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Secretary of State John Kerry has determined that ISIS is indeed committing genocide against Christians and other minorities in Iraq and Syria.
"In my judgment Daesh is responsible for genocide against groups in territory under its control" Kerry said in a statment Thursday, using the Arabic acronym for the jihadist army.
"Daesh is genocidal by self-acclimation, by ideology and by practice," he added.
The Islamic State, also known as ISIS or IS, has slaughtered many Christians, Yazidis and other minorities since launching their jihad ("holy" war).
Also, Lane recently shared his thoughts on how labeling ISIS's attacks on religious minorities as "genocide" could affect the political year and beyond. Watch below:
In making his decision, Kerry weighed whether ISIS targeting of Christians and other minorities meets the definition of genocide.
Still, Kerry's announcement will not "obligate" the administration to take further action against ISIS terrorists.
The secretary explained that he was "neither judge nor prosecutor nor jury," and that any criminal charges must come from an independent international investigation.
Several groups had pushed for a declaration of genocide. And the House of Representatives voted this week 393 to nothing to condemn ISIS atrocities as genocide.
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., applauded Kerry's announcement.
"The United States has now spoken with clarity and moral authority," he said.
"I sincerely hope that the genocide designation will raise international consciousness, end the scandal of silence, and create the preconditions for the protection and reintegration of these ancient faith communities into their ancestral homelands," he continued.
"Christians, Yazidis, and others remain an essential part of the Middle East's rich tapestry of religious and ethnic diversity," Fortenberry said.
You've Never Seen the Crucifixion Story Like Tyler Perry Tells It
Chris Daughtry, left, as Judas, betrays Jencarlos Canela, right, as Jesus. (Facebook/The Passion Live)
Join us on our podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.
Following a successful push into live musicals with "Grease Live," Fox is setting the stage for its next major TV event: "The Passion," a two-hour special that recounts the last hours of the life of Jesus Christ.
The event is being shot at nine locations in New Orleans in front of an audience of more than 25,000 on March 20, Palm Sunday. It will air live—but with an asterisk.
In order to make a production of this scale possible amid multiple locations, certain scenes were pre-taped weeks before, including those depicting the Last Supper and Judas' betrayal. Still, the show will provide a live experience for viewers, thanks to a choir and band performing simultaneously with the pre-shot segments, on-site at Woldenberg Park near Jackson Square.
"We'll be cutting back to the live band, the live choir, the crowd in the park," exec producer Mark Bracco of Dick Clark Prods. tells Variety. "It will all play as one big live experience, even though there are a few scenes that we have shot ahead of time, just because there was no possibility of getting from location to location within a commercial break."
Aside from syncing up the pre-taped elements, a unique challenge for "The Passion" will be one of its signature live moments: a procession of 1,000 people walking the streets, holding the cross. (Procession-goers, who signed up online, hail from all over the country; local churches and news affiliates helped get the word out.) During the broadcast, Tyler Perry, who serves as the show's narrator and host, will toss to a live reporter, who will interview attendees who traveled to New Orleans to carry the cross.
With that element, Bracco says, the event will be like three shows in one: "We have this massive procession, which we're almost treating as a news event because we have a live reporter there, interviewing people. We have this massive live event, which is happening in the park. And then thirdly, we have scenes that we shot around the city that are almost like little mini-movies," he explains.
"Glee" alum Adam Anders, who serves as music producer for "The Passion," says that it's difficult to define the production. "To call it a musical is maybe not the best fit," he maintains. "It's more of a beautiful event that has never been done before."
Rehearsals have been significantly less intense than those for recent TV musicals like "Grease" or NBC's "The Wiz," because the religious vehicle isn't packed with dance numbers. Instead, sessions have been spent in the studio with stars Trisha Yearwood (Mary), Seal (Pontius Pilate), "American Idol" alum Chris Daughtry (Judas) and Jencarlos Canela (Jesus). Gospel songstress Yolanda Adams will open the production.
Getting A-list talent involved was crucial to Anders, who says Daughtry was the first singer who came to mind for Judas. As for Yearwood, he teases a Mary audiences have never seen before. "Trisha was so important because she's the anchor of the show," he raves. "If we had somebody that was a good singer, I don't know if it would work—we needed a great singer. She's a legend, and she has a world-class voice."
