Pope Pleads for End to UKRAINE War

 The pope has urged all parties involved in Russia's war in Ukraine to hasten an end to the onflict, the Christian News website reports today (Jan. 27,2026).

As part of the Angelus prayer, he emphasized that ongoing Russian attacks have left civilians exposed to the harsh cold of winter.

"The protracted hostilities have serious implications for civilians," Pope Leo said.

"I urge everyone to intensify their efforts to end this war."

It comes as the first trilateral peace talks betweeen Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. have ended, with no breakthrough. 

The two--day talks held in Abu Dhabi finished while heavy fighting continues.

Ukrainian officials reported that recent air srtrikes targeted the country's  energy infrastructure, killing one person and injuring at least 35 others. 

President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested a second round of talks could be held as early as next week, while  an American official said discusssions are set to resume on  Feb. 1.

Christian Leaders Warn of Threats to Holy Land

 The Senior Christian leaders in Jerusalem, have warned that outside political and ideological interference could be endangering the unity and survival of Christianity in the Holy Land, the Christian Today website reports today (Jan. 23,2026).

The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in the refgion said local individuals promoting "damaging

The warning comes amid growing concens among  Palestinian Christians  over Israeli policies, including land confiscation,settlement expansion,and pressure on church--owned property. Church leaders said these measures were accelerating the erosion of one of the world's oldest continuous Christian communities. They claimed that these efforts had received backing from "certain political actors in Israel and beyond" and warned that such support threatened Christian communities across wider Middle East.

The warning followed a recent report by the Council of Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem , which highlighted "threats to Christian heritage -- particularly  in Jersalem,  rthe West Bank, and Gaza, alongside issues of unjustified taxation -- are the source of ongoing concerns that threaten the  existence of the community and the churches."

Your Purpose by Modeling Jesus

Jesus had a purpose when he walked the earth :to heal and teach about the Kingdom of God,the Ccrossmap website reports today (Jan.19, 2026).

When the disciples did not want to be bothered with feeding the crowds, Jesus was determined, because feeding them was just part of His mission . The main gial was to love people and lead them to follow Him.

After finding five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus prayed over them and asked God to  bless t

Then Jesus took  the five loaves of bread and two fish,  looked up to heaven,and blesseed the food. He broke the loaves apart and kept giving them to the disciples to give to the crowd (Luke 9:16).

Jesus had a plan because He understood His purpose. He instrucrted the disciples tp dhave the people breqak up  into smaller groups.

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Then  He told His disciples , "Have them sit  in groups of about 50 (Luke:9:14).

Then, He broke the bread and fish and had His disciples distribute them. The result was an abundance of food: everyone was fed.and there were leftovers.

All of them ate as much  aS THEY WANTED. When they picked up the leftover pieces, thye filled 12 baskets (Luke 9:17).

Giving a plan to accomplish a goal, brings clarity, peace, and motivation to get started.

Christian Persecution at All--Time High

 A new report by the Christian charity Open Doors has highlighted which countries have the most extreme levels of Christian persecution worldwide,  the Christian Daily website reports today(Jan. 16, 2026).

The advocacy group said that Christian persecution was at an "all--time high"and that "Nigeria remains the globaL EPICENTER OF DEADLY VIOLENCEAGAINST cHRISTIANS. 

In 2026, more than 388 million Christians worldwide, or more than  one in seven, faced levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith, which the charity said was 8 million more people than last year.

Trump May Order More Strikes in Nigeria

President Donald Trump has said more U.S. strikes may occur in Nigeria due to attacks on Christians, the Christian Today website reports today (Jan. 14,2026). 

Despite being around 50 % Christian,more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than all other countries combined .Accurate numbers are hard to come by ,but estimates vary from 3,000 and 7,000 killed last year.

Speaking to the New York Times,Trump suggesteed more U.S. strikes may occur in Nigeria.

The local partner for religious freedom group, RELEASE iNTERNATIONAL, RECENTLY WARNEED: "tHE INCREASE IN PERSECUTION STEMS FROM  THE UNCHECKED EXPANSION of jihadist groups, fuelled by ideological opposition to Christianity and Western  influence, alongside government inaction and inadequate security responses. "

The Nigerian government says it is doing what it can to address the issue,  but has been criticized for failing to see the  religious dimension to the killings.

Jesus is with You in Every Moment

Jesus is with you in every moment, the Crossmap website reports today  (Jan. 13,2026).

We celebrate the sweet baby in the manger because He is the suffering Savior on the cross. and the risen Savior who defeated the enemy of our souls out of love for us.

After centuries of waiting, at just the right time, He stepped out of heaven into our broken world, and wrapped Himself into the most vulnerable package. 

He did this to rescue His beloved creation from the clutches of brokenness. 

After 400 years of silence from God, an angel tells Mary that God with us is about to happen.

God is in the midst of us.

Jesus walked through this broken world. 

He took on the sins of the world to obtain freedom for you and me.

He paid the price for every sin we have and will commit. 

Women Now Leaving the Church Faster Than Men

Women have been leaving the Church at rising rates for more than a decade, the Chrisrtian Post website reports today (Jan. 11, 2026).

For years, men were the primary defectors, but foro the first time in history, women ae walking away even faster.

The pandemic accelerated the trend, and the numbers have not recovered. 

As "citizens of Heaven,"the Church is an embassy o our true home -- a place where we get to step inside eternity while still on earth.

The answer to disappointment or dysfunction is not to leave church altogether -- it's to reform it. Sometimes that means tough conversations, new boundaries, or new leadership.

In the chaos of modern life -- noise, information overload, endless choice -- we easily forget that life isn't just about us. God crafted a largeer plan for humanity, and the church is central to that plan.

The church is not just one part of our lives. It is the structure on which everything else is ordered. When that foundation collapses, everything else trembles with it.

The church is worth fighting for. There is no other way forward.