Angel Tree Helps Churches Build Lasting Ministry Beyond Christmas

Churches across the U.S. use Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program to build lasting relationships with families of incarcerated parents. What began as a Christmas outreach expanded into year-round ministry, providing practical support, spiritual care, and community connections that strengthened churches, families and neighborhoods.

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Teaching About The Holocaust Once Living Memory Fades

(ANALYSIS) Nothing will ever truly replace the voices of the survivors, but I believe teachers and communities can carry on his work by making history feel local and personal. As everything around us seems to show each day, little could be more important than the lessons of these people, their sources and the Holocaust.

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Breaking The Barrier: How A Persian Jewish Immigrant Became A Rodeo King

David Halimi grew up Jewish in Tehran, watching “Bonanza.” He now produces rodeos in Northern California and owns a bar modeled on “Cheers.” At 73, Halimi is known as the man behind a Western wear store stocked with cowboy boots, a rodeo circuit and a U-shaped bar where locals joke about who might be the town’s version of Norm.

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In New Memoir, Josh Shapiro Confronts Antisemitism, Israel And Political Pressure

The Pennsylvania governor’s new memoir, “Where We Keep the Light,” explores his Jewish identity, principled stances on Israel and political risks. He recounts antisemitic attacks, early ties to Israel and his refusal to soften controversial views during 2024 VP vetting, offering a candid reflection ahead of a potential 2028 run.

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Crossroads Podcast: A Lemon Of A News Report Or Just New Journalism?

During this tense moment in journalism, will Southern Baptist leaders return telephone calls from elite newsrooms or will they choose to speak to “conservative” and “religious” publications, alone?

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47 Christian Denominations In 47 Weeks: This Content Creator Is Trying Them All

Micah Waldman ranks each denomination in four categories after attending a Sunday service: Worship, sermon, hospitality and overall environment. He has no desire to change denominations himself — but instead to experience them himself and educate others about the differences in practice.

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Hillsong Loses Russia As Global Network Continues To Shrink

Once an evangelical monolith, claiming influence in 30 countries and 16 churches in the U.S., the Australian-based Hillsong Church has — due to leadership scandals — shrunk considerably. Eleven U.S. churches have left Hillsong, bringing the U.S. total to five. And the global church network just lost a country: Russia.

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✍️ After 61 Years, This Legend Still Hasn’t Missed A Beat On The Godbeat 🔌

“Why not keep busy?” That’s Richard Ostling’s response when asked why he’s still covering religion at age 85 — after six decades on the Godbeat.

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Why This Idyllic Island Nation Is Cracking Down On Religion

(ANALYSIS) The Maldives, the small South Asian island nation, recently passed a new law to tighten the noose of the media. But this new law also indirectly strengthens the state’s restriction on religious freedom. Under this law, media outlets will be punished if they publish any content that contradicts Islamic principles or that could be seen as offensive to Islamic sentiments. 

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Remembering John L. Allen Jr.: A Life Spent Making Sense Of Power And Faith

(ESSAY) In a world where reporters cover the Vatican more like a political state rather than a religious institution, John occupied a rare space, even rarer these days. The longtime Rome correspondent explained things — both fairly and with plenty of context — to a world largely unfamiliar with how the Vatican works.

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DOJ Announces Arrests Tied to Disruption Of Minnesota Church Service

Federal authorities announced arrests after activists disrupted a Minneapolis Southern Baptist church service to protest ICE activities. Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and two others were charged under an 1871 conspiracy statute. Church leaders have condemned the protest, while activists called it a peaceful demonstration.

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Pope Leo Warns Christian Persecution And Free Speech Are Human Rights Crises

“It is painful to see how, especially in the West, the space for genuine freedom of expression is rapidly shrinking," said Leo.

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The Daily Wire Is Now Making Fantasy Shows — And They Aren’t Very Good

(REVIEW) The faith-based film industry is going through major changes. It’s starting to break into the mainstream, with critical and box office success. As a result, there’s a new film genre called “based faith” targeting conservative, Christian male audiences, but if “The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin” premiere is any indication, this new genre has a rocky road ahead.

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Jewish And Anti-Zionist: These Pro-Palestine Brits Increasingly Face Backlash

For someone who once appeared on a U.S. black list, Philippa Winkler seems calm, almost proud. Despite the exalted company she keeps, in the eyes of some, this makes her dangerous. The list she ended up on was the notorious S.H.I.T. List (Self-Hating and/or Israel Threatening), maintained by a pro-Israel group.

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Meet The ‘80s Preacher-Comedian Who Inspired Joe Rogan

(ANALYSIS) Sam Kinison, the famed comedian, is remembered for his intensity, volcanic punchlines and the wild nights that carried him far beyond the boundaries most people never cross. But long before the fame, he lived in a world far more holier. Born into a family of Pentecostal preachers, he grew up where faith was the structure around which life revolved.

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‘Faces, Not Numbers’: Interfaith Gathering In Prague Stands With Refugees

This past Dec. 18, on International Migrants Day, participants in an interfaith prayer group gathered at Winton’s statue with Jewish children. In freezing weather and amid the noise of passing trains, the refugees were remembered by the people who had helped them.

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Number Of Catholics Drop In Latin America, More Identify As ‘Nones’

Catholic affiliation is declining across much of Latin America, while the number of religiously unaffiliated adults is rising sharply, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. Despite these shifts, belief in God, prayer and the personal importance of religion remain widespread throughout the region.

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Disminuye El Catolicismo En América Latina, Pero La Fe Sigue Siendo Fuerte

El dominio histórico de la Iglesia católica en América Latina continúa debilitándose, incluso cuando la mayoría de las personas en la región sigue siendo profundamente religiosa, según nuevos datos de encuestas del Pew Research Center.

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35 Nigerian Christians Killed, Nearly 175 Others Abducted In Separate Attacks

Nearly 175 worshippers were abducted on Jan. 18 from three churches in Kaduna State in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, Christian advocacy groups reported, after at least 35 were killed in separate attacks on villages in the Middle Belt and eastern Nigeria.

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