Former footballer Olivier Giroud has publicly supported the upcoming Jesus March 2026 in France. In a video released on May 26, he encouraged Christians to proudly celebrate Jesus Christ in the streets. The event is scheduled for June 6 across 16 cities, including Paris, Marseille, and Bordeaux, as well as overseas territories. Additional gatherings already took place on May 30 in Lyon, Toulouse, Le Mans, and on the Côte d'Azur. Although Giroud cannot attend, he expressed his support and wished participants a peaceful march, urging believers to declare their faith publicly. The initiative aims to unite Christians from various denominations in a visible display of faith across the country.
The Protestant community in Clermont-l'Hérault, France, is launching a project to build a new temple. The current facility has become too small and lacks visibility for the growing congregation. The new building aims to serve as a community hub for educational, cultural, and social activities, not just worship. A donated plot of land at a visible intersection has enabled the project. Designers envision an immersive architectural experience using natural light and spacious volumes to foster serenity. The initiative reflects a desire to modernize the church while maintaining Reformed traditions and strengthening local social ties.
The International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) launched a new podcast mini-series titled 'Reflections on Generation Z' on May 7. The initiative aims to help leaders better understand and serve Christian young people aged 15 to 30 within the global church. IFES, a network present in nearly every country including France and Switzerland, seeks to create communities transformed by the Gospel. According to the organization, the audio series is designed to listen to Generation Z and equip those involved in student ministry to reach, spiritually train, and support this demographic more effectively.
Health authorities expressed deep concern regarding the Ebola epidemic in a central African nation and its neighbor. Confirmed cases have been reported in a specific northern province, which serves as the epicenter of the spread, alongside hundreds of suspected cases and deaths. Additional cases were also identified in the neighboring country. The African Union Health Agency identified a variant for which no vaccine exists. In response, a senior bishop in a major city issued a statement urging Catholic communities in the diocese to implement strict health measures to limit the virus's transmission.
The Federation Marche pour Jésus France has announced the schedule for this year's marches. Events will take place on May 30 in four major cities and on June 6 in fifteen others. Specific start times and locations have been confirmed for several cities, including Lyon and Toulouse, while details for Nice will be released later. The organization, established in 2012, unifies previously separate local events across metropolitan and overseas France. The marches focus on evangelization and worship, bringing together participants from various regions for these religious gatherings.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez released the 2025 annual report on anti-religious acts, noting a persistent level of 2,489 incidents. The data highlights a sharp 88% increase in anti-Muslim attacks and a 9% rise in anti-Christian incidents. Anti-Semitic acts, though down 16%, remain at historically high levels, with over half of all recorded offenses. The report cites tragic murders in Lyon and the Gard department as evidence of growing hatred affecting all faiths. Nuñez warns that these attacks undermine national cohesion and religious freedom across France.
BLF Éditions, an evangelical Christian publisher based in Marpent, France, announced on May 20 that its French-language manga Bible series has surpassed 700,000 copies sold. The six-volume saga covers Genesis through Revelation and targets youth and adults seeking a new perspective on biblical narratives. Publisher Tim Kyle called the achievement unprecedented for Christian comics, noting the format's enduring appeal. The series is recommended for readers aged nine and older, aiming to help both children and adults rediscover scripture through this unique visual medium.
A global study covering 85 countries and involving 91,000 participants reveals that young Christians engage with the Bible more frequently than older generations. According to the Patmos Youth Report, based on Gallup data, 81% of young believers aged 18 to 24 say religion plays a significant role in their daily lives. The findings indicate that despite general secularization, this demographic demonstrates greater confidence in discussing their faith and applying biblical teachings. The report highlights a strong interest in Scripture among youth worldwide, contrasting with broader societal trends.
The Universal Bible Alliance announced that the complete Bible is now accessible in 795 languages. This milestone was reached in 2025 with the addition of 100 new full versions. According to the Swiss Bible Society, 66 of these languages received their first-ever translation, serving 32 million speakers. The initiative aims to reach 566 million people globally. Consequently, over 6.62 billion individuals, out of a global population of approximately 8 billion, can now access the full text in their native tongue. This effort highlights significant progress in making biblical texts available across diverse linguistic communities.
In a city in Burkina Faso, a Christian organization coordinated by a pastor is providing vocational training to vulnerable populations. Women are learning to dye fabrics, cut soap, and produce juice granules, while men receive mechanical tool instruction. These revenue-generating activities aim to help families cope with economic instability caused by insecurity and inflation. Participants report that these skills allow them to sell products and gain financial independence. The initiative seeks to offer stable livelihoods in a region where employment opportunities are scarce, supporting believers facing significant hardship.
