In Depth:  Luke Randall

Luke Randall

Much media attention has focused on barbaric attacks perpetrated against Christians in Nigeria by Islamic Fulani herdsmen. However, an American missionary has said that the prevailing narrative omits “a significant part of the story”.

In a wide-ranging report sent to en, Rachelle Wenger, who has lived in rural Nigeria for almost 30 years, has claimed that accusations of Islamist genocide against Christians are “false and dangerous”, and that the conflict is “more ethnic than religious”. The report was originally produced for a missionary organisation.

Luke Randall

A new publishing house is giving evangelical leaders hope for the future in Ethiopia. The initiative is supported by representatives from a wide variety of denominations and has seen new Christian material published by local writers.

The Onesimus publishing house was the first serious venture of its kind in Ethiopia, according to the Langham Partnership who supported the project. There is much hope among local scholars that the initiative will lead to better education and training for Ethiopia’s church leaders, as although 18% of the national population of over 129 million is believed to be evangelical, around 90% of its pastors are believed to lack formal training for ministry in the absence of quality material.

Luke Randall

Member states of the European Union (EU) must recognise legal unions established in other EU countries, even if such unions are not legal within other member states, following a court ruling.

The ruling was given by the EU’s Court of Justice (CJEU), which ruled that the same-sex marriage of two men must be officially recognised in Poland, where same-sex marriage is illegal: they had been refused recognition after moving there, having been married in Germany.

Luke Randall

The presence of religion in Spain is in decline, with almost half of the nation’s population identifying as non-religious, according to a new study.

Just 54% of those surveyed for the Barometer on Religion and Beliefs in Spain (BREC) 2025, viewed themselves as religious, while 42% said otherwise, highlighting a national move towards secularism.

Luke Randall

Three Christian converts in Iran have been imprisoned for two years because of their involvement in a house church – a further sign that persecution in the nation continues to intensify.

Hannah Golami, Daniel Mohammadi and Teymur Hosseini (an Afghan convert) were sentenced for “forming” and “membership” of a “group or association with the aim of disrupting national security” after the authorities carried out raids on house churches and homes, according to Article 18. Another believer has also been handed a year’s sentence for “aiding and abetting” the others.

Luke Randall

Many Christians boycotted recent elections in Iraq due to the hijacking of their minority representation seats by a hostile party. Some are believed to have given up on the electoral process altogether, while others no longer have the right to vote in the Muslim-majority country.

Due to their minority status, five of the Iraqi parliament’s 329 seats are reserved for Christians, but have been hijacked in the past by the Babylon Movement, a Chaldean Catholic party which purports to stand up for believers. But it is said by many Christians to be effectively a militant Shia Muslim party supported by Iran.

Luke Randall

The founder and CEO of YouVersion has described the influence of their Bible app as “unimaginable” as it celebrates its billionth download less than 20 years since its inception.

The rapid development of AI has prompted questions around how far technology should go when it comes to matters of faith. However, Bobby Gruenewald believes the news that the world’s most popular Bible app is celebrating its billionth download worldwide shows the positive potential of modern technology for gospel opportunities.

Luke Randall

Over 900 evangelical leaders attended the World Evangelical Alliance’s (WEA) General Assembly for 2025 in Seoul.

The four-day event featured representation from 124 of the world’s 152 regional and national evangelical alliances, and was centred around the theme “The Gospel for Everyone by 2033”.

Luke Randall

Islamic extremists are “suffocating” Mali’s capital city through a fuel blockade and dictatorial new rules enforced on those within it, including that women must wear headscarves when travelling by bus – a worrying development for Christians.

Malian church leader and Open Doors partner Charles Yabaga Diarra* revealed to that the attackers, who are believed en to be loyal to Jama’at Nasrat al Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), have led attacks in several areas across Mali and are now concentrating their efforts on cities bordering the Ivory Coast – where fuel comes from – including the capital, Bamako.

Luke Randall

Occupation, violence, and feelings of being forgotten, reign supreme for Christians in the West Bank, according to the General Secretary of the East Jerusalem Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA).

Peter Nasir, a partner of Embrace the Middle East in his role with the East Jerusalem YMCA, lives in Jerusalem, and told en of the difficulties of life living in the West Bank, where residents are subject to occupying Israeli forces.

Luke Randall

Concerns have been raised about France’s proposed “Assistance in Dying Bill” by a United Nations (UN) committee.

The group has cited the impact it will have on disabled people as potentially problematic, along with the lack of alternative options to euthanasia and a lack of information on safeguards.

Luke Randall

A Russian-inspired clampdown on evangelicals – or the advance of social liberalism.

That was the choice many evangelicals in Moldova faced. And it appears they opted for religious freedom first and foremost, according to a Crosslinks mission partner.

