The Protestant Church in Germany is reconsidering its asylum shelter policy following the Alternative for Germany party's strong performance in regional elections. In Stendal, Saxony-Anhalt, retired pastor Ruth-Barbara Schlenker hosts two refugee families under ecclesiastical asylum. The AfD won nearly 44 percent of the vote in the September 6 regional elections. According to Schlenker, the church is now considering transferring these refugees to other regions due to the political shift. This development highlights the tension between church protection efforts and the rising influence of the right-wing party in the area.
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The Ecumenical Translation of the Bible (TOB) was officially launched on January 23, 1965, following an initiative by pastor André Morel and abbé Jean Starcky. The project aimed to create a shared French Bible for Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox Christians. Although linguist Eugène Nida predicted a decade-long process, the New Testament was published by November 6, 1972. The article notes that a revision of the existing Bible of Jerusalem was abandoned because changes would have altered its identity. The initiative originated from fraternal meetings rather than church hierarchies, marking a significant step in Christian unity efforts in France.
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The Protestant Aid association in Reims, France, marks its 120th anniversary by launching a wellness space project. Founded in 1906 to provide food assistance, the organization now distributes 34,000 meal packages annually. Director Élodie Franck explains that the association has expanded its services to include job search workshops, a clothing boutique, and laundry facilities. The new initiative, funded by a 4,000 euro grant from the Charles Gide Prize, will add a hair salon. The association relies heavily on volunteers, three-quarters of whom are former beneficiaries, fostering social reintegration and dignity for those in need.
Following backlash over Meghan Markle’s expensive Advent calendar, Reverend Daniel French in the UK promoted a £6 fair-trade chocolate alternative. The Meaningful Chocolate Company sold out its stock after the suggestion went viral. All proceeds support the La Mission Lèpre association, which aids people affected by leprosy. Despite criticism from Sussex supporters, the initiative received global support. Amanda Norman, director of La Mission Lèpre, praised the Reverend for highlighting the cause. The calendar includes a booklet explaining the Christmas story and Jesus’ birth, emphasizing solidarity over luxury.
For the first time in 89 years, residents of the Faroe Islands have access to a new New Testament translation in the Faroese language. This ecumenical project unites the national Lutheran Church and Free Churches, groups that previously used different versions. Led by former Lutheran bishop Hans Jacob Joensen, the initiative reflects local liturgical usage and vocabulary. The Universal Bible Alliance notes the edition includes explanatory footnotes and a glossary. This collaboration marks a significant step for the autonomous Danish territory's religious communities, who share a population of approximately 55,000 people.
The Salvation Army's William Booth Residence in France has hired two nurses, two psychologists, and a health mediator to better assist vulnerable individuals. According to the outlet, this initiative aims to prioritize human connection alongside medical care. Florence Bousquet, a coordinating psychologist, explains that staff spend time building trust before starting treatment plans. The team also helps residents attend medical appointments and organizes social workshops to foster familiarity. Additionally, the staff uses telephone interpretation services and other employees to overcome language barriers, ensuring that residents who do not speak French can understand their healthcare needs. This approach seeks to treat people as individuals rather than just their medical conditions.
For about ten years, the Pentecostal church in Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France, lacked a suitable public worship space due to safety regulations. Pastor Alexis Henry explains that congregants previously traveled to Orange or met in private homes. Since October 4, the United Protestant Church of Bagnols-Pont-Bourg has allowed these evangelicals to use its local temple. This arrangement permits monthly gatherings on the first Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., resolving a long-standing logistical issue for the community. The decision was made by the local parish council to support the group's need for a dedicated venue.
An NGO defending persecuted Christians held its annual meeting in a French city. Approximately 1,200 attendees gathered to hear testimonies from six speakers representing nations on the organization's global watchlist, including countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. These nations rank highly for persecution severity. The event aimed to encourage participants through personal stories. Additional interviews with the speakers regarding their conversions and subsequent hardships will be published next week by the outlet. The gathering focused on raising awareness and support for believers facing severe oppression in these regions.
From October 5 to 9, approximately 250 Christian leaders from 32 countries met in Golem, Albania, for the Hope for Europe 2026 event. Organized by the European Evangelical Alliance, the gathering focused on finding hope during uncertain times. The location holds symbolic weight, as Albania was once the world's first officially atheist state under Enver Hoxha. Jan Wessels of the Alliance highlighted the country's religious growth, noting an increase from roughly 20 believers in 1991 to 13,000 today across 300 churches. Alesio Sema of the Albanian Evangelical Alliance described the event as a significant testimony of faith for local believers.
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The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is celebrating its 180th anniversary this week. The international body traces its origins to a gathering in London on August 19, 1846, where approximately 800 to 1,000 Christian leaders met to demonstrate unity in faith. According to the organization, it now serves 650 million Christians through 164 national alliances and over 100 international organizations. To mark the occasion, the WEA organized an online celebration on September 23 featuring prayer and recognition. Secretary General Botrus Mansour addressed the group, discussing the balance between the call for unity and evangelical independence. The event was broadcast at different times to accommodate various time zones.
