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        <title>Christian Daily International | Church & Missions</title>
        <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/church-missions</link>
        <description><![CDATA[Stay updated on global church and mission news, including evangelical outreach, church planting, discipleship, digital evangelism, and cross-cultural missions. Explore how Christians worldwide share the gospel and build the global body of Christ.]]></description>
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        <copyright>Christian Daily International © 2026</copyright>
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        <lastBuildDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:26:39 -0400</lastBuildDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Christian groups raise alarm as court restores NGO foreign funding rules]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/christian-groups-raise-alarm-as-court-restores-ngo-foreign-funding-rules</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/christian-groups-raise-alarm-as-court-restores-ngo-foreign-funding-rules</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Lahore High Court, Pakistan.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Raki_Man, Creative Commons ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Lahore High Court, Pakistan. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:09:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Rights groups, including Christian organizations advocating for persecuted communities, are warning that a recent high court ruling in Pakistan could significantly expand government oversight of civil society and restrict the ability of nonprofits to operate, particularly those reliant on foreign funding.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Rights groups, including Christian organizations advocating for persecuted communities, are warning that a recent high court ruling in Pakistan could significantly expand government oversight of civil society and restrict the ability of nonprofits to operate, particularly those reliant on foreign funding.
The decision, issued April 13 by the Lahore High Court, reinstates a federal policy regulating how non-governmental and nonprofit organizations receive and use international financial support—reversing an earlier ruling that had struck down the framework as unconstitutional. Advocates say the move could narrow civic space in a country where rights groups already face mounting pressure.
A two-judge bench comprising Justice Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal and Justice Syed Ahsan Raza Kazmi allowed three intra-court appeals filed by the federal government, overturning a September 2024 decision by a single-judge bench that had invalidated the policy for lacking legislative authority.
The restored framework, titled the “Policy for Local NGOs/NPOs Receiving Foreign Contributions 2022,” sets out procedures for the receipt, use, monitoring and accountability of foreign funding by civil society organizations, a mechanism critics say grants authorities broad discretionary powers over registration and financial approvals.
Several organizations, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Dastak, and the Cecil and Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF), had challenged the policy before the court. They argued that the cabinet-approved framework lacked legislative backing and violated constitutional guarantees, including freedom of association and the right to conduct lawful business.
On Sept. 5, 2024, Justice Asim Hafeez accepted these arguments, ruling that the federal cabinet could not exercise legislative authority without explicit legal authorization, and struck down the policy. The federal government appealed the decision, maintaining that the policy constituted a lawful exercise of executive authority under the Constitution and had been approved in accordance with the Rules of Business, 1973.
In its judgment, the division bench framed two central questions: whether the federal government has the authority to regulate NGOs receiving foreign contributions, and the extent to which constitutional courts may intervene in executive policymaking.
The court answered both in favor of the government, holding that under Articles 90 and 99 of the Constitution, the federal government is empowered to conduct its affairs and formulate policy. It further noted that the Rules of Business, 1973—framed under constitutional authority—provide a binding framework for executive decision-making.
The bench observed that the policy had been duly approved by the federal cabinet and issued by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, which it described as the competent authority to regulate foreign assistance and related financial flows to NGOs.
Describing the framework as a “comprehensive regulatory instrument,” the court said it establishes criteria for eligibility, registration, monitoring, suspension and accountability of organizations receiving foreign funds.
On judicial review, the bench emphasized that courts should exercise restraint in policy matters unless there is clear evidence of violations of fundamental rights, statutory provisions, constitutional limits or bad faith.
“In the absence of such violations, policy-making remains the exclusive domain of the executive,” the judgment stated, adding that courts cannot substitute their own assessment regarding the “wisdom, suitability or adequacy” of executive policies.
The court also underscored the central role of the federal cabinet in a parliamentary system, stating that it cannot be reduced to a “rubber stamp” and must remain the primary decision-making body of the executive.
Allowing the appeals, the bench set aside the Sept. 2024 judgment and restored the 2022 policy, effectively reviving the regulatory regime governing foreign funding of NGOs and NPOs in Pakistan.
Advocate Saqib Jillani, counsel for the petitioners, expressed disappointment with the ruling, arguing that the policy, like a similar 2013 framework previously struck down by courts, lacks statutory backing and infringes constitutional protections.
“The federal government cannot regulate NGOs through executive policy alone. Such matters require parliamentary legislation under the constitutional scheme of separation of powers,” he said.
He added that the policy imposes unreasonable restrictions on civil society organizations and violates Article 17 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association subject to reasonable limits. He also noted that existing legal frameworks already provide mechanisms to regulate NGOs and foreign funding.
In a statement to Christian Daily International, CICF President Michelle Chaudhry described the restored policy as “overly bureaucratic and discretionary.”
“The NGO policy and MOU procedure with the Economic Affairs Division undermine constitutional guarantees of freedom of association, expression and civic participation,” she said. “Rather than enabling civil society to operate as an independent partner in development and rights-based advocacy, the system is bureaucratic, opaque and discretionary, with extensive controls over registrations, renewals and foreign funding approvals.”
She further alleged that the mechanism is being used to delay, restrict and indirectly pressure organizations, particularly those working on sensitive issues such as human rights, governance accountability and minority rights.
Asher Sarfaraz, chief executive of Christians’ True Spirit (CTS), echoed these concerns, warning that smaller rights organizations may struggle to operate under the restored framework. CTS provides legal aid and shelter to Christian women and minor girls affected by forced conversions and marriages, abductions, and sexual violence.
“CTS is already registered with the Economic Affairs Division, and we have not faced significant hindrance in receiving funds,” he said. “However, several NGOs and ministries operate without EAD approval, and the restored policy may be used to restrict their operational capacity.”
