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        <title>Christian Daily International | Education</title>
        <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/education</link>
        <description><![CDATA[Stay informed on Christian education worldwide, from schools and universities to theological training and discipleship. Explore how faith and learning come together to equip believers and shape future church leaders.]]></description>
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            <title>Christian Daily International | Education</title>
            <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/education</link>
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        <copyright>Christian Daily International © 2026</copyright>
        <language>en</language>
        <lastBuildDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 08:36:23 -0400</lastBuildDate>
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                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Yanghwajin Archives in Seoul opens digital archive, releasing more than 7,000 missionary records]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/yanghwajin-archives-in-seoul-opens-digital-archive-releasing-more-than-7-000-missionary-records</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/yanghwajin-archives-in-seoul-opens-digital-archive-releasing-more-than-7-000-missionary-records</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/43/4397.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Rosetta Halls scroll travel letters Yanghwajin Archives]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Yanghwajin Archives ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Rosetta Hall's scroll travel letters. ]]>
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                                                    </media:content>
                                                                                                <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/43/4398.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Rosetta Halls notebooks.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Yanghwajin Archives ]]>
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                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ Rosetta Hall's notebooks. ]]>
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                                                    </media:content>
                                                                                                <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/43/4399.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Rosetta Halls handwritten diary.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Yanghwajin Archives ]]>
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                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ Rosetta Hall's handwritten diary. ]]>
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                                                    </media:content>
                                                                                                <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/44/4400.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Missionary Welborns Bible and glasses.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Yanghwajin Archives ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Missionary Welborn's Bible and glasses. ]]>
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                                                    </media:content>
                                                                                                <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/44/4401.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Manuscript by Elder Jeon Taek-bu.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Yanghwajin Archives ]]>
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                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ Manuscript by Elder Jeon Taek-bu. ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 03:53:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Yanghwajin Archives in Seoul has launched a digital archive providing public access to more than 7,000 historical records documenting the role of Christianity and foreign missionaries in Korea. ]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Yanghwajin Archives in Seoul has launched a digital archive providing public access to more than 7,000 historical records documenting the role of Christianity and foreign missionaries in Korea. 
The archive, which went live March 22, includes rare materials that had not previously been available to the public, such as missionary artifacts, letters, photographs, denominational reports, diaries and handwritten manuscripts. The collection spans from the late 19th century to the modern era and is regarded as an important historical resource for understanding the development of Korean society and Christianity.
Operated by the Korean Church of the 100th Anniversary, the Yanghwajin Archives was established to preserve and study the legacy of early foreign missionaries and the history of Christianity in Korea. The institution has gradually expanded its holdings through key donations, including the personal effects and records of Jeon Taek-bu in December 2012, followed by additional materials from the families of missionaries Rosetta Sherwood Hall and Arthur Garner Welbon in 2013.

The newly released digital archive reflects years of efforts to systematically manage and digitize the collection. By making core materials available online, the archives aims to improve accessibility for both researchers and the general public.
According to Christian Today Korea, the archives plans to continue collecting records that document missionary work, expressions of faith and the social impact of Christianity in Korean society, with the goal of sharing these materials more broadly.

Among the notable holdings, the Hall family collection highlights the development of modern medical missions in Korea, including education initiatives for women and people with disabilities and efforts to combat tuberculosis. The Welbon family collection documents inland missionary work centered in Andong and offers insight into changes in rural communities. The Jeon Taek-bu collection focuses on the preservation movement of the Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery and broader civil society engagement.
The archives said it has established a classification system to support the long-term management and use of its holdings and has pursued digitization in stages. The digital platform marks a significant step in expanding public engagement with historical materials that were previously limited to in-person access.

Looking ahead, the institution plans to collaborate with domestic and international organizations and experts to further highlight the historical and academic value of its collections. It describes its mission as serving as a platform that connects “the memories embedded in Yanghwajin” and passes them on to future generations.

The Korean Church of the 100th Anniversary was established in 2005 by the Korean Church Centennial Foundation, which was chaired by the late Rev. Han Kyung-chik. The foundation oversees the Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery—associated with early Christian contributions to Korea’s independence and modernization—as well as the Korean Christian Martyrs Memorial Hall, which commemorates those who were martyred for their faith.
The Yanghwajin Archives can be accessed at yanghwajinarchives.org.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Jordanian animation video brings practical help to families facing war anxiety]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/jordanian-animation-video-brings-practical-help-to-families-facing-war-anxiety</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/jordanian-animation-video-brings-practical-help-to-families-facing-war-anxiety</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Daoud Kuttab]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/43/4379.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[A scene from an animated video by Jordan’s Digitales Media shows a family using breathing exercises to manage stress during a missile alert.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Courtesy of Digitales Media ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ A scene from an animated video by Jordan’s Digitales Media shows a family using breathing exercises to manage stress during a missile alert. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 03:09:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[As sirens warning of possible missile strikes echo across parts of the Middle East, a Jordanian animation company has released a short video aimed at helping families cope with the emotional strain of the ongoing conflict involving Iran.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
As sirens warning of possible missile strikes echo across parts of the Middle East, a Jordanian animation company has released a short video aimed at helping families cope with the emotional strain of the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Digitales Media, based in Amman, developed the five-minute animated episode to offer practical ways—especially for children—to deal with tension and anxiety linked to war conditions. The initiative comes as the conflict’s impact extends beyond physical destruction and travel disruptions, affecting daily life and mental well-being across the region.
The episode opens with the now-familiar sound of the siren blasting through an apartment neighborhood in Amman while the streets are deserted. The production is part of a long-running YouTube series, Our Family Life, that has captured the imagination of families around the region.
Cynthia Madanat-Sharaiha, creative director and co-owner of Digitales Media, explains that her team was looking for ways to help families during the war. “We wanted to find a practical way for people in general, and children in particular, to deal with tensions emanating from the war,” she told Christian Daily International.
Shadi Sharaiha, the program’s executive producer, told CDI that this particular episode of “Our Family Life” was a deliberate attempt to translate evidence-based coping techniques into something families can actually use at home—in moments of tension and after the sirens fade.
“The entire Middle East region has been overwhelmed with flying missiles and 24-hour war news that has engulfed everyone. Our creative team worked around the clock to find practical solutions that can help families deal with trauma, not only during war but at any other time,” he said.
In the YouTube video, after hearing the siren, Abu Sanad’s family meets and reflects on their concerns. The mother presents breathing exercises and encourages her family to follow them. The company says they were careful to present evidence-based treatments in a visually attractive manner, with additional downloadable exercises provided at the end.
Issam Smeir, a Chicago-based trauma counselor and advisor to the content of the Digitales products, told CDI that the “Our Family Life” series is not merely entertaining but a creative show that helps parents teach their children how to engage with life’s challenges.
He said that “the dealing-with-stress episode” aims to help families regulate their nervous systems when war anxiety spills into daily life. “The wisdom comes from the mother, whose on-screen breathing exercises are not gimmicks but a gateway to resilience that can be learned without prior therapy and without leaving the living room,” he explained.
Smeir said that stress is a natural response to an unnatural situation. According to the mental health specialist, the breathing exercise helps “reset the nervous system back to normal.”
Digitales Media adopted a real-time approach, pairing a short film with downloadable exercises and a digital toolkit offering science-based methods to manage stress and trauma. The approach combines accessibility with methods commonly used in clinical trauma care, including breathing exercises and routines designed to create a sense of safety.
Yet in many Arab countries, where access to mental health services can be uneven, stigmatized, or disrupted by displacement—these tools risk remaining abstract unless they are rendered tangible and culturally resonant.
Digitales, the producer of the award-winning feature film “Saleem,” is a leading media organization that creates content addressing emotional issues. It tells the story of a curious and adventurous nine-year-old who moves to a new town with his family after losing his father.
