Have you ever received a word from the Lord? Maybe it was a Scripture that seemed to pop off the page and be written just for you in that moment. Maybe it was a thought that you knew was not your own, but it gave you peace. God loves to give His children wisdom of things to come, promises about the future. John 16:13 reads: When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future (NLT). What a glorious promise! We see this throughout Scripture. From Genesis to today, God’s promises are true—and not only are they true, but they also give us faith to get through the trials until they do come to pass. In Genesis 37, we read that Joseph dreamed about his future. Then, his brothers turned on him and sold him as a slave. He was lied about and thrown in jail where he was forgotten—until the right time when he was exalted to second in charge of all Egypt (Genesis 41). At this point, he was finally restored to his family. Talk about a trial! In 1 Samuel 16, David was called out by the prophet Samuel and anointed to be king. However, before he was king, he ran for his life from King Saul. We see in 2 Samuel 5:1-4 that the promise was fulfilled, and David stepped into his role as king. Mary was told by the angel that she would give birth to the Son of God (Luke 1). I can only imagine the hardships she faced awaiting this holy child’s birth in a time when women were stoned for having a child out of wedlock. This is just a small sample of individuals who had faith because they had a promise—and they held on to that promise until it came to pass. There are so many more. However, many never lived to see the promises happen in their lifetime. Yet, they held on to God and His Word. Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the “faith hall of fame” because we are reminded in that chapter of so many who died before they saw the promises fulfilled. So, what about us? Why does God give us promises? He gives us promises so that we will hold on to Him and what He said, even when all looks to be at its worst. I don’t know what you are facing—but get a word in His Word! Get alone with God. Read Scripture. Ask God to speak. As 2 Corinthians 1:20 tells us: For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. Prayer: God, our precious Father, speak to us, Your children. Help us to hold on to Your Word and trust in You. Thank You for being the Faithful One who cannot lie. Amen! ~ Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Annabelle Beam’s story has long captivated audiences, as she fell into a hollowed-out tree in 2011, plummeted 30 feet, and hit her head at the bottom — a situation that could have been deadly. Annabelle, who suffered from a rare and debilitating digestive disorder before this incident, was already weak and struggling. And the fall left her in need of an hours-long rescue. It was something that left her parents panicked. WANT MORE MIRACLE STORIES? STREAM CBN’S NEW FILM, “INVESTIGATING THE SUPERNATURAL: MIRACLES” But while Annabelle was eventually recovered from inside the tree, it’s what she claims happened while trapped inside that left her family — and the public — absolutely stunned. After getting out, Annabelle told her mom and dad she had visited heaven, met Jesus, and was supernaturally healed. “She just plainly said to me the next day, ‘You know, mommy, I went to heaven when I was in that tree,'” her mom, Christy Beam, told CBN News. “And, so, she told me that she sat on Jesus’s lap, and she said, ‘I want to stay with you,’ and he said, ‘I know you do, but I have plans for you on earth that you cannot fulfill in heaven.'” And that’s not all. She said Jesus continued, “But when the firefighters get you out, Annabelle, there will be nothing wrong with you.” This is notable for two reasons: Annabelle already suffered from a serious condition going into the incident, and paramedics had also given her family a dire warning about the fall. “All the firefighters, paramedics, everybody...they were saying, 'Mom, we just want to prepare you. We’ve never had a child fall 30 feet and not suffer paralysis or broken bones,'” Beam said. Watch her explain: Not only was Annabelle physically fine from the fall, but her mother said her digestive condition was gone afterward and has never returned. Watch above to see Beam share her reaction to critics, details of her daughter’s experience, and more. Want more miracles like this? Stream “Investigating the Supernatural: Miracles,” a new documentary from CBN about powerful medical miracles. We’ll leave you with the trailer: Sign up for Faithwire’s daily newsletter and download the CBN News app to stay up-to-date with the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.

ORADEA, Romania (LifeSiteNews) — Romanian authorities attempted to evict Abbott Rudolf Anzelm Fejes from the 900-year-old Norbertine Abbey as he celebrated daily Mass earlier this week amid an ongoing property dispute with the local government. On April 14 around 9 a.m. as Abbot Anzelm was celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, a bailiff and local police entered the 18th-century Premonstratensian Church of Our Lady of Sorrows on the abbey property with an order to evict the abbot as about 40 of the faithful courageously stood with him. After the Mass, the police returned, and after an intense argument between his attorney, Andrea Varga, and the police, they ultimately left without removing him but giving him another 30 days to vacate the property, per Romanian media. The local government has been battling with Abbot Anzelm over the property in recent months under the guise of renovating the monastic complex, which stands adjacent to the state-owned school building. Mise közben érkezett meg a kilakoltatási végzés végrehajtója a nagyváradi premontrei templomba pic.twitter.com/OVMM30DxSi — Istoria Ordinului Premonstratens din Oradea (@OPraem_Oradea) April 14, 2026 In a statement after the incident, Abbott Anzelm stressed that the abbey is not his personal property but belongs to the Norbertine provostry and that, as a result, law enforcement had no legal basis to enter the church to evict him. Under Romanian law, a functioning church and monastery complex is a sacred place that cannot be transferred or seized by the state, being extra commercium due to its religious use and purpose. “These spaces are not my private property but belong to the provostry. Moreover, they serve as the seat of the provostry. As the legal representative of the provostry, I am residing in these spaces; therefore, the bailiff has no legal grounds to enter here pursuant to the first-instance eviction order,” the abbot said. “If he does so, he will be violating public order, the Constitution, and religious freedom,” he wrote in his post. “This matter is not my personal private affair, but a matter of the Church, even if it primarily concerns me personally.” READ: This Catholic abbot is standing strong against Freemasonic forces trying to confiscate his monastery After the incident, police also spent several hours on the abbey property recording and taking inventory of its furnishings and belongings before finally leaving. In January, the Oradea District Court ruled against Abbot Anzelm in an eviction case brought by the city. The next month, in February, local authorities postponed the eviction of Abbot Anzelm after crowds of Catholic faithful showed up at the abbey church to protect and support him despite rainy weather. At the scheduled time for the eviction, as with this week’s incident, the abbot stood openly at the steps of the church wearing the white habit of the Norbertine order and his abbatial pectoral cross. Although police were present, they declined to arrest him. READ: Abbot of historic monastery calls for US help to stop eviction pushed by ‘Masonic lobby’ In March, the Romanian State Secretariat for Religious Affairs confirmed that the Norbertine Abbey of Oradea is protected by law and cannot be seized by municipal authorities in Oradea. The secretariat even wrote to Abbot Anzelm confirming the legal status of his monastery under Romanian law.

