
Articles by Lizzie Sotola
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96 percent of American children and teens use social media on a daily basis and nearly half say they use it “almost constantly”, according to the Pew Research Center (PRC). The situation seems comparable in many other countries around the world. While experts have yet to confirm a direct correlation between social media use and poor mental health, there is growing evidence suggesting a connection to anxiety, depression and loneliness. -

Thousands of people march for Jesus in Colombia, pray for peace in the nation
Thousands of people participated in the March for Jesus in Bogota, Colombia with the slogan 'With Jesus Christ Colombia in peace'. Organized jointly by the Colombian Evangelical Confederation (CEDECOL) and the Catholic Church, the event mobilized Christians to pray to God for the nation. -

President Maduro threatens 'bloodbath' if he loses, yet Venezuelans hopeful today's election will bring change
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro threatened a “bloodbath” if the loses the presidential election today, July 28. While some take the warning seriously, others believe it is just meant to instill fear and suppress his rival's voters as finally, after quarter of a century of socialist rule, there seems to be hope for change. -

Church leaders should be trained in suicide prevention, says survivor: 'Jesus is the greatest protection'
Suicide is as old as mankind. Throughout history, different cultures and different human societies have viewed suicide in different ways, depending on the philosophical, religious, intellectual, social and economic principles of each time period. The life story of Matías Kornetz, director and founder of “Prevenir es Amar” (Preventing is Loving) - an organization devoted to preventing suicide and supporting those who are immersed in substance abuse and may fall into suicidal behaviors - is the st -

Crying Out Together in Costa Rica: Evangelicals launch month-long prayer initiative against femicide, domestic violence
The Federación Alianza Evangélica Costarricense (FAEC) has launched “Clamando Unidos en Costa Rica” (Crying Out Together in Costa Rica), a challenge to pray 24 hours a day during the whole month of July and have virtual and in-person meetings once a day to pray for the country with one heart. -

Is Lionel Messi a Christian?
On the occasion of Lionel Messi’s birthday on June 24, Argentinian journalist Juan Pablo Varsky published an interview with the star athlete where he answered openly without avoiding any question - including about his faith. -

'I wanted to find Christ, and I found Him', says former First Lady of Panama in video testimony
Panama’s former First Lady Lorena Castillo, Juan Carlos Varela’s wife (Varela was President of Panama from 2014 to 2019), said in a video shared on social media that she “wanted to find Christ, and found Him … a year and a half ago”. “I have always searched for more, more spirituality, something that would fill my professional and material life. Because though I had it all, I felt so empty… So, so empty, so I decided to study the Bible”, Castillo shares in the video. -

Controversial Colombian bill to ban “conversion” therapies potentially threatening parents with imprisonment shelved – for now
The debate over a bill that sought to prohibit so-called “conversion” therapies in Colombia was definitely shelved on Wednesday, according to pro-children and family legislators and activists. The so-called "Efforts to Change Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression" (ECOSIEG) bill – also dubbed “Inconvertibles” – was supposed to be debated this week, raising concerns about the possible loss of parents’ authority over their children. -

Following decisive election, Mexican pro-life organizations express concerns about prevailing culture of death
Following Mexico's presidential elections, Claudia Sheinbaum (61), a leftist scientist and the first woman ever to become President of the 129 million-strong nation, will take office on October 1. With the country facing numerous challenges internally and externally, some evangelicals express hope and pray for God's wisdom to address issues, while pro-life groups have raised concerns about the promotion of a culture of death and values that are contrary to the Bible. -

As heavy rains and flooding continues in Brazil, woman who lost everything has only one request: a Bible
Among the testimonies that the Brazilian Evangelical Alliance (AEB) collected during the ongoing rain emergency in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, a woman approached Pastor Cassiano Luz, executive director of the alliance. “Can I ask you for something?” she said, and when he responded affirmingly, she whispered: “I just want a Bible.” -

Amid rising tensions globally, Argentina interfaith panel seeks to promote dialogue & respect
Religious leaders, academics and civil society representatives from Argentina recently met to discuss tolerance, world peace and freedom of religion. Held at the National Senate, the meeting was endorsed by the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) – evidence of the interest of international organizations in this initiative. -

Dominican evangelicals support pro-life candidates proposed by leaked Catholic list
The Archdiocese of Santo Domingo issued a document titled "Candidates in favor of life and family values", in which it detailed a list of 122 legislative candidates belonging to the major parties who are openly pro-life, and urged that they be elected to assume positions in Congress.