The company’s co-directors, Shadi and Cynthia Sharaiha, received the King Abdullah II Award of Excellence for the film and the production team was also visited by Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Princess Rajwa during production.
Digitales also produces a creative digital mental health and psychosocial support tool, “Amal for Children,” that combines animation and storytelling with evidence-based therapy modalities to help reduce the intensity and frequency of PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms in children navigating trauma. Their video content has been used by refugee groups in Egypt and has been translated for use in other regions of the world.Church leaders have said the production enables them to better support children in difficult situations as they cope with stress and trauma.
When content is crafted in local dialects and framed within familiar family dynamics, it becomes less intimidating and more credible, producers say. The Jordanian film’s setting in Amman, its emphasis on family participation and its clear, actionable guidance exemplify how healing tools can be culturally anchored and practically useful.
With the conflict reaching countries unaccustomed to such threats, the sound of sirens and the need to seek shelter have contributed to rising stress levels among families.
The video presents a practical sequence from awareness to action, equipping families with tools they can use in daily life, whether at home, in school or during emergencies.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA['North Americans must see themselves as partners with the global Church', Urbana director says]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/north-americans-must-see-themselves-as-partners-with-the-global-church-urbana-director-says</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/north-americans-must-see-themselves-as-partners-with-the-global-church-urbana-director-says</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Timothy Goropevsek]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/42/4298.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Urbana 2025 explored how a new generation of Christians may engage in global mission in a more collaborative and polycentric movement shaped by churches across Africa, Asia and Latin America.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Courtesy of Urbana ]]>
                                </media:credit>
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                                    <![CDATA[ More than 7,000 college students and others gathered in Phoenix, Arizona, for Urbana 25, InterVarsity’s 27th student missions conference, where leaders reflected on how global mission is changing as Christianity’s center of gravity shifts toward the Global South. ]]>
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                                                                                                <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/43/4300.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Crowds fill the main session of Urbana 25 in Phoenix, Arizona. Leaders of the historic student missions conference say the gathering functions as a “pilgrimage formational event” for young Christians exploring their calling in global mission.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Courtesy of Urbana ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Crowds fill the main session of Urbana 25 in Phoenix, Arizona. Leaders of the historic student missions conference say the gathering functions as a “pilgrimage formational event” for young Christians exploring their calling in global mission. ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                                                <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/42/4299.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[A student wearing virtual reality goggles during Urbana 25 in Phoenix, Arizona. Leaders at InterVarsity’s 27th student missions conference emphasized that Gen Z’s hyperconnected worldview is reshaping how the next generation engages in global Christian mi]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Courtesy of Urbana ]]>
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                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ A student wearing virtual reality goggles during Urbana 25 in Phoenix, Arizona. Leaders at InterVarsity’s 27th student missions conference emphasized that Gen Z’s hyperconnected worldview is reshaping how the next generation engages in global Christian mission. ]]>
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                                                    </media:content>
                                                                                                <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/43/4301.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Students explore exhibits during Urbana 25 in Phoenix, Arizona, where organizers urged the next generation to envision new ways of participating in God’s global mission.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Courtesy of Urbana ]]>
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                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ Students explore exhibits during Urbana 25 in Phoenix, Arizona, where organizers urged the next generation to envision new ways of participating in God’s global mission. ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 21 Mar 2026 05:40:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[For nearly eight decades, Urbana has stood as one of the most influential missions gatherings in North American evangelicalism, inspiring generations of young Christians to consider their role in taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. But as Christianity’s center of gravity continues shifting toward the Global South, the triennial event grappled with the question: what does mission look like in a world where leadership is no longer primarily Western?]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
For nearly eight decades, Urbana has stood as one of the most influential missions gatherings in North American evangelicalism, inspiring generations of young Christians to consider their role in taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. But as Christianity’s center of gravity continues shifting toward the Global South, the triennial event grappled with the question: what does mission look like in a world where leadership is no longer primarily Western?
That challenge was central to Urbana 25, the most recent gathering held for the first time in Phoenix, Arizona, from Dec. 28-31, 2025, which drew 7,000 college students ages 17 to 28 and their mentors. Organizers sought to frame the conference not simply as a recruitment platform for missionaries but as a place where a new generation could rethink how they participate in God’s global mission.
According to conference director Mark Matlock, the challenge facing North American Christians today is not simply finding new strategies for mission but adopting a fundamentally different posture toward the global Church.
“I would really love to see North Americans seeing themselves more as equals to their brothers and sisters globally,” Matlock said in an interview with Christian Daily International following the event. “Instead of feeling like we have the money, the power, the ideas, we truly become partners.” 
That vision reflects a broader shift in global evangelical thinking: mission is increasingly understood as polycentric, meaning that leadership, innovation and initiative emerge from many parts of the global Church rather than flowing outward from a single Western center.
A historic gathering at a crossroads
Founded in 1946 by InterVarsity, Urbana emerged in the aftermath of World War II during a period of renewed global vision among Protestant Christians. The conferences became a defining moment for thousands of university students discerning a call to overseas missions.
For decades, the model was relatively straightforward. Young North Americans gathered to hear about global needs, meet mission agencies and consider serving abroad. Yet the global context that shaped Urbana’s early years has changed dramatically.
The world population has more than tripled since the conference began, and the global Church has expanded rapidly across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Today the majority of the world’s Christians live outside the West, creating new realities for how mission is understood and practiced.
Over the past decade, Matlock said, Urbana itself has wrestled with how to respond to those changes.
“As the world was changing, I think Urbana was struggling to find its voice,” he said. “What do we do with the majority Church being in the Global South? With so many changes happening in the world and with young people concerned about social issues, Urbana was trying to understand what its role should be.” 
Rather than abandoning its historic mission focus, organizers sought to reinterpret it for a new era.
Urbana 2025, Matlock said, represented a turning point—an attempt to clarify how North American Christians can engage in global mission when leadership is increasingly shared across cultures.
A conference reimagined
Historically, missions conferences often focused on identifying specific needs overseas and recruiting individuals to fill them. But Matlock believes that model alone no longer fits the realities of the modern Church.
At Urbana 2025, organizers attempted to reshape the conference into what he calls a “pilgrimage formational event,” where students explore their role in God’s mission rather than simply signing up for a particular ministry path.

As Matlock studied Urbana’s history and listened to testimonies from previous participants, he realized the conference had always functioned in that deeper way, even if it was not always described that way.
“It really was a pilgrimage formational type of event,” he said. “We designed Urbana intentionally to be that—a pilgrimage for young people trying to find their place in God’s mission.” 
Instead of prescribing answers, the conference focused on helping students wrestle with three enduring questions: What is God doing in the world? What is God saying through Scripture? And what is God asking me to do about it?
Matlock believes the strength of Urbana has historically been its ability to create a space where young Christians can explore those questions in community.
“I think when Urbana has been at its best, it has helped a generation answer those questions,” he said. 
Five global shifts reshaping mission
One reason the conference has been forced to rethink its approach is the scale of global change.
When Urbana began in 1946, the world population was roughly 2.5 billion. Today it exceeds 8 billion. But demographic change is only one part of a much larger transformation.
In preparing for Urbana 2025, Matlock and his team identified several major global shifts that are reshaping how mission is practiced.
The first is the growth of the “majority-world Church.” Christianity is expanding rapidly in Africa, Asia and parts of Latin America, while many Western churches experience stagnation or decline.
“That’s a huge shift,” Matlock said, noting that its full implications are still unfolding. 
Second, the landscape of education is changing. Traditional models of theological training—once tied closely to universities and seminaries—are being disrupted by new forms of learning that allow people to access training from many sources.
Third, Bible translation has dramatically expanded access to Scripture. Portions or full translations of the Bible now exist in many more languages, enabling churches to engage Scripture directly without relying primarily on foreign teachers. “People can self-theologize now,” he said.
