Subtitle: A consolidation of world headlines of interest to Christian readers.

Excerpt: A weekly roundup of Christian news stories from various sources. Topics include generational shifts in church attendance, legal battles over fetal tissue research, and debates surrounding AI and Christian values. The roundup also covers reactions to political events, such as the capture of Nicolás Maduro and the potential impact on religious freedom in Venezuela.

Author: Jeff Hilles

35+ TOP STORIES FROM ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA

Prophesy News Watch – Generational Shift In The Church As More Young People Attending Than Seniors – Millennials and Gen Zers are attending church more frequently than older generations, indicating a potential for spiritual renewal. However, declining marriage rates and steady divorce rates remain challenges.

Just the News – Judicial Watch sues HHS for records of fetal tissue research funding – Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for records related to the funding of a fetal tissue research program at the University of Pittsburgh. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges that HHS failed to comply with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the records.

BeliefNet – According to Report, Christians Are “hungry” For Deeper Bible Reading – A study by Logos, a Bible study platform, revealed that Christians in 2025 are eager for deeper Bible study. The study, based on 76 million sessions from 4 million users worldwide, highlighted three key themes: a focus on the Trinitarian identity of God, the power of Scripture, and the global reach of Bible study.

The Christian Post – First lesbian archbishop laments people leaving church over her sexuality: ‘Very hurtful’ – The Most Rev. Cherry Elizabeth Vann, the first openly lesbian archbishop in Christian history, expressed sadness over people leaving the Church of Wales due to her sexuality. Her election as the 15th archbishop of Wales sparked controversy within global Anglicanism, with some conservative groups criticizing her appointment as a departure from Anglican orthodoxy. 

Prophesy New Watch – A Tale Of Two Celebrity Christians & Lessons For All Of Us – The article compares the spiritual journeys of Tim Allen and Lily Phillips, highlighting their differing approaches to faith. While Phillips embraces Christianity on her own terms, Allen’s journey is marked by humility, study, and a commitment to aligning his life with God’s truth.

Christian Post – ‘A massive betrayal’: Pro-lifers react to Trump’s Hyde Amendment comments – Pro-life activists and a Christian conservative leader are criticizing President Trump for suggesting Republicans should be “flexible” on the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding for most abortions. Marjorie Dannenfelser of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Carol Tobias of National Right to Life argue that abandoning the Hyde Amendment would be a betrayal of the Republican Party’s pro-life principles and a massive betrayal of voters.

Faithwire – Does Artificial Intelligence Reject a Biblical Worldview? – Gloo, a faith-based AI company, launched the Flourishing AI effort to research how AI aligns with a Christian worldview. The project aims to expose structural biases in AI and understand their implications for Christian values, particularly in areas like theology and relationships. While acknowledging AI’s potential, Gloo emphasizes the need for Christians to critically evaluate its alignment with their beliefs.

Premier Christian News – ‘God gap’ between GOP and Democrats never been bigger, study shows – A new voter analysis study shows a significant “God gap” between Republicans and Democrats. The majority of Trump voters in the 2024 election reported attending religious services, while a majority of Harris voters reported attending rarely or never. This highlights the importance of the Christian and evangelical voting bloc to the Republican Party.

Crosswalk – What’s Really Lost When a Church Closes – The closure of churches results in the loss of more than just places of worship. Churches serve as community centers, shelters, and food banks, providing vital support and resources during disasters and times of need. They also offer a social safety net and support groups for those facing various challenges.

Insights – “I’m not that kind of Christian”: Rebuilding our Faith after ‘deconstruction’ – Dr. James McGrath, a New Testament scholar, has written a book titled “Beyond Deconstruction” to help individuals rebuild their Christian faith after experiencing a shift in worldview. The book explores the process of faith deconstruction, often triggered by academic biblical scholarship, and offers guidance on how to construct a positive and authentic Christian identity.

Crosswalk – Dangerous Liberty and the Safey in Silence – Former media tycoon Jimmy Lai was found guilty of subversive activities in China for speaking out against the government. This highlights the importance of defending free speech, as seen in the U.S. where colleges are increasingly attempting to silence students. 