Another major talent: New Orleans native Perry. As host, he was not involved in pre-taped segments and is anxious to get to the set. "To be in a city like New Orleans, that narrative is just going to be phenomenal, and to have people all over the city participating in this—it's going to be very powerful," Perry says, adding that he was so moved by a production of "The Passion" in the Netherlands that he jumped at Fox's offer to be involved in the U.S. TV version.
Local church groups welcomed the production when it arrived to shoot pre-taped segments earlier this year. "The support from the local churches has been outstanding," exec producer Mark Bracco says."They're so happy we're coming to do this."
Bracco calls Perry the glue that holds the production together. "He tells you the story of the Passion, and after that is when all the music comes in—all of the various scenes around the city, all of the music that's live on that stage. That's really what makes it a different experience."
Another defining factor for the live spectacular is the use of modern music—including hits from Whitney Houston, Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry and Celine Dion—to tell one of history's oldest stories. "It's unbelievable how many No. 1 songs have religious messages," says Anders. "That's the magic of this show. We're taking you know and love, and putting them in a completely new context. So it's like, 'Wow, I know this song, but I've never heard it done this way before.'"
While the creative team is confident about the quality of the music and the skills of the cast, there's one major element it can't control: the weather. This is New Orleans, after all.
"We'll be tracking the weather very closely," Bracco says, adding that the production has purchased hundreds of clear umbrellas in case of rain. "Sometimes, a little bit of rain can make a shot look pretty. Just a little bit—not too much!"
If a few drops of water are the biggest concern, Fox is in good shape, especially taking into account that it has a big act to follow in "Grease," which drew more than 12 million viewers overnight. But the team believes "The Passion" will have equally widespread appeal.
"Whether you're a believer or not, it is an event that the family can watch together," Bracco says. "You're going to see a great story with a lot of drama and amazing music, moments of love, betrayal and forgiveness. Every TV show or movie you watch has those elements—it just happens this one comes from the Bible."
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“And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying: ‘We came to thy brother Esau, and moreover he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.'” Genesis 32:7 (The Israel Bible™)
President Reuven Rivlin’s visit to Moscow this week looks to be another sign of growing cooperation between Israel and Russia. It also comes against the backdrop of Russia’s military withdrawal from Syria, announced earlier this week, But while that withdrawal may bring change to Syria, the Israeli-Russian relationship looks likely to emerge as strong as ever, Israeli experts said.
“The visit shows that Israel-Russia relations are good as a whole, in comparison to the past,” Dr. Ofer Israeli, an international defense policy expert at the Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya, told Tazpit Press Service (TPS).
Much of this is due to Russia’s recognition of Israel as an oasis of stability in the Middle East.
“When Russia looks at the Middle East, it doesn’t see many stable regions besides Israel,” Dr. Israeli explained to TPS. “So from a Russian perspective, Israel is relatively predictable and can be coordinated with, which is in Russia’s interests.”
Russia is also aware of Israel’s strategic importance in the Middle East. “Russia also recognizes that Israel plays a significant role in the region with its military strength,” Dr. Israeli added.
Most importantly, Israel and Russia are no longer automatically placed on opposite sides in geopolitical struggles.
“Israel and Russia are not on two different sides of their political and strategic battle anymore,” noted Professor Zeev Khanin, who teaches in Ariel University’s Department of Israel and Middle East Studies and is an expert on Russian affairs.
“Despite everything, the Cold War is behind us, so Israel is not necessarily obliged to take any side that would be against Russia and Russia is not necessarily obliged to do anything that would be against Israel,” explained Khanin.
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union traditionally backed Israel’s Arab adversaries, and Israel found itself in the American axis. But now, some suggest that Russia is friendlier with Israel than with most Arab countries.
“Some Russian observers insist at the moment that to some extent, relations between Russia and Israel are better than between Russia and the majority of Arab states,” Khanin added to TPS.\
At the same time, Professor Khanin urges against overestimating the improvement in Israeli-Russian ties.
“We should not exaggerate, and we should not overestimate,” Khanin stressed to TPS. “There is no strategic partnership between Russia and Israel. But there is a sort of normal cooperation on issues on which we agree, and no cooperation on other issues.”
According to Professor Khanin, the environment of cooperation was created in large part as a result of efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, an immigrant from the former Soviet Union.