Fourth, global urbanization is reshaping societies. As populations concentrate in cities, mission fields increasingly overlap with economic and cultural centers.
Finally, the emergence of Gen Z represents a generational shift unlike any before it.
“This generation has grown up in a hyper-connected world,” Matlock said. “They’re not just a digital generation. They experience presence and interaction in ways that previous generations never did.” 
Research suggests that Gen Z believers often feel greater cultural affinity with peers in other countries than with older generations in their own nations, creating new possibilities for global collaboration.

From sending to partnership
These changes have significant implications for how mission is understood.
For much of the 20th century, mission often involved sending workers from the West to other regions where Christianity was less established. While that dynamic still exists in some contexts, many global Christian leaders now emphasize mutual partnership rather than one-directional sending.
Matlock believes North American Christians must adapt their mindset to reflect that reality.
One way he has articulated this shift is through a framework he calls the “five postures of a global Christian,” which encourages believers in North America to see themselves as participants in a worldwide body of Christ rather than as leaders directing its activity.
“It’s really about helping young people become a global Christian,” he said. “Not thinking, ‘We need to go save the lost in these other countries,’ but asking, ‘How do I show up as a Christian in the global body of Christ?’” 
The concept aligns with discussions emerging from global evangelical networks such as the Lausanne Movement, where the term “polycentrism” has become a common description of modern mission dynamics.
In a polycentric movement, no single region controls the direction of global mission. Instead, leadership and innovation emerge from many contexts simultaneously.
For North American churches, Matlock said, that reality may require significant adjustment.
“Because North America has so many resources, it requires a different posture,” he said. “The global Church is already on the move, but the North American Church really has to reframe itself.” 
Igniting imagination rather than filling roles
Another shift reflected in Urbana 2025 was a move away from treating missions primarily as a set of predetermined roles to be filled.
Instead, organizers encouraged students to imagine new forms of engagement shaped by the realities of their generation.
The conference theme, “Imaginations,” played on the words “imagine” and “nation,” emphasizing the idea that God may be inviting young Christians to think creatively about how they participate in global mission.

“The traditional way of thinking about how we fulfill the Great Commission is probably not the path for the next 20 to 30 years,” Matlock said. 
Some participants may still sense a call to traditional missionary service. Others may pursue careers in business, education, technology or other fields while maintaining a global perspective on their faith.
For many students, Matlock said, the most significant impact of Urbana may not be immediate.
“I don’t think Urbana fully realized itself until nine to 12 months after I left,” he said, reflecting on his own experience attending the conference as a university student decades earlier. 
The long arc of influence
Matlock’s personal story illustrates the conference’s long-term influence.
He first attended Urbana in 1990 while studying at Biola University. At the time he planned to pursue missionary service as an anthropological consultant with Wycliffe Bible Translators.
But the experience prompted him to reconsider his plans.
“I realized that God was saying, ‘You decided to be a missionary, but you didn’t ask me what I wanted you to do,’” he recalled. 
Instead of entering overseas missions immediately, Matlock moved into youth ministry and eventually spent decades organizing large discipleship events.
Years later, when he was unexpectedly approached about directing Urbana, he recognized how the experience had shaped his life.
Standing before thousands of students at the conference, he said he expected that many future leaders were sitting in the audience, just as he once had.
A vision for the next decade
Looking ahead, Matlock hopes Urbana will contribute to a deeper sense of partnership within the global Church.
His vision is not simply that more North Americans will become missionaries, but that relationships between churches across continents will grow more reciprocal and collaborative.
“I’d love to see us breathing in from the global Church,” he said, as Christians in North America learn from the experiences and perspectives of believers in other cultural contexts. 
At the same time, he hopes the global Church will continue making progress in reaching communities that still have little access to the Christian message.
“I’d love to see us close the gap on the number of people who are unreached,” Matlock said. 
Imagining Urbana’s future
As Urbana looks to the future, discussions continue about the most suitable format to fulfill its vision. Historically the conference has been held every three years, but organizers are exploring whether it might evolve into a broader movement supporting discipleship and mission engagement throughout the year.
“Should it be an event every three years, or should it be more of a movement?” Matlock asked. 
It reflects a broader reality facing events and organizations in the digital age: structures shaped in an earlier era must be reevaluated in light of a rapidly changing world.
For Matlock, however, the core purpose of Urbana remains unchanged.
It is a place where young Christians step back from the routines of daily life, listen for God’s direction and imagine how their lives might contribute to the fulfillment of the Great Commission.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[ACTEA marks 50 years as African church growth raises demand for theological training]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/actea-marks-50-years-as-african-church-growth-raises-demand-for-theological-training</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/actea-marks-50-years-as-african-church-growth-raises-demand-for-theological-training</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/42/4284.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[David Tarus, executive director of the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa, addresses participants during the ACTEA General Assembly marking the organization’s 50th anniversary.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Courtesy of ACTEA ]]>
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                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ BISHOFTU, Ethiopia — David Tarus, executive director of the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa, addresses participants during the ACTEA General Assembly marking the organization’s 50th anniversary. The gathering brought together theological educators from across Africa to discuss expanding leadership training as rapid church growth continues to outpace theological education capacity on the continent. ]]>
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                                                                                                <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/42/4285.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Participants attend the General Assembly of the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa, where theological educators and church leaders from more than 30 countries gathered to mark ACTEA’s 50th anniversary]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Courtesy of ACTEA ]]>
                                </media:credit>
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                                    <![CDATA[ BISHOFTU, Ethiopia — Participants attend the General Assembly of the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa, where theological educators and church leaders from more than 30 countries gathered to mark ACTEA’s 50th anniversary and discuss how theological institutions can respond to the growing demand for trained church leaders across Africa. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 08:22:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA) is marking its 50th anniversary this week during its General Assembly in Bishoftu, Ethiopia, where theological educators and Christian leaders from across Africa are discussing how to expand training for church leaders amid rapid growth of Christianity on the continent.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA) is marking its 50th anniversary this week during its General Assembly in Bishoftu, Ethiopia, where theological educators and Christian leaders from across Africa are discussing how to expand training for church leaders amid rapid growth of Christianity on the continent.
The gathering, held under the theme “Future Ready, Mission Faithful,” has drawn representatives from theological institutions in 31 countries, according to organizers. Participants include leaders of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa and officials from seminaries, universities and Bible colleges that participate in ACTEA’s accreditation network.
Speakers at the assembly addressed challenges facing theological education in Africa, including the need to prepare church leaders for rapidly changing cultural contexts, technological developments and continued church expansion across the continent.
The meeting also comes as Christian leaders warn that Africa’s rapidly growing churches are outpacing the capacity of theological institutions to train pastors and ministry leaders.
In an earlier interview with Christian Daily International, ACTEA Executive Director Dr. David Tarus said many congregations across Africa are being led by pastors who have had little or no formal theological training because the number of training institutions and faculty has not kept pace with church growth.
“Church growth in Africa has been phenomenal, but theological education has not grown at the same pace,” Tarus said in the interview. “The challenge is how to train enough leaders while maintaining strong theological standards.”
According to Tarus, the shortage of trained leaders has prompted theological institutions to explore new approaches, including modular programs, online learning and partnerships between seminaries and local churches to extend training opportunities.
Founded in 1976 as a project of the theological education commission of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa, ACTEA was established to provide accreditation and quality assurance for evangelical theological institutions across the continent. At the time, formal accreditation systems for seminaries and Bible colleges were still limited in many African countries.

Today ACTEA works with evangelical universities, seminaries and Bible colleges across Africa to strengthen theological education through institutional accreditation, research and capacity development.
Participants at the anniversary assembly also included members of the executive board of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa, among them Rev. Dr. Jean Libom Li Likeng, Archbishop John Praise Daniel and Dr. Master Matlhaope, who also serves as ACTEA’s president. Among those attending was the immediate past ACTEA executive director, Emmanuel Chemengich, now bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kitale in Kenya.