Pakistan ranked eighth on the 2026 World Watch List published by Open Doors, which tracks countries where Christians face severe persecution. The report cited forced conversions, abductions and gaps in legal protections among key concerns.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Evangelical body in Colombia recognized for contribution to peace at Bogotá interfaith meeting]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/evangelical-body-in-colombia-recognized-for-contribution-to-peace-at-bogota-interfaith-meeting</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/evangelical-body-in-colombia-recognized-for-contribution-to-peace-at-bogota-interfaith-meeting</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Diario Cristiano]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[CEDECOL]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo: CEDECOL Facebook page. ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ The Evangelical Confederation of Colombia (CEDECOL), through its president, Pastor Lyda Arias, was recognized by the Bogotá Metropolitan Police and the Ministry of the Interior at an interfaith meeting focused on peace and security. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:45:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Evangelical Confederation of Colombia (CEDECOL) was recognized by the Bogotá Metropolitan Police and the Ministry of the Interior during the first Interfaith Meeting on Peace and Security, an event aimed at strengthening collaboration between religious organizations and government institutions in building social harmony.]]></description>
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The Evangelical Confederation of Colombia (CEDECOL) was recognized by the Bogotá Metropolitan Police and the Ministry of the Interior during the first Interfaith Meeting on Peace and Security, an event aimed at strengthening collaboration between religious organizations and government institutions in building social harmony.
In a social media post, CEDECOL expressed its gratitude, writing: “This recognition is not just an institutional achievement; it reflects a mission we continue to strengthen—to serve as bridges of unity, promote peace, and contribute to the transformation of our society based on Christian principles.”
The event brought together religious leaders and organizations in Bogotá to develop cooperative strategies on security, dialogue, and violence prevention. According to Colombia’s Ministry of the Interior, these gatherings aim to strengthen partnerships with faith communities within the framework of public policies on religious freedom and peacebuilding.
CEDECOL said the recognition also reflects the impact of collective efforts within the evangelical community. “We firmly believe that when the Church is united, it makes an impact. And when it works in partnership with institutions, it brings about real change,” the organization said.
In recent years, Colombia has promoted interfaith dialogue as part of its broader strategy for social cohesion. According to the ministry’s Directorate of Religious Affairs, faith-based organizations play a key role in promoting values, mediating within communities, and supporting vulnerable populations.
CEDECOL reaffirmed its commitment to continue working toward unity and social transformation. “We will keep moving forward with conviction and purpose, working toward a Colombia with more faith, greater unity, and renewed hope,” the organization said.
The recognition in Bogotá reflects a broader regional trend in which churches and religious organizations are taking on an increasingly visible role in peace, security, and social development initiatives, often in partnership with government institutions.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Costa Rica president-elect reaffirms role of faith in meeting with Evangelical Alliance]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/costa-rica-president-elect-reaffirms-role-of-faith-in-meeting-with-evangelical-alliance</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/costa-rica-president-elect-reaffirms-role-of-faith-in-meeting-with-evangelical-alliance</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Javier Bolaños]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/44/4492.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Presidency of the Republic of Costa Rica]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Presidency of the Republic of Costa Rica ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:43:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves and President-elect Laura Fernández met Thursday with leaders of the Federation of the Costa Rican Evangelical Alliance (FAEC) to discuss religious freedom and social policy ahead of the May 8 transition of power.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica — Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves and President-elect Laura Fernández met Thursday with leaders of the Federation of the Costa Rican Evangelical Alliance (FAEC) to discuss religious freedom and social policy ahead of the May 8 transition of power.
The meeting, held in a respectful, cooperative atmosphere, focused on outlining priorities for the upcoming administration, including the role of faith-based organizations in addressing social challenges such as poverty and insecurity.
Chaves emphasizes focus on vulnerable populations
During the meeting, President Chaves said his administration has prioritized vulnerable communities and urged Fernández to continue that approach.
“I’ve told Laura, and I say it to you as well, that my government—and I hope hers continues—has been focused on the forgotten, the nobodies, those who clearly expressed through their vote the need for continuity,” Chaves said.
He also stressed the importance of humility in leadership and said governments should remain attentive to those most in need, including people who have been historically marginalized or neglected.
Fernández pledges religious freedom and inclusion
President-elect Fernández reaffirmed her commitment to freedom of religion and conscience, saying her administration would respect all faith traditions as well as those without religious affiliation.
“People must have full freedom of worship—whether Catholic, Christian, Jewish, or if they choose not to practice any faith at all,” Fernández said. “I will lead a government that respects differences and the beliefs of every Costa Rican.”
She also reflected on the election outcome and her personal faith.
“I thank God and the people of Costa Rica, because the mandate we received at the ballot box was very clear,” she said. “I know I do not walk alone. I know someone walks with me, that I am held in the palm of His hand and protected.”
Role of faith-based organizations discussed
Both leaders discussed the role of Evangelical churches in addressing social issues and agreed that the government cannot operate in isolation from civil society organizations.
Fernández said she plans to lead a government based on dialogue and national unity, grounded in the rule of law.
She also called on religious leaders to contribute to efforts aimed at reducing violence and promoting social development rooted in family and community values.
Transition ahead of May 8
The meeting marked a rare public engagement between an outgoing president, a president-elect, and leaders of a major religious organization as Costa Rica prepares for a change in administration.
FAEC representatives said the dialogue reflected continued openness to incorporating the views of the Evangelical community in national policymaking.
With the transition scheduled for May 8, both leaders signaled an emphasis on continuity, cooperation, and social stability during the handover period.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[J.John to keynote Church Leaders Conference at CRE 2026 in UK]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/jjohn-to-keynote-church-leaders-conference-at-cre-2026-in-uk</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/jjohn-to-keynote-church-leaders-conference-at-cre-2026-in-uk</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[J.John]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo by J.John social media ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:05:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Church Resources Exhibition (CRE), previously known as the Christian Resources Exhibition, has announced evangelist J.John as a keynote speaker for its newly launched Church Leaders Conference in England this October.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Church Resources Exhibition (CRE), previously known as the Christian Resources Exhibition, has announced evangelist J.John as a keynote speaker for its newly launched Church Leaders Conference in England this October.
The two-day event will take place Oct. 14–15, 2026, at Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey, U.K.
Organizers say the conference will focus on equipping church leaders to navigate modern ministry challenges while strengthening gospel outreach.
“In recent years, we have witnessed in our own ministry an increased receptivity to the gospel,” J.John said.