Just the News – Wyoming Supreme Court strikes down abortion pill ban – The ruling marked the first such decision since the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion established in Roe v. Wade. The court found that the state failed to prove the 2023 laws were reasonable and necessary restrictions on the right to make one’s own healthcare decisions.

Prophesy News Watch – After The Silence: Why Venezuelan Christians See Hope After Maduro – Venezuelan Christians, long persecuted under Nicolás Maduro’s regime, are hopeful for religious freedom following his capture. Maduro’s government controlled and monitored churches, restricting aid and punishing those who opposed the regime. With Maduro gone, churches envision reopening ministries and reclaiming humanitarian work, playing a vital role in Venezuela’s recovery.

Christianity Today – Christian killings in Nigeria could double in 2026 if extremist threat is not dealt with – report – Nigeria is the deadliest country for Christians, with estimates of 3,000 to 7,000 killed in 2025. Release International warns that the death toll could double in 2026 if extremist threats are not addressed.

Christian Post – Women are leaving the Church, but let’s stop justifying it – Women are leaving the Church at increasing rates, surpassing men for the first time. Despite the Church’s flaws, it offers a framework for life and flourishing, providing support and community. The author emphasizes the importance of women remaining in the Church, working to improve it, and seeking out healthy, safe communities within it.

Graphs about Religion – Are Never Attenders More Secular Today? – The percentage of Americans who never attend religious services has increased significantly since 1972, with over 30% reporting no attendance in recent years. This shift is accompanied by a rise in religious unaffiliation among never-attenders, with nearly two-thirds identifying as “nones” in 2024. Additionally, religious belief among never-attenders has declined, with a growing number identifying as atheist or agnostic.

Crosswalk – Alabama’s Germie Bernard Goes Viral for Praising Jesus after Crushing Loss – Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard praised Jesus after his team’s season-ending loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Despite the 38-3 defeat, Bernard chose to reflect on his faith, offering a powerful message of gratitude. This act of grace following a crushing loss has resonated widely.

Christian Post – US Evangelical leaders react to Trump’s capture of Maduro – U.S. forces captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro in a military operation led by President Trump. Evangelical leaders praised the operation, linking it to justice and national security. Maduro, accused of drug trafficking and election fraud, was the first target in the Narcotics Rewards Program with a $50 million bounty.

Prophesy News Watch – From Disbelief to Faith: A Muslim Farmer Transformed by Jesus – Mohammadu Abdullahi, a Muslim farmer from Gangkoes, Nigeria, was transformed by his faith after hearing the story of Jesus walking on water. This story, shared by his uncle Ezekiel, led Mohammadu to accept Christ and become a baptized leader in his community. 

Beliefnet – Porn Star Lily Phillips’ Baptism Sparks Debate Over Faith, Grace, and What True Repentance Looks Like – Adult film star Lily Phillips’ recent baptism has sparked debate within Christian circles about grace, repentance, and public faith. Phillips, who has no intention of aligning with traditional Christian teachings, expressed hope for acceptance from the Christian community. While some, like Russell Brand, supported her, others, like Jon Root, criticized the baptism as performative, citing her continued involvement in pornography and political positions.

Church Leaders – Cliffe Knechtle Explains How Christians Should Vote—Without Endorsing a Party—at Passion 2026 – Cliffe Knechtle, founder of “Give Me an Answer,” encouraged young adults at Passion 2026 to vote based on a biblical worldview, considering issues like immigration, abortion, and justice. He emphasized the importance of studying the Bible and adopting a Christ-centered perspective on these matters.

Fox News – The faith deficit in artificial intelligence should alarm every American – AI systems, increasingly used for guidance and companionship, often lack moral clarity and biblical grounding. The Flourishing AI Christian (FAI-C) Benchmark reveals that AI models struggle with foundational Christian concepts, substituting vague spirituality for Scripture. This trend, rooted in secular data and a desire to offend no one, risks eroding moral frameworks and theological literacy, particularly for the two-thirds of Americans for whom faith is foundational.

Christian Post – Passion 2026: Cliffe Knechtle fields students’ toughest questions, from sexuality to God’s existence – At Passion 2026, Cliffe Knechtle addressed common questions from young adults about God’s existence, suffering, sexuality, morality, and salvation. He presented evidence for God’s existence, including the order and design in the universe and the experience of love. 

