Pastor Seeks $2M to Rebuild Church in Brooklyn

 

A devastating fire ravaged a historic 173-year-old Brooklyn church, leaving it in ruins and its pastor launching a desperate $2 million GoFundMe to rebuild. 

All around us, Church buildings are empty and forgotten. While some have moved on or created new spaces, many are left in the ruins of destruction, financial failure, or conflict. For a 173-year-old church in Brooklyn, NY, however, fire was the culprit.

James E. Steward II, pastor of South Bushwick Reformed Church in Brooklyn, New York, witnessed the church's demolition and vowed to help rebuild it. When the church went up in flames this past Friday, Steward took it upon himself to seek public help and restoration through a $2 million GoFundMe appeal. Currently, the fundraiser has raised 1% of his target, and proceeds will go towards restoring the property as well as providing a temporary place of worship.

When asked why restoring this specific church was so important to him, Steward noted that, “For generations, South Bushwick Church has been a place of faith, hope, healing, and community in Brooklyn.” Thankfully, while no lives were lost, a place of great worship, ministry, and connection was.

In a statement from the FDNY, the large fire was escalated to a third alarm after just 20 minutes, bringing in 63 units and 192 EMS and fire personnel. While no evidence of suspicious activity was found to have started the fire, the investigation and cause are still ongoing.

Because the fire took place on Juneteenth, Steward posted on Facebook his additional concerns:

“This tragedy occurred on Juneteenth, a day that commemorates freedom, resilience, and the enduring strength of a people who refused to let oppression have the final word. As an African American pastor leading a historic congregation in Brooklyn, I cannot overlook the significance of that reality,” he noted.

“Juneteenth reminds us that even after profound loss, there can be liberation. Even after seasons of hardship, pain, and struggle, there can be restoration. Even after devastating setbacks, there can be new beginnings.” 

Evangelical Alliance Urges Christians to Share Faith Boldly with Muslims

 

UK Christians are urged to actively share their faith with Muslims, even in the face of opposition and indifference, as Islam's public presence grows.

In the United Kingdom, Christians are being encouraged to boldly share their faith not only with their neighbors but also with those who oppose it. Specifically, Muslims. According to a warning from the Evangelical Alliance, fear and indifference are present, but that shouldn’t stop followers of Jesus from sharing the Gospel with Muslim neighbors, co-workers, and surrounding communities.

During a webinar titled "Islam: challenges, questions and gospel opportunities," the second installment of a series focused on the rise of Christian nationalism and Islam in the U.K. discourse and politics, speakers noted the urgency of sharing the Good News.

As Islam is becoming prominent in British public life, over 4 million Muslims currently live in the U.K. Andy Bannister, a speaker at the webinar and director of Solas Centre for Public Christianity, noted Christians can’t afford to stay silent on or ignore the subject.

“Islam is certainly more vocal … it’s more confident,” he said. “We’re going to see a lot more about Islam in the public square, in the media.”

According to Bannister, high-profile Muslims are making the religion more popular. At the same time, Britain could be moving towards “peak secularism.” Because younger generations are asking questions and are open to faith, they could explore Islam alongside other faiths.

“Islam is a very public faith and … they’re a faith that believes in communicating what they see to be the truth, but immediately then we [Christians] get a bit nervous,” he said.

“The Church has generally done, I think, with the greatest respect, a pretty bad job at equipping people to engage their Muslims friends and neighbors. By contrast … many mosques teach their people how to engage with Christians.”

Encouraging Christians to share their faith without disrespecting other cultures and religious systems, Bannister believes honest conversations can take place without hostility:

“We don’t disrespect Islam by describing honestly what’s there,” he said. “Much better to go: This is different, let’s understand our Muslim friends, understand what they believe, and then share the uniqueness of Christ.”

At its core, Bannister urges Christians to show Christ-like love in truth, even when difficult or controversial topics are present.

