Emily Bickford of Maine is appealing a December 2024 custody order that grants her ex-husband, Matthew Bradeen, sole authority over their 12-year-old daughter’s religious activities. The lower court ruled that Calvary Chapel is a cult, restricting Bickford from taking the child to services or engaging with religious texts. Liberty Counsel represents Bickford, arguing the decision violates First Amendment rights to religious freedom. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court heard oral arguments on November 13. The case highlights tensions between parental religious rights and court assessments of specific denominations' teachings.
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Pastor Greg Laurie led a Harvest Crusade at Utah Valley University in the United States, drawing nearly 8,000 attendees. The event took place months after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed on the same campus. Organizers reported that approximately 2,100 people made professions of faith during the gathering. The service included worship by musicians Phil Wickham and Chris Tomlin, and a video tribute to Kirk. Laurie stated that the tragedy accelerated the event's planning, with pastors requesting immediate support. He emphasized the urgency of the Gospel message in response to the community's pain. The crusade was also livestreamed to hundreds of thousands of viewers.
The New York Police Department is seeking a suspect who vandalized three churches in Far Rockaway, Queens, on October 5. Authorities say a masked individual carrying an LGBT pride flag spray-painted anti-Christian messages on the buildings and defaced religious statues at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church. The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the incident as a hate crime. The Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn condemned the acts, while a Family Research Council report notes a rising trend of hostility toward U.S. houses of worship. Police are asking the public to help identify the person shown in surveillance footage.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes has launched the FCA Resources Web App in the US to consolidate its ministry materials. The platform, which debuted last month, aims to centralize Bibles, devotions, and discipleship tools into a single digital hub. According to an FCA spokesperson, the initiative represents a broader ministry shift rather than just a technological upgrade. Usage data from mid-October to mid-November shows over 28,000 users and 40,000 sessions. The organization states the app is designed to help coaches and athletes deepen their spiritual growth and access Gospel-centered content across all devices.
Evangelist Greg Laurie will lead a Harvest Crusade titled “Hope for America” at Utah Valley University in the United States on November 16. The event takes place at the campus where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated earlier this year. Organizers expect approximately 10,000 attendees, with over 60 local churches hosting simultaneous livestreams. Laurie stated that Harvest Ministries accelerated its plans due to community urgency following the tragedy. Although Turning Point USA is not organizing the event, the group supports it. Laurie expressed admiration for Kirk and aims to offer hope through the Gospel message to young people and the broader community.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit in Travis County District Court against the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The legal challenge targets three state-funded programs: the Texas College Work-Study Program, the Texas WORKS Internship Program, and the Texas Innovative Adult Career Education Grant Program. Paxton argues that nonsectarian restrictions in these programs violate the First Amendment and the Texas Constitution by excluding religious students and faith-based groups from taxpayer benefits. The filing claims these rules constitute unconstitutional discrimination based on religious character. The attorney general is seeking a court declaration that the programs are invalid, citing recent Supreme Court precedents regarding public benefits and religious expression.
Islamic State-linked rebels killed approximately 20 people, including nursing mothers and infants, in an attack on a Catholic maternity ward in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Allied Democratic Forces raided the facility in North Kivu province, burning the building and slaughtering patients in their beds. Local officials and missionaries confirmed the deaths, noting that attackers also looted and burned nearby homes. This incident highlights the ongoing violence in the region, where the group remains a primary threat to civilians, having caused over 1,000 deaths in 2023 alone. Survivors are currently receiving outdoor treatment as security assessments continue.
The Rev. Franklin Graham addressed nearly 75,000 attendees at Buenos Aires' Vélez Sarsfield Stadium over two nights, according to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The event, titled Esperanza Buenos Aires, coincided with what would have been his father Billy Graham’s 107th birthday. Graham urged the crowd to accept Jesus Christ for forgiveness. Organizers reported that attendance grew from 30,000 on Friday to 43,000 on Saturday, supported by 1,000 buses and 2,500 local churches. Church coordinator Ale Neusch described the response as a miracle, noting many lives were transformed. The campaign is part of Graham’s ongoing international outreach schedule.
Over 80 Christian leaders signed a letter to former U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to address the persecution of Christians, Druze, and Kurds in Syria. The group highlighted ongoing violence and displacement in a specific region, particularly ahead of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s scheduled visit to Washington. Signatories, including Ben Carson and Sam Brownback, praised Trump’s support for religious freedom and called for secure humanitarian corridors. They warned of an impending winter catastrophe and noted that Syria’s Christian population has dropped significantly since 2011, raising fears for the community's survival amid recent security failures.
