Egypt Placed on 'Special Watch List' for Persecuting Christians

 

There is a concerning rise in Christian persecution across Egypt, where constitutional guarantees of religious freedom are increasingly undermined by community-level discrimination and state-sanctioned roadblocks to acknowledging... 

Incidents of Christian persecution in Egypt are either unaddressed or increasing, depending on which Egyptian community is being referenced. Egypt has been called out by various American administrations in the past for failing to enforce its own constitution, which states that “freedom of belief is absolute” and that “the freedom of practicing religious rituals and establishing worship places for the followers of ‘divine religions’” is guaranteed. 

Instead, Egypt allows discriminatory practices and laws that hinder Christians from freely expressing their beliefs. The majority of the persecution takes place on a community level, especially in areas with a high population of extremist Muslim groups. In general, southern Egypt is worse than northern Egypt. Christian women are subject to harassment, and school children are bullied (especially when school is in session). Christians regularly endure employment discrimination and false accusations of violating blasphemylaws. Christians are in the minority with only 15 percent being a part of the population in Egypt, though Egypt has the largest percentage of Christians overall in Africa. The rest of the population is Islamic. 

Previously, Christian churches have been bombed, believers killed, and women and children have been raped and / or forced into sex trafficking. Though the government promises Christians more legalized Churches, permits to build or repair churches have been refused because of the faith of those applying for the permit. In addition, there are aggressive neighbors and mobs that are eager to fight and hinder building or repair efforts. If Christians speak about their faith on social platforms, they can be charged with breaking blasphemy laws and fined and / or imprisoned. Muslims who convert to Christianity are typically pressured by their families to return to their Islamic faith. The state goes to great lengths to prevent conversions from being acknowledged.

Because Egypt continues to allow freedom of religion to be hindered, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is demanding that the United States place Egypt on its 2026 Special Watch List (SWL). Basically, Egypt will be monitored by the USCIRF regarding whether or not extremist groups continue to gain power, and whether or not the persecution of Christian grows any worse. 

Pastor Sam Allberry Disqualified from Ministry over Same-Sex Relationship

Sam Allberry, pastor and author, has resigned from Emmanuel Church following news of a same-sex relationship in 2022. Church Elders concluded that "Sam’s conduct constituted a serious breach of trust and a failure to walk in a manner... 

Pastor, author, and apologist Sam Allberry has been disqualified from ministry after elders in his church, Immanuel Nashville, announced that he had previously been involved in an inappropriate relationship with another man.

 

In a statement from Immanuel Church, the elders shared that they learned about Allberry’s same-sex relationship in 2024, two years after that relationship began.

“The relationship concluded prior to Sam being called as a pastor in 2023,” the statement reads. “Being made aware, the elders immediately began a thorough investigation.”

At the time, however, the elders did not believe that the relationship rose to the level of disqualification before changing course in January 2026 after they received “new information about this relationship that was not disclosed previously.”

“This initiated a reopening of the investigation, the findings of which led the Elders to conclude that, while the relationship did not go as far as it could have, Sam’s conduct constituted a serious breach of trust and a failure to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel. The Elders are unanimous in their decision that Sam is currently disqualified from gospel ministry. Sam agrees with this decision and has resigned from Immanuel Church,” the statement continued.

Despite his resignation, the elders added that Allberry has been “repentant, humble, and cooperative” with them as well as “outside counsel. The statement concluded with the elders stating that they will continue to support Allberry with the hope to “restore him in a spirit of gentleness” to full fellowship in the church (Galatians 6:1).”

Allberry, who grew up in England, converted to Christianity at the age of 18. He has been open about his struggle with same-sex attraction after first being made aware of it when he was 15 years old.

As reported by Church Leaders, he served as an associate pastor in Immanuel Nashville alongside lead pastor T.J. Tims and assistant pastor Barnabas Piper, Vince Greenwald and Tony Shepherd. Additionally, Russell Moore, Ray Ortlund and Gavin Ortlund are listed on the church’s website as leaders in residence.

Allberry has authored multiple books, including “Is God Anti-Gay?,” “What God Has to Say About Our Bodies,” and “Biblical Manhood” and has also written for The Gospel Coalition (TGC), Desiring God, and Living Out.