He will speak on the opening day, addressing how leaders can communicate the gospel clearly and lead with renewed confidence in today’s cultural climate. His sessions will draw on more than four decades of ministry experience, combining spiritual depth with practical strategies for church growth.
Known for his global preaching ministry, J.John has spent more than 45 years teaching in churches, conferences, and public gatherings. His work consistently emphasizes evangelism and the vitality of the local church — themes that will shape his contribution to the program. J.John is also a regular contributor of opinion articles to Christian Daily International.
He said churches must be prepared for emerging opportunities, both spiritually and practically, noting that many leaders are seeing a growing openness to faith. He added that CRE provides a valuable space for discovering new ideas, tools, and encouragement for ministry.
The Church Leaders Conference forms part of the wider CRE event and will be hosted by Andy Flannagan, executive director of Christians in Politics. The program will include keynote talks, panel discussions, and seminars aimed at helping leadership teams respond to the pressures and possibilities of contemporary church life.
Registration is expected to open in early May, with organizers confirming that all ticket proceeds will go to charity.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Creativoz digital conference to unite Hispanic communicators, pastors and leaders]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/creativoz-digital-conference-to-unite-hispanic-communicators-pastors-and-leaders</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/creativoz-digital-conference-to-unite-hispanic-communicators-pastors-and-leaders</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ommar Ayala]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Creativoz]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo by Creativoz ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Official poster for the Creativoz 2026 virtual conference ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ CreatiVOZ 2026 ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Speaker lineup for the Creativoz 2026 virtual conference ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:35:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[With the goal of advancing values-driven communication, innovation and global reach, the Creativoz conference will hold its virtual edition May 15-16, 2026.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
With the goal of advancing values-driven communication, innovation and global reach, the Creativoz conference will hold its virtual edition on May 15-16, 2026. The gathering will bring together communicators, leaders, pastors, content creators and media representatives from across Latin America and the United States.
The event will be broadcast by the Alianza de Comunicadores Cristianos (ACC) from the headquarters of the Sociedad Bíblica de México (SBN), with coverage available throughout the continent.
Carlos de León and Ray Corea, leaders in Christian media, said the main purpose of Creativoz is to equip participants with practical, relevant tools that can make a meaningful impact in ministry.
Over two days, men and women from various denominations and Christian organizations — committed to sharing the message of Jesus Christ through the media — will come together to connect, train, inspire and strengthen a new generation of Spanish-speaking communicators.
“Creativoz is designed for communicators, journalists, pastors, ministry leaders, content creators and influencers who want to increase their impact in both digital and traditional media,” said Lyly Reynoso.
Speakers include Marcos and Ricardo Codd, Melvin Rivera, Carlos de León, Ray Corea, Damián Sileo, Lyly Reynoso, Bety Meza, Javier Bolaños, Fabio Criales, Ommar Ayala and Neyra Moncayo, who will share insights, strategies and experience in communication.
The event will also feature appearances by international worship artists including Alex Campos, Los Nazareos, Bajando el Cielo, Cindy Martínez and Worship Collective, adding a worship component to the program.
This year’s conference will include a mix of live sessions, pre-recorded content and training resources, with eight hours of programming scheduled across the two days.

Daily schedule
May 154:00 p.m. – California5:00 p.m. – Mexico/Costa Rica6:00 p.m. – Texas/Ecuador7:00 p.m. – Dominican Republic8:00 p.m. – Argentina
May 169:00 a.m. – California10:00 a.m. – Mexico/Costa Rica11:00 a.m. – Texas/Ecuador12:00 p.m. – Dominican Republic1:00 p.m. – Argentina
The initiative is organized by a group of communications institutions, including:

Christian Communicators Alliance (ACC Mexico)
Bible Society of Mexico (SBM)
Union of Christian Communicators of Argentina (UCCA)
Dominican Association of Christian Communicators (ADOCOC)
PROMEZA Marketing Group (U.S.)
RCM Comunicaciones (Costa Rica)
Dogo Creativo (U.S.)

In addition, there will be a pre-event masterclass available exclusively to those who register in advance, adding further training value to the Creativoz experience.
Creativoz will also maintain a presence on social media through Instagram at @Cr3atiVOZ, where updates, informational content and promotional materials will be shared.
The conference will be fully virtual and free to attend; however, access will be available only to those who register, ensuring an organized, personalized and high-value learning experience.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Lee Strobel shares why he's 'jealous' of skeptics watching new doc ‘The Story of Everything’]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/lee-strobel-shares-why-he-s-jealous-of-skeptics-watching-new-doc-the-story-of-everything</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/lee-strobel-shares-why-he-s-jealous-of-skeptics-watching-new-doc-the-story-of-everything</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[The Christian Post]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[A still from The Story of Everything]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Fathom Entertainment ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ A still from "The Story of Everything" ]]>
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                                                                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:20:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[By the time Lee Strobel began investigating the claims of Christianity in the early 1980s, the tools at his disposal were largely historical: ancient texts, eyewitness accounts and philosophical arguments. Science has always played a role when it comes to making a case for Christianity, but according to the apologist, not nearly the one it does today.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
By the time Lee Strobel began investigating the claims of Christianity in the early 1980s, the tools at his disposal were largely historical: ancient texts, eyewitness accounts and philosophical arguments. Science has always played a role when it comes to making a case for Christianity, but according to the apologist, not nearly the one it does today.
“The conversation around science and faith has become more and more relevant and in the forefront in recent years,” the 74-year-old author of The Case for Christ told The Christian Post. 
“Let’s face it, a lot of the evidence has just emerged in the last 50 or so years. The more evidence we see, the more it challenges skeptical assumptions about faith. Now that the evidence of cosmology, physics and biochemistry points so compellingly toward a Designer, young people in particular are responding. This clashes with what many of them have been taught in school, which they’re now realizing is outdated and inaccurate.”
Strobel executive-produced the new documentary, “The Story of Everything,” arriving in theaters nationwide on April 30, which makes the argument that modern discoveries in cosmology, physics and molecular biology do not undermine belief in God, but instead point toward Him.
