Podcasts about world watch list

Tommi Hakkari ja Johanna Kultalahti keskustelevat kristittyjen tilanteesta Mauritaniassa, joka on vuoden 2026 World Watch List -vainoraportin sijalla 21.   https://opendoors.fi/maa/mauritania/  

Tommi Hakkari ja Johanna Kultalahti keskustelevat kristittyjen tilanteesta Algeriassa, joka on vuoden 2026 World Watch List -vainoraportin sijalla 20.   https://opendoors.fi/maa/algeria  

My friend Shana Reif suffered from Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and other organs. It causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the airways, leading to repeated infections, inflammation, and progressive lung damage. In many cases, the disease can advance until the lungs can no longer do what God created them to dobring oxygen into the body and sustain life. Cystic Fibrosis is a horrible and incurable disease, and it was the disease Shana endured all her life. When she was born, her parents were told she would not live much past her twentieth birthday. But Shana lived to be thirty-two. I came to know Shana in high school, not long after I became a follower of Jesus. After high school, we became very close friends. She edited my Bible college papers, and I visited her often during her many hospital stays. I also visited her at home as she recovered from the latest infection. By 2003, her lungs had been so damaged by chronic infections that she was placed on the waiting list for new lungs. She received a double lung transplant in 2004, but even then, her suffering did not fully end. Her body remained fragile. Her fight continued. But Shana loved Jesus. Though she struggled deeply with her disease, she held onto the hope of the gospel. One of the last emails I received from her was signed with words from her favorite hymn: Great is Thy faithfulness. In 2007, Shana died from complications after a procedure to reopen a constricted airway. When someone you love suffers like that, the question How long? is not theoretical. How long will disease ravage bodies? How long will death take those we love? How long will Gods people suffer in a world still broken by sin? How long before Christ makes all things new? Revelation 6:911 brings us to that question. But here, the cry comes specifically from those who have been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they maintained. The Martyrs: The Cost of Their Witness (v. 9) There are three cycles of judgment in Revelation: the seals, the trumpets, and the bowls. These cycles do not unfold in strict linear successionseals, then trumpets, then bowlsbut recapitulate the same period of history with increasing intensity, like birth pains. For our purposes, I simply want you to notice one pattern that helps us understand what is happening in this passage. In each cyclethe seals, trumpets, and bowlsthe first four judgments affect the world in broad, visible ways, but the fifth shifts the focus. The fifth seal shows the saints crying out for justice (Rev. 6:911). The fifth trumpet shows judgment beginning to fall on the enemies of Godthose who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads (Rev. 9:112; especially 9:4). The fifth bowl shows judgment reaching the very throne of the beast, whose kingdom wages war against all who refuse to worship him (Rev. 16:1011; cf. Rev. 13:78, 15). This is why the first four seals show us the horsemen riding across the earth. But when the fifth seal is opened, the focus shifts from what is happening on earth to what heaven sees when Gods people suffer because of the word of God and the testimony they maintain. These martyrs are not beneath the altar because they were victims of history. They are there because they belonged to the Lamb and remained faithful to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. Their witness cost them their lives. John is showing us what Jesus had already told His disciples: If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me (Matt. 16:24; NASB). The fifth seal reminds us that following Jesus is not merely a call to believe certain truths about Him; it is a call to bear faithful witness to those truths, even when obedience is costly. Polycarp is said to have been a disciple of the apostle John and later became the bishop of Smyrna. Smyrna, you may remember, was one of the seven churches Jesus addressed in Revelation. Jesus told that suffering church, Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). Years later, Polycarp was arrested and ordered to deny Christ. When pressed to renounce Jesus, he replied, Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour? Polycarps witness cost him his life, but heaven did not see his death as Rome did. Rome saw a criminal to be silenced. Heaven saw a faithful witness beneath the altar. And we do not have to go back to Polycarp to see this kind of witness. You may remember the twenty-one Coptic Christians who were taken by ISIS in Libya and led onto a beach in orange jumpsuits. They were ordinary men who refused to renounce their faith in Jesus. Their blood was shed on earth, but Revelation 6 reminds us that heaven did not miss a drop. The world saw men being led to execution. Heaven saw faithful witnesses beneath the altar. Since 2015, conservative estimates suggest that more than 50,000 Christians have been killed for faith-related reasons around the world. According to Open Doors 2026 World Watch List, North Korea remains the most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian, while Nigeria is the deadliest, accounting for 3,490 of the 4,849 Christians killed for their faith during the latest reporting period. The seals describe the birth pains that mark this present age. The first four seals show us a world marked by conquest, war, famine, and death. But when the fifth seal is opened, we are shown what heaven sees when Gods people suffer because of the word of God and the testimony they maintain. The Altar: The Cry Before God (v. 10) Notice that John not only tells us that these faithful Christ-followers suffered and died for their faith, but also tells us where he saw these Christians. They are under the altar. This is a crucial detail that you can only understand if you know something about the Old Testament tabernacle that God told Moses to build. Scripture tells us that the earthly tabernacle was a copy and shadow of the one in heaven (Heb. 8:4-5; Exod. 25-31; 35-40). So when John sees an altar in heaven, he is not seeing something new, but the heavenly reality to which Israels worship had always pointed. Within the tabernacle, there were two primary altars. The bronze altar stood in the courtyard, where sacrifices were offered. The altar of incense stood near the Most Holy Place, close to the ark of the covenant, which represented the throne of God. Both altars help us understand what John sees. The blood of the sacrifice was poured at the altars base, and the incense rising before the Lord symbolized the prayers of Gods people ascending into His presence. So when John sees the souls of the martyrs beneath the altar, he sees their lives as precious before God and their prayers as heard before His throne. In the earthly tabernacle, a veil stood between the priests and God's immediate presence. But in heaven, no curtain hides His throne from His redeemed people. The martyrs are not far from God. They are beneath the altar, before the throne, and in the presence of the Lord God Almighty. Now, picture what is happening before Johns eyes. Those who suffered the ultimate cost for following Jesus are not behind the altar, nor are they on top of the altar. These saints are under the altar, which tells us that they are closest to the throne. Also, the martyrs are not passive, but are actively pleading for vindication in Gods heavenly court. There is no magical language here, for their cries are raw and honest. There is no anger hurled before God, but cries of vindication in light of their understanding of who God is! Notice what these dear saints include in their prayer: O Sovereign Lord, holy and true... Now lets stop there for a moment. The ESV translates the word well asSovereign Lord.The Greek word used here is not the most common term for Lord,kyrios, butdespotēs, and this is the only time it appears in the entire book of Revelation. The word these martyred saints use conveys absolute ownership, supreme authority, and sovereign mastery. We get our English worddespotfrom this word, but whiledespotusually carries a negative meaning in English, that is not the case whendespotēs is used of God in the New Testament. When used of God, it emphasizes His complete authority over creation, His servants, history, judgment, and justice. This matters because these Christians are not merely crying out to God as sufferers, asking whether He cares. They are crying out to the One they know to be the Sovereign Master over all things. They are appealing to the One who has the authority to judge, avenge, vindicate, and bring history to its appointed end. They are not crying out in doubt. They are crying out in faith. They know He is able. They know He is holy. They know He is true. And they know that the Sovereign Lord will do what is right. Notice what the saints attribute to God next. Not only is He the Sovereign Master, but He is holy. These saints who have suffered much understand that their God is utterly set apart from all evil, corruption, compromise, and injustice. He is not like the kingdoms and the kings of this world. He is not indifferent to injustice and the bloodshed at the hands of the wicked. He is not morally conflicted. He is pure in all His judgments, righteous in all His ways, and completely opposed to everything wicked. He is holy and these saints know it! God is not only holy; He is also true. When these saints plead their case before the throne of God, they do so knowing that He is faithful to all He has promised. He does not forget. He does not make empty threats or hollow promises. What He has spoken, He will do (Num. 23:19; Josh. 21:45; Isa. 55:1011; Titus 1:2; Heb. 10:23). So when these martyrs cry, How long? they are not questioning Gods goodness, nor are they doubting that He will keep His word. They are asking when the God who is holy and true will act in perfect faithfulness to His word and to those He has promised never to forsake (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5; Rev). The breaking of the fifth seal and the prayer of these suffering saints teach us an important truth about how we can and should pray. They pray from their understanding of who God truly is. This is the kind of thing we read about in Daniel 11:32: ...the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. These saints know their God, and so they cry out, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? This prayer is not a contradiction of Jesus command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44). It is a plea to the holy and true God to judge evil, vindicate His people, and set the world right. Their cry is rooted in the justice of God, knowing that His Word teaches that vengeance belongs to Him and not to His people (Deut. 32:35; Rom. 12:19). The martyrs beneath the altar are asking God to do what only God has the right and authority to do. The Throne: The Completion of Gods Purpose (v. 11) Now, notice what happens next. God responds, meaning He heard their prayer. But He does not respond as we might initially expect. The God who is sovereign, holy, and true responds by giving these Christians white robes as a sign of honor, purity, and vindication. These robes signify the righteousness that is theirs because of Jesus. When we see this great multitude again in Revelation 7, we are told, They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14). These martyred saints represent every faithful witness who has been slain for the word of God and the testimony they upheldfrom the earliest martyrs of the church to our brothers and sisters suffering for Christ today. They are not treated as victims of random violence but as saints who belong to Christ and whose witness is precious before God. God responds by giving them white robes and telling them to do the thing we all hate: wait. Verse 11 says they were told to rest a little longer. That word, rest, matters. God is not dismissing their cry. He is not ignoring their suffering. He is calling them to rest in His presence, assured that perfect justice will come in His appointed time and in His sovereign way. Why must they wait? Because other Christians will suffer as they did, and they must wait until their number is complete. This means Gods justice is not delayed because He is indifferent. It is delayed because His purpose is not yet complete. There are still more witnesses to be gathered, more saints to be strengthened, and more glory to be given to Christ through the faithful endurance of His people. Gods answer to their prayer was to wait a little while longer. Conclusion My friend Shana frequently asked the same question you may have asked more than you can count: How long O Sovereign Lord, holy and true... It is the plea of the suffering. Shana was not a martyr, she was not killed by persecutors because of the word of God. She died on the operating table due to complications at the hands of surgeons who were trying to ease her suffering. Let me tell you what Shana did know. She knew what it meant to suffer in a world that is still waiting for Christ to make all things new. She knew what it meant to groan. She knew what it meant to wait. She knew what it meant to hope. I know that God used her life to encourage and strengthen the faith of others. Revelation 6:9-11 teaches us that we need not pretend the pain we experience is small. We need not pretend injustice does not matter. We need not pretend that death is natural. We can cry How long and do so in faith, not despair. We can cry it to the Sovereign Lord, who is holy and true. The Lamb who opens the fifth seal, is the Lamb who sees the suffering of His people. He honors the witness of His redeemed. He gives those who follow Him rest. The Lamb who died for you, is the Lord who will bring His purpose to completion for His glory and for your good! So, my dear brothers and sisters, we wait. But we do not wait as people forgotten by the One who sits upon the throne. We wait as those who belong to the Lamb. We wait as those whose lives are precious before the One on the throne. And we wait with confidence that the One who is sovereign, holy, and true will do exactly what He has promised. We can trust Him to do what is good and right because that is who He is.

