
Hillsong Confirms Early Talks on Potential Hills Campus Development, Says No Plans Finalized
ChinaAid Warns of Escalating Religious Persecution at Wenzhou Church

A watchdog group is urging international attention as Chinese authorities reportedly move to dismantle or destroy a major church in Wenzhou, China. Hundreds of armed police were deployed Monday to surround Yayang Christian Church after authorities allegedly dispersed or detained local Christians and barred bystanders from filming events near the site. New York Judge Tosses Challenge to Abyssinian Baptist Church Pastor Election

A New York Supreme Court justice has thrown out a lawsuit seeking to overturn the election of the Rev. Kevin R. Johnson as senior pastor of the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church, concluding that the claims did not warrant judicial intervention. In a decision dated Dec. 22, 2025, Justice James G. Clynes ruled that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate fraud or misconduct in the church’s June 21–23, 2024, election process.
Australia’s Church Attendance Rebounds to 89% of 2001 Levels, 1.35 Million Attend Weekly
Maine Church Sues UMC Over Alleged Property Takeover

A congregation in coastal Maine has filed a lawsuit against a regional body of the United Methodist Church, accusing the denomination of attempting to seize control of church property despite the congregation’s claim of independence. Broad Cove Church of Cushing, which describes itself as a non-denominational congregation, filed a complaint earlier this month against the UMC New England Annual Conference Massive Police Operation Targets Christians in China’s Zhejiang Province

A sweeping security operation involving more than 1,000 police officers, SWAT teams and paramilitary forces reportedly targeted Christian congregations in eastern China, resulting in hundreds of detentions, according to a new report from a religious freedom watchdog. Local residents told ChinaAid that law enforcement personnel drawn from multiple districts across Zhejiang province, including Hangzhou and Pingyang, were deployed to Yayang Town. R.C. Sproul–Founded St. Andrew’s Chapel Votes to Leave PCA After Two-Year Affiliation

St. Andrew’s Chapel, the Florida congregation established by the late theologian R.C. Sproul, has voted to leave the Presbyterian Church in America, ending a brief two-year affiliation with the denomination. The Sanford-based church, which counts more than 1,100 members and had become one of the PCA’s largest congregations, approved the move during a Sunday vote, with 669 members supporting withdrawal.
More News

Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Names Jonathan Evans as Its New Senior Pastor
Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, formally installed Jonathan Evans — son of the church’s founder, Pastor Tony Evans — as its new lead pastor on Sunday. During the service, the 75-year-old founder, Tony Evans delivered a heartfelt message on leadership transition and symbolically passed down his father’s Bible to Jonathan, entrusting him with the next season of ministry. 
Hobby Lobby’s David Green Gives $7M to Help Reconstruct Fire-Ravaged First Baptist Dallas
Hobby Lobby founder and CEO David Green has contributed $7 million toward the reconstruction of the sanctuary at First Baptist Dallas. Senior Pastor Robert Jeffress shared the news during Sunday morning worship at the downtown megachurch, where he leads one of the nation’s most prominent Southern Baptist congregations. 
Elevation Church to Launch Elevation College in 2026 With SEU Partnership
Elevation Church, a North Carolina congregation with more than 10,000 members, has announced that it will open Elevation College in the fall of 2026 in partnership with Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. Southeastern University, a private Christian institution affiliated with the Assemblies of God, already collaborates with Elevation Church through the Elevation Church Ministry Leaders Series. 
Arson Suspected in Blaze That Destroyed National Historic Site St. Anne’s Church
Authorities in Toronto have opened an arson investigation into the fire that consumed a historic Anglican church last year, destroying the landmark hours before Sunday services were set to begin. St. Anne’s Church, a Toronto congregation within the Anglican Church of Canada, was engulfed in flames on June 9, 2024, leaving the structure in ruins after an early-morning blaze swept through the entire building. 
Pastor Michael Youssef to Step Down From Church of the Apostles to Focus on Global Ministry
Michael Youssef, the founding pastor of Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia, has announced that he will resign from his pastoral role to pursue expanded ministry work through his international organization. In a statement released Sunday, he said he plans to step down next summer to devote his time fully to Leading The Way, the global ministry he founded more than three decades ago. 
Highland Park UMC Pastor Paul Rasmussen to Step Down, Citing Health Concerns
The senior minister of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, has announced that he will step aside after more than a decade of leading one of the nation’s most prominent Methodist congregations. In a video message shared Thursday afternoon, the Rev. Paul Rasmussen informed church members—including former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush—that he plans to step down as senior pastor effective Feb. 1, 2026. 
UMC Bishop Warns Denomination’s “Financial House Is on Fire”
A bishop within the United Methodist Church is raising urgent concerns about the denomination’s escalating financial problems, warning leaders that its “financial house is on fire.” During last week’s final meeting of the year for the UMC General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA), board members reviewed the state of denominational funding. GCFA Board President Bishop David Graves delivered a stark message, emphasizing that the mainline denomination is facing serious fiscal strain. 
Russia Bans Three More Baptist Churches in Crackdown on Unregistered Congregations
Russian courts have banned three additional Baptist churches affiliated with the Council of Churches Baptists in the southern region of Krasnodar, continuing a broader government campaign against unregistered congregations across the country. According to the Forum 18 News Service, the churches in Timashyovsk, Armavir, and Tuapse were prohibited from operating unless they formally notify authorities of their activities — a requirement the denomination has refused to meet on principle.













