The 3 - April 20, 2025

South African missionary taken at gunpoint released without harm

Last week, I told you about Josh Sullivan, a missionary from America to South Africa who was abducted from the church where he was preaching.  Prayers were requested, and late last week, it was announced that prayers were answered in a dramatic fashion.  

The Christian Post reported that:

Five days after he was kidnapped by armed men from his church in Motherwell, South Africa, Tennessee missionary Josh Sullivan was rescued and “miraculously unharmed” following a “high-intensity shootout” that left three people dead.

The article went on to say that, "A statement from the South African Police Service said the shootout happened at a safe house...where the 34-year-old pastor was being held captive." The statement said:

“As officers approached the house, they observed a vehicle on the premises. The suspects inside the vehicle upon seeing law enforcement allegedly attempted to flee and opened fire on the team. The officers responded with tactical precision, leading to a high-intensity shootout in which three unidentified suspects were fatally wounded..."

Now, listen to what the official statement had to say: “The victim was found inside the same vehicle from which the suspects had launched their attack. Miraculously unharmed, he was immediately assessed by medical personnel and is currently in an excellent condition.”

A previous Christian Post article gave insight into the character of Pastor Sullivan: 

Months before he was abducted from his growing church in the impoverished Motherwell township in South Africa last Thursday, Tennessee missionary and married father of four, Josh Sullivan, said he was robbed of his wallet by a young neighborhood man who almost got killed for the crime.

The article said that "Sullivan...recounted the robbery during a sermon at Tri-City Baptist Church in late December. He said members of the community offered to put the thief to death on his behalf after he was caught but he forgave the man and used the opportunity to preach the Gospel to the community instead." 

New AR law protects children, prevents faith-based adoption agencies from placing kids with gay couples

Recently, the state of Arkansas passed a law called the Keep Kids First Act, which was signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, according to a WORLD Magazine article, which reported:

Under the Keep Kids First Act, state officials cannot force faith-based groups to place children in homes not aligned with the groups’ religious beliefs. Agencies can continue to place children with families who affirm Biblical beliefs about gender and marriage. The bill also protects Christian adoptive or foster parents from discrimination if they refuse to accept government policy about sexual orientation or gender identity that conflicts with Biblical truth.

The article has a link to an article on an Alliance Defending Freedom website, in which Senior Counsel Greg Chafuen is quoted as saying that the new law "...prioritizes the well-being of kids by prohibiting state and local government officials from discriminating against adoption and foster care providers and parents simply because of their religious beliefs and moral convictions."
 

Lawmakers in Washington make attempt to advance and protect the work of pregnancy resource centers

Members of Congress, recognizing the incredible work of pro-life pregnancy resource centers, have introduced legislation that counterbalances actions against these centers - physical and legislative - in several states across the nation.  A CBN.com article notes:

For decades, pro-life pregnancy centers have faced attacks from abortion providers and their political allies including federal, state, and local governments.

Recently, several pro-life lawmakers on Capitol Hill have set out to change that by introducing legislation designed to keep these centers and their employees safe.

In addition to protection, the "Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2025" would prohibit government discrimination and retaliation against care centers that refuse to point to abortion as an option. Pro-life lawmakers maintain the measure is needed now more than ever.

Pro-life House member Chris Smith, who joined with other members of the House to introduce that legislation, is quoted as saying: "Notwithstanding any other law, the federal government and any individual or entity that receives federal financial assistance, including any state or local government, may not penalize or retaliate against an entity because the entity offers life-affirming support and resources to women facing unexpected pregnancy or offers life-affirming alternatives to abortion or refrains from abortion actions..."

The CBN article related that:

Following the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe versus Wade, violent attacks on crisis pregnancy centers increased. In 2022 alone, more than 100 such attacks took place nationwide, including firebombings, vandalism and deadly threats, yet authorities did not make one single arrest at that time.

Now certain states are joining the fight against pro-life centers, weaponizing various laws to stop them from saving lives.

The article pointed out examples, provided by Gabriella McIntyre, Legal Counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, including New Jersey's Attorney General investigating a group of centers and demanding certain documents that invade the center's privacy.  Plus New York's AG is attempting to prevent centers from talking to women about abortion pill reversal, which is possible after the first pill is taken.  And, the CBN article refers to an Illinois law that would force pregnancy centers to hire employees that do not share their beliefs.