thing; It has been a gradual thing”.  Richardson who spent 5 years at Man Utd during which he picked up a Premier League title, a League Cup and the Community Shield, is now content: “Now I have Jesus Christ in my life and I feel good in my heart”.

– See more at: http://www.christian.co.uk/sport/five-top-footballers-in-gods-squad-p11224#sthash.s4ExZDQW.dpuf

Profoundly religious, he likes to quote Galatians 1:10: “Am I trying to win the approval of human beings or God? If I were still trying to please people I would not be a servant of Christ.” Before each game, he kneels on the goalline, opens his arms wide and prays. “I’ll keep doing it even if people insult me, calling me a gilipollas [dickhead],” he said.

Darren is a man with learning disabilities who uses Prospects Supported Living services to help him in his home in Conwy.

He came to know Jesus not too long ago, admitting that becoming a Christian changed him into a new man.

Via Prospects http://www.prospects.org.uk/index.php/news_stories/152

As Costa Rica’s players tie their laces and the team’s coaches shout final instructions before Sunday’s World Cup last-16 tie with Greece, Arsenal striker Joel Campbell will pause, take a breath and begin whispering to himself.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

He recites the words to give him strength, words that make him think of his mother, Roxana, his father, Humberto, and three siblings in Costa Rica. Family is the second pillar in his life. God is the first.