New Report: Antisemitism Is Highest in 30 Years

 According to a new report from the J7 Large Communities Task Force Against Antisemitism, "In both the number of lethl attacks and the number of casualties, 2025 was the deadliest year for Antisemitism attacks in more than 30 years, the Christian Post website reports today(August 31,2026).

The targets are random people around the world who happen to be Jewish.

Hatred of Jews has no place whatsoever for the Christian. This is more than the biblical call to love our neighbors.Jesus' Jewishness is at the center of God's plan to bless all the nations of the earth: His making a chosen people of descendants of Abraham. To hate the Jews is to scorn the most important Jew of all.

Mega Churches in U.S.Grow Bigger

 A new survey from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research shows megachurches have bounced back stronger than ever, after the attendance dips of the COVID--19 pandemic, the Christian Today website reports today (August 25,2026).

Smaller churches have not fully recovered.

The megachurch growth continues a trend in favor of larger churches that began well before the pandemic.

"The top 10 percent of churches have about 70 to 75% of all people," said Scott Thumma, coauthor of the new report and a retired sociology of religion professor at Hartford International University. 

Megachurch defined as 2,000 or more weekly worshipers, make up less than one percent of the nation's total Protestant churches, yet they see 17 percent of the nation's total churchgoers every week.

Smaller churches have not seen the same rebound as larger ones, with many still declining attendance, forcing them to be closed.

Report:8 Million More Americans Attend Church, but Young Men Remain a Concern

 Eight million more Ameicans attended a Christian church service at least twice in 2025 compared to two years earlier, according to new research from American Bible Society, the Christian Daily website reports today (August 21, 2026).

The findings come from the American Society's 16th annual State of the Bible report,released Aug.19.

 

The youngest adult cohort saw attendance fall from 46% to 42% over the same two--year period, making it the only generation to record a decline.

Dr. John Plake, American Bibls Society's chief innovation officer, said, "the data reveals opportunities for church leaders to reach out to specific people -- especially young men -- and guide them toward a richer relationship with God and the church through regular engagement with Scripture."

Museum of the BibleLaunching Exhibits as "The Bible and America 250"

 The Museum of the Bible is unveiling new exhibits,hosting a lecture series and presenting a theater production based on the faith of George Washington as part of "The Bible and America 250," highlighting the role of the Bible in American history as the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Christian Post website reports.

The Washington,D.C.--based institution is launching special programming and exhibits based on the anniversary celebration.

The lectures will feature"well--renowned scholars  and historians from across the nation" and examine  " the biblical rhetoric of  revolution, the spiritual framing of Independence, and the spiritual foundations of early American political thought."

Anthony Schmidt, Museum of the Bible Curator, said the exhibit will show how the Bible "was used by people on both sides of the American Revolution to justify their cause, rally support,and to make claims about the political system and their observations about the politic.al climate.

The Holiness of God Is the Foundation of His Being

If someone asked you to describe God  in one word, what would you say?

Many people would answer that God is loving, merciful, gracious, or forgiving. Scripture emphasizes one attribute above all others:God is holy, the Crossmap website reports today(July 22, 2026).From Genesis to the Revelation, the Bible points us to God's holiness

God's holiness is the  blazing perfection of His character. It reveals that He is unique,  pure, righteous, and exalted above all creation. His holiness magnifies every other attribute. His love is a holy love. His justice is holy justice.  His mercy is holy mercy.

Trump Celebrates American Freedom in July 4 Address

 In a Fourth of July address from tunlike so many otherhWashington,D.C., President Donald Trump extolled American values, saying "the country is  unlike so many others around the worlld with promises of freedom and equal justice under the law promising the best is yet to come,"  the Christian Post website reports today (July 8, 2026). 

Celebrating the nation's 250th birthdaroundsy hours after severe weather forced crowds to evacuate the grounds, Trump took the stage shortly after 11 p.m.

Trump praised the freedoms that set the U.S. apart from the rest of the world world. 

"Unlike so many others in the world, in this country we have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, equal justice under the law," the president said.

He added that the U.S. had stood for 250 years as"the hope, the promise, the light, and the glory among all of the nations in the world," telling the audience that "nobody can be like us."

Trump Warns against "Godless Communists"

 President Donald Trump declared that the U.S. will always remain  "one nation under God" while warning that "Godless communists" pose a threat to the country's future, the Christian Post website reports today (June 30, 2026).

Speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority Conference at the Washington Hilton, Trump reflected on the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary, highlighted what he described as victories for religious liberty and urged supporters to remain politically engaged ahead of the midterm elections.

