It includes prayer for us to “see and celebrate the hand of God” in the players’ creativity - a possible reference to Diego Maradona’s infamous handball goal that knocked England out of the 1986 tournament. 

Released as the first match kicked off in Mexico City on Thursday, it asks for compassion for missed penalties and muddled Video Assistant Referee (VAR) checks. 

"May we see something more of the world you want us to be: a gathering of every nation and people who share your glory", the prayer concludes. 

The Three Lions, who have a number of Christian players in the squad, open their campaign against Croatia on Wednesday.

One certainty is that faith will be present on the field, as players across many competing nations have proudly shared their Christian beliefs. 

Here are eleven of those players who look to glorify Jesus’ name when they step onto the pitch.

Marc Guehi - England 

The son of a south London church leader, 25 year-old Guehi is set to be one of England’s starting centre backs. He’s known for inscribing Bible verses onto his boots, wearing “Isaiah 54:17” (“No weapon formed against you shall prosper”) as he made his debut for Manchester City in January . While captain at previous club Crystal Palace, Guehi risked disciplinary action from the Football Association for writing “I love Jesus” and “Jesus loves you” on rainbow armbands, during the Premier League’s LGBT inclusion campaign. He will line up alongside fellow believers Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Ivan Toney. 

Ben Gannon-Doak - Scotland

Having been taken off on a stretcher in tears in the game Scotland qualified for the World Cup, requiring his third surgery in as many years, Gannon-Doak has been vocal about how a reliance on God has given him strength. The 20 year-old Catholic told the BBC he “felt God calling” three years ago after his first injury, and has since felt “blessed with a platform” to share the gospel as a professional footballer at AFC Bournemouth. The club have shared the meanings behind Bible verses he often wrote on tape during rehabilitation.

Alisson Becker - Brazil

A shot-stopper on the pitch, Alisson has been sharing the gospel with his teammates in the changing room. “I’m still speechless to describe Jesus’ love!” he said, after baptising Liverpool teammate Roberto Firmino and Monique Salum, wife of compatriot Fred. “God is love” and the Bible verse John 3:16 make up his bio on social media accounts. The 33 year-old faces tough competition to start in goal from Ederson, a fellow Christian in the Brazilian team.

Christian Pulisic - USA

Captaining the United States at a home tournament, Pulisic has long spoken about how Jesus keeps him grounded and gives him strength. The 27 year old values his cross necklace, gifted by his mother, as one of his most prized possessions. Captain America, as he is nicknamed, is known for leading team Bible studies, sharing annotated scripture with his Instagram followers.

Jeremy Doku - Belgium

Having been open about his journey with Christ, Doku was baptised in December last year. It was after a win with Manchester City in the Premier League, when he told reporters that it was already a “victory day” as he explained the meaning of what he was about to do. Days before the tournament, the 24 year old shared a Bible study video from Acts 12 about Peter being set free from prison, a passage that spoke to him as he navigated identity as a professional footballer.

Felix Nmecha - Germany 

“Football is my passion, Jesus is my foundation”, reads the 25 year old midfielder’s Instagram bio. Nmecha has previously spoken about how stepping onto the pitch is about glorifying God. His transfer to Borussia Dortmund caused controversy three years ago, after some fans argued he should not be signed because of his traditional views on gender and sexuality. 

Noah Sadiki - DR Congo

“Jesus is my Lord and saviour”, Sadiki declared in an Easter message for Ballers in God. He has brought energy and tight dribbling to the DRC midfield since being called up two years ago; helping the country qualify for its first World Cup since 1974, when it was known as Zaire. The Sunderland player holds Romans 8:31 as a verse close to the heart: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” 

Cody Gakpo - Netherlands

Leader of the Dutch team Bible study group, the 27 year old is likely to start up front at his second World Cup. He scored goals in every group stage game last tournament, and was the joint winner of the Golden Boot in the 2024 Euros. Playing club football for Liverpool, he revealed an undershirt emblazoned with “I Belong to Jesus” after scoring a decisive goal in the title race in 2025, a shirt first popularised by Brazilian legend Kaka. 

Aimar Sher - Iraq

While making up less than 1% of the population, Assyrian Christians make up around a fifth of Iraq’s squad. Sher was in the starting lineup as the nation qualified for its first World Cup since 1986. On social media, the 23 year-old midfielder has also posted pictures of him wearing the iconic “I Belong to Jesus” shirt.

Antoine Semenyo - Ghana

Having been baptised on Bournemouth Beach last year, videos of the forward praying with his pastor on the touchlines while playing on the south coast went viral. He reads Philippians 4:13 before games, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, even having the verse tattooed on his arm as a reminder of faith and to pray for him and the team. Having moved to Manchester City in January, the 26 year old will make his second World Cup appearance for the Black Stars on the wing. 

Luka Modric - Croatia

At his fifth World Cup, the devout Catholic is set to surpass 200 international caps during the tournament. He wears shinpads depicting Jesus and the Virgin Mary, as well as his family, while his manager Zlatko Dalic carries a rosary on the touchline. The 40 year old midfield maestro will hope to impress on what could be his farewell on the global stage.

Plus - a special menton for the smallest nation in the World Cup, Curaçao. The Blue Wave have prayed and sung worship together during their pre-tournament training camp, coming together for a moment of spiritual unity and to life Jesus' name.

Spielberg told CBS that 'Disclosure Day', which centres around a fictional exposé of a government hiding extraterrestrial secrets, will examine the spiritual and societal effects of uncovering alien life. 

“There’s a faction in the film that represents a pretty good position of why — possibly because of ontological shock, social dislocation — if this truth... were just known overnight, if the government announced, ‘Yes, we have been keeping this from you since 1947,’ that would mess up a lot of people,” Spielberg explained.

The EGOT-winning director noted that the film features a character who is a former Roman Catholic nun, to explore “the position of the Church.”

Spielberg mused: “Is God, our God, only on this planet, or is God a God for every system where there’s civilization, intelligent life and even developing life?”

Speaking in a new interview, the BBC Radio 2 broadcaster said: “I definitely have a faith. Christ is probably who he said he was. I just so rarely say that in a BBC building. I just feel it is so contentious to say that. I think the Bible stories are incredible and if it was a hoax I want to know who wrote it and I will follow them instead.”

“My parents were religious," said Vine, who is 61. “My mother is still going strong. She has recently turned 87. Recently, she had someone knock on the front door who could have been scamming her. We were a bit concerned, but he was basically taken in by her and told about the Bible for three hours. I think by the time he left he was traumatised so he is never coming back. But my parents properly lived it. They were very dedicated to their local parish church and their lifelong friends.”

The presenter made his comments while appearing on the BBC Radio 3 programme Private Passions, set to air next Sunday.

Vine has previously spoken about losing his faith during his teenage years, before returning to Christ.

In 2017, he described himself as “the worst evangelical ever,” admitting: “There were verses in the Bible I really struggled with. You must love the Lord with all your heart and mind and soul and strength and there's nobody in the world who does that.”

The Vatican said it would not release any images of the meeting between the pontiff and the regaeton star, whose latest Grammy-winning album is ironically titled  Debí Tirar Más Fotos (I Should Have Taken More Pictures).

The Holy See said that Bad Bunny's family, who have a Catholic faith, were also at the meeting in Madrid.

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, served as an altar boy during his younger years, but has not claimed any religion in adulthood. 

Both men were holding large gatherings in the city - the pope was holding an address for young people, whilst Bad Bunny was on tour. 

“If [youth] are confronted with the question: do they want to see Bad Bunny or do they want to see the pope, I think many will go to see Bad Bunny,” the pontiff joked to CNN. “But I think there will also be a few there to see the pope. And that too says something, you know.”

The two share a critic: the President of the United States. Earlier this year, Donald Trump alleged that the pope was "weak on crime".

In February, Bad Bunny headlined the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show in NFL history, incorporating the Spanish language into his performance. Trump dismissed it as "absolutely terrible" and "an affront to the Greatness of America".

During the performance, Bad Bunny shouted "God bless America", before listing every country in Central and South America, alongside Canada and the United States.

"Together," he cried, "we are America!"

“It’s Bible time”, declared Christian Pulisic in a documentary series following his life and career, as he sat down with a friend for a Bible study in his kitchen. USMNT’s captain, and arguably its most recognisable figure, has been open about how faith in Jesus gives him strength and keeps him grounded. He regularly posts pictures with Bible verses underlined on Instagram. 

Asked about the ten items he could not live without for GQ magazine, Pulisic chose his necklace with a cross. “This is the most special one to me because my mom gave me this, and I pretty much have it on all the time,” he said. “And I love it a lot. It makes me feel like I have God with me all the time, and my mom is with me as well”, he said. 

When goalkeeper Matt Freese joined the squad, he said he had already met Pulisic in a Bible study, according to The Guardian. “I say it out loud, I remind myself: God’s got me, God’s looking over me and watching me,” he told Sports Spectrum, “Faith has motivated me and guided my career. God’s given me so many opportunities within this game. I still have to do my part and take that opportunity … I can’t not work hard and use those lessons God has enabled my parents to tell me”.

Ahead of the World Cup, Mark McKenzie told Sports Spectrum about growing up in the Church; praying with his parents about big career decisions; and navigating the locker room in sharing the gospel with those from different religious backgrounds. He spoke about reading his Bible on the physio table to open conversations with staff, and his calling to put on the Armour of God (Ephesians 6:13-18) to be light in “dark spaces”.

Defender Chris Richards has spoken of the importance of the Bible and praying throughout his life and career, having been part of a ten-strong group at Crystal Palace who read scripture together.

Weston McKennie’s Instagram bio reads “All glory to God”, and has posted pictures of him wearing a cross and pointing to the sky. 

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has often worn a bracelet with a Catholic patron saint on the touchline. 

According to the Christian Post, it took first responders 10 minutes to reach the woman amid a packed worship service hosted by Lake at the Chevy Riverfront Stage. It is one of the most heavily attended faith-centered gatherings at CMA Fest.

Lake paused the concert as first responders worked their way through the crowd.

“Can we stop? This is more important,” Lake said to the crowd.

The woman was later transported backstage on a cart with an IV attached. By the time she was taken away, she was conscious.

Lake then led a prayer for the woman.

“In Jesus’ name, we ask right now that you would just minister to this person,” Lake said in a prayer. “Revive them right now, give them strength.”

Cowboy Church is a ministry Lake leads that he describes as a place for “the wanderers, the worn-out, the misfits, and the ones who aren’t sure they belong anywhere.”

“Faith and culture are colliding in really beautiful ways right now, and CMA Fest is one of the best places to see just how deeply that’s reflected in country music,” Gospel Music Association President Jackie Patillo said. “Brandon Lake’s Cowboy Church concert, along with Jamie MacDonald and Leanna Crawford performing throughout the week, is a perfect example.”

The concert continued after the medical emergency.

The Oxford professor, interviewed this month by Premier Christianity magazine about the story he almost never told, answered Bartlett’s questions on topics from the nature of humanity and artificial intelligence to atheism and salvation. 

TV ‘Dragon’ Bartlett told Lennox that his witness was as convincing as the arguments he had made. 

“You have a certain peace and contentment that I rarely see in people that I interview, but I almost always see in the Christians that I’ve interviewed. This is an interesting phenomenon for me.”

Bartlett referenced his interview with Canadian apologist Wesley Huff, who he described as “happy, content [and] rounded”.

“It seems to be a trend that a lot of the Christian apologists that I've interviewed have that anchoring that so many of us are looking for”, he added.

“There’s a real sense of that,” Lennox responded, “I sit in front of many people, and of course they often ask me questions I don't even understand. But in life, that peace is very important to me.”

“When I look at you, I see someone who's of infinite value made in the image of God, and so what I say to you or think about you is hugely important to me. And I wish you well”, the apologist concluded. 

In a previous episode with Huff, the businessman said he found the case for Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection as “persuasive”. 

Opening their Two for the Road reunion, frontman Ronan Keating took to the stage with bandmates Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy.

Many fans were quick to notice that Mikey Graham was absent from the lineup – but were delighted when he made an appearance later on in the show. Graham, who stepped away from the group after their 2019 tour, joined the stage for three songs, as well as the encore of Life is a Rollercoaster.

It is the first time the group has performed together since 2019, when personal relationships are understood to have soured after a five-night stint at the London Palladium.

But for many, the most emotional moment came when Shane Lynch led the stadium in the Lord’s Prayer, in memory of late lead singer Stephen Gateley.

Gately, who fronted the band alongside Ronan Keating, passed away in 2009 aged 33.

