Open Doors Canada is launching a campaign to raise awareness about Christians imprisoned for their faith. Citing the 2026 World Watch List, the group notes that over 8,000 believers were detained last year. The initiative, titled One With Them, focuses on individual stories from Iran, Nigeria, Cuba, and North Korea rather than just statistics. A key event is scheduled for June 28, 2026, featuring a virtual gathering for prayer and worship. The organization aims to ensure these captives are not forgotten by the global church community. (Source: Light Magazine)
Cru, a Christian ministry, has launched the 'Victory Beyond the Cup' initiative in the U.S. to help believers share their faith during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The program aims to equip 100,000 people and 10,000 churches by providing free digital hosting kits in four languages. These resources include conversation starters and prayer cards for home watch parties. Although based in the U.S., the effort also targets Canadians, as Toronto and Vancouver are hosting venues. Heather Reddy, the initiative's director, states that the shared excitement of soccer creates a natural environment for discussing faith with visitors from various countries.
Good Samaritan Mission continues its work in Ukraine despite ongoing conflict. Leader Rostyslav Boryshkevych reports that churches near the frontline are seeing increased attendance and baptisms. The organization provides shelter, medical aid, and housing repairs while preaching the Gospel. The GSM Faith Bible School in Rivne recently began a term with twenty students. During the Christmas season, the ministry held services attended by approximately 7,000 people and distributed over 2,500 Bibles. They also delivered food and firewood to families in the south and east. The group attributes its ability to operate to donor support and continues to seek prayers for peace.
An archbishop from the Democratic Republic of Congo recently visited Canada, marking his third trip to the country. During the visit, he expressed satisfaction with the growth of the Anglican Mission, overseen by a local bishop. The archbishop highlighted the commitment of Canadian Christians despite secularization. He discussed the historical spread of the East African Revival and GAFCON's role in affirming gospel essentials. Noting ministry challenges in his home region, including difficult travel conditions, he praised partnerships with Canadian Anglicans. The visit underscored global connections within the Anglican Communion, emphasizing shared faith and mutual support across continents.
Adam Shepski, executive director of Disciple a City, is training approximately 10,000 believers across Canada to become disciples. Based in Ontario, Shepski emphasizes servant leadership principles that prioritize relationship building over large-scale projects. His ministry aims to equip ordinary Christians to share the gospel, with the ultimate goal of making Canada the most evangelized nation. Shepski draws on his personal history of overcoming addiction to model this approach. The organization focuses on providing, protecting, and maintaining presence within communities, while also stressing the importance of administrative skills for sustainable growth.
Christians in Canada are preparing for the second annual National Day of Prayer, scheduled for July 9 through 11 in Ottawa. Organizers expect over 500 leaders to attend events at Parliament Hill, culminating in a gathering near the March for Jesus that could draw nearly 10,000 participants. Faytene Grasseschi, chair of the planning committee, states the event aims to address national uncertainty and moral concerns through spiritual renewal. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is partnering to support the outreach. According to the outlet, attendees seek divine intervention for healing and unity amid rising social tensions and economic pressures.
Christians in Nigeria face escalating violence, kidnappings, and targeted attacks across several regions. In one northern state, armed groups disrupted church services in a village, capturing over 160 people, while schoolgirls were abducted along a local corridor. Another state saw worshippers killed during Palm Sunday in a district, and families murdered in a village. In a northeastern state, extremists destroyed churches and homes in multiple villages. A western state reported the destruction of sacred items in a Catholic Church compound. These incidents have displaced communities and heightened fear, with inadequate protection and accountability reported by the outlet.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, militants killed dozens of Christians in a rural village. In Nigeria, authorities convicted hundreds of individuals linked to terrorist groups on terrorism charges, while separate attacks in central regions caused significant casualties. In Finland, the Supreme Court convicted a Christian legislator for hate speech related to LGBTQ issues. Additionally, a vehicle struck a Christian procession in Pakistan, killing one person and injuring many others. These incidents underscore the persistent religious persecution and legal challenges faced by believers across these diverse regions.
Following coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Christian organizations in both nations report significant operational disruptions. A ministry leader states it is preparing strategic support for Iranians amid rising tensions and casualties since late December 2025. The group welcomes potential regime change and urges Western prayer for civilian protection and spiritual restoration. Meanwhile, a Christian ministry in Israel describes the day as intense, with sirens and reservist activations affecting staff and canceling planned events. Both ministries emphasize reliance on prayer for wisdom and peace as the conflict escalates.
The nonprofit organization Come and See announced that the series The Chosen has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the most translated season for a streaming series in history. This second recognition follows a previous record set in September 2025. Season 1 is now available in 125 languages, up from 86. The series has reached audiences in 175 countries with over 280 million global viewers. Creator Dallas Jenkins and CEO James Barnett attributed the achievement to global supporters and a team of linguists and scholars. The milestone was celebrated at ChosenCon, where the award was presented to the production team.
