A stranger in a strange land describes a temporary migrant to Seoul, South Korea who over four years learns to navigate its strangeness to gradually find community within the strangeness. Along the way she learned important lessons for us all to heed well—to love the stranger, for in doing so we are blessed.
The Quiet Revival may speak of mostly young and white new Christians, but if revival theories hold true, this movement was prayed into being and more likely than not those prayers were from black, brown, and Pentecostal migrants to the UK. As growth continues, there is an urgent need to provide options for robust theological education to new leaders.
This past Saturday, we witnessed the unfortunate presence of President Javier Milei at the inauguration of the largest evangelical church in the country. It resulted in the sacred space of the pulpit being used by the president to deliver a partisan diatribe filled with false arguments, malicious distortions, and statements entirely contrary to the teachings of the gospel. This has caused much shame.
The situation for Iranian people is more dangerous now than before the recent war with Israel and the United States of America. Even more so for Christians who represent a growing minority religion in the staunchly Shia theocracy. Under threat, the ruling regime has increased its morality terror with brutal force.
Everyone longs for relationships where we can be vulnerable without judgement. TikTok creators use the app in anticipation of non-judgmental response from their viewers, expressing a God-given desire in all of us to be unconditionally loved. We can learn much from non-judgmental listening and loving in the way Jesus taught us to love one another. Perhaps, in this case, "a little child will lead them all" (Isaiah 11:6d)
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven... a time to be quiet and a time to speak. The writer of Ecclesiastes notes the times, but how should we know what the time is? Here are ten indicators for each to help discern when it is a time for quiet and listening, or a time for speaking and influencing.
In a perfect world, where legal systems hold political power to account and protect minorities against human rights abuses we might expect an end to persecution. But we do not live in a perfect world. People with power continue to act with impunity against those who think and live differently to them. Christians have a way to cope with this reality and a real and living hope for a future free of persecution.
Air India flight AI-171 from from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick dominated the headlines mid-June. Like many large scale tragedies it captures our attention briefly, but for those closer to the story the impact can be longer lasting. This reflection observes that tragic news can become a wake up call to "seek first the kingdom" with renewed vigor without delay.
Led by Jesus' commission to make disciples of all nations, Evangelicals have a vested interest in knowing where Christianity exists, is growing, or needs more help to grow. Understanding statistics concerning the spread of religions around the world is a complex challenge. This is not helped by different methodologies that generate different outcomes. A world-class demographer explains the difference between the latest Pew report and more robust existing analysis by Christian demographers.
Boredom is a psychological signal that can be defined by two key ingredients: a lack of attention and a lack of meaning. Rather than reaching for a quick dopamine fix when boredom strikes, consider ways to intentionally work on your long-term well-being in ways that align with your faith and your values.
Every forcibly displaced person's story is unique and harrowing. To commemorate World Refugee Day, here is a first-hand account of a boy's refugee journey with his family. He is now a mature follower of Jesus dedicated to helping refugees and believes the Church has a crucial role in refugee care—a role that is a powerful witness to the love of Christ.
The outside world views Christian sanctification rituals with increasing suspicion as manipulative and (in the extreme) abusive. Here, commentator Eddie Arthur reflects on a recent exposé of practices common to many missionary organizations that are perceived to be unhealthy. Organization leaders need to be prepared for unwelcome criticism from without and within.