Luke Randall

Persecution against Christians in Rajasthan state, India is on the rise following the passing of a new anti-conversion law. Although the bill has not yet received governor assent, Hindu extremists appear to have been emboldened by its imminent implementation.

Since the legislation’s procession through the northwestern state’s assembly in September, attacks on believers have increased in number and intensity, with nine accounts of harassment and assault recorded before the end of that month alone, as reported by Release International.

Luke Randall

Uncertainty remains for Christians in Syria following dubious elections which saw President Ahmed al-Sharaa strengthen his control of the nation’s government, with next to no representation for believers.

The new Hay’at Tahir al-Sham (HTS) regime, led by al-Sharaa has worked to project a credible image of stability and governance since it overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s brutal government at the end of last year.

Luke Randall

Freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is being “systematically violated”, “weaponised and used as a coercion and punishment tactic” in Cuba’s prisons, according to a new report.

The study, which was undertaken by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and featured interviews with 181 prisoners being held across five areas, found that conditions for religious prisoners have deteriorated in recent years, following limited improvements during the 2010s.

Luke Randall

Over 70 Christians have been arrested as part of a large-scale crackdown on civil liberties in East China, with 20 having also been fined thousands of Chinese Yuan.

Hostility from the Chinese state has been increasing for around three months and has seen hundreds of police officers and about 200 vehicles deployed to find anyone involved in Bible study groups across the region, according to Open Doors.

Luke Randall

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has published recommendations on how it can improve its leadership practices following an internal review into whistleblower allegations reported by the Christian Council of Korea (CCK).

As reported by en in June, an anonymous whistleblower raised concerns regarding moral character, accountability and governance in the WEA’s leadership. The organisation said in a recent statement that while they remained “cautious about acting on anonymous and unverifiable sources”, they determined that an internal review into the allegations was the best course of action “in the interest of transparency, accountability and self-examination”.

Luke Randall

Evangelical venues account for more than half of Spain’s non-Catholic worship places, ahead of 16 other minority religious groups, and more than double that of Islam, which was its closest challenger.

New data has revealed that of the 8,140 non-Catholic worship places, 4,572 are evangelical, with particularly strong representation present in Catalonia, Madrid and Andalusia, according to Evangelical Focus.

Luke Randall

The war between Israel and Hamas must end and the oft-discussed “two-state solution” is “achievable” in the long term if built upon the rule of law, according to a Palestinian Christian journalist.

This month marks two years since the latest conflict between the two factions began and many have little hope that a resolution can be found. However, in an exclusive interview with en, award-winning Palestinian Christian journalist and writer Daoud Kuttab revealed that he believes there are ways to ensure Israelis and Palestinians can live alongside each other peacefully in the future.

Luke Randall

Päivi Räsänen’s long-running “hate speech” case is set to go all the way to the Finnish Supreme Court, following two unanimous acquittals in lower courts. The latest development will see the high-profile case involving the Finnish MP move into its seventh year.

As previously covered by en, the former leader of the Christian Democrat party was initially charged for the agitation of a minority group after she shared her Christian views on issues including marriage and sexuality and criticised the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland for its involvement in LGBT Pride events. She has spoken about such issues in a variety of settings, including on radio broadcasts, in a church pamphlet and on social media.

Luke Randall

Many Afghan Christians in Tajikistan are facing a “life or death” predicament in the form of forced deportation back to Afghanistan, according to a Sat-7 source.

The move follows similar schemes undertaken by Pakistan and Iran, from whom almost two million Afghans have been returned to their homeland in seven months.

Luke Randall

The World, European and Austrian Evangelical Alliances (WEA, EEA and EAÖ) have contributed to a report which expresses concern about freedom of religion, the abortion of unborn children with disabilities, and human trafficking in Austria.

The report, which also featured contributions from Herzwerk, which helps people in prostitution in Austria, criticises the Austrian government’s implementation of “a hierarchical system of recognition” of religious organisations, which it says discriminates against smaller and newer groups.

Luke Randall

The number of evangelical worship places in Catalonia has increased by 100 in four years, making it the religious tradition which has experienced the “most significant growth” during the last 20 years.

There were 889 evangelical worship places as of 2024, 100 more than in 2020, which continues a steady pattern of growth which began in the late 19th century, mostly due to Pentecostal churches, according to the Religious Map of Catalonia.

Luke Randall

More than 20 Christians have been arrested in Iran as part of a crackdown on religious freedom following the agreement of a ceasefire between Iran, Israel and the United States.

Charges brought against believers by the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence have not been made public, but several are believed to centre around the possession of Bibles as well as a newly proposed law that threatens brutal repercussions for working with what the regime brands “hostile states”, including the US and Israel.