Discussions during the assembly have focused on the future of theological education in Africa as churches expand rapidly in both urban and rural areas.
Tarus said the goal for many institutions is to find ways to expand access to theological training without weakening academic standards or biblical foundations.
“The church in Africa needs leaders who are both spiritually grounded and theologically equipped,” he said.
Organizers said the assembly is expected to conclude with discussions on strategies to strengthen cooperation among theological institutions and expand training opportunities for church leaders across the continent.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA['The weight is real, the toll is deep': ABTS president calls global church to pray for Lebanon, Middle East]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/the-weight-is-real-the-toll-is-deep-abts-president-calls-global-church-to-pray-for-lebanon</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/the-weight-is-real-the-toll-is-deep-abts-president-calls-global-church-to-pray-for-lebanon</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Smoke rises from a building hit in a bombing on March 11, 2026 in Beirut, Lebanon.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Adri Salido/Getty Images ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ BEIRUT, LEBANON - MARCH 11: Smoke rises from a building hit in a bombing on March 11, 2026 in Beirut, Lebanon. Israel has continued its aerial and ground assault in Lebanon after Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, launched missiles at Israel in what it said was retaliation for the joint U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:27:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The president of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary has called on Christians worldwide to pray for Lebanon and the wider Middle East as renewed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah forces has displaced hundreds of thousands and intensified humanitarian needs across the country.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The president of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary has called on Christians worldwide to pray for Lebanon and the wider Middle East as renewed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah forces has displaced hundreds of thousands and intensified humanitarian needs across the country.
In a letter dated March 10, Wissam Nasrallah urged prayer for “restraint, real peace and mercy upon this land,” while also asking supporters to intercede for displaced families and for Christian ministries responding to the crisis.
“Once again, Lebanon finds itself in a war it did not choose, and facing widespread displacement,” Nasrallah wrote. “Once again, the roads are filled with families carrying what they can, leaving behind what they love.”
The appeal comes as violence has escalated following a confrontation between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. According to reporting by Reuters, Israel launched a military offensive against Hezbollah after the group began firing rockets on March 2, saying the attacks were in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader during a broader U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Lebanese authorities say Israeli strikes have killed nearly 600 people and displaced about 700,000 residents. The Israeli military has said it has targeted hundreds of Hezbollah positions, conducting airstrikes in southern Lebanon, Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa Valley.
Nasrallah described the conflict as both a geopolitical crisis and a deeply human tragedy affecting families across the country.
“In a matter of days, hundreds of thousands have been displaced,” he wrote. “Behind every number is a name, a child, a mother, a grandfather, a home now silent.”
Founded in 1960 and based near Beirut, the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary trains Christian leaders from across the Middle East and North Africa. Nasrallah said the seminary has opened its campus to displaced families since the early days of the current conflict.
“Our guesthouse and campus are receiving families who have nowhere else to go,” he wrote, adding that partner ministries are helping provide meals and coordinating assistance for those affected by the fighting.
He framed the response as part of the seminary’s Christian witness during a time of crisis.
“To receive the displaced is to echo the heart of Jesus who ‘did not come to be served but to serve,’” Nasrallah said.
Despite the upheaval, the seminary’s academic programs remain operational online, allowing approximately 250 students across the Middle East and North Africa to continue their theological studies.
Nasrallah also reflected on the broader uncertainty facing the region, suggesting the current conflict could reshape the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape in the coming years.
“What may emerge from this is a new Middle East order and a new regional security architecture that will define the next decades,” he wrote.
Still, he emphasized that Christian hope rests not in political outcomes but in faith in God during times of upheaval.
“As Christians, we are people who take reality seriously without surrendering to it,” Nasrallah wrote. “We do not minimize the gravity of what is happening, but neither do we yield to fear.”
He concluded by urging Christians to continue praying for Lebanon and the region, asking that the Gospel would be both proclaimed and demonstrated through acts of compassion during the crisis.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Setback for UK Christian parents as Court of Appeal upholds tax on private school fees]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/setback-for-uk-christian-parents-as-court-of-appeal-upholds-tax-on-private-school-fees</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/setback-for-uk-christian-parents-as-court-of-appeal-upholds-tax-on-private-school-fees</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christian Today]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Christian parents and school pupils outside the High Court.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo: Christian Legal Centre ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Christian parents and school pupils outside the High Court ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:58:00 -0500</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A coalition of Christian schools, parents and pupils has lost its legal challenge against the government’s imposition of 20% VAT on private school fees.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A coalition of Christian schools, parents and pupils has lost its legal challenge against the government’s imposition of 20% VAT on private school fees.
The group, supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), plans to seek permission to appeal to the Supreme Court after the case was dismissed on all grounds by the Court of Appeal on Friday. 
Caroline Santer, headteacher at The King’s School, which is one of the schools behind the legal challenge, said: “Christian schools like ours exist to serve communities, offering education shaped by faith and values. 
"VAT is dismantling decades of careful work and putting schools on the brink of closure. We will continue to stand with our families and pursue this all the way to the Supreme Court.”
The legal challenge was brought by a group that included families and other Christian schools. 
They argued that the VAT policy has already forced closures and made low-cost Christian education unaffordable for many families. 
They further claim that the policy undermines parental rights and educational freedom by making it harder - or in some cases impossible - for families to access a faith-based education.
The Court of Appeal rejected all grounds of the appeal, ruling that that the government had an objective and reasonable justification for not exempting low-cost Christian schools from VAT.
While the judges affirmed the right of parents to homeschool their children, they rejected claims that charging VAT breached the right to education under Article 2 of Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights, citing a previous Supreme Court ruling that there is no right to a particular kind or quality of education beyond that offered in the state system. The judgment also stated that there is no legal prohibition on taxing education.
Parents and school leaders say that the Court of Appeal's judgment fails to acknowledge the financial and practical realities faced by many families seeking an independent faith-based education. 
They argue that many such families cannot afford the higher fees resulting from the VAT policy or the cost of home-educating, and warn that more Christian schools may close if the policy remains in place.
Jill Holt, headteacher of The Branch Christian School, said: “Most of our parents work full‑time and cannot home‑educate. VAT would add nearly £800 to fees, an impossible burden for many families. This ruling places schools like ours in jeopardy.”
Yvonne Owusu‑Ansah, a mother of three, said the ruling “does nothing to alleviate the devastation already being felt by families”.“VAT will make it impossible for me to keep my children in their school. We shaped our whole lives around giving them an education rooted in Christian convictions," she said.
"If this policy stands, I will be forced to home‑educate, and my children will lose the teachers, friends and environment where they are thriving academically and spiritually.”
The coalition will now apply for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.
CLC chief executive Andrea Williams called on politicians to "recognise the deep injustice of penalising parents who simply want to bless their children with a comprehensively Christian education".
"Not everyone can home‑educate, and low‑cost Christian schools are already being forced to close under the weight of these policies," she said. "Through this and other measures, the government is making it increasingly difficult for parents to shape their children’s education. It is centralising control over schooling, and in doing so, exerting control over our future."Putting this level of power in the hands of politicians is unwise and unsafe. Everyone who understands the implications of this should oppose these punitive taxes and stand up for families who are fighting to maintain genuine educational freedom.”
Originally published by Christian Today]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Christian school educators rate student mental health positively despite national concerns, report finds]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/christian-school-educators-rate-student-mental-health-positively-despite-national-concerns-report-finds</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/christian-school-educators-rate-student-mental-health-positively-despite-national-concerns-report-finds</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[students]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo by CDC / Unsplash ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:02:00 -0500</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A new report released by Cardus in partnership with the Association of Christian Schools International and the School Counseling Mental Health Initiative at Denver Seminary found that most Christian school educators surveyed rated student mental health favorably, even as national concerns about youth well-being continue to grow.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A new report released by Cardus in partnership with the Association of Christian Schools International and the School Counseling Mental Health Initiative at Denver Seminary found that most Christian school educators surveyed rated student mental health favorably, even as national concerns about youth well-being continue to grow.