Tommi Hakkari ja Johanna Kultalahti keskustelevat kristittyjen tilanteesta Malediiveilla, joka on vuoden 2026 World Watch List -vainoraportin sijalla 19.   https://opendoors.fi/maa/malediivit/  

This week on This Week At Windsor, Jonathan and Ardin are joined by Kelly Wisner. Originally from Jonathan's homeland of the USA, Kelly shares her remarkable journey serving as a missionary in South East Asia among a predominantly Muslim population. After spending six years on the mission field, Kelly experienced deep burnout, eventually finding herself in Australia working with Open Doors.Kelly speaks openly and honestly about the pressures she carried, what burnout taught her, and what she would say to her younger self looking back. Through it all, she learned the importance of not depending on her own strength, but fully leaning on and trusting in the Lord.The conversation also explores the similarities between Christians and Muslims, the surprising ways God is moving among Muslim communities, and the importance of mentorship, support, and learning to work within your God-given limitations. It's a thoughtful, vulnerable and deeply encouraging episode about faithfulness, weakness and trusting God to bring the growth.

Tommi Hakkari ja Johanna Kultalahti keskustelevat kristittyjen tilanteesta Irakissa, joka on vuoden 2026 World Watch List -vainoraportin sijalla 18.   https://opendoors.fi/maa/irak/  

This Week At Windsor welcomes Sue Tompsett to the podcast with hosts Jonathan and Ardin. Sue is the Worship, Creative and Planning Coordinator at Community Life Church in Cherrybrook and brings with her years of experience in worship and ministry leadership. Having known Jonathan for many years, the conversation feels personal, reflective and full of wisdom gathered across many seasons of ministry.Sue shares her own journey of faith, including the powerful words God placed on her heart as a young woman: “I am in you.” She speaks about her deep love for music and corporate worship, reflecting on the unique way music can bypass the mind and speak directly to the heart — and how powerful that becomes when God is at the centre of it all.The conversation also touches on hope, hopelessness, navigating difficult seasons in church life, and learning to recognise God's hand even in the hard moments. Sue speaks warmly about the current season at her own church, describing a growing sense of "faithfulness and faith filled-ness" among the congregation.It's a thoughtful and encouraging conversation, take a listen to find out more!

Tommi Hakkari ja Johanna Kultalahti keskustelevat kristittyjen tilanteesta Kiinassa, joka on vuoden 2026 World Watch List -vainoraportin sijalla 17.   https://opendoors.fi/maa/kiina/  

Allie is joined by Ryan Brown, the CEO of Open Doors. His organization has a World Watch List that tracks Christian persecution around the globe. Some countries, like Mexico, may shock American Christians, while Syria has gotten gratuitously worse since Assad was deposed. However, Ryan shares the stories of Christians who have overcome unimaginable torments through faith alone and tells viewers how they can support their brothers and sisters in need. Support Christians in Africa: https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/getinvolved/arise-africa/ Share the Arrows 2026 is on October 10 in Dallas, Texas! Tickets are on sale now at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sharethearrows.com⁠⁠⁠ Share the Arrows is sponsored by: A'del Natural Cosmetics: AdelNaturalCosmetics.com Range Leather: RangeLeather.com/ALLIE We Heart Nutrition: WeHeartNutrition.com Buy Allie's book "Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion": ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.toxicempathy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Time Codes 0:00 Introduction 3:53 Tracking Christian Persecutions 20:09 Syria 25:53 Yemen 29:30 Africa 33:09 North Korea 38:51 Mexico 46:34 The Middle East & Islamic World 57:42 How to Get Involved – Today's Sponsors: Alliance Defending Freedom | For a limited time, every dollar you give to ADF will be doubled — but only while matching funds remain available. Go to JOINADF.com/ALLIE or text ALLIE to 83848 to have your gift for life matched. Shopify | Sign up for your $1-per-month trial today at shopify.com/allie. Voice of the Martyrs | Visit ⁠VOM.org/ALLIE⁠ to get your free copy of "Hearts of Fire 2" today! Seven Weeks Coffee | Experience the best coffee while supporting the pro-life movement with Seven Weeks Coffee; use code ALLIE at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sevenweekscoffee.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get up to 25% off your first order, plus your free gift! Pre-Born | To donate, dial #250 and say the keyword “BABY.” Or visit Preborn.com/ALLIE. Episodes You May Like: Who's Funding the Christian Genocide in Nigeria? | Judd Saul | Ep 1270 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWMloyWeFio&t=600s How to Become the Resistance: Obey | Ep 338 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-LkCaxo240 --- ► Buy Allie's book "You're Not Enough (& That's Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love": https://alliebethstuckey.com/book ► Subscribe to the podcast: iTunes: https://apple.co/2UVssnP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2FwkXxj ► Connect with Allie on Social Media: https://twitter.com/conservmillen https://www.instagram.com/alliebstuckey/ https://facebook.com/allieBlazeTV/ ► Relatable merchandise – use promo code ALLIE10 for a discount: https://shop.blazemedia.com/collections/allie-stuckey

Our guest is JESS EKSTROM, a Forbes top rated speaker, entrepreneur, founder of Headbands of Hope out of her college dorm room, and more recently founder of MicDrop Workshop, helping raise up a new wave of women speakers. Jess is a 3 time author, including her brand new bestseller Making It Without Losing It. She speaks for and advises some of the top companies in the world. We discuss leadership today, why speaking is about the audience, lessons as an entrepreneur, balancing mom life and work life, and much more. Plus check out the list of 25 Women Speakers to Know. Make sure to visit http://h3leadership.com to access the list and all the show notes. Thanks again to our partners for this episode: OPEN DOORS - Get the latest FREE 2026 World Watch List and prayer guide at http://opendoorsus.org. Since they were founded by Brother Andrew nearly 70 years ago, Open Doors has become the world's largest on-the-ground network working to strengthen persecuted Christians. 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution for their faith- 1 in 7 worldwide. Download the FREE World Watch List now. Plus the Prayer Guide gives you the World Watch List, real stories of persecuted Christians, profiles of all 50 countries and specific ways to pray for each one. Again, visit http://opendoorsus.org. And COME and SEE FOUNDATION – reaching a billion people with the story of Jesus. Visit http://comeandseefoundation.org. Come and See Foundation is on a mission to ensure that all 7 seasons of The Chosen are produced, translated into 600 languages, globally distributed, and kept FREE for all. From Michigan to Madagascar, people are encountering Jesus through The Chosen, Join Come and See in inviting a billion people to find and follow Jesus. You can play a supporting role in introducing the world to Jesus. Lean more and get involved at http://comeandseefoundation.org.

In Niger, Christians are roughly one in every few hundred people – a small remnant living under the pressure of extremist violence and deep poverty. In this episode, Nathan and Joel explore what persecution looks like in Niger today and share the story of a mother who fled with her children when militants reached her village.

The most horrific crime against humanity in the world history is underway in our time. According to Open Doors' World Watch List, over 388 million Christians are currently being heavily persecuted around the world.  That's more people than live in the United States  being tortured, imprisoned, raped, driven from their homes and, in many cases, murdered simply because they follow Jesus Christ.  Our coalition called “Save the Persecuted Christians” conducted this week a powerful webinar exposing one of the most flagrant and ongoing examples of such horrors. It examined the genocide to which Nigeria's Christian population is being subjected with the knowledge and complicity of its government.  To his great credit, President Trump intervened there last Christmas, killing large numbers of jihadists responsible for such predations. Now, he must redouble his efforts to hold them and their governmental enablers accountable. This is Frank Gaffney.

Send us Fan MailHow far has the name of Jesus gone? You might be surprised. Join host Rachel Cash as she talks about the theology in Charlie Peacock's 1995 song, "One Man Gets Around," the moon, and the Artemis II Mission. Listen to the Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-Bcb2YQ_gcAudio from Pilot Victor Glover: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8tQPY5h3SWUPhoto of Astronaut David Scott's Bible on the Lunar Rover: https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/07/19/the-only-bible-on-the-moon-was-brought-there-by-an-episcopalian-on-behalf-of-his-parish/Open Doors US 2026 World Watch List: https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/persecution/countries/Interview with Charlie & Andi Ashworth:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1484281/episodes/14922514Come hang out with us and fellow mixtape theologians on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @MixtapeTheology or by visiting mixtapetheology.com/stuffCome check out 90s Christian swag at our merch store at mixtapetheology.comWe are part of the NRT (New Release Today) podcast network. Find more Christian music related podcasts at newreleasetoday.com

Our guest is Dr. HENRY CLOUD, NYT Best-selling author of over 20 million books, global leadership expert, renowned psychologist and author of the new book Your Desired Future. We discuss discovering your purpose, finding the right job, leadership recent learnings, and much more. Plus check out the April Top Ten Leadership List. Make sure to visit http://h3leadership.com to access the full list and all the show notes. Share them with your team, repost the lists, and follow and subscribe. Thanks again to our partners for this episode: GENERIS – one of the biggest challenges today is building a culture of generosity. But our friends at Generis have the proven giving strategies that will help accelerate generosity in your church, school, college or non-profit. For over 30 years Generis has helped thousands of churches and non profits develop a sustainable culture of generosity to fund their God-inspired vision. Get started at http://generis.com to schedule a conversation with one of their incredible consultants. It will be worth your time. Again, visit http://generis.com to get started. Generis has the experience and heart to inspire generosity, advance your mission, and grow your impact for the Kingdom. And OPEN DOORS - Get the latest FREE 2026 World Watch List and prayer guide at http://opendoorsus.org. Since they were founded by Brother Andrew nearly 70 years ago, Open Doors has become the world's largest on-the-ground network working to strengthen persecuted Christians. 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution for their faith- 1 in 7 worldwide. Download the FREE World Watch List now. Plus the Prayer Guide gives you the World Watch List, real stories of persecuted Christians, profiles of all 50 countries and specific ways to pray for each one. Again, visit http://opendoorsus.org.