Luke Randall

An evangelical church leader who had converted from the secretive Druze sect has been brutally martyred, alongside members of his family, amidst bloody violence in Suwayda, Syria.

Khalid Mezher had remained in the area, faithfully preaching the gospel, despite escalating conflict. He was mercilessly killed along with up to 20 members of his family, reportedly including his parents, siblings and children.

Luke Randall

The Spanish Evangelical Alliance (AEE) has claimed that new proposals to punish conversion therapy practices with stricter sanctions, including jail terms, are akin to the “anti-conversion laws of totalitarian regimes”.

Spain’s Social Democratic Party have proposed that conversion therapy practices should be included within the Spanish Penal Code. This would see anyone who engages in any form of coercive procedure to “modify, repress, eliminate or deny” someone’s sexual orientation, identity or expression face the possibility of jail terms of six months to two years, according to Evangelical Focus.

Luke Randall

About 1,500 people attended the 51st Teen Mission Meeting in Monbachtal, in the northern Black Forest in Germany.

The event, organised by the Liebenzellar Mission, Christian guest houses in Monbachtal and Entschieden für Christus (Decided for Jesus), featured seminars and workshops alongside discussions with missionaries and praise.

Luke Randall

The church in Mozambique is becoming increasingly concerned by a rise in child abduction by Islamic extremists, with at least 120 children having been kidnapped from the Cabo Delgado province this year.

The northern region has been plagued by jihadists known as al-Shebab or ISIS-M, who have recently stepped up abductions of children in the region, with many subjected to forced work and marriage while in captivity, according to Open Doors, which supports persecuted Christians.

Luke Randall

At least two Christians are being attacked every day in India, representing a continuing increase in persecution against believers, according to statistics.

The latest figures, released by watchdog United Christian Forum (UCF), based in New Delhi, reveal that 313 attacks were reported between January and May on a toll-free helpline, and the figure could be higher if other attacks have gone unreported.

Luke Randall

Thousands of Christians have marched through Milan’s city centre carrying banners exclaiming that “Jesus is the light”, and “Jesus gives you freedom”.

The “March for Jesus” event, attended by about 5,000 people, proceeded through some of the city’s most famous streets and ended outside Milan Cathedral, where groups performed dances and songs. The event, dubbed by many as a “Joy March”, was organised by the Evangelistic Network in Mission (REM) in collaboration with churches and mission organisations, according to Evangelical Focus.

Luke Randall

Many Christians in Syria are fearful that their hopes of greater religious freedom following regime change were in vain, following a deadly suicide attack in a church in Damascus.

The incident, which took place at Saint Elias Church in the nation’s capital, saw 24 believers killed and over 60 others injured, with at least 13 in critical condition, according to Open Doors.

Luke Randall

Non-Christians in Iran have asked believers if they can join in with their prayer times – such is the peace they sense in these gatherings, a mission leader says.

In an exclusive interview with en, David Yeghnazar, the executive director of Elam Ministries, revealed how Christians in the region are reacting to the ever-changing situation and how their lives may be impacted by the conflict.

Luke Randall

The Chinese authorities have increased restrictions on Christianity by effectively outlawing the presence of foreign mission workers, but not much will change about the way the church operates in the country, according to an Open Doors Persecution Analyst.

The ruling Chinese Communist Party has taken stronger steps to ensure foreign missionaries cannot work in the country, with revised “Implementation Rules for the Administration of Religious Activities of Foreigners” dictating that they must receive state approval to perform basic Christian activities such as preaching, leading services, and the use of unauthorised Bibles in a public setting.

Luke Randall

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is investigating concerns relating to moral character and governance in its leadership following allegations made by an anonymous whistleblower, published by the Christian Council of Korea (CCK).

The CCK is not a WEA member but has called on it to cancel its upcoming General Assembly in Seoul this Autumn in light of the problems raised. The whistleblower documents allege problems relating to how the WEA deals with organisations of other faiths and the theological positions of its leaders, as well as issues concerning governance, accountability and morality.

Luke Randall

The Pakistani president has signed a new bill into law which bans child marriage in Islamabad.

Fixing the minimum legal age of marriage in the capital region at 18, the ban represents a step forward for protecting girls from forced marriages, with Christian and Hindu girls particularly vulnerable to the practice.

Luke Randall

Uncertainty remains for Christians in Syria six months on from Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s (HTS) overthrowing of Bashar al-Assad’s government. While they are meeting together, they remain concerned about the future under President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rule.

Martin Parsons, CEO of The Lindisfarne Centre for the Study of Christian Persecution, believes a recent meeting between US president Donald Trump and al-Sharaa carries “seismic importance” for the future, with the first meeting between US and Syrian leaders in 25 years representing a huge shift in approach.