For Strobel, a former legal editor at The Chicago Tribune who famously set out to disprove Christianity before converting, a story dramatized in the film “The Case for Christ,” the film feels like the kind of resource he wishes he'd had as a skeptic.
“The movie does a creative and compelling job of presenting the case that science points toward the existence of a Creator who matches the description of the God of the Bible,” he said. 
Adapted from the work of Stephen C. Meyer, the film traces what its creators see as a pattern embedded in the fabric of reality, from the origin of the universe to the information encoded in DNA. It is less a theological argument than a scientific one, or at least it presents itself that way, according to Strobel, encouraging viewers to follow the data and draw their own conclusions.
That approach resonates with Strobel’s own journey from atheism to Christianity, which he described as unfolding in two parallel tracks.
“There were two phases to my journey to Christ as an atheist,” he said. “I certainly considered the evidence of science and how it points toward a supernatural Creator. I also delved into the evidence for the resurrection to determine whether Jesus is the unique Son of God.”
In “The Story of Everything,” the scientific case takes center stage. One line of argument begins with cosmology: the widely accepted notion that the universe had a beginning.
“We now know the universe began to exist at some point in the past,” Strobel said. “Therefore, there must be a cause beyond the universe.”
The implications of that premise, then, is that “He must be transcendent … timeless … immaterial … powerful … and personal,” the apologist added.
To critics, such reasoning might appear to move too quickly from observation to conclusion. But for Strobel, the logic mirrors the way people make decisions in everyday life, weighing evidence and then taking what he calls a “step of faith.”
“Yes, a step of faith has to be taken in the end, but it’s a step in the same direction that the evidence points. That’s logical and rational. We take those kinds of steps every day of our lives. If my wife hands me a glass of water, how do I know it’s not poisoned? Well, what’s the evidence? She has no motive to harm me after 54 years of marriage. The water looks clean. There’s no unusual smell or color. I saw her get the water from the tap. 
Based on that evidence, it’s logical to take a step of faith and taste and see that the water is good. Similarly, the Bible urges us to follow the evidence and taste to see that the Lord is good.”
The film also ventures into the fine-tuning of the universe, like the precise physical constants that allow life to exist, and the intricacy of biological information.
“Wherever we see information, there’s always an intelligence behind it,” Strobel said. “I think this film covers the waterfront in terms of clear and compelling scientific evidence for the existence of a Creator.”
If the arguments are not new, Strobel contended that the evidence has sharpened.
“This kind of evidence has come into much sharper focus than when I was investigating spiritual issues back in the 1980s,” he said. “That’s why I’m so jealous for seekers today to take advantage of this resource. Two hundred times a second, around the clock, someone on the planet is typing into a computer search engine basically the question, ‘Is God real?’ The evidence today is sharper than ever: yes, God is real. And we can know and experience Him.”
Though that message is finding a receptive audience, particularly among younger people, Strobel emphasized that the cultural narrative that pits science against religion remains deeply entrenched.
“For various reasons, some people don’t want there to be a Creator,” Strobel said. “On its surface, science can make a case against a Creator; but if we delve beneath the surface, we find the face of God Himself.”
The film is produced by Brian Bird (“The Case for Christ”) and collaborators from Sypher Studios and features interviews with a range of thinkers, including mathematician John Lennox and philosopher Jay W. Richards. It draws heavily from Meyer’s thesis that recent scientific discoveries have reopened the question of design.
According to Strobel, the documentary, like all of his books and writings, will hopefully serve as a catalyst, not necessarily for immediate belief, but for deeper inquiry.
“Design implies a Designer, and if such a Designer exists, why did He create us in His image? And if we’re created in His image, what does that imply about our purpose and place in the universe? These are profound and fundamental issues. We’re not an accident; God intentionally created us. And if that’s true, then the most powerful thing we can do is to connect personally with Him,” he said. 
Strobel added that the documentary reflects a shift he has spent much of his life arguing for: that the deeper science looks into reality, the harder it becomes to see it as an accident.
“I hope Christians come to the movie because it will deepen their faith,” he said. “And I hope spiritually curious people will see the movie because it will open their eyes like never before to the reality of a Creator. Whether someone is spiritually confused or an adamant atheist, it’s going to be hard for him or her to simply dismiss the claims of this film. My hope is that the movie will propel them on a spiritual journey that will ultimately lead them to the truth about our Creator.”
Watch the documentary trailer below. 

Originally published by The Christian Post]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA['A spring cleaning for the soul': Swiss church leaders link the annual cleaning ritual to spiritual renewal and forgiveness]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/swiss-church-leaders-link-spring-cleaning-to-spiritual-renewal-and-forgiveness</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/swiss-church-leaders-link-spring-cleaning-to-spiritual-renewal-and-forgiveness</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Clearing out accumulated belongings can bring both physical space and spiritual clarity, church leaders note. It is said that the average household in Switzerland may hold more than 10,000 items.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Unsplash / Olivllr Wang ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Clearing out accumulated belongings can bring both physical space and spiritual clarity, church leaders note. It is said that the average household in Switzerland may hold more than 10,000 items. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 02:07:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A seasonal push for spring cleaning may be more than a household task, some Christian leaders in Switzerland say. They argue that decluttering physical spaces can also lead to spiritual renewal, according to a report published by Dienstagsmail.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A seasonal push for spring cleaning may be more than a household task, some Christian leaders in Switzerland say. They argue that decluttering physical spaces can also lead to spiritual renewal, according to a report published by Dienstagsmail.
As longer days and warmer weather mark the arrival of spring, pastors and Christian speakers in Switzerland are encouraging believers to view organizing and disposing of possessions as a practice that mirrors deeper spiritual disciplines, including repentance and forgiveness.
“Clearing out and disposing of things creates new space in life,” the report noted, adding that the process of letting go can bring “lightness” not only to the home but also to the soul.
The theme was highlighted during a recent gathering of about 120 women at a church hall in Wyssachen, where organizing coach Michelle Schmidig shared practical and spiritual insights on decluttering. Schmidig, who has been guiding individuals through organizing processes since 2019, emphasized that order is not only about physical surroundings but also about inner clarity.
“Order is also a good place for oneself,” she said. “Through tidying up, clarity and order can also be created in the soul.”