Armenia is currently home to a project to build the world's tallest statue of Christ, supported by the government for tourism purposes. However, the initiative faces strong opposition from the Armenian Apostolic Church, which represents over 95% of the population. During a meeting on March 23, the Supreme Spiritual Council declared the installation of such a statue unacceptable, viewing it as an idolatrous representation. This stance contrasts with the country's traditional Christian symbols, which typically consist of carved stone crosses. The church's rejection highlights the tension between modern development efforts and deep-rooted religious traditions in the first Christian nation.
Since 2021, armed gangs have expanded their control in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, displacing one million people and disrupting essential services like health care and education. In an interview with Vatican News, Bishop Pierre-André Dumas of the Anse-à-Veau-Miragoâne diocese criticized the international community's indifference to the crisis. He urged the world to restore concrete solidarity with Haiti, specifically proposing a global day of prayer to support the suffering population. The bishop emphasized that the Haitian people have endured years of neglect without sufficient external attention.
The Protestant Aid Federation and the Protestant Federation of France have launched the 'Femmes Exilées Engagées' project in Paris. The initiative aims to welcome and support female refugees who are activists for human rights and democracy. According to the organizers, these women often face new difficulties upon arriving in France. The program is part of the 'Humanitarian Corridors' protocol with the state, which has helped nearly 500 people since 2017. The project plans to host 30 women and their families over three years, providing administrative, legal, and training support. The official launch event will take place on May 27 with Ambassador Isabelle Rome.
The Assemblies of God in France will host Echo 2026, a major evangelical youth gathering, from May 15 to 17 at the Zenith d’Auvergne in Clermont-Ferrand. Organizers expect approximately 6,500 participants, including teenagers and young adults from France and across Europe. The event, themed 'Echo infini,' aims to help attendees explore the contrast between the microscopic and the cosmic to better understand their spiritual role. According to the organizers, the schedule includes collective worship, faith-based conferences, workshops, and outdoor sports activities designed to foster community and personal reflection.
Sri Lanka is facing an unprecedented disaster after Cyclone Ditwah caused severe flooding, landslides, and infrastructure collapse. The death toll has exceeded 1,000, with thousands still missing and 1.6 million people affected, including 833,000 displaced. Over 25,000 homes were destroyed or damaged. The government estimates reconstruction costs at more than 7 billion dollars. Despite being impacted by the floods themselves, child sponsorship partners are mobilizing to provide emergency aid to the most vulnerable families. The crisis has left many communities without shelter or resources, requiring significant international support for recovery efforts.
The Federation of Independent Evangelical Churches of Spain (FIEIDE) launched a mission to establish 100 new congregations by 2036 during its 70th general assembly in Cullera. Held from April 23 to 24, the meeting gathered 270 representatives from over 100 existing groups across Spain. According to Evangelical Focus, the strategy emphasizes disciple formation, small groups open to non-believers, and practical pastor training. Leaders reviewed the current situation and future prospects for the federation. The initiative aims to expand the network of independent evangelical churches throughout the country over the next decade.
The SEL, a Protestant international solidarity association in France, has spent over 45 years helping people in developing countries. According to the article, the group believes that Christians must not ignore global poverty and injustice. They aim to respond to these issues through their faith and the biblical command to love their neighbor. The text emphasizes that while global connections are complex, local interpersonal relationships remain central to human life and social responsibility. The SEL encourages believers to take action against suffering far away while maintaining strong ties with those around them.
Pastor Cyrille Payot served in the West Bank as part of the Eappi program, an ecumenical initiative by the World Council of Churches. Established at the request of Palestinian Christians, the mission aims to monitor the situation and report incidents. During a three-month stay in Bethlehem, Payot’s team recorded 844 incidents. The program places participants in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jericho, and south of Hebron. While the work carries risks, no deaths have occurred among the 2,000 participants since its inception in the 2000s. Payot highlights the severe treatment of detainees, citing the death of a social center director in Israeli custody after arrest. The team operates with security protocols to ensure safety while documenting local realities.
The Salvation Army launched the Festiv'Haltes #4 event on April 30 in Paris, France. Held at the Maison des Réfugiés, the week-long festival aims to celebrate culture and human connection for people in precarious situations, including exiles and asylum seekers. The opening featured an exhibition of creations by Haltes Humanitaires participants, a metalworking and art therapy workshop, and a roundtable discussion with cultural partners. These centers provide comprehensive support, including administrative aid, healthcare, and French language learning, alongside social and cultural activities to foster integration and community engagement.
Translated from Français
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