“I know him so well, and I know how much he would b***y want to be in this room tonight,” Keating said.

“Thank God, his family is here tonight, Michelle and Tony, his nieces and nephews. Thank you for coming. Our brother’s spirit is alive and well.”

One fan told Premier Christian News it was a “special moment”.

“They’d asked fans to submit the names of family who had died, and they were played on the big screen. At the end of the song, we were led in the Lord’s Prayer – it was really lovely.”

“I have been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Weller announced on Sunday, in an Instagram video filmed in his car. “I thought it was a load of nonsense. But when it makes sense, it really does make sense!”

The 30-year-old has been making YouTube content since 2012, and has amassed over 5.32 million subscribers.

Popular for his comedy content and online challenges, Weller’s videos often involve him travelling with fellow YouTubers, partying and undertaking physical feats, such as surviving in the Amazon rainforest for nine days, or camping for three days without food.  

 

 

 

 

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“I have tried everything - everything to feel genuinely fulfilled and at peace,” Weller emphasised. “Work, diet, travel... fame, money. I tried everything that seemed like it could work for me.

“He never gave up on me. When I was at rock bottom, and the only place I could turn was to Him… I am so, so grateful that he never gave up on me.”

“He has transformed me,” the YouTuber continued emphatically. “He has renewed my mind. He is the truth, the life, the way that we are all searching for.”

Weller has received mixed reactions online, but fellow YouTubers KSI and Niko have supported his message, reacting with heart emojis.

Christian football page Ballers In God replied: "What an incredible testimony. All glory to God for His faithfulness and the way He continues to transform lives."

Estêvão has missed out on a place in the squad through injury, but his prognosis has turned out better than doctors imagined. 

The striker had torn his hamstring while playing for Chelsea in April, but a recent MRI did not show visible signs of an injury.

Speaking at his church in Sao Paulo, he said the doctor “doesn't know what happened, because at this stage it shouldn't be so well structured as it is”. He had faced pressure from the club’s owner to have surgery, but he felt it was not the right decision.

“It's a procedure that will take time. God is in control,” he told the congregation. 

Igor Thiago, who has been selected for the Brazil team, spoke openly about how he was “very grateful to God… for everything he has provided”.

During a press conference, the striker, who plays club football for Brentford, said he had faith “to cling to God, knowing that I live under a promise”.

Ahead of playing at his first World Cup, Thiago said one of the biggest challenges he faced in his career was truly understanding that “God had a path laid out for me… but it was a very important process for me to be able to get here today”.

Several footballers have been giving God the glory heading into the men’s World Cup, which kicks off in less than a week. Curaçao, the smallest nation in the tournament, have prayed and sung worship together at their training camp. 

There are several Christian players among England’s squad, including Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, who were vocal about their beliefs during the highs and lows at the end of the season. Scotland’s Ben Gannon-Doak, a Catholic, has spoken about being sustained by God as he faces a race against time to be fit in time for the tournament. 

Her death was announced on Friday. She revealed in 2024 that she had been living with Colon cancer.

In a statement, the MOBO Organisation said: "It is with immeasurable sorrow that the MOBO Organisation announces the passing of its Founder and CEO, Kanya King CBE.

"Kanya passed away peacefully on 3 June 2026 after a courageous and characteristically determined battle with colon cancer. She was surrounded by her family, close friends and love. The music world has lost one of its most fearless champions."

The organisation said the 2026 MOBO Awards would be dedicated to her memory, adding:

"The 2026 MOBO Awards, held during the Organisation’s landmark 30th anniversary year, will be dedicated entirely to her memory. Every artist, every moment and every note will carry her legacy."

After receiving the Premier Gospel outstanding contribution award in 2023, she said her deep faith helped her to overcome so much.

King founded MOBO in 1996 after remortgaging her home, launching the awards to champion Black British music and culture.

She received a CBE and was widely recognised for her influence on UK music, with artists including Stormzy, Craig David and Amy Winehouse among those celebrated by the awards.

When cameras zoomed in on a singer wearing a backward Tennessee Titans cap, the crowd erupted. It was Jelly Roll.

The Nashville star looked noticeably fitter than the last time many fans saw him on the CMA Fest stage, the latest milestone in a health journey that has seen him lose more than 275 pounds through diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.

"Everybody put your hands up," he sang, filling every inch of Nissan Stadium with his booming voice.

"Nashville, Tennessee, CMA Fest night one, now this is normally the part of the show where I introduce myself. I tell you what my name is, I tell you want I plan on doing the next 30 minutes, but I prayed about it backstage and God said, 'Son do you think tonight has anything to do about you?'"

Before launching into "Hard Fought Hallelujah," he beamed, "Can we go to church right now please?" The crowd roared. Many fans raised their hands in worship.

He continued with a sermon and "Thank you, Lord," before letting out a guttural "Hallelujah" and setting his intention for the night: "I came here to praise God and raise a little hell."

Is Jelly Roll a Christian?

Jelly Roll arguably has the most inspiring arc in country music. An ex-con turned country singer, the heart of Roll's transition is religion. His catalog extensively features religious songs, including "Son of a Sinner," "Hard Fought Hallelujah," "Save Me," "Halfway to Hell" and many more.

"First of all, Jesus, I hear you and I am listening, Lord. I am listening, Lord!" he said during his 2026 Grammys acceptance speech earlier this year.

"Second of all, I want to thank my beautiful wife. I would've never changed my life without you. I would've ended up dead or in jail. I would've killed myself if it wasn't for you and Jesus."

Jelly Roll has said he attended Whitsitt Chapel Baptist Church in Nashville, the church that inspired the title of his 2023 studio album.

What else did Jelly Roll say about religion during his surprise Nissan Stadium appearance?

Following several songs, Jelly Roll took a moment to highlight the significance of this particular performance, bringing up his dark past in relation to the present.

"This is a hometown show for me," Jelly Roll said, describing how he was born in a nearby hospital and spent time in a nearby correctional facility. "When I was a kid I spent almost three years of my life locked up every single day, I would listen to CMA Fest through my cell window."

"I serve a God of second chances...25 years later, that little boy is screaming inside of me right now as I look out at 60,000 people at CMA Fest right now."

As the set continued, Jelly Roll continued to mention religion as his inspiration through both his anecdotes and songs.

"I did nothing to deserve the grace I got, so I'm telling you right now that you can be the person to break the generational curse in your bloodline," he added.

"There's no place like home, Baby," Jelly Roll concluded before breaking into his final song, "Save Me."

Peter Burditt covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact him at PBurditt@nashvill.gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CMA Fest: Jelly Roll surprises and takes Nissan Stadium fans to church

Reporting by Peter Burditt, Nashville Tennessean / Nashville Tennessean

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Curaçao players, family, staff and supporters came together during their training camp in the Netherlands for a powerful moment of spiritual unity and lifting Jesus’ name.  

The Blue Wave, as the team is nicknamed, sang songs such as ‘Goodness of God’, ‘Praise’ and ‘Jireh’ at the event with Presence Revival in Noordwijk.

Players prayed together arm-in-arm as they prepared for the biggest tournament in the nation’s footballing history, with the autonomous Dutch island in the south Caribbean only becoming a FIFA member in 2011. 

 

 

 

 

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Winger Kenji Gorré shared his testimony about thinking he was a Christian but feeling “something missing inside,” despite success on and off the field. He shared a conversation with fellow footballer John Bostock, founder of Ballers in God, where he was confused at the question 'When did you give your life to Christ?’

“That’s when I heard the gospel for the first time. There was something that shifted inside my heart, and I said ‘this man has something within him that I don't have’. Now I know… it is the Holy Spirit”, he said, a moment which prompted a search for God. 

“I looked out, and I said ‘God, you are not just out there, but you are in me’, and that was a revelation”, Gorré concluded. 

Several players have come to know Jesus in recent years, while others have been Christians longer, according to Presence Revival.

“We’ve rarely seen anything quite like this at international level," read a post from Ballers in God.

“This goes deeper than football. Most national teams prepare for tournaments by focusing on tactics, fitness, and team chemistry. While those things matter, Curaçao’s players are also building spiritual unity. They’re making it clear that their identity isn’t ultimately found in results, selection, or success on the pitch, but in Christ,” it added. 

Curaçao’s players have publicly prayed and sung worship on their way to qualifying for the tournament. On the game which sealed The Blue Wave's place, captain Leandro Bacuna told FIFA.com: “I think God was with us that night. Because you’ve seen the game, everyone’s seen the game. Couple of balls on the post … Everywhere. But our keeper was great, so I think it was meant for us. It was a story written for us.”

Curaçao face a challenge if they are to make it out of the group, having been drawn against Germany, Ecuador and the Ivory Coast. 

Speaking on Loose Women, Bryan described her life as having two distinct chapters, joking that her story could be divided into "pre-Christian and "post-Christian".

She shared with fellow panellests on the daytime chat show that she became a Christian at 21 and spent ten years afterwards being celibate before getting married.

Reflecting on her life before becoming a Christian, she said: "Pre-Christian....I was young, free, single, didn't have any kids, no responsibilities, and I did whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and it didn't bother me in the slightest, and I did have a great time."

However, she said her perspective changed after coming to faith.

"When I think about the consequences for those actions, sometimes maybe they weren't quite the best decisions to be making," she said.

The former Hollyoaks star told the panel that although remaining celibate throughout her twenties was unusual to some people, it was a decision she felt strongly about.

"I just knew that that's what I wanted to do," she said. "Actually, I felt much better within myself, keeping myself, because whoever my husband was going to be was going to be really special, and I wanted to give that to them, and them alone."

She added that her faith changed the way she saw herself and her future marriage. "Because of my past, I then valued myself differently, and I valued who I was and what I was giving to that person, and I wanted it to be special."

Bryan has frequently spoken about the role her Christian faith plays in her life. 

The 51-year-old has often spoken publicly about the role her Christian faith plays in her life. In a previous appearance on Loose Women in 2019, she recounted a frightening health scare linked to lupus, a condition she has lived with for many years.

Bryan told the programme that she became temporarily paralysed and feared she would suffocate when a pillow covered her face. Bryan said she prayed for help and, moments later, a nurse entered the room and came to her aid. she said it prompted her to turn to God immediately.

The Gunners are hoping for a double-winning season, hoping to add Europe’s top club title to their trophy cabinet alongside the Premier League. They play Paris Saint Germain, the current holders, in Budapest on Saturday. 

Eze was speaking to Andrew Mensah, the comedian and his cousin, during a Sky Sports interview. Asking about his beliefs being more than wanting to perform better on the pitch, Mensah said: “I know faith isn’t you praying, ‘Lord, let me nutmeg Rodri today’. What actually is faith?” 

“Faith is confidence in what you have not yet seen, and an assurance that it’s going to come”, the England international replied. 

“That faith is a foundation, it’s a pillar for me in my life, of course because of my Christian background and how I’ve grown up. For me, that’s just an anchor of how I live my life. I see everything through the eyes of faith. 

“If there’s something that I want to achieve, I first have that belief, it first comes from that. Then you work, you find out the steps that you need to take in order to achieve that. But you have to have that thing that you can’t grasp, that you can’t measure, that you can’t actually get your hands on it. It’s a feeling you have inside of you. 

“The more you practice it, the stronger it becomes, the more convicted you are of that faith, of that belief. It’s an assurance and confidence in what I haven’t seen yet”, the England international added. 

 

 

 

 

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Arsenal’s ‘Bible Brothers’, a group of Christians in the squad, have spoken openly about how their faith has guided them through the season, giving God the glory during their title celebrations.

In a press conference ahead of the final, Bukayo Saka was questioned on how he responds to the pressure.“I just try and enjoy it, focus on the moments, stay present, and leave the rest in God’s hands”, he responded.  

Daigle, who is known for hits including You Say and Look Up Child, told Fox News that she was questioned on her commitment to the Christian message by a senior industry figure in New York.

“You’re a superstar. Why do you have to be Christian?” Daigle was asked.

“It was this moment of me laughing so hard because I knew what she was trying to say," she said. "Like, ‘we could really do something with this if you weren't Christian.’”

Daigle, however, is insistent upon her faith being part of her fame.

“I love the fact that I get to share this message,” she said.

The singer added that she has felt challenged in her career over catering to different fan bases. Whilst she has won two Grammys in Christian categories, Best Contemporary Christian Album and Best Contemporary Christian Song in 2019, her work has also succeeded on the Billboard Top 100 charts.

“Pressure can exist both ways,” she said. “Are you staying Christian enough for the Christians? Are you cool enough for the mainstream world, you know? All of the pressures can be spinning.”