Tommi Hakkari ja Johanna Kultalahti keskustelevat kristittyjen tilanteesta Malissa, joka on vuoden 2026 World Watch List -vainoraportin sijalla 15.   https://opendoors.fi/maa/mali/  

Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at ⁠⁠⁠PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal ⁠⁠⁠today!What do you do when following Jesus could cost you your family, your freedom, or even your life? This week, Rachel Morley, the Senior SRP Specialist for Open Doors, joins Jaime for an eye-opening and deeply moving conversation about the realities facing the persecuted church today. In this episode, Rachel shares the unique, often hidden, and complex challenges that Christian women face in hostile regions around the world. She opens up about the heartbreaking reality of secret believers, the threat of forced marriages, and the profound cost of choosing Christ in places like Afghanistan, Somalia, India and Bangladesh. Rachel also unpacks incredible stories of resilience that prove God is still doing the impossible in impossible places. From believers finding peace in the face of familial betrayal to Muslims encountering Jesus in miraculous dreams and visions, this conversation highlights the unbreakable spirit of the global church. She also introduces a powerful, simple way to intercede when you don't have the answers: the "somehow" prayer. You'll walk away inspired by the courageous faith of our persecuted brothers and sisters, reminded that God's light shines brightest in the darkest places, and equipped with practical ways to stand with them in prayer. Visit ODUS.org to learn more about how you can support persecuted believers, explore the World Watch List at ODUS.org/WWL, and follow them on Facebook at Open Doors US for daily prayer requests, videos, and stories of hope. Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Check out our new podcast, Christian True-Crime Junkies!, on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Tommi Hakkari ja Johanna Kultalahti keskustelevat kristittyjen tilanteesta Myanmarissa, joka on vuoden 2026 World Watch List -vainoraportin sijalla 14. https://opendoors.fi/maa/myanmar/  

Brother Wybo served persecuted Christians for decades through Open Doors alongside Brother Andrew, author of God's Smuggler. Andrew was known for his passion for distributing Bibles and his willingness to take risks to bring God's Word into hostile and restricted nations. During his time with Open Doors, Wybo developed the World Watch List, which tracks the countries where Christians experience the most persecution. He has now helped create the Bible Access List [Home | Bible Access List], a new initiative measuring how difficult it is for Christians worldwide to obtain Bibles. The list highlights both nations where governments restrict Bible distribution, such as Afghanistan, and places like India where Bibles are legal but scarce due to economic barriers, supply issues, or other challenges. Wybo hopes the list will inspire Christians to pray and support Bible access efforts. Drawing on decades of experience, he also shares lessons learned from persecuted believers and the encouragement he witnessed while distributing Bibles in Ethiopia.

Episode 30 | World Watch List: Central African Republic by Open Doors Australia & New Zealand

Episode 29 | World Watch List: Cuba by Open Doors Australia & New Zealand

It's Thursday, March 19th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Chine Communists continue to harass the church China's National People's Congress passed the innocuously named “Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress” last week.  The new law requires the enforcement of a strong sense of Chinese identity across society. This would continue China's suppression of religious and ethnic minorities. It would also affect social organizations and churches.  International Christian Concern noted, “Christian home churches are an attempt to escape government scrutiny, but even they are often raided and their members arrested on charges of working against the interests of the state.” China is ranked 17th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the most oppressive countries to be a Christian.  Trump postpones trip to meet with Chinese President China will have to reschedule a meeting with the United States as the war in Iran continues. U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will postpone his trip to Beijing. The trip was scheduled for the end of the month. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping plan to discuss trade tariffs. The trade war between the two countries has been on pause since last October.  Commenting on the postponement, President Trump said, “Because of the [Iran] war, I want to be here. I have to be here.” Israel killed Iran's top security official on Monday Israel killed Iran's top security official, Ali Larijani, in a strike on Monday. Larijani was likely running the country since U.S. and Israeli strikes killed Iran's supreme leader last month. The recent war has lasted nearly three weeks so far. President Trump told reporters yesterday that America's involvement in the war may be ending soon.  Listen. TRUMP: “We're not ready to leave yet, but we'll be leaving in the near future. We'll be leaving in pretty much the very near future. But, right now, they've been decimated from every standpoint. We've had great support from countries in the Middle East. Great support. But we've had essentially no support from NATO.” Paul Ehrlich, father of population control, died Paul Ehrlich, known as the father of population control, died last Friday at the age of 93. The biology professor and population scientist wrote the 1968 book, The Population Bomb. Ehrlich falsely claimed population growth would cause widespread starvation. He promoted the murder of unborn babies and mass sterilization to stem the alleged tide of overpopulation.  His work inspired governments and organizations to push contraception, abortion, and sterilization on the world.  Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Scotland Parliament votes against legalized assisted suicide Scotland's Parliament voted Tuesday against a bill to legalize assisted suicide. The vote ends two years of national debate on the issue. Alisdair Hungerford-Morgan, Chief Executive of Right To Life UK, said, “This is a great victory for the most vulnerable in our society. They deserve protection and care, not a pathway to suicide. If this legislation had passed, countless vulnerable people would have been pressured or coerced into ending their lives.”  Moody Bible victorious in religious liberty case In the United States, a Christian college won its religious freedom case against the Chicago Board of Education. Previously, the city's public schools blocked The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago from participating in its student-teaching program. The college could only participate if it compromised its Christian hiring practices. The public schools backed down after the lawsuit.  Jeremiah Galus with Alliance Defending Freedom commented, “We're hopeful other public officials will take note that they can't inject themselves illegally and unconstitutionally into a religious non-profit's hiring practices.” YouVersion: No AI chatbots to answer theological questions And finally, a leading digital Bible platform is not implementing artificial intelligence chatbots for answering theological questions. The YouVersion Bible platform has over one billion downloads around the world.  YouVersion CEO Bobby Gruenewald told Christian Daily International that AI models are inaccurate. He said, “The best model with the best performance, with the most popular versions of the Bible that are most indexed, misquotes Scripture at least 15% of the time. Some of them as much as 60% of the time.” Unlike chatbots, God's Word is always accurate. Psalm 12:6 says, “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of Earth, purified seven times.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, March 19th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Ever wondered how a Christian in Uzbekistan might experience persecution for their faith?  Join Nathan and Anna as we explore this landlocked country in Central Asia where only 1% of the population knows and follows Jesus. Hear what "squeeze" persecution looks like in practice for believers in Uzbekistan, including how many people are involved in surveilling every pastor in one region (hint: it's more than you think!).

Brother Wybo served persecuted Christians for decades as part of Open Doors with Brother Andrew. Andrew, the author of God's Smuggler, had a passion for Bible distribution and didn't shy from taking necessary risks to get God's Word into hostile areas and restricted nations. While serving with Open Doors, Wybo created the World Watch List which tracks countries where Christians face the most restrictions and persecution. Now he's led in the creation of a new list which tracks how difficult it is for Christians around the world to access Bibles. The Bible Access List tracks nations where governments attempt to stop Bible distribution, like Afghanistan, and also countries like India where Bibles may be legal but many Christians don't have access because of economic realities, supply issues or other reasons. Wybo hopes that creating a list that includes nations facing both Bible restrictions and Bible shortages will motivate Christians to pray and get involved in helping meet the need. He will share what surprised him most during his research and what formats of Bibles Christians around the world are asking for. He also shares how partnerships are key to meeting the need. Brother Wybo also shares what he's learned from persecuted believers over decades of serving them, and how a trip to distribute Bibles in Ethiopia, one of the top five countries with a Bible shortage, encouraged him as he had the privilege of giving believers their own copy of God's Word. February is Bible Month at VOM, and you can help deliver Bibles to persecuted Christians. The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily in 2026 for persecuted Christians in nations like North Korea, Nigeria, Iran, and Bangladesh, as well as provide free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content, and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.

It's Episode 300!! And our guest is JOBY MARTIN, senior pastor of The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, one of the largest and fastest growing churches in America. Joby is also the NYT Best-selling author of multiple books, including his most recent Stand Up and Act Like Men. He's also part of multiple podcasts, including Deepen and Built for More, and a leading voice for discipling men in America. We discuss the momentum at Eleven22, 4 ways to act like real Christian men, insights on teaching and communication, why men are responding to his message, and so much more. Plus, check out the February Top Ten Leadership List. Make sure to visit http://h3leadership.com to access the full list and all the show notes. Share them with your team, repost the lists, and follow and subscribe. Thanks again to our partners for this episode: CONVOY OF HOPE – Please donate to the Jamaica hurricane relief efforts and ongoing work at http://convoyofhope.org/donate. Convoy is my trusted partner for delivering food and relief by responding to disasters in the US and all around the world. Right now, Convoy of Hope is responding to the Jamaica hurricane, Texas Floods destruction, the LA fires rebuilding efforts, providing basic needs like food, hygiene supplies, medical supplies, blankets, bedding, clothing and more. All through partnering with local Churches. Join me and please support their incredible work. To donate visit http://convoyofhope.org/donate. And OPEN DOORS - Get the latest FREE 2026 World Watch List and prayer guide at http://opendoorsus.org. Since they were founded by Brother Andrew nearly 70 years ago, Open Doors has become the world's largest on-the-ground network working to strengthen persecuted Christians. 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution for their faith- 1 in 7 worldwide. Download the FREE World Watch List now at http://opendoorsus.org. Plus the Prayer Guide gives you the World Watch List, real stories of persecuted Christians, profiles of all 50 countries and specific ways to pray for each one. Again, visit http://opendoorsus.org. 

"They tried to break me, but Jesus rebuilt me." In this episode, join Nathan and Steve as they explore what it's like to be a Christian in Bangladesh against a backdrop of political turmoil, riots that led to the resignation of a Prime Minister, and increasingly violent attacks against believers. Hear how the faith of a nine-year-old girl challenges the way that we can live in simple obedience to the teachings of Jesus.

