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

Excerpt: Church offers glitter ashes, sparking criticism. European Parliament condemns Turkey for deportations… and other stories.

Author: Jeff Hilles

40+ TOP STORIES FROM ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA

The Christian Post – Church of England General Synod votes against blessing same-sex marriage after long debate – The Church of England’s General Synod voted to end plans for stand-alone blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples, closing the Living in Love and Faith process. While blessing prayers within regular services remain permitted, the vote excludes gay marriage and dedicated blessing services.

CBN News – Revival in London: 2,000 Decisions for Jesus as Atlanta Pastor Preaches, UK Christians Mobilize – A week-long evangelistic crusade in London, led by 2819 Church, saw nearly 2,000 young people make decisions for Jesus. The event included street evangelism and community outreach, emphasizing equipping local churches.

Christianity Today – Christian and family groups denounce trans schools guidance –
Guidance on handling trans-identifying students allows social transitioning with parental involvement.

Fox News – Kentucky governor takes heat for citing Bible to defend transgender treatments for children – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear defended his veto of legislation banning gender transition treatments for minors, citing his Christian faith. Theologian Albert Mohler criticized Beshear’s interpretation of Scripture, arguing it contradicts traditional Christian teachings on gender.

Prophesy News Watch – A Different Type Of Race: Evangelicals Take The Gospel To The Winter Games – Volunteers and missionaries at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games are distributing Bibles, engaging in faith-based conversations, and using music to reach people globally.

Crosswalk – Is it Wrong for Churches to Play Secular Music? – The appropriateness of churches playing secular music is debated. While it may seem welcoming to newcomers, it risks diluting the church’s distinctiveness and spiritual focus. Worship music, in contrast, is intended to glorify God, unify believers, and teach theology, aligning with biblical principles and fostering spiritual growth.

Graphs about Religion – Non-Denominationalism Is the Strongest Force in American Religion – Non-denominational Christianity, rejecting organized denominations, has grown significantly since the 1970s, now comprising nearly 15% of American adults, particularly among Protestants.

Christian Newswire – As Ukraine War Enters 5th Year, ‘Frontline Pastors’ Gear Up
– Local missionary pastors, supported by the Slavic Gospel Association, continue to share the Gospel and provide aid in Ukraine despite the challenges of the ongoing war.

CBN News – World Evangelical Alliance Aims for the Gospel for Everyone by 2033 – The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) aims to spread the Gospel globally by 2033, emphasizing inclusivity and the growing role of Asian evangelization.

Christianity Today – Church leader sees challenges and opportunities as research suggests openness to Christianity in the UK – A survey reveals a more open spiritual landscape in the UK, with 15% of adults attending church monthly and 20% open to exploring Christianity.

Just the News – Accreditation for medical schools emerges as weak spot for youth gender transition industry – The Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida questioned the accreditation of medical schools providing gender-affirming care to minors, citing concerns about the lack of evidence and potential harm. The AMA defended the Biden administration’s stance on medical disinformation.

Crosswalk – The Great Awakening and the American Revolution – The Great Awakening, a religious revival in the 1730s and ‘40s, inspired the American Revolution by promoting ideas of equality and challenging authority.

Prophesy News Watch – Why Gen Z ‘Nones’ Are Reconsidering Religion – Gen Z, seeking meaning and stability, shows growing interest in rigorous faith, presenting an opportunity for the Church to adopt a countercultural approach.

CBN News – Former Skeptic Who Studied 1,500 Near-Death Experiences Says Evidence Points to Jesus – Pastor John Burke, after investigating 1,500 near-death experiences, believes they provide evidence of Jesus. His wife, Kathy, among others finds these stories intriguing.

Crosswalk – Surveys Reveal Most Jews Feel Unsafe, Antisemitism Increasing –
A surge in antisemitism following the October 2023 Hamas attacks has led to widespread fear among American Jews.

Daily Citizen – No, Mrs. Clinton: Christian Men (and Women) Are Part of the Solution to the World’s Woes – The article counters Hillary Clinton’s statement, attributing societal problems to radical ideologies rather than white, Christian, heterosexual men. It highlights Christianity’s positive societal impact and biblical teachings as a counter to these ideologies.

The Christian Post – Americans rank clergy at record low in honesty and ethics ratings: Gallup – A Gallup poll reveals a decline in trust in clergy, with only 27% of Americans rating them as highly honest and ethical. This reflects a broader trend of decreasing public confidence in various professions, influenced by negative media coverage and perceived associations with political agendas.

The Christian Post – Fewer than a third of churchgoers read the Bible daily: Lifeway – A Lifeway Research report reveals that only 31% of Protestant churchgoers read the Bible daily, despite 74% acknowledging its authority over all aspects of life.

Prophesy News Watch – Pay For Slay Of Jews Continue As World Turns Blind Eye – A billboard in Times Square, funded by Israel’s Foreign Ministry, highlights the Palestinian Authority’s “pay-for-slay” program, raising questions about the sincerity of peace efforts.

