1786 - The Virginia Legislature adopted the Ordinance of Religious Freedom, which guaranteed that no man would be forced to attend or support any church. This mandate later became the model for the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Source: Studylight.org

Special thanks to our friends at  Mission Network News.  This appeared in today’s email alert from MNN and you can also see the  story online at their newly redesigned website.

Myanmar (MNN)–A Myanmar government report, due for release next Tuesday, reveals plans to destroy Christianity in the country. Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton says IF this report is true, it’s the first time the government has actually sanctioned this kind of ‘cleansing’. "Obviously that makes any home where Christianity is practiced a target of the government. We have known that Christians are targeted, we have known that there is a level of ethnic persecution among the minority tribal groups, but this would really put a target on the back of every Christian in the country of Myanmar." While there are some questions as to the report’s validity, it’s enough to prompt Nettleton to urge prayer. "Pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in that country, they are active. They are working. They’re spreading the Gospel and I think that’s part of why the government is uncomfortable with the growth of the church is because Christians are reaching out and being effective. We can pray that that will continue, we can pray for their protection."

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/9490

Reprinted from the Whitehouse Website How much you want to bet you won’t hear about this on the mainstream media?

Religious Freedom Day, 2007
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

On Religious Freedom Day, we commemorate the passage of the 1786 Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, authored by Thomas Jefferson, and we celebrate the First Amendment’s protection of religious freedom.

Across the centuries, people have come to America seeking to worship the Almighty freely. Today, our citizens profess many different faiths, and we welcome every religion. Yet people in many countries live without the freedom to worship as they choose and some face persecution for their beliefs. My Administration is working with our friends and allies around the globe to advance common values and spread the blessings of liberty to every corner of the world. Freedom is a gift from the Almighty, written in the heart and soul of every man, woman, and child, and we must continue to promote the importance of religious freedom at home and abroad.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2007, as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to reflect on the great blessing of religious liberty, endeavor to preserve this freedom for future generations, and commemorate this day with appropriate events and activities in their schools, places of worship, neighborhoods, and homes.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Exodus International Press Release from January 16, 2007

Orlando, FL January 16, 2006 Today, as the nation celebrates Religious Freedom Day, Exodus International, the world’s largest ministry to those desiring freedom from unwanted homosexuality, joins pro-family groups around the nation in urging Congress to stop a hate crimes bill that would penalize those with faith-based beliefs about homosexuality.

Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International, said, “Today, we celebrate a sacred right to freely practice our individual religious beliefs, and at the same time, Congress is debating legislation that could eventually destroy these freedoms. Hate crimes legislation does not prosecute illegal actions that harm others, it prosecutes beliefs about homosexuality that for many Americans, is consistent with their faith.”

Chambers notes that there have been many examples of this in the United States and around the world. Canada, Australia, Sweden and other European nations have used hate crimes law to punish, even imprison preachers for speaking out against protected persons. Preachers have been fined or jailed in Canada and Sweden for quoting passages from the Bible about homosexuality. In England, a Christian was thrown in jail for passing out pamphlets with Bible verses condemning homosexual activity. In Philadelphia, eleven Christians were jailed for sharing a message from the Bible to a crowd of people attending a public pro-gay event.

Chambers says these and other examples should cause members of Congress to reconsider their support for hate crimes legislation. “The freedom to live our lives in a manner consistent with our faith-based beliefs is precious and so is the ability to share truth with others,” said Chambers. “As we celebrate the blessing of religious liberty today, we urge Congress to recommit to preserving these freedoms for generations to come by rejecting any legislation that would weaken or destroy it.”

Reprinted Press Release from Hoganson Media Relations

(Nashville, TN) January 16, 2007: A key songwriter impacting churches around the globe, Matt Redman’s Beautiful News released Dec. 26 and debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart, moving to the No. 4 spot on the respected sales indicator in its second week. After debuting at No. 7 on the SoundScan® compiled Christian Retail chart, the album is currently No. 3 on the chart with nearly 10,000 units sold in its first two weeks and tracking 87.3 percent ahead of the sales of Redman’s previous critically acclaimed album, Facedown.

In addition to the jump in sales numbers, Redman’s first radio single from Beautiful News, “Shine,” has become an R&R Most Added AC single as the album continues to receive widespread commercial and critical acclaim. Joining CCM, Christian Music Today, Worship Leader Magazine and others, in giving the album praise, here is what the critics continue to say:

“Beautiful News opens with the title track, featuring ample guitar riffs and a chorus that nearly begs to be played on pop-contemporary airwaves.” –Christian Music Planet (January/February 2007)

“Beautiful News displays once again Redman’s penchant for catchy hooks and songs for collective praise and may in fact be his best release to date.”–CMCentral.com

“[Beautiful News] is full of songs that can be listened to on their own merits and that can translate to worship settings.” –Fort Worth Star Telegram

“Redman goes beyond the standard worship fare and brings us something we can sink our hearts into…Redman truly makes the Good News a thing of beauty.” –CBN.com

As the momentum continues, Redman will also be playing new music from Beautiful News on the Chris Tomlin How Great Is Our God Tour launching Jan. 25 in Phoenix with label-mate Tomlin and Passion founder Louie Giglio.

“One of the things which makes the ‘How great is our God’ tour special is the team dynamic,” says Redman. “Chris, Louie and I have shared so much life and vision together over the last few years. We’ve written songs together, we’ve traveled to different countries together - and as close friends we’ve dreamed about reaching a generation for the glory of God. Chris’ new tour is the next step on that exciting journey, and I’m absolutely delighted to be part of it.”

Additional information on the Chris Tomlin How Great Is Our God Tour can be found at www.MattRedman.com.

Redman’s songwriting is synonymous with integrity and is impacting churches around the globe. Leading a generation of worshipers, his songs have been recorded by artists such as Michael W. Smith, Rebecca St. James, Tree 63, Kutless and Passion, among others. A key songwriter for today’s church, Matt Redman garnered a 2006 Gospel Music Association award for Praise & Worship Album of the Year (Blessed Be Your Name The Songs of Matt Redman Vol. 1) and currently has 15 songs on the CCLI charts, with eight songs populating the Top 100.

More information on Matt Redman can be found at www.mattredman.com, www.heartofworship.com, www.sixstepsrecords.com and www.EMICMG.com