Moody Bible Institute filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court against the Chicago Board of Education, alleging it was barred from a student-teaching program due to its faith-based hiring policies. The complaint argues that the district’s non-discrimination requirements conflict with the school’s standards for staff conduct. Represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, Moody claims this exclusion violates the First Amendment and Illinois religious freedom laws. The suit highlights the impact on Moody’s elementary education program, which requires classroom observations in public schools. Chicago Public Schools declined to comment on the pending litigation, citing a commitment to student safety.
The Archdiocese of Denver and several Catholic preschools have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court decision that upheld Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program. The plaintiffs argue that the state unlawfully excluded their institutions for refusing to sign an LGBT nondiscrimination statement. A three-judge panel previously ruled that the program’s rules do not violate the First Amendment. The Supreme Court is expected to decide early next year whether to hear the case, which centers on whether religious schools can maintain admissions preferences based on faith without losing access to public funding. According to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, enrollment has dropped since the program launched.
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Approximately 5,500 college students gathered at the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 5 for a UniteUs evangelistic event. Organizers reported numerous first-time commitments to Christ and rededications among attendees from the University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, and Cincinnati State College. The outreach included spontaneous water baptisms conducted outside the venue using portable pools. Tonya Prewett, the founder of UniteUs, described the turnout as a significant spiritual movement. According to the Christian Broadcasting Network, more than 2,000 participants from this Cincinnati event have since connected with local churches. This follows a similar large-scale gathering at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix in October.
A U.S. representative introduced a resolution condemning violent attacks on Christians in Nigeria, urging the U.S. government to hold perpetrators accountable. Supported by numerous House Republicans, the measure demands that Nigerian authorities protect Christian communities and end impunity for groups like Boko Haram. It also calls for repealing blasphemy laws and providing humanitarian aid. The initiative follows the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. The resolution cites data indicating tens of thousands of Christians have been killed since 2009. More than 60 organizations have endorsed the proposal, highlighting the severity of religious persecution in the region.
The Bible Society released the Patmos Typology Report, analyzing 85 countries to assess global Scripture engagement. Based on data from over 91,000 respondents, the study identifies seven regional clusters. It finds that religion remains significant in everyday life across five of these clusters, including parts of Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. Conversely, secularization is rising in Europe and North America, where Bible ownership is common but regular use is declining. The report urges tailored strategies for each region, such as digital engagement in secular societies and discreet methods in restrictive Muslim-majority areas, to address specific cultural and economic barriers to faith.
The Church of England reported that regular worship attendance increased for the fourth year in a row, reaching approximately 1.009 million in 2024. This represents a 0.6% rise, marking the second post-pandemic year where regular members exceeded one million. Average Sunday attendance grew by 1.5% to 581,000, while overall weekly worship rose by 1.6%. The denomination also noted increases in adult baptisms and confirmations, though infant baptisms declined. Digital interest surged, with website views climbing significantly. Church leaders attribute these trends to sustained engagement and public curiosity about local communities.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged Nigeria to stop attacks on Christians, threatening to restore its status as a Country of Particular Concern. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected these criticisms, stating his administration actively protects religious liberty and engages with all faith leaders. While Trump and Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth warned of direct action against Islamist militants, Tinubu insisted that depicting Nigeria as hostile to religion misrepresents reality. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions regarding religious freedom and security in Nigeria, where thousands of Christians have reportedly been killed by extremist groups.
House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected allegations that federal immigration agents assaulted clergy members during deportation protests. Responding to reports of ministers being hit with pepper rounds in California and Illinois, Johnson stated he had not seen the footage. He argued that religious freedom does not justify obstructing officers or assaulting them. Johnson characterized the agents' actions as measured and urged protesters to allow law enforcement to perform their duties without interference. The comments followed incidents involving Rev. Jorge Bautista in Alameda County and Rev. David Black in Broadview, where videos allegedly showed clergy being struck by projectiles.
An evangelist condemned the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, labeling their actions in a captured city as the face of radical Islam. After seizing the location, the group shared graphic videos of executions, stating fighters were killing civilians indiscriminately. Reports indicate the militia captured the last government-held city in the region, escalating a conflict that has displaced millions. A Christian organization also called for urgent international action, citing horrific abuses against civilians. The militia, led by a general, continues to control much of the area as the war persists, raising concerns for local believers.
The Texas Supreme Court amended the state’s judicial conduct code to shield judges from discipline when they decline to officiate same-sex marriages due to sincere religious beliefs. This change follows litigation by McLennan County Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley, who stopped performing all weddings after receiving a warning from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. The new rule, effective immediately, clarifies that such refusals do not violate ethical canons. Jonathan Saenz of Texas Values stated the update ensures religious freedom applies statewide. The revision coincides with ongoing federal legal proceedings and a pending U.S. Supreme Court review of similar conscience-based objections to marriage licensing.
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