Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie will be held in strict isolation within the prison system. The official cited intelligence reports suggesting Mackenzie attempted to radicalize fellow inmates and police officers while in custody. This measure aims to prevent the spread of extremist religious teachings that led to the Shakahola massacre, which killed 191 people. The High Court in Mombasa recently sentenced Mackenzie to 200 years in prison for murder by starvation and direct homicide. Murkomen stated the government would take firm action against religious extremism while respecting constitutional rights to worship. The decision follows the conviction of Mackenzie and 28 co-accused for their roles in the 2023 tragedy in Kilifi County.
Jonathan Balshaw, a British tourist from Ipswich, described hiding in a Krakow basilica during a mass shooting in Poland on Saturday. The attack killed six people, including another British national, and injured several others. Balshaw recognized rifle fire and sought refuge with his girlfriend inside the crowded church, fearing it might become the gunman's next target. He witnessed paramedics treating victims outside and praised a police officer who was shot three times while apprehending the suspect. The incident has shaken public confidence in safety across the region.
Elisabeth Jane Ross, a 38-year-old Scottish missionary working with refugees, was discovered deceased inside a suitcase in an abandoned building in the Kypseli district of Athens, Greece, on July 18. Police have arrested a 26-year-old man who admitted moving the body but denies involvement in her death. Toxicology tests are ongoing to determine the cause of death. Ross had arrived in Athens on June 26 to volunteer. Her local pastor, Peter Anderson, described her as deeply dedicated to her mission work. The Scottish government is supporting her family while the investigation continues.
The Assemblies of God in Spain, partnering with Convoy of Hope, is coordinating humanitarian aid in Venezuela following devastating earthquakes. The disaster has caused over 6,000 deaths and left thousands homeless. The Department of Social Action has established nine distribution centers, focusing on La Guaira and Caracas. Local churches are serving thousands of meals daily despite their own losses. The operation also includes mobile units for isolated areas and the shipment of essential medicines. The group plans a reconstruction phase to help rebuild damaged community spaces while maintaining ongoing food and medical support for affected families.
The Evangelismo en Acción board reports that the Pinos Reales camp center in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Spain, suffered significant material damage from recent wildfires, though buildings remained intact. Estimated losses exceed 100,000 euros due to destroyed water pipes, a dry reservoir, and ruined electrical infrastructure. The center is closed, affecting summer activities and staff. The organization thanked supporters for prayers and provided donation details for recovery efforts, noting that affected groups had to find alternative solutions.
Argentina is preparing to welcome Pope Leo XIV for an apostolic visit to Latin America. The trip holds special significance as it serves as a moment to honor his predecessor, Pope Francis. According to Vatican News, the Pope aims to strengthen Catholic faith in the region. In Buenos Aires, locals are cleaning streets and painting buildings to show enthusiasm. Father Alejandro Russo, administrator of the Buenos Aires Cathedral, stated that the community welcomes the new pontiff with hope. The visit highlights the continuity between Pope Francis's message of mercy and Pope Leo's focus on peace, reinforcing the Church's mission of love and justice.
Translated from Bahasa Indonesia
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Karata My on UnsplashGood news
Volunteers at West Hartselle Baptist Church in Hartselle, Alabama, loaded approximately 500 backpacks onto a truck on Thursday. The bags, containing toys, school supplies, and other necessities, are destined for children in need across Alabama and the Mississippi Delta. The initiative was organized to provide holiday support to families in these regions. The effort highlights the church's commitment to community assistance during the Christmas season, ensuring that local and regional youth receive essential items and gifts.
World Vision in Venezuela emphasizes that survival is insufficient following the June 2026 earthquakes. Maribel Prada, the organization's director, states that aid must center on child protection to prevent exploitation and abuse. The group warns that vulnerable families face risks of trafficking and child labor due to lost incomes. UNICEF estimates nearly four million children are affected, with 680,000 needing assistance. World Vision works with local partners to ensure safe access to water and hygiene kits, aiming for long-term recovery rather than just emergency relief. The NGO asserts that dignity must remain central to all humanitarian efforts in the region.
A powerful earthquake struck Colombia, causing widespread devastation and significant loss of life. The disaster has resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries, with thousands reported missing. Major urban centers and rural areas suffered severe structural damage, including collapsed buildings. The national president declared a state of emergency to coordinate relief efforts. Christian humanitarian organizations are actively mobilizing to provide aid to affected communities. This tragedy echoes past seismic events in the region, prompting expressions of international solidarity from neighboring countries and global partners.
A recent article in Mexico highlights that the Cristero War severely impacted evangelical churches. While the conflict primarily involved the state and the Catholic Church, evangelical institutions lost nearly all their property, including schools and hospitals. Foreign pastors were expelled, forcing a shift in leadership. The article notes that an evangelical politician helped negotiate the peace agreement. The outlet urges the nation to respect religious freedom and state impartiality to avoid repeating past errors.
