Olympic biathlete Paul Schommer embraces a sport defined by extremes — grueling endurance followed by total stillness. As he prepares for his final Olympics in Milan, Schommer reflects on faith, redemption and perseverance, seeing parallels between biathlon’s challenges and life, where growth comes through adversity, focus, and grace beyond results.
Read MoreThe Christian Broadcasting Network is cutting 8.4% of its U.S. workforce as part of a strategic realignment, affecting dozens of employees. The Virginia Beach–based ministry cited a changing media and fundraising landscape while emphasizing continued global growth, digital expansion, and increasing international audience reach.
Read MoreCatholic pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai was sentenced on Monday to 20 years behind bars in one of the most prominent prosecutions under a China-imposed national security law that has reshaped Hong Kong’s political landscape.
Read MoreKarim Kaarar guides visitors through the church of Saint Augustine and the archaeological ruins of ancient Hippo Regius nearly every day, tracing the footsteps of Augustine, one of Christianity's most influential thinkers. But the Algerian Christian knows that in 2026, this small community will host its most significant visitor yet: Pope Leo XIV.
Read More(ANALYSIS) When we’re asked, “Are you religious?” There are a number of different ways someone might justify an affirmative answer. It could be that they attend a house of worship regularly or pray frequently. It could be that they hold specific beliefs about Jesus Christ or Muhammad. Those would be behavior and belief measures of religion. But there’s a third dimension that often gets overlooked: Belonging.
Read MoreMore than 3,500 athletes from 93 countries have gathered in Milan-Cortina for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, creating a unique opportunity. Southern Baptists are partnering with IMB missionaries and local churches to engage fans and athletes, sharing Christ boldly and praying the outreach sparks long-term ministry across Italy. The Winter Olympics conclude on Feb. 22.
Read MoreNorth Korea is right there. Standing on the observation deck at Aegibong Peace Ecopark, holding cups of coffee from the brand new Starbucks behind them, visitors gaze across the Han River to the rolling hills of the world’s most isolated, enigmatic and repressive state.
Read More(ANALYSIS) On the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order, his body will be displayed for the first time ever in February, at the Basilica of San Francesco. Millions of visitors are expected to converge in the small Tuscan town of Assisi to honor the 13th-century saint.
Read MoreFor Don Lemon, here’s the bottom line: He says he was a journalist “on the front lines,” embedded with protestors whose actions were the subject of his reporting. In addition to the coffee and donuts, the lifestream suggests that he took part in discussions of which church to invade and the details of what to do during the protests.
Read MoreJames Tabor opens his book, “Lost Mary: Rediscovering the Mother of Jesus,” with a paradoxical statement: “Jesus’s mother, Mary, is the best-known, least-known woman in history.” He argues that she’s been lost through “the thick fog of later tradition and theology” and “systematically erased over the past two millennia.”
Read More(ANALYSIS) A Roman basilica’s removal of a cherub resembling Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reveals how quickly sacred art can become political symbolism. The controversy highlighted tensions between church and state, revealing how religious spaces amplify power when contemporary political figures become a part of devotional imagery.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Pope Leo warned that, “The stakes are high. The power of simulation is such that AI can even deceive us by fabricating parallel ‘realities,’ usurping our faces and voices. We are immersed in a world of multidimensionality where it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish reality from fiction.”
Read More(REVIEW) Faith-based films about sex trafficking are becoming more common, reflecting cultural anxieties and a push toward grittier storytelling. “Still Hope” exemplifies this trend, offering a sincere portrayal of recovery, but ultimately faltering through one-dimensional characters, didactic messaging and a tendency to prioritize education over authentic stories.
Read MoreThe Rev. Erickson Mugo knows what it means to be a Christian living with a disability. “We have been called upon by the Lord to always proclaim peace and blessings in our homes and society,” he said. “When we encourage one another … we invest ourselves in doing good. May the Lord enable us to invest ourselves in our homes, villages and societies.”
Read More(ANALYSIS) As the complexities in Venezuela continue to evolve, President Donald Trump held his first face-to-face meeting with democratic opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Universal consensus says her party won the 2024 presidential vote by two-thirds or better, whereupon dictator Nicolás Maduro, now imprisoned in New York City, stole the office.
Read MoreBehind the medals and records, some Olympians say faith and spirituality play a meaningful role in how they train and compete. Faith can offer athletes a framework for resilience, especially in a world defined by so much pressure and scrutiny. This year’s Winter Games in Milan/Cortina will conclude on Feb. 22.
Read MoreSouth Africa faces a sexual abuse crisis, with assaults occurring in homes, streets, and increasingly, churches. Pastors have exploited trust, targeting victims of all ages and backgrounds. Investigative journalist Vicky Abraham details the challenges survivors face, the cycle of abuse and the urgent need for accountability.
Read MoreA California artist walks the streets of Los Angeles, drawing portraits of and talking with unhoused people, producing moving art, and life-changing conversations about self-worth, dignity and resilience. Before his first semester at Biola University, Leith, a practicing Christian, prayed, asking whether he should do art or missions. The response was clear.
Read MoreLarry Lyon, a Southern Baptist educator who oversees the business side of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, will become the next Truett McConnell University president, the school said Monday. The appointment comes a little more than four months after Truett McConnell University (TMU) trustees fired longtime president Emir Caner.
Read MoreAs Super Bowl Sunday approaches, the focus is fixed on the New England Patriot and Seattle Seahawks. Beyond the game, the Super Bowl is a cultural touchpoint. Watched by millions, it remains the most-viewed event on American TV. While commercials and the halftime show are all big draws, faith once again plays a part in the biggest football game of the year.
Read More