It’s fourth and inches and the outcome of this play could change the course of the game—and possibly an entire season. Nothing is more exciting than these clutch moments for an NFL fan!It was a dismal year for Minnesota Vikings fans like me. From the very beginning, the season droned on with that familiar feeling, “Maybe next year… but probably not.” The clutch moments were missed repeatedly. Unless it was the other team, of course. However, there was one bright spot, Jared Allen, a Minnesota fan-favorite defensive end (2008-2013), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Known for coming up with a big sack when a clutch moment was needed. His personality was as big as his game; Allen sported a mullet and was known for his humorous calf-roping celebration after every sack. Wearing his newly acquired Pro Football Hall of Fame gold jacket, Allen addressed his daughters in his acceptance speech. He said, “Through this process, the word 'legacy' has been talked about a lot. The Hall of Fame says I'm here to tell my story… If all they talk about is this gold jacket and my career, then I failed miserably as a father, a husband, and a friend. You two are my legacy.” That, Jared Allen, could be the biggest clutch moment of your career!In a world where children are viewed as a distraction and deterrent to career and success, the Bible paints a different picture. Children are a heritage—a legacy worth focused time and effort. The Bible tells the story of stewarding the heritage of children to build a legacy of faith.Children Are a HeritageDifferent cultures around the world value children in varying ways. In Mongolia, for example, children are highly honored; they are the pride and joy of the family. In other parts of the world, children are sometimes seen as a nuisance. In areas of poverty, they may even be seen as a threat to survival. In affluent regions, children are a potential threat to social mobility and leisure. The Bible, however, fosters a deep-rooted value for children: “Children are a heritage from the Lord” (Ps. 127:3). Before thinking of children as a “legacy,” the Bible teaches that children are a “heritage,” that is, a gift from God. This may be hard to remember as you are on your way to the hospital to get a LEGO dislodged from a nostril, or you are getting kicked (literally) out of your bed in the middle of the night, or you are cleaning toothpaste off the bathroom walls. But even these moments are part of the gift. The gift of children is one of the main themes of the first books of the Bible. Each birth in Genesis, even with the excruciating pain of labor, is celebrated and precious. Leah captures this biblical view of children when she gives birth to her sixth son, Zebulun, “God has presented me with a precious gift” (Gen. 30:19). Children are a gift, a heritage from the Lord. Stewarding the HeritageThe heritage of children, however, is a gift that needs to be cultivated. Children are born into a fallen world with daily pressures. They are also born with a sin nature and a natural pull toward evil. The book of Proverbs paints a stark contrast between two roads that lie before every child: the path of wisdom and righteousness or the path of folly and destruction. It is the parents’ role to give wisdom a voice in the child’s life as he or she grows. Proverbs, in many ways, is an extended commentary on Deuteronomy 6:7, which says parents are to diligently teach the children every moment of the day: “…when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Simply put, the parents must bear the primary responsibility for the education and formation of their children. This is not a responsibility we can outsource.This takes intentionality and consistency that are difficult to live out. It means a moment-by-moment instruction grounded in the Word of God that is broad enough to have discernment in every circumstance and versatile enough to cover every age. So the parents themselves must be wise and discerning enough to guide and teach. Wisdom is knowing the structures of creation and knowing how to live wisely within it. But wisdom is more than mere knowledge of the world. It goes beyond that to a covenantal relationship with the Lord (Prov. 1:7) and knowing how to live redemptive, cross-centered lives in a sin-soaked world. True knowledge begins with covenantal fear based on the mercies of God in Jesus Christ, who is the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24).In recent years, there has been a heavy emphasis in some Christian circles on Proverbs 13:22, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” This is a worthy and wise endeavor, but the emphasis in the book of Proverbs falls on passing on an inheritance of covenant wisdom and the fear of the Lord. Giving a financial inheritance to children is a qualified good. In other words, it is only a blessing if you are passing it on to children who have not chosen the way of folly (Proverbs 17:2, 25).The child will have the world’s enticements and seductions echoing in their ears and before their eyes (Prov. 1:10), but the parents speak biblical wisdom and instruction. The child then is responsible to not “despise wisdom” like a fool, but “listen to instruction” (Prov. 1:7–8). Just because we speak true biblical wisdom based on the gospel does not mean that our children will automatically be Christians. The dynamic of passing on a spiritual heritage is that the parent speaks wisdom, the child listens intently, and the heart is transformed in a way that guides behavior. It’s covenant wisdom that is revealed in the path and speech of the child. That child then grows, does not depart from the way of wisdom, and teaches the same things to the next generation (Prov. 4:20–27; 22:6). This is how a spiritual legacy takes shape! But it is important to note that this is not an equation. It depends on the heart transformation, which is a gift of God’s grace in the gospel.But if we say nothing about our faith, there is a good chance that our children will never truly grasp our faith and turn away from the gospel. Children will not catch the faith automatically from their parents. Children respond to their parents’ speech and instruction. The gift needs cultivation and stewardshipThe Legacy of FaithAs Jared Allen wrapped up his Hall of Fame acceptance speech, he not only told his daughters that they are his legacy. He also challenged them to step up, be his legacy, “always put Christ first”, and live in the world with conviction and courage. Compared to our children knowing Christ, an NFL Hall of Fame jacket or Super Bowl ring is merely a trifle. Every Christian parent hopes their children will embrace Christ in faith and follow the path of wisdom. Paul describes the legacy of Lois in the life of Timothy: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (2 Tim. 1:5). As parents, we rightly desire and work for this. For parents, every moment with their children is a “clutch moment” to pass on the legacy of faith. Ultimately, we surrender our children to the Lord. We hold this gift with an open hand, knowing that our deepest legacy is not our children themselves—but the faith we seek to pass on to them. We steward the heritage of our children and pray they live out the legacy of faith.

