With a Subtitle: Key headlines shaping faith, culture, and the church this week.

A brief Excerpt: A roundup of recent stories affecting faith, culture, and the church—from gender ideology debates and global conflict to evangelism, Bible prophecy, and the growing influence of Christianity worldwide.

The Author is: Jeff Hilles

40+ TOP STORIES FROM ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA

Just the New – From legal to murder threats, advocates of transgender treatment for kids counter Trump policies –
NY Attorney General Letitia James threatens legal action against hospitals halting medicalized gender transitions for minors, citing potential violations of state anti-discrimination laws. NYU Langone faces pressure to resume these services, despite a judge blocking Justice Department subpoenas for minor patient records.

Crosswalk – How Should Christians Respond When Military Leaders Claim War Is “God’s Plan”? – Military leaders are reportedly telling troops that the conflict with Iran is part of God’s divine plan, which is concerning as it conflates personal theological interpretations with military duty. The author emphasizes the importance of focusing on the mission of making disciples and preaching the gospel until Jesus returns.

CBN News – Iranian Escapees Say ‘God Has Provided’ as They’re Finding Help From Operation Blessing in Armenia – Operation Blessing, established in Armenia since 2009, provides aid to Iranian refugees fleeing to Armenia after attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Crosswalk – How Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit Different from Being Filled with the Holy Spirit? – Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a permanent immersion into Christ at conversion, while the Filling of the Holy Spirit is a continual process of being influenced by the Spirit.

The Christian Post – Joe Rogan stops short of saying he’s Christian, notes Jesus followers ‘live a better life’ – Joe Rogan admires Jesus Christ’s teachings but doubts the Bible’s supernatural claims.

Just the News – U.S. Education Department investigating Wisconsin school district’s transgender bathroom policy – The U.S. Department of Education is investigating New Richmond, Wisconsin’s school bathroom policy allowing biological males to use girls’ restrooms, following complaints and potential Title IX violations.

CBN News – Bible Prophecy Expert Points to Scriptures About Iran and ‘the Captives of Elam’ in the Last Days – Pastor Jack Hibbs discussed biblical prophecies related to the Iran war, including wars, the scattering and return of Elam, and potential peace in Israel.

The Christian Index – Lifeway Research finds discipleship deficits among U.S. churchgoers – Lifeway Research found U.S. churchgoers score 68.1 on a discipleship scale, excelling in seeking and obeying God but struggling with sharing Christ. Most made their decision to follow Christ before age 20 and have attended church for over 20 years.

Prophecy Newswatch – The US Stands Alone At The UN: One Vote Against A Global Push To Redefine Women – The U.S. voted against a UN women’s rights document, citing concerns about the definition of “woman” and gender ideology.ights and spaces.

The Christian Post – Francis Chan offers public apology for past endorsements of Mike Bickle, fallen ministry leaders – Pastor Francis Chan apologized for endorsing leaders like Mike Bickle, whose scandals caused confusion and hurt within the Church. Chan acknowledged his endorsements may have unintentionally given credibility to untrustworthy leaders and apologized for the pain caused.

Just the News – Cops arrest preacher after crowd assaults him for anti-LGBTQ sign, he appeals judge who approved it – Street preacher Aden Rusfeldt appeals jury verdict clearing NYPD Assistant Chief Stephen Hughes of First and Fourth Amendment violations. Rusfeldt’s lawyers argue Hughes imposed a “heckler’s veto” by arresting him after counter-protesters assaulted him.

Crosswalk – 5 Signs Your Church Might Be Heading toward Progressive Christianity – Author shares experience leaving Evangelical church transitioning to Progressive Christianity, highlighting difficulty defining it.

Prophecy News Network – Outdated? Tucker Carlson Jokes That The Old Testament Should Be Rewritten – The First Testament remains relevant due to fulfilled prophecies and its foundational role in the New Testament. Jesus and His followers upheld its authority, affirming its enduring significance.

Just the News – Parents’ rights advocates hail SCOTUS ruling against secret gender transitions – The Supreme Court ruled against California’s law allowing gender transitions for school children without parental knowledge, highlighting the conflict between parental rights and school policies.

