Young adults are disappearing from our churches at an alarming rate. In 2023, nearly 4 in 10 claimed no religious affiliation, and many raised in Christian homes disengage from the church before age 30. These trends grieve pastors and leaders who long to “tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done” (Ps. 78:4). Against this backdrop of dispiriting long-term data, some recent studies suggest a growing spiritual interest on the part of younger people, with accompanying increases in church attendance. It’s too early to say if the decades-long decline in young-adult church participation is slowing or even reversing. Nonetheless, church leaders may face an opportunity to respond to what God is doing among young adults in ways that counter disengagement trends. In this moment, many congregations feel stuck, unsure where to begin, unaware of the cultural and developmental complexities shaping young adults, or simply resigned to discouraging trends. But there’s hope. We identified “magnetic churches” across the country—congregations experiencing unusual fruitfulness in their ministries to young adults. Their witness is clear: Reaching emerging adults is possible when churches embrace a prayerful, biblical, and gospel-centered posture. From this study, we found six strategic moves that offer a path forward for young-adult ministry in your church. 1.  Come to terms with reality. Faithful ministry begins with embracing reality. As Derek Melleby observes, “In order to help young people develop a lasting faith, the church needs to have an understanding of the cultural conditions in which young people live.” Unfortunately, many congregations, including pastors, are unfamiliar with the lived realities of today’s twentysomethings. How do we correct this? In their book Sustainable Young Adult Ministry, Mark DeVries and Scott Pontier write, “The only chance we have to really understand young adults is . . . getting to know them personally, not simply learning about them in abstract.” Introduce yourself to twentysomethings inside and outside your church. Be curious. Ask questions. Listen well. Build relationships with young adults, and be intentional about cultivating their trust. Church leaders may face an opportunity to respond to what God is doing among young adults in ways that counter disengagement trends. As you do, you can read books like Kevin DeYoung’s The (Not-So-Secret) Secret to Reaching the Next Generation, David Setran and Chris Kiesling’s Spiritual Formation in Emerging Adulthood, or other resources linked in this article. Books like these help to inform what you’re learning in your personal interactions. With newly acquired knowledge in one hand and humility in the other, leaders should honestly assess themselves and their churches. Imagine experiencing your congregation for the first time as a nonbelieving young adult, or as a Christian twentysomething eager to grow, belong, and serve. Be brutally honest. Invite young adults into this evaluation process. Avoid defensiveness. Renewal and repentance start by first coming to terms with reality. 2. Pray. Prayer must be the foundation of our efforts to engage young adults. Scripture reminds us that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10) and “the prayer of a righteous person has great power” (James 5:16). Charles Spurgeon warns, If a church does not pray, it is dead. Instead of putting united prayer last, put it first. Everything will hinge upon the power of prayer in the church. Prayer expresses our dependency on God; opens us to the Spirit’s conviction and leading; and, in the Lord’s mysterious providence, is a means by which he works in young adults’ hearts to bring them to faith and repentance and to produce greater Christlikeness. 3. Put together a multigenerational team. Neither a single leader nor siloed, age-specific strategies can make a church magnetic for young adults. DeVries and Pontier recommend starting with a multigenerational team that will pray, build relationships, champion this work over the long haul, and leverage their gifts for the task. This team should include motivated lay leaders, key young adults, elders, deacons, and staff. Becoming a church that better engages young adults necessitates congregational buy-in because, in many cases, pastors and elders need to lead systematic change. For example, financial and staffing priorities might need to shift from other efforts, or a long-serving leader might be asked to share responsibilities with a younger one. Such change can be uncomfortable for existing members, so pastors must biblically shepherd their flocks. Congregations are more likely to embrace the challenges associated with becoming a magnetic church when leaders gently and firmly guide them toward a Scripture-grounded vision of God’s multigenerational household (Eph. 4:11–13; Titus 2:1–8; 1 Pet. 5:2–3; 1 John 2:12–14). When employed wisely by pastoral leaders, multigenerational teams can play an invaluable role in this process by modeling intergenerational ministry, catalyzing young-adult outreach and discipleship, and contributing to congregation-wide efforts to become a magnetic church. 4. Cultivate hospitality and community. For many, the notion of reaching young adults evokes images of extensive evangelistic campaigns. Yet reaching twentysomethings doesn’t begin with programs but with hospitality. Tim Keller says, “Hospitality is an attitude of heart and a practice . . . that seeks to turn strangers into guests, friends, and eventually brothers and sisters.” In magnetic churches, young adults personally invite their friends, and then other older members of the congregation warmly welcome them. Simply inviting to take a group of twentysomethings out for lunch after church can open the gate onto a pathway toward deeper engagement with the church. After all, when young adults more regularly attend corporate worship and sit under the preaching of God’s Word, they’re experiencing the means God uses to convert sinners. Community marked by mutual dependence and love (Rom. 12:4-5; 9–11; 1 Pet. 3:8) also plays a critical role in reaching young adults. As one pastor puts it, “Our most powerful tool of evangelism [with respect to young adults] is our life together as the people of God.” Magnetic churches encourage young adults to develop friendships with each other and with those from other life stages. Small groups, shared meals, serving together inside and outside the church, and corporate worship are all ways churches can cultivate community. Such churches provide young adults with a rare commodity in today’s world: a place to belong as they learn what it means to be Jesus’s disciples. 5. Disciple and evangelize concurrently. Magnetic churches recognize that discipleship pathways for young adults often serve dual purposes—edifying believers while evangelizing the curious (1 Cor. 14:23–25). This can be a protracted process. Keller emphasizes that Christ-centered preaching and ministry “both grows believers and challenges non-believers.” In such an environment, young adults of various stripes are both discipled in the gospel and introduced to gospel truths for the first time. Magnetic churches soberly embrace their disciple-making mandate and carefully consider how to present everyone, including young adults, mature in Christ (Col. 1:28–2:3). Across these congregations, common discipleship pathways emerged in our study: contextualized, rigorous biblical instruction; small groups; meaningful service; and mentoring. Young adults consistently expressed a desire for biblical instruction that’s theologically rich and attentive to their lived experience. Moreover, they expressed a longing to develop deep relationships with their peers and older adults. Many were motivated to learn from a mentor. 6. Prepare young adults for the long haul. Young adults want to live purposeful lives. Mindful of this impulse, magnetic churches help this demographic understand that Christian discipleship encompasses all of life. Leaders instruct young adults in the creation mandate (Gen. 1:27–28; 2:15). These churches aim to ground young adults in their identity as redeemed image-bearers and to equip them with a biblical understanding of vocation. In this way, magnetic churches direct young adults away from self-focus and toward obedience to God’s commands for “every square inch” of life. Magnetic churches direct young adults away from self-focus and toward obedience to God’s commands for ‘every square inch’ of life. Magnetic churches also equip young adults to live in light of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18–20) by providing personal evangelism training and encouraging participation in community outreach, global missions, and church planting initiatives. Becoming a magnetic church is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a process that calls leaders to continually count the cost and place their confidence not in strategies but in the Lord. Engaging twentysomethings will require a willingness to experiment, to learn from mistakes, and, especially, to persevere. But as you undertake this task, be assured of the promise that Christ will build his church; not even the gates of hell can prevail against it (16:18).

