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Pastor At Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooting: ‘In Midst of Evil, There Was Peace’ by God's Grace
Rev. John Schlicher said he lay on the ground praying, thinking he and his family would die at the hands of a gunman who killed five people around him in Florida at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Jan. 6. "Even in the midst of evil, there was peace - a peace I can only attribute to God," the United Methodist pastor said, his voice shaking.

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Christian Master's Student Refuses to Counsel Gays, Sues and Wins $25K from Missouri University
Missouri State University officials just agreed to pay $25,000 to a former student who sued the school after he was removed from a master's degree counseling program, because he said he wouldn't counsel gay couples. Andrew Cash sued the university last April, claiming in the lawsuit he was "targeted and punished for expressing his Christian worldview." However, his personal religious stance presented professional issues, given the national counselors' code of ethics.

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Carrie Underwood Performing at Passion 2017 Gives 'Unsaved Millennials' Wrong Idea of Marriage, Says Wesley Wildmon
The musical addition of Carrie Underwood at the Passion 2017 religious conference angered some attendees due to her open acceptance of gay rights. Rev. Louie Giglio, pastor and organizer of the gathering, received a letter from an angry Christian who was upset about Underwood leading congregation into worship on Jan. 2 in Atlanta, Ga.

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Sequoia Historic 'Tunnel Tree' With Drive-Thru Trunk Falls During Severe California Winter
One of the most popular and photographed U.S. trees in Calaveras Big Trees State Park in California - a giant sequoia with a tunnel cut into it from the 1880s - succumbed to recent severe winter weather and rain, toppling over Sunday and splintering on impact. Called the Pioneer Cabin Tree, this sequoia is believed to be hundreds of years old. Many admirers of the tree are posting on social media their photos of driving through the tree.

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Religion Registry: US Federal Bill Introduced to Protect Religious Freedom, Liberties
Bill (S.54) was introduced in the U.S. Senate on Thursday to prohibit creation of immigration-related registry programs that classify people based on religion, race, age, gender, ethnicity, national origin or nationality. The Protect American Families Act of 2017 was introduced by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), in response to statements from then-candidate Donald Trump, indicating he would create a federal registry of Muslims, seek to deny Muslims entry to the United States, or otherwise add a religio

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Qatar Evangelical Alliance breaks ground on worship center, witnessing Christ in a Muslim nation
A worship center for evangelical churches has commenced construction in Qatar, marking a significant spiritual milestone in the history of evangelicals in the country.

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Hong Kong's deadliest fire in a Century: churches mobilize and pray to support the community
On 26 November, a severe level‑five fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Early reports said at least 13 people died and 23 were injured. Local churches mobilize to support the community and pray.

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Faith and freedom: USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler shares insights on China’s religious landscape
As China continues to update its religious regulations, changes in the country’s faith environment and space for religious practice have drawn increased global attention. In this interview, USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler responds to questions about religious policy, human rights, and faith, offering her perspectives on China’s current situation and sharing words of support and encouragement for Christians facing challenges.

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Christians gather in Hong Kong to pray for victims of Tai Po Hong Fu Court fire
More than 1,000 Christians gathered in Hong Kong on Dec. 5 for a united prayer service commemorating the victims of the five-alarm fire that devastated Hong Fu Court in Tai Po on Nov. 26, destroying thousands of homes and killing 159 people.

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U.S. Congressional hearing highlights religious freedom challenges facing Chinese Christians and other faith communities
A recent U.S. congressional hearing cast a spotlight on religious freedom conditions in China, with witnesses sharing firsthand accounts of pressure faced by Christian, Muslim, and Tibetan Buddhist communities.