Daigle added that surrounding herself with a good team has helped her stay grounded, adding: “I think if you stay authentic, those pressures get a lot smaller.”

A convoy of buses, featuring the Arsenal men’s and women’s teams, will travel from the Emirates Stadium to Finsbury Park, circling towards Angel and Holloway Road.

Femi Koleoso, drummer and lead of Ezra Collective, is headlining the event's music. Koleoso is a committed Christian and attends Jubilee Church London. Faith sits at the heart of Ezra Collective's music, which weaves gospel and jazz with contemporary beats. 

 

 

 

 

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Arsenal's men’s team will stand atop the first bus celebrating their Premier League win, the first since 2004 - as well as a possible UEFA Champions League win depending on the outcome of Saturday's final against Paris Saint-Germain.

The women’s team will be celebrating their FIFA Champions Cup win this season. 

Throughout the Premier League season, Arsenal's men's squad have been dubbed the "Bible brothers" due to the faith of several players. Bukayao Saka, Jurriën Timber, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Jesus have all spoken openly about their strong Christian faith and the impact it has on their lives as professional footballers.

Manager Mikel Arteta described the Christian influence on the team as "phenomenal", saying: “I love it because I think that connects them more. The fact that some of them have the same beliefs or strong beliefs about that helps their well-being and mental side."

In a social media video titled "The Reckoning," Dan Greaney described himself as a “self-proclaimed prophet,” bringing news of “judgement day” for Donald Trump.

“Our crisis is political, historic… beyond that, it is moral,” Greaney stated, dressed in a Moses-style bearded wig and robe.

He then throws off the costume to reveal a suit and tie.

 

 

 

 

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“Screw it, I can be a politician,” he announced. “My platform: America for all. Let’s do this.”

Greaney has pitched his campaign on being a “progressive Republican”.

His now-infamous episode, which first aired in 2000, saw Lisa Simpson take over as president, attempting to fix a “budget crunch from President Trump.”

Greaney previously told The Hollywood Reporter that he pitched the idea of a fictional trump presidency because he saw it as “the last logical stop before hitting bottom…it was consistent with a vision of America going insane.”

He is yet to outline any policy ideas or positions.  

Among them was Bukayo Saka, who posted a picture of himself in the England shirt on Instagram with the caption: “For His glory.” Fellow midfielder Eberechi Eze also shared a celebratory image wearing the national team jersey and pointing towards the sky, a gesture many Christian footballers use to reference God, while striker Ivan Toney posted a similar photograph after his inclusion was confirmed.

Saka is often mentioned alongside teammates Marc Guéhi, Eze and Toney when talking about Christian faith within the England camp. The players are often referred to as the “Bible brothers” or “God squad” circle, with reports of them praying together during tournaments and international camps.

Guéhi, the Crystal Palace defender, is the son of a pastor and attended a Church of England school. He has previously described faith as “a big part” of his life and said he hopes to “show God’s graciousness and glory” through football.

Eze has also spoken openly about the role faith has played in his career, particularly during injury setbacks. In previous interviews, he said his belief in God helps him keep perspective beyond football and reminds him there is “a deeper purpose” through difficult moments.

Toney has similarly referenced prayer as part of his match preparation and spoken about the influence of his Christian upbringing. The striker is also known for pointing to the sky after scoring goals.

Beyond this group, several other members of the England squad have been linked to Christianity or culturally Christian backgrounds, although they rarely speak publicly about religion. These include Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice.

England begin their World Cup campaign next month as Tuchel looks to lead the Three Lions to their first major men’s trophy since 1966.

Borba co-founded e.l.f. Cosmetics in 2004 with Joseph Shamah, helping build a cruelty-free make-up brand sold widely through retailers including Target, Walgreens and QVC.

He later left the business world after deciding to enter seminary training, saying he had lost his sense of fulfilment in his 40s.

Speaking to local ABC affiliate KGO, he said: “I asked our Lord to help me be the man that he created me to be...and upon that instance, I had this massive flood of love and mercy that came into my life. It was a very mystical experience."

Reflecting on his former lifestyle, he said: “We ran around with the likes of Paris Hilton, and partying with Kardashians, and just doing up the Hollywood life. I was a poster boy for luxury living. I was not in any which way humble. I was very prideful.”

He added: “God called me to give up everything, and I thought that meant just my cars,” he told Catholic outlet OSV News. “So I had an Aston Martin convertible, and I said, ‘All right, Lord, I’m gonna sell this car, give the money to charity, and then use some other money to get myself a truck.’ Then he said, ‘Give it all up.’”

Borba said he gradually gave away his wealth, describing the process as unfolding over time following what he called a spiritual calling.

He now lives at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University in a simple room while preparing for ordination.

“I live in a little tiny room with... it's sparse, nothing in it,” he said. “My life has been culled down to the bare minimum.”

He added: “I have never been happier in my life. Once I started to reorient myself, recalibrate myself with God's help to the focus to Him, the joy started coming.”

Borba is due to be ordained by the Diocese of Fresno later this month.

The Gunners are champions for the first time in 22 years, with their win confirmed on Tuesday evening after Manchester City failed to beat Bournemouth.

During the early-morning celebrations outside the Emirates Stadium, one fan ran up to Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze and started singing the worship song Goodness of God.

Timber posted “How good is God” on X within minutes of the result. Nicknamed Pastor Timber, he frequently posts Bible verses on social media that come to him while speaking to teammates, staff and his family. 

Eze posted “God alone decides” with pictures outside the club’s stadium on Instagram. In an interview with Men in Blazers, Eze said his “only mission” in football and life is to glorify God.

“Without God it’s impossible”, Gabriel Jesus posted on Instagram. Earlier this season, the striker revealed an undershirt emblazoned with “I belong to Jesus” as he celebrated scoring on his return from a year-long injury.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has previously told TNT Sports that the players’ faith strengthens their wellbeing and team bonding. Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka have also been outspoken about their Christian faith. 

In a statement posted on social media on Sunday, the ministry’s board of directors confirmed his death and mentioned that the mission Robison devoted his life to would continue. 

“James devoted his life to sharing the Gospel and bringing hope, help, and healing to those in need around the world,” the board wrote. 

They added that the organisation would press on with food and clean water programs and broader outreach efforts. 

Robison hosted “LIFE Today,” a long-running Christian television program.  

He helped build LIFE Outreach International into a ministry known for feeding programs, clean-water initiatives, disaster relief and outreach to vulnerable communities worldwide. 

In life, he had spoken about growing up in hardship. Robison had a life-altering encounter with Jesus at age 14 and was called to be an evangelist at 18. 

According to his website, more than 20 million people have heard him preach throughout his career in ministry. 

His legacy is continued by his wife, Betty Robison; son Randy; and daughter Rhonda.  

A daughter, Robin, predeceased him, according to Bunni Pounds, president of Christians Engaged, in a tribute posted to online.  

James and Betty Robison married in 1963 and partnered in over 60 years of ministry together. 

Christian pioneers offered their remembrances of Robison on social media, including U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who formerly served as a Baptist pastor.  

"I worked for James Robison in the 70's as Dir of Comms. He & wife Betty were huge influences in my life," Huckabee wrote on X. 

He added: "My middle son's middle name is James after him. His death hits hard. He mentored me in so many ways." 

LIFE Outreach International’s board asked supporters to pray for Betty Robison and the ministry family in the days ahead. 

It’s statement closed with a verse from Matthew 25:21 which read: "Well done, good and faithful servant." 

Before performing in Saturday's semi-final, contestant Sonny Green explained the inspiration behind the piece. He recalled walking his seven-year-old son to school when his son became embarrassed and did not want to give him a cuddle in front of his friends.

Calling him back for a hug anyway, Green said it made him wonder if there would ever be a day his child felt “too old” for affection, inspiring him to write a message for his sons to read when they are older.

What began as a heartfelt message about love and respect took a deeply personal turn when Green opened up about his Christian faith.

He said: “I hope you find God like I did. For the Lord is my refuge and my strength, and when we meet our maker one day, finally all of this will make sense.

“But until then, we all have the freedom to choose. I'll never force my views upon you, but I'll do my best to show you what I know...”

His poem went on to share a message about the importance of character, kindness and purpose, encouraging his sons to work hard.

“Be accountable,” he added. “It's only right that sometimes you're wrong, and that you learn from your mistakes. You know what? It's even better if you can learn from mine. So go on, ask me anything. It's fine. There's very little in life your dad hasn't tried anyway. That's a letter for another day.”

His two sons also joined him on stage for a hug at the end, which was met with a huge round of applause from the audience. Judges also praised Green’s authenticity and emotional honesty.

Amanda Holden said the performance struck a chord with her: “I have a teenage girl, and all of that meant so much to me. I'm going to watch it back, type it up, frame it and put it in her bedroom, because it meant so much.”

Meanwhile, fellow judge KSI became emotional during his feedback. When he was able to gather his thoughts, he said: “Sorry, that just really hit me. My relationship with my dad isn't always the best, so hearing those words made me think about what I need to improve on. Sonny, you're great, man. I know you're going to be a fantastic dad and I know I need to do better as a son as well.”

The performance culminated in a golden buzzer moment, meaning Green automatically progresses to the final.

Christian footballer Antoine Semenyo said scoring the winning goal in Manchester City’s FA Cup triumph had felt “surreal” after his rise from non-league football to Wembley victory.

Speaking after Saturday’s one-nil victory over Chelsea, the Ghanaian international said he was grateful for the journey that had taken him to the top of the English game.

According to The FA, Semenyo scored with an improvised finish in the 72nd minute to secure Manchester City’s eighth FA Cup title.

The 26-year-old, who joined from Bournemouth in January for around £49 million, was later named Player of the Match.

Reflecting on the moment, he said: “I’ve never competed for trophies like this before so it’s all new to me. It took a long time to get here but, listen, I’m grateful.”

Semenyo also praised manager Pep Guardiola for helping him settle at the club.

“The first thing he said to me when I came here was ‘don’t change your game’,” he explained. “He still wants me to create a bit of chaos, dribble at defenders and get shots away.”

Premier Christian News previously reported how Semenyo publicly shared his Christian faith earlier this year after a video showed him praying pitchside with pastor Jon Thompson before Bournemouth’s Premier League match against Arsenal.

The player was also recently baptised and wrote online that he thanked God for His “protection, blessings and work” over his life.

Whoopi Goldberg has sparked debate over church etiquette after criticising people who save seats for latecomers during a discussion on US TV show The View.

Speaking on Wednesday’s episode, Goldberg said people should arrive on time rather than expect others to hold seats for them at church services and public events.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the 70-year-old actress raised the issue while the panel discussed saving seats in public places.

Goldberg said: “To me, here's the biggest reason you don't want to do that, is because you want people to be on time.”

She added: “You don't want them to start thinking, oh, somebody's going to hold this for me, and you don't have to work on getting your behind out of there to get there on time. Don't do that!”

Goldberg then joked that she would take any unoccupied church seat if people arrived late.

“If you're at a place and you see all these empty seats, I'm telling you now, if you come down, I'm gonna be in your chair, because I paid just like you paid,” she said.

Fellow co-host Sunny Hostin agreed that people should be allowed to move belongings used to reserve seats in public spaces.

During the segment, Goldberg dramatically fell back in her chair while joking about how she would react after moving someone’s items.

The post, an eight-minute explicit video from an adult website, appeared on Houston’s account early on Wednesday before being removed later the same day.

Shortly afterwards, the post was deleted and an assistant claimed the account had been compromised. However, the video remained visible for several hours despite assurances that it had been removed.

An update from Houston’s account then explained that he had been hacked and said that the issue was being investigated. However, people in the comments questioned the speed at which the account had been recovered from hackers.

The explanation post was subsequently removed.

In a later statement, Houston denied that his account had been hacked, instead suggesting someone had temporarily gained access to his phone account. He did not provide further details.

It is not the first time questionable content has appeared on Brian Houston’s X account. In 2024, his assistant issued a similar explanation after the account posted the phrase “Ladies and girls kissing,” later claiming the account had been hacked in a “deliberate attempt to embarrass and discredit” him.

Writing on social media, Asbury said his departure followed the release of his song Homecoming, which he said was the last worship project he completed before stepping back from ministry. He said he made a conscious decision to leave despite knowing “where home was”.

Speaking about his return, the worship singer said an exchange with fellow Christian artist Forrest Frank, which he described as a “brotherly” rebuke, marked a turning point in his decision to return to faith and ministry. He cited Proverbs 27:6.

Frank, who was named Artist of the Year at the 56th GMA Dove Awards in 2025, has not publicly commented on Asbury’s account.