In addition to the church’s statement, TGC released a separate statement regarding the matter and announced that Allberry also resigned as a fellow of the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.

“TGC was informed yesterday by Sam Allberry about ‘an inappropriate relationship with another man a few years ago’ and that an announcement would be made today at Immanuel Church regarding his resignation as a pastor,” the board’s statement said. “He then also resigned as a fellow of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.”

TGC also announced that it has removed all of Allberry’s content from its website and social media channels.

“We are heartbroken over this news, and we continue to pray for Sam, Immanuel Church, and everyone affected,” the statement concluded.

 

Insecurity: Silence of the Church no longer golden.

 

The spate of killings across Nigeria, targeting clerics and their members has continued to attract attention within and outside the country.

Many observers have wondered why the leadership of the church in Nigeria has kept sealed lips over the massacres.

While some say that the Nigerian church may have waxed cold in the face of societal decay, some others allege that the closeness of clerics to politicians nowadays may have led to compromise. 

Critics lament that a time when the church should be vibrant, it is close to death; a situation they say is very dangerous to the health of the country.

The political system seems to have so poisoned the church that clerics these days no longer speak out or speak up.

They are being accused of compromise. The Christian bodies are being invaded and divided. They no longer speak with one voice.

It has become normal these days to hear news about invasion of worship centres across the country by terrorists. Church leaders and congregants are killed routinely, yet, leading and influential clerics are keeping quiet.

Ahead of the general election, many clerics are being alleged to yield their pulpit to politicians to advertise their wares. Respected Church leaders no longer call the politicians to order. 

In fact, it is the other way round. Politicians now dictate what some clerics say on the pulpit. Observers are saying that respected clerics must defend God and defend the Church, and that silence is no more golden.

In the midst of continued attack on the Church and killing of Church leaders and members across the country, clerics have remained silent.

Hence, it was not surprising when a certain rhetorical statement by Isaac Omolehin, the founder of The Word Assembly Churches, posited that Nigeria’s Christian community lacks a unifying spiritual father, insisting that leading pastors are only heads of their denominations.

Omolehin rhetorically raised the question about having the likes of Adeboye, Kumuyi, Oyedepo, among others speak for the Nigerian Church.

While some critics took it a step further by asking if it is difficult for Adeboye, Kumuyi, Oyedepo, and others to address a joint press conference on the killings happening across Nigeria.

“I would hear fathers and I ask myself, which father? Nigerian Christianity has no father. Nigerian Christianity has no father,” Omolehin said in the church’s YouTube post.

While many, especially the umbrella body of the church, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) cautions Omolehin; it is noteworthy that the cleric himself was responding to issues raised by a concerned citizen.

According to Omolehin, “Right now, Christianity in Nigeria has no father. And that’s why nobody is coming up to say anything. We have denominational fathers. They are not fathers of all.

“A person that will be our father cannot be a denominational person. He has to derobe himself of denominational doggedness and denominational extremism.

“Our father must be the father of all — the father of those who are in Roman Catholic, Methodist, Anglican, Apostolic.”

The Christian Association of Nigeria in a rebuttal cautioned Omolehin, over the YouTube post in a statement.

CAN expressed concern over what it described as unwarranted and divisive comments made by the cleric, warning that such statements could undermine unity within the Christian community.

“We state, in the clearest possible terms: these allegations are entirely false, unfounded, and deliberately misleading,” Daniel Okoh, CAN President, said in the statement.

It stated that the umbrella body would not tolerate statements capable of undermining the unity of the church.

CAN further urged clerics across denominations to refrain from making inflammatory remarks about fellow ministers, stressing that the Christian faith thrives on love, unity, and cooperation.

However, other senior clerics weigh in on the matter positing that the Nigerian Church truly need a unifying face and voice.

Emmanuel Udofia, former primate of the African Church, said it was necessary for Church leaders to speak against evil in the society and to correct bad leadership.

“That is why the Bible says that the Church is the light of the world. And light is associated with everything that is right and just,” Udofia said.

According to him, Church remains the light, which is associated with everything that has to do with goodness; and is represented by Jesus Christ and the Church leaders.

“So, it is the right of the Church leaders to speak against anything evil in the society.