Just the News – Democrats’ judges rescue California again, reinstating ‘gender secrecy’ policies in school – A three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted an emergency stay blocking a permanent injunction against California’s “gender secrecy” policies. The panel, consisting of judges nominated by Democratic presidents, expressed concerns about the class certification and injunction’s scope, alleging that the district court judge improperly certified the class and stretched legal doctrine. 

Crosswalk – China Arrests 100 House Church Members, Offers Cash Rewards for Their Capture – Chinese authorities arrested over 100 house church members in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, during a crackdown on unregistered churches. The crackdown included checkpoints, patrols, and cash rewards for information leading to the capture of house church leaders.

Christian Warrior Training – LDS Church Shooting in Salt Lake City: What We Know So Far – An active shooter incident occurred outside an LDS meetinghouse in Salt Lake City during a funeral service, resulting in eight adult victims, two fatalities, and three critical injuries. The shooting, believed to be gang-related, highlights the risks associated with funerals involving young individuals with criminal histories. Churches are advised to conduct due diligence, coordinate with law enforcement, and enhance security measures, particularly during high-risk events.

Prophesy News Watch – Archaeology Keeps Confirming the Bible – Caesarea And The World Of Acts – Archaeological discoveries at Caesarea Maritima, a city built by King Herod the Great, provide evidence supporting the historical accuracy of the New Testament. The Pilate Stone, discovered in 1961, confirms the existence of Pontius Pilate, the Roman official who presided over Jesus’ trial. 

Salt&Light – Across the tides of change: Reading the world through a Biblical lens – Dr. Christopher Watkin will speak at an event on January 13 & 14, 2026, exploring how the biblical narrative makes sense of modern life and offers hope amid change. The event, organized by Singapore Bible College, will be held in-person and online.

Christian Post – Venezuelan Evangelicals respond to US capture of Maduro – The United States carried out a military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Venezuelan Evangelical leaders expressed concern for the nation, calling for prayer and peace. While some viewed the event as divine intervention, others awaited further developments for the nation’s future.

Just the News – Federal complaint filed against MIT over graduate programs – The Equal Protection Project filed a federal complaint against MIT, alleging sex-based discrimination in its “Graduate Womxn in Physics” and “Graduate Womxn in Biology” programs. The complaint argues that these programs unlawfully exclude male students, violating Title IX, by requiring eligibility based on sex or gender identity. The complaint also claims that the programs conflict with MIT’s own nondiscrimination policies.

Christian Post – Mom takes case against school that secretly socially transitioned her daughter to Supreme Court – Amber Lavigne is taking her case against the Great Salt Bay Community School to the U.S. Supreme Court. The school provided her daughter with a chest binder and referred to her by male pronouns without Lavigne’s consent. The Goldwater Institute is representing Lavigne, arguing the school violated her parental rights.

Just the News – Wisconsin schools must tell parents day of credible sexual misconduct report – Wisconsin schools are now required to notify parents by the end of the day if they receive a credible report of sexual misconduct involving their child and a school staff member. The law, signed by Governor Evers, applies to public, private, and charter schools and covers credible threats, convictions of serious child sex offenses, and unauthorized recordings of minors.

Prophesy News Watch – Landmark Court Ruling – Faith Groups Can’t Be Forced To Hire Unbelievers – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of the Union Gospel Mission, affirming religious organizations’ right to hire based on faith, even for non-ministerial positions. This decision protects the ability of religious organizations to maintain their identity and mission, countering pressure to conform to secular norms. While the ruling has limitations, it underscores the importance of religious liberty and the role of faith-based organizations in society.

Crosswalk – What Christians Should Know About Venezuela’s Oil Industry and U.S. Involvement – Venezuela, possessing the world’s largest proven oil reserves, faces a crippled oil industry due to mismanagement, sanctions, and economic crisis. This has led to widespread humanitarian suffering, highlighting the need for global responsibility and justice.

Christian Post – How much do demons know? – The article explores the extent of demonic knowledge, using the example of a possessed woman who knew a priest’s childhood nickname. It highlights that demons possess greater knowledge than humans in some areas but are limited compared to God. While demons can know the future and our thoughts to some extent, only God is portrayed as omniscient in the Bible.