In his post, Asbury also reflected on his time away, saying he felt his actions and public stance had an impact on others within church communities. He compared his experience to the biblical parable of the prodigal son, suggesting it more closely resembled “running from home” than the narrative that inspired his popular song Reckless Love.

“This running – and His pursuit of my heart – was much more of a true ‘prodigal son’ story than the one that originally birthed Reckless Love,” he wrote.

Asbury, whose music has been widely used in churches internationally, said he now views the period as part of a longer process of reflection and return. 

He ended his message by writing: “I am the one. Thank you, Jesus.”

The midfielder’s strike was the difference in a narrow 1-0 semi-final win on Tuesday night, ending 2-1 on aggregate against Atletico Madrid. 

It is the first time Arsenal have made the final of Europe’s top club competition in 20 years, and only the second time in the club’s history 

In a post-match interview on Prime Video, the England international was asked about how he scored the goal.

“Sometimes it bounces for you, sometimes it doesn’t. But you have to be there and I was there and it fell for me and I got my goal. 

“So, glory to God, I thank God, and we go to the final now,” the 24-year-old said.

Saka was pictured dropping to his knees, pointing to the sky in prayer during his celebration. 

Arsenal players have frequently spoken out about how their Christian faith strengthens them as a team, with a group nicknamed the ‘Bible Brothers’ being formed within the squad.

In a social media post on Saturday, the Grammy-nominated artist revealed that she suffered a bleeding kidney, a blood clot in the bladder and has undergone surgery after slipping on the “sidewalk” while helping her daughter move out of university.

Grant said: “I tripped on a sidewalk and took a hard fall [...] Basically I WIPED OUT. 

“What I thought might be a fractured rib turned into a hospital stay, a serious internal situation with a bleeding kidney, a blood clot in my bladder and surgery this morning to fix it all.” 

She described the incident that took place on Thursday 30th April as “scary” but thanked God for the medical staff caring for her. 

“Thank you Jesus, it went well today, I’m on the mend and will make a full recovery. Thanking God for incredible doctors, nurses, and hospital staff at Lakeland Regional Health who moved quickly, cared deeply, and got me through a pretty scary situation,” she added.  

The contemporary Christian singer from Nashville concluded: "I sure would appreciate your prayers for a quick recovery," later urging her fans to "hug your people. Slow down. And maybe...watch where you're walking". 

Grant shared a photo of herself in a hospital bed along with the health update, assuring fans that the surgery had been successful.  

 

 

 

 

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She also expressed gratitude to her husband Bernie Herms "for caring for me in a way only you can". 

Other Christian figures showed their support for the singer, with fellow Christian singer Cece Winans commenting: "I'm so grateful you're okay. Love you".

On Monday, Grant posted that she had returned home safely, adding: "There is something so powerful about the family of God".

The Lincoln Imp, a 14th century stone grotesque, has been dressed in the red and white stripes after the team secured promotion to the Championship, having never reached the second-tier of English football before.

As a symbol for the city, the club is nicknamed The Imps and features it on their badge. 

Fitting the shirt was Stuart Boyfield, the Cathedral’s longest serving member of staff and lifelong Lincoln City fan. He was joined by players Jack Moylan and Ivan Varfolomeev.

It is the first time the carving, which looks out over the Cathedral’s Angel Choir, has been decorated. 

Dean of Lincoln, Very Rev Dr Simon Jones, said: “Lincoln City Football Club and Lincoln Cathedral might seem like very different kinds of organisation, but at the heart of both are people and communities. The team’s performance has brought joy to so many people and there is a sense of pride across the city.

“As the home of the Lincoln Imp we’re delighted that the city, and the football club have taken him to their hearts, and dressing the Lincoln Imp in the colours of the club seems a fitting tribute to the success of the team and the wonderful passion of their supporters. We hope it brings a smile to people’s faces when they spot it”, he added. 

Lincoln City secured the League One title before the final game of the season on Saturday. The Imp will keep wearing the shirt until the team’s success is celebrated with an open top bus parade on 9 May.

According to city legend, the Imp was sent by Satan to cause trouble but was turned into stone by an angel. 

The Roys Report is a Christian media outlet, focused on exposing church abuse stories.

Posting on Instagram, the band claimed their “silence has ended”. They have not performed publicly since July 2025, a month after major allegations against its frontman Michael Tait surfaced.

The band’s owner, Wes Campbell, resigned from the Gospel Music Association in July, insisting he had “no idea” about Tait’s behaviour. He is the leader of the lawsuit. 

A website, set up by the Newsboys to document the suit states: "The Complaint alleges that it published defamatory articles in 2025 and 2026, making serious accusations regarding a 2014 incident, when in reality, contemporaneous statements made to law enforcement contradicted those accusations, and the Articles did not publish those exonerating statements made to law enforcement. 

"The Complaint alleges that the characterization of what actually occurred changed from an innocent, consensual encounter to serious charges under circumstances alleged to be tied to the parties' later alignment with LiveCo/TPR."

In September 2025, The Roys Report released an exclusive article, written by Jessica Morris. It claims that “Newsboys management was—at a bare minimum—aware that Tait had a substance abuse problem.”

The article includes claims from Christian musician Jeremy McCoy, a contemporary of the Newsboys, that Tait frequently missed recording sessions “due to cocaine benders”.

“I don’t know a single person who works in that industry that doesn’t know,” McCoy told TRR. 

In their Instagram post, the band states they have chosen "not to comment beyond the filing itself".

The artist whose real name is Melanie Chisolm performed to a crowd of 350 people at St Mary’s in Nantwich town. 

Rev Mark Hart from the church revealed that it was surprising to discover that Melanie C was going to perform there.

"They booked the dates, and said there was someone coming but they couldn't say who just yet, so we held off and waited," Hart told BBC News. 

The medieval church has hosted its own regular concerts with Rev Hart saying, “the acoustics, the aesthetic of the building... the lighting”, all contribute to experience for audience members. 

The organisers of the event have staged shows at the church before; however, they have said that this one was particularly special. 

“Having grown up in the 90s and loving pop music, it's really special to put this one on," Dani Cook, from the independent record shop Applestump told the broadcaster. 

Cook explained that fans came from all over, which made the buzz around the gig brilliant. 

With the gig selling out in just “nine minutes”, she said that the day felt “very unusual and surreal”.

Angelica Hernandez Vasquez claims she was harassed over her Catholic faith by colleagues, including being told that “Catholics are horrible people”. The case has been filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court.

The lawsuit alleges she was “belittled and humiliated” and that an employee threw a clothes hanger at her. It also claims she was given difficult tasks and subjected to “demeaning” treatment.

Kylie Jenner is named as a defendant but is not accused of direct misconduct. Two companies, Tri Star Services and Maison Family Services, are also named, and claims were responsible for a “toxic and abusive work environment” during her employment between September 2024 and August 2025.

She alleges that she was “publicly belittled and humiliated in front of coworkers due to her race, national origin and religion” by a head housekeeper identified as Patsy and another employee identified as Elsi.

After raising concerns, Ms Vasquez says she faced false accusations and disciplinary warnings. When she complained again, she alleges that a supervisor threw clothes hangers at her feet.

Ms Vasquez resigned in August 2025 and says she is suffering distress.

The case includes claims of religious discrimination, retaliation and emotional harm.

Broadcaster Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije had brought claims including unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment and breach of contract, and had alleged a “toxic culture of racism, sexism, misogyny and bullying” in the newsroom. Walker, who is vocal about his Christian faith, was named as a respondent alongside Channel 5, ITN and its chief executive.

Her lawyers have now confirmed the claims have been withdrawn after reaching a “mutual agreement” with ITN and Channel 5. The agreement was reached ahead of an employment tribunal due to begin this week, with a judge formally dismissing the case.

A statement from her lawyers said: “Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije can confirm that a mutual agreement has been reached with ITN and Channel 5 in respect of the matters subject to tribunal proceedings. Claudia-Liza fully withdraws her allegations relating to Dan Walker and does not intend to repeat or pursue them.”

In a statement, Dan Walker thanked his family and legal team and said he hoped his former colleague “finds peace”.

He wrote: "Channel 5 and ITN have reached an agreement with the claimant. I firmly feel that I should never have been pulled into this; however, I was fully prepared to go to tribunal and defend the allegations which were levelled at me.

"Through all of this, I have always been concerned for the claimant’s wellbeing, and that has not changed. I hope she finds peace."

The presenter added: "I want to thank my family and friends for all their love and support through this. I will be forever grateful to those who were kind enough to go on the record with their accounts of working alongside me.

“My thanks also to my legal team and the wonderful colleagues at 5 News and Classic FM who have supported me every step of the way."

e been strug“I’vgling, man,” Von said. “For the past couple years, it’s been a struggle in certain ways with certain behaviours that I’m just not proud of, right? Or really just behaviours that I didn’t want to do anymore.”

According to the Christian Post, Von was responding to a caller who admitted feeling trapped in a cycle of loneliness, poor decisions and regret. Von said he relates to those feelings, adding that he also struggles with seeking help and doubting whether change will last — an internal conflict he brings to prayer.

“I started praying like, ‘God, please help me with this. This is a broken part of me that I bring to you. I need help with it,'” Von said. “And then I would add to my prayer. I would say, ‘Even God, even as I pray to You right now, there’s a part of me that knows I’m probably lying to You. There’s a part of me that knows I’m gonna do that behavior again. So can You come into that part of me and help me there?’”

It is not the first time Von has spoken candidly about his personal life. Last year, he said he and his friend, country music star Morgan Wallen, are part of a Bible study group together. Von has also discussed his struggles with addiction, mental health and emotional loneliness on his podcast, which he said draws him closer to God.

The Grammy-winning south London singer, known for her emotionally driven music, said she now stays “offline as much as she can”, adding that avoiding social media has improved her mental health and helped her distance herself from online criticism.

In an interview with The Times, Raye said she looks “for answers in a Bible app, not cruising Instagram”.

She added: “I think since I’ve come offline it’s been much better. Ignorance is bliss. If someone said I look awful in a dress, it’d make me sad. If I don’t know someone said I look awful in a dress… So I’m really (big) on being offline.”

Raye said she had worked “as hard as I can” over recent years and is now more focused on balance, stepping back from the pressure of constant output and online attention.

She also noted that during earlier “dark days” in her career, her Christian faith helped her through a period of alcohol and drug misuse while signed to a major label.

The 'Where is my husband?' singer told fans she is taking a long break from writing new music until she falls in love, saying her next album will not begin until that chapter of her life changes.

Raye, born Rachel Agatha Keen, recently released her second album This Music May Contain Hope.

Peaty, who came to faith during a period of personal crisis after the Tokyo Olympics and has taken time away from the pool, regained the title of British champion in the 50m and 100m breaststroke at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships this week. 

During an interview with Aquatics GB after a strong heat swim on Wednesday, Peaty was asked how he would recover and prepare for the evening’s final. 

“Get an ice bath, go to the physio, read the Bible. Happy days!” he responded. 

The three-time Olympic gold medalist thanked fans on social media for their support “through this whirlwind experience”.

He quoted Matthew 19:25-26: ““Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Peaty qualified for this summer’s European Championships and Commonwealth Games with the result at the London Aquatics Centre, his time ranking him as second in the world so far this year in both events. 

The 31 year-old has previously spoken about how he turned to Christ after depression and alcoholism, turning to the Bible during challenging times. He has said the church community has helped him deal with the pressures and isolation of being an elite athlete. 

Tiny Desk Concerts have been around since April 2008. Launched by NPR's Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson, the first intimate, office-desk performance was recorded with singer Laura Gibson on April 14, 2008, following a loud, disappointing concert experience. The series has since produced over 1,000 performances. 

“I felt guilty when I mentioned this to the Houston-born emcee, only because it’s taken so long,” said Tiny Desk host and series producer Bobby Carter. “If we’re putting a spotlight on faith-based hip-hop, we had to start with Lecrae.”

According to Relevant Magazine, Carter said what has separated Lecrae from other artists who came before him was his refusal to modify his faith to appeal to mainstream audiences. 

“His devotion is unapologetic and consistent through the lyrics," Carter said. 

Lecrae played eight songs with a full band setup in the NPR office. He performed "Coming in Hot", "Die for the Party", "I'll Find You," and more. 

Lecrae has won four Grammy Awards and was nominated for two more this year, marking his 10th and 11th nods for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song and Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.

Watch the full video of his performance below:

In a social media post the former ‘Monty Python’ star said: “It looks rather as though Black Lives Don’t Matter,” adding sarcastically that “writing about it would damage the image of the murderers who killed these poor people.”

