By Macie Malone, Family Research Council communications CAIRO, EGYPT - Family Research Council President Tony Perkins joined a delegation of U.S. evangelical leaders in Cairo Oct. 31 for a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss his administration's commitment to religious freedom for all Egyptians including Egypt's Christians and other religious minorities, some of whom have been the targets of waves of terrorist attacks. After his visit with President el Sisi, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement: "I appreciate the opportunity to meet with President el-Sisi to discuss the concerns we have, as American Evangelicals, for the plight of religious minorities in Egypt, especially those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. "Egypt, under the leadership of President el-Sisi is making progress in protecting Egyptians from being targeted because of their religious identity. President el-Sisi is committed to working to ensure that every human being can exercise their God-given right to religious freedom. As part of this work, we encourage Egypt to increase public awareness of the cultural, economic, political and national … [Read more...]

By Mary Frances Satterwhite, Baptist Global Response communications NASHVILLE, TENN—Baptist Global Response (BGR) has set a #GivingTuesday goal to provide 500 water filters to people in need. #GivingTuesday is a global day of charity scheduled just after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year's event falls on Nov. 28. BGR will participate by urging Southern Baptists to give monetarily toward the goal. It suggests a donation of $25 per filter. If reached, the 500-filter goal will generate $12,500 to help bring fresh water to struggling families around the world. Each filter provides a family of five with a year's worth of drinkable water. In 2016, BGR partners distributed roughly 20,000 around the world. BGR Office Director Mary Frances Satterwhite says the #GivingTuesday goal offers Southern Baptists a chance to increase their impact in the future. "Think of the 500 families who are getting water filters and then multiply that by the number of people in each family and … the growth is exponential," she says. "So, the goal is really exciting because it will make a huge difference in so many people's lives." BGR water filters are currently listed in the organization's 2017 Christmas Gift Catalog and on its … [Read more...]