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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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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.
In Bhutan, a pastor and his family face rejection and discrimination for embracing Christianity. They experience social isolation, housing difficulties, and workplace exclusion. Despite these challenges, the pastor has served for nearly 16 years, leading approximately 28 families. He emphasizes the importance of persecution preparation training to help new believers remain firm in their faith. The outlet reports that Christian literature is confiscated, and divorce rates among converts are rising. The pastor continues to serve his community while preparing others to endure ongoing hostility in the country.
The four Gospels translated into the Pembrokeshire dialect of Welsh have been published in both text and audio formats. The translation was completed by the late Reverend Lyn Lewis Dafis, who died in 2022. His family granted permission for the work to be released online under the title Y Beder Ifengyl von iaith Sir Benfro. Earlier this year, the British Bible Society requested an audio recording from the Welsh Independents Union, which collaborated with Talking Books Wales. The audio edition launched on August 6, 2026, at the Eisteddfod in Wales. The project was also featured on BBC Cymru television and its website, honoring the translator's contribution to preserving the local language.
Andrew Morley, president of World Vision International, states that violence against humanitarian workers directly harms children by disrupting food, health, and education services. He notes that 350 aid workers died last year while helping others. Morley highlights the escalating crisis in Sudan, where drone attacks threaten vulnerable populations. He urges governments and conflict parties to uphold international humanitarian law to ensure safe access for aid organizations. Protecting these workers is essential to safeguarding the lives and futures of millions of children in need.
Colombia now hosts the largest Bible carving in the world, located in a region of the country. The monument, inscribed on a hill, features the text of Mark 12:30 carved directly into the rock. Measuring approximately 20 meters wide by 12 meters high, the project was initiated by a foundation after years of prayer at the site. Construction took about six months using manual tools and heavy machinery. The site has become a religious and tourist attraction, situated far from the capital, and is complemented by nearby sculptures at a local park.
France's Constitutional Council has upheld a controversial law permitting assisted dying for adults with incurable conditions, while introducing conscience clauses. The ruling allows religious healthcare institutions to refuse the procedure if it conflicts with their mission, provided local alternatives exist. Additionally, medical staff and pharmacists can opt out of participating in or preparing lethal substances. The law requires patients to be 18, French citizens or long-term residents, and capable of conscious decision-making. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the decision as a conclusion to democratic debate. The European Centre for Law and Justice described the conscience protections as a victory, though it criticized the short confirmation period.
A recent article marks the centennial of the Cristero War in Mexico, examining its origins and consequences. The conflict, triggered by the enforcement of anti-clerical laws in 1926, resulted in approximately 250,000 deaths and one and a half million refugees in the United States. Historian Jen Meyer highlights the complex perspectives of President Plutarco Elías Calles, various bishops, and lay Catholics. While some church leaders opposed violence, others supported armed resistance. The text notes that the war represented a continuation of the Mexican Revolution, driven by religious convictions and government repression, with significant internal divisions among political and ecclesiastical figures.
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