Latest Developments in Israel-Hamas War, Christian Aid Workers Stuck in Haiti & The Death of the Baby Boomers

The pressure on Israel from world leaders to establish a cease fire with Hamas is mounting.

However, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission says people should keep in mind, “Recent reports from the United Nations have revealed “clear and convincing” evidence of sexual abuse against hostages in Gaza, with indications of ongoing sexual violence. The UN team found reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, occurred during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in Israel.”

The ethics group asks people to pray for people on both sides of the war – specifically focusing on – survivors, injured individuals, displaced families, grieving loved ones and the successful delivery of essential resources to the region.

U.S. officials are working with U.N. and humanitarian aid organizations to distribute aid to the region.

There are hopes a more long-term solution to deliver aid can be established. However, it may take weeks to put the plan in action.
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A group of Christian aid workers from Louisiana are stuck in Haiti.

Urgent prayers are been issued for the safe return of two Louisiana Reach Haiti Children’s Village staff members who are trapped in Port-au-Prince, the capitol city of a country that has seen recent explosion of gang activity.

Ministry President Darrin Badon told the Baptist Message that the staff members were visiting family members when the most recent explosion of violence occurred and have been trapped since.

Badon said that the children and other staff at the Children’s Village are safe in Cap Haitien, a city located 85 miles north of Port-au-Prince. However, he said the airport in the city is closed and they are starting to see shortages of food and goods that come from Port-au-Prince.
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Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.

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In the Baptist Press Toolbox, Thom Rainer says churches will miss much when baby boomers begin to die.

One of the things he says is, churches will miss out on the greatest transfer of wealth in history. 

Cumulatively, the Baby Boomers will leave a lot of money behind at their deaths. Much of it will go to their family members and other individual heirs. Another good portion of it will go to non-profit organizations other than churches. But local congregations are largely missing out on this wealth transfer for one simple reason: they are not asking their members to consider this legacy giving to their churches. In the meantime, colleges, universities, parachurch ministries, and other non-profits do not hesitate to ask your church members for legacy giving. How large is this wealth transfer? Rainer says he has seen estimates range from $53 trillion (Cerulli Associates, New York Times) to $84 trillion (Kiplinger).