The Gospel Coalition is pleased to announce the addition of eight new members to its Council, the group of mostly pastors who provide direction and leadership to TGC. These are the newly appointed Council members (in alphabetical order): Derek Buikema: lead pastor at Orland Park Christian Reformed Church (Orland Park, Illinois) Trent Casto: senior pastor of Covenant Church of Naples (Naples, Florida) J. T. English: lead pastor at Storyline Church (Arvada, Colorado) Sam Ferguson: rector of The Falls Church Anglican (Falls Church, Virginia) Philip Miller: senior pastor of The Moody Church (Chicago, Illinois) Jeff Norris: senior pastor of Perimeter Church (Johns Creek, Georgia) Scott Redd: pastor at Briarwood Presbyterian Church (Birmingham, Alabama) P. J. Tibayan: pastor-theologian at Bellflower Baptist Church (Bellflower, California) Nominated by the TGC Board and elected by the Council, these newest additions bring the total number of active Council members to 52. See the full list of current Council members as well as Council Emeritus members. “The local church is TGC’s heartbeat,” said Mark Vroegop, TGC’s president since early 2025. “We want to equip pastors, other church leaders, and churchgoers with the resources they need for faithful Christian life and ministry. And TGC’s rootedness in the local church has always been strengthened by our Council. This group of trusted, experienced leaders from a variety of denominations and ministry contexts keep TGC on mission and connected to the practical needs of local churches. I know the addition of these eight new Council members will be a massive win for TGC’s ongoing efforts to help renew and unify the contemporary church in the ancient gospel.” TGC’s Council convened for the first time in 2005, at the invitation of Don Carson and Tim Keller. Out of that first gathering, TGC was formally organized, adopting our Foundation Documents in 2007. Ever since, the Council has gathered annually to encourage one another and provide guidance to the staff team leading the many fronts of TGC’s global ministry. Check out TGC’s latest resources by visiting TGC.org or subscribing to one of our newsletters. Support the ministry of TGC by joining TGC Collective or making a gift to our Ancient Gospel, Future Church campaign.

(LifeSiteNews) — Each Feria of Lent has a proper Mass; whereas, in Advent, the Mass of the preceding Sunday is repeated during the week. This richness of the Lenten liturgy is a powerful means for our entering into the Church’s spirit, since she hereby brings before us, under so many forms, the sentiments suited to this holy time. From these Ferial Masses we intend giving for the respective days the Collect (which is always the principal prayer), the Epistle, the Gospel, and the prayer which is said “over the people” at the end of the Mass. All this will provide us with most solid instruction; and as the selections from the Bible, which are each day brought before us, are not only some of the finest of the Sacred Volume, but are moreover singularly appropriate to Lent – their attentive perusal will be productive of a twofold advantage. At Rome, today’s station is in the church of Peter-ad-vincula. It was built in the fifth century by the Empress Eudoxia, wife of Valentinian III, and possesses the venerable relic of St. Peter’s Chains. We shall speak more fully on this basilica when we keep the feast of the Apostle’s deliverance from prison on the first of August. COLLECT Convert us, O God our Savior: and instruct our minds with thy heavenly doctrine, that this fast of Lent may be beneficial to us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. EPISTLE Lesson from the Prophet Ezechiel 34:11-16 Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I myself will seek my sheep, and will visit them. As the shepherd visiteth his flock in the day when he shall be in the midst of his sheep that were scattered; so will I visit my sheep, and will deliver them out of all the places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And will bring them out from the peoples, and will gather them out of the countries, and will bring them to their own land; and I will feed them in the mountains of Israel, by the rivers, and in all the habitations of the land. I will feed them in the most fruitful pastures, and their pastures shall be in the high mountains of Israel: there shall they rest on the green grass and be fed in fast pastures upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my sheep; and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. I will seek that which was lost, and that which was driven away I will bring again; and I will bind up that that which was broken, and I will strengthen that which was weak, and that which was fat and strong I will preserve; and I will feed them in judgment, saith the Lord Almighty. Our Lord here shows himself to us as a shepherd full of love for his sheep. Such, indeed, he truly is to men, during this season of mercy. A portion of his flock had gone astray, and was wandering to and fro amidst the darkness of this world; but Jesus did not forget them. He went in search of them, that he might gather them together. He sought through lonely deserts, and rocky places, and brambles. He now speaks to them through his Church, and invites them to return. He sweetly encourages them, for perhaps they might fear and be ashamed to appear before him after so many sins. He promises them that if they will but return to him, they shall be fed on the richest pastures near the river bank, and on the mountains of Israel. They are covered with wounds, but he