Category: News

Man charged with arson in US church fire

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STAFF

Sheriff’s office investigators in the United States have not yet determined the motive behind a church arson after one person was arrested for the criminal act Saturday.

A spokesperson for the Tuolumne County, California Sheriff’s Office said the fire was set Saturday, March 19 at the Journey Church in Sonora, California. The church building was fully engulfed in flame when firefighters arrived.

Early Sunday deputies were called back to the church by firefighters who said a man at the fire scene was acting strangely. Deputies questioned the man at the scene and arrested him for arson and burglary.

Christian station still reaching listeners in Russia

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David Ingram

A Christian radio station continues to transmit the Gospel to Russian listeners even though extreme restrictions placed on the media and devastation caused by the invasion of Ukraine have forced it to move its studio more than once.

New Life Radio began broadcasting in 1996 from Magadan, Russia on 102.5 FM. It moved to Odessa, Ukraine in 2019 after Russia began imposing federal laws on religion and the press. It now broadcasts as a satellite station as well as via the Internet. It has continued operation non-stop even though It has had to move at least two more times for safety after Russian bombs began falling on residential and business areas in Ukraine.

“Friends of New Life Radio…please pray for our radio staff. We will continue broadcasting as long as the Lord allows, and pray that our studio building will be spared,” said station founder Daniel Johnson in a comment made on the station’s Facebook page.

Texas Gospel Canada is thankful to the staff of New Life Radio for its continued operation under extreme conditions. Please pray that God’s will be done through their continued work.

Martin Cook, Founder of The Inspiratons, dies

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STAFF REPORTS

Martin Cook, the founder of The Inspirations has died after being diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. His obituary says he died at his son’s home in Georgia.

Mr. Cook started the legendary group while he was a chemistry teacher at Swain County High School in Bryson City, North Carolina. In 1964, four of his students joined him and the storied journey of The Inspirations began. 

Mr. Cook was inducted into the SGMA Hall of Fame in 2003.  His contributions to southern gospel music will long be remembered and celebrated. 

Martin Cook was 85.

Best of Gospel Harmonies airing while Alan Cook recovers

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DAVID INGRAM

Texas Gospel Canada has been airing “best of” versions of Alan Cook’s Gospel Harmonies programs for a few weeks.  We wanted to let listeners know the reason.

Alan Cook is dealing with serious back trouble. He has been in the hospital since January 12. A post to his website asks listeners to keep him in your prayers.

Alan has produced the program for more than 40 years spotlighting the very best in current releases and classics spanning the past six decades. We hope he recovers soon and look forward to new programs soon on Texas Gospel Canada.

Reported crimes against the church in North America this week 1/30/2022

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DAVID INGRAM

The number of reported crimes against churches and congregations remains low for a second week in a row.  No confirmed hate crimes have been reported to Texas Gospel Canada since the first of the year.

CTV reports RCMP investigators in Olds, Alberta are looking for the person caught on security footage damaging windows at the First Baptist church.  MountainViewToday reports the damage was reported January 23.

Authorities in Lawrence County, Alabama began the week looking for whomever caused thousands of dollars in damage to the New Antioch Church of Christ building, according to The Birmingham News. The paper published photos of the damage. WAAY television reports the motive does not appear to be theft as no valuable items were taken. Shortly after those stories ran police arrested two juveniles. APnews reports the teens were identified from surveillance video. WHNT television reports the damage is estimated at $30,000.

A Virginia church grotto was vandalized and statues “irreparably damaged” Tuesday night according to a report from WTOP news. A post by the pastor on the church web site says, “I am so saddened by this act of disrespect and destruction of property…. Let us be people of peace who value and respect one another.”