He was responding to the killings of at least 33 Christians over Holy Week and Easter.

26 people were killed on Easter Sunday when suspected Fulani militants launched simultaneous attacks on Christian communities in two villages in Benue State.

On the same day, seven people were killed when two churches in Ariko village, Kaduna State, were attacked. Multiple people were injured. The violence transformed a day of celebration, peace and reflection into mourning and displacement.

A week earlier, on Palm Sunday, at least 27 people were killed in a predominantly Christian village in Plateau State. Not all the victims were Christian.

Anti-persecution watchdog Open Doors said that restriction of movement and a climate of fear are affecting the church’s ability to function properly in Nigeria and are having a significant impact on Christian communities. Many churches are having to spend increasing amounts of money on security forces, because of the escalation of violence.

Cleese’s comments about Nigeria follow previous social media messages in recent weeks about his concern over a growth in radical Islam. In a post on X he wrote: “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."

This week the US announced it had begun enforcing visa restrictions on perpetrators of religious freedom offences. The laws were brought in as a response to violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world.

The fight took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Fury made a major comeback after a year out of the boxing ring. At his weigh-in, Benn donned a gold crucifix necklace.

The son of former pro Nigel Benn went on to beat Prograis, who announced his retirement shortly after the match. All three judges scored the bout 98-92 in Benn’s favour.

Benn has previously opened up about a turbulent faith journey, telling the BBC that he has lasting trauma from a  "very strict" religious upbringing, in which he was prohibited from celebrating Christmas. 

“You were waking up in the morning and not knowing whether the anti‑Christ was here. Looking back, because I don't often reflect on it, you think it's pretty evil,” he shared. “I was having nightmares, this recurring nightmare, and would wake up petrified.”

Yet, as an adult, Benn has found his own relationship with the Lord, saying: "I wouldn’t be where I am today without [my Christian] foundation."

“Religion instils morals that used to exist, but the world now tends to forget,” he said. “Kindness, goodness, patience, self-control, respecting your elders and thinking about the future, which many people don’t seem to do. Things like that, which are quite basic, really, but are forsaken.”

In comments reported by Golf Digest, Young said faith plays a key role in shaping both his personal life and relationships.

“Our faith is very important to us,” he said. “It's something that I feel like brings us together. It's very important, I think, for all of us to kind of have that part of our lives be a central portion of what we do, individually and as a family.”

The 28-year-old also described how he and his family make a point of attending church wherever his schedule takes him.

“Wherever we are, we find mass to go to,” he said.

“I get a lot of really, really nice comments, people saying, ‘hey, thanks for setting a great example for my children,’ or whatever it is. Honestly, it's great to hear because I don't feel like that's the case all the time, and that's one area where I'm really happy to be able to bring attention to that part of our life.”

Young is part of the field at Augusta National, where play begins on Thursday as golfers compete for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles, with Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy returning as defending champion.

Several of those competing are openly Christian, including former champions Zach Johnson, Jordan Spieth, and Scottie Scheffler.

Ben Gannon-Doak had written Joshua 1:9 on the tape around his forearm and wrist, as he continued his journey back from injury by playing a development squad game. 

The club, posting to its 2.5 million combined Instagram and Facebook followers, said: “The verse commands Joshua to be strong and courageous because the Lord is with him, wherever he goes.” 

The caption tagged Ballers in God, a worldwide movement providing mentorship and sharing how footballers live for Christ.

 

 

 

 

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Gannon-Doak spoke candidly about how his Chistian faith has sustained him through three operations in as many years, during an interview with BBC Scotland football programme A View from the Terrace.

The 20 year-old forward sustained a serious hamstring injury as Scotland qualified for the World Cup, in a 4-2 win over Denmark. Having left the pitch in tears on a stretcher, he now faces a race against time to be in contention for the squad after undergoing surgery. 

“When I came to God, I started to feel a bit better and started to feel stronger, and started coping better,” Gannon-Doak said, “He’s never going to abandon you. So it was a good way to look at things positively and know that something positive was going to come out of it.”

“Setbacks aren’t really setbacks anymore, it’s just part of the plan,” he added.

Gannon-Doak shared his belief that Christian footballers are gaining confidence in being able to share their faith, having been “blessed with a platform to do the right things, to be good role models.”

Speaking ahead of his new BBC documentary, Harry Clark Goes to Rome he revealed that he achieved his seemingly impossible quest of meeting Pope Leo and even prayed for him. They also exchanged gifts, with Clark giving the pope a Chelsea football shirt with his name and title on the back.

The documentary follows the 24-year-old on a personal journey to Rome in search of answers about faith, identity and what it means to be a “good” Catholic in the modern world. But at the centre of his journey is his goal of meeting the pontiff.

In an emotional climax, Harry - accompanied by his mother Georgia - was granted a private audience with Pope Leo. What follows is a heartfelt, surreal and often humorous encounter that captures the spirit of the film: hope, faith and the power of believing in something bigger than yourself.

Clark said: “I never thought the Pope would want to meet me but here we are. It was a life changing experience and it was great to do it alongside my mum.

“It was the first time in my life my mind was blown and I thought wow, I'm just a kid from a council house in Slough and here I am sitting opposite Pope Leo XIV talking about the importance of mental health awareness and that whether you have faith or not, life is worth living.

“My message to other young people is to never let anyone tell you you can’t achieve or accomplish something. Keep dreaming big.”

The former British Army engineer said his “overwhelming nerves” turned into pure excitement as he finally met the Pope, and he felt a genuine connection between them. He even asked the Pope about football - before gifting him the Chelsea FC shirt, which was warmly received.

Clark said the experience was even more poignant because he was able to share it with his mother who he said first instilled his faith and supported him through the most challenging moments of his life. He was born into a Catholic family, baptised and after confirmation he recently told Premier Christianity he found his “own faith. I’d only ever been to church because my mum made me go to church. I was going through the motions. But confirmation was really the moment where I wanted faith to be a big part of my life.”

Clark credits taking part in a pilgrimage to the Alps for a previous BBC documentary for deepening his faith. He told the BBC :"I'd got to such a good place with my faith. I honestly believe I'm only where I am now because of it. It saved me in the army. It saved me from doing a lot of stupid things. Having faith is like that extra armour on the side. It's like the clothes I wear or the protection I have. It's honestly why I think I am where I am now, because if I didn't pray, if I didn't have God in my life, I wouldn't be who I am today.

"I see myself as a modern Catholic. I believe in God, but I don't necessarily believe in every tradition the church has always dictated. And I just felt you could be as close to God through the church within yourself. So, the question became - 'how do I deepen my faith further?' And I realised the answer was to go to the epicentre of Catholicism, Rome, and ask all the tough questions to the top people there."

Harry Clark Goes to Rome – is on Thursday 2nd April at 10.40pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

DC3, an independent artist from Northampton, became the first act to win both Best Gospel Act and Best Newcomer in the same year at the awards ceremony, held at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on Thursday. 

The dual win is particularly significant, with Best Gospel Act decided by industry figures and Best Newcomer voted for by the public, pointing to both critical recognition and strong grassroots support.

The MOBO Awards have long been seen as a reflection of Black music’s cultural influence in the UK, celebrating genres from grime to Afrobeats. But it's been suggested DC3’s success suggests gospel music is increasingly finding a place within that mainstream space.

His rise comes amid growing conversations about the influence of faith-based music within wider culture, particularly among younger audiences. With lyrics rooted in Christian faith but delivered through contemporary rap, DC3 represents a new generation of artists blending spirituality with modern sound.

The moment has also been welcomed by those who have supported gospel music over many years. Premier Gospel, which has partnered with the MOBO Awards’ Gospel category for more than a decade, has played a key role in platforming the genre.

Muyiwa Olarewaju OBE, station director and head of music at Premier Gospel, said the win reflects a wider cultural shift.

“This is more than a win for one artist  this is a cultural shift. To see a gospel artist not only recognised but embraced by the public in this way speaks volumes. It tells us that faith, authenticity and excellence are not barriers to mainstream success  they are catalysts for it. We’ve believed in this moment for over a decade, and tonight, the world has caught up.”

While the night featured major names including Olivia Dean, Central Cee and international figures such as Pharrell Williams, Olarewaju said it's s DC3’s breakthrough that many believe will define this year’s awards.

Dorries claimed she had attended a church service with the royal couple, organised by “a mutual friend”.

“I found Beatrice and Eugenie and their husbands seated behind me,” she said.

She alleged that “Edo was laughing loudly,” accusing the princess’s husband of behaving “like a disrespectful teenager”.

“At one point, I turned around and gave him the evil eye that only a woman my age – and a mother – can bestow.”

“To his credit, he got the message, pronto,” Dorries added.

Her account comes amid rumours of a rift between the couple, over Beatrice’s father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Jeffrey Epstein.

Sources close to the couple insist “things are great between them,” and that any solo appearances at public events are due to the pair’s differing work schedules.

Representatives for Princess Beatrice have been contacted for comment. 

American icon and devoted Christian Chuck Norris has passed away at the age of 86.

Earlier this month, he celebrated his 86th birthday with a video of himself sparring, saying, “I don’t age. I level up.”

A six-time world karate champion, Norris held black belts in karate, taekwondo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Tang Soo Do, and judo, and served in the US Air Force. He became a household name through his films and his role as Cordell Walker in Walker, Texas Ranger.

In a 2004 interview, Norris credited his faith to his mother and later to his wife, Gena O’Kelley. “Unfortunately, in periods of my life I did drift from the Lord, but the Lord never drifted from me,” he once said. “He stayed with me. I just praise God for that.”

"That was the beginning of me coming back to the Lord," he added.

On Friday, his family released a statement on social media announcing his passing: “It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris… He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved… Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.”

He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.

The actor was seen with his father Jeffrey in the Italian capital, having told a court his visit was “for religious purposes”. 

The request was approved when LaBeouf provided a travel itinerary, with a judge having rejected an initial application, according to The Guardian.

LaBeouf, 39, was arrested during the Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans following an altercation. He was charged with three counts of simple battery, being released on a bond of $105,000 (£79,000) and with the understanding he will enter a substance abuse treatment programme.

He broke down in tears when asked what he would say to Jesus if he met him, during an appearance on Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan after the incident.

“I wouldn't say [anything],” he said, becoming emotional, “but I'd kiss him...I'd kiss his feet.”

Describing himself as a “real Catholic”, the actor was reportedly seen attending church the day after his arrest.

The invitation-only talks by Peter Thiel have caused Catholic universities to distance themselves from the gathering taking place close to the Vatican.

The lecture series that ran from Sunday to Wednesday, drew attention for exploring the biblical concept of the antichrist.

According to the Associated Press, the event was organised by the Vincenzo Gioberti Cultural Association alongside the Cluny Institute.

Initial reports suggested the talks would be held at Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, a Catholic university in Rome sometimes known as the Angelicum. However, the university later issued a statement saying the lectures were not organised by the institution and would not take place on its campus.

Thiel, a co-founder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies, has previously written about the antichrist and apocalyptic themes in Christian thought.

In an essay for the Catholic magazine First Things, he reflected on how Christians have debated the identity and timing of the antichrist for centuries.

The technology entrepreneur has said his reflections link theology with modern concerns about science, politics and the future of humanity.

The lectures attracted attention in Rome partly because they took place in the Vatican’s backyard, during the papacy of Pope Leo XIV.

Speaking in an interview on the Hallow: Prayers and Meditation YouTube channel last week, the pop star said the experience felt like a “miracle” that prompted a deeper spiritual journey.

The singer, now 56 years old, said she had long wanted another child but believed it might no longer be possible. “I really wanted to have another baby. I really did,” she said. “I couldn't and I was old and I started talking about all these things … it was waking me up.”

Stefani connected her growing faith with the birth of her third son, Apollo, in February 2014, shortly after she turned 44.

She said the moment became meaningful when her eldest son, Kingston, began praying for another sibling. The pop star said: “[He was] like, ‘Please God, let my mommy have a baby,’” adding that he prayed for it “every night”.

According to the singer, she discovered she was pregnant only weeks later. “I think it was four weeks later, and I was pregnant with Apollo […] naturally, totally a full-on gift. That was the first miracle,” she said.

Stefani later said her faith deepened during the Covid-19 pandemic as she searched online for Christian teaching and discovered sermons by pastor Mike Schmitz. “That sermon really changed [me]… I remember just bawling and being on fire. Like, I had found this truth,” she said.

When speaking about her Christian journey, she revealed that she still “doesn’t know enough” about the faith. “It's almost scary because the more you know, the more fear you get,” she said.

