Lawyers for the Union Gospel Mission in Yakima, Washington, recently challenged a state anti-discrimination law in federal appeals court. The law requires the mission to hire LGBTQ + people and others who don’t share its religious beliefs, including those on sexuality and marriage. The Mission, assisted by the Alliance Defending Freedom, argues the law infringes on its religious freedom to hire only fellow believers to advance its religious purpose. Washington’s law does exempt religious organizations but only for ministerial positions. The state attorney general’s office claims the Mission’s lawsuit is premature and speculative, as there is no current investigation. However, the appeals panel showed skepticism toward the state’s position. The case follows a 2017 lawsuit by Matt Woods, a bisexual professed Christian denied a legal aid job at the Mission. The U.S. Supreme Court previously declined to review that case, but the issue of religious hiring autonomy remains contentious.
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In Central Asia, Christianity is rare, and the Bible is less popular. Daler (Dahlair), a local man, surprised International Mission Board missionary Brent Dorsett and local believer Arman, by delving deeply into the Bible. After reading Genesis, Psalms, and Matthew, Daler reached Revelation.
Daler’s questions about Revelation led to a two-hour exchange that felt different for Dorsett—not a debate, but a genuine search for understanding. In a town where Christians are discouraged, Daler’s deep reading was a miracle. After finishing, he proclaimed, "I believe Jesus is God," a rare declaration in this region where many only see Jesus as a prophet. Dorsett marvels at this transformation, which usually takes years. Amazingly, two other families in Daler’svillage have also become believers, highlighting the impact of prayer and mission efforts in spreading the gospel.
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According to a 2022 study, 77% of pastors struggle with developing leaders and volunteers, and 76% with connecting with unchurched people. Young pastors and those of large churches especially face these challenges. Effective outreach involves mobilizing church members to engage with unchurched people, often through relationships built over time. Successful strategies include encouraging genuine relationships, using smaller groups, leveraging curriculum with evangelistic lessons, and ensuring groups focus outward. By focusing on these areas, churches can revitalize their mission to reach the unchurched effectively.