Organizers are hosting a large-scale Christian prayer gathering called 'Rededicate 250' on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on May 17. The event marks the 250th anniversary of the United States and aims to unite faith leaders with public officials. Participants include House Speaker Mike Johnson, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and various prominent Christian pastors and bishops. The all-day program features worship, testimonies, and a national rededication to God. Organizers state the event reflects America’s spiritual history and future direction. Those unable to attend in person can join via livestreams provided by partner ministries. The gathering is free and open to the public.
A US congressional commission held a hearing focusing on North Korean human rights and the flow of external information. Co-chaired by representatives, the session featured testimony from experts who warned that restrictions in South Korea on defector-led activities and information broadcasts undermine efforts to expose the regime's abuses. The witnesses emphasized that external information is crucial for North Korean citizens and that current policies threaten the liberal democratic foundations necessary for human rights advocacy.
Israel has appointed George Deek as its first special envoy to the Christian world, aiming to repair strained relations following recent controversies. Deek, an Israeli Arab Christian and former ambassador to Azerbaijan, brings 18 years of diplomatic experience to the role. The Foreign Ministry stated the appointment addresses tensions involving incidents in Lebanon and disputes at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Deek expressed gratitude for the position, emphasizing his goal to build bridges between Israel and global Christian communities. The move has received praise from international figures and officials, marking a significant step in diplomatic outreach. (Source: Kidok Ilbo)
Baptize California, led by Pastor Mark Francey, announced a worldwide baptism gathering titled “Baptize the World” scheduled for May 24. The initiative aims to expand from previous national efforts in the US to a global scale, with local chapters in countries like Denmark and Canada promoting the event under their own identities. Francey stated the goal is to reach non-believers and encourage immediate baptism. The ministry previously recorded over 12,000 baptisms in California in 2024 and approximately 28,000 nationwide in June 2025. Organizers expect tens of thousands of participants, though final numbers remain uncertain as many decide on the day of the event.
Voice of the Martyrs Korea delivered a petition with over 5,000 signatures to the Russian Embassy in Seoul, urging the immediate release of missionary Park Tae-yeon. Pastor Eric Foley and his wife presented the document after Park was detained in Khabarovsk, Russia, on January 15. He faces up to 17 years in prison for alleged illegal immigration organization charges. Foley stated that Park, 70, has served Russian children for 33 years and is currently held in a detention facility. The group claims the detention violates international norms and requests consular access and safe return to South Korea. (Source: Voice of the Martyrs Korea)
A federal judge in the US state of Washington has allowed a lawsuit to proceed, rejecting the state's motion to dismiss. Jennifer and Shane DeGross, a Christian couple, argue that the Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families denied them an unrestricted foster care license due to their religious beliefs regarding gender and sexuality. The couple claims the policy violates their First Amendment rights. Judge David G. Estudillo ruled that their free speech and religious exercise claims have merit, though some other arguments were dismissed. The case will continue with an amended complaint due by May 13.
An Egyptian man who converted from Islam to Christianity is on trial in a city in Egypt for charges including insulting Islam and forming an unlawful group. According to Coptic Solidarity, he faces allegations related to his faith and efforts to change his religious ID. The convert is detained at a prison in the region, where reports indicate he has been subjected to physical abuse, including suspension in a crucifixion position. He was deported from Russia in 2024 despite UN refugee status. The case highlights ongoing restrictions on religious conversion in Egypt.
A recent Evangelical Alliance survey reveals that while most UK Christians feel free to practice their faith, nearly half find public expression increasingly difficult. The study, conducted in late 2025, indicates that cultural shifts regarding gender and sexuality, along with social media polarization, are key factors. Although 88% believe they can openly practice their religion, 41% have become more cautious in public settings. Many respondents feel ill-equipped for complex cultural conversations, and workplace interactions remain unpredictable. The report highlights a tension between enduring institutional influence and rising societal hostility, noting that visibility brings both opportunity and vulnerability for believers in Britain.
House Speaker Mike Johnson joined Christian leaders and celebrities at National Community Church in Washington, D.C., to launch a weeklong Bible reading marathon. The event, organized by Christians Engaged, will take place at the Museum of the Bible, featuring nearly 500 participants reading scripture daily. Johnson shared a personal testimony about his father’s survival to highlight the importance of biblical promises. Organizers state the initiative aims to encourage Americans to return to daily Bible reading for the nation's well-being. Speakers included actress Candace Cameron Bure and historian David Barton, who discussed the Bible's historical and spiritual significance.
Sales of high-end Bibles in the United States have risen significantly, with some luxury editions costing up to $400. Sky Cline of Schuyler Bible Publishers attributes this trend to a desire for physical, long-lasting items amidst digital fatigue. The market also saw spikes following the September 2025 shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Overall US Bible sales reached approximately 19 million units in 2025, a 21-year high. According to Circana’s Brenna Connor, this 12 percent increase over 2024 reflects a broader search for hope and community during uncertain times. The trend extends across Protestant and Catholic circles, driven by collectors and believers seeking stability.
