Katy Perry's Parents

Katy Perry's father and mother spoke at Church On The Rise in Westlake, Ohio this week, saying their daughter's recent divorce from comedian Russell Brand was something God used to get people into the church. Keith and Mary Hudson addressed the issue directly. Keith Hudson told the crowd, "What has taken place in my daughter's life has opened many opportunities to go in and be with guarded and gated people. God has given us a platform to go in and meet people and they like us because we are cool. We are not threatening." They will appear at New Hope International Church in Fort Valley, Georgia this weekend and then at a Florida church this week. The video below promotes the events. You can see the Hudson's schedule here.

Pastor’s detailed book on sex divides reviewers

CNN takes a look at the controversial sex book written by Seattle megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll here.

Tattoo Parlor in Church

A Michigan church has opened Serenity Tattoo inside its doors. Read the story here.

Persecution on the Rise

While the population in Africa is the most Christian it has ever been and the church is growing in the Middle East, persecution is also on the rise in these parts of the world. Most of Iraq’s pre-war Christian population have fled to other countries. Christians are on death row in Iran and Pakistan for either leaving Islam or blasphemy. Dozens of churches in Indonesia have been attacked or closed. In Egypt and Syria, political upheaval and Muslim zeal are threatening Christian groups. Many Christians have died in Islamist bomb attacks in Nigeria. Christians are harassed in China and Vietnam. There are attempts in India to penalize converts.

Shift in Christian population

The number of Christians in sub-Saharan Africa has soared over the past century, from 9% to 63%, according to the Pew foundation. At the same time, the Christian population in Europe has fallen from 95% in 1910 to 76% in 2010. In the Americas, its down from 96% to 86%. Read more here.

Romney’s evangelical problem starts with theology

Religion News Service looks at why Evangelicals are reluctant to support Mitt Romney here.

Why evangelicals coalesced around Rick Santorum

Read the story from CBS news here.

County Money to Jesus Fest Disputed

The ACLU is trying to get West Virginia's Harrison County Commission from supporting a yearly festival in the country. Jesus Fest takes place each fall and the county has given $2000 in support of it for five years. The ACLU sent a letter to the county commission last month objecting to the payment as unlawful. The county commission says it also funds other festivals and community events, including the Italian Heritage Festival and the Black Heritage Festival. The funds also do not come out of taxpayer pockets, but from gambling revenues supported by a video lottery and table games.

Numbers out of Iowa

Here are some numbers out of a Gallup poll taken in December of Republicans in Iowa.

• Rick Santorum is Roman Catholic but got only 4% of the Catholic vote. 
• Mitt Romney got the support of 71% of Mormon Republicans but only 18% of Protestants who attend church weekly. 
• 19% of Republicans who do not have a formal religious identity support Ron Paul.

Former TBN pastor's trial set

A former Trinity Broadcasting Network pastor faces a civil trial in April. Stephen Galiher got 5 years probation for hitting another driver with his company-owned BMW in 2009. Galiher had been drinking with TBN founder Paul Crouch and was going more than 85 miles per hour and was three times over the legal drinking limit. The 71-year-old victim, David Rhodes, died six months later. Galiher pleaded guilty to felony charges of driving under the influence and causing injury. The judge suggested he wanted to give Galiher more time but was constrained by the law. Now, Rhodes' family is suing Galiher and TBN, saying the Christian TV network ignored Galiher's drinking problem. TBN claims Galiher was not acting as a employee at the time of the crash.

Iowa Vote

Here's the breakdown from entrance polls on who Evangelicals in Iowa say they supported in the Republican presidential race:

Santorum - 33%
Paul - 19%
Gingrich - 14%
Romney - 14%
Perry - 14%
Bachmann - 5%
Huntsman - 0%

Haggard on Wife Swap

Former megachurch pastor Ted Haggard will be featured the ABC series Celebrity Wife Swap. His wife will trade places with the wife of actor Gary Busey. Haggard says his wife, Gayle, got along so well with Gary the couples are now friends and will watch the show featuring them together. Celebrity Wife Swap debuts tonight at 9pm Eastern.