>> george: today on christian world news, showdown over syria, why christians fear a u.s. military strike could make it harder to stay in their country. >> wendy: plus, forgiving their attackers, how egypt's

christians are offering forgiveness to the people who burned their churches and institutions. >> george: and back from the dead. for 45 minutes, this man had no pulse, no breath, no life, and then a simple command opened his eyes. ♪ >> george: an atrocity in syria could lead to a wider war. hello, everyone, i'm george thomas. >> wendy: and i'm wendy griffith. by now you have seen the horrific pictures, images of a deadly chemical weapons attack in syria has moved world leaders to action against syria. they spent the week building an international consensus for a military response. u.s. president obama says there is no doubt the syrian government used the weapons on its own people. he says any american response sends a strong signal to syrian president bashar al-assad. >> george: syrian christians say u.s. military action against the assad regime will only bring them

greater hardship and suffering. they're asking christians around the world to pray that god intervenes to bring spees peacs peace to their nation. gary lane has more. >> reporter: many of the country's christians are praying for divine intervention. they believe the collective prayers of christians around the world could reverse an escalating conflict. i talked by phone with a syrian pastor, who resides in the u.s., but travels regularly to syria. he is in constant contact with christians inside the country. he asked that we not give his name or show his face in order to protect him and other syrian christians from retribution by militant islamists. >> the christians are living in fear right now in syria. we know what might happen, and we see the consequences of that action by the u.s. and it will be a destruction for the christians in the middle east, and

specifically in syria. >> reporter: that's because, they say, any u.s.-led military attack will only strengthen military islamists, who have already targeted christians. >> once nato hits syria, they'll weaken the structure and the rule of that system of syria. it is going to be destroyed. that means what is going to come next is the shari'a law, and the shari'a is very much an exit of christianity in that part of the world. >> reporter: militant islamists have already forced many christians out of the country. others have been murdered or kidnapped, and churches have been destroyed. while many syrian christians feel president obama has abandoned them, they know god has not. >> obama, he cares less for the christians in syria and the christians around the world. but we know god has given promises that god is going to protect the christian community in syria. and our trust is not in any power -- not in the regime, not in the u.s. our trust is in god himself,

that he sees and he hears the cries of the christians. >> reporter: and that's why it is crucial, this pastor says, that christians pray for their syrian brothers and sisters in christ. because it is more than a battle for the survival of the syrian church. >> this is a battle between jesus christ and the enemy himself. and what is happening to the christians in the middle east will happen eventually to many christians around the world. >> reporter: so syrian christians say pray. but they know the outcome is not in the hands of bashar al-assad or those who oppose him. >> god is not going to go work with anybody's agenda. god is going to work for his own agenda, and the purpose of the growing of the kingdom of god. >> reporter: gary lane, cbn news. >> wendy: thanks, gary. in the midst of suffering in civil war, a syrian christian is ministering to his countrymen via television. though many syrians have only four hours of electricity per day, some are watching a program

called "just for you." it is hosted by a worship leader from lata kia named nor botres. one of the season's highlights occurred when a viewer called in requesting prayer for a kidnapped family member, and nor prayed, and the family member was returned. >> george: turning to egypt where over the past two weeks, the church has suffered its worst attacks in centuries. >> wendy: islamic radicalism spurred the attacks, but the attacks were met with christian love. >> reporter: the city of minia sits at the epicenter of the persecution against the christian church. this is the church in minia, one of the dozens of churches that have been destroyed throughout egypt. this is a 100-year-old church. as you can see, it has been completely destroyed on the inside. one egyptian expert said the violence against the

churches in egypt is the worst in nearly 700 years. this exclusive video aired for the first time on nationwide tv, and shows the inside of the sanctuary is completely gutted and the alter destroyed. now the church uses this makeshift alter outside, and the pastor explained to us they started holding their services at 6:30 in the morning. engineers say the church would need to be torn down before it would be rebuilt. >> to be sure that everything is burned, they put fire in every place. before this time, they make a sign for christian places or cars or houses or buildings, and if the place has an "x" on it, they burn the place. >> reporter: the churches weren't the only targets. schools, cars, and businesses owned by christians were destroyed. muslim radicals marked christian businesses with a black "x" before torching them. perhaps most shocking was the destruction of this christian orphanage. >> this is a coptic christian orphanage called

"christ's soldiers." muslim mobs came in and destroyed the building, leaving about 200 children without shelter. they wanted to leave a message for the attackers and they wrote it on the wall outside. and it said, "you meant to hurt us, but we forgive you. god is love. everything works out for good." they also wrote, "love your enemies." evangelical ministries bore the brunt of many attacks. this is what remains of the bookstore in minia of the bible society of egypt. their store in nearby ashute was also destroyed. >> for the last 150 years, we've been operating and we have book shops in cairo and alexandria and upper egypt, and it has never happened in the history. >> reporter: according to this egyptian website, more than 60 churches were attacked, from minia, alexandra, the suez, and throughout egypt. the rampage began after muslim brotherhood supporters used the churches

as scapegoats for the army's decision to break up two brotherhood protest camps in cairo. they also blamed the church for participating in the ouster of president mohammed morsi. yet christians point out many of their muslim neighbors defended and protected them. they don't see this as a muslim against christian issue, but as the muslim brotherhood against the christians. and see even though they have been targeted, they are responding with forgiveness, pressing on in the face of persecution. >> we respond as every other christian has responded in egypt. we're in egypt to serve. we're in egypt to demonstrate the christian love. we do everything effort to be self-restrained and to show the christian love that the lord has taught us to show. >> reporter: the churches are asking for prayer and support from the church worldwide. >> what happens in egypt affects everybody. we're asking them to pray for the country. we're asking them to pray for christians.