will bind them up; they are weak, but he will strengthen them. He will once more give them fellowship with the faithful ones who never left him, and he himself will dwell with them forever. Let the sinner, then, yield to this tender love; let him not refuse to make the efforts required for his conversion. If these efforts of penance seem painful to nature, let him recall to mind those happy days when he was in grace, and in the fold of his Good Shepherd. He may be so again. The gate of the fold is open; and thousands who, like himself, had gone astray, are going in with joy and confidence. Let him follow them, and remember how his Jesus has said: “There shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance, more than upon ninety-nine who need not penance.” (Luke 15:7) GOSPEL Sequel of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 25:31-46 At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: When the Son of man shall come in his majesty, and all the Angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty. And all nations shall be gathered together before him, and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. Then shall the King say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; naked, and you clothed me; sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me. Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in; or naked, and clothed thee? Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? And the King answering, shall say to them: Amen, I say to you, as long as you have done it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me. Then shall he say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me not in; naked, and you clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me. Then shall they also answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to thee? Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen, I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least ones, neither did you it to me. And these shall go into everlasting punishment, but the just into life everlasting. We have just been listening to a prophet of the Old Testament, inviting us to return to the Good Shepherd; our Lord there put forth every argument which love could devise, to persuade his lost sheep to return to him: and here, on the very same day that the Church speaks to us of our God as being a gentle and compassionate shepherd, she describes him as an inflexible judge. This loving Jesus, this charitable physician of our souls, is seated on his dread tribunal, and cries out in his anger: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire!” And where has the Church found this awful description? In the Gospel, that is, in the very Law of Love – But if we read our passage attentively, we shall find that He who pronounces this terrible anathema is the same God whom the prophet has been just portraying as a shepherd full of mercy, patience, and zeal for his Sheep. Observe how he is still a Shepherd, even on his judgment seat: he separates the sheep from the goats; he sets the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on his left; the idea, the comparison of a flock, is still kept up. The Son of God will exercise his office of Shepherd even to the Last Day: only then, time will be at an end, and eternity will have begun; the reign of Justice, too, will have succeeded the reign of Mercy, for it will be Justice that will reward the good with the promised recompense, and that will punish impenitent sinners with eternal torments. How can the Christian who believes that we are all to stand before this tribunal refuse the invitation of the Church, who now presses him to make satisfaction for his sins? Truly, man is his own worst enemy, if he can disregard these words of Jesus, who now is his Savior, and then will be his Judge: “Unless ye do penance, ye shall all perish.” (Luke 13:3) Bow down your heads to God. Loosen, O Lord, we beseech thee, the bonds of our sins; and mercifully turn away from us whatever we deserve for them. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Let us close the day by reciting the following hymn, which was composed by St. Gregory the Great, and is used by the Church in her Matins during Lent. HYMN Let us observe this most solemn fast of forty days, which has been handed down to us by sacred tradition. The Law and the Prophets first introduced it; and afterwards, Christ, the Master and Maker of all seasons, consecrated it by his own observing it. Let us, therefore, be more sparing in our words; let us retrench somewhat of our food, and drink, and sleep, and merriment, and redouble our watchfulness. Let us shun those noxious things, which play such havoc with unguarded souls: and let us avoid whatsoever could strengthen the tyranny of our crafty enemy. Let us appease the anger of our Judge, and pour out our tears before him: let us prostrate ourselves, and thus cry to him in suppliant prayer: ‘We have offended thy goodness, O God, by our sins: forgive us, and pour out thy mercy upon us. Remember that we are the work of thy hands, frail though we be: we beseech thee, suffer not another to usurp the honor of thy Name. Pardon us the evil we have done, and grant us good things, even beyond our prayer: that thus we may be well-pleasing to thee, now and forever. O Blessed Trinity! O Undivided Unity! grant us, thy servants, to reap fruit from the Fast thou hast given us. Amen.’ This text is taken from The Liturgical Year, authored by Dom Prosper Guéranger (1841-1875). LifeSiteNews is grateful to The Ecu-Men website for making this classic work easily available online.

