Good news and the persecuted church, from around the world
Saturday, November 14, 2026 Updated 3:46 PM Central Time 267 stories
Stories first published in Suomi, summarized in your language.
The First Lutheran prayer house in Joensuu, Finland, has suffered repeated vandalism. According to word minister Tuomo Karhu, eggs were thrown at windows in late March, and glass was smashed with a hammer. Police are investigating the incidents. The community, which has good relations with neighbors, does not know who is responsible and is considering installing surveillance cameras.
Academic research indicates that the number of Christians in China may not have grown significantly since 2010. While estimates vary between 40 and 80 million, the proportion of believers appears stable at around two percent of the population. The study highlights that the average age of Christians is rising and notes difficulties in tracking members leaving churches. Experts suggest this trend could lead to marginalization, though other researchers argue official data underestimates the true size of the community. These findings challenge long-held assumptions about continuous expansion within the country.
Ten teenagers were baptized during a confirmation service at St. Andrew's Church in Oulu, Finland, last Sunday. The Karjasilla parish hosted the event, which parish pastor Iida Glumoff describes as rare because it is open to the entire congregation. Glumoff notes that the number of baptized confirmation students has doubled compared to previous years. Nationally, 1,131 youth were baptized in 2024, a 23 percent increase. Glumoff attributes the local rise to a long-term decline in infant baptisms, allowing young people to choose their own faith journey. One recipient, 14-year-old Hilma Mäntynen, said becoming a disciple of Jesus was a significant moment for her.
Patrick Tiainen, a former Finnish pastor, continues to suffer chronic nerve pain and facial fractures from a 2023 assault in Tallinn, Estonia. The attack occurred during Baltic Pride when a man stabbed him, claiming it was divine retribution against homosexuals. Tiainen, who previously led a conservative church in Kokkola, suffered a mild traumatic brain injury and ongoing disability that ended his emergency dispatcher career. The incident followed his earlier loss of family and community after his sexuality was revealed. He now works in communications and lives in Rymättylä, reflecting on his changed faith and physical limitations.
Enrollment at Finland's Christian schools is rising rapidly, with the Finnish Christian Schools and Daycares Association reporting significant increases in cities like Espoo, Oulu, and Tampere. The Finnish Christian Community School in Kaarina, for example, saw historic growth last year. This trend contrasts with recent decisions by public schools to remove religious content due to strict secularism laws. School leaders and students state that these institutions follow national curricula while offering a faith-based environment. The growth reflects families seeking alternatives to the perceived ideological polarization in mainstream education.
The Charta Oecumenica, a document uniting nearly 25 European churches, is being updated to reflect current realities. Originally signed in Strasbourg in 2001, the revised version will be unveiled in Vilnius, Lithuania, on April 27. According to Tomi Karttunen, a leading expert at the Finnish Church's foreign affairs department, the update aims to sharpen the vision amid societal polarization and war in Europe. The new text emphasizes spiritual foundations, interreligious dialogue, and engagement with contemporary issues such as migration, digitalization, and peace. The revision seeks to strengthen trust and encourage bolder cooperation among churches to address shared challenges.
A University of Turku dissertation by historian Essi Huuhka examines how Finnish missionaries in Amboland, now Ovamboland in Namibia, provided aid during early 20th-century famines. The study highlights that while preaching was the primary goal, missionaries responded to urgent hunger crises by distributing food. The research also covers fundraising efforts in Finland, where citizens donated money and goods despite domestic poverty. New female missionaries brought different perspectives, shifting focus toward practical assistance. The work illustrates the evolution of missionary activities and the strong public support for humanitarian aid in Africa during that era.
Construction of the House of One in Berlin, a shared building for Christians, Jews, and Muslims, has stalled despite laying its cornerstone nearly four years ago. Roland Stolte, managing director of the House of One Foundation, confirmed that preliminary archaeological work and concrete foundations are complete. However, rising material costs have pushed the estimated total price from 47 million to 69.5 million euros, creating a funding gap of over 16 million euros. The completion date is now projected for 2028. Despite financial challenges, interest in the project has grown internationally, with donations received from 70 countries. Imams and community leaders report increased interfaith cooperation and educational outreach.
The US government has terminated grants to Church World Aid (KUA), removing nearly ten percent of its global budget. According to the organization, this decision jeopardizes education for over 209,000 refugee children and youth in Kenya and Uganda. Specific programs in Kalobeyei and Ugandan camps are halted, affecting 35,836 students and causing unpaid wages for many teachers. KUA director Tomi Järvinen warns that the loss threatens an entire generation's well-being. The NGO is now urging the European Union and other donors to increase financial support to fill the gap left by the US withdrawal.
The Finnish Missionary Society reports that its annual Beautiful Christmas Songs fundraising campaign raised 932,176 euros, an increase from the previous year's 882,006 euros. This marks a continued recovery following a dip during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic. The organization states that the funds will support vulnerable children and their families in over 20 countries. Specific uses include improving maternal and child health, providing better nutrition and clean water, and enhancing livelihood opportunities. Additionally, the money aids education for children with disabilities and minorities. In the annual song contest, Carola Häggkvist's 'Taivas sylissäni' was voted the best Christmas song for the third time.