The report, titled Mental Health and Well-Being in Christian Schools, surveyed more than 1,400 Christian educators across the United States in late 2024. It examined perceptions of student wellness, educator well-being and school practices related to mental health.
According to the findings, 80% of respondents rated the overall mental health of students at their schools as “good” or “excellent.”
Dr. Lynn E. Swaner, president of Cardus U.S., said the results were encouraging but should prompt further study.
“It’s very encouraging to know that the vast majority of respondents rated student mental health at their schools ‘excellent’ or ‘good,’” Swaner said in a statement. “But that’s just the beginning of the conversation, not the end. It would be well worth investigating the mechanisms by which Christian schools are addressing mental health, including integrating their faith-based missions, which educators in our survey perceive as making a difference.”
The findings stand in contrast to broader national trends. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 40% of students experienced persistent sadness or hopelessness. A January 2026 survey by eLuma, a provider of school-based mental health services, found that 57% of educators and school mental health professionals believed student mental health in the United States was worsening.
The Cardus report identified several factors linked to higher educator ratings of student well-being. Educators tended to report stronger student mental health outcomes at schools with cellphone control policies, schools that integrated faith into their approaches to well-being and schools that openly acknowledged the importance of mental health.
Examples of supportive practices included prioritizing mental health alongside academic and spiritual development, showing compassion toward students experiencing mental health challenges, providing information about available support and ensuring schools were equipped to respond to student needs.
Researchers also found a strong relationship between educator well-being and perceptions of student mental health, suggesting that staff wellness may play a key role in student outcomes.
Dr. Rian Djita, director of research for ACSI, said the report could help guide future policy and practice within Christian schools.
“I am grateful for our ongoing partnership with Cardus, particularly on this mental health initiative in Christian schools,” Djita said. “I hope this report’s findings will encourage meaningful discussions among educators that may lead to more effective and intentional policies and practices that support the mental health of our students.”
The report’s authors said they hope the findings will encourage continued dialogue about how faith-based schools can support both student and educator well-being amid growing national attention to youth mental health.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[National Congress of Honduras begins dialogue with churches to promote Bible reading in schools]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/the-national-congress-of-honduras-begins-dialogue-with-churches-to-promote-bible-reading-in-schools</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/the-national-congress-of-honduras-begins-dialogue-with-churches-to-promote-bible-reading-in-schools</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Diario Cristiano]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[children and young people Honduras]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ EFE Comunica ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ The proposal’s main objective is to foster ethical and civic principles in children and young people, responding to growing concern over social breakdown. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Rep. Arnold Burgos]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Photo: Screenshot from Congress broadcast ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ The legislative commission chaired by Rep. Arnold Burgos began meetings with representatives of the Catholic and Evangelical churches to design a plan to incorporate Bible reading in schools in Honduras. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:42:00 -0500</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The National Congress of Honduras has launched a series of meetings with representatives of the Catholic Church and the Evangelical Church as part of efforts to promote Bible reading in the country’s schools. The initiative is being coordinated by a special legislative commission tasked with developing a national plan and an implementation manual.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The National Congress of Honduras has launched a series of meetings with representatives of the Catholic Church and the Evangelical Church as part of efforts to promote Bible reading in the country’s schools. The initiative is being coordinated by a special legislative commission tasked with developing a national plan and an implementation manual.
Rep. Arnold Burgos, president of the commission, said the meetings are part of the project’s public consultation phase. He added that civil society organizations and parents’ associations will also be invited to review and provide input on the document currently being drafted.
According to Diario Cristiano, the proposal is part of a broader effort to develop a National Bible Reading Plan promoted by Congress to encourage values and principles among children and young people through the reading of biblical texts in public and private educational institutions.
Project organizers said the goal is to give students access to the Bible as a formative educational resource.
“The national Bible reading plan seeks to ensure that the Word of God is read in both public and private educational institutions,” Burgos said.
The initiative follows the introduction of a legislative motion in Congress that sparked debate over values education and the secular nature of Honduras’ education system. The project includes the creation of a multiparty commission responsible for designing the proposal and holding consultations with various sectors before any implementation.

During initial meetings, participants established preliminary guidelines and clarified that Bible reading would not be mandatory. Burgos said religious freedom would be respected and that parents would retain the right to decide whether their children participate.
“It will not be mandatory; parents’ decisions will be respected,” he said.
The meetings also aim to ease controversy on social media and gather input from religious leaders and other community representatives to define the scope of the plan and its methodology.
The process remains in a consultation phase as Congress determines the next steps for finalizing the plan and its possible implementation within the Honduran education system.
Lawmakers have also proposed the creation of a special commission made up of representatives from multiple political parties, the Ministry of Education and church leaders.
The working group would have 30 days to design a national plan to integrate the Bible as a teaching and learning resource, while respecting the country’s constitutional framework.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Nazareth Village brings Bible to life in Jesus’ hometown, looks ahead to expansion]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/nazareth-village-brings-bible-to-life-in-jesus-hometown-looks-ahead-to-expansion</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/nazareth-village-brings-bible-to-life-in-jesus-hometown-looks-ahead-to-expansion</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Timothy Goropevsek]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[A villager portrayed in first-century dress tends grapevines at Nazareth Village, illustrating agricultural practices common in Galilee during the time of Jesus.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Courtesy of Nazareth Village ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ A villager portrayed in first-century dress tends grapevines at Nazareth Village, illustrating agricultural practices common in Galilee during the time of Jesus. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Maha Sayegh, director of Nazareth Village, stands beside a visual showing an aerial view of the site with a rendering of the planned visitor center and amphitheater as part of the village’s expansion plans.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Christian Daily International ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Maha Sayegh, director of Nazareth Village, stands beside a visual showing an aerial view of the site with a rendering of the planned visitor center and amphitheater as part of the village’s expansion plans. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[A woman portrayed in first-century dress works wool by hand at Nazareth Village, demonstrating textile skills used to produce clothing and household fabrics in Galilee during the time of Jesus.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Christian Daily International ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ A woman portrayed in first-century dress works wool by hand at Nazareth Village, demonstrating textile skills used to produce clothing and household fabrics in Galilee during the time of Jesus. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[An aerial view of Nazareth Village shows the reconstructed stone terraces, vineyards and pathways designed to reflect daily life in first-century Galilee.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Courtesy of Nazareth Village ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ An aerial view of Nazareth Village shows the reconstructed stone terraces, vineyards and pathways designed to reflect daily life in first-century Galilee. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[A visual rendering shows the planned new visitor center at Nazareth Village, part of an expansion aimed at improving facilities and enhancing the educational experience for visitors.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Courtesy of Nazareth Village ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ A visual rendering shows the planned new visitor center at Nazareth Village, part of an expansion aimed at improving facilities and enhancing the educational experience for visitors. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 07 Feb 2026 09:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[On a hillside overlooking modern Nazareth, visitors step away from traffic and apartment blocks and into a re-created agricultural landscape shaped by stone terraces, vineyards and olive trees — a setting designed to reflect daily life in Galilee two millennia ago.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
On a hillside overlooking modern Nazareth, visitors step away from traffic and apartment blocks and into a re-created agricultural landscape shaped by stone terraces, vineyards and olive trees — a setting designed to reflect daily life in Galilee two millennia ago.
Here, at Nazareth Village, Scripture is not only read or quoted but embodied. While the guides themselves are dressed in modern clothing, they introduce visitors to villagers, farmers and tradespeople in first-century dress, weaving biblical passages into explanations of farming cycles, family life and communal worship as they would have been experienced in the time of Jesus.