(LifeSiteNews) — The committee that oversees euthanasia, or Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), is planning to expand in Ontario with new “diverse” people who hold extreme pro-euthanasia views and are “interested” in “supporting” the deadly procedure. A recent report from the Globe and Mail noted that Ontario’s MAiD Death Review Committee (MDRC), which looks at all deaths by the procedure in the province, wants to diversify. This means that, in essence, the committee is looking to stack itself with pro-death people. Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner says the committee will be cut in size from 16 to eight people who all hold “diverse viewpoints.” The new members will be experts “interested in supporting MAiD practice.” The committee only began reviewing cases about two years ago and no less than two former members of the MDRC say the new committee will be less thorough with less oversight. Removed from the language about the committee was wording that called its members “independent expert review,” and was replaced with the term “guidance to practitioners” who “support emerging MAiD practice.” Euthanasia is the sixth-leading cause of death in Canada, but it was not listed in Statistics Canada’s top 10 leading causes of death from 2019 to 2022. Former committee members share concerns over new format Dr. Dirk Huyer, Ontario’s chief coroner, said the committee “is evolving in response to the changing landscape of MAiD in Ontario and will continue to be a means of providing independent expert review of MAiD deaths to assist in evaluating public safety concerns and identify opportunities for continued broad system improvements.” However, according to one family doctor, Ramona Coelho, who was previously on the committee, the new changes will risk the independence of the committee and possibly its credibility. “When the MDRC is reconstituted to include only MAiD clinicians or those supportive of the practice, it will become a closed loop,” she noted. “Oversight bodies are meant to critically evaluate systems, not align with the communities they oversee.” Trudo Lemmen, also a former MDRC committee member and a law professor at the University of Toronto, said, “The (coroner’s) office has also justified the overhaul by citing the difficulty of managing diverse viewpoints and lack of consensus within the MDRC.” “If diversity of perspectives is itself treated as a liability, the inevitable result will be an artificial consensus in an area where profound ethical disagreement persists,” the doctor noted. As reported by LifeSiteNews, the reality is that in Ontario deaths by euthanasia cannot include any reference to MAiD and can only list the illness, disease, or disability leading to the request. As LifeSiteNews’ Jonathon Van Maren recently put it, “when someone is killed by a euthanasia practitioner via lethal injection in Ontario, the lethal injection is not recorded as their cause of death.” “Instead, the cause of death is recorded as whatever the ‘MAiD assessors’ decided made the patient eligible for a lethal injection in the first place.” MAiD has become more rampant in Canada thanks to the Liberal Party being in power. However, the Conservative Party is trying to do what it can to limit MAiD’s expansion. As reported by LifeSiteNews, Montreal Dr. Peter Blusanovics recently called on the Liberal government to support Bill C-218, a private members’ bill that will stop a planned expansion of euthanasia to those with mental illness in Canada. The Liberal government under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and current Prime Minister Mark Carney, however, has worked to expand euthanasia 13-fold since it was legalized in 2016. Canada now has the fastest-growing assisted-suicide program in the world. Meanwhile, Health Canada released a series of studies on advanced requests for assisted suicide.

(LifeSiteNews) — A National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will begin next month to mark the United States’ semiquincentennial, which will see the Holy Eucharist processed across the original 13 colonies and several notable landmarks as an invitation to prayer. The pilgrimage will begin May 24, Memorial Day weekend, in the Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida, home of the first Catholic colony and where the first Mass was celebrated in the modern-day United States, and conclude the weekend of July 4, Independence Day, in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The pilgrimage will pass through 18 dioceses and two eastern Catholic eparchies as well as several noteworthy landmarks along the way. Jason Shanks, president of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, citing the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) National Eucharistic Revival Impact Study, told LifeSite that the pilgrimage will serve as a powerful witness to America’s renewal of Eucharistic faith and a call to live as one nation under God ahead of its 250th birthday. “The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is one of the most visible expressions of that renewal. As Catholics carry Jesus in the Eucharist through streets and communities, it becomes both a public witness of faith and a personal invitation for people everywhere to encounter Him,” he said. “As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the pilgrimage also offers a moment of reflection about the deeper foundations of our country,” he added. “Faith has always been a vital part of the American story, and this journey reminds us that our ultimate hope and unity come from God. By praying together and carrying the Eucharist across the nation, we are asking the Lord to renew His Church and to bless our country so that we may truly live as one nation under God.” READ: A worldwide invitation: Join the first-ever global Marian Eucharistic procession Shanks highlighted several of the key stops along the pilgrimage route between St. Augustine and Philadelphia, including the Baltimore Basilica, the first cathedral built in the U.S.; where Mass will be celebrated, a blessing over Washington, D.C., atop Arlington Memorial Bridge, followed by a Eucharistic procession through the nation’s capital; and another procession along the historic Freedom Trail in Boston, culminating with an outdoor Mass celebrated on Lexington Battle Green. He noted that the pilgrimage route will also include several significant Catholic shrines, including the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, Virginia, where the pilgrims will have the opportunity to adore the Blessed Sacrament, and the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. READ: Bishop Conley leads Eucharistic procession outside Planned Parenthood in Lincoln Finally, Shanks emphasized the symbolism of concluding the pilgrimage in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, during the semiquincentennial weekend. “Just as the nation will be celebrating 250 years since the drafting and signing of the United States Declaration of Independence, Catholics will gather in the city where that history unfolded to pray for the future of our country,” Shanks said. For more information about the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, click here.

