
Global Methodist Church Surpasses 7,000 Member Congregations Worldwide
Illinois School District Sued Over Alleged Discrimination Against Christian Good News Clubs

An Illinois school district is facing a federal lawsuit alleging that it unfairly restricted access for Christian Good News Clubs compared to secular student organizations. The legal complaint, filed Tuesday in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Rock Island Division, accuses the Moline-Coal Valley School District of unlawfully excluding the religious clubs from equal participation in school-related activities. HHS Secretary RFK Jr. Says Faith-Based Recovery Groups Eligible for Federal Funding
Larry Lyon Named Ninth President of Truett McConnell University
Pro-Life Leaders Push Back After Trump Calls for ‘Flexibility’ on Abortion Funding Rules

Several pro-life groups and a leading Christian conservative criticized Donald Trump this week after he suggested Republicans should be more flexible on restrictions blocking taxpayer-funded abortion. Trump made the remarks while addressing Republicans at a retreat for members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Human Coalition Urges Pastors to Speak Out on Abortion Amid Post–Charlie Kirk Church Surge

A newly released open letter endorsed by prominent Christian conservative leaders is calling on pastors to address abortion clearly and unapologetically from the pulpit. The appeal was issued last week by Human Coalition, a national pro-life organization that connects women facing unplanned pregnancies with alternatives to abortion. Grand Canyon University Wins Federal Recognition as Nonprofit Following Court Rulings

After years of legal conflict with federal regulators, the U.S. Department of Education has formally recognized Grand Canyon University as a nonprofit institution, ending a prolonged dispute involving the nation’s largest Christian university. The ruling follows a contentious period during which the university faced heightened scrutiny from federal officials.
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Schumer Appoints Americans United CEO to U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has appointed Rachel Laser — the president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State — to serve on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). In a statement released Thursday, Laser said she was “grateful to Sen. Schumer for this opportunity to advocate for religious freedom around the globe.” 
Gov. Abbott Promotes Expansion of TPUSA’s Club America Across Texas Schools
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced this week that hundreds of schools across the state are prepared to host chapters of Turning Point USA’s high school initiative. He revealed that more than 500 Texas high schools now have active Club America chapters, including numerous campuses in North Texas, and praised the state for having more chapters than any other in the nation. 
Union University Expands with Purchase of 36-Acre Seminary Property Outside Memphis
Union University, a Christian institution affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, has announced plans to acquire the property of a Tennessee seminary as part of a significant expansion effort. According to a statement from the university, Union’s Board of Trustees voted to purchase the current campus of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, located in Cordova. 
Samaritan’s Purse Aid Plane Hijacked in South Sudan; Suspect Detained
A plane operated by Samaritan’s Purse was hijacked earlier this week while transporting humanitarian aid to South Sudan. Authorities have detained a suspect, and no serious injuries have been reported. The international Evangelical relief organization confirmed Wednesday that the Cessna Grand Caravan—an aircraft used exclusively for operations in Africa—“was involved in a hijacking incident on Tuesday.” 
Lilly Endowment Awards $649M to Strengthen Future Pastors and Christian Storytelling
The Lilly Endowment, now recognized as America’s largest private foundation, announced that it awarded $649 million in grants to 93 religious organizations to help prepare future pastors and elevate narratives about Christian life. More than $416 million of the total was awarded to 45 seminaries in the U.S. and Canada through the Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. 
UK Christian Group Launches “Street Preacher’s Charter” to Protect Public Evangelism
A new “Street Preacher’s Charter” has been formally introduced in the U.K. Parliament, following a pattern of street pastors facing fines, arrests, and subsequent compensation awards stemming from police. The document provides an outline of best practices as well as key legal standards meant to assist both preachers and law enforcement in navigating public evangelism. 
Defense Department May End Support for Scouting America Amid Ideological Concerns
The United States military could soon end its historic partnership with Scouting America, formerly the Boy Scouts of America, according to a draft memo reportedly circulating within the Pentagon. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is preparing to cut formal ties with the youth organization, though the memo has not yet been formally issued. The document allegedly argues that Scouting America has shifted away from its traditional mission. 
Three in Four Southern Baptist Pastors Give Weekly Gospel Invitations, Study Finds
Visitors attending a Southern Baptist worship service are likely to hear a pastor issue a Gospel invitation and be asked to respond personally, rather than through digital means, according to new research. 74 percent of Southern Baptist pastors said they provided an opportunity for people to respond to a Gospel invitation during their weekly Sunday morning service every week in 2024.