Stefani added: “You realise, oh my gosh, I'm running out of time, and I need to get this together. I've got to be a real Christian! I'm not gonna make it.”

The singer-song writer has since partnered with the Catholic prayer app Hallow. However, the collaboration sparked criticism after she promoted the app last year during Lent.  As Premier Christian News previously reported, some of Stefani's fans questioned the platform's pro-life stance which Hallow's chief executive said it “proudly and unequivocally” defends.

The bench, installed at St Mary’s Church in Bocking, Essex, features two curved metal horns inspired by Keith’s signature look and sits near his grave. While many fans have praised the tribute, others complained that the bold design felt out of place in a traditional church setting.

Reverend Rod Reid said the church fully supported the memorial and stressed that both The Prodigy and Keith's family had been thoughtful and respectful throughout the process.

He told BBC News: “The band and the family wanted something fitting for the churchyard. They were very respectful and very aware of the setting.

“For local people here in Braintree and around, this means an awful lot. They remember seeing [Flint and Howlett] on the dance floors in Braintree. They have followed them all the way through and they are proud.”

The memorial bench installed at St Mary’s Church in Bocking, Essex. Credit: The Prodigy/Facebook

The bench was commissioned to mark Keith’s lasting impact on the local community, where The Prodigy first formed and built their early following. Fans have already begun visiting the site to pay their respects, with many sharing photos and messages celebrating the singer’s legacy.

Keith, who died in 2019 at the age of 49, remains one of the most influential figures in British electronic music. His explosive stage presence, distinctive style and era‑defining hits such as Firestarter and Breathe helped propel The Prodigy to global fame in the 1990s.

Braintree has long embraced its connection to the band, with murals, tributes and annual gatherings held in Keith’s honour.

Reverend Reid said the churchyard has always welcomed visitors and sees the bench as a meaningful way for fans to remember the local legend.

He added that the design reflects the personality of a performer who meant so much to the town. Reid said: “It’s a place where people come to reflect.

“Keith was a huge part of this community, and this is a way of recognising that.”

On his Diary of a CEO podcast, which is the second most-listened to in the UK, the Dragons’ Den star sat down with evangelist Wesley Huff to explore “the truth about Christianity”.

The two-and-a-half-hour episode saw Barlett open up about his own Christian upbringing, what led him to “new wave atheism”, and explore the case for the ‘Quiet Revival’.

“If I don’t believe in Jesus, in the Bible,” Barlett asked, “am I going to hell?”

“Yes and no,” responded Huff. “Heaven isn't full of good people. Heaven is full of people who understand they are not good enough. Justice and mercy…  justice is fulfilled in Jesus. So, mercy, which we do not deserve, is given to those who put their trust in Jesus.”

Reflecting on the book of Revelation in the Bible, Barlett remarked that the “bad news” about hell was “very bad”.

“‘Weeping and gnashing of teeth… eternal torment,’” he read, “this is not a place I want to go.”

“No, the bad news is bad. But that’s what makes the good news so good,” Huff responded.

Barlett described the evidence for Jesus’ death and resurrection as “persuasive,” adding that he considers himself a sceptic who requires a “high bar” of evidence to trust something. 

The conversation has received positive feedback, with listeners in its comments opening up about their own ‘Quiet Revival’ experiences.

One user wrote: “I’m a former thiest that went about telling people that there is no God to encountering God through a radical conversion and now preaching the gospel. I am a witness that Jesus is alive and well. There are still witnesses today!”

“If you asked me in 2023 that I’d be reading the Bible and thinking of church in 2026 I would have said you're crazy...” wrote another, “now I’m praying all day every day.”

The Scottish international opened up about how faith has sustained him through three operations in three years, on BBC Scotland’s football programme A View From The Terrace. 

Gannon-Doak shared how he “felt God calling” after suffering a major knee injury aged 17 and experiencing loneliness in the world of professional football, having grown up in the Catholic Church but “strayed away” as he grew up. 

The forward, who plays club football for AFC Bournemouth, is currently sidelined having undergone surgery for a hamstring injury, having been taken off on a stretcher in Scotland’s 4-2 win over Denmark in November. He left the pitch in tears, as the Tartan Army went on to secure their World Cup qualification. 

“When I came to God, I started to feel a bit better and started to feel stronger, and started coping better,” he said, “He’s never going to abandon you. So it was a good way to look at things positively and know that something positive was going to come out of it.”

“Setbacks aren’t really setbacks anymore, it’s just part of the plan,” Gannon-Doak added. 

The 20 year-old wore a necklace with a cross and a pendant depicting Saint Michael the Archangel, the archangel of protection, in the interview which took place in a church and Bournemouth’s training ground. 

Gannon-Doak spoke of how the lifestyle of professional footballers can “go to your head” and “pull you away from God” with the “flash” and high-wages. 

“God just keeps you grounded, keeps you humble. I heavily rely on God to not fall into doing the wrong things,”⁣ he said. 

He shared how he reads the Bible and prays before games, although jokingly clarified that he’s “not praying for a hat-trick.”

Gannon-Doak believes that Christian footballers are gaining confidence in being able to share their faith, having been “blessed with a platform to do the right things, to be good role models.”

Other Premier League players have been vocal about their Christian faith, including Arsenal’s “Bible Brothers” and Manchester City defender Marc Guehi. 

The Official UK Christian & Gospel Singles Chart, was created by the Official Charts Company and has ranked songs based on UK sales and streams.

It aims to highlight the growing popularity of Christian and gospel music across the country. The chart was developed in partnership with AStepFWD, a Christian media and creative organisation that is also a partner of Premier Gospel.

O’Neil Dennis, founder of AStepFWD, said the launch reflects the steady growth of the genre in the UK and builds on earlier efforts to recognise Christian music nationally.

“This partnership is a landmark moment for UK Christian & gospel music,” he said.

“From the pioneering work of the UK Christian Chart to the establishment of the Official albums chart, the genre has steadily built momentum.”

He said the new singles chart represents the next stage in that development.

“The addition of a new Official UK Christian & gospel singles chart is a powerful next step,” Dennis said. “It strengthens visibility and affirms the genre’s growing influence within the national music landscape.”

Mark Bowater, general manager of Integrity Music Europe, said the launch is another milestone for the Christian music sector.

“The launch of this new and reimagined Christian & gospel singles chart is an important, big step for our ecosystem,” he said.

“One of the fastest-growing genres on the planet is being talked about across all media platforms,” Bowater added

Premier Christian Radio previously served as the official broadcast partner for an earlier chart focused on gospel albums.

Nottingham singer Jerub made history by securing the first-ever Number 1 on the new chart.

The “rising star”, whose sound spans soul through to alt-rock, achieved his first taste of chart-topping success with Kumbaya, an original country-style singalong about loss, written by Kjetil Mørland, Paul Meehan and Gideon Ogheneochuko Akpovi.  

Other artists have welcomed the launch including singer-songwriter Laura Ehio, who said her faith has always been the inspiration behind her music.

“My journey as a Christian, that’s the only thing I could ever write about,” the 25-year-old told BBC Newsbeat.

“I’ve always been in church and when I started songwriting it just made sense to write about God and Jesus and his love.”

While singer Chantelle Rutendo also welcomed the recognition for the genre.

“It’s always a good thing when Christian artists are given a platform outside the four walls of a church, a platform to be able to reach people that on a normal day they wouldn’t be able to reach,” said the 23-year-old.

Rutendo told the outlet: “It means the artists that are creating really good music are having the opportunity to be acknowledged.”

Data from the Official Charts Company shows the UK Christian and gospel albums market has grown by 64% since 2015, with combined sales and streams surpassing 500,000 for the first time last year.

Streaming platforms are also seeing strong growth. According to Spotify, streams of gospel music in the UK have risen 119% since 2020.

Social media has also helped the genre reach new audiences, with TikTok revealing posts using the hashtag #GospelMusic have doubled globally in the past year.

The total figure rose from around two million to four million posts, alongside growing use of tags such as #GospelTok and #ChristianMusic.

Jackson, died on 17th February 2026 aged 84-years-old after battling progressive supranuclear palsy. 

In life, he was a Baptist minister and civil rights activist who worked alongside Dr Martin Luther King Jr. He also ran for the Democratic presidential nomination twice, and founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

During the ceremony, he was remembered as a spiritual leader whose faith guided decades of activism. His son, Yusef Jackson, said: “He lived a revolutionary Christian faith rooted in justice, nonviolence and moral righteousness.”

Former president Barack Obama, standing before a cross-draped podium at the House of Hope, told mourners:

“We are living in a time when it can be hard to hope… each day we wake up to some new assault on our democratic institutions… everywhere we see greed and bigotry being celebrated… and it’s hard to hope in those moments. But this man, Reverend Jesse Lewis Jackson, inspires us to take a harder path. His voice calls on each of us to be heralds of change, to be messengers of hope, to step forward… because if we don’t step up, no one else will. May he rest in eternal peace.”

The service featured former presidents Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, and Obama; former vice-president Kamala Harris; first ladies Jill Biden and Hillary Clinton; filmmaker Tyler Perry; and former basketball star Isiah Thomas, among many more.

Performances included Jennifer Hudson and Opal Staples. Attendees prayed, sang hymns, and reflected on Jackson’s work through Operation PUSH and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, highlighting his lifelong Christian commitment to justice.

Professor Paul Morrison, received the Global Shining Star award from the hands of Jesse Jackson in 2017. In conversation with Premier Gospel Radio, he recalled his experience meeting him during the award ceremony in San Francisco:

“Reverend Jesse Jackson… came straight to me, sat down, and after breakfast he asked us all to hold hands and prayed together. You could feel the weight of history in his words. He reminded me that when we step out in faith, God can do extraordinary things. His words about inclusion, justice, and serving others… were truly life changing.”

Speakers praised Jackson’s unwavering dedication to the marginalized and oppressed.

Obama described Jackson’s life as a “legacy of hope,” urging Americans to follow his example of Christian service, moral courage, and faith in action.

Jackson is survived by his wife Jacqueline and their five children, including former US representative Jesse Jackson Jr.

The 41-year-old Christian, whose birth name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, previously pleaded guilty to causing the death of the 20-year-old Yubin Tamang due to reckless and dangerous driving.

At the Old-Bailey on Tuesday it was announced that he would be disqualified from driving for 17 years and will serve a term of 12 years in prison.

The artist who also featured in Netflix’s Supacell series was driving his BMW in north-east London when he struck Tamang. In court, it was revealed that Clarke-Samuel was driving more than 60mph in a 30mph zone.

Ghetts didn’t stop at the scene and after the crash, the rapper continued to drive for eight miles before going home.

He later admitted that he had been drinking on the night of the accident in October and his blood alcohol level was 1.5 times over the legal limit.

The court heard that he failed to stop at six red traffic lights and his claims that he believed someone was following him.

No evidence of a pursuit was found on CCTV according to authorities.

Tamang who died in hospital two-days after the accident, came from Nepal to the UK to study.

In a statement, Tamang’s family said: “We speak today with hearts broken beyond repair. Our only child, a precious soul, has been taken from us far too soon. Justin Clarke-Samuel has stolen our son’s future and ours with it… we can never forgive him for what he has done.”

Outside the court, Samuel-Clarke’s lawyer read aloud his apology where he expressed “extreme regret, shame and remorse”.

“This may be the only chance that I get to apologise,” he added. “It was truly an unintentional act on my part, and I am so sincerely sorry for the suffering and emotional distress that I have caused.”

Play was stopped in the 12th minute of Leeds United’s match against Manchester City on Friday, with boos heard around the ground during the stoppage.

A message was put on the Elland Road big screen, which read: “As tonight’s match takes place during the holy period of Ramadan, play has been paused briefly to allow players to break their fast.”

Minister Rikki Doolan believes this goes against laws around religious symbolism in the field of play, contradicting the treatment of Christian players who have expressed their faith.   

“The fans rightly booed and showed discontent because religion in this case, should have nothing to do with the football match that thousands of people paid to watch,” Doolan wrote in a letter to the Premier League and Football Association (FA), posted on X. 

“This is something that must be stopped, it has no place in football. If players of that faith are fasting then there are many ways they can manage it that doesn’t include stopping the match and forcibly putting everyone watching, and playing, into a religious practice/ritual. This is discriminatory to everyone else.

“Religious freedom is important, and as long as it doesn’t infringe on anyone else, freedom of religious expression is important too. This act of stopping football matches for Ramadan fasts has been going on since 2021 and it must stop if you truly want to respect everyone’s individual rights, if you want equality, and if you truly want to uphold the integrity of your own policies,” he added.

