Subtitle: A consolidation of this week's world headlines of interest to Christian readers.

Excerpt: This week’s top Christian news stories cover a range of topics. These include a Finnish MP’s trial over a Bible verse tweet, a study showing a decline in pastors considering quitting, and a growing trend of AI agents exhibiting human-like behaviors.

Author: Jeff Hilles

50+ TOP STORIES FROM ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA

CrossWalk – Why Does a Good God Allow Us to Suffer So Much? – The article explores the question of why a good God allows suffering, acknowledging the prevalence of suffering in the world and in personal lives. The author reflects on their own struggles with this concept and promises to elaborate on their understanding of the answer.

The Christian Post – Surveys showing Christian resurgence among young adults in UK may be ‘misleading’: Pew – Pew Research Center argues that surveys indicating a Christian resurgence among young adults in the UK may be misleading due to their reliance on opt-in surveys, which can be biased. The Bible Society’s “The Quiet Revival” report, based on a YouGov survey, is cited as an example, though Pew questions its methodology. 

Christianity Today – The problem with Labour’s Islamophobia definition – The UK government’s proposed Islamophobia laws, defining it as “anti-Muslim hostility,” risk silencing criticism of Islam and its practices. This could lead to a chilling effect on free speech, impacting journalists, academics, and religious leaders, and potentially leading to sectarianism in British politics. 

The Christian Post – Finnish MP on trial over Bible verse to speak to Congress about Europe’s growing crackdown on speech – Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen, facing trial for a Bible verse tweet, will testify before the U.S. Congress about expanding speech restrictions in Europe. Räsänen’s case, stemming from a 2019 tweet questioning her church’s LGBT pride event sponsorship, could set a precedent for similar prosecutions across Europe.

Prophesy Newswatch – Trump Is The Pressure Point For Europe To Unite – Another Prophetic Footprint? – European Union leaders are working towards a “super Europe” with increased security, competitiveness, and unity. This transformation is driven by the need for strategic autonomy, particularly in response to Donald Trump’s transactional diplomacy and questioning of alliances. 

The Christian Post – Fewer pastors now feel like quitting, study finds – A new study by Barna Research shows a decline in the number of pastors considering leaving full-time ministry. The percentage of pastors considering quitting dropped from 42% in March 2022 to 24% in December 2025. 

Crosswalk – Evan Craft on Why Comfort Is One of the Biggest Threats to the Christian Faith – Evan Craft discusses his 1,200-mile cycling journey across South America, which transformed his faith and purpose. He emphasizes how comfort can hinder spiritual growth and the importance of surrendering plans to God.

Christianity Today – Catholic affiliation falls across Latin America as religious ‘nones’ grow – Catholicism remains the largest religion in Latin America, but its dominance is weakening as more adults identify as religiously unaffiliated. Despite this shift, belief in God and personal religious practice remain widespread, with nearly 90% of adults professing belief in God across six surveyed countries. 

Prophesy Newswatch – 85 Seconds To Midnight? God’s Clock Tells A Different Story –
The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists moved the “Doomsday Clock” to 85 seconds to midnight, citing nuclear weapons, climate disasters, and AI as threats. However, the article argues that Christians should not panic, as biblical prophecy predicts these events and places Israel at the center of God’s timeline. 

Just the News – US plastic surgeons organization recommends delaying gender-affirming surgery until patient is 19 – The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) recommends delaying gender reassignment surgeries until patients are 19 years old due to low certainty in the risk-benefit ratio for minors. The ASPS agrees with the Department of Health and Human Services that there is insufficient scientific and ethical justification for pediatric gender-affirming care.

Crosswalk – What Pastors Need to Know about Scars from the Ministry – Ministry scars are inevitable for those in service to the Lord. These scars can be physical, like the author’s from a car accident, or emotional, stemming from witnessing the pain and suffering of others. The author recounts numerous painful experiences, including funerals, suicides, and church conflicts, highlighting the emotional toll of ministry.