By Ian M. Giatti, Christian Post Reporter Friday, April 17, 2026SolStock/iStockCity officials in Dallas are considering a plan for new regulations on churches, nonprofits and other groups that distribute free food to homeless people on public streets and in other areas.During an April 15 meeting, Dallas City Council members were largely split over a proposal to amend the city ordinance that would expand the definition of “street vendor” to include free food distribution, requiring a no-cost, automatically approved 30-day permit focused on basic food safety, sanitation, storage standards and litter management.  While the city already has a number of provisions for groups wishing to feed the homeless, including prohibitions on “potentially hazardous food” and guidelines for disposing of wastewater, trash and debris resulting from such outreaches, the proposed rules would require volunteers from churches and other religious groups to obtain city permission before conducting any outreach that includes food handling or preparation, even when that outreach is primarily evangelistic in nature.At Wednesday’s meeting, code compliance services administrator Narada Lee presented the changes as a way to address gaps in oversight for perishable and nonperishable foods, similar to standards applied to food establishments, which he noted also require a permit.Lee, who said he “grew up in a church” with a food pantry ministry, acknowledged the proposed rules could cause hardship for Christian ministries and other groups even as the city seeks to protect residents with underlying health issues.“Growing up in a church and, you know, giving out food, I became a lot more aware of, yeah, we might be trying to help people, but we could also hurt if we're not aware of maybe some of the health issues that are out there, and making sure that people are safe,” he said. “This is a hard one, because definitely we want to help and we want to, you know, our community is so giving here in Dallas. But then there is also the health aspect as well.”Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Moreno, whose district includes downtown Dallas, supported the proposal, citing challenges with unsheltered vending, litter and sanitation. He noted that cleanup costs borne by the city, property owners and Downtown Dallas Inc. have exceeded $100,000 in some cases. According to city officials, the permit process is free, simple, and automatically approved once the required fields are completed, valid for 30 days.After hearing officials discuss details of the proposal, Councilman Adam Bazaldua raised strong concerns about religious liberty and potential legal risks. “This ordinance raises serious concerns, especially when it comes to religious freedom,” he said. “For many people, feeding the hungry is not just charity. It is a deeply held religious obligation."Under the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Bazaldua added, the city cannot “substantially burden religious exercise” unless it meets a “compelling interest pursued through the least restrictive means possible.”“Right now,” he added, “this ordinance risks failing that test.”Bazaldua warned that any requirement for individuals or small groups to “obtain permission before engaging in acts of faith, like feeding those in need,” could put the city in legal jeopardy. He recommended updating the ordinance with beefed-up religious freedom protections.“We should explicitly protect religious exercise in the language of the ordinance like we had prior to the proposed change,” he said. “We should ensure that small-scale, faith-driven acts of charity are not subject to permitting requirements, and we should favor simple notice over permission wherever possible.”Bazaldua wrapped up his comments by assuring residents that the city council “can protect public health and safety while also respecting the fundamental right to live out one's faith. But to do that, we need to get this right before passage.”The meeting adjourned without any action by the council ahead of a scheduled vote on the item next week.