For nearly 30 years, the site has drawn pilgrims, pastors and students from around the world seeking to understand the Gospels within their original historical and cultural context. As Nazareth Village marks its 25th anniversary, its leadership is also preparing for a significant new chapter — an ambitious expansion aimed at accommodating growing visitor demand and deepening educational impact, even after years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and regional conflict.
“We see again and again that when people come here, the Bible becomes real,” said Maha Sayegh, director of Nazareth Village, in an interview with Christian Daily International. “People tell us they have read Scripture all their lives, but when they walk through the village, something changes. Suddenly they understand how powerful and tangible it is.”

Sayegh has been closely connected to Nazareth Village since its earliest days. She joined the project in 1997, when the concept was still being shaped by a small group of local Christian leaders and international partners committed to creating a site that would tell the story of Jesus from within his hometown.
She began as an assistant to the first director, supporting the early planning stages as the team prayed, met regularly and worked to transform a vision into a functioning ministry. Over the years, she served in multiple roles across the organization before being appointed director in 2015.
“I feel privileged to be part of this project,” she said. “As a Christian living in this land, to serve in a Christian organization in Jesus’ hometown is a unique opportunity.”
For Sayegh, Nazareth carries particular theological and symbolic weight. The Gospels recount that Jesus grew up in Nazareth and lived there from childhood until the beginning of his public ministry at about age 30, later returning after preaching and teaching in Galilee, where he was rejected in his hometown synagogue. Nazareth Village, she said, offers a way of “bringing him back”— telling his story from the place where it began.
“To share the story of Jesus from Nazareth, not from afar, but from here, where he grew up, is very meaningful,” she said.

Each year in peak seasons, Nazareth Village has welcomed more than 100,000 visitors from more than 110 countries, according to the organization. Before the pandemic, attendance reached more than 123,000 visitors in 2019, placing significant strain on the site’s facilities.
What draws many visitors, Sayegh said, is the way biblical teaching is integrated into everyday life rather than isolated as abstract theology.
“They understand how Jesus’ words fit into first-century reality,” she said. “When he speaks about farming, vineyards or community life, people here can show exactly what that looked like.”
Visitors frequently describe the experience as emotionally moving. Sayegh said it is common to see people deeply affected at certain stations along the tour, particularly in places such as the olive press or the synagogue.
“We see people in tears,” she said. “They are touched not only by the history, but by the message itself.”
Even clergy who return repeatedly with tour groups often report discovering new insights.
“Pastors tell us that each time they come, even with a different guide, they learn something new,” Sayegh said. “They hear Scripture in a fresh way and then want to share that understanding with their congregations.”
Nazareth Village was intentionally designed to differ from many archaeological sites in Israel, which typically present ruins and excavation layers accompanied by informational signage.
“Here, we try to bring the stones to life,” Sayegh said. “You meet the people. You hear their stories.”
The guides are believers who are passionate about both Scripture and storytelling. The team includes local Arab Christians, Messianic believers and international volunteers who serve for periods ranging from weeks to a full year.
“This diversity is very important,” Sayegh said. “People meet local Christians, hear about life today, and also see believers from many nations serving together.”
The village also partners with Christian organizations that have representatives in Israel, inviting them to help lead groups in their own languages and share about their ongoing work in the land.
“For many visitors, it’s their first time learning about the living Christian community here,” she said.
While Nazareth Village was conceived as a reconstruction, subsequent archaeological discoveries confirmed that the site itself reflects genuine first-century agricultural use.

The land belongs to the E.M.M.S. Nazareth - Nazareth Trust, a Scottish Christian charity that also operates the Nazareth Hospital — the oldest hospital between Beirut and Jerusalem, founded in 1865 — the Academic School of Nursing, and SERVE Nazareth, a volunteer program that works in conjunction with all branches. Because the land remained under charitable ownership, it was preserved from commercial development.
During early exploration, archaeologists uncovered a rock-cut wine press, pottery fragments dated to the first century and stone terraces used for farming. These findings shaped the layout of the village and its interpretive route.
“The idea of the village came first,” Sayegh said. “But then archaeology confirmed that this was indeed a first-century farm.”
She noted that vineyards, wine presses and watchtowers described in the Gospels closely resemble features found on the site, making it plausible that Jesus himself would have known the area.
“This kind of agricultural work was a community event,” she said. “Everyone would join in during harvest. So who knows — maybe he did too.”
Despite its popularity, Nazareth Village currently operates within physical limits. The site’s Welcome Center is rented, and in recent years the organization has had to turn visitors away because it could not accommodate additional groups.
To address this, leaders have launched a multi-phase development plan that includes a new visitor center with expanded restrooms, multimedia orientation spaces and exhibits introducing visitors to first-century Nazareth before they enter the village. A 300-seat amphitheater is also planned for teaching, performances and large group gatherings.

Foundations for the new building were laid this year — a step Sayegh described as both challenging and hopeful given the region’s ongoing conflict.
“In times of war, development is not what you expect,” she said. “But with the support of donors and friends, we felt this was the right moment.”
Nazareth Village, like much of Israel’s tourism sector, has endured years of instability. After COVID-19 closures, visitor numbers rebounded sharply in 2023, with more than 80,000 people visiting before Oct. 7. Tens of thousands of additional visits were canceled after the outbreak of war.
Still, Sayegh remains confident in the ministry’s long-term calling.
“Five very difficult years — yet we are still here,” she said. “By God’s grace, we are planning for the future.”
“No war lasts forever,” she added. “We believe normal days will return, and when they do, we will continue to do what we are called to do.”
For Nazareth Village, that calling remains unchanged: helping visitors encounter the teachings of Jesus not as distant history, but as a lived reality rooted in place, community and faith.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Trust shapes how U.K. Christians give, Stewardship report finds]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/trust-shapes-how-uk-christians-give-stewardship-report-finds</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/trust-shapes-how-uk-christians-give-stewardship-report-finds</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Trust shapes how U.K. Christians give, Stewardship report finds]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Stewardship, a Christian financial support organisation, explores the vital role of trust in its latest report on generosity ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2026 10:46:00 -0500</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Stewardship, a financial support organization, has published its third report examining current trends in financial giving and generosity by U.K Christians. The latest 64-page report puts the ethical value of trust at the center of its enquiry with the understanding that giving is not just about capacity or conviction but also relational. “This year, we have therefore paid special attention to the impact that perceptions of integrity, transparency, accountability and reliability have on the way ]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Stewardship, a financial support organization, has published its third report examining current trends in financial giving and generosity by U.K Christians. The latest 64-page report puts the ethical value of trust at the center of its enquiry with the understanding that giving is not just about capacity or conviction but also relational.
“This year, we have therefore paid special attention to the impact that perceptions of integrity, transparency, accountability and reliability have on the way Christians give,” said the report.
“We believe this focus on trust is timely as new challenges continue to erode public trust in UK institutions: political scandals, polarisation on social issues, failings in public services and the covert use of artificial intelligence, all of which contribute to a growing atmosphere of scepticism.
“For churches, Christian charities and individuals raising support for Christian work, understanding the impact of their perceived trustworthiness is essential as they seek both to sustain existing generosity and to inspire new relationships with prospective donors.”
Janie Oliver, Chief Executive Officer of Stewardship, explained that the methodology for the latest study had been adapted to more in-depth conversations during qualitative interviews with participants. She also said that leaders, churches and other Christian organisations had used the previous two reports “to build a clearer picture of how generosity flourishes among God’s people in the UK and how it can grow still further.”
“This third report takes that conversation deeper by exploring the vital role of trust in generosity because generosity is not just about capacity or conviction – it is also relational,” said Oliver. “When we give, we place trust in others to steward what God has entrusted to us. When that trust is strong, generosity becomes bold and joyful; when it is fragile, giving can falter.”