Luke Randall

The contribution of Gaza’s shrinking Christian community to the relief effort in Gaza is acting as a unique witness to its locals, according to a mission worker.

In an exclusive interview with en, Hanna Massad, head of Christian Mission to Gaza (CMG), spoke of how Gaza’s believers are working to make a difference as the war between Hamas and the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) rages on.

Luke Randall

Christianity is growing steadily in Turkey, but challenges remain amidst increasing hostility, with reports claiming that foreign Christians are being denied entry into the country.

Christianity has grown exponentially in the west-Asian country, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s (CSW) Research and Advocacy Officer for the Middle East and North Africa, who told en that a total of about 100 Christians in the 1980s has grown into about 100 congregations today. However, religious minorities find themselves “increasingly vulnerable to hate speech, discrimination and intolerance”.

Luke Randall

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) has outlined topics it is looking to raise with Mark Carney following his election as Canada’s Prime Minister.

Among the organisation’s priorities for the new parliamentary term are issues surrounding euthanasia and the safety of children online.

Luke Randall

Thousands in France gathered for the inaugural La Place conference, described by charity France Mission as the country’s biggest gathering of evangelicals.

The event, held at a conference centre in the Bois de Vincennes, to the south-east of Paris, provided an opportunity for French evangelical churches to connect and worship together. Around 3,000 people were reported to have attended.

Luke Randall

Evangelical support in the United States remains steady for President Trump following the conclusion of his first 100 days in office, according to new research.

White evangelicals and Catholics remain among Trump's strongest supporters, amidst a wider mood of disapproval amongst the general population.

Luke Randall

Churches and mission partners have sprung into action to support the relief effort in Myanmar following the catastrophic earthquake which shook the nation last month. However, military control and violence still persists amid stories of gospel opportunity.

The southeast Asian country was devastated by the 7.7 magnitude quake which has killed more than 3,600, and the nation’s church community has crossed denominational divides to support the relief effort.

Luke Randall

The European Congress on Evangelism, hosted in Berlin, is set to see 1,000 pastors and ministry leaders from 56 countries come together from across the continent in late May (27-30) to promote the bold proclamation of the gospel.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), which is hosting the event, described it as the biggest gathering of Christian leaders on evangelism in Europe for 25 years, since the organisation last hosted a conference in the continent in Amsterdam in 2000.

Luke Randall

A senior Sudanese church leader says his country’s people believe they “know how to die, but don’t know how to live,” in an exclusive interview with en.

Rafat Samir, Chairman of the Sudan Evangelical Community Council, spoke about the continuing conflict and the impact it is having on Sudan’s roughly 2 million Christians. The war has entered its third year. Having displaced over 11 million citizens and decimated national infrastructure, it shows no signs of ending anytime soon.

Luke Randall

Over a hundred Christians have been murdered in a series of brutal attacks by Fulani herdsmen in Plateau State, Nigeria in recent weeks, with Open Doors conservatively estimating that across northern Nigeria more than 3,100 have been slaughtered in the last year.

Alongside those murdered, thousands of Christians have been left displaced, which Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland, explained is problematic during the current rainy season, as many will have no way to care for their families or provide food.

Luke Randall

The number of teenagers in Finland who say they believe in God has increased greatly in recent years, with more young men than women now saying they believe, a new study has found.

New research found that as many as 62% of boys who attended confirmation classes said they believed in God in 2024, while about half of girls expressed the same belief. These statistics represent a large increase amongst both genders, with up to 50% of boys in the nation expressing a belief in God in 2023, alongside about 35% of girls.

Luke Randall

There are encouraging reports of new gospel growth in France – with evangelicals claiming one church is being established every ten days, and a new study revealing younger Protestants are increasingly likely to identify as evangelical.

Data collected by the French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP) on behalf of the Protestant Federation of France reveals that younger people and those on lower incomes who regard themselves as practicing Protestants in France are increasingly likely to identify as evangelical Christians.

Luke Randall

Discrimination against Christians in India increased last year, with the number of incidents recorded almost four times higher than a decade ago, according to a study of discrimination against Christians in the nation.

The Evangelical Fellowship of India’s Religious Liberty Commission’s (EFIRLC) latest annual report recorded 640 verified incidents of persecution against believers in 2024 (with another 200 reported cases unverified), up from 601 the previous year. Perhaps more shockingly, it also revealed that the number of incidents has increased fourfold from just 147 cases recorded in 2014.

Luke Randall

Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, which has killed thousands and destroyed many buildings, evangelicals are reporting a desperate need for aid – and glimmers of gospel opportunity.