By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor Monday, February 23, 2026Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejects a European Parliament resolution on the expulsion of foreign Christians.At least 300 foreign Christian pastors, missionaries and their families have been expelled or denied re-entry in recent years.  European lawmakers express concerns over the treatment of Christians and call for Turkey to respect religious freedom.An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor.Christian people seen praying in the ceremony of Christmas at St. John the Evangelist Church. December 25, which is considered the birthday of Jesus Christ, is one of the holiest days of the Christian community. In Izmir, Turkey, the Christian community enthusiastically embraces the Christmas season. Coming together for special ceremonies held in churches, the community supports each other to experience the spirit of Christmas. While certain areas in the city reflect the Christmas atmosphere through illuminations and decorations, the Christian congregation celebrates this religious holiday with special events. | MURAT KOCABAS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty ImagesRights group ADF International has condemned Turkey’s rejection of a European Parliament resolution on the expulsion of foreign Christians, with critics calling the policy an “attack on Christians” and urging authorities to respect due process and religious freedom.The European Parliament resolution focused on cases involving at least 300 foreign Christian pastors, missionaries and their families who were deported or denied re-entry under administrative measures known as the N 82 and G 87 security codes. Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued its response the day after the European Parliament adopted the resolution by a 502 to 2 vote earlier this month. The resolution raised concerns among lawmakers about the use of national security frameworks to restrict fundamental rights, including freedom of religion.The ministry said “claims” regarding freedom of expression and religion in the country “contradict the facts” and warned that such criticism could harm efforts to improve relations between Turkey and the European Union. The government also insisted that no foreign body, including the European Parliament, has the authority to intervene in judicial proceedings within Turkey.EU lawmakers said the measures designated individuals as national security threats without evidence, trial or effective means of appeal, according to a statement by ADF International.The debate intensified after the European Court of Human Rights agreed earlier this month to examine 20 cases involving foreign Christians who were expelled or barred from returning to Turkey.ADF International, which is providing legal support in most of the cases, argued that the use of security codes typically reserved for terrorism suspects had been applied to peaceful foreign Christian residents with long records of lawful residence.European lawmakers cited concerns about limited judicial review, lack of transparency and restricted access to evidence in the cases.During the parliamentary debate, European People’s Party member Tomislav Sokol said, “These deportations of Christians in Turkey for reasons of national security are one more attack on Christians, the most persecuted religious minority around the world.”The resolution also noted that many of those affected had lived in Turkey for years before facing deportation or re-entry bans.Foreign Christians from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Latin America and other parts of Europe have been denied visas or deported in recent years. Many had lived in Turkey with their families for extended periods and had no criminal record or pending legal cases.The 2024 Human Rights Violation Report by the Association of Protestant Churches documented 132 people arbitrarily branded with entry ban codes, solely because of their Christian faith. The report put the total number affected at 303.The report also documented multiple incidents of violence, intimidation and discrimination against Christians across Turkey.One of the pastors affected is Carlos Madrigal, a Spanish Protestant leader who lived legally in Turkey for more than three decades and led churches in the country for 21 years. Madrigal’s residence permit was revoked in 2022 after authorities labeled him a national security threat.“Turkey’s response is an exercise in semantics to conceal a systematic strategy: they do not officially ‘deport’ us, but they force us to leave by revoking residence permits without evidence,” Madrigal wrote in an op-ed for Evangelical Focus. He added that the decision relied on a secret intelligence file that neither he nor his lawyers were allowed to examine.Dutch Member of the European Parliament Bert Jan Ruissen, who supported the resolution, urged Turkish authorities to change course.“The message of our resolution remains crystal clear: Turkish authorities must stop obstructing churches and missionaries,” he said, according to Evangelical Focus. The European Christian Political Party also called on European Union institutions, including foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, to raise the issue consistently in political dialogue with Ankara. The party warned that continued inaction could prompt European countries to consider further measures, including renewed scrutiny of Turkey’s long stalled accession process.ADF International urged Turkish authorities to ensure that security measures align with international human rights obligations.The European court’s review of the pending cases is expected to determine whether the expulsions violate protections for religious freedom, family life and due process under the European Convention on Human Rights.

 Photo by CDC / Unsplash A new report released by Cardus in partnership with the Association of Christian Schools International and the School Counseling Mental Health Initiative at Denver Seminary found that most Christian school educators surveyed rated student mental health favorably, even as national concerns about youth well-being continue to grow. The report, titled Mental Health and Well-Being in Christian Schools, surveyed more than 1,400 Christian educators across the United States in late 2024. It examined perceptions of student wellness, educator well-being and school practices related to mental health. According to the findings, 80% of respondents rated the overall mental health of students at their schools as “good” or “excellent.” Dr. Lynn E. Swaner, president of Cardus U.S., said the results were encouraging but should prompt further study. “It’s very encouraging to know that the vast majority of respondents rated student mental health at their schools ‘excellent’ or ‘good,’” Swaner said in a statement. “But that’s just the beginning of the conversation, not the end. It would be well worth investigating the mechanisms by which Christian schools are addressing mental health, including integrating their faith-based missions, which educators in our survey perceive as making a difference.” The findings stand in contrast to broader national trends. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 40% of students experienced persistent sadness or hopelessness. A January 2026 survey by eLuma, a provider of school-based mental health services, found that 57% of educators and school mental health professionals believed student mental health in the United States was worsening. The Cardus report identified several factors linked to higher educator ratings of student well-being. Educators tended to report stronger student mental health outcomes at schools with cellphone control policies, schools that integrated faith into their approaches to well-being and schools that openly acknowledged the importance of mental health. Examples of supportive practices included prioritizing mental health alongside academic and spiritual development, showing compassion toward students experiencing mental health challenges, providing information about available support and ensuring schools were equipped to respond to student needs. Researchers also found a strong relationship between educator well-being and perceptions of student mental health, suggesting that staff wellness may play a key role in student outcomes. Dr. Rian Djita, director of research for ACSI, said the report could help guide future policy and practice within Christian schools. “I am grateful for our ongoing partnership with Cardus, particularly on this mental health initiative in Christian schools,” Djita said. “I hope this report’s findings will encourage meaningful discussions among educators that may lead to more effective and intentional policies and practices that support the mental health of our students.” The report’s authors said they hope the findings will encourage continued dialogue about how faith-based schools can support both student and educator well-being amid growing national attention to youth mental health.

