Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Saline royale d'Arc-et-Senans entry building · This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a message. This image is not in the public domain. Please respect the copyright pr / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Good news
The Salvation Army Foundation in France continued its efforts to support tens of thousands of people facing severe poverty in 2024. According to the outlet, this work relied on professional staff, volunteers, and local partners. The organization aims to help individuals regain dignity and participation in society. Notably, the network of economic integration structures grew to ten sites, including new openings in Mulhouse and Belfort. This expansion allowed more than 260 people to be employed and supported as insertion employees. The foundation also maintains long-term work through the CNPA and several CRPA to address exclusion.
More than 2,000 participants are expected on November 15 at the Espace Gruyère in Bulle, Switzerland, for the One’ 2025 gathering. Organized by approximately fifteen Christian federations and organizations, including StopPauvreté, the FREE, Medair, and the Salvation Army, the event aims to reflect the unity of Christ. The theme emphasizes that unity does not mean uniformity. This tenth edition brings together Christians from French-speaking Switzerland to share and grow together, addressing intensifying divisions in the world through a shared faith experience.
A preparatory meeting involving twenty-five church leaders from France and Switzerland took place in Lausanne last September to establish the framework for the third Francophone Christian Forum. According to Martin Hoegger, a pastor and committee member, the event is scheduled for French-speaking Switzerland in 2027. The global initiative, originating in the 1990s under the World Council of Churches, aims to facilitate encounters among leaders of various traditions. Hoegger notes that the forum provides a space for spiritual sharing based on mutual listening, prayer, and personal testimony.
The Haut-Lignon Aid organization in Haute-Loire, France, has received the 10,000 euro Charles Gide Prize. The funds will support the Sarepta project, a shared housing initiative designed to combat winter isolation among elderly residents. According to president Sonia Arnoux, the center will offer refuge to isolated seniors, modest families, and caregivers across different seasons. The group plans to open the facility in the second half of 2026. This award provides crucial financial support for renovations of a former temple caretaker's house, enabling the creation of a community space that fosters solidarity in a region characterized by seasonal population fluctuations.
German church leaders have raised alarms regarding the increasing frequency of attacks against Christian symbols in Germany. Recent incidents include church fires and the destruction of religious statues. In response, OIDAC Europe and the OSCE’s human rights office urged governments to take action. The OSCE released a guide on October 13 to address this troubling trend, calling for better data collection and enhanced protection during major celebrations. Christian organizations emphasize that anti-Christian hate crimes remain underreported and lack sufficient political attention. The German bishops note that official police statistics often fail to categorize these infractions accurately, highlighting a need for improved recognition and response mechanisms across the continent.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Adana Hulett on UnsplashPersecuted church
The World Evangelical Alliance is organizing the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDPPC) for November 2 and 9, 2025. Observed annually since over twenty years ago, this event unites churches worldwide to intercede for believers facing hostility. This year’s theme, based on Revelation 2:10, is 'Faithful to the End.' Godfrey Yogarajah, the Alliance’s ambassador for religious freedom, emphasizes supporting those who remain steadfast in their faith. While the official dates are in November, congregations may observe the day at other times throughout the year to pray for persecuted Christians globally.
The On Fire ministry is organizing its second Holy Win event in Montreuil, France, on October 31. The gathering aims to proclaim Jesus' victory and celebrate life and light, offering an alternative to traditional Halloween festivities. Held at a venue on Rue de Stalingrad, the free event features worship, prayer, testimonies, and sermons under the theme 'Let there be light.' Participants are encouraged to dress as biblical characters or in bright clothing. The event runs from 9 PM to 5 AM, with free entry requiring prior registration, according to the organizers.
The NGO Open Doors is organizing its annual gathering in Dammarie-les-Lys, France, from October 25 to 26. The event will take place at the Espace Pierre Bachelet and is expected to attract between 1,400 and 1,500 attendees. The organization invites participants to meet witnesses from the persecuted church who have traveled from various continents. According to the outlet, the gathering aims to immerse attendees in the daily challenges faced by believers abroad. Past participants have described the experience as emotionally impactful, noting that it encourages attendees and helps them appreciate their religious freedom in France.
A new metro station in a major Iranian city has opened after years of construction. Located near a historic church, it is named after the Virgin Mary. A senior church leader stated the name honors Christian citizens and reflects municipal solidarity. A local official described the project as a symbol of national and religious convergence, noting Mary's central role in Islam as a shared point of faith. Christian scholars were consulted during the design process, resulting from dialogue between engineers, artists, and religious representatives.