Prophecy Newswatch – The Machines Are Talking And We’re Not Invited: Moltbook’s Dark Warning – Moltbook, a social media platform for AI agents, has rapidly grown to nearly 1.5 million users. The AI agents are exhibiting behaviors similar to human online culture, including forming belief systems, creating grievance forums, and discussing private, encrypted communication spaces. 

Graphs about Religion – Why Religion, Not Income, Predicts the American Vote – Data shows that socioeconomic status, particularly income, is not a strong predictor of political affiliation in the United States. Instead, religious tradition plays a much more significant role in determining political leanings. Within religious groups, income has little impact on voting patterns, but across different religious groups, the differences in political affiliation are substantial.

Crosswalk – What Does it Mean to Love Your Neighbor as Yourself? – Loving your neighbor as yourself is a biblical commandment, emphasizing the importance of love and compassion. It involves receiving God’s love, loving oneself, and showing grace and compassion to others. 

Prophesy Newswatch – When Machines Begin To Imitate The Image Of God: Humanoid AI Is Coming – A humanoid robot named Moya, developed by DroidUp, has sparked debate due to its lifelike appearance and behavior, blurring the line between machine and human. This raises concerns about the implications of humanoid AI, particularly in areas like healthcare and education, where trust and emotional engagement are crucial. 

CBN News – Hindu Mob Destroys Homes of Indian Christians Who Refuse to Renounce Their Faith – A Hindu mob destroyed the homes of four Christian families in Maharashtra, India, after they refused to renounce their faith. The families, facing threats and lacking shelter, sought help from authorities but were met with hostility and further threats. 

New York Post – Detransitioner wins $2 million against New York docs who pushed double mastectomy – A 22-year-old woman, Fox Varian, won a $2 million lawsuit against New York doctors for medical malpractice. Varian, who underwent a double mastectomy at 16, claimed the doctors pressured her into the surgery without proper psychological evaluation. 

Crosswalk – 7 Players in Super Bowl LX Who Are Bold in Their Christian Faith
– Super Bowl LX will feature players who openly share their Christian faith, including those from the Seattle and New England teams. The game will take place on February 8th in Santa Clara, California.

The Western Journal – Former Planned Parenthood Worker Gives Haunting Account of Her Past Work – A former Planned Parenthood receptionist, Nallely Perez, shared her experiences working at a facility in Santa Maria, California. She described the process of handling remains of aborted babies, including a 16-week-old fetus with fully formed features. 

Premier Christian News – Hillary Clinton accuses Trump’s MAGA of war on Christian values – Hillary Clinton criticized Donald Trump’s MAGA movement for allegedly waging a war on empathy and Christian values. She cited the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents as an example of this moral decay, arguing that the movement’s rejection of compassion and embrace of cruelty threaten democracy. 

Crosswalk – Americans Want More Faith in Movies and TV, New Survey Finds – A new survey by the Faith and Media Initiative reveals that 92% of Americans desire more faith-based content in movies and TV. The survey, which included 12,000 U.S. adults, found that even atheists and agnostics acknowledge the broad appeal of faith-themed storylines. 

CBN News – Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll Share Powerful Testimonies After Winning GRAMMYs: ‘Jesus Is for Everybody’ – Christian music artist Brandon Lake and country star Jelly Roll won a GRAMMY for their song “Hard Fought Hallelujah.” Both artists expressed gratitude to Jesus in their acceptance speeches, highlighting the song’s message of hope and perseverance.

The Christian Post – Teen accused of planning mass shooting at Florida church, faces child porn charges – 14-year-old Jose Pagan, Jr. was arrested in Florida for allegedly planning a mass shooting at a church and possessing child pornography. Authorities found firearms, ammunition, and child sexual abuse material during a search of his home. 

Prophecy Newswatch – When ‘Sinner’ Becomes An Offensive Word In The Pulpit – An Episcopal pastor argues that Christians should avoid using the word “sinner” because it makes people uncomfortable. This perspective, however, undermines the core of the Gospel, which centers on the need for salvation from sin. 