It's Wednesday, February 18th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Iranian authorities killed 19 Christians Article 18 reports Iran's security forces have killed at least 19 Christians during recent anti-government protests. The Islamic Republic's security forces brutally cracked down on demonstrators, including Christians.  Believers already face persecution for participating in activities like prayer gatherings, baptisms, and Bible distribution. In December, five Christians received prison sentences totaling 50 years for such activities. Iran is ranked 10th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the most oppressive countries to be a Christian.  Nuclear deal between America and Iran Speaking of Iran, the country sent representatives to meet with U.S. officials in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday. The two countries agreed to “guiding principles” for a potential nuclear deal. At the same time, the U.S. is conducting a military build-up in the region. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that striking a deal with Iran is difficult because of its commitment to radical Islam.  Secretary Rubio urged Europe to embrace Christian heritage Secretary Rubio addressed the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Saturday.  He criticized Europe for embracing globalism, open borders, massive welfare states, and climate activism. Rubio said, “We in America have no interest in being polite and orderly caretakers of the West's managed decline.” Instead, he called for European countries to partner with the United States on the basis of their common heritage—Christianity. Listen. RUBIO: “America was founded 250 years ago, but the roots began here on this continent, long before the men who settled and built the nation of my birth arrived on our shores, carrying the memories and the traditions and the Christian faith of their ancestors as a sacred inheritance, an unbreakable link between the old world and the new. “We are part of one civilization, Western civilization. We are bound to one another by the deepest bonds that nations could share, forged by centuries of shared history, Christian faith, culture, heritage, language, ancestry and the sacrifices our forefathers made together for the common civilization to which we have fallen heir.” Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.” Border Czar: We arrested 4,000 illegals & recovered 3,000 kids in MN In the United States, White House Border Czar Tom Homan announced the conclusion of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota last week. Immigration enforcement officers are in the process of leaving the state after having made over 4,000 arrests since December. Homan noted that officers also recovered over 3,000 missing children. HOMAN: “I.C.E. is a legitimate federal law enforcement agency. We're not out scouring the streets to disappear people or deny people their civil rights or due process. In addition to taking public safety threats off the street, I.C.E., here in this state, have located 3,364 missing, unaccompanied alien children -- children the last administration lost and weren't even looking for.” Planned Parenthood closes Florida abortion mill Planned Parenthood announced Monday it will close one of its abortion mills in Florida.  The Lakeland, Florida killing center will fully close next month. This ends 50 years of the abortion giant's presence in the area.  Planned Parenthood locations have fallen from 567 in 2021 to 488 last month. However, Katherine Van Dyke with American Life League warned, “By shedding this ‘dead weight,' they're not retreating. They're regrouping to push the abortion pill regimen through virtual channels, streamlining abortion on demand.” 348th anniversary of Pilgrim's Progress And finally, this week is the 348th anniversary of the publication of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. His first volume of the book was announced on February 18, 1678. Bunyan began the work from prison. He was sentenced for holding unsanctioned religious services. Despite suffering for his faith, he produced a Christian classic that would influence the church for centuries.  The 19th century English preacher Charles Spurgeon, who read Pilgrim's Progress 100 times, said of Bunyan, “Read anything of his, and you will see that it is almost like reading the Bible itself. He had read it till his very soul was saturated with Scripture; and though his writings are charmingly full of poetry, yet he cannot give us his Pilgrim's Progress—that sweetest of all prose poems—without continually making us feel and say, ‘Why, this man is a living Bible!'” Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O LORD, God of hosts.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, February 18th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It's Thursday, February 12th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Olympics can prompt prayer among Christian viewers (Audio of Olympic theme song) Over 3,500 athletes from 93 countries are competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics Games in Milan, Italy this month. Fourteen of these countries are on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the most oppressive places to be a Christian. Those countries include Eritrea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, India, and China.  Open Doors has a message for Christian viewers of the Olympics. They said, “Use the Olympics in a potentially surprising way: to pray.  … Take a moment to think about the situation of your brothers and sisters in that country and pray for it.” You can reference the organization's prayer guide for each country through a link in our transcript today at TheWorldview.com.  Ephesians 6:18 says, “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” Canadian gunman killed 10 people at school Tragically, a transgender shooter opened fire at a Canadian school on Tuesday, reports LifeSiteNews.com. Jesse Strang, a 17-year-old male pretending to be a female while wearing a dress, reportedly killed 10 people including himself.  He also injured 25 people. It's Canada's deadliest school shooting in decades.   The shooting took place at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in northeastern British Columbia which has fewer than 200 students enrolled in Grades 7 through 12. Chris Elston, a Canadian pro-family activist, said, “He was a young man who needed serious help for his mental health. Instead, his delusion was affirmed, and the result is murdered innocent children.” Later, Elston added, “Someone needed to tell this kid the truth and help him to be happy as a man, but it's illegal to do so. It's a criminal offense of conversion therapy. So, he never got help and he got worse. Murdered children paid the price for our politicians' stupidity and cowardice. Not even our police can call him a man. A cult has taken over our society. “ Please pray for the families suffering through this unimaginable loss. YouVersion Bible engagement up dramatically in Latin America Online Bible platforms are seeing unprecedented engagement in Latin America so far this year. This trend marks a year since the YouVersion Bible platform established a regional office in Mexico City. On January 1, nearly two million people subscribed to Bible reading plans. And the app saw over 22.2 million active users on the first Sunday of the year. This marks a 20% growth from last year. Countries with record levels of engagement include Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and El Salvador.   Only 31% o Protestants read Bible daily In the United States, new analysis from Lifeway Research found most Protestant churchgoers don't read the Bible on a daily basis. Seventeen percent of churchgoers read the Bible at least monthly. Fourteen percent read weekly. Thirty percent read a few times a week. And only 31% read the Bible daily. However, the percentage of churchgoers who read the Bible daily or at least a few times a week is now 61%. That's up from 36% in 2007. Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” GOP to FDA: Abortion Kill Pill is hurting women U.S. Senate Republicans criticized the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday after a closed-door briefing on the abortion kill pill. The FDA is supposed to be conducting a safety review of mifepristone, one of the drugs used in chemical abortions. Republicans are accusing the agency of dragging its feet on the study. Listen to comments from Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri in an interview on Washington Watch with Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council. HAWLEY: “Tony. I just think, at this point, this study, it's vital. It should be done. I don't have any confidence that the FDA is actually going to do it. And, in the meantime, abortions in this country are increasing. There are more abortions now than when Roe was the law of the land. And that's because of this chemical abortion.” U.S. homicides down 20% The Major Cities Chiefs Association released its latest report on violent crime in the U.S. The report collects data from 67 of America's biggest police departments. Compared to 2024, reported homicides were down nearly 20% last year. And reported violent crimes are falling after a surge of reports during the COVID-era shutdowns. 130,000 new American jobs The United States added 130,000 jobs in January, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Analysts expected only 55,000 jobs. It's the biggest job growth in over a year. The gains were led by healthcare, social assistance, and construction.  The unemployment rate remained slightly elevated at 4.3%. 92% of Americans like religious themes in movies & TV And finally, a new survey found most Americans are open to religious themes in movies and TV shows. The 2026 Faith & Entertainment Index found 92% of U.S. adults say faith has a role to play in modern entertainment. And 77% believe it can have broad appeal. Brooke Zaugg, executive director of the Faith & Media Initiative, said, “Religion can feel scary to talk about — like politics — so it creates the illusion that it's a small group. That makes it easy for filmmakers to oversimplify it or not give it much thought, instead of recognizing how valuable faith storytelling can be when it's done well.”  Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, February 12th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Join Joyce and Steve in this episode, as we unpack Christian persecution in Sudan, a country navigating new waves of conflict and political unrest. Discover how believers are responding with resilience and faith, providing hope and discipleship in the fourth hardest country in the world to be a Christian.

Ranking second on the 2026 World Watch List, Somalia remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for followers of Jesus. Public Christian worship is forbidden; conversion from Islam is illegal; and the militant terrorist group, Al-Shabaab, continues its violent campaign to eliminate Christianity – openly executing anyone suspected of having faith in Jesus. In the midst of this intense persecution, God is powerfully at work. Through the ministry of Somalia Christian TV, countless Somalis are hearing the Gospel, and thereby encountering Jesus for the first time. The media ministry, led by former Somali Muslims Shino and Shania Gabo, is reaching deep into Somali communities with the hope, truth and life-changing message of God's salvation through Christ. During this episode of Closer to the Fire, podcast host Greg Musselman is joined by Shino and Shania who will be sharing their remarkable testimonies. In addition to revealing the tremendous impact that this couple's growing media outreach is having on so many lives in Somalia, the interview will also address the real dangers they continue to face because of their courageous faith. Length: 58:30 Episode Notes To watch the interview with the Gabo's https://vomcanada.com/cttf-videos/video/cttf-so-2025-02-04.htm Somalia Christian TV: https://somalichristiantv.org Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List: https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/ Learn more about persecution in Somalia: https://www.vomcanada.com/somalia.htm

World Watch List: Libya Think sweeping deserts and Mediterranean shores, but behind the beauty lies a story of hidden faith in one of the hardest countries in the world to be a Christian. Join Joyce and Steve as they uncover what it means to follow Jesus in Libya, where believers walk a dangerous road of secrecy and steadfast hope.