“That is why the Church is there. Because the Church protects the interests of everyone in society, whether you are Christian or non-Christian,” Udofia added.

On whether the likes of Kumuyi, Adeboye, Oyedepo should jointly speak for the Church, the former primate of the African Church said; “Well, on that I will reserve my comments.” 

However, he further said that some of the Church leaders have used their platform to address societal issues and might not have to jointly speak on same issue since CAN has the mandate to speak for the Church.

“But I think if they want to speak, they will speak only through CAN. And apart from that, they can now individually, as organisational leaders, as denominational leaders, they can now speak individually condemning the evil in the society. Which I thank God that some of them are doing.”

Charles T.O Ighele, General Superintendent and presiding Bishop, Holy Spirit Mission (The Happy Family Nation), told BusinessDay that there are four categories of Church leaders as far as involvement in national affairs are concerned.

The bishop classified the Church leaders based on their level of involvement in national issues. “The first category is made up of Church leaders who do not know what is happening in their nation,” he said.

According to Ighele, these class of leaders are either completely ignorant or uninterested in socio-political matters. He said that they are completely apolitical, and like it that way. According to Ighele, they just want to do “church work.”

The second group of Church leaders according to him are those who do not want to be treated the way Herod treated John The Baptist by ordering his execution for fighting injustice.

“Some who belong to this group are either afraid or just being careful. They never tell those in government any day that they are wrong.

“There is the third group. Those in this group speak truth to power and I know that we have many of them in Nigeria. Archbishop Benson Idahosa of blessed memory belonged to this group,” Ighele said.

He however, added that today, men of God like Bishop David Oyedepo, Bishop Kukah, Pastor Tunde Bakare and many other notable voices speak out when things are going the wrong way.

According to Ighele, there is another group of Church leaders who prefer to meet people holding political power and advise them privately instead of through press conferences or from their pulpits.

“This is the pattern in many nations of the world. Ands for me, I would prefer that men of God should speak to those in authority when the nation is going the wrong way.

“We should not separate secular from spiritual. Men of God should fight that the will of God be done in their nations and on the whole earth as it is in heaven,” Ighele said.

When silence is a decision

A nation they say is built on decisions, decisions that either destroy or build it.

Every day, choices are being made. While some help the country grow, others quietly damage it; and sometimes, it’s not even bad decisions that hurt the most, but the silence of those who should speak but choose not to.

“The truth is, many Church leaders are not talking about the country’s problems because of a mix of fear, mindset, and pressure, not just because they don’t care,” Chidi Anthony, founder, Kings in Christ International, said.

He added that at the point where Nigeria is right now, it is dangerous to be silent. According to him, things are getting harder, with the rising cost-of-living crisis, system failure that has weird people out.

Anthony said this is no longer news, because it is now part of a daily life for an average Nigerian. “And in time like this, silence is not neutral. Silence is a decision. And the Church was never meant to be silent,” Anthony said.

He further said that if the Church should be the conscience of the country especially at a time when everything evil seems to be associated with the country, it has to play that role.

“If the people we read about in the Scripture kept quiet, things would have gone very wrong. Moses could have stayed comfortable while people suffered, but he spoke and acted.

“Nathan could have protected his position, but he still corrected the king. Esther could have minded her business, but she spoke and saved her people.

“John the Baptist could have avoided trouble, but he chose truth over safety,” Anthony said, adding that they made impact because they refused to keep quiet.

Breaking the silence of Church leaders

Speaking truth to power often comes with a cost.

It may not be comfortable but keeping quiet in the face of wrong is not being neutral, it is joining the wrong; and the cost of silence is even worse.

“Nigeria does not just need Churches that pray. It needs Churches that speak. Because when the right voices rise and refuse to be silent, things can still change,” Anthony said.

He said that Nigerians must understand that being spiritual does not mean staying out of real-life issues. According to him, the Gospel is not just for the Church, it is for life.

“Church leaders are meant to guide people, not only in prayer, but in truth. Church leaders must stand together; because it’s harder to silence many voices than one. Unity gives boldness,” he said.

Where are the Martin Luthers?

Drawing attention of church leaders to the leading role of Martin Luther, a German who forever changed Christianity when he nailed his ’95 Theses’ to a church door in 1517, sparking the Protestant Reformation, Austin Ogar, a psychologist, said that many of today’s church leaders who reference Luther cannot do the kind of exploits he did.