A pastor, aged 65, has been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer after serving a seven-year prison sentence in China for missionary work near the Myanmar border. He was released in March 2024 after completing his term in a city in Yunnan Province. He now lives with his elderly mother in a city in Hunan Province. Reports indicate he suffers from chronic health issues and remains under constant surveillance by Chinese authorities. Although he holds U.S. permanent residency, he has not been permitted to return to his family in America. Local acquaintances question the accuracy of the cancer diagnosis, but he continues his ministry despite severe health challenges and a lack of medical insurance.
An evangelical aid agency strongly opposes a reported plan by a U.S. administration to relocate over 1,000 Afghan allies to a country in Central Africa. The proposal targets individuals currently housed in a Middle Eastern nation, including former interpreters and special operations members evacuated during a recent military withdrawal. The organization's president criticized the move as cruel and shortsighted, noting that these allies were promised protection. He highlighted the target region's ongoing conflict and poverty, arguing that sending more refugees there is morally wrong and ignores the humanitarian crisis already present in the area.
Nearly 500 public officials, ministry leaders, and celebrities will participate in a weeklong Bible reading marathon in Washington, D.C., starting Sunday at the Museum of the Bible. Organizers state the event, titled “America Reads the Bible,” aims to encourage renewed national focus on Scripture ahead of the U.S. 250th anniversary. Participants will read from Genesis to Revelation over seven days, with more than 450 speakers including cabinet members and governors. Christians Engaged founder Bunni Pounds says the goal is to call Americans back to daily Bible reading for the country's well-being and to address leadership crises. The event is livestreamed nationally.
A Christian organization reports that the underground Christian community in Eritrea is growing through radio broadcasts and business support for former prisoners. The organization's representative explains that exiled believers send daily radio programs to provide news and training. Released inmates also receive funding to start small businesses. Inside prisons, inmates share relief supplies with non-Christian prisoners, leading to conversions. Despite this growth, over 600 Christians remain detained in harsh conditions, including shipping container jails. The government continues to ban unregistered churches and imprison leaders without trial, maintaining severe restrictions on religious freedom.
Pro-life activist Mark Houck has received a settlement exceeding one million dollars following a legal battle with the U.S. Department of Justice. The case originated from a 2021 incident in Philadelphia where Houck and his son were praying outside an abortion clinic. Although a jury acquitted Houck of criminal charges in 2023, he and his wife pursued a civil lawsuit alleging malicious prosecution and false arrest. The 40 Days for Life Institute of Law & Justice confirmed the resolution, with CEO Shawn Carney calling it a significant victory for free speech and the pro-life movement. The settlement occurs as reports suggest the DOJ is preparing findings regarding the use of the FACE Act during the previous administration.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against Blue Eagle Contracting, Inc., a Grass Valley, California trucking company. The agency alleges the firm violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act by refusing to accommodate a Christian driver who needed Sundays off for church. The driver initially covered a Sunday shift temporarily but was forced to remain on that schedule after a replacement was hired, despite his objections. He eventually resigned due to the conflict. EEOC officials state employers must explore accommodations unless undue hardship exists. This case aligns with broader federal efforts to protect religious liberty in the workplace, including recent initiatives by the Department of Labor and the White House Faith Office.
The American Bible Society released its 2026 report based on a survey of 2,649 U.S. adults. The findings show that 48% of respondents have read at least half of the Bible. However, regular engagement is lower, with only 25% classified as active users who read Scripture weekly outside of church services. Meanwhile, 62% of Americans report little to no engagement with the text. Regional data indicates that the East South Central states have the highest usage rates, while New England records the lowest. The report highlights a gap between past reading experiences and current habits.
A Massachusetts judge has ruled in favor of the First Congregational Church of Somerville, allowing it to operate a 26-bed homeless shelter on its property. The decision, issued by Judge Diane R. Rubin, rejected objections from nearby residents who had challenged the Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals' approval. The court determined that the project is protected under the state's Dover Amendment, which shields religious uses of property. The shelter, operated by the Somerville Homeless Coalition, was proposed in 2024 to address rising homelessness. Legal challenges filed by neighbors were dismissed after arguments presented in November. This ruling affirms the church's right to use its grounds for faith-based social services despite local opposition.
Emmanuel Ahsono Mbwavi was charged with aggravated assault after being subdued by security at Eden Church Houston on March 15. According to court records, Mbwavi attempted to draw a loaded handgun during a service but was tackled by Fernando Romo. Authorities found additional ammunition in his backpack and a note detailing a plot to kill Pastor Jared Darby. Mbwavi, who had been previously asked to leave the church, is held on a $250,000 bail in Harris County, Texas. The incident occurred at the Post Entertainment Center in downtown Houston.
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