
Ukrainian pastor reflects on war, says many Russians see conflict as ‘holy war’
Mykhailo “Michael” Cherenkov says he believes America should continue helping Ukraine in the war with Russia.

Mykhailo “Michael” Cherenkov says he believes America should continue helping Ukraine in the war with Russia.

An Armenian court rejected the appeal of a Baptist conscientious objector who faces two years in jail for refusing to serve in the military.

The future of religious freedom in Eastern Europe depends on Ukraine’s ability to engage the support of “strategic partners” in the West — both in churches and in government, leaders of the Evangelical Baptist Union of Ukraine said.

More than 100 people are confirmed dead and hundreds more are missing. Meanwhile Southern Baptist partners are providing food and ready to provide further assistance as needed.

“We have to understand that nothing that happens in our world is out of [God’s] control,” said Nelutu “John” Iubas, who is president of Romanian-American Mission in Romania. “We have a God who’s above everything.”

“Nigeria and India have been rocked by alarming instances of religious violence and persecution,” the Jan. 17 letter to the chairs and ranking members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee states.

President Aleksandr Lukashenko authorized a law that solidifies the government’s power to inspect and monitor religious communities, according to those close to the situation in Belarus.

“There is no justification as to why the State Department did not designate Nigeria or India as a Country of Particular Concern, despite its own reporting and statements.” —U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

Coy Webb, crisis response director of Southern Baptist’s Send Relief stated, “We have partners on the ground assessing the situation in Japan. At this time Send Relief is not responding as our assistance has not been deemed needed.”

With Pope Francis’ encouragement, the Vatican’s doctrinal office issued a document on Monday (Dec. 18) allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples.
Our mission is to serve the Church through trustworthy journalism.
As a nonprofit Christian news ministry, we seek to provide grace-filled, trustworthy reporting from a Christian worldview while keeping our content freely accessible online.
Support from readers and ministry partners allows us to continue equipping churches, informing individuals, and providing ministry resources at affordable rates. Would you prayerfully consider supporting this work?