“When I hear some pastors reference Martin Luther, I wonder what is it for, when we cannot speak truth to power. The Church is dying in Nigeria and people are talking about denomination. One day, with what is going on, there will be no more denomination,’ Ogar said.  

Islamic State kills 12 Christians in Nigeria attack

 

Terrorists from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) killed at least 12 people and burned a church building in an attack on a Christian village in northeastern Nigeria’s Adamawa State, according to the international Christian aid organization Barnabas Aid.

Separate attacks by Islamic State and other groups elsewhere in the country were also reported.

The group claimed responsibility on social media, saying "soldiers of the Caliphate" raided the village of Kubako and killed what it called “12 Christian combatants” on April 21, Barnabas Aid reported last week.

The organization said the Islamic State has used the word “combatants” in recent propaganda to describe Christians and Jews who refuse to convert to Islam or accept subjugation under Islamic rule.

On the same day in northern Adamawa State, suspected Islamists killed Emmanuel Ezeokwe, a church minister in the village of Zinai.

Separately, militants attacked the village of Guyaku in the Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State overnight, killing at least 29 people last Sunday.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for that assault on the Telegram messaging platform.

Adamawa State Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri visited Guyaku last week and condemned the attack.

The Guyaku attack occurred the same night gunmen raided an orphanage in north-central Nigeria and abducted 23 pupils, according to the christiannewz. Fifteen were later rescued.

The facility, Dahallukitab Group of Schools, was in an isolated area of Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, and had been operating without authorization, the state’s commissioner, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said. No group claimed responsibility for that incident.

It was not immediately clear which of two major Islamic State-linked militant groups operating in Nigeria carried out the Guyaku attack.

ISWAP operates primarily in the northeast, including Adamawa State. A separate group, known locally as Lakurawa, is more active in the north-central states of Sokoto and Kebbi. Kubako lies just inside Adamawa State near the border with Borno State, where ISWAP has killed hundreds of civilians and Nigerian soldiers.

Northeastern Nigeria has been the primary theater for both ISWAP and Boko Haram, an Islamist armed group that has waged an insurgency in the region for more than two decades.

Nigeria ranks fourth on the Global Terrorism Index and recorded the largest increase in terrorism-related deaths of any country in 2025, with fatalities rising 46%.

The United States sent 200 troops to Nigeria earlier this year to train Nigerian forces to fight Islamist militants. The deployment came in phases, with personnel based at multiple locations to support training and coordination. Nigerian authorities said the troops would not engage in combat but would provide technical guidance, including air and infantry operations.

The decision followed a U.S. air campaign on Dec. 25, when a U.S. warship launched missiles at two suspected Islamic State camps in Nigeria. Nigerian military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba said at the time the government had requested expanded U.S. support.

A spokesperson for U.S. Africa Command said the threat from West African militant groups is serious and ongoing.

The deployment also followed comments from President Donald Trump, accusing the Nigerian government of allowing mass killings of Christians and warning of potential aid cuts or increased military pressure if the attacks continued. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu denied the accusations, saying both Christians and Muslims have been victims of the insurgency.

Church leaders in Nigeria have for years described the pattern of Islamist killings in the north and Middle Belt region as an anti-Christian genocide, with tens of thousands of Christians killed over the past 15 years.

The next president has already been decided by God - Pastor Adeboye. 2027 Election

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, has said that Nigeria’s next president in the 2027 elections has already been determined by God.

Speaking during a workers’ meeting at the Redemption City along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Adeboye stressed that the outcome of the election is beyond human control. “The next president has already been decided by God who owns the universe. It is not something we can determine by human effort alone. The will of God will be done,” he said.

He cautioned Nigerians against anxiety over political developments, emphasising that divine authority ultimately governs national affairs. “I never said we should not be involved in politics, but we must understand that God has the final say in the affairs of men,” he added.

Adeboye urged citizens to remain calm, prayerful and peaceful as political activities intensify ahead of the elections. “We should do our part, but we should also keep on praying and trust God. That is what is satisfying to me,” he said.