A British Columbia Supreme Court trial examined whether publicly funded faith-based hospitals can refuse to host Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) procedures. The lawsuit, brought by the family of Samantha O’Neill, alleges her transfer to a hospice caused undue suffering. Closing arguments were heard in April 2026 by Chief Justice Ronald Skolrood. Defendants, including Providence Health Care and the provincial government, argue the policy balances patient rights with religious freedom. The outcome may set a national precedent regarding religious exemptions in public healthcare. Over 5 percent of Canadian deaths now involve MAiD, raising ongoing moral and legal conflicts.
Violent attacks against Christians in a region of Ethiopia have killed over 20 people, prompting church leaders to demand government action. In Libya, Christians face severe restrictions, with native believers imprisoned and foreign workers vulnerable to kidnapping or forced labor in the fragmented state. Meanwhile, a federal court in Nigeria convicted 386 individuals linked to terrorist groups on terrorism charges. The convictions, ranging from five years to life imprisonment, respond to international pressure to protect vulnerable Christian communities from Islamist terrorist violence. These developments highlight ongoing security and religious freedom challenges across the region.
A 70-year-old academic liaison with Trinity Western University traveled to Rwanda to facilitate leadership courses for Kurumbuka Leadership Solutions. The program aims to train 10,000 leaders by 2030, focusing on shifting from scarcity to abundance. The author then flew to Montreal, Canada, describing the journey as a series of unexpected blessings and assistance from a companion named Arthur. The narrative highlights personal challenges during the flight, including health issues and seating upgrades, which the author interprets as spiritual lessons on reliance and grace. The trip concluded with the author's safe arrival in Canada.
A woman fled her village in northern Nigeria after terrorists killed her son and attacked her community. According to a mission leader, she hid in a forest for hours before being discovered by indigenous missionaries. They provided her shelter and an Audio Bible. As she listened to the stories of Jesus, she found comfort and eventually accepted Christ. The group reports that she is now a disciple sharing her testimony of hope and redemption after surviving the violence.
Following a severe earthquake in late August 2025, families in affected provinces received cash assistance from aid partners. The disaster destroyed homes and caused significant casualties. Instead of distributing standard supplies, aid workers listened to survivors to identify specific needs. Consequently, recipients used the funds to purchase winter clothing, medicine, and cooking utensils. This approach allowed families to address immediate survival concerns with dignity while stimulating the local economy in the affected regions. The aid strategy prioritized dignity and local economic support over generic relief efforts.
Coordinated attacks by Islamic State-linked militants in northern Mozambique displaced over 80,000 people and killed at least 22 Christians in November 2025. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, terrorist groups like the ADF continue to abduct and exploit children from Christian communities. Meanwhile, unrest persists in Iran, where underground believers face ongoing repression despite the faith's growth. In contrast, Pakistan celebrated Christmas with unprecedented public support from senior leaders, including the Chief Minister and Army Chief, marking a historic shift in the recognition of the Christian minority.
Syria has climbed to sixth place on the 2026 World Watch List, marking its highest ranking since 2017. Open Doors attributes this surge to the December 2024 collapse of the Assad regime and the subsequent takeover by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. The organization reports that violence against Christians has intensified, with at least 27 believers killed for their faith during the reporting period. A June 2025 suicide bombing in a city in Syria killed 22 Christians, while other attacks targeted churches in another region. The group states that new constitutional laws and public pressure have further isolated Syrian Christians, driving many to hide their beliefs. This shift represents one of the largest single-year score increases in the list's history.
Philip Yan, director of the Centre for Redemptive Entrepreneurship at Tyndale University in Toronto, Canada, promotes a business model focused on social restoration. Yan defines this approach as building profitable enterprises that serve communities and renew culture. He launched two ventures, including a coffee business and a VHS recycling program, to provide dignified work for individuals facing employment barriers such as mental illness or addiction. The centre, founded in 2021, aims to equip church leaders with tools for holistic mission. Yan emphasizes that this transformation stems from faith and obedience rather than mere business formulas, seeking to align workplace practices with biblical principles of redemption and service. (Light Magazine)
A ministry in Egypt recently hosted a conference for Sudanese youth, focusing on spiritual growth and personal development. Participants reported feeling closer to God and their peers. The organization also provides vocational training, including tailoring courses. A young man with a disability from a southern city successfully learned to make traditional garments, overcoming initial challenges to assist his father in their shop. These programs aim to empower individuals through skill-building and community support, demonstrating the ministry's commitment to holistic development for vulnerable groups in the region.
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