“Fortunately, the previous government was able to create a background for founding a mutual understanding in a situation where Russian troops will be there,” said Khanin.
That foundation of mutual understanding allowed for Russia to take Israel’s interests into consideration in preventing Iran from opening a front against Israel in the Golan Heights through its proxy fighters in Syria, suggested Professor Khanin.
“It was agreed that in any solution and future settlement in Syria, Russia would insist that the interests of Israel be taken into consideration,” Khanin explained to TPS. “Also, Russia did not mind if we struck the transfer of armaments to Hezbollah as long as we did it outside of Syrian territory.”
“These understandings actually helped us to control or watch carefully and to adapt ourselves to the situation in Syria without being a part of the conflict, which was why we didn’t make any noise when the Russians deployed their S-400 anti-aviation defense system located in Syria” noted Khanin to TPS.
Ultimately, Khanin believes Israel and Russia recognize each other’s interests. “Russia understood that we are unable to permit the transfer of armaments to Hezbollah, and Israel understood that the S-400 system was there in order to defend Russian interests, their seaport, their military fleet, and their troops,” explained Khanin.
However, Dr. Israeli stressed that important issues remain unresolved. “The Russian activity in Syria strengthened radical Islamist bodies, including Iran and Hezbollah,” noted Israeli. “Neutralizing this threat after Russia’s retreat will be a challenge.”
Michael Bachner and Alexander J. Apfel contributed to this article.
Chinese Christians are getting fired up for Christ. Recently, many Chinese believers traveled to Beijing to get together for one purpose – a Jesus celebration.
The gathering came as anxiety grows about the country’s unpredictable economy, and as the Communist Party meets in the capital city to finalize a new budget.
The Christians gathered to pray for government leaders and their nation. Believers in Beijing organized an exciting and vibrant worship service. Through the singing of worship songs, they asked the Holy Spirit to help Chinese officials understand the urgency of changing China into a Christian nation.
Some of the believers even invited non-Christian friends to join them. They believe it is time to introduce more Chinese to Christ.
“I am happy to be here with my friends. I don’t know a lot about Jesus. I didn’t know what to expect before I came. My friend told me it would be good for me and my life and I just felt peace as soon as I started to sing along the songs,” said one attendee.
Besides singing, worship leaders invited the attendees to pray passionately for each other. They also taught about the power of praying with one another.
One worship leader told CBN News China is facing a critical moment.
"We need to pray for our leaders. They need to understand faith is all we need. Believing in Jesus is good for us and the nation. I know God is listening to our prayers all the time,” she said.
Chinese Christians will continue to organize worship services at various locations throughout the year. They are praying the Holy Spirit will touch more unbelievers, especially among government leaders.
Most importantly, they know miracles will happen through the uniting power of Christ.
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When God intends great mercy for His people, the first thing He does is to set them apraying." Those are the oft-repeated words of the 17th-century Welsh minister and author Matthew Henry.
Little did Henry know when he uttered those words that perhaps the greatest revival in the earth's history—the Welsh Revival that took place from 1904 to 1905 and, many believe, is the root of every great revival in the world since—would break out in his homeland.
Indeed, the Azusa Street Revival, which is widely considered the birthplace of the modern-day Pentecostal movement, was inspired by intercessors who saw or heard how God was moving in Wales and prayed for the Holy Spirit to sweep over their city. And in 1906, He did.
Over 100 years later, our merciful God has set His people apraying once again—and Lou Engle has been partnering with Him to issue calls for massive intercession over America for more than three decades. Lou is a modern-day revivalist; a prophetic voice who has inspired a generation of youth to fast and pray for God's mercy and labor for social justice.
When God called me in 2012 to make prayer my life's work, I looked to the likes of Lou, IHOP's Mike Bickle and Dutch Sheets—along with history's intercessors such as Daniel Clary and Father Nash—for inspiration. What I discovered was that there are many different ways to pray for a nation.
You, for example, can walk out 2 Chronicles 7:14—"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." You can execute strategic Spirit-inspired prayer assignments in your city. You can launch a house of prayer, as I did four years ago. You can gather the masses at stadium prayer events that unite generations to cry out to God—or work on many other initiatives.
