Today

FaithDaily briefing: deadly attacks on Christians abroad, a Dallas congregation's exit, and a new primate in Rwanda

By The FaithDaily Desk

Good morning. The most serious news came from Ethiopia. Charisma News, citing the BBC, reported that armed attacks on Christian communities had left more than 60 people dead, a figure reported by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The violence struck the Shirka district in the Oromia region, with families mourning their dead and residents fleeing their homes. For the reader, it is a reminder that in some places ordinary worship carries risk that is hard to imagine from a quiet pew.

A second attack, in Jordan, moved toward its legal reckoning. Charisma News, citing CBS News, reported that Jordanian security forces had captured all three gunmen accused of attacking a Greek Orthodox church during a funeral in the Karak governorate. Anglican Ink reported that Bishop Hosam Naoum, Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, condemned the attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George in the town of Hamoud. The two outlets together show both the response of the state and the response of the wider church.

In the United States, Charisma News, citing Fox News Digital, reported the death of Bobby McGill, an 81-year-old Mississippi man who openly shared his Christian faith. McGill was asleep beside his wife, Peggy, when Eric Basco allegedly broke into their Union County home around 4 a.m. on 15 October. He was shot and killed. Basco faces the allegation; the case is not yet proven.

In denominational news, United Methodist News reported that members of Highland Park, a Dallas congregation, voted after two days of balloting to sever ties with The United Methodist Church. More than 90 percent backed the move, according to the church. Separately, United Methodist News reported that participants at a Leadership Gathering offered 16 recommendations for the denomination's future after long hours of small-group discussion.

From Rwanda, Anglican Ink carried a report by Archbishop Mbanda on the installation of a new primate. The Global Anglican Council met in Kigali on 22–23 October, with a concluding gathering on Sunday 25 October.

Two further items touched church and public life. Christianity Today reported that at an 11 October service, Prestonwood Baptist Church pastor Jack Graham urged parishioners not to vote by party—doing so beside Governor Greg Abbott, who had just delivered a stump speech there. And Charisma News reported that an American pastor was arrested and charged after praying and demonstrating on the sidewalk outside the Chinese embassy in Washington, with the American Center for Law and Justice taking up his case after a recent arraignment.

Zoom out: Much of what the churches reported concerned violence against Christians—two deadly incidents abroad and a killing in the American South—set beside quieter news of governance and succession.

What we're following

Sources

Highland Park votes to leave United Methodist Church United Methodist News
‘Jesus Is Lord’ Sign Raises Questions After Christian Man Killed in Shocking Home Invasion Charisma News
In Heated Red State Races, Republicans Appeal to Evangelical Voters Christianity Today
On My Shelf: Life and Books with L. Michael Morales The Gospel Coalition
Our hope for years to come: Archbishop Mbanda reports on the installation of the new primate of Rwanda Anglican Ink
Pastor Arrested for Praying and Protesting Outside Chinese Embassy in DC Charisma News
Dozens Killed in Attacks Targeting Christians in Ethiopia Charisma News
3 Gunmen Captured After Deadly Attack on Christian Church Charisma News
Gathering offers 16 ideas for church future United Methodist News
Simon Says: Inconspicuous Evidence of Eyewitnesses in Mark The Gospel Coalition
Jerusalem Anglican Bishop decries terrorist attack on Karak church Anglican Ink

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