Doolan referenced the treatment of Marc Guehi, who was issued with a “reminder” by the FA of rules around religious messaging on kit while captain of Crystal Palace in 2024. He wrote “I love Jesus” and “Jesus loves you” on his rainbow captain’s armband, introduced by the league as part of its campaign with LGBT+ group Stonewall. 

Liverpool player Coady Gakpo received a similar warning, after revealing a shirt with the words “I belong to Jesus” in April last year. Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus also faced action after revealing a similar shirt in December. 

Guidance on pausing games to allow Muslim players to break their fast was introduced by the league five years ago.

In an email seen by the BBC, Leeds United’s supporter liaison officer said it was “disappointing” that some chose to boo. 

Kick it Out, an anti-discrimination charity, said the disappointment was “compounded by the fact that an explanation was displayed on a big screen inside the stadium.”

“Pausing the game to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan has been an agreed protocol for several years now. It’s an important and visible part of making the game welcoming for Muslim players and communities.”

Speaking out following his recent arrest, the actor said he would remain silent in Jesus’ presence and “kiss his feet”.

LaBeouf made the remarks during an appearance on Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan, where he was asked: “What would you say to Jesus if you could meet him?”

“I wouldn't say [anything],” he responded, becoming visibly emotional. “But I'd kiss him...I'd kiss his feet.”

“Chill out with these questions, Andrew,” LaBeouf added after composing himself.

“My bad, I didn't know it was going to make you emotional, brother,” Callaghan replied.

The actor went on to describe himself as a “real Catholic”.

LaBeouf was arrested during the Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans last week following an altercation. He was charged with three counts of simple battery and has since been released on bond.

He was reportedly seen attending church the day after his arrest and has spoken openly in the past about his Christian faith.

LaBeouf has previously said that playing Boyd “Bible” Swan in the 2014 World War II film Fury marked the beginning of his spiritual journey.

The film, which also stars Brad Pitt and Jon Bernthal, includes a scene in which the deeply religious character emotionally recites a passage from Isaiah as his platoon prepares for battle against a large battalion of Nazi soldiers.

“I found God doing Fury,” LaBeouf told Interview Magazine in 2014.

“I became a Christian man...in a very real way. I could have just said the prayers that were on the page. But it was a real thing that really saved me. And you can’t identify unless you’re really going through it.

“It’s a full-blown exchange of heart, a surrender of control. And while there’s beauty to that, acting is all about control. So that was a wild thing to navigate.”

The fig, honey and almond cake was made with honey produced by bees in the palace garden, and figs reflecting the fig tree that was planted in the grounds of Lambeth Palace in 1556.

Jasmine, who won The Great British Bake Off in November, decorated the cake with olive branches to symbolise peace and healing, with the shape of a scallop shell piped on the side to reflect Archbishop Sarah’s love of walking and pilgrimage. Scallop shells are traditionally a symbol of many pilgrimage routes.

During the presentation, Archbishop Sarah and Jasmine, who is training to be a doctor, talked about their experiences working in the NHS and their shared Christian faith. Afterwards, the cake was donated to The Passage, a local charity that aims to end homelessness, and to staff in the paediatric intensive care unit at Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

Dame Sarah, who will be installed as archbishop at a ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral in March said: "Jasmine has created a really thoughtful and inspired cake, that artfully weaves biblical imagery with references to Lambeth Palace and my Installation. I am so grateful to Jasmine for the time and creativity she has put into making this lovely cake. We are often characterised by tea and cake in the Church of England, and I think this might be some of the best I’ve had!"

Jasmine said, “It was such a joy to meet Archbishop Sarah today and to give this cake as a housewarming gift. I loved the process of designing and baking the cake for her. I’m praying that Archbishop Sarah would feel God with her as she begins her new role."

Roumie, who portrays Jesus in the hit series, shared his reflections on the new season in a conversation with activist Lila Rose.

Describing the filming of scenes leading up to and including Christ’s crucifixion, Roumie said it was “the hardest thing [they’ve] ever done” for the cast and crew.

Speaking about the emotional and mental toll of the role, he said he still deals with “PTSD from the experience of reenacting the scourging and…crucifixion”.

Despite the impact of the scenes, Roumie said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lord in that capacity, describing it as a “sacrifice”.

He added that while the role may not have been as physically taxing as portrayals by some other actors, he suffered a torn AC joint during filming, which was exacerbated when he had to use the shoulder to carry the cross.

“I had asked the Lord that if there was any way I could experience a fraction…I would do that as an offering," he said.

Roumie also spoke of accounts of conversions he had received from viewers of the series, adding that “the Lord is using it”.

Speaking to podcaster Eddie Hobbs on his show Counterpoint, Taylor reflected on a childhood she described as “very, very chaotic,” growing up on a council estate in Bray, Ireland. Her mother had struggled with heavy drinking and smoking, while her father faced repeated legal troubles.

Taylor said the turning point came after a tragic house fire claimed the lives of a family living a few doors away. “It was very, very tragic,” she recalled. “That deeply affected my ma and led her to ask bigger questions about life.”

It was then that her mother encountered a Christian couple at a local coffee shop. Taylor described how “coincidences seemed too coincidental,” as the couple, known for their “unconditional kindness,” invited her mother to attend Bible studies and church.

“That’s when the God who rescued my mam basically became my God,” Taylor said. She explained that her mother stopped drinking and smoking, bringing “peace… and hope” into their home for the first time.

Taylor has spoken openly in the past about her own faith, crediting her trust in Jesus with her success in the ring.

Reflecting on the rise of Gen Z Christians, she told Hobbs, “People are definitely more open than you realise. I think it’s very, very hard to navigate life without Jesus.”

Brand, who has declared himself a born-again Christian, clutched a Bible in his hands, which bore various bookmark tabs.

The media personality, who has made a name for himself as a commentator on issues relating to US politics, wore a low-plunging shirt exposing his chest, a fedora, sunglasses and a cross necklace. 

He has pleaded not guilty to both charges, which allegedly occurred in London. 

Last year, Brand also pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape, one of indecent assault and two of sexual assault. The charges related to four women, spanning London and Bournemouth from 1999 to 2005. The charges followed a 2023 Channel 4 documentary alleging that he had acted inappropriately with women behind-the-scenes of TV and comedy circuits, between 2006 and 2013. 

Mr Brand previously told social media followers that he has never engaged in non-consensual sex acts. 

In 2024, he was baptised in the River Thames by Christian wilderness explorer and author, Bear Grylls. 

The Polish athlete won two silver and a bronze medal, becoming the nation’s first ski jumper to win three medals at a single Games. 

Hours before winning his third medal, Tomasiak brought his other two medals to Mass in the Olympic Village. 

The 19-year-old placed his medals on the altar, as a sign of his gratitude to God. 

Fr Edward Plen, chaplain to the Polish athletes, praised Tomasiak’s humility and commitment to developing his God-given talents.

He told OSV News: “It was very moving. I said that the most beautiful thanksgiving for a medal is when the medals are placed on the altar and during the elevation. 

“God himself comes to that altar, and looks not only at those medals, but above all at Kacper's beautiful, pure heart.”

Tomasiak won silver in the normal hill and super team event, with the bronze coming in the individual large hill. 

He has served as an altar boy in his church in Bielsko-Biala, southern Poland.

Fr Edwards shared pictures from the Mass on social media captioned “God I thank you.”

The Gospel-inspired show is now available in 125 languages. For comparison, Netflix offers its programmes in 45 languages.

It is the second time The Chosen has smashed the linguistic barrier, having reached 86 translations in September 2025.

In 2023, the organisationCome and See acquired intellectual property rights to The Chosen. Their mission is to eventually make it available in over 600 languages.

"The appeal of The Chosen really comes down to the way the story is being told," said Come and See's chief growth officer, Mark McKane. "It's being told with compassion, and in a way that we can relate to, with natural human flaws, struggles and behaviours. The disciples were humans, just like we are, and Jesus came to actually help them through their struggles. He said: 'Follow me.' "

Translating the programme takes on an extra level of significance compared with typical entertainment translations, as it involves interpreting the word of God. Come and See have developed a "double layer" of theological analysis to ensure translations reflect the biblical meaning of Jesus' words. 

"It is a lot of work," Dr Wendi Lord, vice president of content localisation, told Premier Christian News. "Like any other Hollywood show, our studios and translation teams take a first pass at the script. But from there, we are very, very different. We then have a pastor or theologian review the translation to ensure that it is faithful to the Bible. Then the actors go into the studio, record it, and once again, it goes through a second theological review, just in case anyone went off script."

"Our focus is to make sure that it's very faithful to the actual story," she emphasised. 

Come and See said the show's translations have made it a vital "outreach tool". 

"We had a ministry team recently helping build wells in Tanzania," said Mark McKane. "They built a relationship with the Maasai tribe, and they were able to build this well, and then bring in The Chosen episode where the Samaritan woman meets Jesus at the well. This tribe didn't know the gospel, but got experience it through The Chosen."

"Being able to see the gospel acted out in the language you speak and dream in, it's more impactful than a subtitle," Dr Lord added. "It makes a real difference."

The 27-year-old was filmed in his dressing room praying as a live band played well-known Christian worship songs. Garcia sat with his eyes closed and hands raised while the musicians sang: “Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for, to be overcome by your presence, Lord.”

In a separate clip, Garcia stood in a tight huddle with the band as they prayed over him ahead of his walkout to a sell-out crowd at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

“God I lift up this night. I lift up this man, your son,” one of the singers prayed.

“Heavently father, he chooses to glorify you tonight. With every moment, with everything that he thinks, may he glorify you. We claim victory in your name, we ask for your presence to surround him in the ring, in the whole stadium. Where your grace is, you are present.

“We lift up any anxiety he has, any fears, we replace that with peace in your name...we lay it all out there for you tonight...we walk in your plans, we follow your path. God, your spirit is here. We pray for protection over him right now. We declare strength, clarity of mind... that you will be with him every step of the way tonight.”

Garcia then carried that momentum into the ring, dropping Mario Barrios with a right hand inside the opening 30 seconds. He went on to secure a unanimous decision victory - his first win since a shock points defeat to Rolando Romero last year.

In his post-fight interview, Garcia immediately turned his attention to Shakur Stevenson, the WBO super-lightweight champion, who was in attendance.

“You know who I want, he's right there,” Garcia said. “Shakur Stevenson, let's go!”

Caleb Flynn, 39, appeared via video for his arraignment on Friday and entered a not guilty plea. “I just want to take care of my daughters. I’m not a risk,” he told Judge Samuel Huffman, according to Fox News.

Flynn was booked into Miami County Jail on Thursday at 5:07pm with a bond set at $2M (£1.5M).

He faces charges of murder, two counts of felonious assault, and two counts of tampering with evidence.

Emergency dispatch logs showed that someone inside the Tipp City residence, about 20 miles north of Dayton, called 911 early Monday morning reporting that Ashley Flynn had been shot in the head.

Flynn told the operator, “Oh my god, somebody broke into my home… and shot my wife,” adding that there was blood “everywhere,” Fox News reported.

Records confirmed that the couple’s two daughters were asleep at the time and were unharmed, according to News Center 7.

Investigators said there were signs of forced entry and that parts of the scene appeared staged.

Tipp City Police chief, Greg Adkins said: “The family and community deserve a thorough, professional and compassionate investigation… probable cause existed to charge Caleb Flynn with the murder of his wife,” reported Deadline.

Ashley Flynn was a substitute teacher for Tipp City Schools and coached middle school girls’ volleyball.

Authorities confirmed the investigation remains ongoing ahead of Flynn’s preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday.

Premier Christian News has approached the Chief of Tipp City Police department for comment.

The 27-year-old Arsenal midfielder, who previously played for Crystal Palace and is married, was speaking on the Men In Blazers show when he said: “I want them to say that ‘in everything he did, he glorified Jesus. That’s my only mission, if I’m honest.”

Eze revealed that his faith has shaped every stage of his career, from early setbacks to professional success.

“The love for football is always there… And my faith, faith in God and trust in that, and my mom telling me that it's gonna be fine… she had a prayer… she was praying to go back… Some prayers take longer than others,” he said, reflecting on being released by Arsenal’s academy at 13.

The footballer described perseverance through multiple rejections as rooted in both work and prayer. “I never considered doing anything else… The mindset was you work and apply yourself as much as you can, and you believe that this thing will happen alongside it, and you pray for it every day, and you trust that it will come. And when these things are aligned, you can't deviate,” he said.