BAMENDA, Cameroon (LifeSiteNews) — Pope Leo XIV warned Catholics in Cameroon against mixing their faith with other beliefs during a homily in the city of Bamenda. On April 16, Pope Leo delivered a homily at the International Airport of Bamenda, in Cameroon, addressing the challenges facing the Catholic faithful in a context marked by religious diversity and cultural pressures. The Pope urged Catholics to remain faithful to the Church without compromising with external beliefs or internal distortions, warning especially against the risks associated with religious syncretism and its possible ideological or economic exploitation. “Obey God, not human beings. To obey him, because he alone is God. This calls us to foster inculturation of the Gospel. It also calls us to be vigilant, even regarding our own religious practices, so as not to fall into the trap of mixing the Catholic faith with other beliefs and traditions of an esoteric or Gnostic nature, which in reality often serve political and economic ends,” the Pope said. READ: Cardinal Fernández interview should clarify that Pope Leo is following Francis’ playbook In his address, Pope Leo focused on the need for discernment among believers, especially in environments where multiple religious traditions coexist. He identified the blending of Catholic doctrine with non-Christian elements as a concrete danger, insisting that such combinations are not neutral phenomena. According to his remarks, these practices may conceal ulterior motives, stating that they “often serve political and economic purposes,” suggesting that religious language or symbolism can be instrumentalized for objectives unrelated to the Gospel. At the same time, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the legitimacy of the “inculturation of the Gospel,” understood as the process by which the Christian message is expressed within different cultural contexts. He affirmed that this process is necessary, especially in regions such as Africa, where longstanding traditions shape social and religious life. However, according to Leo, there would be a clear distinction between inculturation and syncretism. While the former seeks to communicate the Gospel without altering its substance, the latter introduces elements that are incompatible with Catholic doctrine. Pope Leo further elaborated on the concept of freedom, linking it directly to obedience to God. “In fact, obeying God is not an act of submission that oppresses us or nullifies our freedom; on the contrary, obedience to God sets us free, because it means entrusting our lives to Him and allowing His word to inspire our way of thinking and acting,” the Pope said. Although the homily was delivered in Cameroon, its content was presented in a manner that extends beyond the immediate local context. The issues identified by the Pope – particularly the blending of religious traditions and the influence of esoteric and non-Christian ideologies – are part of a broader phenomenon affecting not only African societies but also Eastern and Western regions. Despite the Pope’s warning against religious syncretism, in recent months the Holy See has appointed several bishops known for promoting precisely this kind of blending of religions. LifeSiteNews has reported on various such cases, including Agnelo Pinheiro, the new bishop of Sindhudurg (India), and Anton Sipuka, the new bishop of Cape Town (South Africa), who has openly considered introducing a pagan mediumistic rite into the Catholic Missal. Pope Leo’s remarks also come exactly one month after LifeSiteNews published an exclusive report revealing that Robert Prevost himself, as a young priest, had taken part in a ritual honoring the Andean goddess Pachamama in Brazil, back in 1995. As is widely known, a similar ceremony was later brought inside the Vatican by Pope Francis on October 4, 2019. READ: Has Leo XIV contradicted Catholic teaching on just war? More generally, Pope Leo XIV has displayed a marked openness toward non‑Catholic religions. A telling example is the message of congratulations he sent on March 20, 2026, to the new Anglican Primate of England, Sarah Mullally, who is publicly pro‑abortion and pro‑LGBT. “I know that the office for which you have been chosen is a weighty one … In asking the Lord to strengthen you with the gift of wisdom, I pray that you may be guided by the Holy Spirit … and draw inspiration from the example of Mary, the Mother of God,” the Pope wrote on that occasion. Even more significant, in the apostolic letter In Unitate Fidei, issued for the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, Pope Leo presented the Creed without the Filioque to promote dialogue with Eastern schismatics, arguing that “we must therefore leave behind theological controversies that have lost their raison d’être … in order to develop a common understanding and, even more, a common prayer to the Holy Spirit.” During his recent apostolic journey to Algeria, Pope Leo also posted on X an appeal to foster a “communion between Muslims and Christians.”

By Ian M. Giatti, Christian Post Reporter Friday, April 17, 2026Getty ImagesA conservative Texas pastor and other activists clashed with officials representing the state’s largest school district over their alleged failure to remove materials from school libraries that some say are not age-appropriate.The exchanges took place at the March 19 meeting of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) board, where some parents and other constituents demanded the removal of books they described as containing sexually explicit and profane content from school libraries.  Pastor Rick Scarborough, a veteran Southern Baptist minister and leader of Recover America, went viral for his comments to the board, in which he said that after more than 50 years in full-time ministry and having spoken to over 20,000 pastors, he had "never [seen] a biblical pastor who supports children having access to books that are so explicit they are banned in our prisons here in Texas."He invoked Jesus' warning in the Gospels about causing "little ones" to stumble, suggesting to the board that continuing their book policy would result in their eternal judgment. “Jesus warned that if anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for them to have a millstone hung around their neck and be cast into the sea,” he said, paraphrasing Matthew 18:6. “That millstone awaits those of you who use your delegated authority to ignore federal and state law by keeping these materials in our libraries.”Scarborough then warned he would potentially pursue legal action if the board continued its failure to take action against contested books such as A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah Maas after banning other books in 2024, like the classic Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.“If you continue to refuse their removal from HISD, I will dedicate the rest of my life to ensuring you that you're held accountable, including lawsuits,” he said.Pastor Rick Scarborough addresses the Houston ISD board at a March 19, 2026, meeting. | Screenshot/YouTube/Dee AA former pastor at First Baptist Church of Pearland, Scarborough has long mobilized pastors for cultural and political engagement. After founding the advocacy group Vision America in 1994, Scarborough now leads Recover America, a group dedicated to promoting what it calls a "biblical worldview" in education and public policy. His activism has included challenging what he sees as leftist influences in schools and government.Scarborough spoke immediately after Bonnie Wallace, a legislative liaison for Recover America, who attempted to read an explicit excerpt from A Court of SilverFlames — which is available in some HISD high schools — before she was cut off by several board members.Before she started speaking, Wallace announced her intention to read the book’s content and warned, “If there are children in the audience, they need to leave.” As she began reading, she was repeatedly warned that doing so would violate decorum and could lead to her removal from the meeting.Wallace angrily replied, "If you don’t like it, remove it … so the children don’t have access to it!" She was then escorted from the meeting by police.The Christian Post reached out to Houston ISD for comment. Scarborough and Remnant Alliance have been described in secular media as part of a “coalition of Christian nationalist groups that are working to educate, train and mobilize conservative Christian congregations to influence the outcomes of local elections — especially school boards.”“For decades, various far-right, faith-based organizations have been working to train pastors and turn congregants into school board activists and candidates,” according to a May 2024 report from the left-leaning Texas Observer, which has disparaged the group in its reporting. “But now, the Remnant Alliance has united several powerful conservative Christian groups. The overarching ideology of these groups is Christian nationalism.”