During the speech, Trump touched on the role of the Christian faith in the nation's history and highlighted his administration's accomplishments in defending the rights of people of faith.

New Poll: Most Americans Believe Religion Is Good for Society

 A new Gallup survey shows that a majority of Americans say the U.S. would be better off if it were more religious, the Christian Post website reports today (June 27, 2026).

The survey also found Americans split on whether the government should be involved in promoting moral values.

The survey, conducted May1--17among a random sample of 1,001 adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, found that 65% of respondents said a more religious America would be positive for society, down from75% in 2013.

The share of Republicans who said religion is good for society rose from 91% in 2013 to 94% in 2026. Support also increased among Catholics, from 80% to 85%, and among religiously unaffiliated Americans from 24% to 27%.

U.S., Iran Reach Ceasefire Agreement to End War

 The U.S. and Iran announced a preliminary agreement on June 21 to end their months--long war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping, the Reuters website reports today (June 24,2026).

The memorandum of understanding is set to be signed on  June 26 in Switzerland.

U.S. President Donald Trump declared the agrement complete in a June 21evening post on his Truth Social platform. "The Deal with Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete," he wrote,adding that ships should prepare to move as the strait reopens on June 26.

The conflict began in February, when the U.S.and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes on Iran following the regime's violent crackdown on domestic protests that saw thousands of civilians killed.

New Survey: Men Say Religion Is Very Important

New research gives hope that a shift is happening in the masculine landscape, as new fathers are stepping to the plate, the Christian Post website reports today (June 22, 2026).  

Men matter, and many are coming home and turning to God. Recent Gallup data reported that 42%of men ages 18 to 29 now say religion is very important in their lives, up from 28%in 2022--2023. Another Gallup report found that 40%of young men now attend religious services monthly or more, the highest level for that group since 2012--2013. 

Young men are telling us something, and we should pay attention. Many are looking for faith, brotherhood, and an anchor at home. Today's dads are spending more time with their children than any prior generation of fathers, according to survey data highlighted by the Institute for Family Studies. Our kids want and need that presence.

America Celebrates Its 250th Anniv. This Summer

The United States is preparing  for a sweeping series of celebrations designed to commemorate its 250th birthday this summer, the Christian Post website reports today (June 19,2026).

From  mass prayer gatherings on the National Mall to a nationwide traveling exhibit featuring an AI--powered George Washington, organizers ae planning months of events tied to the smiquicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Many of the festivities ae being coordinated by Freedom 250 in partnership with the White House and the Trump administration. The celebrations will blend faith, history, entertainment, and civic pride, ranging from scholarship competitions to Indy Car racing through the streets of the nation's capital.

Raising Kids to Follow Christ

 Once born, infants find comfort in their parents'voices and their mothers'embrace, the Crossmap website reports today (June 5, 2026). 

By the age of five, a child's brain has already developed to 90% of its potential.

Parents and grandparents serve as a child's primary and most impactful teachers,followed by church and ministry leaders

Our commitment to living out and sharing our faith must be consistent so that our children can witness Christ in us. We must pray for their strength in their faith journey while acknowledging God as the leader of our homes and personal lives.

UN urged to Investigate Genocide againstln Christians ln Nigeria

 A memorandum has beensubmitted at the United nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion oramounts t Belief,alleging that escalating violence 

against Christians in Nigeria amounts to genocide, the Christian Today website reports today (June2, 2026).

The submission urges the UN o investigate systeWatchmatic religiously motivated violence carried out by jihadist groups across part of Nigeria.

It was prepared by Genocide  Watch and Alliance Against Genocide, and addressed UN Special Rapporteur Nazila Ghanea.Prov(ISince 

The organizations claim militant groups, including Boko Haram,IslamicState West Africa Province (ISWAP), Fulani jihadist militias, and Lakurawa have collecively killed more than 60,000 people and uprooted over 2.2 million people from their homes since 2001, targeting churches, Christian villages, schools, and civilians in the country's Middle Belt and northern regions.

New Survey: More Americans Say Religion Is Gaining Influence

 A new survey by Pew Research Center shows a growing share of Americans believe religion is becoming more influential in public life, but most still oppose churches endorsing political candidates or taking sides in day--to--day political debates, the Christian Daily website reports today (May 27, 2026).

The survey, conducted April 6--12 among 3,592 U.S. adults, found that 37% now say religion is gaining influence in American life --the highest proportion recorded in Pew surveys going back to 2002. That figure has climbed 19 percentage points in just two years.

