Transitions
Rifqa Bary ended a yearlong legal battle with her parents on Aug. 10 when she turned 18. The Ohio teen ran away from her Muslim parents in July 2009, claiming they threatened to kill her for converting to Christianity, an allegation her parents deny. A native of Sri Lanka, she has been granted permanent legal residence. Her attorney, Kort Gatterdam, says Bary plans to “continue to preach the gospel to anyone who wants to hear it.” Bary was also being treated for uterine cancer, which her doctors say was successfully removed.
Australia-based Hillsong Church is launching its first U.S. campus in New York City. Led by American minister Carl Lentz and Hillsong United frontman Joel Houston, the church plans to hold an Encounter Night Oct. 17 featuring Hillsong pastor Brian Houston. Weekly services are expected to begin by January.
Bishop Charles Ellis III in August was elected presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, a Oneness Pentecostal denomination. Ellis is also pastor of 6,000-member Greater Grace Temple in Detroit.
Sammy Mah resigned as president of World Relief, effective Sept. 1. Sam Wolgemuth, a former World Relief board chair, was elected interim CEO of the Christian aid organization.
