• Persecuted Christians During Christmas 2015: Obama Joins in Prayers for God's Protection While Iraq Forces Close in on ISIS

  U.S. President Barack Obama offered the following observations in a White House statement in relation to Christmas 2015: "We join with people around the world in praying for God’s protection for persecuted Christians and those of other faiths, as well as for those brave men and women engaged in our military, diplomatic, and humanitarian efforts to alleviate their suffering and restore stability, security, and hope to their nations."

  

• Vonette Bright, Co-founder fo Campus Crusade for Christ, Dies at 89, Initiated National Day of Prayer

  Vonette Zachary Bright, who with her late husband co-founded Campus Crusade for Christ (now known as Cru), died Wednesday of complications from leukemia in Orlando, Fla., reports Fox News. She was 89 years old.

  

• Dangerous, Rare Tornado Watch Issued: Outbreak in Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Ohio Underway

  A "particularly dangerous situation" tornado watch is in effect for Wednesday evening by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) for eastern Arkansas, northwest Mississippi, northeast Louisiana and western Tennessee until 8 p.m. CST. This type of tornado watch is issued in rare situations when long-lived intense tornadoes are likely, according to the center's experts.

  

• God's Sending Signs: 'Field of Dreams' Documentary Director Seeks Funding to Complete Faith-Based Project

  Justin Nye Summers, director of a documentary in production "The Baseball Bond: Our Real-Life Field of Dreams," said God is nudging him forward to finish his film that follows a team of fathers and their sons as they compete in the Father & Son World Series. To date, he received four calls from film producers offering to help, but Justin is worried they will take the religion out of the film, and so he's seriously considering finishing the project himself.

  

• Christian Pastor Farshid Fathi Released After Five Years in Iranian Prison, Jailed For His Faith

  This Christmas brings joy rather than terror to Christian pastor Farshid Fathi, who was released from an Iranian prison after spending nearly five years in jail for his Christian faith. Fathi originally was arrested on Dec. 26, 2010, with 60-plus other Christians from house churches in Tehran by agents of Iran's Intelligence Ministry. World Watch Monitor announced Tuesday that the Iranian pastor was freed on Monday, despite the fact his sentence recently was extended.