World

letter from New Zealand

At our church in Christchurch, New Zealand, it has become our regular practice to go door-knocking with invitations around the neighbourhood of the church.

We are often met with polite smiles, but a “thanks, but no thanks” response. At other times, people are keen to chat and open up a bit about their experience of “church” or religion. The most open and friendly people are often those from other cultures. Last Easter, one lady from India invited my friend and me in to talk; she was so pleased to have someone come to her door.

letter from France

The recent announcement by fast-food chicken chain KFC, that several of their restaurants will become 100% halal, has caused a social media storm in a nation that is allergic to any hint of religion influencing the public space.

Evangelicalism has not been spared from scrutiny either. In September 2025, France 1 TV channel aired a special broadcast titled "Évangéliques: un succès pas si angélique?" (Evangelicals: a not so angelic success). The broadcast was biased and one-sided, presenting evangelicals in a negative light. The report adds fuel to the fire of suspicion that already follows evangelicals in France. The CNEF (National Council of Evangelicals) immediately issued a statement calling the broadcast “a blatant attack on evangelical Protestantism and the Christian faith as a whole”.

letter from Australia

David Robertson

Date posted: 1 Apr 2026

One of the big differences between the UK and Australia is the number of Christian and independent schools.

Recently the Australian Broadcasting Corporation carried a report about the number of pupils attending independent schools rising to 40%. Interestingly, they assumed that this should be seen as a negative development. Over the last decade there were 320 new Catholic and independent schools, and only 279 new Government schools. 34% of pupils now attend schools with a particular religious emphasis. There are over 50 Muslim schools with 40,000 pupils. There are 820,000 pupils in Catholic schools, and 715,000 in independent schools (over 80% Christian). The number in state schools is 2,619,000.

letter from South Asia

I have led churches in India for over 50 years, enjoying the privilege of walking with God’s people. Today, I feel heavy-hearted hearing about believers victimised by “anti-conversion laws” and their extreme amendments, which criminalise our basic faith expressions.

The Christian faith is communal. Since ancient times, Christians have gathered in homes for prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. The church has endured trials over the centuries simply by meeting together.

Luke Randall

Date posted: 30 Mar 2026

Christians in Japan are expressing wariness towards the nation’s new nationalist-leaning Prime Minister following her first few months in office.

The Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) Sanae Takaichi was elected as the nation’s first female Prime Minister. She is on the conservative right of her party and is believed to be against same-sex marriage and proposed legislation to allow women to retain their maiden names after getting married, but several Christians are concerned about her leadership, and the impact it is likely to have on Christianity.

Luke Randall

Date posted: 29 Mar 2026

There is much uncertainty among Christians in Bangladesh after Islamic parties secured the highest number of seats in the nation’s history at recent national elections.

Many believers were relieved that violence aimed at minorities was not as prevalent as expected before the election. However, their feeling of “stability” is “fading” less than a month on from the nationwide vote, as anxiety grows over what the future holds.

Nicola Laver

Date posted: 29 Mar 2026

A court in Valletta acquitted Matthew Grech, 36, who was a practising homosexual before becoming a Christian, more than three years after the event complained of. Matthew was interviewed by PMnews Malta in April 2022 about unwanted same-sex attraction and was introduced as a representative of the IFTCC (International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice).

In the interview (advertised on the channel’s Facebook page), Matthew did not encourage anyone to attend therapy or get help for unwanted same-sex attraction, though he did mention the IFTCC.

Luke Randall

Date posted: 28 Mar 2026

Gospel opportunities are on the rise amidst surging investment in tourism in Saudi Arabia.

The Middle Eastern nation has invested almost £600 million in its tourism sector as it aims to become a key global competitor in the industry by 2030. Platform 67, an organisation which liaises with missionaries around the world, says opportunities to share the gospel on the ground have increased as tourism booms.

Luke Randall

Date posted: 23 Mar 2026

The construction of a safe house for Christians in Pakistan is underway, with the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) hoping the property will provide safety for believers who have experienced false blasphemy charges and sexual violence.

The site will be BACA’s first safe house and will provide temporary but secure accommodation for two small families, supporting them for a short period until they are able to rebuild their lives in locations far from their original homes.

Luke Randall

Date posted: 22 Mar 2026

Domestic violence in Afghanistan has been legalised under a new penal code, with husbands now allowed to beat their wives, as the Taliban continues its crackdown on women’s rights.

The new 90-page code stipulates that men may beat their wives as punishment due to their higher class-ranking compared to women, following the code’s division of society into four categories ranging from religious scholars and elites to middle and lower classes.

Luke Randall

Date posted: 19 Mar 2026

As turbulence and uncertainty grip the Middle East, what is Shia Islam – the Muslim ideology which came to power in Iran in 1979, and has dominated it for decades since?

Shia is Islam’s second largest branch, representing 10-15% of Muslims. It originates from a dispute over who should succeed Muhammad after his death in 632. Some thought the next leader of Islam should be chosen by consultation among Muhammad’s companions. This group later became the Sunnis, from “Ahl al-Sunnah” – meaning “people of the tradition.”

Lydia Houghton

Date posted: 19 Mar 2026

Gafcon has again made known its rejection of Canterbury, stating that Canterbury’s “Instruments” have “failed to uphold the doctrine and discipline of the Anglican Communion”.

The declaration followed Gafcon’s G26 global conference held in Abuja, Nigeria, and states that: “the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference, the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), and the Primates’ Meeting” are the objects of its rejection.