The report cited estimates that an average Swiss household contains around 10,000 items, illustrating just how many things can accumulate in people's homes over time. Schmidig encouraged participants to begin with simple questions when sorting possessions — such as whether an item is loved, needed or understood in purpose — before moving on to reorganizing their spaces.
She also cautioned against starting with emotionally charged belongings, such as keepsakes stored in attics, recommending instead that people begin with more neutral areas like bathrooms or medicine cabinets.
The difficulty of letting go, she noted, often lies in the emotional attachments tied to possessions rather than their practical value.
Pastor Lukas Huber, also cited in the Dienstagsmail report, connected the act of decluttering with a sense of personal and spiritual relief. He described a recurring feeling of “lightness” when disposing of accumulated items, saying the sense of release grows with each bag taken away.
Disorder, he said, can take many forms beyond physical clutter, including unfinished tasks, unwanted gifts, and lingering emotional burdens.
To address this, both Huber and Schmidig pointed to the importance of reflection, urging individuals to consider what truly matters and what contributes to spiritual well-being. “What is important to me? What makes me happy? What nourishes my soul?” were among the questions highlighted.
The report also drew a direct connection between physical decluttering and Christian teachings on surrendering burdens to God. Schmidig encouraged believers to “let go of things and allow God in,” echoing the biblical exhortation in 1 Peter 5:7 to cast one’s anxieties on God.
Traditional practices such as confession could be regarded as a parallel spiritual exercise. “When one does not deny one’s mistakes but acknowledges them and asks God for forgiveness, one lays down one’s burden,” the report said.
Huber added that while material possessions cannot always be repurposed or sold, they can be “disposed of and given away,” drawing a parallel to the act of releasing spiritual burdens.
Spring cleaning, the Dienstagsmail report suggests, can thus serve as a tangible expression of faith — a “spring cleaning for the soul.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Mexico: Evangelicals in Hidalgo take religious intolerance case to national human rights commission]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/mexico-evangelicals-in-hidalgo-take-religious-intolerance-case-to-national-human-rights-commission</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/mexico-evangelicals-in-hidalgo-take-religious-intolerance-case-to-national-human-rights-commission</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ommar Ayala]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Evangelicals from the “Cantinela” community in Ixmiquilpan.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo: Ommar Ayala ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Evangelicals from the “Cantinela” community in Ixmiquilpan. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Gabriel Chavarría Salvador, pastor of Prince of Peace.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo: Ommar Ayala ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Gabriel Chavarría Salvador, pastor of Prince of Peace. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Evangelicals in Hidalgo file complaint with the CNDH.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo: Ommar Ayala ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Evangelicals in Hidalgo file complaint with the CNDH. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:45:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A group of evangelical Christians from the Cantinela community, part of the Sinai Church in Ixmiquilpan, Hidalgo, Mexico, has filed a formal complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) after reporting abuses and rights violations.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A group of evangelical Christians from the Cantinela community, part of the Sinai Church in Ixmiquilpan, Hidalgo, Mexico, has filed a formal complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) after reporting abuses and rights violations.
The complaint follows pressure from local authorities to force them to participate in Catholic Church roles and festivals, in violation of Mexico’s constitutional right to religious freedom.

The “Prince of Peace” group submitted an official statement saying the conflict stems from the arbitrary enforcement of “uses and customs.” According to the group, community authorities require evangelicals to serve as “stewards” in religious festivals outside their faith or pay fines of up to 114,000 pesos (about $6,700), an unaffordable amount for families in the rural economy of the Mezquital Valley.
The conflict between “uses and customs” and a biblical worldview
For evangelical believers, participating in rituals that involve venerating images directly conflicts with the biblical teaching of exclusive worship of God. However, in regions such as the Mezquital Valley, community identity is often closely tied to traditional Catholicism, leaving little room for religious diversity.
“They force us, as evangelicals, to take on the role of ‘steward’ in the Catholic Church, or else we must pay a fine equal to 365 days of minimum wage,” the Rev. Gabriel Chavarría Salvador said.
He said the consequences are not only financial but also include the loss of essential services. “If we do not pay the amount imposed, they cut off our drinking water. We see this as punishment.”
Areli Mundo, a member of the congregation, described the pressure they face when refusing to take part in activities that go against their beliefs. “It’s not my faith. They venerate the Lord of Jalpa, a representation of Christ in Ixmiquilpan, and if I refuse to participate in the rosaries, they charge me 300 pesos.”
Challenge to secularism and lack of institutional response
Although Article 24 of Mexico’s constitution guarantees that “every person is free to practice the religion of their choice,” the reality in rural Hidalgo shows a gap between the law and its enforcement. Those affected say state authorities have been unresponsive or, worse, have justified the abuses.
“We went to the Subsecretariat of Government in Pachuca, and they told us we cannot go against ‘uses and customs,’ and that otherwise we should find somewhere else to live where these practices do not exist,” Pastor Chavarría said.

This response has been interpreted by the Christian community as a lack of protection from the state, leaving religious minorities vulnerable to local decisions that ignore basic human rights.
The complaint, now before the CNDH and referred to the Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB), aims to set a precedent to stop the escalation of violence in the region, which has a troubling history.
In previous years, including 2005, similar conflicts led to the displacement of more than 1,000 people and threats of lynching. The evangelicals of Cantinela have reaffirmed their commitment to peace and their willingness to contribute to community work, as long as they are not forced to compromise their faith in Christ.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Russia strikes Baptist church in Ukraine, killing pastor at prayer meeting]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/russia-strikes-baptist-church-in-ukraine-killing-pastor-at-prayer-meeting</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/russia-strikes-baptist-church-in-ukraine-killing-pastor-at-prayer-meeting</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[The Christian Post]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[House of Prayer Baptist Church in Ukraine]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Facebook/In Ukraine ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ House of Prayer Baptist Church in Ukraine destroyed in attack, injuring others and killing one. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:35:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Russia struck a Baptist church in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia during a prayer meeting this week, killing at least one person, a minister, and injuring at least eight others. ]]></description>
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Russia struck a Baptist church in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia during a prayer meeting this week, killing at least one person, a minister, and injuring at least eight others. 