The Catholic Church in Finland has seen its membership rise from under 5,000 in 1990 to over 17,000 today. This growth is primarily driven by immigration, though some native Finns are also converting. Helsinki's St. Mary's parish, one of eight national parishes, now has nearly 5,000 members and hosts multiple daily masses in various languages. The expansion has led to space shortages, forcing services into borrowed venues like Lutheran churches. Additionally, a new Catholic school is scheduled to open in Helsinki this August under Bishop Raimo Goyarrola. Parishioners cite strong community bonds and international diversity as key reasons for their engagement.
Bible sales in the UK have risen sharply, increasing by 87 percent between 2019 and 2024, according to Christian Today. Revenue grew from 2.69 million to 5.02 million pounds. The outlet attributes this trend to a spiritual revival among Generation Z, with only 13 percent identifying as atheists. In contrast, general non-fiction sales have declined. A January 2025 survey indicates that 62 percent of young adults consider themselves spiritual. Sam Richardson of publisher SPCK describes this as a significant cultural shift, suggesting religion remains a strong force in Britain despite broader secularization trends.
A Finnish Archbishop recently visited several countries in the Middle East to demonstrate solidarity with local Christians during the ongoing conflict. He met with senior church leaders, including a prominent bishop, and reviewed humanitarian aid efforts by Finnish missionary organizations. The delegation emphasized the urgent need for calm and Christian love despite the brutal violence. A representative from a missionary society highlighted the severe suffering of civilians in the region. The visit also included ecumenical meetings in Syria and discussions with representatives of hostage families. The Archbishop noted that regional youth respect each other's faiths, urging peace amidst the war.
In Paris, France, two organizations run a support center at Place Sainte-Marthe for homeless people and the 'new poor.' Christian Page, formerly homeless for ten years, now visits for community after securing housing. The center provides meals, showers, and mail services. Gilles Boucomont, a pastor and organization leader, notes rising homelessness due to divorces and unemployment. He estimates 7,000 people sleep on streets. The unique model allows religious evangelism alongside social aid, funded privately rather than by the state, which would restrict such activities. Volunteers prepare breakfast daily for around 70 attendees.
The Finnish Seamen's Church has lost half of its social work grant from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, reducing funding from approximately 600,000 euros to under 300,000 euros. According to the organization, this cut forces the closure of social work operations in Greece and the non-renewal of contracts for social curators in Belgium and the UK. Social work continues in Germany, the Benelux countries, the UK, and Spain. General Secretary Hannu Suihkonen states that the reduction coincides with the end of pension payments for many expatriates, worsening the situation for Finns living abroad. The church provides support to reduce loneliness and insecurity among overseas Finns.
Nearly 7,000 people attended the 'Light for Ukraine' event in Helsinki on February 24, 2025, marking three years since the start of the war. Attendees placed candles at the steps of Helsinki Cathedral to show support. Key figures present included Parliament Speaker Jussi Halla-aho, Interior Minister Mari Rantanen, and Social Security Minister Sanni Grahn-Laasonen. The event featured speeches by Helsinki Mayor Juhana Vartiainen and greetings from Ukrainian Paralympians Anna Hontara and Yaroslav Semenenko. Organizers included the Church of Helsinki, Mothers for Peace, and the Association of Ukrainians in Finland, in collaboration with the city and government authorities.
A mother and her two young children have been placed in a detention center in Pori, Finland, pending a deportation decision. The mother is a victim of human trafficking from another European country. Teljän parish pastor Kaisa Huhtala states the children are in poor health and traumatized. Lawyer Emmi Wehka-Aho argues the detention violates children's rights and ignores the mother's vulnerability. Authorities failed to assess security threats from traffickers. The UN has previously criticized Finland for detaining children. The family remains in restrictive conditions while legal challenges proceed.
On the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Lutheran parishes across Finland organize memorial services to support Ukrainians. In Helsinki, a candlelight gathering takes place at Senate Square on February 24, featuring speeches by Mayor Juhana Vartiainen and Ukrainian athletes. Participants can donate to aid war-damaged schools. Similar events occur in Tampere, Oulu, and smaller towns like Hankasalmi and Rauma. These activities aim to call for a just peace and demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine through prayers, music, and public vigils organized by local church communities and city authorities.
Finnish and Namibian Lutheran churches held talks in Namibia to strengthen their partnership. The discussions focused on leadership training, theology, and communication. A new agreement supports the Namibian Helpline for three years. This follows the return of Finnish mission workers. The event also featured the historic consecration of two new bishops. One is Namibia's first female bishop. The churches aim to deepen cooperation despite fewer Finnish staff in the region. They plan to coordinate international partners and share knowledge on youth engagement.
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