Gunmen abduct dozens of worshippers from multiple Nigerian churches using sophisticated weapons

Posted on January 20, 2026 
Filed under World news Comments Off on Gunmen abduct dozens of worshippers from multiple Nigerian churches using sophisticated weapons

“Numerous worshippers from at least two churches in Nigeria were kidnapped during Sunday services by armed gangs, Reuters reported.

While Kaduna state police on Monday reportedly cited conservative figures, saying dozens were being held captive as the investigation remains in its early stages, a senior church leader noted that more than 160 worshippers were abducted by gunmen over the weekend.…”

– Report from Fox News.

A new era for Australian evangelical university ministry

Posted on January 20, 2026 
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The Pastor’s Heart this week:

“As a new year begins, Australian evangelical student ministry is marking a significant leadership transition.

After 23 years of stable and influential leadership, Richard Chin has handed over the leadership of the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students to Pete Sorrenson. The handover was symbolically marked at the Big National Conference in Canberra last December, where Richard preached the first half of the conference and Pete the second.

We step back to reflect on what the Chin era has meant for Australian evangelicalism. How has campus ministry shaped churches, training colleges and mission agencies over the past four decades? What has changed on university campuses since the turn of the millennium? And what kind of AFES will be needed for the next generation of students?

Long-standing campus leaders Tim Thorburn and Andrew Sennett, offer perspectives from both metropolitan and regional university contexts.

The discussion moves beyond gratitude and legacy to ask harder, forward-looking questions. If many of the theological and ministry convictions once championed by AFES are now mainstream, what is AFES uniquely for today? Are inherited evangelism models still effective on contemporary campuses? How central should international student ministry be? And does Australia’s increasingly fragmented university landscape require more than one model of campus ministry?”

– Watch or listen here.

God is the Father of the Nations

Posted on January 20, 2026 
Filed under Resources, Theology Comments Off on God is the Father of the Nations

From Phillip Jensen:

“Fathers are so important in life, even in this anti-patriarchal age. For fatherhood is derived from God the Father. He is the provider and protector of us all, who knows our needs before we even ask. He is not far from us, and he is open to our prayers.

This is an important point in Paul’s logic as he attacks the inconsistency and incoherence of Athenian idolatry.”

– Peter and Phillip Jensen continue their discussion based around Paul’s speech at the Areopagus in Acts 17.

Courageously Staying in The Church of England

Posted on January 19, 2026 
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From Church Society –

“Lee Gatiss, Chris Moore and Ros Clarke discuss what it takes to stay in the Church of England and faithfully contend for the gospel.”

– Listen here.

Pray for Iran

Posted on January 18, 2026 
Filed under GAFCON, World news Comments Off on Pray for Iran

A prayer update from Gafcon:

“As the nations groan under injustice and violence, we are called to pray with clarity and hope. Today, let us be especially mindful of Iran and its people, where reports continue of brutal repression, widespread arrests, and the silencing of those who cry out for freedom. Pray for an end to violence, for the protection of innocent civilians, and that the weak, the poor, and the oppressed would be defended and upheld.

Pray that God would intervene in the hearts of those who wield power and weapons: that security forces would restrain themselves, prisoners would be released, and corrupt rulers would be brought to account. Ask for wisdom for world leaders as they consider how to respond, and for justice and peace to prevail where fear and brutality now dominate.

As part of the Gafcon movement, pray with confidence that Christ’s gospel continues to advance even in the darkest places. Give thanks for the many who have turned to Christ in Iran in recent years. Pray for the protection, perseverance, and bold love of Iranian believers, and that through them many more would come to know Jesus, to the glory of God.”

– Source: Gafcon.

Have the bishops put the LLF Travelator into reverse?

Posted on January 18, 2026 
Filed under Church of England, Culture wars, Opinion Comments Off on Have the bishops put the LLF Travelator into reverse?

“Just over two years ago, an Anglican Futures blogger adopted the concept of the ‘Travelator’ as a way of explaining how the process of changing the Church of England’s practice and teaching about sexual relationships works.

The blog explained how David Porter, the then Archbishop of Canterbury’s Strategy Consultant, ensured that the process would itself become the outcome, by legitimising the questions being asked and preventing any ‘end point’, other than the introduction of blessings and/or same-sex marriage, with the expectation that those who disagree are required to ‘walk together’/ ‘agree to disagree’.

Just like a Travelator – once the first step is taken, there is no way off.

Today, however, some are suggesting that the House of Bishops’ latest statement represents a reversal of the Travelator. If this were true it would be a cause for great rejoicing amongst orthodox Anglicans throughout the Anglican Communion.…”

– Is the LLF Travelator really going into reverse?

Anglican Futures has six reasons why it isn’t.

World Watch List 2026

Posted on January 17, 2026 
Filed under for your prayers, Resources Comments Off on World Watch List 2026

Open Doors has released their World Watch List for 2026.

North Korea is still identified as “the most dangerous country to be a Christian”, but there are many other runners-up.

Much to pray about – including the people of Iran.

See the list here.

Faith Leaders “express serious concern regarding the Combatting Antisemitism Hate and Extremism Bill 2026”

Posted on January 16, 2026 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars, Resources Comments Off on Faith Leaders “express serious concern regarding the Combatting Antisemitism Hate and Extremism Bill 2026”

A wide range of Faith Leaders, including the leaders of Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Islamic, Buddhist, and Sikh communities, have written to the Prime Minister expressing “serious concern regarding the Combatting Antisemitism Hate and Extremism Bill 2026, both because of its (perhaps unintended) adverse implications for religious freedom and freedom of expression and the inadequate consultation and review”.