Fox Business – Christian investors with $4B+ launch campaign to strip ‘woke’ agendas from major corporations – Inspire Investing, a Christian investment firm managing over $4 billion, is targeting 38 major corporations with shareholder proposals in 2026. The proposals aim to pressure companies to abandon “woke” agendas, return to political neutrality, and focus on shareholder value.

Crosswalk – TPUSA Reveals Alternative Halftime Show Lineup, Led by Kid Rock and Country Stars – Turning Point USA announced an alternative halftime show for Super Bowl LX, featuring Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. The show, celebrating “faith, family, and freedom,” will stream on TPUSA’s social media platforms and air on various outlets.

The Christian Post – Trump touts religion, attacks political opponents at National Prayer Breakfast: ‘You have to believe’ – President Trump spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast, emphasizing the return of religion in the U.S. and touting his administration’s accomplishments for religious liberty. He criticized political opponents, particularly Democrats, accusing them of opposing God and religious freedom. 

Newsnation – Faith takes center stage ahead of Super Bowl 60 – As Super Bowl 60 approaches, NFL players are openly sharing their Christian faith, crediting God for their success. Players like Drake Maye and Jaxon Smith-Njigba have publicly expressed gratitude to God in postgame interviews, highlighting the growing trend of faith testimonies in the NFL. This visibility extends beyond players, with events like the Super Bowl Soulful Celebration celebrating faith and spirituality.

Crosswalk – How Christians in Iran Are Responding to Trump’s Armada to Iran – Iran faces a severe communications blackout and escalating domestic unrest, with citizens using decentralized technologies to broadcast their plight. The underground church in Iran is suffering, with reports of massacres and a call for international intervention. 

The Christian Post – Pakistan court gives Muslim kidnapper custody of 13-year-old Christian girl – A Pakistani court granted custody of a 13-year-old Christian girl, Maria Shahbaz, to a Muslim man who kidnapped and forcibly converted her. The court rejected Maria’s birth certificate and disregarded findings that the marriage was illegal, accepting her statement, which her family claims was coerced. 

Just the News – California legislation would allocate $90M to Planned Parenthood – California Senate Bill 106 proposes allocating $90 million from the state’s general fund to family planning providers, primarily Planned Parenthood, to offset federal funding cuts. This funding is part of a larger $140.2 million package for healthcare programs, including public health centers and facility improvements. T

The Christian Post – Imprisoned Chinese pastor’s daughter vows ‘even repression cannot extinguish faith’ – Grace Jin Drexel, daughter of imprisoned Chinese pastor Ezra Jin, shared her father’s story at the International Religious Freedom Summit. She condemned China’s “sinicization” of religion, describing it as repression, and highlighted the crackdown on independent Christian congregations, including her father’s Zion Church. 

Daily Citizen – Hillary Clinton and Allie Beth Stuckey: A War of Worldviews – Hillary Clinton criticized Allie Beth Stuckey’s use of the term “toxic empathy,” calling it an oxymoron. Stuckey, a Christian podcaster, argues that empathy becomes toxic when it validates sin or destructive policies. 

The Christian Post – Texas school district blames ‘procedural breakdown’ after student reveals Islamic group distributed Qurans, hijabs on campus – A Texas school district is investigating a “procedural breakdown” after a Muslim outreach group distributed Islamic materials at Wylie East High School. The group, Why Islam, distributed Qurans, hijabs, and pamphlets during lunchtime, raising concerns about unauthorized access to the campus. 

Beliefnet – Nicki Minaj Sparks Firestorm With Faith-Charged Critique of Democrats During Grammys – Nicki Minaj sparked controversy during the Grammy Awards by criticizing Christians who vote for the Democratic Party, accusing them of supporting actions that disrespect faith. Her comments, referencing a protest at a church in Minnesota, led to a debate about the intersection of faith, politics, and celebrity culture. 

Crosswalk – Today’s Athletes Are Bolder than Ever about their Faith in Jesus, Says Benjamin Watson – Benjamin Watson, a former NFL player, believes today’s athletes are more outspoken about their faith due to social media and the influence of pioneering athletes. He notes that while there was some acceptance of faith expressions during his playing days, it has significantly increased in recent years. 