“So, help your Muslim neighbor and then when they thank you, don't just go all shy,” he said. “Just go, ‘You need to know, by the way, the reason I have done this is I’m a Christian and Jesus died for me and He died for you and I’m doing this to demonstrate the love of Christ.’”

 

Pope says church 'must move forward' if SSPX proceeds with illicit ordinations

 

Pope Leo XIV said that although he is considering a final appeal to the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, the choice to splinter from the Catholic Church falls on them.

Speaking to journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo June 16, the pope was asked about his feelings regarding plans by the traditionalist society, commonly known as SSPX, to proceed with the consecration of new bishops without a papal mandate.

The pope said that while he is "considering making another appeal to say: 'Do not do this, let us try to live in communion within the church,' " the decision to proceed "is their choice."

"Certainly, division among Christians is always a painful point. But they refuse to accept certain fundamental elements of the church, starting with several points from the Second Vatican Council," Leo said.

"If they make that choice, I am sorry, but we must move forward," he added.

In February, Fr. Davide Pagliarani, superior general of the SSPX, announced the society would proceed with the consecration of new bishops July 1, following a breakdown in communication with the Vatican after requests for an audience with Leo went unanswered.

After announcing their intention to proceed with the consecrations, Pagliarani was invited to meet with Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, who offered to continue dialogue with the SSPX, but only if the society suspended its decision to consecrate new bishops.

After meeting with SSPX council members, Pagliarani sent a letter to the cardinal saying that while he welcomed continued dialogue, he could not accept the conditions, noting that the society and the Holy See remained divided over the Vatican II and post-conciliar reforms.

In a May 13 statement, Fernández said that without the "requisite pontifical mandate," the consecrations would be considered "a schismatic act" and that "formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offense against God and entails the excommunication established under Church law."

Leo speaks on US-Iran agreement

Leo also expressed his optimism about the recent deal to end the war in Iran that is expected to be signed June 19 in Switzerland.

"Thank God, there is at least this memorandum that it seems they will officially sign this Friday, so they are saying," the pope said about the tentative agreement between the United States and Iran.

According to a draft of the memorandum published June 17 by Bloomberg News, the agreement outlined a framework for an immediate end to the conflict, mandating an end to all hostilities, including in Lebanon, and the restoration of shipping traffic along the Strait of Hormuz.

It also dictates $300 billion from the United States and its partners to be used "for the rehabilitation and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran," and an end to sanctions on the country. For its part, Iran will commit to "never produce nuclear weapons."

The pope expressed his hope that the agreement "will truly be a solution to the war, that the war is truly finished and that we can move forward for the good of all."

"Eliminating nuclear weapons, yes, that as well; seeking the good of all peoples, and seeking how to resolve problems also at the economic and social level that have been created during this time," he said.

Vacation, future travels

Asked about his recent June 6-12 visit to Spain, Leo told journalists that "the enthusiastic response from so many people" was "something very beautiful."

"Every moment was very well prepared, it must be said, by the bishops with so many laypeople and so many volunteers in all the places who worked to prepare everything. It has been wonderful. From what I've seen, the people were very happy, and I am certainly happy to be able to celebrate the faith," the pope said.

Regarding his summer vacation, the pope said that while he expects "a bit of rest," there will also be "a lot of reading, reflection and preparation for what comes next."

"There is always work too, but peacefully," he said.

Among the most anticipated events after the summer is the pope's Sept. 25-28 visit to France. In a June 9 statement, the French bishops' conference released additional details on the upcoming papal trip, which includes stops in Paris, Metz and Lourdes.

When asked about other trips after France, Leo said he was "looking into others."

Although the Vatican has yet to announce any other trips, Peruvian President José María Balcázar told journalists outside a polling station in Chiclayo, the pope's former diocese, that Pope Leo is expected to arrive in Peru Nov. 10, the Peruvian news site RPP reported June 7.

Regarding a possible 2027 visit to Mexico, Pope Leo told journalists that he hoped it would be much sooner.

