Ohio church’s sports camp timely balm for community suffering double domestic homicide
COLUMBUS, Ohio (BP) – Pastor Darryl Baker thought it might be best to cancel the outreach. Days before a scheduled sports camp in a Columbus neighborhood, a husband shot and stabbed multiple times his estranged wife and preteen stepdaughter, murdering them.
House Speaker Johnson appoints Louisiana Family Forum leader to USCIRF
WASHINGTON (BP) – Gene Mills, president of the nonprofit Louisiana Family Forum (LFF), has joined the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom as an appointee of House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Job satisfaction, mental health, finances continue to challenge pastors, study finds
DALLAS (BP) – Vocational satisfaction, mental health and relational wellbeing continue to challenge pastors despite growing assurance in their calling, newly released State of the Church research found, with many pastors under 45 also citing financial concerns.
Cuba continues crackdown on religion five years after public protests, report says
HAVANA (BP) – In persistent religious persecution following public protests five years ago, Cuba is cracking down especially on church-sponsored humanitarian aid and prayer, a watchdog group said in a new report.
Southern Baptist Sen. Lindsey Graham dies suddenly at 71, remembered for loving nation, God
WASHINGTON (BP) – U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime Southern Baptist who began supporting Donald Trump after first challenging him for the 2016 presidency, died suddenly July 11 after reportedly suffering an aortic tear at his Washington home.
Bible engagement increases sense of calling, promotes human flourishing, study finds
Scripture-engaged adults are more confident of their calling or purpose in life and thereby flourish, the American Bible Society (ABS) said in its latest release from the 2026 State of the Bible.
Growing persecution trends include religious nationalism, transnational repression
WASHINGTON (BP) – Religious nationalism, transnational repression and state control of religious groups are among growing trends in the persecution of Christians globally, International Christian Concern (ICC) said in its newly released 2026 Global Persecution Index.
Little Sisters of the Poor back in court to defend contraceptive mandate exemption
PHILADELPHIA (BP) – The Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home was back in court July 7 defending its federally approved exemption to the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate in a case dating to 2013 and involving three Supreme Court victories.
Pastor Ezra Jin safe in U.S. after China frees him in July 4 ‘goodwill gesture’
LOS ANGELES (BP) – Wrongfully imprisoned Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri arrived safely in Los Angeles July 4 after China freed him in what is described as a ‘goodwill gesture’ coinciding with America’s Independence Day, ChinaAid and others announced.
‘Christian nationalism’ on stage as U.S. marks 250, but what does term mean?
WASHINGTON (BP) – “If being a Christian nationalist means loving Jesus Christ and loving America, count me in,” proclaimed Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, on a recent Washington stage marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