Lou has done all that and more and is pulling off perhaps his biggest, most pivotal prayer event ever April 9 at TheCall Azusa at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It was thrilling to interview Lou for our March cover story hear about how God called him to intercession for revival and learn about plans for what could be, prophetically speaking, a historic prayer meeting in America.
On the same day in Washington, D.C., pastors will band together to make an appeal to heaven. Meanwhile, Dutch Sheets, who birthed the Appeal to Heaven movement, has launched an app that encourages every Christian in America to pray for the nation 15 minutes a day—and equips us with the tools to do it.
When God intends great mercy for His people, the first thing He does is set them apraying. I've never before seen so many believers rallying together to pray—and crossing denominational lines to do it.
From The Response prayer events in strategic American cities to prayer rooms in revival centers and churches across America, God is uniting believers to pray for a nation in crisis, invading the seven mountains of society—arts and entertainment, business, education, family, government, media and religion—with the Word of God that promises not to return void but to accomplish that which it was sent to do.
As I wrote in my book The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening, God is not done with America. He wants to bring a Third Great Awakening to the nation. I believe it's a Great Awakening that will spill over into the nations of the Earth, just like Azusa Street.
For all the doom-and-gloom prophecies over America, there is yet a rising cry from respected voices from various streams of the body of Christ who sense God's heart—and God's hope—for America even in the midst of discipline. Despite the reality that a degree of judgment has come to America—and that we may continue to reap from the wicked seeds we've sown for a longer season—many agree that God is not done with America. There is hope.
As Lou once said, "Now, many look at the state of the nation and are deeply discouraged, but I am filled with hope. I have read history; most great moves of God erupted in the darkest times of crisis and were preceded by years of intercession. Today, I have more expectation for the Great Awakening in America than I ever have had."
Jennifer LeClaireis senior editor of Charisma, director of the Awakening House of Prayer, a senior leader of the New Breed Revival Network and author of many books, including Jezebel's Puppets: Exposing the Agenda of False Prophets. Visit her online atjenniferleclaire.org.
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The US State Department spokesman and United Nations Secretary-General both released statements on Tuesday condemning Israel’s recent appropriation of about 600 acres of land in Judea, accusing the Jewish state of illegal settlement activity which the State Department said will “undermine the prospects for a two-state solution.”
“We strongly oppose any steps that accelerate settlement expansion, which raises serious questions about Israel’s long-term intentions,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said at a news briefing.
The UN’s Ban Ki-moon issued a similar statement through spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who declared, “Settlements are illegal under international law and the secretary-general urges the government of Israel to halt and reverse such actions in the interest of a just and comprehensive peace and a just final status agreement.”
The criticism came after Israel declared 234 hectares, or 580 acres, of West Bank territory to be state land. The area is located south of Jericho and close to the Dead Sea.
It is the largest land “confiscation” since 2014, when Israel declared 4,000 dunams of land in the Bethlehem area to be government property.
All of the “confiscated” lands are located within the Biblical borders of Israel, which stretched east to west from the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean. However, these are not boundaries respected by international law.
In a report by Peace Now, a leftist Israeli NGO, on the “land grab”, the organization said that Israel’s intention was to prevent Palestinian expansion and build up Jewish settlements in the area.
“Control over this area is meant to split the West Bank in half and prevent the possibility to establish a viable and contiguous Palestinian State,” read the report, which also stated that the declaration of appropriation had been made and signed during US Vice President Joe Biden’s Israel visit on March 10.
Issues of building in the so-called settlements – Jewish communities located in Judea, Samaria and the Golan – have loomed large in Israel’s relations with the US, which has repeatedly condemned such expansion and urged Israel to freeze construction in the settlements.
The position of the US, the UN and other international bodies is that the freezing of settlements is necessary to make peace in the region, which they believe can be reached through the implementation of a two-state solution.
Israel, however, does not see the settlement issue as the main obstacle to peace, pointing instead to the fact that though the PA has been offered many generous deals, it has rejected all of them.
Most recently, the PA refused a deal which would give it security control over much of the West Bank, incorporating all of Area A, which includes most large Palestinian cities and villages. The IDF will continue to operate in the area as usual.
Listen to the story of how one young couple experienced amazing inspiration in choosing a name for their newborn son. A true testament to the unity of the Jewish nation.