It's Wednesday, January 28th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Mexican authorities expelled Protestant pastor Authorities in southern Mexico expelled a Protestant pastor from their community this month. The issue began after Pastor Velásquez Martínez refused to participate in a Roman Catholic ritual due to his religious beliefs. Local authorities detained him for five days without charge before expelling him and his family. Evangelical families can face arrest, fines, and expulsion in parts of Mexico for their faith. Mexico is ranked 30th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the most oppressive countries to be a Christian.  Catholicism declining in Latin America Analysis by Pew Research found that Catholicism has declined in Latin America over the past decade. Catholicism remains the largest religion across Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. However, it has declined in the region by at least nine percent over the last 10 years. Meanwhile, the religiously unaffiliated have grown rapidly in Latin America. Protestantism has also grown in the region but only by a slight margin. United States withdrew from World Health Organization The United States officially withdrew from the World Health Organization last Thursday. This comes a year after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to initiate the process. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated, “This decision was driven by profound failures in the WHO's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic originating in Wuhan, China.” The withdrawal ends U.S. funding for the World Health Organization. The group is also known for its support of abortion and sexually perverted lifestyles. Thousands of California pro-lifers march Tens of thousands of pro-lifers joined the 22nd Annual Walk for Life West Coast in California on Saturday.  Participants filled the streets of San Francisco in the financial district for more than a mile. Rally co-chair Eva Muntean said, “After 22 years I still find it hard to believe how blessed we are. When I see the enormous crowd that we had today—especially so many young people standing up with love and hope for women and children. I am filled with gratitude and hope. You can't come to the Walk without seeing the promise of a better world!” Psalm 27:13-14 says, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!” Washington man stabbed for being a Christian Sadly, a man suffered an attack over his religion on Sunday morning in Washington state. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office reports they found the man in serious condition. The victim said a stranger approached him and asked what religion he was. He said something about being a Christian. In response, the stranger attacked and stabbed the victim and his dog. The perpetrator died after a confrontation with police.  The Christian Post reports that the victim has been released from a local hospital.  U.S. population down as Trump expels illegals The U.S. population growth rate is slowing as the Trump administration cracks down on illegal immigration.  New data from the U.S. Census Bureau found the population reached nearly 342 million people last year. The 2025 growth rate was half a percent, down from almost one percent in 2024. Christine Hartley with the Census Bureau said, “With births and deaths remaining relatively stable compared to the prior year, the sharp decline in net international migration is the main reason for the slower growth rate we see today.” Geopolitical and economic uncertainly drives gold up. As The Worldview reported yesterday, the price for spot gold reached $5,100 an ounce, a record. That's up 18% so far this year. Ryan McIntyre, president at Sprott Inc., told Reuters, “Gold prices continue to be supported by elevated geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Central banks remain strong buyers as they diversify foreign exchange reserves and reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.” 100-year-old great grandfather speaks at kindergarten class And finally, CBS News reports that a kindergartener in Georgia recently brought her 100-year-old great-grandfather to class. This was to celebrate K.J. Schmansky's 100th day of school this year at Saint Thomas More School in Decatur. Her great-grandfather, Sonny Ragan, was born on October 8, 1925. He got to share 100 years of wisdom with the young class. When asked what keeps him going, Ragan said it's faith and family. 1 Peter 3:10-11 says, “He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, January 28th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Welcome to The Weekly, produced by TAB Media Group, which publishes The Alabama Baptist and The Baptist Paper. Each episode features news headlines read by TAB Media Group staff and volunteers. New episodes are released weekly on Wednesday mornings. Articles featured in this episode: First person: People of all faiths can work together when threats arise World Watch List 2026: Which countries are among the worst? First person: Two ponytail holders and the role of parents in discipleship Explore the Bible and Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lessons 'Innocent until proven guilty': Stages of a crime investigation Preacher turns old sermons into global ministry through social media Seniors experience 'life-changing' deer hunts Ministries help eliminate medical burdens as debt grows Soccer coach uses life experience to teach players off the pitch George Bullard's new book released by TAB Media Group Order Soaring with Faith here! Visit TAB Media HERE Subscribe on iTunes HERE

Jeremy sits down (in person!!) with Andrew and Chris from Open Doors Canada to explore what persecution really means and why understanding it matters for all of us youth workers as we pass faith onto the next generation. Drawing from their work and research of Christians all around the world, Andrew and Chris help clarify the difference between persecution and everyday disagreement, grounding the discussion in a definition centered on identification with Christ. More than statistics, this conversation highlights powerful stories from the global church and invites youth workers to lift their eyes beyond their own context. You'll be challenged to consider how learning from persecuted believers can deepen faith, shape discipleship, and form a more resilient, outward-looking Christianity among your students.Check out opendoorscanada.org and their great resources, like the World Watch List and Arise Africa Campaign.Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community

Ever wondered what it's like to be a Christian in the most dangerous place in the world? Welcome to North Korea. If you're a Christian in North Korea, your faith could cost you everything; your family, your freedom, and even your life are all at risk once you decide to follow Jesus. Join Anna and Gabe as we discover the people that know and share Jesus in a place that wants nothing more than to stamp them out...forever.

Ever wondered how a Christian in Yemen might experience persecution for their faith? Join Joyce and Sarah as we share stories from Yemen, where years of war have left families hungry, displaced, and afraid. Yet even here, Christians quietly serve their neighbours and cling to Jesus in the rubble.

Ryan Brown, CEO of Open Doors US, joins The Christian Post to discuss his organization's World Watch List, which details the most dangerous nations for Christians.

In CI News this week: More abortions are taking place in England and Wales than ever before, Open Doors' World Watch List 2026 records unprecedented levels of persecution against Christians, and a win for nurses in Darlington as an Employment Tribunal rules that an NHS transgender policy is unlawful. You can download the video via this link. Featured stories Abortions at highest level ever in England and Wales Open Doors reports global rise in Christian persecution UK Govt to criminalise ‘disgusting' AI-generated nudes Bible sales reach record high, as Gen Z shows increasing openness Win for Darlington nurses in changing rooms privacy case

It's Thursday, January 15th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, & Sudan top 4 persecuting countries Open Doors released its 2026 World Watch List yesterday. The report ranks the top 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. Once again, North Korea is ranked the worst country for persecution followed by Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, and Eritrea. The remaining top 10 countries are Syria, Nigeria, Pakistan, Libya, and Iran. One out of seven Christians are persecuted worldwide. Between October 2024 and September 2025, the report documented that 4,849 Christians were killed for their faith. Over 90% of the killings occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria.  Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” 2,000 Iranian protestors killed by Islamic regime Millions of Iranians have been protesting against the country's Islamic regime since December 28. Activists report that 2,000 people have been killed as the regime has cracked down on protestors.  Listen to comments from U.S. President Donald Trump. TRUMP: “To all Iranian patriots, keep protesting, take over your institutions, if possible. … I've cancelled all meetings with the Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops. And all I say to them is ‘Help is on its way!' You saw that I put tariffs on anybody doing business with Iran. Just went into effect today.” During this unrest, please pray for the underground church in Iran to remain strong and find opportunities to minister.  Pentagon moving carrier strike group toward Middle East amid Iran tension In a related story, the Pentagon is moving a carrier strike group from the South China Sea to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, which includes the Middle East, as tensions escalate between the Trump administration and Iran, reports NewsNation. Moving the carrier strike group — a naval formation centering around an aircraft carrier, with a variety of support from other vessels — is expected to take about a week. The significant transfer of American military hardware comes amid developments related to unrest in Iran and questions about whether the White House will offer support to opponents of Iran's autocratic, Islamicregime. Franklin Graham calls America to prayer and repentance In the Untied States, Evangelist Franklin Graham called for a time of prayer and repentance across the nation. The call came as “the streets of America boil over with hate, anger, crime, drugs, and just sheer hopelessness.” Listen to comments from Graham. GRAHAM: “I encourage people to pray. And first of all, we need to repent as a nation. We need to repent of our sins and turn from those sins. And we need to repent of our own sins, not just the nation's sins, but our personal sins, and ask God to forgive us.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Trump withdraws from 66 int'l groups, conventions, and treaties The Trump administration announced last Wednesday that the U.S. is withdrawing from 66 international organizations, conventions, and treaties. One of those organizations is the United Nations Population Fund, known for its support of abortion.  Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, said, “From DEI mandates to ‘gender equity' campaigns to climate orthodoxy, many international organizations now serve a globalist project. … These organizations actively seek to constrain American sovereignty.” State Department pauses immigrant visas from 75 countries Plus, the U.S. Department of State announced yesterday that it will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries.  Those nations include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Iran, and Nigeria.  The State Department said migrants from these countries “take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.” U.S. overdose deaths fell New federal data shows U.S. overdose deaths fell last year. Overdose deaths involving opioids and now fentanyl have been on the rise since the 1990s. An estimated 73,000 people died from overdoses during the 12-month period ending in August 2025. That's down 21% from the previous 12-month period.  Researchers suggest this drop is connected with recent regulation changes in China. These changes decreased the availability of chemicals used to make fentanyl.    4,000 U.S. Protestant churches closed in 2024 Lifeway Research reports more Protestant churches closed in the U.S. than opened. Four thousand churches were closed in America in 2024. Meanwhile, only 3,800 churches were started. That's better than 2019 when there were only 3,000 openings and 4,500 closings. Openings have not outpaced closings since 2014 when there were 4,000 openings and 3,700 closings. Christian/Gospel music ranked among top 10 genres And finally, Luminate released its 2025 year-end music report. Christian and Gospel music ranked among the top 10 genres in the U.S. last year. Plus, Christian/Gospel was also one of the highest-growth genres in terms of on-demand audio streams. WINANS: “For Your mercy never fails me All my days, I've been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God “'Cause all my life You have been faithful And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.” That was Cece Winans singing the “Goodness of God.” When it came to music released in the last 18 months, Christian/Gospel music saw the most growth in streams of any genre. Colossians 3:16 reminds us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, January 15th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Top headlines for Thursday, January 15, 2026On today's episode, we break down a tense Senate exchange as Sen. Josh Hawley presses OB/GYN Dr. Nisa Verma with a provocative question about pregnancy. We also explore the latest World Watch List from Open Doors, highlighting the top 50 countries where Christians face persecution. Plus, rapper Lecrae shares why a viral Druski sketch poking fun at megachurch culture made him nod in recognition rather than take offense.00:11 Josh Hawley grills expert Democrat witness about pregnant men01:02 San Antonio drops 'abortion tourism' fund after passage of SB 3301:51 UK Christian leaders warn against redefining ‘Islamophobia'02:41 Brave Books removes Ashley St. Clair; Elon Musk seeks custody03:28 Open Doors US releases 2026 World Watch List report04:18 Lecrae says viral Druski megachurch parody reflects church issues05:06 Chip and Joanna Gaines' company make large donation to Baylor USubscribe to this PodcastApple PodcastsSpotifyOvercastFollow Us on Social Media@ChristianPost on XChristian Post on Facebook@ChristianPostIntl on InstagramSubscribe on YouTubeGet the Edifi AppDownload for iPhoneDownload for AndroidSubscribe to Our NewsletterSubscribe to the Freedom Post, delivered every Monday and ThursdayClick here to get the top headlines delivered to your inbox every morning!Links to the NewsJosh Hawley grills expert Democrat witness about pregnant men | PoliticsChip and Joanna Gaines' company make large donation to Baylor U | EducationSan Antonio drops 'abortion tourism' fund after passage of SB 33 | U.S.UK Christian leaders warn against redefining ‘Islamophobia' | WorldBrave Books removes Ashley St. Clair; Elon Musk seeks custody | U.S.Open Doors US releases 2026 World Watch List report | WorldLecrae says viral Druski megachurch parody reflects church issues | Entertainment

Join Izzy and Solomon for an extraordinary conversation with John, a Yemeni ex-Muslim who left Islam at the heart of Mecca, and Emma from Open Doors UK, as they unpack what it truly costs to follow Jesus in the world's most dangerous places. This episode dives deep into the 2025 World Watch List, revealing where faith costs the most—and why 388 million Christians around the world are paying a high price for following Jesus. Discover John's radical testimony of growing up as a devoted Muslim in Yemen, travelling to Mecca with his family, and rejecting Islam at the holiest site in the Islamic world. We'll also explore practical ways to stand with the persecuted church: pray for the World Watch List countries, love Muslims around you with the truth that God is love, read your Bible and don't take freedom for granted. EXPLORE THE WORLD WATCH LIST: https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/ FOLLOW OPEN DOORS UK: https://www.instagram.com/opendoorsuk/ FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thewayuk/ FOLLOW US ON TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewayuk/ Want to know more? Find a church that has things happening for young people. Visit https://achurchnearyou.com/youth/ [In partnership with CofE Digital Projects]

Ever wondered how a Christian in Somalia might experience persecution for their faith?   Join Nathan and Ryan as we discuss what faith looks like in a country where Islam is the only official religion and extremists are bent on enforcing Sharia (Islamic) law. Hear about the extremes believers must go to when their own family discover their conversion to Christ.