The Embassy of Ukraine in the U.S. gave the casualty figures in a public statement issued while rescue workers were still on the scene, identifying the targeted building as The House of the Gospel Church, which had served the community for years, according to Baptist Press.
The embassy called the strike a deliberate attack on people of faith who had gathered peacefully to pray.
Promoters of “A Faith Under Siege,” a documentary series reporting Russia’s persecution of Christians, identified the man killed as Ruslan Utyuzh, a minister at the bombed church. Utyuzh is survived by his wife and two children.
Baptist Standard quoted Pavel Unguryan, a former Member of the Ukrainian Parliament, as saying that several church leaders were inside at the time of the attack to celebrate Easter on Thursday, and that seven or eight people were seriously wounded.
More than 300 people had called the building their spiritual home, Unguryan said, adding that up to 700 churches have been destroyed since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. He called the attack a direct assault on people of faith who had gathered peacefully to worship God, and appealed for prayer and action.
Unguryan served as a member of the Ukrainian Parliament until 2019 and was appointed to the Order of Merit of the III degree in 2017, according to the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council.
Mission Eurasia, a Gospel-based humanitarian group with offices in Franklin, Tennessee, has a close, longstanding relationship with the congregation, Kate Akers, the group’s director of marketing, was quoted as saying.
The church started as an underground congregation, Akers was quoted as saying. One of its members is a key leader at Mission Eurasia.
Akers said churches like this one are often targeted, especially when they are serving their communities in times of crisis, and that this was one reason Mission Eurasia had devoted significant attention to documenting religious persecution and attacks on churches in Ukraine.
The strike was neither an accident nor an isolated incident, Colby Barrett, producer of the documentary “A Faith Under Siege,” was quoted as saying. He added that Russia had reportedly used a KAB-1500L laser-guided precision bomb in the attack.
Barrett said the churches being hit were not only places of worship but lifelines providing humanitarian aid and hope to their communities, and that this was why they were being targeted.
He said Russian President Vladimir Putin was trying to strip communities of the faith and support systems that sustained them, but predicted that Ukrainians would prevail. He added that Russia has increasingly been striking churches and other sites while Christians are gathered there, killing at least 58 priests and pastors and damaging or destroying more than 700 churches in Ukraine.
Barrett recounted an attack last September on a megachurch he attends in Kyiv, where the congregation had built a 4,500-person worship hall and was holding the opening ceremony.
Hundreds of pastors from all across Ukraine were in the complex the night before the hall was due to open for a pastors’ conference. Russia sent two Shahed drones to the complex, Barrett said, and both narrowly missed, by about 3 feet, destroying cars in a nearby parking lot instead.
Had the strikes been successful, at least 20 pastors could have been killed while lodging in advance of the conference, and the church would have been destroyed, Barrett said.
Despite the attack, the congregation held services as normal the following morning with a large turnout, and 200 people came forward to be baptized.
Originally published by The Christian Post]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Evangelical Alliance UK launches ‘Ethos’ to engage spiritually curious young adults]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/evangelical-alliance-uk-launches-ethos-to-engage-spiritually-curious-young-adults</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/evangelical-alliance-uk-launches-ethos-to-engage-spiritually-curious-young-adults</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/44/4457.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Rising openness among young adults toward spirituality is prompting new initiatives aimed at helping them explore faith, ask deeper questions and consider the teachings of Jesus in accessible ways.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Unsplash / Laura Chouette ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Rising openness among young adults toward spirituality is prompting new initiatives aimed at helping them explore faith, ask deeper questions and consider the teachings of Jesus in accessible ways. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:12:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Evangelical Alliance of the United Kingdom has launched a new digital initiative aimed at engaging spiritually curious young adults, as leaders say openness to faith among younger generations is rising.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Evangelical Alliance of the United Kingdom has launched a new digital initiative aimed at engaging spiritually curious young adults, as leaders say openness to faith among younger generations is rising.
The platform, called Ethos, is a free, quiz-based resource designed to help users explore questions of identity, purpose and belief, while introducing simple spiritual practices rooted in the teachings of Jesus. It forms part of the Alliance’s wider Being Human project, which seeks to address cultural questions about meaning and human identity from a Christian perspective.
Peter Lynas, U.K. director of the Evangelical Alliance and co-lead of the Being Human project, said the initiative responds to what he described as a noticeable shift in spiritual interest among young people.
“Something’s shifting,” Lynas said in a video posted on X. “More young people are spiritually open than we’ve seen in a generation. They’re reading the Bible, they’re asking real questions. They’re curious about Jesus.”
He added that while entering a church building can still feel like a significant step, Ethos is designed to meet people earlier in that journey. “We built something for the step before that step,” he said.
According to Lynas, the platform begins with a short quiz that takes about five minutes to complete, offering users insights into how their values and habits align, along with a suggested spiritual practice they can try immediately. The process is intentionally low-threshold, with no sign-up requirement or long-term commitment.
In a separate video message directed at church leaders, Lynas said the initiative builds on growing spiritual openness among young adults. “Young adults are more spiritually open than they have been in years, and the Being Human project exists to meet this moment,” he said. “Our latest initiative, Ethos, is designed for the spiritually curious.”
Katherine Brown, co-lead of the Being Human project, explained that the platform is structured to guide users over several weeks. “You take a short quiz to discover where your habits and values don’t quite line up, you receive personalized insights into how you’re wired, then a simple spiritual practice to try,” she said.
Over a four-week period, users are gradually introduced to deeper aspects of the practices and their Christian foundations. Lynas emphasized that the aim goes beyond self-improvement. “The goal here isn’t self-improvement,” he said. “It is that through these practices, people take their next step on the journey towards Jesus.”
Brown described Ethos as a practical tool for churches seeking to engage young adults in their communities. “Ethos gives you something simple and shareable to put in the hands of young adults in your community,” she said. “Something to help them explore faith and invite their friends to do the same.”
The initiative emerges from the Being Human project, co-founded by Lynas and Jo Frost, which explores the question of what it means to be human through four key dimensions: identity, relationships, reality and purpose. The project has previously produced a book and podcast addressing cultural and theological questions.