"We will see about that, but hopefully not too much time passes," he said.

Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes of Mexico City said in January that he had invited the pope to visit Mexico, "which he had originally extended a few days after the conclave."

"In response, the Holy Father expressed his gratitude and stated his desire and interest in being in our country soon to entrust his pontificate to the Virgin of Guadalupe," the statement read.

Mexico City is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is on the site of Mary's apparitions to St. Juan Diego in 1531.

 

Why I stopped going to church – Nicki Minaj speaks on her religious life

 

 American rapper, Nicki Minaj has revealed why she stopped going to church. 

Speaking in a recent episode of The Bryce Crawford podcast, Nicki Minaj said that she stopped going to church immediately she became successful. 

She said this is because she always performs during the weekends, which leaves her too tired to attend church on Sundays. 

“Once my career started taking off, I stopped going to church. I was working on Friday nights and Saturday nights, so the last thing I could do was wake up on Sunday mornings to go to church,” she said. 

However, Nicki insisted that she still has a good relationship with God and strives to keep growing spiritually.

NIGERIA BLEEDING FROM INSECURITY, CAN DECLARES.

                                      

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Sunday lamented the escalating wave of insecurity across the country, declaring that Nigeria is “bleeding” from the effects of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes that have claimed thousands of lives and displaced countless communities.

The association made the declaration as Christians across the country observed a nationwide “Black Sunday” in memory of victims of insecurity and in solidarity with families and communities devastated by violence.

In a message to Christians, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh said the Church could no longer remain silent in the face of persistent attacks on innocent Nigerians, stressing that the country was passing through one of its most difficult periods.

“Today, we are not only mourning; we are speaking with one voice. Our nation is bleeding, and the Church cannot remain silent while innocent lives are lost and families live in fear,” he said.

He said the “Black Sunday” was dedicated to honouring the countless victims of insecurity, including men, women, children, clergy, farmers, students and entire communities whose lives have been shattered by violence, terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

CAN noted that the period of mourning coincided with the June 12 Democracy Day celebration, stressing that the ideals of democracy are rooted in the sanctity of human life, justice, the rule of law and the protection of citizens.

The association argued that there could be no better way to honour the sacrifices that birthed Nigeria’s democracy than by ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. “The quest for security is not separate from the democratic journey; it is central to its success and sustainability,” the statement said.

The CAN president reaffirmed the Christian belief in the sanctity of human life and expressed solidarity with bereaved families, displaced persons, victims of attacks and traumatised communities across the country.

The association also offered prayers for divine comfort, healing and justice for those affected by the nation’s security challenges.

CAN called on the federal government, state governments and other relevant authorities to take urgent, decisive and sustained measures to secure lives and property, insisting that the protection of citizens remains the foremost responsibility of government.

“The protection of citizens is a sacred responsibility entrusted to those in authority and must be treated with the utmost seriousness,” the association stated.

The Christian body also commended the House of Representatives for passing the Community and State Policing Bill on June 11, 2026, describing the move as a significant step toward strengthening grassroots security architecture and improving community participation in efforts to safeguard lives and property.

While expressing hope that the Senate would complete legislative action on the proposal, CAN said the initiative could help enhance local security responses and address emerging threats more effectively.

The association further urged churches, Christian schools, hospitals, mission institutions and other faith-based organisations to adopt proactive security measures to protect worshippers, students, workers and facilities.

It called for increased security awareness, emergency preparedness, collaboration with local security networks and greater vigilance in view of prevailing threats across the country.

“While we trust in God’s protection, we must also exercise wisdom and prudence in protecting those under our care,” the CAN president said.

CAN urged Christians to remain united, continue praying for the nation and support victims of violence, while refusing to surrender to fear.

The association also prayed for President Bola Tinubu and other leaders, asking God to grant them wisdom, courage and determination to confront the country’s security challenges and restore peace and stability across Nigeria.