The return of "What About?" Wednesdays! Text us your questions for apologist and pastor Robby Lashua!Annually, Open Doors releases its World Watch List, a report on the state of the persecuted church and the nations wherein Christian persecution is happening.And, annually, the report is both eye-opening and mind-blowing.Today, we hear from Ryan Brown, the CEO for Open Doors US, as he brings this list home, helping us to understand what this list represents and the opportunities that it presents.For more info on Open Doors US, please click here.To download the World Watch List, released this Wednesday for 2026, please follow this link.To join the Arise Africa effort, click here."Kingdom Culture Conversations" is a podcast created through Frameworks, a Biblical worldview initiative of Northwest Christian School.For more information on Frameworks, please visit: https://frameworks.ncsaz.org/For more information on Northwest Christian School, visit: https://www.ncsaz.org/To reach out to Geoff Brown, please email gbrown@ncsaz.org or you can reach him by cell phone: (623)225-5573.

It's New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1st, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Hindus guilty of 80 anti-Christian incidents on Christmas in India Hindu nationalists attacked Christians across India over the Christmas week. International Christian Concern reports over 80 incidents of violent attacks, hate speeches, and tensions during Christmas celebrations. In one case, a group of children in a Christmas carol procession were attacked, and their instruments were destroyed. Shashi Tharoor, a parliamentarian with the Indian National Congress, expressed “deep concern over the rising fear and anxiety among Christians in India. Sadly, there are attacks on Christians in different places of the country.”  India is ranked 11th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the most difficult countries to be a Christian. Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” China continues massive military drills near Taiwan China carried out massive military drills around Taiwan this week. They were the most extensive war games to date, involving live fire, warships, and fighter jets.  Taiwan functions as an independent nation. However, China claims the territory as its own and uses military drills as an intimidation tactic.  The recent drills came after the United States agreed to an $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan last month. Australian church attendance virtually recovered post COVID Church attendance in Australia is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Church Pulse Check 2025 report surveyed 10% of Australian churches. An estimated 1.35 million Australians attend churches services every week. That's up from one million in 2021. It's almost back to pre-pandemic levels of 1.4 million in 2016. First two Trump vetoes In the United States, President Donald Trump issued the first vetoes of his second term on Tuesday. President Trump vetoed the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act. It would provide taxpayer funding to a local water project in Colorado. He wrote, “Enough is enough. My administration is committed to preventing American taxpayers from funding expensive and unreliable policies. Ending the massive cost of taxpayer handouts and restoring fiscal sanity is vital to economic growth and the fiscal health of the nation.” President Trump also vetoed the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendment Act. The bill would expand the area reserved for the Miccosukee Tribe in Florida. Abortion Pill Rescue Network saved 7,000 babies Heartbeat International reports its Abortion Pill Rescue® Network has saved the lives of over 7,000 unborn babies. Using a progesterone protocol, Abortion Pill Reversal allows many mothers to save their pregnancy after starting down the path of a chemical abortion.  An estimated 79% of abortions in the U.S. last year were done through the abortion pill. However, Heartbeat International is seeing more and more women every year start the reversal process to save their babies.  Proverbs 24:11 says, “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.” Matthew top Bible book studied through Logos platform The Bible study platform Logos released a report on how people around the world studied the Bible in 2025. Listen to comments from Chris Migura, president of Logos. MIGURA: “We saw some incredible outcomes this year. There were over 76 million study sessions in Logos so far this year. Of the 10 countries with the most Logos users, five are non-English speaking. We're thrilled to see that global impact. “We reach new audiences. We're seeing more and more everyday believers -- not just pastors, students or scholars -- doing meaningful Bible study in Logos.” Logos had over four million users across 164 countries last year. The top countries for Logos usage were Brazil, Germany, Mexico, South Korea, and Singapore. The most-studied book of the Bible was the Gospel of Matthew. And the top Bible verse of the year was 2 Timothy 3:16. The verse says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” Only 31% of U.S. adults plan New Year's resolution And finally, a new YouGov survey revealed the top New Year's resolutions of Americans. Only 31% of U.S. adults said they planned on making some type of resolution or goal for 2026. Of those, the top resolution was exercising more followed by being happy and eating healthier. Spending more time with family and praying more made it into the top 10 resolutions. Close And that's The Worldview on New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1st, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Ever wondered how a Christian in Eritrea might experience persecution for their faith? Join Joyce and Sarah as we explore the challenges facing young Christians in Eritrea, where mandatory military service is used to control believers. Amid detention and extreme pressure, they risk everything to follow Jesus.