World – Church of England ends same-sex marriage task force – The Church of England ended its Living in Love and Faith program, maintaining its stance on marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

CBN News – Holy Spirit Outpouring at SEU Coming to an End: Watch the Final Livestream – Southeastern University in Florida is experiencing a nine-day spiritual awakening, sparked by a conference call to repentance. The outpouring has included physical healings and drawn comparisons to the Asbury Awakening.

Prophesy News Watch – 10 Years In Prison For Sharing Social Media Post Critical Of Transgenderism? – Brazilian veterinary student Isadora Borges faces up to ten years in prison for social media posts stating transgender women are biologically male. Critics argue this case criminalizes personal beliefs and threatens freedom of speech.

Breakpoint – The Epstein Files, Pagan History, and Christian Morality – Article contrasts pagan and Christian views on sexuality, highlighting Christianity’s impact on sexual morality and urging Christians to address their own failures.

The Christian Post – Colorado sued over rule barring state funding of religious schools – Education ReEnvisioned BOCES and Riverstone Academy sued Colorado, claiming the Blaine amendment violates the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause by discriminating against religious schools.

The Western Journal – Newsom Gives $90 Million in ‘Emergency’ Funds to Planned Parenthood – Governor Newsom signed a bill providing $90 million in emergency funds to Planned Parenthood and other clinics in response to the Trump administration’s defunding decision.

Prophesy News Watch – Glitter Ash Sacrilege: Progressive Church Mocks Ash Wednesday With LGBTQ Ritual – The Church at Ponce and Highland in Atlanta is offering glitter ashes for Ash Wednesday, sparking criticism for being sacrilegious and prioritizing social agendas over traditional practices.

World – Turkey accused of targeting Christians for deportation – The European Parliament condemned Turkey for deporting Christian missionaries and journalists, labeling them as national security threats. Turkey denied the allegations and the European Court of Human Rights is reviewing the cases.

The Christian Post – Son of Life Church pastor sentenced to 4 years in prison for child exploitation – Jonathan Peternel, convicted of a sex offense, expressed remorse and commitment to change. Judge Dudley sentenced Peternel, emphasizing accountability and encouraging personal growth during his time in the Department of Corrections.

Just the News – Manhattan hospital ends transgender treatments for minors – NYU Langone Health ended its transgender treatment program for minors due to the departure of its medical director and the regulatory environment.

Graphs about Religion – Religion as a Cultural Identity (Part 2): The Surprising Reality of “Cultural Judaism” – The Pew Religious Landscape Survey reveals that 3% of Americans identify as culturally Jewish, primarily Christians, challenging the assumption that cultural Judaism is predominantly secular. This highlights the complex interplay between religious and cultural identities.

The Christian Post – Hundreds come to Jesus at packed Franklin Graham event in world’s southernmost city – Franklin Graham’s evangelistic events in Ushuaia, Argentina, resulted in hundreds of people accepting Christ. The events, held in partnership with local churches, emphasized the importance of salvation.

New York Post – ICU nurse reveals what every patient tells her before they pass: ‘People know when they’re gonna die’  – ICU nurse reports dying patients express love and impending death.

Prophesy News Watch – Theological Liberalism Has Become A Dangerous Rival To Biblical Christianity – Theological liberalism, exemplified by Governor Beshear’s use of the Bible to justify his veto, is seen as a rival to biblical Christianity. This new religion, based on a selective interpretation of scripture, contradicts the creation order and the history of the Christian church.

Just the News – GOP states unite against Trump FDA for violating their pro-life laws with lax abortion pill rules – GOP attorneys general, Congress members, and other groups challenge the FDA’s relaxed regulations on mifepristone, claiming they violate state laws and the Comstock Act.

The Christian Post – Democrats dismiss House hearing on Sharia threat, warn of ‘white Christian nationalism’ – Democrats dismissed a House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on Sharia law as a distraction, arguing that “white Christian nationalism” poses a greater threat. The hearing, chaired by Rep. Chip Roy, focused on concerns about Islamic law’s influence in the U.S., particularly in Texas.

The Christian Post – Alabama mulls bill to make disrupting church services a felony – Alabama lawmakers consider House Bill 363, classifying disrupting church services as a Class C felony, aiming to protect worship rights and prevent intimidation.

Prophesy New Watch – The Pulpit Trust Crisis: Why Americans Are Losing Faith In Clergy – Public trust in clergy is at an all-time low due to scandals involving sexual immorality, abuse, and moral hypocrisy.

Fox News – Pastor accused of ‘inciting religious hatred’ with UK street sermon, legal advocacy group says – Pastor Dia Moodley, facing charges in Bristol, England, for “inciting religious hatred” during a street sermon, is represented by ADF UK. This is Moodley’s second arrest for street preaching, highlighting concerns about the criminalization of religious expression.

CBN News – Hegseth to CBN News: Ft. Bragg Teacher Who Identifies as Trans Wolf ‘Lilith Deathhowl’ Was Fired – Transgender teacher fired for inappropriate behavior towards students.

The Christian Post – Conservative alternative to UMC now has over 7,000 member congregations – The Global Methodist Church (GMC), founded in 2022, has surpassed 7,000 congregations. The GMC was established by conservatives leaving the United Methodist Church (UMC) due to disagreements over LGBT issues and perceived liberal ideologies.