we're asking them to pray for the military. and we're asking them to pray for the government, the existing government, that the lord may give them wisdom and guidance in every decision they make. >> reporter: while living under threats, they vow to continue their ministries. they say their buildings have been destroyed, but the church goes on, and their faith remains in jesus christ, who promised he would build his church. chris mitchell, cbn news, minia, egypt. >> george: and one other item from the region, an iranian court has rejected pastor saeed abedini's appeal. he was convicted for his christian faith. his wife, naghmeh expressed disappointment in the united states government. hshe says, "i am extremely disappointed that president obama has remained silent on this case of an american imprisoned in iran."

john kerry is asking the government of iran to release pastor aberdini. in a statement on wednesday, kerry pointed out the pastor has spent almost one year in prison in iran. and he appealed to iran's new leader, rouhani, who has expressed wanting to improve relations with the united states. >> wendy: at least 13 others have been arrested since july, but the charges against them remain unknown. reverend sam ignazar said, quote,"now that president rouhani has expressed his determination to reopen lines of dialogue with the west, iran should improve treatment of its religious minorities." christians are exiled or sentenced to prison, and some, like aberdini, are tortured. >> george: up next, the amazing story of a man who >> george: well, this week an amazing story right here in the united states. an ohio man came back to life after being dead, check this out, for 45 minutes.

>> wendy: in it is credible, george. tony's story astounded the medical community and made headlines around the world. our cbn reporter, charlene israel, travelled to ohio for the story. charlene, you met tony and his family, what did you discover? >> incredible, wendy. i actually sat down with the family and heard their story. it is truly a miracle. they all told me that it was tony's faith and their faith that kept him alive. 37-year-old tony yalley is thankful he could attend church with his family. >> it feels great. i was always a believer, but it is at a whole new level now. >> reporter: in the early morning of august 5 i august 5th, tony that difficulty breathing and went into cardiac arrest. >> 4 a.m., the lord woke me up. there is no other explanation. i don't get up at 4 a.m. something just woke me up. i heard his breathing. as a nurse, i knew it was

not correct. i turned on the light, tried to wake him up. he wouldn't wake up. i took his pulse, and he didn't have a pulls, so i went into my training and did c.p.r. >> reporter: he was rushed to this hospital, where he later coded. doctors worked on him for 45 minutes to save his life. he was later pronounced dead. his family was shocked and heartbroken. >> i just dropped. my stomach dropped. i just didn't know how to feel. i just cried. >> it was an overwhelming shock. a lot of grief. >> reporter: while nurses prepared the body for his family's final viewing, melissa kept believing for the impossible. >> my 17-year-old cousin, who is a preacher, laid his hand upon me, and the lord spoke through him. and he said -- he called me his child. he said a whole lot more, which i don't remember, but he also said if we would just believe it would be

done. from that moment on, i knew. i knew he was going to be all right. >> reporter: pastor paul sentoro and his wife, jennifer, were at the hospital with tony's family. pastor paul said he had recently been teaching on the power of prayer. and the couple had also began talking to tony's 17-year-old son, lawrence, about the strength of god. >> i remember watching him with these elbows on his desk, and he had his head down and he was praying. and then the word came in and the doctors came in, and the place erupted with such grief. i'll never forget the sounds of the wailing, the screaming, the crying. and lawrence jumped up and he hit the wall, just really hard. i saw lawrence, as he was turned to the wall. he was shaking his head. and all of a sudden he straightened up, and it was as if he just had this second wind. >> reporter: refusing to accept his father's death,

lawrence did something extraordinary. >> something just clicked. and i just came up, and i said, dad, you're not going to die today. >> i spoke against the spirit of death in my prayer, and i asked the lord to give him life and to call him back. and when i did that, lawrence runs out into the hallway, and we were actually in agreement. he declared that the doctors must not give up hope on his dad. he said that a couple of times. he said that he spoke towards his dad and said his dad would live. >> reporter: immediately, tony's body began to show signs of life. he fully awakened five days later with no signs of heart damage or defects. >> there are so many miracles that have to get out there, after that big one. even down to coming out with no broken ribs and not being sore. >> reporter: hospital officials have no explanation for tony's

miraculous recovery. they agree, though, there was divine intervention. >> i truly think with the power of prayer and all of the things that were being done for him is the perfect colescence of god in our lives. >> reporter: news of his resurrection has spread around the world. >> i think we have been created by an amazing god. there is only one god. >> people who doubt will say it is just medical. people who believe will say it is just proof of what i know to be true. >> reporter: tony says he doesn't remember anything about death, no white light, visions of heaven, and no answers why this happened. but he says his faith is stronger and more real than ever. >> god steps in when man can do no more. and they literally had come to the end and said they could do no more. they pronounced me dead, and that's when he came. >> reporter: and the family also wants people to worship god, not the miracle. >> our god is an awesome

god. >> wendy: charlene, tony looks like the picture of health. what do doctors say was wrong with him? >> reporter: doctors are absolutely clueless. he has no heart problems, history of heart problems. possibly it was a viral infection because he had a cold a few weeks before that, but they're not really sure. >> wendy: this is truly a miracle. to god be the glory. thanks for the report. we appreciate it. >> george: coming up, how school children in the world's largest muslim nation are learning about the bible.

