Samaritan’s Purse Aid Plane Hijacked in South Sudan; Suspect Detained

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.”
  • 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.
More News

  • WEA General Assembly Concludes with Presentation of the “Seoul Declaration”

    The World Evangelical Alliance General Assembly wrapped up Thursday evening after four days focused on Evangelicalism’s key challenges. During the meetings, the Rev. Botrus Mansour was installed as the WEA’s new secretary general, filling the top post after an 18-month vacancy. Emphasizing collaboration, he pledged, “I’m here to serve,” and cast a vision for a WEA characterized by “teamwork” and “unity,” alongside stronger regional alliances.

  • WEA Names Godfrey Yogarajah Chair of New International Council

    During business sessions this week, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) General Assembly elected a new International Council and selected Sri Lankan leader Godfrey Yogarajah as chair. Yogarajah, a nearly 30-year servant within the WEA family, succeeds outgoing Executive Chair the Rev. Goodwill Shana of Zimbabwe.

  • Episcopal Church Reports Fewer Baptisms, Slight Parish Decline, Attendance Still Lagging

    The Episcopal Church released its 2024 Parochial Report last week, indicating continued declines in baptisms and a modest drop in the total number of parishes. While the report omitted a current total membership figure, overall membership stood at about 1.547 million in 2023 compared to around 1.96 million in 2010.

  • Samaritan’s Purse Flies 100,000 Pounds of Aid to Gaza on New 767 Cargo Plane

    Samaritan’s Purse said Saturday it used its newly acquired 767 cargo aircraft to fly more than 100,000 pounds of relief supplies into Gaza. The inaugural mission of the plane transported over 290,000 packets of ready-to-use supplemental food, as well as thousands of solar lights and blankets prioritized for women and children.

  • WEA Launches 14th General Assembly in Seoul with a Vision of “The Gospel for Everyone”

    Opening its 14th General Assembly on Monday morning at Sarang Church, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) set the theme as “The Gospel for Everyone by 2033.” Running Oct. 27–31, the gathering began with WEA Executive Chair the Rev. Goodwill Shana calling Evangelicals to renewed unity and long-range vision as they look toward 2033, the 2,000th anniversary of Christ’s resurrection.

  • USCIRF Urges Release of Pastor Ezra Jin, Denounces CCP’s Religious Repression

    During a virtual hearing, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) called for the release of Chinese pastor Ezra Jin Mingri and condemned what it described as the Chinese Communist Party’s campaign of transnational religious persecution.

  • Hispanic Christian Leaders Voice Support for the GOP-Backed Dignity Act of 2025

    Hispanic Christian leaders are voicing support for a Republican-led immigration proposal, lending strength to the effort. The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), which represents thousands of churches across the U.S. and the Spanish-speaking world, convened a leadership summit Tuesday at the Museum of the Bible.

  • Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Announces '2026 God Loves You Tour' in Manchester

    The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) has announced that Rev. Franklin Graham will return to the United Kingdom next year to continue the “God Loves You Tour.” Graham last visited the U.K. in June, when he held an evangelistic event at London’s ExCeL Centre that drew thousands of attendees.
Most Read
Other Headlines