Ethos translates that framework into a digital pathway, allowing users to reflect on areas where their beliefs and lived experiences may be out of alignment. Each user receives a profile and suggested practices connected to the four themes, encouraging what the project describes as “small, habitual ways of living” drawn from biblical wisdom.
The platform is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, including those who do not identify as Christians. Its creators say it offers a space for individuals to explore questions of meaning and personal identity without requiring prior commitment to faith.
“Whether you would call yourself a Christian, something in between, or aren’t sure what you believe, Ethos is for you,” the project states on its website.
The launch is part of a broader strategy by the Evangelical Alliance to equip churches to engage a changing cultural landscape, particularly among younger generations who may be open to spirituality but hesitant to engage with institutional religion.
By focusing on personal reflection, accessible practices and peer-to-peer sharing, Ethos aims to bridge that gap, offering what its creators describe as a starting point for deeper exploration of Christian faith.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA['Ver para Creer' brings vision care and evangelism to the most overlooked communities in Argentina]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/ver-para-creer-brings-vision-care-and-evangelism-to-the-most-overlooked-communities-in-argentina</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/ver-para-creer-brings-vision-care-and-evangelism-to-the-most-overlooked-communities-in-argentina</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lizzie Sotola]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Ver para Creer]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo: Ver para Creer ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ The program began around 2010 and is now looking to expand nationwide. The team currently consists of eight to nine people, but the goal is much more ambitious. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 03:45:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[In many towns in Argentina’s interior, access to a basic eye exam can be a luxury. In that context, “Ver para Creer” (“Seeing to Believe”) was created—an evangelism-focused organization that provides vision care to people who otherwise lack access.]]></description>
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In many towns in Argentina’s interior, access to a basic eye exam can be a luxury. In that context, “Ver para Creer” (“Seeing to Believe”) was created—an evangelism-focused organization that provides vision care to people who otherwise lack access.
“It’s a primary eye care program for people who don’t have access to this specialty in places where access to such care is extremely limited,” explained its founder, Daniel Domínguez, in an exclusive interview with Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
The situation is clear: there are regions where specialists simply don’t exist. “There are many places in Argentina where people have no access to even a basic eye exam,” Domínguez said.
Faced with this reality, the team flips the usual model—they don’t wait for patients; they go out to find them. “We go to these places and serve people. They’re diagnosed, given prescriptions, and in most cases we try to provide them with glasses,” he said.
Access to vision care is limited not only by distance but also by cost. Domínguez explains that “an eye exam costs between 50,000 and 80,000 pesos (about $40 to $70 U.S. dollars just for the visit)… plus travel, lodging, and food. That’s a lot of money for people who don’t have access.”
That’s why the program directly targets those left out of the system. “We go out in search of those patients,” he said, reflecting both a sense of responsibility and a desire to bridge that gap.
But the initiative goes beyond healthcare. The project’s identity is explicitly Christian and strongly evangelistic. “Throughout the entire process… we share God’s love, the gospel, and the message of Jesus Christ,” Domínguez said.
The campaigns are carried out in partnership with local churches, which not only provide space but also continue spiritual follow-up. “It’s both a vision care initiative and an evangelistic campaign, because it is fundamentally evangelistic,” he added.
The process is simple: mobile clinics are set up in schools, parishes, or community centers. There, exams and diagnoses are performed, and in many cases glasses are provided on the spot.
They also serve incarcerated individuals, bringing equipment, glasses, and the Word of God, along with biblical materials for evangelism and spiritual growth.
The initiative also follows a strategic missionary approach. “I always tell pastors that these are guaranteed evangelistic campaigns,” Dominguez says.
Unlike other events where attendance is uncertain, here the need draws people in. “People come on their own… they line up. So you have 100 to 200 people a day, sharing the gospel with them three or four times,” he explained.
This direct contact opens the door for follow-up by local churches. “It ensures that they receive the message of the gospel,” he emphasized.
The program began around 2010 and now aims to expand across the entire country. The team currently consists of eight to nine people, but the vision is much bigger.
“My dream is for every province to have a ‘Ver para Creer’ team,” Domínguez said, with the goal of reaching “the most remote places in the country.”
With upcoming campaigns planned—including a recent one in Fuerte Apache, a disadvantaged neighborhood in Buenos Aires—the organization continues its mission of combining practical assistance with the proclamation of the gospel in places where both are often scarce.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Evan Lenow elected president of Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/evan-lenow-elected-president-of-southern-baptist-convention-s-ethics-and-religious-liberty-commission</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/evan-lenow-elected-president-of-southern-baptist-convention-s-ethics-and-religious-liberty-commission</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Evan Lenow, newly elected president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, will assume leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy arm on June 1.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ ERLC ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Evan Lenow, newly elected president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, will assume leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy arm on June 1. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:55:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Trustees of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission have unanimously elected Evan Lenow as the entity’s next president, with Southern Baptist leaders expressing confidence in his theological conviction and leadership as he prepares to guide the denomination’s public policy arm.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Trustees of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission have unanimously elected Evan Lenow as the entity’s next president, with Southern Baptist leaders expressing confidence in his theological conviction and leadership as he prepares to guide the denomination’s public policy arm.
Lenow, 47, will assume the role June 1, succeeding Brent Leatherwood, who stepped down last summer. The commission, commonly known as the ERLC, represents the public policy and ethics entity of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the United States with roughly 12.7 to 13 million members and nearly 47,000 cooperating churches.
In announcing the decision at a special-called meeting in Nashville on April 13, ERLC board chair Scott Foshie described Lenow as “a proven, trusted servant to Southern Baptists” who has consistently helped churches engage cultural and ethical issues, according to reporting by the Baptist Press.
“I am humbled that the board of trustees elected me as the next president of the ERLC,” Lenow said. “The Lord has worked through my academic and professional life to prepare me for the work entrusted to this very important entity by Southern Baptists.”
Lenow currently serves at Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi, where he directs the Institute for Christian Leadership, oversees church and minister relations, and chairs the Christian Studies Department. He has also served as a research fellow in Christian ethics for the ERLC since 2012.