Despite the uptick in perceived influence , 79% of respondents  said churches and other houses of worship should not endorse candidates during elections.Two--thirds said religious institutions should stay out of day--to--day social and political matters. Those figures have changed little in recent years.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Statue Beheaded at NY State Church

Suffolk county police in New York state are investigating whether a hate crime was committed after a suspect beheaded a Sacred Heart of Jesus statue at the Church of St. Mary in East Islip on May 15, the Christian Post website reports today (May 20, 2026). 

The church's pastor, the Rev. Anthony Iaconis told the Christian Post that the Crimes Unit in the Sufolk County Police was called to the church around 11 a.m. on May15after a group doing planting on the property discovered the statue's head in nearby bushes.

Iaconis said the group didn't realize the statue had been vandalized until they found the head.

A review of the church's security camera footage showed that the beheading of the statue, made of resin and fiberglass, was carried out by one person. 

Global Baptism Set for Calif.This Month

A California megachurch pastor's evangelism ministry is gearing to host a global baptism event this month, hoping to baptize tens of thousands, the Christian Post website reports today (May 14,2026).

Baptize California, overseen by Pastor Mark Francey of the multi--campus Oceans Church in Orange County, has announced the global event "Baptize the World" for May 24.

"We believe it was an idea God gave us," Fancey said.

"We won't know for sure how many people will be baptized until the day of the baptism.We are believing for tens of thousands, and possibly more than 100,000. " We just want to organize the net and help the Church throw them in the water. We will leave the catch up to Jesus."

Fulani Terrorists Kill 13 Christians in Plateau State, Nigeria

 The slaughter of Christians continued in Plateau State, Nigeria on May 8, as Fulani herdsmen killed 13 Christians in Bassa County, the Christian Daily website reports today (MAY 11, 2026).

Muslim Fulani gunmen killed the Christians in a pre-dawn attack on Ngbra Zongo community in Kwall District, said Joseph Chudu, Yonkpa spokesperson of area Mango communities in a statement issued in Jor.

"The attack has left dozens of other Christians injured, and hundreds of others displaced,"Yonkpa said.

New Global Study:Catholics Losing Members While Protestants Gain Some

A new global study by Pew Research Center shows that Catholicism has experienced net losses through religious switching in nearly every country surveyed, while Protestantism has recorded gains in several regions, the Christian Daily website reports today (May 3, 2026).

The analysis, released as part of Pew's Global Religious Futures project with a different religion than the one in which they were raised. 

The report found that more people left Catholicism than joined it in 21 of the 24 countries surveyed. Hungary was the only country where converts into Catholicism outnumbered those leaving the church.

Pew defines "religious switching" as a change between the religion.

Greek Orthodox Church Now Surging in U.S.

Multiple recent reports confirm a major surge of converts entering Greek and other Eastern Orthodox parishes across the U.S., with some churches overflowing and clergy struggling  to keep up, the Greek up, the Greek Reporter website reports today (April 25, 2026).

Across the U.S., Orthodox parishes -- including many Greek Orrthodox communities == are experiencing record numbers of inquirers, catechumers, and converts.  Several independent  news utlets describe this as a "flood,"  "surge," or "unprecedented shift"in Ameerican Orthodoxy.

 Clergy report more prospective converts then they can handle, with some parishes doubling or tripling in size since the pandemic.

In Colorado Springs, Holy Theophany Orfthodox Church had to launch a second parish because crowds were spilling outside every Sunday. A third parish is already being discussed.

While the surge spans all Orthodox jurisdictions, Greek Orthodox parishes are central to the trend. St. Sophia Cathedral  in Los Angeles is highlighted repeatedly as a hub of new converts.

Prayer Can Reduce Stress in Your Body

Most people think of prayer as something  spiritual , but prayer can affect the body also, the Crossmap website reports today (April 22,2026).

One of the biggest changes involves cortisol, the body's stress hormones.When stress stays high for a long time, cortisol levels can stay high too, This cam lead to poor sleep, anxiety, fatigue, higher blood pressure and s weaker immune system.

Studies have found that people who pray regularly often have lower cortisol levels during stressful situations. They also tend to feel calmer, more stable, and emotionally stronger.

Prayer can also calm the body's "fight or flight" response. When we are stressesd, our breathing becomes faster, our heart beats harder, and our muscles tighten. Quiet prayer can help slow those reactions down. Breathing becomes more steady,heart rate slows,and the body begins to relax.

A 2024 study found that prayer combined with slow breathing  may lower stredd hormones and help the bodyr  relax. Researchers said slow, steady prayer may activate the parasympathic nervous system, which helps the body rest and recover.

Prayer centered on God's love,peace, protection,gratitude, and trust often brings a deeper sense of comfort and healing.