My dad was experiencing health struggles. As a result, the doctor gave him a heart monitor to wear for almost two weeks. It wasn’t comfortable or convenient, but he was willing to wear it so the doctors could determine the state of his heart. Jesus gave his listeners a heart test in Mark 4. He tells the story of a farmer going out to sow seeds and that the seeds landed on different soil types. The seeds Jesus refers to in the story are his teaching. Will it sink into their hearts and minds and change them, or will they go away and forget what they’ve learned? What would our response be?    The first soil or heart is a well-worn path with no soil. The second was rocky with very little soil, the third was full of thorn bushes, and the fourth was good. Here’s a little test for you to pause and reflect on. How is the condition of your heart? When you hear or read God’s Word, what is your response?  Hear it, but it does not affect you. Hear it and initially receive it, but when trouble comes, you don’t believe it anymore. Hear it, but the worries of this life and desire for other things are more important.   Hear it and receive it as God’s truth, letting it sink deeply into your mind and heart and change you. What would your test results show? Be honest. Which number represents your heart?  I hope you picked number four because Jesus tells us that there are significant results when our hearts are open. Here’s what He says in Mark 4:20. “But what is sown on good soil represents those who open their hearts to receive the message and their lives bear good fruit—some yield a harvest of thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold” (TPT)! A heart that is open, teachable, and obedient to the Word of God is key to living a life where you continually bear good fruit. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us what that fruit is. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (NIV). This fruit isn’t just for you to enjoy, but it multiplies itself in the life of others! This amazing kingdom principle is only possible if we have hearts like good soil—open, teachable, and willing to receive Jesus’ teaching in our life. So how’s your heart? Perhaps life has caused you to have a hard heart. The troubles and cares of this life have taken away your ability to be open to what Jesus wants to say to you. Perhaps it is simply busyness that has kept you from hearing God speak to you, and you have not spent time hearing or reading the Word of God. Jesus asks you to surrender your hurts, disappointments, and troubles to Him. He wants permission to make your heart soft and receptive so that He can produce His good fruit in you. Are you willing? Pray: Lord Jesus, I open my heart to receive the Word of truth and welcome You to grow lots of fruit in me. Reveal to me the things that have hardened my heart. I confess my worry and focus on the world around me. I welcome You to teach me and change me. Help me to obey Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen. ~ Scripture quotations, as noted, are taken from The Passion Translation®, a registered trademark of Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Copyright © 2020 Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Scripture quotations, as noted, are quoted from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

One of my seminary classes required students to share the gospel with at least one lost person each week and submit a report about how it went. The assignment was simple enough, but it proved more difficult for my classmates and me than we anticipated. This wasn’t necessarily because sharing the gospel is difficult but because many of us, especially those working in vocational ministry, spent most of our time in “Christian bubbles,” always around other believers. Perhaps you’re in a similar position. You see the need to share the gospel. You want to share the gospel. But your days and weeks are spent with people who already trust in Jesus. How can we share the good news with the lost if we rarely interact meaningfully with them? The assignment taught me that I needed to make intentional lifestyle changes to cross paths more frequently with people who need the gospel. Here are some practical ideas for how to pop the “Christian bubble” and invite more lost people into your life. 1. Use your hobbies. Do you like art? Sign up for a class at a community college. Are you interested in pickleball? Go to a local court and ask if you can join a game. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn a new language. Is there a language exchange program nearby? Think about activities you already enjoy and search online for groups, clubs, and classes to join in your community. 2. Join a gym and regularly attend at the same time. After a while, you’ll recognize many of the same faces, and you can start to strike up conversations. Gyms that offer classes make this even easier. Shortly after my husband and I got married, we joined a CrossFit gym. By God’s grace, some of the people in the afternoon class we attend are now among our dearest friends. Some of these friends are Christians, and some aren’t. 3. Get involved with your local public school. Public schools often have various opportunities for community members to get involved. Volunteer as a tutor or coach. Attend sporting events, band concerts, and plays. If your schedule allows it, become a substitute teacher. As you build relationships with the people you meet, take advantage of the opportunities the Lord gives to share the gospel. 4. Frequent the same restaurants and coffee shops. Become a regular. Ask the staff their names and remember them the next time you visit. Show genuine interest in their lives. Tip generously and be kind. Invite them to attend your church, and be prepared to share what you believe. 5. Invite conversations with people of different faiths. The next time a Jehovah’s Witness or LDS missionary knocks on your door, instead of turning off the lights and pretending you’re not home, invite them in. Respectfully listen to what they believe and then be prepared to lovingly push back against their false beliefs with the truth of the gospel. I needed to make intentional lifestyle changes to cross paths more frequently with people who need the gospel. You can also look for people who show evidence of a different faith. Maybe you have a neighbor who wears a hijab or you frequent a store where the clerk often wears a bindi. Maybe you notice evidence of a religious holiday celebration. Be kind to these people. Ask questions that honor them and be prepared to share what you believe as the Lord opens the door. 6. Talk to your neighbors. It’s possible lost people live next door to you or down the street and you don’t even know their names. Offer to help carry in heavy groceries. Ask about a neighbor’s day when you pass her on a walk around the neighborhood. Bake cookies and introduce yourself when you deliver them. Be deliberate about developing relationships with your neighbors to share the gospel with them. 7. Take inventory of lost people you already know. Maybe you have a lost relative who lives out of state. When was the last time you made a phone call? Maybe you have an old friend from college who doesn’t know the Lord. Perhaps you could send a text to check in. Do you have a lost coworker you don’t regularly interact with? Create a list of lost friends, family members, and acquaintances. Begin praying for those on the list, and make a plan to reach out to each of them. Our God, who is sovereign over salvation, has providentially placed us in a specific time and place for his glory (Acts 17:26). It could be that your proximity to unbelievers is what the Lord uses to draw them to saving faith. What an honor! May the Lord give us eyes to see the opportunities all around us to share the gospel of hope with those who haven’t yet believed.