Graphs about Religion – The Afterlife Isn’t Going Away – Belief in the afterlife, including souls, heaven, and hell, remains prevalent in the United States, with variations across age, religious tradition, and church attendance. Younger generations show a narrowing gap in belief, while Black Protestants and Latter-day Saints exhibit the highest and most nuanced beliefs.

The Denison Forum – The Iran war and the threat of “stagflation” – The Iran war threatens stagflation, highlighting the need for biblical faith in navigating cultural issues. The article critiques liberal Christian assertions, emphasizing Scripture’s authority and Jesus’ teachings.

The Christian Post – Will Graham to lead Gulf Coast evangelistic outreach with 145 churches in US – The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is hosting the “Gulf Coast Celebration of Hope” on March 21-22, led by Will Graham. The event, a partnership with 145 local churches, aims to share the Gospel with the Gulf Coast community.

Christian Newswire – Non-Profit Ministry Upsets Disney and Angel Studios to Win ‘Best Children’s Feature’ at 2026 Movieguide® Awards – “Light of the World,” an animated film from Salvation Poem Project, won Best Movie for Children at the Movieguide Awards. The film, which retells Jesus’ life from a child’s perspective, continues to expand internationally.

Prophecy Newswatch – New Palestinian Constitution: Sharia Law And War Against The Jews – The draft Palestinian constitution, released in February 2026, excludes Jews and Israel, raising concerns about democracy, human rights, and the treatment of non-Muslims and women. Critics argue it lacks mention of Israel and clear land boundaries, potentially serving as a legal framework for permanent war against Israel.

The Washington Stand – Should Christians Influence Politics? A Response to Mike Erre and Preston Sprinkle – Christians should engage in politics to influence public policy for the common good, supporting policies aligned with their values. The article argues against the notion of Christian privilege and emphasizes the importance of Christian involvement in all spheres of life.

Just the News – ‘Kangaroo court’ tribunal fines school board member $750,000 for opposing gender ideology – A former British Columbia school board member, Barry Neufeld, was fined $750,000 by the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal for his public statements against “gender ideology” in the curriculum. The tribunal found Neufeld’s statements constituted discrimination and hate speech against LGBTQ individuals. This ruling has sparked concern among those who advocate for free speech, including nurse Amy Hamm, who is facing similar legal action for her gender-critical views.

Prophecy Newswatch – The Quiet Compromise: Christian Colleges’ Growing Ties To The Abortion Industry – A study reveals one in seven Christian colleges in the U.S. has ties to the abortion industry, raising concerns among Christians about the moral implications.

The Christian Post – Hegseth explains religious aspect of Iran war amid eschatology concerns: ‘We’re fighting religious fanatics’ – Secretary of War Pete Hegseth highlighted the religious aspect of the Iran war, emphasizing faith for service members and the role of chaplains. Concerns were raised about the influence of eschatological beliefs and the potential dangers of framing the conflict as a “holy war.”

World – Cal Thomas: Scripture for progressives – Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico’s progressive political views, supported by his Christian faith, are scrutinized due to his unorthodox interpretations of Scripture.

The Denison Forum – The slippery slope of Canada’s fall toward 100,000 assisted deaths – Canada’s MAID program, nearing its tenth anniversary, has seen nearly 100,000 assisted suicides. The program’s expansion to include those with disabilities and non-terminal illnesses raises concerns about the normalization of assisted suicide.

Crosswalk –Can the Dead Hear Us in Heaven When We Talk to Them? – The Bible doesn’t definitively answer if the dead can hear us in heaven. While some passages suggest awareness of earthly events, it’s uncertain if this includes hearing prayers. Ultimately, God hears all prayers, and He can convey messages to our loved ones in heaven.

Prophecy Newswatch – Record ‘Nones’ In America – Could War Trigger A Spiritual Awakening? – A record 24% of Americans identify as having no religious affiliation, but global uncertainty, especially in the Middle East, may lead some to reconsider their spiritual beliefs.

