CHURCHES ASKED TO CLOSE IN SOUTH KOREA
Christianheadlines.com reports that the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea is so severe that the government’s culture minister has asked churches and other religious bodies to stop gathering until it is contained. The Catholic church in the country has suspended mass. Seoul’s Yoido Full Gospel Church, considered the largest church in the world by membership (approximately 800,000), suspended public services and said it would launch online services for members.
“HOLDING THE HAND OF CHRIST”
Asia Bibi, who spent nearly a decade on death row in Pakistan, has said it was because of Jesus that she was able to get through the ordeal. The Christian mother of three, who is now living with her family in Canada after being granted asylum there, told Aid to the Church in Need that she had "held the hand of Christ" throughout her imprisonment, much of which was spent in solitary confinement.
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA GOES GOSPEL
A top US gospel composer has led London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) and a mass community choir in their first ever concert of solely gospel music. André J Thomas, who's also a prominent conductor and Yale University professor, said the sold out concert at the Barbican Centre in London gave the audience a taste of what gospel music represents. According to Premier Christian News, the event called "Gospel Mass – A Celebration of Love and Joy" aimed to explore the gospel African American musical tradition.
