Elevation Church in Matthews, North Carolina, announced the launch of Elevation College in November 2025, with the first class starting in fall 2026. The hybrid program partners with Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, to offer accredited degrees in ministry and worship. Students receive onsite training at the megachurch while living in campus housing. The initiative reflects a broader trend of churches collaborating with universities to provide lower-cost, experiential education. This partnership highlights shifting alliances between different Christian denominations and the growing influence of contemporary worship music in religious education.
Housing for New Hope in Durham, North Carolina, has expanded its affordable housing services after purchasing the Carver Creek senior living facility. The nonprofit, led by executive director Russell Pierce, acquired the property with $6 million in local government funding in August 2023. This move allows the organization to combine sites and potentially build dozens of new units on the 11.5-acre campus. The expansion aims to provide long-term supportive housing for vulnerable populations, including those with disabilities and families with children. Local churches continue to support the effort through donations and volunteer work, addressing the region's rising homelessness crisis.
In a region of India, Christians recently heard the Bible in their native Hadoti language for the first time during a service. A local mission organization published the Hadoti New Testament to address the fact that many locals do not fully understand Hindi. The translation project was led by a missionary from southern India who began the work years ago despite facing threats from Hindu nationalist groups. The Bible Society of India assisted with consulting and printing. Approximately 2,500 copies have been distributed to house churches, allowing believers to engage with Scripture in their mother tongue. Translators are currently working on the Old Testament.
Authorities in Nigeria demolished thousands of homes in a floating slum, displacing over 40,000 residents. Officials cited safety and urban renewal as reasons for the operation, which involved heavy machinery and armed police. The mass eviction affected thousands who had little notice or alternative housing plans. Residents protested the forced removal, with some reporting that their homes and churches were destroyed. While the government promised compensation, many displaced families now live in canoes or makeshift shelters, facing significant hardship and loss of livelihood.
Christian ministries in Cuba are delivering essential humanitarian aid as the island faces severe shortages of fuel, food, and electricity. Church leaders and representatives from international organizations report that congregations are distributing food, hygiene products, and medical supplies. This effort follows recent hurricanes and ongoing economic collapse, which have left hospitals empty and cities deteriorating. Despite logistical challenges such as horse-drawn transport, aid groups note the government allows entry. With a large portion of the population identifying as Christian, these groups provide critical support where state services have failed, ensuring vulnerable communities receive necessary care during the crisis.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by EJ Wolfson on UnsplashPersecuted church
A recent conflict between two neighboring nations has escalated into air strikes, endangering religious minorities. Human rights experts note that border disputes and shared extremist groups fuel the violence. Christians, already facing severe persecution under local blasphemy laws, are particularly vulnerable. A former minister, previously assassinated for advocating minority rights, highlighted these dangers. Although past international designations identified the region as a concern for religious freedom, current diplomatic efforts prioritize economic interests like minerals over human rights. This shift leaves vulnerable Christian communities at greater risk, with little protection from escalating regional hostilities.
An Iranian Christian convert was released from US immigration detention after nearly nine months, according to his pastor. The convert and his wife were arrested in a US city last June. While his wife received asylum, he remained detained in a southwestern region. He was granted withholding of removal, allowing for deportation to a third country. His release followed a federal habeas petition filed by his lawyers. The pastor expressed relief but noted concerns for other Iranian Christians still in detention. The case highlights the challenges faced by asylum seekers from Iran amid heightened tensions between the two nations.
Christians in southern Lebanon are divided on whether to remain in their villages or evacuate amid ongoing fighting between Hezbollah and Israel. In Deir Mimas, Micheline Nahra chose to stay due to financial limits and fear of property damage, despite recent shelling that injured a priest’s son. Conversely, Baptist pastor Maroun Shammas evacuated his family to Beirut, citing safety concerns for his elderly and young relatives. Other leaders, such as Najib Khoury in Borj El Moulouk, remain to support their congregations. The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands, yet many residents cite faith and attachment to their land as reasons to endure the danger.
Christian ministries in Texas are assisting international students facing job losses and visa restrictions. Daren Clements at the University of Texas at Dallas reports increased anxiety and depression among students due to hiring freezes and new federal policies. The Trump administration has revoked thousands of visas and imposed fees on H-1B employers, while Governor Greg Abbott froze H-1B petitions for public universities. These changes have caused enrollment drops at institutions like the University of North Texas. Students rely on campus groups for emotional support and practical aid as they navigate potential deportation and economic instability.
Federal Judge John R. Tunheim issued a preliminary injunction on February 27 prohibiting the federal government from arresting or detaining refugees in Minnesota who are awaiting lawful permanent resident status. The ruling addresses a policy where DHS claimed authority to hold these individuals indefinitely after one year. The judge cited constitutional concerns and the lack of congressional authorization for such detentions. The decision follows reports of refugees being arrested, shackled, and transported out of state. The government has not yet appealed the ruling, though it had argued for broad detention powers. This order applies only within Minnesota.