Key findings related to trust are that trust in a local church leads to greater generosity. Younger givers are also more open to teaching on generosity and donation appeals. However, less Christians are giving in response to appeals.
More than 25% of Christians give from their personal financial savings. Trust also leads to gratitude and joy in giving, said the report. The wealthy, the young and ethnic minority Christians expect to give more, is another finding. Regular teaching on generosity also helps build trust. Lastly, younger Christians talk more about giving.
Average monthly giving by Christians has dropped from £124 ($170) to £116 ($159) since the prior report.
“This equates to 4.7% of their monthly income after tax to all causes,” said the report. “This is 0.6% lower than last year’s research” — adding elsewhere in the report that it was “not a significant decline” and attributed it to fewer Christians giving financially.
Average monthly giving to Christian causes stood at £91 ($125) per month, less than the £98 ($134) in the previous period. By comparison, average monthly giving to secular causes is noted at £25 ($34) per month, a pound less than the prior year (£26 [$36]).
“This breaks down into an average of £91 ($125) or 3.7% per month being given to Christian causes (churches, Christian charities and Christian workers) and a further £25 ($34) or 1% per month to secular causes. 4.7% of the average Christian income equates to £116 ($159) per month,” said the report. 
“On average, £42 ($58) goes to church, £30 ($41) to Christian charities, £19 ($26) to Christian workers and £25 ($34) to secular charities.”
Average committed monthly Christian giving is £326 ($447) per month — an increase since last year’s amount of £314 ($430).
“Committed Christians give an average of £326 ($447) a month, equating to 10.4% of their income,” said the report. “This breaks down into an average of £262 ($359) or 8.4% of the total going to Christian causes and £64 ($88) to secular charities.
“While the amount committed Christians are giving away has increased by £12 ($16) a month from last year, the proportion of income given after tax has decreased by 0.8%. This is because the average proportion of income after tax given takes into consideration the average annual wage of the sample, which has increased over the last year.”
Five distinct personas that drive how Christians approach charitable giving are noted in the report, categorized by their motivations and life stages. Motivation-based donors include the impact-driven, who prioritize measurable results and transparency, and the relationship-driven, who give based on personal stories and community connections. Theology-driven givers view generosity as a joyful act of biblical worship and are motivated by scriptural teaching and leadership integrity.
Demographic factors also shape these habits, with younger givers in their 18s and 20s often balancing tight budgets by offering time and hospitality alongside smaller, story-led donations. 
Conversely, older givers focus on long-term stewardship, often utilizing strategic, tax-efficient gifts and legacies to support ministries they have vetted for competence. 
Across all categories, the report finds that donors are most likely to disengage when they encounter vague goals, financial waste, or manipulative appeals.
The report also made a sharp observation about the Biblical principle of tithing and the “giving gap”, which is the difference between actual and potential giving based on the principle of tithing.
“If every Christian adopted the biblical principal of tithing, defined in this report as giving 10% of monthly income after tax across all charitable causes, the total amount being given to all causes would be an average of £245 ($336) a month or £129 ($177) more than it is currently.”
The giving gap – that is the discrepancy between actual and potential giving based on the tithing principle – has increased by £17 ($23) from £112 ($153) to £129 ($177) since the 2025 report, said the report.
“Alongside this, the percentage given as a proportion of income has decreased by 0.6% from 5.3% to 4.7%.”
The report also reported “reasons to be encouraged” in that among committed and practising Christians, “generosity remains both strong and steady.” Gratitude for the gospel of Jesus Christ, alongside blessings such as family, friends and comfort was also noted in the report as the “starting place for almost all Christians’ generosity.”
“This gratitude for God’s generosity towards them in turn leads to a sense of responsibility to respond by being generous towards others, seeking to steward well what has been given to them, out of love and obedience. Cultural Christians are an exception to this trend, for whom being part of something that could make a difference and the impact on their community are the greatest motivators.”
For a second consecutive year, 96% of Committed Christians have given to their church,” noted the report about encouraging data. “Among practising Christians, this figure has even increased slightly – from 93% to 95%. Support for Christian charities also remains robust, with 89% of committed and 86% of practising Christians continuing to give.”
Our hope is that the findings in this year’s report can help to unlock the giving potential indicated by these numbers,” added the report.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Swiss theological seminary refocuses on core mission, sells properties to ease finances]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/swiss-theological-seminary-refocuses-on-core-mission-sells-properties-to-ease-finances</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/swiss-theological-seminary-refocuses-on-core-mission-sells-properties-to-ease-finances</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Haus zu den Bergen, part of the Chrischona Berg campus in Bettingen, Switzerland, was sold by the Theological Seminary St. Chrischona as part of a restructuring plan to refocus on theological education and reduce debt.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ tsc.education ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Haus zu den Bergen, part of the Chrischona Berg campus in Bettingen, Switzerland, was sold by the Theological Seminary St. Chrischona as part of a restructuring plan to refocus on theological education and reduce debt. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2026 05:48:00 -0500</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Theological Seminary St. Chrischona (TSC) announced sweeping changes to its operations, emphasizing its core mission of theological education, restructuring real-estate holdings and reaffirming a strategic partnership with the Institute for Community-Orientated Continuing Education (IGW).]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Theological Seminary St. Chrischona (TSC) announced sweeping changes to its operations, emphasizing its core mission of theological education, restructuring real-estate holdings and reaffirming a strategic partnership with the Institute for Community-Orientated Continuing Education (IGW).
Under a long-term plan dubbed “TSC 2040,” the seminary will phase out most external conference and guest operations and sell several properties on Chrischona Berg to reduce debt and prioritize educational work. The shift is aimed at positioning the institution sustainably for its 200th anniversary in 2040, according to Swiss evangelical portal Livenet.ch.
Officials said the seminary’s subsidiary, Chrischona Campus AG, will largely end its external guest operations by fall 2026 after years of financial losses. Internal events such as academic functions, the annual Inspiration Day for older adults and concerts by the TSC choir will continue.
TSC has already sold several buildings on Chrischona Berg, including “Haus zu den Bergen” and the Women’s Residence, on Parcel 1263, according to a Jan. 8 announcement. The buyer, Wallhof AG, a Basel-based real-estate company, plans to build rental apartments. The purchase contract was notarized on Dec. 23, 2025. Part of the proceeds will be used to retire most of the bank mortgages that have strained finances. Despite the sale, TSC and Chrischona Campus AG will continue using the properties in 2026 under an interim-use agreement, meaning current tenants and scheduled events will not be immediately affected.
“We ourselves were unable to further develop these properties,” said Werner Sturm, chairman of Chrischona Campus AG’s board. “We are therefore all the more grateful that we have found new neighbors who share our values and will shape them. With the proceeds, we will now significantly reduce our bank mortgages. This greatly relieves our work and confirms us on the path we have taken.”
The real-estate strategy is part of broader changes under TSC 2040, which aims to streamline operations and focus resources on theological instruction. As part of that effort, the seminary will retain ownership of only those buildings directly tied to education, including the conference center, student residence, Eben-Ezer Hall and St. Chrischona Church.
Leaders said the refocusing effort has widespread support within the seminary community. Christian Haslebacher, chairman of Viva Church Switzerland, a church network with roots in the Pilgermission St. Chrischona, endorsed the renewed emphasis on training people to understand and communicate the gospel, saying the strategy returns focus to the institution’s historic vision.
The seminary’s commitment to education also extends through a strategic alliance with its longtime partner, IGW. In late 2024, TSC and IGW agreed to merge under an overall management structure known as TSC-IGW, although they said both brands and sponsoring associations would remain distinct. The partnership is designed to leverage complementary strengths — with IGW’s experience in dual theological study programs and TSC’s emphasis on immersive on-campus community education — and expand offerings including master’s and continuing education programs.  ￼
“This merger is an investment in theological education for the benefit of the Kingdom of God,” said TSC Rector Dr. Benedikt Walker in 2024 when the agreement was finalized.  ￼
TSC leaders said the combined TSC-IGW Academy, launching in spring 2026, will bundle continuing education offerings and extend the seminary’s educational reach.