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you. - Isaiah 44:22

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Sunday, February 22, 2026Mount Rushmore National Memorial is in South Dakota. The granite faces depict U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. | Unsplash/John BakatorAs the first president of the United States and the commander who led the American rebels to victory over the British Empire, George Washington is quite obviously a well-known figure. Sunday marks the 295th birthday of Washington, born to Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. The future historical figure had five siblings, plus three half-siblings from his father’s previous marriage. While endless volumes have been written about Washington since the 18th century, several interesting facts about the prominent man are lesser known.Here are seven interesting facts about George Washington.Follow Michael Gryboski on Twitter or Facebook

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Sunday, February 22, 2026Methodism founder John Wesley preaching at a church yard in Epworth, England in 1742. | Public DomainThroughout the extensive history of the Church, numerous events of lasting significance have occurred.Each week marks anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births and notable deaths. Some events, spanning over 2,000 years of history, might be familiar, while others might be unknown to many.The following pages highlight anniversaries of memorable events from this week in Christian history, including the excommunication of Queen Elizabeth I, the first chartered Methodist church in the United States, and the death of Amanda Smith.Follow Michael Gryboski on Twitter or Facebook

SHILOH, Samaria – Three thousand years ago in Samaria, a woman asked God for a son, and he answered her prayer. Today, on that same ground, people are still praying and getting answers. Long before Jerusalem became Israel's capital, Shiloh was the center of worship. Scripture says the tabernacle stood here for nearly 400 years. Moriyah Shapiro of Shiloh told CBN News, "Our history began here 3,000 years ago when the people of Israel, we came back from Egypt. Egypt is all the way back down (to the west). And we crossed the Sinai Desert. We went all the way around and then entered Israel through Jordan. Over the years, CBN News has covered major events here and groundbreaking archaeological discoveries. Elliana Passentin is the international desk director for the Binyamin Regional Council in Samaria. She explained, "We're smack in the middle of Samaria. So how do we know this is ancient Shiloh? When an archaeologist comes to an ancient site, they have a dream to find three things: some kind of verse with an explanation; An inscription – it doesn't have to say Hannah was here, but some kind of inscription; and the preservation of the ancient Hebrew biblical name." She added, "And here, we found all three." ***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you receive the latest news from a Christian perspective.*** Shapiro says Shilo continues to draw people today for reasons beyond its ancient history. "I got here when I was one-year old (in) 1978, when this area was completely empty," she recalled. "My family were part of a group that had a dream to find ancient Shiloh and to build it again. People come from all over the world to pray in the place where Hannah actually prayed." Among those visitors are the Flynns and Burnses, who traveled thousands of miles to stand where the book of First Samuel in the Bible unfolded. It's where Hannah, barren, mocked, and misunderstood, silently poured out her heart to God, and God answered, giving her son who would become the prophet, Samuel. Kamesh Flynn told us, "What I realize is that the same God that Hannah prayed to then is the God we serve now, and it's unmistakable because when you stand on the land where she prayed, you feel the sense of the Holy Spirit. I just had my 10-year-old son say to me, mom, I think I was saved right then when we were praying."  Believers contend that the same God who answered Hannah still answers prayer today. Women from Israel and around the world come here with hopes of having children, and many leave with testimonies of answered prayer. Eliana Passentin continues to carry the tradition of the prayer forward. She remembered, "Thirty-two years ago, Hannah from Miami comes here and prays for a boy. Nine months later, she gives birth to her son and names him Samuel…But the story doesn't end here. Years later, Passentin would meet the next generation of that family arriving at Shiloh once again. Passentin explained, "She said, 'I can't get pregnant naturally, and you told us to pray here, and I prayed for a boy and a girl. This is my boy, and this is my girl. And every single time I tell the story, somebody has a tear rolling down their cheek. I've never prayed before. Can you tell me how to do it?'" Two generations of answered prayers. Although Passentin is careful to point people to the heart of the message. "The moral of the stories is not to come to Shiloh, touch the stones, and you'll be cured," she insisted. "Not at all. It's about being humble – when we speak to God from a place of humility." For Carolyn Burns, that truth is deeply personal. "God saw her. And God hears our prayers, and like Hannah, to come in humility and desperation for that longing. It's humbling," she said of her son, Easton. Easton is a gift because he's a miracle child to our family after a season of loss. I've prayed Hannah's prayer for our family because I knew our family wasn't complete, and he's my Hannah's prayer." Flynn urged, "I implore you to bring your requests, make them known to a God who's living and breathing, and as alive and willing to answer them as he was 3,000 years ago today. Here in Shiloh, archeology confirms the Bible, prayer bridges past and present, and answered prayer testifies to an unchanging God. 

Have you ever had the chance to meet someone famous? I’ve been lucky enough to experience it a few times. Whether it was a musician, comedian, or athlete, each encounter was similar. I stood in a crowded line and waited for my turn. Once I made it to the front of the crowd, the celebrity smiled, asked me my name, thanked me for attending, signed my shirt or poster, and smiled for a photo. Every person that I met was kind enough, but none of them would remember me today. We didn’t become friends. We don’t keep in touch. I’m not invited to outings or get-togethers. But truthfully, I’d be silly to have expected any of that! We know from Scripture that Jesus drew His fair share of crowds throughout His ministry. We also know that these crowds were looking for something much more than a photo or autograph. The crowds that gathered around Jesus desired to hear Him preach (Luke 6:18) and sought healing (Mark 2:3, Mark 10:47). They often pressed in around Him in a frenzy (Mark 3:9). Some of them desired nothing more than to touch the hem of His robe (Luke 8:43-44, Matthew 14:36). Scripture also tells us that Jesus spent a lot of time and energy addressing the needs of these crowds. Matthew 14:14, Mark 1:32-34, and Luke 9:11 are just a few of many examples of this throughout the Gospels. These crowds who had the opportunity to encounter Jesus were given healing, hope, peace, and rest. And one time, they were even claimed by Jesus as His family! In Mark 3, we read that Jesus attracted a crowd once again. They were gathering around a house that Jesus and His disciples were in. Jesus’ family members heard of what was happening and tried to take Him away from the crowds (v. 20-21). There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:32-35 NLT) How amazing it must have been to be a part of that crowd! I would bet that as they pressed in to hear Jesus that day, no one thought they’d hear Jesus call them His family. They received so much more than they were expecting! The good news for you and me is that when we encounter Jesus, when we seek Him, follow Him, and put our faith in Him, that same designation is given to us! The Apostle Paul declares this in Hebrews 2:11: So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. And in Ephesians 1:5: God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for that promise today. As nice as the celebrities I’ve met were, I would choose an encounter with Jesus and an invitation to His family every time! Thank You, Jesus, for the opportunity to enter relationship with You. We are so thankful that You are not inaccessible and that no one who comes to You is turned away. What a blessing it is that You desire to walk with us and live within us so that we can be called children of God. Amen. ~ Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. 