The 7.7 magnitude quake has prompted an immediate humanitarian crisis in a country which has been gripped by civil conflict for four years, with missionaries in the nation already experiencing a “tenfold increase” in requests for missionary aid even before the earthquake.

Luke Randall

As conflict between Israel and Hamas continues in Gaza, there are an estimated 600 Christians remaining in the territory attempting to salvage what is left of their homes and to encourage one another.

In a recent interview with Open Doors, a Christian man, who preferred to remain anonymous, described what daily life is like for believers who remain in the region, with most living in tents under the shelter of church buildings and struggling to acquire basic necessities.

Luke Randall

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) has called on Canadian Christians to fully engage with the political process ahead of the national federal election, describing voting as a “privilege and responsibility”.

The upcoming election, called by newly elected Liberal Party leader and prime minister Mark Carney and due to be held on 28 April, will be the first contest the liberals have faced without former prime minister Justin Trudeau at the helm in ten years, and Carney’s party is neck and neck with the Conservatives in the polls.

Luke Randall

People around the world are increasingly abandoning the religious identity they were raised with – and Christianity and Buddhism are enduring the biggest losses, according to new research.

A pattern dubbed religious switching has seen people leave their Christian roots behind, particularly across many Western countries. The new study by Pew Research, which questioned almost 80,000 people across 36 countries from six continents, found that the majority of people who switched moved from the religious upbringing of their childhood to an unreligious position, with Christians suffering the greatest losses in most countries.

Luke Randall

A skiing ministry in a village in the Swiss Alps is continuing to grow after almost 40 years, having developed from a small chaplaincy programme into a thriving church.

Verbier, a small village 1,500 metres above sea-level with a population of about 3,000 permanent residents, is a top ski and summer resort which hosts many English-speaking residents and holidaymakers, in which a small-scale winter chaplaincy programme was formed in 1986.

Luke Randall

One third of the Costa Rican population identifies as evangelical and the highest percentage of evangelicals is aged between 18 and 24 years old, according to a new survey.

The Perception of the Costa Rican Population on Religious Values and Practices 2024, carried out by the Ecumenical School of Religious Sciences and the Institute of Social Studies in Population of the National University (UNA), revealed that 1.65 million of Costa Rica’s 5.18 million population identify as evangelicals, amounting to 33%, with the highest percentage found in the 18 to 24 age bracket, report Evangelical Focus.

Luke Randall

The first in a series of three conferences exploring the approaches of Evangelicalism and Neo-Calvinism will take place in Sao Paulo this May, at which the historical development and future of both theological approaches will be considered by a panel of experts.

The event, organised by a collaboration of scholars from the University of Edinburgh, Fuller Theological Seminary and the Theological University of Utrecht, takes place at Mackenzie University, Sao Paulo following an invitation from the Mackenzie Chancellery. It will focus on the different approaches of both positions, and the growing influence of Neo-Calvinism around the world, before follow-up events are hosted in Asia and Africa.

Luke Randall

Christians in Sudan face continued targeting and are victims of “heinous crimes” amidst the ongoing civil war in Sudan which shows no signs of easing any time soon.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) workers with contacts on the ground in the country which is being torn apart by civil war, told en that they “reject any suggestion that the conflict shows signs of abating,” and revealed that Christians have been targeted by both warring parties since the conflict began.

Luke Randall

Christian MPs in Chile have signed the ‘Commitment to Life’ document, publicly expressing their opposition to a new draft law proposing the legalisation of free abortion.

The document expresses the dissatisfaction of MPs from across the political divide with the proposed change in legislation. In it they re-committed to defending life and to supporting women enduring difficult pregnancies amidst challenging circumstances, reports Evangelical Focus.

Luke Randall

Free evangelicalism has remained at a similar level over the last 13 years in Switzerland, defying a sharp decline in mainstream Protestant evangelicalism and Catholicism, new data shows.

New statistics released by the Federal Statistics Office in Switzerland show that while only one in every five people in the central European nation identified with the Protestant Swiss Evangelical Church (SEK) in 2023, decreasing to 19% from 34% in 2000, the number of free evangelicals remained at 5%.

Luke Randall

Prison sentences given to Christians in Iran in 2024 were six times harsher than in the previous year, and over four times as many were sentenced last year than in 2023, a new report has revealed.

The shocking new statistics were revealed in ‘The Tip of the Iceberg’, a report co-released by Article 18, Open Doors, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and Middle East Concern.

Luke Randall

A Protestant leader has said that he fears churches may be forced to close following the implementation of concerning new laws which restrict freedom of religion in Kyrgyzstan.

The new Religion Law and an Amending Law came into effect last month. The legislation dictates that religious activity can only be conducted in public with state permission, and that religious groups must be registered to legally exist, with a minimum registration requirement of 500 adult members, up from the 200 required previously.