Among those welcoming the appointment, Albert Mohler, president of Southern Seminary, described Lenow as “a man of substance and conviction and long Southern Baptist pedigree who will serve well in this strategic leadership role in the SBC,” urging Baptists to pray for his leadership.
Lenow said he hopes to strengthen the ERLC’s role in equipping churches to address ethical challenges. “I believe the best days are ahead for the ERLC as our team comes alongside SBC churches and leaders to equip them to address the essential ethical and moral questions of our day with confidence and biblical fidelity,” he said.
The appointment follows a seven-month search process led by trustee Mitch Kimbrell, senior pastor of Christ Memorial Church in Williston, Vermont. Lenow was publicly announced as a candidate March 30.
He will assume the role after interim president Gary Hollingsworth, who has led the ERLC since October, completes his tenure during the transition.
Lenow previously served at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in several roles, including associate professor of ethics and director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement. He is also the author of multiple books on Christian ethics and cultural engagement.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Assemblies of God Nigeria reviewing Ughelli church clash involving pastor and church members]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/assemblies-of-god-nigeria-reviewing-ughelli-church-clash-involving-pastor-and-church-members</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/assemblies-of-god-nigeria-reviewing-ughelli-church-clash-involving-pastor-and-church-members</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obed Minchakpu]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[The pastor of an Assemblies of God congregation in Ughelli, Delta state, is seen amid a confrontation with uniformed individuals—alleged to be affiliated with Royal Rangers—in a video circulating on April 12, 2026, as authorities investigate the incident.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ The pastor of an Assemblies of God congregation in Ughelli, Delta state, is seen amid a confrontation with uniformed individuals—alleged to be affiliated with Royal Rangers—in a video circulating on April 12, 2026, as authorities investigate the incident. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:45:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A worship service at an Assemblies of God congregation in Ughelli, Delta state, was disrupted Sunday (April 12) after a violent altercation involving church members and uniformed personnel left a pastor and his wife affected by tear gas, prompting internal investigations by church leadership and Royal Rangers Nigeria.]]></description>
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A worship service at an Assemblies of God congregation in Ughelli, Delta state, was disrupted Sunday (April 12) after a violent altercation involving church members and uniformed personnel left a pastor and his wife affected by tear gas, prompting internal investigations by church leadership and Royal Rangers Nigeria.
Both Assemblies of God Nigeria and Royal Rangers Nigeria confirmed the incident in separate statements, describing it as under review and urging the public to avoid speculation while facts are being established.
A video circulating widely on social media shows a chaotic scene inside the church, with individuals exchanging blows. At one point, the pastor’s wife is seen seated on the floor in distress, while the pastor appears to be coughing, seemingly after exposure to tear gas.
The cause of the confrontation remains unclear. Voices in the video allege that men in uniform attempted to abduct some individuals, though these claims have not been independently verified.
A church member, Dan Ok, identified the uniformed individuals as members of Royal Rangers, a church-affiliated paramilitary-style youth organization within the Assemblies of God Nigeria.
In a statement dated April 12, Royal Rangers Nigeria said the conduct of those involved “does not reflect the values, discipline, and code of conduct of the organization.” The group said its district leadership has launched a “thorough review” to establish the facts and determine appropriate action.
“Appropriate measures will be taken in line with established procedures,” the statement said, adding that the public should refrain from spreading unverified information while the review is ongoing.
Assemblies of God Nigeria also confirmed it is investigating the incident, describing the situation as an internal matter being handled through established church structures.
“The leadership of the Church … are fully aware of the situation and are actively handling it with the wisdom, maturity, and spiritual oversight required,” the church said in a statement issued by its Corporate Ministries and Planning Department.
The denomination urged members and the public to avoid “speculation, sensationalism, or drawing premature conclusions based on partial information,” and called for prayers as the process unfolds.
Some congregants expressed concern over the use of force during the incident. One member questioned the use of tear gas inside a place of worship, while another called for disputes to be handled “calmly and peacefully” without escalation.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Christian Vision reports first conversion during live in-game evangelism session]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/christian-vision-reports-first-conversion-during-live-in-game-evangelism-session</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/christian-vision-reports-first-conversion-during-live-in-game-evangelism-session</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/44/4435.jpeg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Players in the video game ARC Raiders kneel in prayer during a live-streamed session, which was part of a digital evangelism outreach organized by Christian Vision.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Christian Vision ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ Players in the video game ARC Raiders kneel in prayer during a live-streamed session, which was part of a digital evangelism outreach organized by Christian Vision. ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:20:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A global evangelism organization says it recorded its first known instance of a person committing to the Christian faith during a live, in-game interaction streamed in real time on a Discord server.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A global evangelism organization says it recorded its first known instance of a person committing to the Christian faith during a live, in-game interaction streamed in real time on a Discord server.
In a press release, Christian Vision (CV) said the milestone occurred during an outreach session within the video game ARC Raiders, where team members engaged players in conversations about faith. The organization described the event as part of its ongoing research into digital mission strategies.
According to CV, a small team led by an experienced evangelist initiated more than 20 conversations during the session. In one instance, a player participated in a discussion that led to prayer and an invitation to follow Jesus. The organization said another participant also responded positively to the gospel message during the same session.
The interaction was streamed live on Discord, allowing team members and observers to follow the conversations in real time, pray, and assess the approach for future outreach efforts.
CV said the initiative forms part of its “Pioneering Work in Digital Mission Fields” research, which explores collective and experimental methods of online evangelism. One approach involves deploying small teams into gaming environments to engage users within existing online communities.
Heinz Oldewage, managing director of CV, said the organization views the development as an early indication of the potential for digital evangelism in gaming spaces.
“Our goal is not to simply stop once someone has been introduced to Jesus through this innovative evangelistic work, but to take them on a complete journey of faith,” Oldewage said in the statement, noting the challenges of discipleship in online environments.
CV said the individual who responded during the session has since been connected with a local church. The organization did not provide further details about the individual or the location.
The group said it plans to continue refining its methods as it expands outreach efforts in digital platforms, including live gaming environments.]]></content:encoded>
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