988 Suicide Lifeline, Persecution of Christians in Nigeria & Transgender Rights

The federal government is launching a new hotline aimed at helping people who are suicidal. Dialing or texting 988 now automatically connects callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Callers are connected with a Lifeline counselor at the crisis center geographically closest among a network of 200, according to 988lifeline.org.

Jeremiah Johnston, a pastor at Prestwood Baptist Church in Dallas, says 988 is a government-driven initiative that is an example of the government working properly. He encourages the number’s widespread use.

The persecution of Christians in Nigeria continues with unimaginable suffering, though conversely, the work of Christ is flourishing, according to a Baptist leader in the country.

Samson Ayokunle, (Ion-Coon-Lay) president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, called the situation in the country fearful when he recently spoke at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.

Nigeria has a population of 200 million people and is roughly equally divided between Muslims and Christians, Ayokunle (Ion-Coon-Lay) explained. Islam came to Africa in the 11th century, but “jihad” began in 1804 and accelerated after Nigerian independence in 1960. It’s estimated some 350,000 Christians have been killed since 2009.

Ayokunle (Ion-Coon-Lay) is hopeful new government leaders might be elected this fall and help ease tensions in the land, especially in the area of religious liberty.

Good News for Today is sponsored by The Voice of the Martyrs

Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.

Charles Atchley, a federal judge in the Eastern District of Tennessee in Chattanooga, issued a preliminary injunction July 15 that prevents the Department of Education (DOE) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from enforcing 2021 guidelines in support of transgender rights while a lawsuit by 20 states is resolved in the courts. The Biden administration rules surpassed the limits of a 2020 decision on gay and transgender rights by the U.S. Supreme Court, Atchley ruled.

Under the direction of an executive order by President Biden, the DOE issued guidance in June 2021 regarding Title IX, a law which forbids discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs to also include gender identity and sexual orientation.