CDI Staff

New anthology explores theological and missiological perspectives on religious persecution

A new scholarly volume examining the theological and missiological dimensions of religious persecution has been released as the third installment in the Christians under Pressure series. Published jointly by the International Institute for Religious Freedom (IIRF) and Culture and Science Publ. (VKW), Religious Persecution: Perspectives from Theology and Missiology is now available for free download, with a printed edition to follow on Sept. 1.

2025 Asia Theological Association Triennial General Assembly

Report exposes widespread discrimination against minority children in Pakistan

A new report by Pakistan’s National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) highlights the severe challenges faced by children belonging to religious minority groups, including Christians, and calls for immediate action by the government to curb the high levels of discrimination emanating from systemic bias, social exclusion, and institutional neglect.

Childcare abuse cases prompt calls for national reform in Australia

A series of high-profile abuse cases in Australian childcare centers has triggered nationwide concern, sparking calls for urgent reform and tighter oversight in a sector described by experts as increasingly vulnerable, according to reporting by the BBC.

Evangelical Alliance of Kenya backs new national anti-drug policy, raising of minimum drinking age from 18 to 21

The Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) has voiced strong support for the newly launched National Policy for the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse, which seeks to address rising substance abuse across the country.

UK’s Online Safety Act set to protect children from harmful internet content

The way people in the UK navigate the internet is set to change significantly under the new Online Safety Act, which requires online platforms to implement measures such as age checks to prevent children from accessing illegal and harmful material that started on July 25.

Nairobi Baptist Church revokes ordination of Senior Pastor over 'serious allegations of misconduct'

The Elders Council of one of Kenya’s biggest Baptist churches has revoked the ordination of the senior pastor, Munengi Mulandi, following serious “allegations of misconduct.” In a statement released on Aug. 3, the Elders Council said Mulandi was no longer serving as the Senior Pastor of Nairobi Baptist Church, Ngong Road, from June 1, 2025.

‘Not a conclusion, but a commissioning’: Arise Summit 2025 ends with vision for 2026 and beyond

The Arise Leadership Summit 2025 concluded on Thursday, July 31, with a detailed presentation of participant-generated insights and a clear call for continued collaboration to mobilize the next generation of mission leaders across Asia. The four-day gathering, hosted in Jakarta, Indonesia, brought together nearly 300 participants from 22 countries to reflect, strategize, and pray about the future of missions in their respective contexts.

Dr. Paul Borthwick urges Arise Summit participants to live as sent influencers

Dr. Paul Borthwick, senior consultant with Development Associates International and long-time missions advocate, delivered the closing devotional of the Arise Leadership Summit 2025 in Indonesia, urging attendees to live as “intentional influencers” committed to the global mission of the Church.

Dr. Prabhu Singh emphasizes missional collaboration based on early Church model at Arise Leadership Summit

The third day of the Arise Leadership Summit 2025 opened with a message from Dr. Prabhu Singh, Founder and CEO of the Issachar Global Education Network (IGEN), who urged participants to prioritize collaboration in global mission work, drawing on lessons from the early Church in Antioch as recorded in Acts 11.

Fewer countries have Christian majorities, Pew report finds

The number of countries with Christian majorities declined between 2010 and 2020, according to a new report by the Pew Research Center, highlighting a notable shift in global religious affiliation. As of 2020, Christians remained the majority in 120 out of 201 countries and territories analyzed—down from 124 in 2010. That means Christian-majority nations accounted for 60% of all countries surveyed, compared to 62% a decade earlier.

Amnesty International report reveals discrimination, stigmatization faced by Christian and other sanitary workers in Pakistan

Sanitation workers in Pakistan—many of whom are Christians from marginalized caste backgrounds—face systemic discrimination, hazardous conditions, and caste-based exclusion in public employment, according to a new report by Amnesty International.