The inaugural Festiv’Arts festival is scheduled to take place near Lille, France, from October 31 to November 2. Organized by the Wasquehal Evangelical Church and the Catholic parish of Frédéric Ozanam, the event expects approximately one thousand attendees. The program features concerts by Dan Luiten and Hopen, a stand-up performance by Saïd Oujibou, and various artistic exhibitions. Alain Vanderhaegen, who manages the visual arts section, states that the displays focus on themes of joy, beauty, and biblical hope. The festival aims to present contemporary works, including photography, painting, and sculpture, alongside musical recitals and activities for children.
A missionary from an international aid organization arrived in Morocco recently to assess Gospel outreach. After departing from a European city, he landed in a major Moroccan port. His journey faced an immediate setback when one of his suitcases went missing at the airport. Although he hoped to recover it quickly, the bag remained lost for eleven days. The airline eventually contacted him to inform him that the luggage had been found. This personal account highlights the initial challenges faced by aid workers operating in the region.
In Burkina Faso, the ACVE organization is working to transform social attitudes and support vulnerable families. The group conducted a training session on child protection for parents. The initiative aims to provide practical tools for better parenting practices and safer home environments. According to the outlet, participants reported significant changes in their communication styles and family dynamics. One mother stated that the training helped her replace violent behavior with gentle education, while another noted improved interaction between fathers and children. The organization focuses on assisting displaced persons and impoverished households to build more respectful and serene family units.
The Protestant Federation of France (FEP) is implementing an impact assessment for its EN ACT initiative in France. The program aims to help undocumented migrants access legal employment, breaking cycles of poverty and illegal work. By partnering with local employers and social organizations, the FEP seeks to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach. The assessment tracks job placements and evaluates broader benefits, such as improved living conditions for migrants and workforce solutions for businesses facing labor shortages. This data helps justify the strategy to stakeholders and allows the FEP to refine the program, ensuring it supports economic activity without negatively impacting other vulnerable job seekers.
In Morocco, Gen Z 212 activists demonstrated in twelve cities on October 18 to demand the release of detained members. In the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV canonized seven new saints, including Peter To Rot. Meanwhile, Colombia condemned a US airstrike on a suspected drug submarine in its territorial waters, citing sovereignty violations and a fisherman's death. US President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video mocking protesters. Finally, Sofia Corradi, creator of the Erasmus program, died at 91, ending an initiative that helped millions study abroad since 1987.
The Salvation Army and the Protestant Evangelical Committee for Human Dignity (CPDH) are organizing a European day against human trafficking in Paris on Saturday, October 18. Participants are invited to march in silence from 10 a.m. to noon, dressed in black, to raise awareness about the issue. The event will feature interventions by associations including Porteurs d’espoir. Organizers will distribute informational placards and provide online mobilization kits with educational materials. This initiative aims to highlight the realities of human trafficking and encourage public engagement through social media and community actions.
The Madagascar Bible Society headquarters in Madagascar suffered significant damage during ongoing nationwide protests that began in September. According to the French Bible Alliance (ABF), vandals first targeted the building housing the society, located above a supermarket, before entering the offices. The premises were looted and set on fire. Approximately 2,700 Bibles were destroyed in the storage warehouse, while the remaining stock was ruined by firefighting efforts. All computers were stolen, and furniture was rendered unusable. The ABF estimates the total loss at 100,000 euros. The unrest is driven by young people protesting poor living conditions, including frequent water and electricity cuts.
Nelson Makanda, vice-chancellor of the International University of Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, announced a five-year initiative to train 200,000 pastors across the continent. This project is a partnership with the Church Transformation Network, a nonprofit based in California. The goal is to address the growing need for trained clergy among evangelicals and to combat abuses arising from untrained leaders. Makanda told The Christian Post that the gospel offers hope to Africa's poor and suffering populations, suggesting the region may become a future epicenter of global evangelism.
A burglary occurred overnight on October 6 and 7 at the Desert Museum in Mialet, France. Surveillance footage shows a suspect breaking a side door and stealing approximately one hundred gold Huguenot crosses dating from the 18th to the 20th century. Denis Carbonnier, the museum conservator, told Réforme that the thief targeted the gold items specifically, leaving silver crosses behind. The gendarmerie has opened an investigation and seized the video evidence. The museum, which documents French Protestant history, is a significant cultural site in the Gard region.
The United Protestant Church of Fontainebleau is organizing a series of events to mark the anniversary of the 1685 revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Held in Fontainebleau, France, the program includes an ecumenical prayer vigil in Avon, a historical lecture by Crystel Bernat at the local temple, and two conferences by Hubert Bost at the Palace of Fontainebleau. The church states these activities aim to highlight themes of fraternity and dialogue while remembering past persecutions. The schedule also honors Christians currently facing persecution, featuring a prior presentation by Arnold Daya from Open Doors.
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