God is everywhere—even in the news. That’s why we view every news story through the lens of faith. We are committed to delivering quality independent Christian journalism you can trust. But it takes a lot of hard work, time, and money to do what we do. Help us continue to be a voice for truth in the media by supporting CBN News for as little as $1.

Apologist Frank Turek recently addressed a question that often comes from critics of God who ponder where the Lord originated. These atheists and secularists often raise curiosity in reaction to believers who point to the fact that nothing originates out of thin air — that every item and element of creation has an originator. WATCH: STREAM CBN’S NEW DOCUMENTARY ‘INVESTIGATING THE SUPERNATURAL: ANGELS AND DEMONS’ RIGHT NOW “The evidence shows that space, time, and matter had a beginning out of nothing,” Turek told The Bible Bros Podcast earlier this year. “And even atheists agree with this, and Stephen Hawking … who was an atheist … said, almost everyone now believes that the universe and time itself had a beginning at the Big Bang.” Turek noted that Hawking didn’t believe God was responsible for creation itself and even tried to propose other alternatives. Yet Turek believes the data are clear, pointing to an amazing God-ordained creation that brought everything from a “state of nothingness” to existence. Turek believes this was an intentional choice by the Lord. Watch him explain: “Space, time, and matter had a beginning,” he said. “If space, time, and matter had a beginning, what could have created space, time, and matter? Only something outside of space, time, and matter. In other words, something spaceless, timeless, immaterial, powerful to create the universe out of nothing.” Turek also spoke more directly to the notion of God having a beginning, noting that, if the Lord is timeless, he has no origination point. “If you’re timeless, you don’t have a beginning, which means you don’t have a cause,” he said. “So the question, ‘Who made God?’ is a stupid question because God is not ’cause,’ because the definition of God is the ‘uncaused first cause,’ what Aristotle might call the unmoved mover.” Ultimately, this means there had to have been an origination point — a time when things kicked off and began. The “uncaused first cause” philosophical theory essentially argued that everything has a cause, so there must be one beginning point that didn’t — and that thing started everything. Listen to the latest episode of “Quick Start” “You can’t go on an infinite regress of causes,” Turek said. “So if you’re talking about a created God, you’re not talking about the God of the universe. You may be talking about a God … like some sort of finite God, like some, you know, Osiris or Zeus or… or Thor or somebody, a finite God inside the universe.” He continued, “But you know when you’re talking about the infinite God outside the universe, that God has no beginning — that God has will have no end. That God just ‘bees.’ In other words, as the Bible puts it, ‘The Great I Am.'” Please sign up for Faithwire’s daily newsletter and download the CBN News app to stay up-to-date with the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.

A screengrab from a Facebook video shows an official vehicle set ablaze during clashes between residents of the Noor Shahan informal settlement and police on April 14. Facebook Violent protests erupted in Pakistan’s federal capital this week after civic authorities resumed demolition operations targeting informal settlements, including a predominantly Christian neighborhood, raising concerns among minority rights advocates about the vulnerability of poor Christian communities to forced evictions. Clashes between residents and officials unfolded on April 13 in the Allama Iqbal Colony, also known as Sharper Colony, when teams from the Capital Development Authority (CDA), accompanied by police, arrived with heavy machinery to demolish what they described as illegal structures. The settlement is home to about 1,300 families, the majority of them Christians working in low-income jobs such as sanitation and domestic labor. Community leaders said tensions escalated into a five-hour standoff as officials attempted to carry out the operation. “The government teams sealed a scrapyard, broke locks of several Christian homes, and dragged household belongings into the street before they were forced to withdraw due to strong resistance,” said Imran Shahzad Sahotra, a local Christian leader. He added that several homes and small businesses along the colony’s main road had been marked for future demolition, fueling fear among residents who have lived in the area for more than two decades. “For families who have built these homes with years of hard labor and meager wages, eviction without compensation is devastating,” Sahotra said. “Many have nowhere else to go.” The CDA has announced plans to clear at least four informal settlements in Islamabad, several of which are largely inhabited by Christians – one of Pakistan’s most marginalized religious minorities. Community leaders say the renewed operations have triggered widespread anxiety, particularly among daily wage earners who lack the financial means to relocate. Such settlements often provide the only affordable housing option for minority communities, who face economic and social barriers in accessing formal housing markets, Sahotra said, urging the government to either grant ownership rights to long-term residents or provide adequate compensation and alternative housing. “The government must ensure that these families are not rendered homeless,” he said. A day later, on April 14, similar anti-encroachment operations in the Noorpur Shahan area led to violent clashes between police and Muslim residents. At least eight police officers and several residents were injured as protesters hurled stones and set fire to two official vehicles. Police responded with tear gas and baton charges to disperse the crowds, after which authorities reportedly demolished an entire neighborhood. Local media reports stated that more than 13,000 homes have been razed in the area over the past six months. Human rights organizations have condemned the CDA’s operations, warning that they disproportionately impact the urban poor, including religious minorities. At a meeting convened by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad on April 13, activists, lawyers and community representatives called on the superior courts to enforce a 2015 Supreme Court stay order that prohibits the forced eviction of informal settlements without due process. In a statement, the HRCP criticized the CDA’s “anti-poor” approach and failure to provide adequate low-cost housing. “The CDA has launched only one low-income housing scheme in decades, which accommodates only a fraction of the estimated 500,000 people living in informal settlements in Islamabad,” the statement said. The HRCP emphasized that, in the absence of sufficient housing alternatives, informal settlements often represent the result of years of labor by working-class families seeking stability and dignity. It warned that ongoing demolition drives risk deepening Pakistan’s housing crisis while leaving already vulnerable communities—such as Christians—at greater risk of displacement. Rights advocates also noted that Islamabad remains the only major city in Pakistan without a comprehensive legal framework for regularizing informal settlements, a policy widely used internationally to integrate such communities into formal urban planning. Participants at the HRCP meeting stressed that the right to housing is protected under Article 9 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and dignity. They urged authorities to halt forced evictions, respect court orders, and adopt policies that prioritize resettlement and rehabilitation over demolition.

