Sudan: Brutal civil war brings crisis in Nuba Mountains
Luke Randall
Date posted: 27 Apr 2026
There is mixed news for Christians in Sudan as war continues to rage, with “relative calm” in the north, a “deteriorating” situation in the Nuba Mountains, and concern surrounding government tactics.
The brutal civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the country’s official military, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group formed by a previous dictatorship, started just over three years ago. It continues with little sign of resolution, and Christians often find themselves caught in the crossfire of one of the world’s major humanitarian crises.
letter from Ukraine
‘The war within a war’
www.sga.org.uk
Date posted: 26 Apr 2026
In the cauldron of war in Ukraine, the Odessa Theological Seminary (OTS) determinedly continues its invaluable work of training missionaries and pastors for the spiritual battlefield – the “war within a war”.
Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) UK supports the seminary in its efforts to prepare men and women for gospel ministry and spiritual warfare in the context of the unrelenting conflict going on around them. Unsurprisingly, necessary adjustments to the curriculum and its delivery have been initiated due to the ongoing conflict.
Nicaragua: Defiance in face of torture
Luke Randall
Date posted: 26 Apr 2026
Persecution of religious groups is rising in Nicaragua, with harassment, surveillance and restrictions imposed on many believers, according to new research.
A report released by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) revealed that 309 cases infringing on the Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) were recorded by researchers during 2025, with 108 involving Protestants, continuing a concerning trend from previous years. Many involved in such cases were forced to leave the country and denied re-entry or imprisoned in “inhumane” conditions.
Ukraine: Concerns that church attacks 'are not random'
Ryan Burton King
Date posted: 25 Apr 2026
Since the beginning of their full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has repeatedly, intentionally, and shamelessly targeted civilians. In a country that has some of the largest (and growing!) Christian communities in Europe, it is inevitable that churches will be affected along with everyone else.
However, there is significant concern that attacks on churches – particularly Protestant evangelical churches – are not random or merely the product of indiscriminate assault.
Quebec ‘over-reaction’ to Muslim prayer
Emily Pollok
Date posted: 25 Apr 2026
Quebec’s National Assembly has adopted further legislation reinforcing laïcité, or secularism, in the province, while opponents say it threatens freedom of religion.
Bill 9 builds on existing laïcité legislation, including Bill 21, which prohibits members of certain professions from wearing religious symbols at work. That bill recently faced a constitutional challenge in Canada’s Supreme Court.
India: ‘Chilling effect’ on believers
Luke Randall
Date posted: 25 Apr 2026
Persecution against Christians continues to increase in India, with new research highlighting a 16.7% growth in hostile incidents last year.
New findings released by the Religious Liberty Commission of the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFIRLC) revealed that 747 incidents of discrimination against believers were reported during 2025, up from 640 the previous year, marking a concerning upward trend which continues to worsen.
Iran: Church is ‘alive... underground... and courageous’
Luke Randall
Date posted: 24 Apr 2026
The church in Iran may have largely been forced underground, but it continues to meet together for worship and provide for those in need.
In a recent update on the situation, the Lindisfarne Centre for the Study of Christian Persecution pointed to a key dilemma facing many Iranian citizens.
Syria: Mob violence in Christian town
Luke Randall
Date posted: 24 Apr 2026
Greater leadership is needed in Syria amidst ongoing violence and the persecution of minorities, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The predominantly Christian town of Suqaylabiyah, in the western-central Hama province, has been the subject of recent upheaval, where mob violence broke out after two Muslim men were expelled from the town after harassing a Christian woman.
International religious diversity ranked
Luke Randall
Date posted: 20 Apr 2026
Singapore is the most religiously diverse place in the world, while Christianity is the most widely distributed major religion, according to new research, which could see Africa and Asia "define the future of Christianity".
A new study carried out by Pew Research on global religious diversity revealed the Asia–Pacific and sub-Saharan African regions are the world’s most diverse areas, while most of the world’s population lives in areas featuring moderate diversity. Regionally, it ranked North America and Europe as highly diverse, while Middle East–North Africa featured low diversity due to strong Muslim representation.
Franklin Graham says Pope should thank Trump
en staff
Date posted: 16 Apr 2026
Evangelist Franklin Graham says he hopes the Pope and Donald Trump will meet - and that the Pontiff should express his thanks to the President.
Writing on social media platform X, the son of the late Billy Graham said he was sharing "thoughts" having "received some questions about President Trump's recent posts".
Trump 'Jesus' post sparks outrage
en staff
Date posted: 13 Apr 2026
US President Donald Trump is attracting a torrent of outrage after posting a picture in which he apparently likened himself to Christ.
The picture - shared on social media network Truth Social - appeared to show Trump, as Jesus, healing a man, while surrounded by military and national symbols.
letter from New Zealand
NZ: Witchcraft rises – and it shows
Charley Ballinger
Date posted: 11 Apr 2026
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.
Astronaut sends Bible message from Artemis
en staff
Date posted: 7 Apr 2026
A Christian astronaut on board Artemis II has sent a Scriptural message to everyone on earth.
Orion spacecraft pilot Victor Glover pointed people to the two greatest commandments as his ship prepared to disappear behind the moon, losing radio contact with Mission Control for about 40 minutes.
Evangelical politician blasts Trump
en staff
Date posted: 7 Apr 2026
A well-known evangelical politician in the United States has strongly criticised President Trump for his foul-mouthed Easter Day rant about Iran on social media.
Trump began Easter Sunday with an 8.03am post on Truth Social in which he exhorted Iranian leaders to "open the -------- [expletive deleted] Strait [of Hormuz], you crazy -------- [expletive deleted] or you'll be living in Hell," before signing off bizarrely with "praise be to Allah".
letter from France
KFC – and the fires of suspicion
Blaine Vorster
Date posted: 2 Apr 2026
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
Christian schools boom in 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
A double standard that cannot be ignored
Joseph D’Souza
Date posted: 31 Mar 2026
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.