Luke Randall

An evangelical professor of philosophy has called on Christians in Romania to discern wisely as they prepare to vote in the nation’s delayed presidential election later this year.

Independent far-right candidate Calin Georgescu (see photo) looked to be on course for a possible victory in the first round of voting last year, before the constitutional court remarkably intervened to determine the results null and void, citing possible Russian interference. This delayed the first round of ballots until May.

Luke Randall

There is ‘no clear evidence’ that Christianity continues to grow in China in the 21st century following rapid growth during the preceding decades, according to a newly released academic paper.

The article, titled ‘The Growth of Christianity in China May Have Come to an End’, was published in Sage Journal at the start of the year, and drew upon research from 19 nationally representative surveys gathered since the turn of the century, as reported by China Christian Daily.

Luke Randall

Christians returning to their homes in Gaza have insisted they will not leave their homeland, while believers in Lebanon face an uncertain future.

There are ongoing tensions and uncertainties about the fragile pause in hostilities between Israel and Hamas. However, the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, in place since late November, seemed to be holding.

Luke Randall

Church services have been cancelled as fighting continues to intensify in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – with 70 Christians found beheaded in one church.

M23 rebels, who have been seizing territory since early 2022 with the help of around 4,000 Rwandan troops, now control the two of the largest cities in DRC - Goma and Bukavu.

Luke Randall

Wycliffe Associates are to use Starlink to improve connectivity with isolated Bible translators.

The Bible translation organisation hope that the SpaceX satellite internet provider, which provides broadband to over 100 countries and aims to eventually provide global broadband, will enable their translators to access the internet at high speeds - and transform the capabilities of their work in the world’s remotest locations.

Luke Randall

A Christian pro-democracy campaigner, who said his motivation for joining activism was that ‘we should be salt and light’, has been sentenced to almost five more years in prison, having already served three since 2021.

He is one of 45 pro-democracy demonstrators falling victim to a government crackdown on anti-establishment demonstrations.

Luke Randall

A Ukrainian-born Jewish missionary says his evangelistic approach to Jewish people has changed since the attacks on 7 October 2023.

Misha Vayshengolts, who works for International Mission to Jewish People and lives in Tel-Aviv (interviewed by en last year), revealed that he has had to change how he communicates with Jewish people since Hamas attacked and killed over 1,200 Israelis.

Luke Randall

The future for Christians in Syria remains uncertain following the recent toppling of Bashar Al Assad’s government by Islamic group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The fall of Assad’s regime has been met with widespread relief around the world, but how Christians will be treated remains unclear.

Sat-7, which supports the church in the Middle East, has spoken to several Syrian pastors following the change in regime, and found many to be fearful, but also hopeful that a better future may be ahead. One pastor expressed fear about the future, saying ‘change is always fearful, and entering a new era that is unknown and unstable is not accepted by human nature, and leads to worry, but we believe that God is present.’

Luke Randall

More than 7,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria in 2023, representing 90% of the overall worldwide total killed because of their faith, making it the deadliest country in the world for Christians.

The African country has been a dangerous place for Christians for years, mainly because of Islamic terror groups such as Boko Haram, (who infamously kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls in 2014 and regularly post online videos of their members beheading Christians) as well as Fulani Herdsmen and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). A particularly brutal attack saw 200 Christians slaughtered and 500 more injured by Islamic fundamentalists between 23 and 25 December 2023.

Luke Randall

Christians are being persecuted by authorities in Algeria, with 58 churches having been closed down by the government since 2018, leaving only one open.

In a video at the UK parliament with ADF International, Pastor Youseff shed light on this growing persecution. The pastor, who has previously been sentenced to prison twice since 2008, revealed that there have been almost 60 prison sentences handed to Christians in the country, mostly ranging from two months to five years.

Luke Randall

Donald Trump bas become President of the United States for the second time, and while he naturally takes the limelight, he has appointed several Christian influences in key positions around him.

Vice President J.D. Vance’s Catholic background is well-documented, but others with a more evangelical worldview include House Speaker Mike Johnson, Israel Ambassador Mike Huckabee, and Secretary of Defence nominee Pete Hegseth.

Luke Randall

Discrimination against Christians is on the rise in Europe, according to the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe’s (OIDAC Europe) annual report.

The non-governmental organisation recently released its annual ‘Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe Report,’ which revealed that there were more than 2,400 anti-Christian hate crimes committed in 35 European countries in 2023, as reported by police forces and civil society, which included acts of violence, threat and harassment.

Luke Randall

Twenty thousand Christians marched through Manipur, India, holding empty coffins aloft to demand that the bodies of Christians who were allegedly killed by police forces in a gunfight were released.