An Iranian American advocate expressed support for recent US and Israeli military strikes against Iran. She stated that many Iranians view the conflict as an opportunity to end decades of repression. The interviewee, who leads a media organization focused on women, hopes for a secular, democratic future with religious freedom. While welcoming the potential removal of the country's supreme leader, she acknowledged the suffering of Iranian families affected by the violence. The discussion highlights the complex emotions within the diaspora regarding the war's impact on their homeland, balancing hope for change with the pain of ongoing conflict.
Kenya reports a decline in infanticide of children with disabilities over the past two decades, yet child abandonment remains a critical issue. According to Kupenda for the Children, stigma and superstitions linking disability to curses or unwed motherhood drive families to abandon infants at hospitals and roadsides. Police data indicates spikes in abandonment cases across the country. While some Christian ministries and advocates work to change these beliefs and support affected families, deep-seated cultural attitudes continue to endanger vulnerable children in rural and urban areas alike.
A high court in northern India ruled that Christians do not need prior permission to hold prayer meetings in their private homes. The decision cites constitutional freedom of religion. This legal victory encourages believers facing persecution, such as a pastor arrested under anticonversion laws. While the ruling protects private worship, concerns remain regarding state anticonversion statutes that have led to over 1,300 incidents of violence in the region since 2014. The Supreme Court is also reviewing the constitutionality of these laws, which critics argue are used to intimidate Christians and justify arbitrary arrests.
The United States and Israel launched a coordinated military campaign against Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and striking over a thousand targets. The operation followed failed nuclear negotiations and aimed to dismantle the Islamic regime. Iran retaliated with missiles targeting Israel and US bases, causing casualties and closing airspace in seven countries. Iranian Christians, facing an internet blackout, expressed hope for regime change but fear isolation. US officials cited past terror attacks as justification, while Congress prepares to debate the conflict's scope. The strikes have intensified regional tensions and disrupted communication for believers inside Iran.
Cartel roadblocks disrupted a church service in a major Mexican city, following the military killing of a cartel leader. A pastor reported that many congregants could not attend due to burning barricades. Gunshots were heard during the service, prompting members to lock doors and pray. The violence, sparked by an operation in a nearby town, caused widespread clashes across multiple states and led to a city-wide curfew. The incident highlights the ongoing danger Christians face from drug trafficking groups in the region, forcing believers to seek safety during worship.
Samuel Rodriguez, a pastor and policy advisor, reports that intensified ICE enforcement in Minnesota has caused significant fear among Latino congregants. He visited several churches, including River Valley Church, noting that attendance has dropped sharply as families avoid public gatherings. Rodriguez argues that indiscriminate enforcement destabilizes communities and harms faith institutions. He advocates for targeted immigration policies, such as the Dignity Act, to balance border security with compassion for long-term residents. The article highlights the negative impact on church attendance and community trust.
A Ukrainian pastor writes that his brother, a military doctor, died from a Russian drone strike on his birthday in July 2024. The author uses this personal tragedy to critique Western Christian communities for growing tired of Ukraine's suffering. He argues that many believers prioritize short-term comfort over lasting justice, comparing this attitude to King Hezekiah’s biblical failure. The piece urges churches to stand in solidarity with Ukrainians rather than accepting unjust peace deals that sacrifice future generations for present ease. The author highlights local pastors in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson who remain with their communities despite ongoing shelling.
Four years into the conflict, Ukrainians in regions like Sumy and Kyiv continue seeking normalcy despite constant drone threats and energy infrastructure strikes. Residents attend church, visit salons, and celebrate birthdays while coping with blackouts and cold. Anna Ulanovska and Anna Shvetsova describe preserving routine as essential to morale. Meanwhile, peace talks in Geneva remain difficult, with President Zelensky and President Putin holding divergent positions on territory and security. The UN reports 2025 as the deadliest year for civilians, yet citizens persist in daily activities to sustain their spirit.
Somang Prison in Yeoju, South Korea, operates as Asia’s only nonprofit Christian facility, emphasizing inmate restoration over punishment. Run by the Agape Foundation, the prison reports recidivism rates between 5 and 8 percent, significantly lower than the national average. Warden Kim Young-sik and staff promote reconciliation through Bible studies, worship services, and family counseling. Inmate Cho, whose story illustrates the program’s impact, credits these interventions for transforming his life. The facility allows voluntary admission for low-risk offenders and encourages dignity by addressing prisoners by name rather than ID numbers. This model aims to repair relationships with God, families, and the community.
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