A supporter of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) celebrates victory for the candidate of his constituency a day after polling concludes on March 06, 2026 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The vote is seen as a pivotal test for Nepal's fragile coalition politics and a generation of first-time voters from Generation Z eager for change in the Himalayan nation. Elke Scholiers/Getty Images Nepal has a new government after a relatively new party secured a near supermajority in their elections, held after a Gen Z-led uprising brought down the previous administration. The new leadership has generated expectations of better governance, especially among young people.  Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has not been an advocate for Nepal Christians in the past. One of the tests this government now faces, both at home and internationally, is whether it will resist the growing influence of Hindu nationalism, which has increasingly targeted the country’s small Christian minority. Local sources tell Christian Solidarity International the leadership of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has not been an advocate for Nepal Christians in the past. The RSP, which emerged from the youth protests that ended former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s government in September 2025, has become the most popular party since Nepal became a secular federal republic in 2008, ending two centuries of Hindu monarchy. For Nepal’s estimated 600,000 Christians, who account for nearly two percent of the country’s 30 million people, the question is whether that mandate will extend to genuine protection of religious freedom or reproduce the pressures that minority communities have faced under successive governments. No explicit commitment to reforming the anti-conversion law. The RSP won the election on a 100-point Citizens’ Covenant pledging reforms in governance, economic growth and social inclusion. There was no explicit commitment to reforming the anti-conversion law, and no mention of providing burial grounds for Christians who are denied access to land in many municipalities. Nor is there a pledge to end the selective enforcement of laws that have resulted in the prosecution of Christians for peaceful religious activity. Nepal’s anti conversion law prohibits any attempt or “abetment” to convert another person, as well as any act that “undermines” or “jeopardizes” another person’s religion or belief, provisions that are untenable in international law. Further, enforcement agencies have interpreted the law to include carrying Bibles, speaking with local families about their faith and organizing prayer meetings. Police have made several arrests for such acts, according to media reports, while foreign Christian visitors have faced deportation. His cabinet appears geared toward good governance, the past record of some RSP members raises concern. While the selection of the prime minister and members of his cabinet appears geared toward good governance, the past record of some RSP members raises concern. The RSP’s founder, Rabi Lamichhane, previously served as home minister and instructed Chief District Officers to stop Christian activities and to refuse permission for the organization of religious meetings and trainings, CSI has learned. He also allegedly required foreign travelers to obtain permission from local district administration offices before entering certain areas of the country, a requirement that in practice restricted the movement of Christian missionaries and relief workers. Several other RSP members who have won seats in parliament have spoken publicly against Christianity. Some among them have called for amending Nepal’s constitution to restore the country’s identity as a Hindu nation. Christian leaders in Nepal appear to be cautiously hopeful. Christian leaders in Nepal appear to be cautiously hopeful after the formation of the new government. As part of this change, the community expects equal access to burial grounds, an end to prosecutions under the anti-conversion law for peaceful religious activity, and formal recognition of their right to religious assembly. Originally published by CSI (Christian Solidarity International). Republished with permission. Founded over 40 years ago, CSI (Christian Solidarity International) is an international Christian human rights organization, campaigning for religious liberty and human dignity, and assisting victims of religious persecution, victimized children and victims of catastrophe. CSI delivers emergency food assistance, medical treatment, and other lifesaving aid to victims of religious persecution and natural disasters in Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Nigeria, South Sudan, Pakistan, and other hotspots around the globe. CSI is currently the only organization working to liberate Christians and other South Sudanese forced into slavery by government-backed forces during the Sudanese civil war. For more information visit https://csi-usa.org.

The program began around 2010 and is now looking to expand nationwide. The team currently consists of eight to nine people, but the goal is much more ambitious. Photo: Ver para Creer In many towns in Argentina’s interior, access to a basic eye exam can be a luxury. In that context, “Ver para Creer” (“Seeing to Believe”) was created—an evangelism-focused organization that provides vision care to people who otherwise lack access. “It’s a primary eye care program for people who don’t have access to this specialty in places where access to such care is extremely limited,” explained its founder, Daniel Domínguez, in an exclusive interview with Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition. The situation is clear: there are regions where specialists simply don’t exist. “There are many places in Argentina where people have no access to even a basic eye exam,” Domínguez said. Faced with this reality, the team flips the usual model—they don’t wait for patients; they go out to find them. “We go to these places and serve people. They’re diagnosed, given prescriptions, and in most cases we try to provide them with glasses,” he said. Access to vision care is limited not only by distance but also by cost. Domínguez explains that “an eye exam costs between 50,000 and 80,000 pesos (about $40 to $70 U.S. dollars just for the visit)… plus travel, lodging, and food. That’s a lot of money for people who don’t have access.” That’s why the program directly targets those left out of the system. “We go out in search of those patients,” he said, reflecting both a sense of responsibility and a desire to bridge that gap. But the initiative goes beyond healthcare. The project’s identity is explicitly Christian and strongly evangelistic. “Throughout the entire process… we share God’s love, the gospel, and the message of Jesus Christ,” Domínguez said. The campaigns are carried out in partnership with local churches, which not only provide space but also continue spiritual follow-up. “It’s both a vision care initiative and an evangelistic campaign, because it is fundamentally evangelistic,” he added. The process is simple: mobile clinics are set up in schools, parishes, or community centers. There, exams and diagnoses are performed, and in many cases glasses are provided on the spot. They also serve incarcerated individuals, bringing equipment, glasses, and the Word of God, along with biblical materials for evangelism and spiritual growth. The initiative also follows a strategic missionary approach. “I always tell pastors that these are guaranteed evangelistic campaigns,” Dominguez says. Unlike other events where attendance is uncertain, here the need draws people in. “People come on their own… they line up. So you have 100 to 200 people a day, sharing the gospel with them three or four times,” he explained. This direct contact opens the door for follow-up by local churches. “It ensures that they receive the message of the gospel,” he emphasized. The program began around 2010 and now aims to expand across the entire country. The team currently consists of eight to nine people, but the vision is much bigger. “My dream is for every province to have a ‘Ver para Creer’ team,” Domínguez said, with the goal of reaching “the most remote places in the country.” With upcoming campaigns planned—including a recent one in Fuerte Apache, a disadvantaged neighborhood in Buenos Aires—the organization continues its mission of combining practical assistance with the proclamation of the gospel in places where both are often scarce. Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.