Ten Kuki-Zo youths were allegedly killed in the incident by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jiribam district, and their bodies are still in a morgue awaiting post-mortem results at the time of writing.

Luke Randall

A nine-year-old Christian girl from Bangladesh says she has only survived extreme persecution for her faith because of Jesus’ love. She has been completely excluded at school and in wider society, is constantly bullied and has even watched her house burn down.

Rumana, whose family live in a village in northwest Bangladesh, which has an almost exclusively Muslim population. When her family became Christians, they were ostracised from the community, with even non-Muslims hesitant to associate with them due to fear of being similarly mistreated.

Luke Randall

Believers in Syria may be gradually marginalised over time – and eventually face death, a leading expert is warning.

As the situation in Syria continues to unfold, Christians face ongoing uncertainty about how their new rulers will treat them.

Luke Randall

UK Christians have prayed continuously for 700 hours about the crisis in the Middle East, as part of a prayer session organised by charities Tearfund and 24-7 Prayer, as conflicts continue in the region.

Tearfund asked people to pray for the situation as conflicts continue in Gaza and Lebanon, and tensions increase between Israel and Iran.

Luke Randall

Evangelicalism is on the rise in Spain, with the number of evangelical places of worship having increased by 96 over the last year, according to newly released statistics.

New data on worship places released by the Observatory of Religious Pluralism in Spain, reveals that evangelical Christianity has more places of worship than any other minority faith group, with 4,455, up from 4,359 in 2023.

Luke Randall

Members of Iglesia de Jesuscristo (which essentially means Christchurch) have been contributing to the relief effort in Valencia, following the disastrous flooding recently seen in the city.

Over 200 people have died after the Eastern Spanish city and its surrounding area was hammered with a year’s worth of rain fall in just eight hours. Julian Milson (pictured with his wife Nicky), who works with Crosslinks, revealed that church members from the Spanish Reformed episcopal congregation have gone with thousands of others into affected areas by bus to assist with the humanitarian effort and cleanup. Milson said that volunteers have been ‘put to good use’, but that the organisation of assistance on the ground has been ‘patchy’.

Luke Randall

The Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) has called for the Nigerian government to strengthen religious rights, following their discovery that Christians have been the most violently persecuted group in Nigeria during the last four years.

A study by ORFA revealed that 16,700 Christians have been violently killed out of an overall civilian total of 55,900, mainly by Islamist extremists. This makes them the most discriminated-against people group in the country. Other groups to feature high on the list were security forces and terror group members.

Luke Randall

Christians are facing significant persecution for their faith in Pakistan, with recent incidents reported by the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) including arrests, robbery, rape, forced abortion and murder.

In one incident, 30-year-old Marshal Masih, from Lahore, was shot 16 times in front of his wife and three children, and died of excessive bleeding due to a delayed response from emergency services.

Luke Randall

During the Covid pandemic, Christians had to learn how to engage with church differently because of national restrictions. Now, two NASA astronauts have taken virtual church to a whole new level.

Christians Barry Wilmore and Tracy Dyson, who were among the four astronauts on the Boeing Starliner’s flight to the International Space Station (ISS) in June, are members of Providence Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas.

Luke Randall

Christians in central Mali have been told to support Islamic terrorists in their fight against the country’s military power or leave.

Pastors in the Mopti region were told by extremists that they could either provide men to join their fight against the army, give them money to hire mercenaries, or convert to Islam and close their churches, or they would be forced to leave the area.

Luke Randall

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has said, in a statement at the 56th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, Switzerland, that the Nigerian government must do more to protect Christians from the ‘brutal violence’ of extremist groups.

The WEA spoke of ‘patterns of repeated violence’ by extremist groups in Nigeria which are wiping out communities and displacing thousands. It called on the country’s government to do more to ‘disarm violent groups’ and ‘boost security’ in the nation.

Luke Randall

A woman from Afghanistan was given a Bible by her boss, and this led to her, her husband and her entire family converting from Islam to Christianity.

Khada, whose name has been changed for security reasons, remains in Afghanistan, where life has become even more difficult since the Taliban’s takeover of power in 2021, and she is a member of a secret church.

Luke Randall

Venezuelan Christians face an uncertain future amid controversy concerning the result of the recent national election.

Nicolás Maduro was recently declared the winner by a government-controlled agency, granting him a third term in office, and the continuation of 25 years of rule by the Socialist PSUV party.

Luke Randall

A Christian woman from North Korea has successfully escaped from her country five years after her first attempted defection, having spent time in prison and re-education camps.

