Church of the Highlands has opened its second campus in Georgia, bringing its total number of locations to 26. The new site is located in Peachtree City, with the first worship service held last Sunday at McIntosh High School. Spokesperson Corena Cottles told The Christian Post that the local response has been strong. The church aims to serve the community through various ministries, including outreach to schools and families. Founded in 2001 in Alabama, the non-denominational megachurch has expanded significantly across Alabama and Georgia, reaching tens of thousands of attendees weekly.
Christian street preachers have filed a lawsuit against Chicago, alleging that police violated their First Amendment rights by arresting them for preaching near Millennium Park. The American Center for Law and Justice represents Brett Raio, Reetik, and Perez, who were detained for using sound amplification devices. The complaint argues that officers failed to verify if noise levels exceeded legal thresholds before making arrests. The group claims these actions selectively targeted religious speech in violation of the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The lawsuit seeks damages and addresses the emotional distress caused by the detentions.
Bethany Baptist Church in Warren County, Kentucky, donated $100,000 to Mission Church of Bowling Green to help pay off debt from a new sanctuary. Mission Church purchased the property for $500,000 in December. Teaching Pastor Eric Baker said the gift was overwhelming and reflected grace. Bethany Pastor Lucas Page explained the funds came from a legacy investment, not current offerings. The donation supports a neighboring congregation with shared convictions. Mission Church plans to use the space for ministry and outreach, including international missions. This act highlights financial stewardship and church solidarity in the region.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is organizing a two-night evangelistic outreach along the US Gulf Coast in partnership with 145 local churches. Will Graham, grandson of the late evangelist Billy Graham, will deliver messages centered on hope and salvation through Jesus Christ at the Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center on March 21 and 22. The event includes musical performances by artists such as DOE, Charity Gayle, and Terrian. According to Graham, the gathering aims to proclaim the Gospel in this pivotal region, emphasizing eternal hope found in Christ's sacrifice and resurrection.
Trinity Church in Scottsdale, Arizona, led by Pastor Mark Driscoll, has purchased a property for $15.5 million to accommodate its growing congregation. The church, which draws approximately 5,000 attendees per service, stated it has outgrown its current facilities. The new building, located at 10001 North 92nd St., offers significantly more space and parking. This acquisition marks a major milestone for the ministry, which Driscoll founded in 2016 after leaving Mars Hill Church. The transaction was financed through AG Financial Solutions, with the remaining balance covered by a loan.
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Lakepointe Church in Rockwall, Texas, hosted a wedding ceremony for 52 couples who had been living together without marriage. Senior Pastor Josh Howerton announced the event following a February 22 sermon urging cohabiting congregants to formalize their relationships as a religious commitment. The multi-campus church organized pastors across its locations to officiate the unions and provided counseling for participants. Howerton stated that the couples responded to the call to honor God, and the church family offered support rather than judgment for their decision to marry.
Moody Bible Institute in the US has reached a settlement with Chicago Public Schools, ending a four-month legal dispute over student-teaching placements. The agreement allows the evangelical college’s education students to complete internships in Chicago schools after the district revised its internship agreement to respect the institution’s religious convictions. The conflict began when Moody sued, alleging religious discrimination because CPS required adherence to nondiscrimination policies covering sexual orientation and gender identity. Federal lawmakers had raised concerns about the case. Following the settlement, Moody is now listed as an approved partner, enabling students to resume their placements within the district.
Evangelist Franklin Graham preached to more than 89,500 people during a two-night Esperanza Lima event in Peru over the weekend. Held at the National Stadium in Lima, the gathering was expanded from one to two nights due to strong interest from local pastors. Organizers, including the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, reported that thousands accepted Christ. The event involved approximately 2,300 churches and featured Christian musicians. Graham shared messages about salvation through Jesus Christ, with attendees transported by 600 buses. The outreach is part of his ongoing global tour.
A US religious freedom watchdog urged the State Department to designate Syria and Libya as countries of particular concern due to severe violations. The 2026 report highlighted deteriorating conditions, noting that authorities in Libya have imprisoned Christians and atheists for their beliefs. In Syria, the commission cited attacks on Christians, including a bombing at a church in the capital. The report also recommended placing eleven other nations on a special watch list, noting that previous designations have not been updated since 2023. This bipartisan group emphasized the urgent need for updated assessments to address ongoing persecution.
Forty-one members of a church in South Carolina returned to the United States after being stranded in Israel due to escalating conflict with Iran. The group arrived at a major airport after traveling by bus to Jordan and then flying home, following the closure of Israeli airspace. An assistant pastor credited prayers and assistance from U.S. Senators and a Representative for helping facilitate their departure. The travelers had delayed their return after a U.S. Ambassador warned of potential military strikes. A fundraising campaign raised over $100,000 to cover their unexpected expenses during the crisis.