Founded in 1840 as a mission training institution, TSC is one of Switzerland’s oldest evangelical theological seminaries and has educated thousands of students over its history.  ￼]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Canadian churches encouraged to commit to yearlong prayer for students]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/canadian-churches-encouraged-to-commit-to-yearlong-prayer-for-students</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/canadian-churches-encouraged-to-commit-to-yearlong-prayer-for-students</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Canadian churches encouraged to commit to yearlong prayer for students]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ lisa runnels from Pixabay ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Young Canadians returning to school need the prayer and support of churches ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2026 11:50:00 -0500</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[As Canada navigates a year marked by mounting social, economic and cultural pressures, a national youth ministry leader is urging churches to commit to sustained prayer for students and educators across the country throughout 2026. Tim Teakle, Alpha Youth Director at Alpha Canada, has called on Christians to intentionally cover young people in prayer as they face growing academic, mental health and identity-related challenges, emphasizing that   support is critical for a generation forming its v]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
As Canada navigates a year marked by mounting social, economic and cultural pressures, a national youth ministry leader is urging churches to commit to sustained prayer for students and educators across the country throughout 2026.
Tim Teakle, Alpha Youth Director at Alpha Canada, has called on Christians to intentionally cover young people in prayer as they face growing academic, mental health and identity-related challenges, emphasizing that spiritual support is critical for a generation forming its values and direction amid uncertainty.
“Our high schools are filled with students navigating the challenges and changes of life. Teachers who have committed themselves to helping the rising generation thrive. Support staff who make it all possible. Each of them needs prayer,” he said.
Teakle’s comments follow a nationwide prayer campaign launched by Alpha Canada challenging Christians to pray weekly for the students and staff when the 4,911 Canadian high schools started the school year last September, as the country “grapples with growing economic, social and cultural challenges.”
Titled “Made For This: Uniting in Prayer for All 4,911 High Schools Across Canada,” the campaign asked for churches to set aside intentional time to pray for the next generation of leaders and citizens currently studying in schools. 
Churches were asked to select at least two high schools on an interactive prayer map and then “join in prayer across the nation” with an ongoing commitment to regular intercession, “believing in the transformative power of compassion, community, and courage to shape Canada's future,” according to Alpha Canada.  
"We believe this generation of young people is remarkable—creative, resilient, and full of potential to lead with empathy and courage," said Shaila Visser, National Director of Alpha Canada, at the time. "They were made for these times and we, the church, are made for this moment: to champion them, support them, and cover them in prayer."
Joanna la Fleur, Director of Brand Influence for Alpha Canada, told Christian Daily International that the prayer campaign would run for the full school year, from September this year to June 2026. 
Meanwhile, in his January prayer call asking for renewed prayers for students in 2026, Teakle again asked the question, “What if each of us committed to praying for our local high school?
“There are over 5,000 high schools across Canada,” he said. “Together, we can see every single one covered in prayer. If you haven’t signed up to pray for a High School yet, now is the time. Let’s pray together.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[ACSI launches “Faith Teaches” campaign during US National School Choice Week]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/acsi-launches-faith-teaches-campaign-during-national-school-choice-week</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/acsi-launches-faith-teaches-campaign-during-national-school-choice-week</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[reading the Bible]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Andrew Ebrahim / Unsplash ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 24 Jan 2026 23:31:00 -0500</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is launching its annual “Faith Teaches” campaign during National School Choice Week, highlighting the role of Christian schools in both academic achievement and spiritual formation.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is launching its annual “Faith Teaches” campaign during National School Choice Week, highlighting the role of Christian schools in both academic achievement and spiritual formation.
The campaign emphasizes that parents are the primary teachers of their children’s faith, supported by churches and schools as partners in guiding spiritual growth. Faith, ACSI notes, is formed in everyday moments, not only in classrooms or religious services.
The initiative provides families, congregations, and educators with resources such as guides, prayer materials, posters, and videos to help promote and strengthen Christian education globally.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it,” Proverbs 22:6 says. This scripture underpins the campaign’s approach, emphasizing that early investment in faith formation lays a foundation for a lifelong spiritual journey.
“Faith is formed in the daily lives of children, and schools are partners in nurturing that faith,” said Philip Scott, ACSI vice president for legal affairs. “It is imperative that families have the best educational options to fit the needs of their child. Parents need support and resources to choose wisely for their child’s flourishing and ultimately for the glory of God.”
The campaign frames Christian education as a holistic, daily process that integrates spiritual development at home, in church, and at school. Christian schools aim to prepare students academically while teaching the intrinsic worth and dignity of every person, rooted in the biblical truth of Genesis 1:27.
Through the “Faith Teaches” campaign, ACSI seeks to amplify the lasting benefits of Christian education while advocating for policies that protect and strengthen parental choice.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Documentary explores faith, parental rights in U.S. public schools]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/documentary-explores-faith-parental-rights-in-us-public-schools</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/documentary-explores-faith-parental-rights-in-us-public-schools</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[A scene from Off School Property: Solving the Separation of Church and State, a documentary examining legal limits on religious expression in U.S. public schools and the use of off-campus Bible instruction during the school day]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ A scene from Off School Property: Solving the Separation of Church and State, a documentary examining legal limits on religious expression in U.S. public schools and the use of off-campus Bible instruction during the school day. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 15 Jan 2026 08:35:00 -0500</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A new documentary streaming this month examines the impact of removing Bibles from U.S. public schools and the legal and educational alternatives for families seeking to give students access to biblical instruction during the school day. Titled Off School Property: Solving the Separation of Church and State, the film from LifeWise Academy explores the constitutional boundaries of religious expression in education, focusing on “released time religious instruction,” a long-standing legal framework]]></description>
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A new documentary streaming this month examines the impact of removing Bibles from U.S. public schools and the legal and educational alternatives for families seeking to give students access to biblical instruction during the school day. 
Titled Off School Property: Solving the Separation of Church and State, the film from LifeWise Academy explores the constitutional boundaries of religious expression in education, focusing on “released time religious instruction,” a long-standing legal framework that allows students, with parental permission, to attend off-campus Bible classes during school hours. Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Nate Lundquist, the documentary enters a renewed national debate over religious liberty, parental rights and the role of faith in public education.
Legal disputes over Ten Commandments displays in classrooms, taxpayer-funded religious charter schools, and faith-based curriculum initiatives highlight the relevance and urgency of the issue raised in the documentary, according to producers.
The documentary is set to stream on Angel Studios for Angel Guild members on Jan. 15, following its nationwide debut in 700 theaters on Oct. 23, 2025. The theatrical release reportedly already led to conversations about faith in education and religious liberty in churches, school districts and parent groups, producers say.
“This isn’t about forcing faith on anyone,” said director Nate Lundquist. “It’s about restoring parents’ rights and reminding America that removing faith from education had consequences. The film shows that there is a lawful, respectful way to give families the option to include Scripture in their children’s education again.”
The documentary reviews common misconceptions about the so-called separation of church and state and explains why released-time religious instruction has repeatedly been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court as constitutional.
It involves interviews with historians, educators, parents and students,including renowned cultural researcher George Barna, the Director of Research at Arizona Christian University's Cultural Research Center, and podcaster and author Alisa Childers, a former member of the all-female Christian music group ZOEgirl. 
“We made this film to educate, equip and encourage parents who sense something has been missing from their children’s education,” said Joel Penton, founder and CEO of LifeWise Academy.Families are searching for answers, and “they’re searching for hope,” according to Penton.
“This film doesn’t just explain what went wrong. It shows a practical, constitutional path forward that is already working in communities across the country,” he added. ]]></content:encoded>
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