By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor Saturday, February 21, 2026Caleb Flynn, a former 'American Idol' contestant, charged with murdering his wife, Ashley Flynn.Children were present in the home during the incident but were unharmed.Flynn faces multiple charges, including murder and tampering with evidence, with a bond set at $2 million.An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor.Caleb Flynn | Screenshot/YouTubeA former "American Idol" contestant and church worship leader has been charged in the fatal shooting of his wife inside their Ohio home. The couple’s two children were inside the residence at the time and were unharmed.Caleb Flynn, 39, has been charged with murder along with two counts each of felonious assault and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of his wife, Ashley Flynn, according to Fox News. He was booked into the Miami County Jail at 5:07 p.m. Thursday, entered a not guilty plea during a Friday arraignment, and had bond set at $2 million.Emergency dispatch logs indicated that someone inside the home called 911 early Monday morning to report that Ashley Flynn had been shot in the head, Fox said, citing WHIO.Caleb Flynn told the dispatcher, ‘Oh my god, somebody broke into my home, somebody broke into my home and shot my wife,’ and said there was blood ‘everywhere,’ as first responders were sent to the residence in Tipp City, roughly 20 miles north of Dayton, according to Fox.Dispatch records showed the reporting person told operators that the children were asleep in their rooms while emergency crews responded, according to News Center 7. Records also showed that only the parents and their two daughters were inside the home at the time of the incident.Investigators reviewed evidence gathered in the case before filing charges against Flynn, Deadline reported.Tipp City Police Chief Greg Adkins was quoted as saying, “The family and community deserve a thorough, professional and compassionate investigation into this very sensitive matter. As a result of the investigation, probable cause existed to charge Caleb Flynn with the murder of his wife. Due to the ongoing nature of this case, specific investigative details will not be released at this time.”Police reported signs of forced entry at the residence and later indicated parts of the scene appeared staged. Authorities also said the case appeared to involve a targeted incident and confirmed the investigation remains ongoing.Ashley Flynn worked as a substitute teacher for Tipp City Schools and coached middle school girls volleyball. She was also described in reports as a mother and educator active in the local community.Caleb Flynn previously served as a worship pastor and appeared as a contestant during season 12 of "American Idol" in 2013, receiving a golden ticket to advance in the competition, noted Protestia.Public records and professional listings later showed him working in commercial flooring sales focused on church and worship interiors.During a court appearance conducted by video, Flynn told Judge Samuel Huffman, “I just want to take care of my daughters. I’m not a risk.” His defense attorney, L. Patrick Mulligan, later said prosecutors moved too quickly in filing the case and questioned the strength of the investigation.Investigators have said the case remains active as authorities continue gathering and reviewing evidence ahead of Flynn’s preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday.

(LifeSiteNews) – A Canadian First Nations quest to find graves of hundreds of children on the site of former residential schools, which sparked massive arson attacks on Catholic churches across Canada, has come up empty, the indigenous tribe admits. The Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc First Nations near Kamloops, British Columbia, said in a press release that a recent investigation found no graves but only “signatures that resemble burials.” In its statement, the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc chief said that “some areas were ruled out as burials, while others cannot confidently be ruled out.” The indigenous tribe had claimed in 2021 that it found graves of 215 children at a former residential school. Its investigation, which used ground penetrating radar (GPR) LiDAR as well as dog teams and other scanners, cost taxpayers millions, both from provincial and federal money. The First Nations received around $12.1 million in funding that was supposed to be for “exhumation of remains.” Calls for a real excavation of the anomalies are not likely to happen due to the sensitivity around the site. The Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc are not giving any interviews to the media “at this time.” As reported by LifeSiteNews, Canada’s Ministry of Indigenous Relations was reprimanded for breaching an Act of Parliament for sealing records on the yet unproven residential school grave claims and has now been ordered to release records. As reported by LifeSiteNews, in 2021 and 2022, the mainstream media ran with inflammatory and dubious claims that hundreds of children were buried and disregarded by Catholic priests and nuns who ran some Canadian residential schools. The reality is, after four years, there have been no mass graves discovered at residential schools. However, as the claims went unfounded, over 120 churches, most of them Catholic and many of them on Indigenous lands that serve the local population, have been burned to the ground, vandalized, or defiled in Canada since the spring of 2021. Late last year, as reported by LifeSiteNews, Canadian academic Frances Widdowson, who spoke out against claims there are mass unmarked graves of kids on former Indigenous residential schools, was arrested on a university campus for trespassing. He is fighting back with the help of a top constitutional group. In 2024, retired Manitoba judge Brian Giesbrecht said Canadians were being “deliberately deceived by their own government” after blasting the former Trudeau government for “actively pursuing” a policy that blames the Catholic Church for the unfounded “deaths and secret burials” of Indigenous children. Canadian indigenous residential schools, run by the Catholic Church and other Christian groups, were set up by the federal government and were open from the late 19th century until 1996. While there were indeed some Catholics who committed serious abuses against native children, the unproven “mass graves” narrative has led to widespread anti-Catholic sentiment since 2021.