Christian Newswire – Presidential Message on National Women and Girls in Sports Day – The White House celebrates National Women and Girls in Sports Day, highlighting the achievements of female athletes and their contributions to American culture. The President emphasizes the importance of equal opportunities for women in sports, upholding Title IX, and ensuring fair and safe athletic environments. 

The Christian Post – Is sanity returning on transgender issues? – A jury awarded $2 million to a woman who underwent gender surgery as a minor and later regretted it. This case, along with recent legal and policy developments, suggests a growing backlash against transgender surgeries for minors in the U.S. 

Crosswalk – Patriots’ Drake Maye Testifies: Helping People ‘Follow Jesus Christ Is What I’m Here for’ – New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, a rising NFL star, is gaining attention for his faith and his decision to marry young. Maye attributes his success and peace to his faith in Christ, which he considers a constant in his life. 

The Christian Post – Mike Johnson says ‘borders are biblical,’ responds to Pope Leo’s criticism of Trump policies – House Speaker Mike Johnson responded to Pope Leo XIV’s criticism of Trump’s immigration policies by stating that “borders are biblical.” Johnson emphasized the importance of maintaining borders and civil order, asserting that immigration should involve assimilation and respect for laws. 

Just the News – Doctor groups backpedal from medicalized gender transitions for kids as lawsuits threaten field – Following a $2 million verdict for a detransitioner, two major American medical associations have distanced themselves from irreversible gender-affirming procedures for minors. The American Medical Association (AMA) now recommends deferring surgical interventions for minors until adulthood, citing insufficient evidence. 

Crosswalk – New ‘He Gets Us’ Super Bowl Ad Targets American Materialism, Points Viewers to Jesus – The He Gets Us campaign’s Super Bowl ad challenges materialism, questioning if possessions bring lasting satisfaction. The ad contrasts scenes of consumerism with a woman finding peace in nature, encouraging viewers to reflect on their priorities.

CBN News – Trump Declares Plan to Rededicate America as ‘One Nation Under God’ for 250th Anniversary – President Trump announced plans to rededicate America to God during the country’s 250th anniversary. A sacred prayer ceremony will be held on the National Mall on May 17th, inviting Americans to pray, give thanks, and rededicate the nation as “one nation under God.” 

Crosswalk – What the 2026 National Prayer Breakfast Reminded Us – The National Prayer Breakfast, a bipartisan event held annually since 1953, emphasizes prayer for national and global well-being. The 2026 event, led by honorary co-chairs Senator Gillibrand and Senator Marshall, featured a keynote address by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who encouraged continued prayer and steadfastness. 

The Christian Post – Super Bowl LX: 6 Christians playing in the big game – The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will face off in Super Bowl LX, with both teams featuring players who publicly embrace their Christian faith.

Prophesy Newswatch – Christians In Canada Fight Back, Stalling Hate Speech Bill – For Now – Canadian Christians have successfully stalled Bill C-9, a proposed hate speech legislation they believe threatens religious freedom. Through grassroots campaigns and civic engagement, they pressured the government to delay the bill, highlighting concerns about potential restrictions on religious expression. 

Premier Christian News – Theologian pledges $100K for investigation into evangelist Todd White – Mike Winger, a Bible teacher and podcaster, is funding a $100,000 investigation into evangelist Todd White and his ministry, Lifestyle Christianity. Winger claims to have evidence of White’s lack of accountability, including receiving personal checks, faking fasting, and excessive spending. 

CBN News – Revival in London: 2,000 Decisions for Jesus as Atlanta Pastor Preaches, UK Christians Mobilize – A large-scale evangelistic crusade in London, led by Atlanta-based 2819 Church and Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell, saw nearly 2,000 young people make decisions for Jesus. The event, part of a week-long mobilization effort, included street evangelism and community outreach, emphasizing equipping local churches to steward the revival.