In southern Laos, a Christian couple was expelled from their village due to persecution rooted in animist traditions. After one partner converted and faced pressure to renounce her faith, she was forced to leave. Years later, the other partner also converted, leading to their reconciliation and remarriage. However, local hostility resulted in the destruction of their home by neighbors. The couple now attends a clandestine church on government land, facing ongoing threats of closure. Their story highlights the severe risks Christians face in Laos, ranked 28th on the 2026 World Watch List for religious persecution.
Evangelical churches and ministries in Ceuta, Spain, have coordinated efforts to assist thousands of migrants remaining in the city one week after a major migration crisis. Pastor Javier Santolaria of Casa de Alabanza reported that groups met to avoid duplicating efforts and identify real needs. Volunteers distribute food and Christian literature through the Bocadillos con Amor program. Although official numbers are unconfirmed, estimates suggest thousands, including many minors, remain in the streets. The coordination aims to provide first-need help amid ongoing insecurity and tension, as the city struggles to return to normalcy despite increased police and military presence.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
The Evangelical National University (UNEV) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, celebrated its 40th anniversary with a week of academic and spiritual activities. The event began with a Thanksgiving service led by Rector Rafael Reyes Almonte and Pastor Ezequiel Molina. According to the outlet, the celebration highlighted the institution's commitment to integrating Christian values with professional training. Activities included lectures on ethics and artificial intelligence by speakers such as Tomás Gómez Bueno and Julio Morales. The closing ceremony featured remarks from Vice Rector Epifanio González Minaya and former Vice Minister J. Adalberto Martínez, who praised the university's educational model for fostering ethical leadership in the country.
Authorities in Georgetown County, South Carolina, arrested five individuals linked to the Community Church and Christian Academy in Pawleys Island. The group faces charges including obstruction of justice and endangering minors after allowing convicted sex offender Warren Perry to work as a janitor. Perry, who had a court order prohibiting contact with children, was employed despite the church leadership knowing his criminal history. Former lead pastor Don Williams and other officials are accused of concealing this information. The sheriff's office states the investigation has been ongoing for weeks, revealing how leaders permitted Perry to remain in close proximity to young students for years.
Nearly six weeks after earthquakes struck La Guaira, Venezuela, evangelical churches remain the primary community support amid institutional collapse. Pastors and volunteers, many also affected by the disaster, have organized rescue efforts, distributed aid, and converted intact temples into shelters and food centers. While the government reports over 5,000 deaths, independent records indicate more than 29,000 missing persons. International Christian organizations like Samaritan’s Purse and World Vision, alongside UNHCR, provide essential supplies and technical assistance. The humanitarian crisis persists with limited access to basic services, requiring sustained resources and a defined reconstruction strategy as media coverage declines.
A recent report by the University of Buenos Aires reveals that Argentine evangelicals are the most active religious group regarding temple attendance and private faith. The Barometer of Religions and Beliefs shows that 64% of evangelicals sought help from religious institutions in the last year, compared to 38% of Catholics. This high participation is driven by the group's strong territorial presence and social support networks, particularly in popular neighborhoods. While private prayer is common across the country, evangelicals, especially women over 50, demonstrate the highest levels of regular religious practice and community engagement.
A documentary highlights the legacy of Pastor Lee Jong-rak, who established the 'Baby Box' in Seoul, South Korea, in 2007. This heated, secure device allows mothers to anonymously leave newborns, saving over 2,200 infants from dangerous abandonment. Hwang Min-sook of Babybox Korea defends the initiative as a last resort, noting that staff attempt to offer alternatives and provide three years of financial and legal support. While critics argue it facilitates abandonment, supporters emphasize it prevents deaths. The model has spread globally, with similar safe haven laws in countries like Germany and Belgium, addressing cultural stigma surrounding out-of-wedlock births in South Korea.
A Christian rehabilitation centre in a region of Kazakhstan has reopened for ministry following an eight-year shutdown. The facility is led by a former addict whose life was transformed by the program. According to the report, this individual overcame severe alcohol and drug abuse, becoming homeless and physically broken before finding hope through the gospel. He now leads outreach efforts in the addiction-plagued area, supporting the homeless, orphans, and those in poverty. A UK-based organization recently provided a vehicle to aid his ministry. The centre aims to point individuals toward Jesus Christ as a source of transformation for broken lives.
AVC Germany dispatched a delegation to Venezuela to coordinate humanitarian aid following a devastating earthquake. Led by president Eduard Schmidt, the team met with Reverend Luís Rodríguez, head of the Assemblies of God in Venezuela, in the heavily affected La Guaira region. The group reports that 33 church buildings were destroyed and hundreds died, with government support deemed insufficient. AVC aims to assist 50,000 people through direct fund delivery and local purchases. Pastor Friedhelm Holthuis confirmed emergency packages are being distributed. The organization plans a 90-day mission involving 150 volunteers for long-term recovery and support.
Translated from Español
Read more →
SermonWave writes its own short summaries and links to the original reporting. Every story belongs to the outlet that reported it. About World News · Our sources · RSS feed
