Hagop Koujikian, pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Valence, France, received death threats against himself and his family on March 21. The incident occurred while he was in Paris for an evangelization tour, according to Le Dauphiné libéré. The threats came from a man Koujikian occasionally accompanied, who reportedly suffers from psychological issues and has a history of violence. On March 24, this individual allegedly attempted to enter the church premises. Koujikian, who knows the man's mother, filed a police report and consulted leaders of the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches. He stated that authorities took the situation seriously and did not rule out filing a formal complaint if the threats continue.
The French Protestant Church in Lebanon (EPFL) in Beirut continues to gather despite ongoing regional instability. Pastor Brice Deymie, who arrived in September 2021, highlights the community's resilience as it navigates multiple conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah since October 2023. According to Réforme, the congregation has waited over a year for leadership due to the pandemic and now faces repeated violence. The outlet reports that members have developed war reflexes, having experienced previous wars between 1975 and 1990. The church remains active in Beyrouth, Lebanon, as it endures these challenging circumstances.
More than 850 people gathered in Montluçon, France, from March 24 to 26 for the 98th edition of the Assemblies of God of France (ADD) congress. The event, themed 'Companions in work,' aims to celebrate God's work, share experiences, and unite around a common mission. The ADD is the largest family of evangelical churches in France and part of the National Council of Evangelicals of France. Attendees included pastors, their spouses, and representatives from various ADD ministries covering social work, youth, missions, and arts. This gathering highlights the organization's ongoing efforts to foster faith and unity among its members across the country.
A recent conference in Lebanon brought together women from Protestant churches across several conflict-affected regions. Organized by regional church bodies, the event highlighted the resilience of believers living in war zones. Participants shared experiences regarding conflict, reconciliation, and hope. The gathering aimed to amplify voices often ignored in peace processes. Attendees formed a network to continue supporting each other through online meetings and prayer, emphasizing their shared faith and perseverance amidst adversity. This initiative underscores the importance of solidarity among Christian women facing severe persecution and instability in their respective areas.
Soledad André Amra, head of the Protestant Aid Federation in Lebanon, reports that humanitarian corridors are providing safe passage for vulnerable families to France. Since 2017, the program has helped nearly 500 people reach safety through citizen collectives. This aid is critical as Israel resumed large-scale military operations on March 2, 2026, following a ceasefire breakdown. The conflict has caused over 822,000 internal displacements and significant casualties. The corridors offer a legal route for those unable to return to Syria due to persecution fears or ongoing violence in their home regions.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Raimond Klavins on UnsplashPersecuted church
Heavy machinery operates near a historic monastery in Egypt as part of a major tourism initiative commissioned by the president. This project aims to transform the surrounding Bedouin area into a cultural hub with new infrastructure, including an airport and hotel. Construction occurs close to the ancient site, which has been inhabited since the sixth century and houses valuable biblical manuscripts. The outlet reports concerns about the impact on this UNESCO-listed location. The government states the goal is to establish a third tourism pole alongside other major regions, balancing development with the preservation of this significant religious heritage site.
Pastor Rick Warren, founder of the Saddleback Church in California, US, has proposed that the Christian church celebrate its 2,000th anniversary in 2033 by ensuring everyone has heard the Gospel. He stated this would be the best gift for Jesus, marking events like the crucifixion and Pentecost. However, Warren warned church leaders against treating the initiative as merely a slogan. He emphasized the need for coordinated missionary efforts across various regions to make the goal a reality rather than just a slogan. The outlet Regards protestants reported on this challenge issued by the AEM.
An ecumenical aid organization in France celebrates its 60th anniversary. Founded in 1991, it funds local development projects worldwide. Over six decades, it has supported initiatives in various countries, including building schools, providing refugee aid, and installing solar panels. Recently, the group funded seed processing and social action programs in specific regions. Looking ahead, the organization plans to sponsor children, support school construction in one African nation, and help build an orphanage in another. The committee attributes its success to donor contributions and missionary updates, continuing its mission of global solidarity and practical support for vulnerable communities.
A prominent ministry in Burkina Faso contributed significantly to a national development program aimed at enhancing local sovereignty. The donation included construction materials, food supplies, and financial support for infrastructure projects. This initiative, supported by the current leadership, seeks to reduce reliance on foreign aid by utilizing domestic resources. The religious organization stated that this contribution demonstrates its commitment to collective national construction and encourages active citizen participation in the country's progress and self-reliance efforts.
Despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon, a monumental statue of Christ the Redeemer was erected on March 14 at Mount of the Cross in El Qaa. The construction proceeded even as violence displaced nearly 300,000 residents, including 30,000 Christians, since early March. The conflict has resulted in hundreds of casualties, including the death of local priest Pierre El Raï in Qlayaa. The statue overlooks the Bekaa plain and the border, standing as a symbol of faith amidst the destruction and displacement caused by the regional war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
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The Salvation Army Foundation in Paris is providing winter shelter for approximately 400 homeless individuals, including 171 minors, in public gymnasiums. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the City of Paris, aims to offer a secure environment as a first step toward social reintegration. Residents face logistical challenges, such as relocating to different sports facilities every six weeks to avoid monopolizing public equipment. Despite these disruptions, which sometimes require families to commute across the Île-de-France region, the program guarantees that no one will be returned to the streets at the end of the winter season. The organization provides social support to help residents stabilize their living situations.
Solidarité Protestante, linked to local partners, is mobilizing to support populations affected by ongoing bombings in Lebanon. The Fondation du protestantisme platform is calling for collective action to address a severe humanitarian crisis. The region faces mass displacement, with thousands reported dead or injured. Vulnerable communities require immediate assistance, including food, clean water, medical care, and shelter. Local actors are currently lacking the necessary resources to cope with the scale of the emergency, prompting urgent appeals for external support to meet these concrete needs.
A pastor and theology doctoral student presented a conference on the missionary heritage of the American Presbyterian mission in Cameroon. The event, part of a local series, examined how churches in the region manage this legacy today. The mission began in the mid-19th century, with missionaries leaving a city in Virginia. After operating in Liberia and Gabon, they established a base on an island. Historical figures expanded the work to the Cameroonian coast. The conference highlighted the historical roots and current management of this religious influence in the area, focusing on the enduring impact of early evangelism efforts.
Senegal's parliament unanimously adopted a law on March 11 that doubles prison sentences for homosexuality from one to ten years. The legislation also increases fines and criminalizes the promotion or financing of same-sex relations. UN High Commissioner Volker Türk urged President Bassirou Diomaye Faye not to promulgate the law, arguing it violates human rights and exposes individuals to discrimination and abuse. Human rights groups fear the measure will foster a climate of homophobia in the country.
French Protestant delegates from the Grand-Ouest region visited the Anglican parish of Saint-Barnabas in Kensington, London, to study innovative ministry strategies. The initiative, inspired by Andy Buckler, the parish vicar and former pastor in France, aims to adapt the Anglican concept of 'Fresh expressions' to French contexts. Participants from Boulogne-Billancourt, Mantes-la-Jolie, and Pentemont-Luxembourg observed varied worship services, community events in pubs, and children's activities. The group used the trip to brainstorm local projects, seeking to engage people who do not typically attend traditional church services. The program is now supported by the national United Protestant Church of France.
Walid Slaybi and Ogarit Younan founded the Arab University for Non-Violence and Human Rights (AUNOHR) in Lebanon in 2009. Recognized as 2022 Gandhi Prize laureates, the couple established the institution to promote dialogue and reconciliation. The university offers recognized Master’s degrees and has significantly influenced the Arab world. AUNOHR is now collaborating with the Association des Amis de Lanza del Vasto to publish Arabic translations of Lanza Del Vasto’s works on non-violence. This initiative aims to deepen the cultural understanding of peace strategies among students and activists in Lebanon and neighboring regions.
The Ukrainian Bible Society has distributed approximately 1.6 million copies of the Bible since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. According to a year-end review reported by Christian Daily on March 9, the organization is distributing nearly one thousand Bibles daily. The society states that this initiative aims to provide emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to a population facing increasing trauma. With one million people serving in the armed forces and rising civilian casualties, the group emphasizes that the Word of God and pastoral care are essential for the moral and mental well-being of Ukrainians during this ongoing conflict.
The Défap organization views the universal Church as a network of relationships among Christians from diverse cultures. Based in France, it facilitates intercultural exchanges between churches in Europe, Africa, the Indian Ocean, and the Caribbean. Its concrete actions include sending volunteers for civic service or international solidarity missions, hosting foreign volunteers in French parishes, and providing training on missionary issues. The organization also operates the House of Missions in Paris, which serves as a meeting point for churches and researchers. These initiatives aim to deepen faith and foster openness within local communities by emphasizing diversity as a spiritual richness.
The Protestant Federation of France and France Victimes launched a partnership on March 6, 2025, to provide independent listening services for abuse victims. Twelve months later, the FPF reported 61 calls, with 28 involving victims and 26 percent related to sexual violence. The initiative aims to separate support from institutional structures, prioritizing the victim's voice. The FPF states that referrals occur only with explicit consent. These figures highlight a genuine need for accompaniment, though they do not measure the full scale of violence within the community.
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