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The French association Familles en Action is launching a theater project to support migrant women in one of Europe's poorest neighborhoods. Adeline Brossard, the sector manager, explains that a new residents' committee identified needs for safety, school support, and women's activities. To build confidence, the group partnered with theater companies Duanama and Eloquentia. For one year, participants will attend weekly classes and perform their own stories. The initiative aims to help women overcome shyness and discover their potential. A recently awarded prize will fund the instructors and potentially a trip to Avignon, fostering social inclusion and personal growth.
The Argentine Christian Evangelical Alliance (ACIERA) held its first congress on childhood, adolescence, family, and education in Quilmes, Argentina, near Buenos Aires. Taking place on September 12 at the Ríos de Vida church, the event gathered approximately 500 pastors and ministry leaders. According to Christian Daily, the gathering addressed critical issues such as extreme poverty, suicide, sexual abuse, and neurodivergence affecting young people. Rubén Del Re, director general of the Argentine Bible Society, led a plenary session urging attendees to engage with adolescents and share Scripture. The event aimed to equip church leaders to better support families and youth facing these challenges.
The Protestant Federation of France honored fifteen associations with the Charles Gide Prize during its national days in France. The jury, led by Gilles Camincher, selected projects addressing food insecurity, mental health, and social isolation. Winners include initiatives in Bordeaux, Grenoble, Rouen, Paris, and Nîmes. The prize, funded by 100,000 euros from the Charles Gide Circle, aims to support innovative social responses. The FEP notes that these projects empower vulnerable people beyond simple assistance. This fifth edition highlights the federation's role in uniting diverse charitable efforts across the country to tackle societal challenges through sustainable and inclusive actions.
France has launched a new initiative to welcome thirty exiled human rights defenders annually for three years. The project, called 'Femmes exilées engagées', was developed based on recommendations from refugee rights defenders in France. It involves a protocol signed by the FEP and FPF with the ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs. These women, often journalists, lawyers, or artists forced to flee, will receive support from citizen collectives and associations. They will also undergo training with partners like La Ruche and Synergies migrations. The goal is to recognize their skills and allow them to continue their civic engagement in French society, moving beyond mere protection to active inclusion. The FEP is currently seeking volunteers in Île-de-France and across the country to join these citizen groups.
Dutch health authorities have validated the first case of euthanasia for a baby under the law enacted in February 2024, which permits the procedure for children aged one to twelve. Health Minister Sophie Hermans confirmed the case in a letter to parliament. A government commission determined that the physician followed required protocols. The infant, born prematurely with severe brain lesions and epilepsy, suffered insupportable pain with no prospect of improvement. Parents and doctors concluded the child would not reach adulthood. This decision marks the first application of the expanded euthanasia criteria in the Netherlands.
Eunice Rubio, a Honduran teacher, shares how child sponsorship changed her life. At age four, she joined the Peniel Child and Youth Development Center in Honduras, where she was sponsored by Linda and Robin. This support provided school materials and academic guidance, allowing her to continue her education without interruption. Today, Rubio teaches at Los Pinares Academy in Honduras, serving children from large families and adults who missed out on schooling. She highlights the stark contrast between her privileged background and the poverty, violence, and gang influence faced by many students. According to her account, sponsorship was essential for her academic success and personal development.
The Batwa Pygmies, recognized as one of the most vulnerable communities in Africa's Great Lakes region, are hearing the Gospel in Uganda for the first time. According to Minority Rights Group, these indigenous people have faced severe marginalization, including forced displacement from their ancestral forests. In 1992, the Ugandan government converted their habitat into a national park to protect mountain gorillas, leading to their expulsion. The article highlights their ongoing struggles with poverty, social exclusion, and loss of traditional resources, noting that they were previously considered the guardians of the forest before these changes occurred.
Representatives from the Protestant Federation of France (FPF) and the National Council of Evangelicals in France (CNEF) met on September 3 and 4, 2026, in Sète. The two groups held a seminar to strengthen mutual understanding and trust. The FPF aims to integrate evangelicals more deeply into its governance, while the CNEF seeks to build constructive relations. Participants acknowledged the diversity of French Protestantism and recognized each other as legitimate expressions of the faith. They agreed to move past past misunderstandings and establish a relationship based on respect for each other's missions.
The Protestant Federation of Mutual Aid (FEP) in France conducted a survey of its 65 authorized associations to analyze their food aid practices. The study, aimed at renewing national authorization in 2025, examines organizational methods, target audiences, and challenges. It highlights diverse approaches, including food distribution, communal meals, educational actions, and social support. The report emphasizes the vital role of volunteers and staff in maintaining daily operations. According to the outlet, the findings provide a comprehensive overview of resources mobilized and difficulties encountered by these associations across the country.
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