News Of The Day – May 18th
Israel Conflict With Hamas Continues
Israel needs our prayers. In a conflict as old as the ages, Israel is once again under attack. After weeks of tension during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, Israeli police clashed with Palestinian protesters near the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Hamas launched dozens of rockets that it said were to avenge Israel’s actions in the contested holy city. With both sides refusing to back down and rebuffing international calls for a cease-fire, fears have risen about an outright war. But we know God will protect his chosen people, and woe to those who go against Israel. Read more about the conflict here.
Supreme Court To Hear Abortion Case Challenging Roe vs. Wade
In what pro-life supporters call a win, the US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to Mississippi’s 15-week ban on abortion. The verdict could upend the legal right to abortion laid out in the court’s 1973 landmark Roe v Wade ruling. In announcing the decision to hear the case, the Supreme Court said they would review whether “all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional.” If Mississippi’s ban is upheld by the Supreme Court, it could pave the way for further abortion restrictions and could upend the legal right to abortion per the Roe vs Wade ruling. Read more about the case here.
Mega Church Pastor Olu Brown Retires
Reverend Olu Brown of Fulton County’s prominent Impact Church announced on Sunday that he plans to retire as lead pastor. His retirement from the progressive church takes effect in June 2022. Brown, a native of Lufkin, Texas, said he is leaving to pursue entrepreneurial and consulting opportunities full time with churches, businesses and nonprofits. “Now that part of God’s call on my life has come to an end, it’s time for me to normalize next,” he said. A successor has not been named and will be determined by United Methodist Church officials in the North Georgia Conference. Read more about his retirement here.
Utah Climber Rescued From Area Called “Certain Death”
A climber who suffered an injury in Utah was rescued from a region known as “Certain Death” after a rock the “size of a refrigerator” rolled on top of him. Officials said rescue crews reached his accident site around 4pm, responding to a call that a climber had had an accident in the Gate Buttress area of Little Cottonwood Canyon, which is a part of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The region is located about 15 miles from Salt Lake City, according to the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue division. rescued by helicopter, officials did not provide further comment on the climber’s injuries or his condition. Read more about the rescue here.