Purported Islamic marriage certificate of Sidra Bibi lacks her national ID number, which is a legal requirement. Christian Daily International-Morning Star News Police in Pakistan have declined to recover a 15-year-old Christian girl who was abducted at gunpoint, forcibly converted to Islam and married to the kidnapper, according to her father. Afzal Javed Masih of Chak No. 648-GB village in Jaranwala, in Punjab Province’s Faisalabad Division, said that his daughter, Sidra Bibi, was taken from their home in the early hours of March 27 by a Muslim, Ali Murtaza, and two accomplices. The men scaled the wall of his house at around 3 a.m. and took Sidra away at gunpoint, he said. Masih, who collects scrap in Sialkot District to provide a livelihood for his family back in the village, said relatives home at the time informed him of the kidnapping. “I immediately returned to the village and registered a First Information Report [FIR] the same day, hoping for my daughter’s safe recovery,” he told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Police promptly registered the case but inaccurately recorded Sidra’s age as 17 year old instead of 15 and seven months, as stated on her official birth certificate, Masih said. “I am illiterate and only learned of this discrepancy later, when a rights activist pointed it out,” he said. Police initially detained relatives of the suspect but later released them after documents surfaced purporting that Sidra had converted to Islam and married Murtaza of her own free will in Rahim Yar Khan District in South Punjab, Masih said. He rejected the authenticity of the documents, which included an affidavit allegedly signed by his daughter stating that she was an adult and had embraced Islam after exposure to religious content on social media. “This claim is absurd,” Masih told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “My daughter has never attended school, and our family does not own a smart phone due to our financial condition.” He said Murtaza had previously harassed the family. “Last year, he fired shots at our house after I objected to him loitering outside,” Masih said. “Despite my complaint, police took no meaningful action. Had they acted then, this incident might have been prevented.” Masih added that the investigation has stalled, leaving the family with little hope of recovering their daughter, the eldest of his children. He noted that his family is the only Christian household in the village, raising concerns about vulnerability due to their minority status. His household includes his wife, the couple’s five children and his elderly parents. Legal experts have criticized the handling of the case, pointing to potential violations of child protection laws. Lazar Allah Rakha, a senior Christian lawyer who has represented victims in similar cases, said police were obligated to pursue the case under the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026, regardless of discrepancies in the FIR. “Even if the girl’s age is incorrectly stated as 17, the law prohibits marriage under 18,” Rakha told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “Police should also have invoked additional charges, including those related to statutory rape and abduction.” He also noted irregularities in the purported Nikahnama, or Islamic marriage certificate, including the absence of Sidra’s national identity card number, which is a legal requirement. The Islamic conversion document also does not contain her ID card number, he said.  Police could not be reached for comment. Rakha welcomed recent legislative efforts to curb child marriages but warned that weak enforcement undermines their effectiveness. “Courts must require verifiable proof of age, even where a girl claims she consented,” he said. “Too often, courts accept such statements despite official documentation indicating minority.” Police frequently omit key criminal provisions from FIRs, contributing to a climate of impunity, he said. Rakha further expressed concern that the proposed law does not declare child marriages void from the outset (ab initio), meaning such unions may remain legally valid even if coercion is later established. “This legal gap leaves victims vulnerable even after rescue,” he said, urging lawmakers to introduce amendments. On Monday (April 13), a provincial assembly committee approved the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026, advancing it for further consideration. The bill follows an ordinance promulgated on Feb. 11 by Punjab Gov. Sardar Saleem Haider, which is set to lapse in May if not enacted into law. The proposed legislation seeks to raise the minimum legal age of marriage to 18 for both males and females, replacing provisions of the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929. It classifies child marriage as a cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable offense, with penalties including up to seven years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 1 million Pakistani rupees ($3,500). It also introduces penalties for marriage registrars who facilitate underage marriages, criminalizes cohabitation resulting from such unions as child abuse and imposes liability on parents or guardians who enable them. Cases would be tried in sessions courts with a mandated 90-day timeframe for resolution. Despite these measures, rights advocates say enforcement remains a critical challenge, particularly in cases involving religious minorities. Christian support group Open Doors ranked Pakistan eighth on its 2026 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the greatest persecution, highlighting ongoing concerns about forced conversions, abductions and legal protections for vulnerable communities.