(LifeSiteNews) — The station for today is, as noted in the missal, in the church of Saint Trypho, martyr; but this church having been destroyed, many centuries ago, the station is now in that of Saint Augustine, which is built on the same site. COLLECT Give ear, O Lord, to our prayers, and grant that we may, with true devotion, observe this solemn fast, which was wholesomely instituted for the healing of both our souls and bodies. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. EPISTLE Lesson from the Prophet Isaiah 58:9-14 Thus saith the Lord God: If thou wilt take away the chain out of the midst of thee, and cease to stretch out the finger, and to speak that which is good for nothing. When thou shalt pour out thy soul to the hungry, and shalt satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise up in darkness, and thy darkness shall be as the noon-day. And the Lord will give thee rest continually, and will fill thy soul with brightness, and deliver thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a fountain of water, whose waters shall not fail. And the places that have been desolate for ages, shalt be built in thee: thou shalt raise up the foundations of generation and generation: and thou shalt be called the repairer of the fences, turning the paths into rest. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy own will in my holy day, and call the Sabbath delightful, and the holy of the Lord glorious, and glorify him, while thou dost not thy own ways, and thy own will is not found, to speak a word: then shalt thou be delighted in the Lord, and I will lift thee up above the high places of the earth, and will feed thee with the inheritance of Jacob thy Father. For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Saturday is a day replete with mystery. It is the day of God’s rest; it is a figure of the eternal peace, which awaits us in heaven after the toils of this life are over. The object of the Church in giving us, today, this Lesson from Isaias, is to teach us how we are to merit our eternal Sabbath. We have scarcely entered on our campaign of penance, when this affectionate Mother of ours comes to console us. If we abound in good works during this holy Season, in which we have taken leave of the distracting vanities of the world, the light of grace shall rise up even in the darkness which now clouds our soul. This soul, which has been so long obscured by sin and by the love of the world and self, shall become bright as the noon-day; the glory of Jesus’ Resurrection shall be ours too; and, if we are faithful to grace, the Easter of time will lead us to the Easter of eternity. Let us, therefore, build up the places that have been so long desolate; let us raise up the foundations, repair the fences, turn away our feet from the violation of holy observances, do not our own ways and our own will in opposition to those of our Divine Master; and then, He will give us everlasting rest, and fill our soul with His own brightness. GOSPEL Sequel of the holy Gospel according to Mark 6:47-56 At that time: And when it was late, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and himself alone on the land. And seeing them laboring in rowing, (for the wind was against them,) and about the fourth watch of the night, he cometh to them walking upon the sea, and he would have passed by them. But they seeing him walking upon the sea, thought it was an apparition, and they cried out. For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he spoke with them, and said to them: Have a good heart, it is I, fear ye not. And he went up to them into the ship, and the wind ceased: and they were far more astonished within themselves: For they understood not concerning the loaves; for their heart was blinded. And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Genezareth, and set to the shore. And when they were gone out of the ship, immediately they knew him: And running through that whole country, they began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And whithersoever he entered, into towns or into villages or cities, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch but the hem of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. The ship, the Church, has set sail; the voyage is to last forty days. The disciples labor in rowing, for the wind is against them; they begin to fear lest they may not be able to gain the port. But Jesus comes to them on the sea; He goes up to them in the ship; the rest of the voyage is most prosperous. The ancient liturgists thus explain the Church’s intention in her choice of today’s Gospel. Forty days of penance are, it is true, little enough for a long life that has been spent in everything save in God’s service; and yet, our cowardice would sink under these forty days, unless we had Jesus with us. Let us not fear; it is He; He prays with us, fasts with us, and does all our works of mercy with us. Was it not He that first began these forty days of expiation? Let us keep our eyes fixed on him, and be of good heart. If we grow tired, let us go to him, as did the poor sick ones, of whom our Gospel speaks. The very touch of his garments sufficed to restore health to such as had lost it; let us go to him in his adorable Sacrament; and the divine life, whose germ is already within us, will develop itself, and the energy, which was beginning to droop in our hearts, will regain all its vigor. Bow down your heads to God. May thy faithful, O God, be strengthened by thy gifts; that, by receiving them, they may ever hunger after them, and hungering after them, they may have their desires satisfied in the everlasting possession of them. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Let us close our Saturday with a prayer to Mary, the Refuge of Sinners. Let us express the confidence we have in her, by the following devout Sequence. It is taken from the German Missals of the 14th century. SEQUENCE It behooves us, O most holy Virgin, to offer thee, on the altar of our hearts, the offering of our prayers. For whereas the sacrifice of our prayers has no merit of its own, it may be made acceptable, through thee, to thy Son. Present to Him, who was sacrificed for sin, the sacrifice of sinners’ prayers. It is through thee the sinner comes to God, for this God came to the sinner through thee, O thou the Mediatrix between God and man! It was for the sake of sinners that thou wast made worthy of such a Son: canst thou, then, despise them? It was because there were sinners to be redeemed, that thou wast made Mother of the Redeemer. Neither wouldst thou be seated nigh the Father’s throne, hadst thou not been Mother of Him who shares his Father’s throne. Take then, O Holy Virgin, who for our sakes hast been thus exalted, take thou our prayers, and present them to our Sovereign Lord. Amen. This text is taken from The Liturgical Year, authored by Dom Prosper Guéranger (1841-1875). LifeSiteNews is grateful to The Ecu-Men website for making this classic work easily available online.