They conclude, “We offer these views in a constructive spirit and stand ready to engage further with all parties to develop appropriate amendments to ensure an appropriate legislative response to hatred and extremism.”

Download the PDF file here.

This is an important letter and deserves wide distribution.

It would also be good to share with your Federal Member of Parliament for their information.

Federal “Hate Crimes” Legislation

Posted on January 16, 2026 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on Federal “Hate Crimes” Legislation

Freedom for Faith have added more to their web page of concerns about the proposed Federal Hate Crimes legislation, including the above video from Mike Southon, Executive Director of Freedom for Faith.

If you have concerns about the proposed legislation, this would be a very good time to urgently contact your Federal Member of Parliament – and also to share that page with others.

A bursary to attend the Rome Scholars and Leaders Network 2026?

Posted on January 16, 2026 
Filed under Evangelism, Resources Comments Off on A bursary to attend the Rome Scholars and Leaders Network 2026?

The Rome Scholars and Leaders Network 2026 is an invitation-only gathering designed to create a context for evangelical scholars and leaders:

Certainty4Eternity is offering 1 x $3000 bursary in 2026 for Christian Educators and Leaders who can, or intend to, make a significant contribution to Roman Catholic Evangelism and Discipleship in Sydney and beyond.

– Details from Mark Gilbert at Certainty4Eternity.

“Coalition condemns hate speech laws as ‘unsalvageable’”

Posted on January 15, 2026 
Filed under Australia, Culture wars Comments Off on “Coalition condemns hate speech laws as ‘unsalvageable’”

From a Canberra Times article – mainly on political opposition to the Federal Government’s proposed “hate speech” laws –

“Religious leaders have urged the government to halt and rewrite the laws, saying it may open people up to prosecution over past remarks in its current form.

Anglican Bishop Michael Stead said the reform created a ‘minefield of definitions’ about hate and the bill included a retrospective element in relation to banned groups.

Dr Stead told a parliamentary inquiry on Wednesday the bill could be expanded to claim Christian teaching caused serious harm, leading to a Christian organisation being listed as a hate group. …”

– Read the full report here.

See also:

“The Federal Government has released its draft Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill.

We need legislation to combat antisemitism and racial hate, but this rushed bill has significant risks to religious freedom.

The legislation was released on the January 12, submissions were due on the 15th, and voting is expected on January 22. In this timeframe it is impossible to get careful analysis of the legislation and its possible impacts. …”

– Freedom for Faith encourages readers to contact their Federal Member of Parliament with some urgency.

Young People are turning to the Bible

Posted on January 15, 2026 
Filed under Encouragement, Opinion Comments Off on Young People are turning to the Bible

Murray Campbell writes:

“Search is on for meaning and for hope.

Last year reports from the UK and USA suggested that the Bible is becoming more popular than ever. Indeed, a huge resurgence in Bible sales is taking place, especially among the U25s. These whispers are growing louder, with The Guardian reporting yesterday,

‘Sales of the good book reached a record high in the UK in 2025, increasing by 134% since 2019 – the highest since records began – according to industry research. Last year, total sales of Bibles in the UK reached £6.3m, £3.61m up on 2019 sales.

Leading the charge is young people. Only 4% of 18- to 24-year-olds said they attended church monthly in 2018, but in 2024 that number rose to 16% – the largest increase of any age demographic.’…”

– Read here.

The Window of the Heart

Posted on January 14, 2026 
Filed under Edification Comments Off on The Window of the Heart

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Hebrews 12:3)

“One of the most remarkable capacities of the human mind is the capacity to direct its own attention to something it chooses.

We can pause and say to our minds, ‘Think about this, and not that.’ We can focus our attention on an idea or a picture or a problem or a hope. …”

– Encouragement from John Piper in his devotional for today.

Memorial Service for Neil Cameron

Posted on January 14, 2026 
Filed under People Comments Off on Memorial Service for Neil Cameron

A Memorial Service Neil Cameron was held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney yesterday (13th January 2026).

Many give thanks to the Lord for Neil.

A video recording of the full service can be seen here.

Photo: Neil Cameron, circa 1999, from an Anglican Church League publication.

 

‘Keep Your Armour Bright’

Posted on January 14, 2026 
Filed under Encouragement Comments Off on ‘Keep Your Armour Bright’

“As an 81 year old slave of Christ who strives to be non emeritum sed retractum (not retired but retreaded) I’m an inveterate attender of Ministers’ Conferences, whether it involves travelling to the opposite end of the Earth or more locally to those conducted by the Expository Preaching Trust, to sit at the feet of greatly gifted godly teachers and enjoy warm fellowship with others ‘of like precious faith’.

Charles Wesley wrote: ‘To keep your armour bright, attend with constant care; still walking in your Captain’s sight and watching unto prayer,’ and attendance at such conferences is a great way of doing this, taking in spiritual refreshment ourselves so that we will go back to our posts better equipped to ‘refresh the hearts of the saints’ there. …”

– Bob Thomas shares this encouragement at The Expository Preaching Trust.

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