So Young, whose name has been changed for security reasons, was returned to North Korea, after escaping the first time, by the Chinese authorities. China does not view North Korean defectors as refugees who require protection, but as illegal immigrants to be returned.

Luke Randall

More than 5,500 people have attended the third ‘Jesus Festival’ in Paray-le-Monial, France.

The Christian festival featured music from several French and international artists including rock group Glorious, Mirella, MLK Worship, Hopen, Dévotion, Noah Mungongo, and Sandra Kouame, Australian group PlanetShakers and solo artist, Dan Luiten.

Luke Randall

Religious groups in Vietnam now have to register financial information with local authorities and are liable to be shut down by government officials for unspecified ‘serious violations’ under new laws implemented to manage religion.

Decree 95, the new strand under the 2018 Law on Belief and Religion, sees state oversight of religious activities increase in Vietnam, with churches required to register more information with government authorities, such as financial records and how they receive and report donations.

Luke Randall

A people group of 6,000 in Ghana is celebrating its own Bible – which took 37 years to complete.

The Koma translation has now been printed 5,000 times since it was finished in March.

Luke Randall

God answers prayer in amazing ways, and He did so in Kenya with just a few pens and pencils, as Robbie Toop of Mission Africa revealed.

The organisation has been sending mission teams to the African nation for ten years and sent Kathryn Lindsay, its first long-term worker, in 2023.

Luke Randall

The new heavyweight boxing champion of the world says he owes his title to Christ.

Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed four-belt heavyweight champion of the world in the history of boxing. The 37-year-old won by split decision at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, condemning Fury to a first defeat in his 16-year career ahead of a potential rematch later this year.

Luke Randall

Jean Graham Ford, sister of Billy Graham, has died aged 91. She leaves behind Dr Leighton Ford, her husband of 70 years, their two children, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Jean was the youngest of four children, and was Billy’s only remaining sibling. She was a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church and actively served as a women’s Bible Study leader. She served in ministry and evangelism, alongside her husband, with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and then with Ford’s own organisation, Leighton Ford Ministries. 

Luke Randall

Christian shot putter Yemisi Ogunleye has credited her silver medal at the World Athletics Championship 2024 to her faith in God. She achieved a personal best of 20.19 metres, within three centimetres of becoming world champion.

Ogunleye’s victory comes at a good time, with preparations underway ahead of competing at the upcoming European Championships and Paris Olympic Games this summer.

Luke Randall

Devout Bible-reading Christian Rosalynn Carter, the wife of former United States President Jimmy Carter, has died aged 96. She died peacefully at home surrounded by her family, having entered hospice care shortly before she died. She had been diagnosed with dementia earlier this year.

Mrs Carter was married to her husband Jimmy for over 77 years, the pair having met when she was just 18, and married the next year. She leaves behind her four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Luke Randall

Tens of thousands of Christians in South Korea have added technology supported by artificial intelligence (AI) to their spiritual diet, reports the Financial Times.

Many young Protestants in particular have started using AI-supported Christian apps, which has freed up pastors’ diaries to spend more time focusing on caring for members of their churches on a pastoral level.

Luke Randall

While world leaders have devoted a countless number of hours to finding a seemingly impossible solution to the ongoing Middle Eastern crisis, Misha Vayshengolts, who serves with International Mission to Jewish People in Israel, believes that ‘Jesus is the answer’.

In an interview with en, Misha spoke about what life is currently like in Israel, how recent events have impacted his work as a missionary, and why he thinks Jesus is the solution to the crisis.

Luke Randall

Evangelicals in Germany are standing firm on the issue of homosexual partnerships – declaring that they ‘do not find approval from a Biblical perspective.’

At its National Board, Union of Free Evangelical Churches (FeG) President Ansgar Hörsting called for members to seek unity as recommendations regarding the question of homosexuality were set out for member churches. He told the 400 delegates in attendance that ‘the relationship with God in Jesus is a firm foundation, and the Holy Spirit works and gives people orientation and support.’

Luke Randall

John Piper has questioned whether it is appropriate to drink coffee at church in a tweet which has had over 2.5 million views.

His message on Twitter/X read: ‘Can we reassess whether Sunday coffee-sipping in the sanctuary fits.’ This was accompanied by a quotation from Hebrews 12:28, which reads, ‘Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.’

Luke Randall

Reformed Christianity in South America is mushrooming thanks to great Bible resources, a leading evangelical worker there says.

Alberto Puente, who leads the Spanish Initiatives for the Charles Simeon Trust, which carries out workshops across the continent in South America, says that: ‘Reformed Christianity is growing thanks to the resources that are being produced by ministries like the Gospel Coalition, Ligonier and 9Marks. Several Christian Reformed associations have been formed and there are a few seminaries that have been founded in the past couple of decades.’