The cleric also responded to comments by activist Omoyele Sowore, who had described him, Bishop David Oyedepo and Pastor William Kumuyi as “denominational fathers of Christians in Nigeria.” Adeboye rejected the label, saying he does not see himself as a national Christian leader.

“Sowore said that we are not the fathers of Christians but we are denominational fathers. He is very correct. I don’t want to be father of all Christians in Nigeria. I’m satisfied with being the father of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. That’s enough assignment for me. I have never wanted to be the father of all Christians in Nigeria. The CAN President is the father leader of Christians in Nigeria.”

He also dismissed claims that the church is aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress, insisting that the RCCG remains independent. Adeboye added that if the Christian Association of Nigeria were to call for a peaceful protest over governance issues, he would participate. “I have protested before during the Goodluck Jonathan administration,” he said.

He further noted that while politicians are free to attend church services, they would not be allowed to use the altar for political campaigning.

 

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye  

The Search for the Ark of Covenant, with Archaeologist Chris McKinny

What really happened to the Ark of the Covenant—and why has its mystery endured for centuries? Biblical archaeologist Chris McKinny dives into ancient legends, biblical clues, and modern discoveries, offering insight into one of... 

 

What happened to the Ark of the Covenant – and why has its mystery captivated the world for centuries? In this episode, biblical archaeologist Chris McKinny joins Crosswalk Talk's Michael Foust to explore the leading theories, ancient legends and what Scripture says about the Ark’s disappearance. He also shares how archaeology continues to illuminate the world of the Bible and strengthen understanding of its historical setting. McKinny hosts the new film "Legends of the Lost Ark." If you love biblical history, faith and fascinating mysteries, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 

 

Surging UK Green Party pushes church-state split, critics warn of break from Britain’s Christian roots

 

King Charles ascended the throne in September 2022 following his mother's death, and his coronation was in May 2023. 

The Church of England has been the "established" church since the 16th-century Reformation, with the British monarch serving as its supreme governor. For traditionalists, this link is not merely ceremonial but is the foundational bedrock of British identity.

The Greens have come under fire for seeking to remove centuries of British history and tradition by separating the church from British politics, with critics characterizing it as the latest move against Christianity in the U.K.

last month that the Green Party policy document stated: "No person shall hold office in the state, or be excluded from any such office, by virtue of their or their spouse's membership or non-membership of any religion or denomination of religion." 

 

A view of Christmas morning Eucharist service at Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, United Kingdom, on Dec. 25, 2022. 

Michael McManus, the director of research at the Henry Jackson Society, a U.K. think tank, told Fox News Digital, "Britain is a tolerant society but with clear Christian origins and culture. Aiming to disestablish the Church of England could be seen as an attempt to reject that ethical foundation without being clear what would replace it instead."

High-profile figures have also weighed in on the debate, with actor and comedian John Cleese responding to a comment about the Greens' proposal by stating on X: "The UK has always been based at the deepest level on Christian values, regardless of dogma. Despite the many mistakes made by churches, for centuries British people have been influenced by Christ's teaching. If these values are replaced by Islamic ones, this will not be Britain anymore."

A spokesperson for the Green Party told Fox News Digital, "We will be setting out our detailed plans for government at the time of the next General Election, just as we did at the last General Election. As always, our members will be shaping our priorities. These will again address the real and immediate needs of people and the planet, such as tackling the climate crisis, bringing down the cost of living and rebuilding our public services, including the NHS. Our focus is on the issues that impact ordinary people most."

The timing of the Green Party's push is particularly sensitive as it comes on the heels of the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026, which passed last month, removing the last hereditary aristocrats from Parliament. With the hereditary principle gone, the presence of the "Lords Spiritual" has become the next logical target for constitutional reformers. There are currently 26 seats reserved for Church of England archbishops and bishops in the House of Lords.

As the U.K. heads toward a local 2026 election cycle, the "Church and State" debate looks set to become a wedge issue. For the Greens, it represents their commitment to a "diverse and inclusive" Britain. For their detractors, it is a dangerous move that risks "de-Christianizing" the country at a moment of profound social uncertainty.

Whether the proposal will mobilize a new "religious vote" or simply fade behind the urgency of other issues remains to be seen. What is clear, commentators say, is that the image of the established Church is increasingly being viewed through the lens of a much sharper and more polarized political fight.