The Christian Post – Episcopal Church leader says belief that denomination is dying ‘a lie straight from the pit of Hell’ – Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe dismissed claims of the Episcopal Church’s demise, viewing membership decline as an opportunity for recalibration and greater impact.

Crosswalk – ‘The Chosen’ Breaks Guinness World Record Again: ‘People Are Hungry for Truth’ – The Chosen, a Bible-based streaming series, set a Guinness World Record for the most translated season of a streaming series, with its first season available in 125 languages.

The Christian Post – Record majority of Americans say belief in God isn’t necessary to be moral – A majority of Americans, 68%, believe morality is independent of belief in God, a trend increasing since 2014. The discussion explores the source of morality, with some attributing it to God and others to relativity, and examines the relationship between religion and morality.

The Western Journal – Woke Christian Leaders Issue Letter Against Rise of ‘White Christian Nationalism’ – Left-leaning evangelical Christians criticized the Trump administration and “white Christian nationalism” in an open letter, denouncing Trump’s policies and calling for Christians to resist injustices.

Christian Newswire – Nigerian Churches Come Together to Equip Leaders in Crisis Zones – CAN urges global Christian support for Nigerian churches facing persecution, calling for prayers, advocacy, and support for the CAN Bible Project.

Crosswalk – What Does the Bible Say about Forgiveness? – Forgiveness is vital for well-being, emphasized in the Bible as a necessity for all, exemplified by Jesus, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The Christian Post – Speaker Mike Johnson warns of encroaching Sharia law in US: ‘Serious issue’ – House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed concern about the perceived threat of Sharia law in the United States, stating it conflicts with the U.S. Constitution. His comments echo those of Rep. Chip Roy, who has raised concerns about Muslim immigrants in Texas and the potential establishment of self-governing enclaves under Sharia law.

Graphs about Religion – The United Church of Christ Is Running Out of People—and Pastors – The United Church of Christ (UCC) is experiencing a significant decline in congregations and membership, with a 46% decrease in congregations and a nearly 70% drop in membership since 1960.

Prophecy Newswatch – One In Twenty Deaths: Canada’s Assisted Suicide Program Reaches Stunning Levels – Canada’s assisted suicide program, MAiD, has resulted in nearly 100,000 deaths since 2016, sparking ethical debates about its expansion and impact on vulnerable individuals.

The Christian Post – Why we should share the Gospel even in fear – The author shares a personal experience of overcoming fear to share the Gospel with an MRI technician, emphasizing the power of Scripture and the importance of sharing it with strangers and in moments of weakness.

Crosswalk – Bible Sales Rise Sharply in U.K. to Highest Levels in Nearly 3 Decades – Bible sales in the UK and Ireland surged 19% in 2025, reaching their highest level since 1998, while nonfiction book sales fell to their lowest level since 2014.

The Western Journal – America Reads the Bible: Celebrities to Take Part in DC Event for 250th Celebration With Continuous Scripture Reading – “America Reads the Bible” event will be held at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., from April 18th to April 25th, 2026. The event will feature celebrity, Christian, and government leaders reading the entire Bible aloud.

The Christian Post – Pastor Allen Jackson urges Christians to call out ‘false church’ amid heresy: ‘Polite for too long’ – Pastor Allen Jackson criticized Democratic Texas state Rep. James Talarico for using religious language to support far-left political and theological positions, calling them heretical. The Christian Post published an article criticizing Talarico, sparking a divided discussion on Christian values, political polarization, and media influence.

The Christian Index – Lifeway Research finds churchgoers aim to serve in and out of church – Lifeway Research’s study found U.S. Protestant churchgoers aim to serve God and others, but there’s a gap between intention and action.

The Denison Forum – While the US considers a “friendly takeover,” God is already at work in Cuba – The Trump Administration considers a “friendly takeover” of Cuba due to its struggling economy and humanitarian crisis. Christian churches are providing essential aid and support to the Cuban people.

The Christian Post – Christian employee sues county gov’t after being denied religious exemption from pride month – A Christian employee sued Los Angeles County for denying a religious exemption to work from home during LGBT pride month, citing objections to the pride flag. This has sparked a debate about religious freedom and LGBT rights.