werp welcom >> wendy: welcome back. cbn's "superbook" will soon be seen on television screens in the world's largest muslim country.

>> george: and some school kids received a preview of the emmy nominated series. >> reporter: hoping to generate interest in the animated series, the "superbook" team are touring several schools in indonesia. they give away souveniers and treats them to a sneak peek of this extraordinary kids' program. cbn indonesia director mark mcclendon says the "superbook" broadcast will be his story. >> never before in the history of admissions in indonesia has there been an opportunity like this, where you can present christ and you can present christ in context, in the entire bible, the whole mission of the heart of god. >> reporter: "superbook" has been translated into bahafa, the indonesia

language. >> and if i can say, i think that some of the episodes in the indonesia language -- "superbook" in the indonesia language sound even better than "superbook" in the english language. it is so cool. and gizmo lights up in the indonesian language, and kids just go wild. >> reporter: it premieres september 14th on the third largest network. m.m.c. runs 80% of the top children's programs. >> it is going to be amazing to see this whole generation of indonesians, not just christian indonesians. you're talking about children across this nation, from all religions, being able to hear the gospel. >> reporter: this is the first time that "superbook" is being promoted in this school here in indonesia. and what is interesting is

the response of all of the children here. and among these students are muslims listening and given the opportunity to learn about god's word in animation. the muslim parents say they like their children to learn the values they see in christian children. they allow their children to study christian religion because they believe it is just like any other subject. >> i believe "superbook" will be a door for us to spread the gospel among the children here. >> later, perhaps it will grow and they can believe in jesus. >> reporter: the students gave their full attention as they watched the first "superbook" episode. not only were they delighted with the state-of-the-art animation, but they were also moved by the story. >> i pray that i will not fight anymore with my brother. and i will stop speaking bad words. >> i'm excited because i know that kids everywhere

are going to be singing. they're going to be singing the salvation poem. they're going to. because "superbook" is a seed. ♪ [singing in the indonesian language] >> reporter: seeds planted in the hearts of children, one day reaping a bountiful harvest in indonesia. lucille, cbn news, jakarta. >> george: you can follow christian world news on our facebook page and there you can see daily stories and share your thoughts and prayers with others from the global church. we'll be back right after this.

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save your back. my bride. my rules. and regain their lives. you've got to be kidding me. whoa! fight for your mobility. visit anationinmotion.org. a message from demy of orthopaedic surgeons. i'll take it from here. music want some more. what's he doing? please sir, i want some more. more? he has asked for... thank you. well he did say please... yes he did. and thank you. please and thank you. pass it on. of children) thank you. >> george: and finally on christian world news this week, when the sun rises in the coastal city of catahana, colombia, most folks are still sound

asleep. >> wendy: however, a growing number are getting out of bed to walk the streets and pray. the early risers are bringing a spiritual awakening to the city. >> reporter: in the pre-dawn hours of a friday morning, hundreds of colombians walk the streets of this neighborhood, praying passionately for their city. >> i got up at 3:30 a.m. the holy spirit was stirring me, and his presence brought me here, seeking him. >> reporter: being an early riser changes your life, intellectually and in your workplace. >> reporter: the vision came from esta bonacosta, pastor of the anointing church. >> what is the outcome of all of this? it is causing people to grow spiritually. people who don't have work come with their resumes and they receive employment. it is something amazing, what god is doing among these early risers. >> i have seen this restore my home. and since then i said i

would never miss any early rising, and here i am. >> reporter: cartahana's pre-dawn prayer walk began 10 years ago. walkers come out twice a week and end with a time of worship and celebration. >> the people get up as early at 2 a.m. to come to this city. they pray blessing on the government, even on our full country. this has produced a great revival. the churches are growing. >> reporter: these early risers are convinced god will heal their city's problems, including one of the highest levels of child pros substitution in latin-america. heather cells, cbn news. >> george: and for a country that has seen so much violence over the decades, to see the power of prayer work, it truly is -- we saw the story of the miracle today, prayer works, folks. >> wendy: the prayer of the righteous avails much. >> george: folks, that is it for this week's edition of christian world news. we've got to get out of

here. >> wendy: we do. but until next week, from all of us here, good-bye and god bless you.

>> as a worship leader, darnisha taylor tries to bring people into the presence of the holy spirit. but in a drowning incident on a cold michigan lake, she found herself the one transported into the heavenlies and she's going to talk about it next on "significant