An Iranian American couple residing in the United States expresses solidarity with Christians in Iran’s underground church following recent military strikes. After attacks on Iranian targets, tensions escalated, with reports indicating the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The husband told local media that while violence causes grief, there is hope for Iran’s freedom. The wife shared a message calling for prayers for civilians and the underground church, noting the long history of oppression under the Islamic regime. The couple emphasizes spiritual resistance and the desire for peace amidst the conflict.
A Maltese court acquitted Matthew Grech of charges related to promoting conversion therapy after a three-year legal battle. The 36-year-old Christian was cleared on Wednesday for sharing his personal testimony about leaving a homosexual lifestyle in a 2022 interview. Prosecutors had argued this violated Malta’s law against advertising such practices. The case required Grech to appear in court 17 times. Following the verdict, Grech expressed gratitude for the ruling, stating it protected his freedom of speech and religion. He warned that similar laws could be used to silence dissenting views on sexuality and gender across Europe.
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A federal judge in Indiana sentenced Steven James Perkinson to ten months in prison for vandalizing a church sign with Satanic imagery. The incident occurred in Plainfield on November 18, 2024, when Perkinson defaced a Maple Grove Baptist Church sign with a pitchfork, the number 666, and an X over a cross. Authorities stated he pleaded guilty to damaging religious property and making false statements. U.S. Attorney Tom Wheeler emphasized that hate-fueled attacks on places of worship threaten fundamental freedoms. Investigators found evidence of occult interests and violent ideation on Perkinson's phone. This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding hostility toward religious institutions in the United States.
YouGov plans new surveys on church attendance in England and Wales following criticism of its April 2025 'quiet revival' findings. The original Bible Society report claimed monthly attendance rose from 8% to 12% between 2018 and 2024, with significant gains among young adults. However, experts from NatCen and Pew Research Center dispute these results, citing gold-standard data showing declines in Christian identification and attendance. Pew notes that online opt-in surveys often differ from random household samples. Bible Society defends its methodology, but critics argue the evidence does not support claims of a widespread religious resurgence.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed House Bill 1389 into law on Thursday, shielding faith-based foster care and adoption agencies from religious discrimination. The legislation, passed with bipartisan support, prohibits state and local agencies from penalizing providers who decline services based on sincerely held religious beliefs. It also allows officials to prioritize placing children with families sharing their faith. This move addresses ongoing national controversies where foster parents have lost licenses over their views on gender and sexuality. The law includes a right of action for those who feel their rights were violated, aiming to expand the pool of available adoption and foster care agencies in the US state. (Source: Kidok Ilbo)
Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, will lead the Esperanza Lima evangelistic festival on March 7 and 8 in Peru’s capital. The event aims to address spiritual needs in a city of 11 million residents, where organizers claim only 14 percent have a personal relationship with Jesus. Local Christian leaders cite rising social issues and declining traditional religious practice as reasons for the gathering. More than 700 churches and 2,400 pastors are involved in the expanded two-day event. Organizers view the festival as an opportunity for non-churchgoers to hear a message of hope and salvation, with follow-up discipleship planned for new believers.
More than 100 Evangelical churches in a southern Mexican state have shut down due to intimidation and extortion by organized crime groups. A major cartel has pressured church leaders through threats and phone scams, forcing many to cease operations. This follows a recent military operation that killed a prominent cartel leader, triggering retaliatory violence across multiple regions. According to reports, pastors often avoid reporting crimes due to fear of violent reprisals. The situation highlights the dangerous environment for religious practice in the country, with unsolved killings of clergy remaining a significant issue.
Vermont officials have revised foster care guidelines to eliminate the requirement that applicants affirm LGBT ideologies. The state also reinstated the licenses of several families whose certifications were revoked due to religious objections. The conservative legal group Alliance Defending Freedom announced a settlement resolving legal disputes over these rules. Under the new policy, setting boundaries regarding children with diverse identities is no longer considered discriminatory. The Department of Children and Families clarified that endorsing specific identities or using prescribed language is no longer a prerequisite for licensure. This change affects families represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom and the Center for American Liberty.
A joint report by several organizations states that 254 Christians were arrested in Iran last year due to their faith. The study notes that detentions spiked after regional conflict. While fewer individuals received formal sentences compared to the previous year, the total prison time increased, indicating harsher penalties. The organizations rank Iran as the tenth most dangerous country for Christians, citing systemic repression aimed at eliminating perceived Western influence. According to the outlet, authorities continue to target believers under laws protecting Islam.
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