It's Wednesday, December 17th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Nicaragua prohibits tourists from bringing Bibles Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that Nicaragua now prohibits tourists from bringing Bibles into the country. This is part of a broader deterioration of religious freedom in the Central American nation. Religious leaders often face arbitrary detention, and officials generally prohibit public religious events. The authoritarian government has also shut down over 1,300 religious groups since 2018. Anna Lee Stangl with Christian Solidarity Worldwide said, “The Nicaraguan government's efforts to restrict the entry of Bibles, other books, newspapers and magazines into the country are highly concerning given the current context of repression. We call on the government of Nicaragua to lift this ban immediately.” The country is ranked 30th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian.  Chile elects conservative, pro-life president Chile elected José Antonio Kast, a conservative former lawmaker, as their president on Sunday, reports NBC News. He won 58 percent of the vote, defeating communist rival Jeanette Jara. Kast is a practicing Catholic, the father of nine children, and a pro-life activist.  He said in his victory speech, “But nothing would be possible if we didn't have God. And that's something we can't fail to acknowledge.” He added a prayer for “wisdom, temperance, and strength” in the challenges ahead. Kast campaigned on dealing with growing crime and illegal migration into the South American country, primarily from Venezuela.  Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” America seized a Venezuelan oil tanker related to terrorism The United States seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela last week. It's the first time the U.S. has seized Venezuelan oil since imposing sanctions on the South American country in 2019. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X, “For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations.” U.S. oil production hits historic level The U.S. oil and natural gas industry set production records last month, reports The Center Square. Crude oil output reached about 5.9 million barrels per day, the highest ever recorded in U.S. history. Texas led the production of crude oil and natural gas. So far this year, the Lone Star state's production increased by 5.8 percent despite operating 20 percent fewer rigs. Two Texas cities outlawed abortion Two Texas cities outlawed abortion last week. The City of Springlake, Texas became the 90th city in the nation to pass a Sanctuary City for the Unborn Ordinance last Thursday. And the city council of Tira, Texas became the 91st city to pass such an ordinance on Sunday. Both ordinances passed unanimously.  Tira Mayor Allen Joslin and his wife, Councilwoman Tami Joslin, shared, “We believe this to be the most important item that has come across our forum to vote on, which truly empowers the residents of the Tira community in the battle to protect the unborn.” 60 percent of Americans identify as Christian Pew Research released a new survey on religion in America. The study found that the religious composition of U.S. adults has remained steady over the past five years. During that time, over 60 percent of Americans consistently said they identify as Christians. Previously, affiliation with Christianity was declining, but it appears to be plateauing now.  The study did not find a widespread resurgence of religiosity among young people. Indiana quarterback gives glory to God And finally, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy on Saturday. He's the first Indiana Hoosier to take home college football's top individual award. Mendoza led the Hoosiers through an undefeated season. They won their first Big Ten Championship since 1967 and become the number one ranked team for the first time.  Listen to comments from Mendoza after winning the Heisman Trophy. MENDOZA: “I'm at a loss of words. Wow! I mean. Thank you. Thank you to everybody. First, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to chase a dream that once felt the world away. Standing here tonight, holding this, holding this bad boy, representing Indiana University, still doesn't feel real.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, December 17th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It's Wednesday, December 10th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark 2,000 Christians in India protested persecution Around 2,000 Christians gathered in India's capital of New Delhi last month to protest persecution. Speakers at the event noted that attacks on Christians in the country increased 500% between 2014 and 2024. However, police investigated less than 20% of the cases.  One organizer said, “This is not a political movement, but a constitutional dialogue among Indian citizens from the Christian faith, exercising their democratic rights. The systematic and egregious violence and hostility, coupled with police inaction and lack of access to justice, requires solutions.” India is ranked 11th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the most difficult countries to be a Christian.  Australia banned social media accounts for kids Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media accounts for children this week. The government now requires social media companies to deactivate the accounts of children under 16 in the country or face serious fines. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a message, calling on young people to invest in real-world activities and relationships. Listen.  ALBANESE: “Make the most of the school holidays coming up, rather than spending it scrolling on your phone. Start a new sport, learn a new instrument, or read that book that has been sitting there on your shelf for some time. And importantly, spend quality time with your friends and your family, face to face.” Supreme Court allows Texas county to ban objectionable books In America, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed a Texas county to keep its ban on objectionable books in public libraries. The issue began in 2021 when Llano County in Central Texas removed 17 books from libraries at the request of local residents. The disputed titles included multiple books for young adults with themes on sexually perverted lifestyles. Sadly, other residents favored access to such indecency. The Supreme Court's ruling on Monday leaves in place a ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. That ruling noted, “From the moment they emerged in the mid-19th century, public libraries have shaped their collections to present what they held to be worthwhile literature. … Public libraries used to exclude most novels, which were thought bad for morals.” Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” 15th county bans abortion Motley County, Texas became the 15th county in the nation to ban abortion. On Monday, the county's Commissioners Court unanimously adopted a Sanctuary County for the Unborn ordinance. Motley County is the 13th county in Texas to pass such an ordinance. It is also the 22nd political subdivision in the U.S. to pass such a measure this year. Wikipedia's #1 2025 article: Charlie Kirk's assassination Wikipedia announced its most-read articles of 2025. The online encyclopedia reported that the most popular article on English Wikipedia this year covered Charlie Kirk. The Christian activist was assassinated on September 10th of this year while speaking at an event for his organization, Turning Point USA, at Utah Valley University.  30% of U.S. adults took political/spiritual action in wake of Charlie Kirk's death The Barna Group released a new survey last week on the spiritual impact of Charlie Kirk's death.  The study found that nearly 30% of U.S. adults took action since Kirk's death. While some said they took political action, most said they took spiritual action. This was especially true among younger generations.  And nearly half of Americans said that Charlie Kirk's death will have a positive impact on Christianity among younger Americans.  Isaiah 41:10 most popular verse on YouVersion app And finally, the Bible platform, YouVersion, announced the verse with the highest international engagement this year.  That verse was Isaiah 41:10. It says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” YouVersion saw unprecedented Bible engagement this year, reaching a billion downloads.  Pastor Bobby Gruenewald, Founder and CEO of YouVersion, said, “We're witnessing a global movement. People are hungry for what's real and true. The Bible stands alone as the source of truth, carefully passed from generation to generation. It's alive and active, and relevant to our everyday lives. These numbers represent millions of changed lives—people finding hope, direction, and purpose in God's Word.” Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, December 10th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It's Friday, December 5th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Nigerian Muslims abduct pastor, wife and others during church On Sunday morning, armed Muslim bandits attacked Christians in Ejiba, a community in the Kogi State of Nigeria, abducting a pastor, his wife, and several worshippers during the Cherubim and Seraphim Church service, reports International Christian Concern. According to Open Doors' 2024 World Watch List, more than 4,100 Christians were abducted across Nigeria in the previous year. Data gathered from Nigerian and international monitoring groups place the number of Christians kidnapped since 2014 at more than 20,000, many of them during attacks on villages and houses of worship. Isaiah 59:2-3 says, “It is your evil that has separated you from your God. Your sins cause Him to turn away from you, so He does not hear you. With your hands you have killed others, and with your fingers you have done wrong. With your lips you have lied, and with your tongue you say evil things.” Pray that these menacing Muslims trust Christ as Savior. Trump and Hegseth defend targeted attacks on Venezuelan drug boats At Tuesday's cabinet meeting, President Donald Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth responded to questions about the controversial September 2nd air strike on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean from Venezuela, reports RealClearPolitics.com. Secretary Hegseth doubled down on their methodology and mission. HEGSETH: “The evidence-based way that we're able to, with sources and methods that we can't reveal here, make sure that every one of those drug boats is tied to a designated terrorist organization. We know who's on it, what they're doing, what they're carrying. All these white bales are not Christmas gifts from Santa. This is drugs, running on four-motor fast boats or submarines that we've also struck. No one's fishing on a submarine.” Secretary Hegseth justified the lethal attacks on Venezuelan drug boats in international waters to protect the American people from deadly drugs like fentanyl and cocaine. HEGSETH: “How do you treat al-Qaeda and ISIS? Do you arrest them and pat them on the head and say, ‘Don't do that again'? Or do you end the problem directly by taking a lethal, kinetic approach? And that's the way President Trump has authorized the War Department to look at these [drug] cartels. “The American people are safer because narco-terrorists know you can't bring drugs through the water to the American people. We will eliminate that threat, and we're proud to do it.” President Trump added that these dangerous drugs, much of it from Venezuela, killed 200,000 Americans just last year. TRUMP: “These people have killed over 200,000 people, actually killed over 200,000 people last year. And those numbers are down, there way down. And they're down because we're doing these strikes. “We're going to start doing those strikes on land too. You know the land is much easier. We know the routes they take. We know everything about them. We know where they live. We know where the bad ones live, and we're going to start that very soon too.” Court rules NY's efforts to censor pro-life centers unconstitutional An appeals court panel has ruled that efforts to stop pro-life pregnancy centers in New York from informing patients about abortion pill reversal are unconstitutional, reports The Christian Post.   In an opinion published Monday, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit unanimously upheld a lower court ruling siding with two pro-life pregnancy centers, Gianna's House and Options Care Center. New York Attorney General Letitia James alleged that the pro-life groups at the center of her office's enforcement action engaged in “false and misleading” speech by promoting abortion pill reversal as effective. Truth be told, abortion pill reversal is indeed effective through a progesterone protocol. Learn more at the website www.AbortionPillReversal.com. NY pastor announces "gender transition" from pulpit A 51-year-old Methodist pastor in New York revealed during his November 23rd sermon that he wanted to start pretending to live like a woman, reports FoxNews. Rev. Phillip Phaneuf, of North Chili United Methodist Church in Rochester, delivered this disturbing announcement as he wore a pro-homosexual, pro-transgender rainbow pride stole in the pulpit. Listen. PHANEUF: “I get to announce with joy that I'm transitioning. I'm affirming and saying to all of you that I am transgender and so and so, the best way to put this is that I'm not becoming a woman. I'm giving up pretending to be a man. So, what will change? My voice. It might go a tad higher. Pronouns?  She/her,  but I'm not going to be ‘pronoun police,' okay? Because I don't think that anybody will misgender out of malice.” The pastor admitted that he has been taking hormone replacement therapy for the past three months. He also addressed what his parents thought. PHANEUF: “Are my parents okay with this? Absolutely not. They texted me this morning and they asked for me to tell you all that they do not support me and that they have chosen their convictions and their beliefs over supporting their child.” Phaneuf, who donned a transgender stole during a subsequent service, claimed that God had endorsed his transition, reports LifeSiteNews.com. He asked, “If you felt God's Holy Spirit surrounding you in ways that you haven't felt in years, would you have a sense that that might be something that God was okay with? Yeah.” However, Genesis 1:27 affirms that God created each of us to be either male or female. “So, God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” 91% of college students say words are “violence” after Charlie Kirk murder And finally, in the aftermath of the horrific assassination of free speech activist Charlie Kirk, 91% of American undergraduates believe “words can be violence”, reports FaithWire.com. The new data was compiled by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which asked more than 2,000 college students about their perceptions of free speech in the United States. Remarkably, 204 of the students surveyed were from Utah Valley University in Orem, where Charlie Kirk was fatally gunned down while peacefully and cordially taking questions from attendees. The foundation called the survey results “especially startling coming in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination — an extreme and tragic example of the sharp difference between words and violence.” Sean Stevens, chief research advisor for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said, “When people start thinking that words can be violence, violence becomes an acceptable response to words. Even after the murder of Charlie Kirk at a speaking event, college students think that someone's words can be a threat. This is antithetical to a free and open society, where words are the best alternative to political violence.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, December 5th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.   I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It's Friday, November 28th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes written by Jonathan Clark and heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin. (Contact@eanvoiceit.com) New Anti-Conversion Laws in India According to Persecution.org Police in the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan recently registered the first case under the state's recently enacted anti-conversion legislation against two missionaries. The Christians were accused of carrying out religious conversions at a gathering through “allurement,” according to media reports. After registering the case on Nov. 20, police issued notices to the two missionaries – Chandy Varghese from New Delhi and Arun John from Kota – claiming they promoted conversion and baptised several people during a three-day program known as ‘Spiritual Satsang' at Beersheba Church in Kota. Police investigated after videos and social media clips surfaced showing event speeches and activities. Several youths allegedly announced from the stage that they put their faith in Jesus Christ and were baptized, while calling upon others to adopt Christianity. Rajasthan is one of 12 states in India that has strict anti-conversion laws. A first information report (FIR) was registered by the police after complaints were lodged by hardline Hindu groups active in controlling Christian activities. 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 That we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.  But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. Christians in Uganda Threatened Despite Freedom of Religion Laws A Sudanese Christian family in Uganda is living in fear after Muslim extremists from Sudan and Somalia threatened to kill them. Safaa Yousif, who fled her native Sudan to Uganda due to conflict and religious persecution in 2016, received a text message from an anonymous number threatening to kill her family. Muslims from Somalia have also threatened her.  Yousif said she once gave discipleship classes to new converts, and a Somali Muslim who had put his faith in Christ was kidnapped and tortured by his co-religionists from Somalia and Sudan. Somalia is ranked 2nd on the Christian support group Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.  Its constitution establishes Islam as the state religion and prohibits the propagation of any other religion, according to the US State Department.  It also requires that laws comply with Sharia Principles, with no exceptions in application for non-Muslims. The threats on Yousif's family in Uganda were the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda. An interesting fact to consider is that Uganda's constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate one's faith and convert from one faith to another.  Muslims make up no more than 12 percent of Uganda's population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country. Pray that the Yousif family be reminded of the words of Jesus in Acts 1:7-8 It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.  But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit as come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. New hurdle in James Comey case The prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey hit another hurdle last Wednesday as the Justice Department encountered mounting questions about how the case was presented to a grand jury for indictment, reports the Associated Press. The development risked further jeopardizing a politically charged prosecution already subject to multiple challenges and demands for its dismissal. It came during a hearing in which Comey's lawyers asked U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff to throw out the case on grounds that the government was being vindictive and as a separate challenge to Lindsey Halligan, the hastily appointed and inexperienced prosecutor who secured the indictment, is pending. The Justice Department's acknowledgment under questioning from a judge that the full grand jury did not review a copy of the final indictment is the latest indication of its seemingly disjointed pursuit of a criminal case against one of President Donald Trump's political enemies. Comey was fired by Trump in May 2017 while overseeing an FBI investigation into potential ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 campaign. The two have been publicly at odds ever since. New Exoskeleton Suit is Accomplishing Miracles At a Canadian wellness center, a unique robotic exoskeleton is allowing children with developmental disorders to walk-often for the first time. The nonprofit's Regina location in Canada is eager to get families to come and try it out.  It can be used to correct a child's gait or help them take their first steps, and is suitable for a variety of conditions including spinal cord injuries and cerebral palsy. Good News Network reports that the First Steps Wellness Center in Canada received the Trexo exoskeleton out of the goodness of someone's heart!  The $100,000 machine was donated to help children like Leo, a boy born with a rare genetic disease which left him a prognosis that walking would be impossible.  But, latched into the Trexo walker at First Steps, his mother Anna has watched her son learn to walk and develop a musculature that has him able to take steps on his own. ANNA: “He does a few steps right now by himself, and with Trexo, I'm pretty sure he'll be able to do more steps in the future, once we start using it more often.” There are currently 6 Trexo exoskeletons sold and in use today.  After a few sessions, how is Leo doing today? ANNA: “He can walk! You know, be part of everybody else, like walk like other kids. So, it's kind of- It's unique. He did amazing. I have butterflies. I can't believe [this] thing even exists!” Despite the 6 figure price tag it is the hope that more of the Trexo walkers will be made available in Canada and the US. Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, November 27th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin (Contact@eanvoiceit.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It's Thursday, November 20th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Muslims in Congo killed 17 patients in a Christian hospital Sheer evil has struck Africa again. Last Friday, Muslim militants with the Allied Democratic Forces killed 17 people at a Christian hospital in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.  The armed rebels killed patients in their hospital beds, including women who were nursing their babies. Such civilian massacres are becoming more common in the Christian-majority area. Congo is ranked 35th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the most dangerous countries to be a Christian. Open Doors' profile for the country notes, “Allied with the Islamic State group, the [Allied Democratic Forces] abduct and kill Christians and attack churches, leading to widespread terror, insecurity and displacement.” European Court of Human Rights denied rights of unborn humans The European Court of Human Rights  ruled in favor of abortion last week, denying the rights of unborn humans. The case began when a woman wanted to get an abortion in Poland after discovering her baby had a genetic disorder. However, Poland's Constitutional Tribunal had struck down abortion on the basis of disability.  So, the woman travelled abroad for an abortion and challenged Poland's decision. The European court ruled against Poland in the case. Dr. Felix Böllmann with Alliance Defending Freedom International warned, “This judgment sends a troubling signal that the Court is again willing to overstep its role. The Court should return to its original mission of protecting genuine human rights, not inventing false ones.” Isaiah 10:1-2 says, “Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, who write misfortune, which they have prescribed to rob the needy of justice ... that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless.” U.S. pregnancy centers are seeing growth In the United States, pregnancy centers are seeing growth in recent years. The Charlotte Lozier Institute released its 2025 National Pregnancy Center Report. The study found 2,775 pregnancy centers provided over $452 million in care, education, and material goods to families in 2024. The centers also saw over one million new clients for the first time last year. That's the equivalent of each location serving a new client every day! The phase out of the unnecessary Department of Education The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday it is handing off major responsibilities to other federal agencies. This is part of the Trump administration's plan to close the department.  The plan transfers major programs to the Departments of Labor, Interior, State as well as Health and Human Services. Listen to comments from U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. MCMAHON: “The announcement really follows the plan that President Trump has had since Day 1, and that is returning education to the states.  He fully believes, as do I, the best education is that that is closest to the child, and not one run from a bureaucracy in Washington D.C.” Only 11% of U.S. churchgoers have Biblical worldview Christian researcher Dr. George Barna released his latest survey on the worldview of Americans, specifically regular churchgoers. The report found only 11% of churchgoers have a Biblical worldview. Only 54% say the Bible is the inspired, error-free Word of God. About 50% or less believe the Bible speaks clearly on moral issues. And 32% of churchgoers now prefer socialism over capitalism. Dr. David Closson, Director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at the Family Research Council, commented on the study.  He said, “The answer to these trends is not despair, but a return to the faithful proclamation of God's Word. We must help Christians connect their zeal for God with the knowledge of God, as Scripture commands in Romans 10:2.” That verse says, “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” WalMart CEO and Berkshire Hathaway CEO retire And finally, CEOs of U.S. companies are leaving at record rates this year. This comes as many executives are reaching retirement age. For example, 59-year-old Doug McMillion will retire from being CEO of Walmart next year after leading the retailer's growth for over a decade.  In another case, 95-year-old Warren Buffett is stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway this year. After 60 years in leadership, the renowned investor sent out his final letter to shareholders last week.  In his final thoughts, Buffett wrote, “Greatness does not come about through accumulating great amounts of money. When you help someone in any of thousands of ways, you help the world. Kindness is costless but also priceless. Whether you are religious or not, it's hard to beat The Golden Rule as a guide to behavior.” Buffett's billions funded millions of abortions Too bad Buffet has not used his resources to treat the unborn children in the womb with such Golden Rule kindness. Instead, the Media Research Center reported that Buffett's grants to abortion groups through the Buffett Foundation totaled at least $1.3 billion between 1989 and 2012. (The tax returns from 1997 to 2000 were missing.)  The New York Times reported, “Most of the [Buffet] Foundation's spending goes to abortion and contraception.”  Buffett's biographer describes him as having “a Malthusian dread” of population growth among the poor. And the Buffett Foundation's spending in this area was accelerating rapidly as the 2000s unfolded. Beneficiaries of Buffett's deadly giving include $300 million for abortion giant Planned Parenthood as well as millions more for the National Abortion Rights Action League, the National Abortion Federation, Catholics for a Free Choice, Abortion Access Project, Population Council, Marie Stopes International, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and dozens of other pro-abortion advocates. In addition, the Buffett Foundation gave money that was instrumental in creating the abortion drug RU-486 and pushing it through clinical trials. Tragically, 63% of mothers who abort in America today use this deadly drug to kill their babies. Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, Novem ber 20th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X  or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus

It's Monday, November 17th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Catholic cathedral bombed in Bangladesh On November 7, a Catholic cathedral and school in Dhaka, Bangladesh, were bombed hours before a worship event that drew bishops from across the country, reports International Christian Concern. A suspect on a motorbike threw two homemade bombs at the church — one exploded near the gate, and another landed near the property, failing to detonate. Thankfully, no one was injured in the attack.  The incident did not deter 500 Catholics from attending the worship event the following morning at St. Mary's Cathedral, nor did it deter students from returning to school at St. Joseph School the following Monday.  Police investigators arrested a suspect and identified him as a member of a banned student political party. They have been initiating violent protests against the government, but more recently, their attacks have shifted toward churchgoers as they prepare for the February 2026 election.  St. Mary's Cathedral plans to take legal action and punish the perpetrator.  One churchgoer said, “Anxiety grips many of us while going to church.” And Bulbul Rebeiro with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh, said, “We are peace-loving people, but these incidents are frightening us.”  Bangladesh ranks 24th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the countries most dangerous for Christians. Gen Z protests in Mexico City, storming presidential palace AUDIO: Sounds of rioting against police Those are the sounds of rioters who stormed the barricades outside the presidential palace in Mexico City on Saturday as an anti-cartel protest descended into chaos, reports The Daily Mail. Mobs of frustrated, mostly Gen Z Mexican protestors traded blows with cops and screamed slogans about how corruption and cartel killings have spiraled out of control in their country. Thousands of people filled the streets of the nation's capital and marched to the palace, which is the official residence of President Claudia Sheinbaum, the liberal politician who took office last October. The demonstration, largely organized by young activists and supported by older supporters of opposition movements, was the culmination of citizens' frustration with the government's inability to stop violence and provide economic opportunity. Pablo Vazquez, Mexico City's chief of police, said 20 people were arrested and are set to be charged with battery, assault and robbery, reports Bloomberg. Vazquez added that 60 of his police officers were injured, 40 of whom had to be sent to the hospital for treatment.  Trump supports Christian foster parents against pro-LGBT states President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday aimed at “modernizing” the child welfare system in the United States, including a guarantee to side with foster families discriminated against by states for their religious convictions, reports LifeSiteNews.com. For example, Heath and Lydia Marvin, a Christians couple in Massachusetts who have fostered eight children under the age of four since 2020, lost their license to foster children because they refused to sign an agreement to “affirm” the alleged LGBT status of any children placed in their care.  LYDIA MARVIN: “We have been an active foster family in Massachusetts for the past four and a half years, and lost our license earlier this year due to new discriminatory policies against Christian families in Massachusetts. So grateful to be here and have the [Trump] administration's support for foster care, but also specifically for Christian families and faith-based organizations to continue caring for those who are most vulnerable in our communities.” Her husband Heath offered his support for the Trump administration as well. HEATH MARVIN: “It's so neat to hear the President and First Lady talking about both foster care and just the need that exists across the country for that, but also specifically, how Christians are twice as likely to be a part of foster care and to adopt.  They recognize that there are states that are putting policies in place that actually drive Christians out of foster care.” In Leviticus 18:22,  the Bible affirms heterosexuality, saying, "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; such a thing is an abomination." High school Worldview listener upset no reference to Veterans Day Last Tuesday was Veterans Day. Genevieve, a high school listener to The Worldview, was disappointed that we failed to acknowledge that special day. President Donald Trump issued a proclamation. He noted, “The story of America is written with the courage, honor, and dedicated service of our veterans.  Through their sacrifice, the fires of freedom burn brightly, our Republic secured, and our way of life made possible.  “For nearly 250 years, their unyielding spirit has carried our Nation through every trial and triumph, ensuring that liberty endures for all time.  This Veterans Day, we show our gratitude and recommit to honor their service, uphold their legacy, and give every veteran the loyalty, respect, and support they have earned and so dearly deserve.” Genevieve, we apologize for the oversight. Michelle Obama: America not ready for female president Former First Lady Michelle Obama has shut down the idea she might one day run for president. While speaking to actress Tracee Ross this month at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Obama insisted the United States is “not ready for a woman” to lead, reports TheWrap.com. Listen. ROSS: “Think that that impacts the room that we've made for a woman to be President.” OBAMA: “Well, as we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain't ready. That's why I'm like, ‘Don't even look at me about running, because you all are lying. You're not ready for a woman. (cheers) You are not. So, don't waste my time. “You know, we got a lot of growing up to do. And there's, sadly, a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman, and we saw it. What was the question?” (laughter) Perhaps America was not ready for Kamala Harris to be president. Mercy Ships surgeon saves baby's life by removing gigantic tumor And finally, a British surgeon removed a life-threatening tumor from a baby's neck that was as big as her entire face, reports GoodNewsNetwork.org. The lump has been growing since she was just five months old, but when her mother, Aminata, took her to the local hospital in Sierra Leone, West Africa, doctors told her she was too young for surgery. By the time Memunatu was ten months old, her family began to fear the worst until her mother bumped into a volunteer who works for Mercy Ships, a healthcare charity that operates hospitals aboard ships. Providentially, the Global Mercy ship was docked in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. When the staff saw how the tumor would eventually suffocate her, they immediately agreed to perform surgery aboard their ship for free. Earlier this year, she was admitted and prepped for the meticulous four-hour surgery performed by Royal London Hospital's Head and Neck Surgeon, Dr. Leo Cheng. He successfully removed the tumor, effectively saving Memunatu's life. In Acts 20:35, Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” If you'd like to make a donation to help the ongoing work of Mercy Ships, look for the special link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com. Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, November 17th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. Seize the day for Jesus Christ.