Looking back on his career, including his time at Crystal Palace and his FA Cup goal for Arsenal, Eze said, “I don't know what will happen. There'll be ups, there'll be downs, but I have more confidence in that fact that it is written, God has really played this out for not just me but my whole family… There's no other way this story could have gone to make it better… For me, this is perfect."

He described faith as central to his identity and how he approaches life: “Faith is believing in Jesus Christ. What did Jesus Christ tell me to do? Gonna follow that, gonna live by that… That puts things into perspective of what this life really is."

He added: "There's something far more important, far greater than all of this. That's what faith is to me. It anchors my life. It teaches me how to treat people, how to love people… letting go of myself… it's not about me. That's Jesus Christ that taught me that.”

Eze is also part of Arsenal’s “Bible Brothers,” a group of players including Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, and Noni Madueke, who pray together and hold Bible studies to strengthen team unity and support one another’s faith.

Speaking to The Christian Post, David Harper said he “just fell to my knees” after concluding that “it was Jesus Christ who had literally saved my daughter’s life”.

Harper, who had described himself as agnostic and was raised in a non-religious household where “God never played a part,” began exploring Christianity after his daughter Hetti experienced what he called a dramatic transformation.

She had struggled for years with depression and self-harm and was effectively told, “There’s nothing we can do for you,” before being advised to look for something spiritual.

After she began attending church and embraced the Christian faith, Harper said he observed significant changes over 15 months.

“I heard her laugh and giggle, and I remember thinking, ‘I didn't think I'd ever hear that again in my life,’” he told The Christian Post.

During the 2024 Christmas season, he began an 11-month research project examining arguments for God’s existence and the historical claims surrounding the resurrection of Jesus.

“If the resurrection was true, then everything is true… if the resurrection is true, then Jesus is God,” he said.

His new book, The God Conundrum, has documented his faith journey.

The actor told Fox News that prayer allows him to face whatever the day “throws” at him.

“I’ve just passed the 50 mark," Whalberg said. "As you get older…life can become overwhelming at times."

“I’m constantly pursuing a relationship with God," he added. 

During the interview with Fox News, Mark Wahlberg wore a black cross marked on his forehead, a symbol for Ash Wednesday. He is one of several celebrities, including Chris Pratt and Jonathon Roumie, who have collaborated with prayer app Hallow to guide people through prayer, fasting and meditation this Lenten season.

Wahlberg concluded by emphasising the link between prayer and mental health: “Having a spiritual life is so important for our sanity and wellbeing”.

The upcoming TV series, Harry Clark Goes to Rome, will see Harry journey to the Vatican City, joined by his girlfriend Anna Maynard and mum Georgia.  

A synopsis for the BBC Two programme reads: “As he prepares for his journey, Harry opens up conversations with those closest to him… [including] his childhood priest.”

“Along the way, he is challenged on his ‘lapsed’ habits, engages in traditional Catholic pilgrim practices and raises interesting questions about the role of faith in modern Britain.”

Clark described the experience as a “once in a lifetime journey”.

The 25-year-old reality star shot to fame after becoming the BBC series’ first contestant to clinch the final victory having played as a Traitor. In recent years, Clark has become more outspoken about exploring his Catholic faith.

In October, Harry told Premier Christianity Magazine that faith had “saved him” from being at “rock bottom” with his mental health during his years in the army.

“I was born into a Catholic family… I went on to be confirmed, to carry on my faith. It’s always been prominent in my life,” he said.  “Am I just a Christian because I was born into a Christian family? … What I’d found out was that, no, what my faith means to me is the closest I feel to God… that’s going to carry on being my faith.”

According to the Associated Press (AP), younger audiences are driving this shift, with artists using platforms like TikTok and Instagram to reach fans.

James “Trig” Rosseau of Holy Culture Radio toldAP that young listeners are seeking “a sonic coziness” while encountering a message that fills a spiritual need. Streaming services such as Spotify and Amazon also report steady growth in these genres over the past five years, though some artists say the movement remains “underground.”

“Over the last two years, there’s something happening momentum-wise, and it still feels underground,” said music professional Angela Jollivette. “But now it’s starting to get the visibility that it’s deserving.”

Artists at the forefront include rapper Lecrae, who won his first Grammy in 2013, Christian afrobeat artist Limoblaze, and rappers Calebl Gordon and Alex Jean. Limoblaze told AP that Christian rap was instrumental in helping him develop “an actual relationship with Jesus.”

“I think Christian Afrobeat is slowly but eventually going to be on a mainstream level,” he said. Lauren Stellato, who leads Amazon’s Christian and gospel music department, added: “These young artists and young fans are bringing faith into sounds and spaces they already live in. The audiences are responding to it because it feels natural.”

The episode, released on Thursday, saw the TV duo explore the Christian roots of Valentine’s Day.

Asked whether he knew the story behind the celebration, Ant admitted: “No!” Dec then launched into the traditional account of the third-century saint.

“So the story goes that he was a priest or a bishop right around the third century under the rule of Claudius II,” he explained, describing an emperor who “was trying to stamp out Christianity.”

Dec added that Claudius wanted young men to join his army and “didn’t want them to be married, because he said married soldiers make bad soldiers because they’re too worried about their spouses.”

“He tried to outlaw marriage amongst young men so they would join his army and become his soldiers,” Dec continued. “So St Valentine secretly used to marry young men with women, amazing backstory, and he got jailed for it.”

While imprisoned, Dec explained that Valentine shared his faith with his jailer.

“He talked to his jailer, who had a huge family, 40-odd people in his family, and he talked about Christianity. And the guy said, ‘Well, if God really does exist, if Jesus exists… I’ve got a blind daughter, you could make her see. And if you do that, I will convert to Christianity. And all of my family.’”

Donnelly said Valentine performed a miracle.

“So he brings the girl, makes her see again, performs a miracle. She sees. He converts his whole family to Christianity, which absolutely peeves off Claudius the Second, and he sentenced him to death. And he was executed on the 14th of February.”

He added that, according to tradition, Valentine wrote a message to the jailer’s daughter before his execution, signing it: “From your Valentine.”

“As origin stories go, that’s the best one yet,” Ant responded. “They should make a movie of that.”

Dec, who was raised in a Catholic home and whose late brother Fr Dermott Donnelly served as a priest, said he has long been fascinated by the lives of saints.

"Every saint has a story about how they became a saint,” he said.

When Ant jokingly asked whether he had “a book at home with the saints”, Dec replied: “Yes.”

His family confirmed he passed away on Wednesday following a battle with stage three colorectal cancer, saying he faced his final days "with courage, faith and grace".

In a December 2025 interview on NBC’s Today Show, Van Der Beek recalled going into shock when he first heard the words, “It is cancer.” Yet almost immediately, he sensed a spiritual shift.

“I thought, this is going to be the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said. “I had this little voice in my head that said, you're going to make changes in your life that you would never, ever make if you don't have this extreme of a diagnosis and it's going to add healthy, happy years to your life.”

When asked what kind of changes he made, the actor said he slowed down and was more conscious about what he ate, but most of all he changed how he viewed the love of God and his relationship with God.

“Before cancer, God was something I tried to fit into my life as much as possible,” he said. “After cancer, I feel like a connection to God, whatever that is, is kind of the whole point of this exercise on this planet.”

The actor, who lived on a ranch in Texas with his wife, Kim, and their six children, said the outpouring of prayer and encouragement from fans strengthened him throughout treatment.

“Every time somebody says, ‘I’m praying for you,’ I appreciate it,” he said, adding that he believed people truly feel the power of collective prayer.

Despite ongoing treatment, he continued working and urged others to prioritise screening.

Fans and fellow actors shared tributes on social media, recalling the influence he had on their lives and careers.

"While James’ legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world," Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote on social media.

A GoFundMe was launched to raise $500,000 (£365,000) to help support Van Der Beek's widow and six children. It has raised more than $200,000 (£146,000) less than an hour after being launched.

The Cross of the Athletes has been placed next to the main altar in the Basilica of San Babila, where athletes, coaches and supporters have been attending Mass. 

The Vatican’s culture ministry describes the cross as “carrying the prayers and hopes of athletes” and a “Christian message addressed to the entire world of sport, a sign of hope for humanity, and a proposal of peace among peoples.”

Wood from five continents was used, reflecting the five Olympic rings, crafted by English artist Jon Cornwall for the London 2012 games. 

The cross has featured in every Olympics, bar Tokyo 2020 because of pandemic restrictions, and was displayed in the Vatican for the Jubilee of Sport last year. 

Masses are being celebrated in Italian, English, French and German through the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The archdiocese hopes this will help in efforts to foster unity during the games. 

The basilica is in the heart of Milan, one of the main host cities for the competition. 

As the games began, Pope Leo issued a letter “on the value of sport”. He is a sports fan, tennis player and supporter of the baseball team the Chicago White Sox. 

He wrote: “Sport, as we know, can be very professional in nature and highly specialized. As such, it is a calling for relatively few people, even though it elicits the admiration and heartfelt enthusiasm of many who identify with the victories or defeats of the athletes.

“But sport is also a shared activity, open to all and salutary for both body and spirit, even becoming a universal expression of our humanity."

He added: “It teaches us that we can strive for the highest level without denying our own fragility; that we can win without humiliating others; and that we can lose without being defeated as individuals."

Pope Leo also praised how the Olympic movement has been a force for peace and building a better world. 

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak told Sports Spectrum that faith has shaped his mindset as a coach and man of God.  “Your identity is not in your job, our identity is in Christ,” he said, crediting coaching mentors for encouraging him to join Bible studies and read Scripture daily, which helped him realise he is a “child of God.”

“It took a really heavy load off,” Kubiak explained. “Football is something that I do, but trying to be a good father and be a faithful husband is way more important than any of that.”

Football runs in Kubiak’s blood; his father is former NFL coach Gary Kubiak.

The junior Kubiak added that this Christmas, he gave every member of the Seahawks a Bible, believing “that’s the most important thing.”

“You’re trying to find Christmas gifts for guys every year to show them that you love them. What better gift than that?” he smiled.

Head coach Mike Macdonald also spoke to Sports Spectrum, saying his faith – and the team’s – “has really grown over the last couple years.”

The team’s chaplain, Jonathan Rainey, said he’s been encouraged to see faith on the side is “growing”.

“These guys do not get to go to church because we play on Sunday,” Rainey explained. “The team becomes their church.” 

Rainey described himself as a “walking foot washer,” adding: “My job is to wash your feet, to teach you … to point you to Jesus.”

He revealed in a post on X that he'd finished reading the entire Bible "word by word"  with "no skimming", in a journey that took 13 months.

Allen, who is known for his role in Santa Claus and voicing Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story series, revealed that he was "humbled, enlightened and amazed at what I read and what I learned". 

Reflecting on the experience, the actor said he planned to pause before beginning the process again, adding that he would “rest and meditate on so much” he had learned.

Allen has previously spoken publicly about his Christian faith and how it was shaped by hardship earlier in his life. In a 2011 interview with Elizabeth Vargas, the actor said he surrendered his life to Jesus after being arrested and spending time in prison in his mid-twenties.

He said his faith continued to guide his decisions, explaining at the time: “I always do ask … The Builder, what did you want me to do?”

The latest post struck a chord with fans, with many asking about his experience and sharing that they would like to do the same.

"Can you share how? I want to read it too!" one user wrote.

Another reminded Allen that it's "not how much Bible you read. It's how much bible you live". 

The replica, which had been sitting by a farmer’s field near Ipswich since 1983, was offered to Rev Jason de-Vaux at Zion Baptist Church free of charge, if the church could restore it. With help from a Christian transport firm, it was moved to Cambridge last Friday.

Rev De-Vaux, a Doctor Who fan since the early 1970s, told Premier Christian News: “It’s an amazing thing to say there is a Tardis in my church… how many vicars can say that?” He added that the arrival was “like having a rock star with us… it was like Beatle-mania,” with hundreds of emails and messages arriving from fans around the world, including former BBC staff.

The minister also highlighted the spiritual parallels he sees between Christ and the Doctor. “God is timeless… and the Doctor regenerates, maybe in a slightly different way. He saves people through his actions, not weapons… just like Jesus,” he explained. “It opens conversations with people who might never come near a church otherwise.”

He said the Tardis has already drawn new visitors. “We had a number of people come through the door and they’ve asked me about my faith. I’ve been able to share my testimony a few times. People are realising the church isn’t just about Doctor Who, it’s about Jesus Christ.”

Plans are underway to restore the Tardis and host a Doctor Who-themed service in April, featuring Cybermen, Daleks, and a special guest.

Rev De-Vaux said his prayer is “that they will know Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour… it’s going to change their world quite literally.”

Kenoly, best known for global worship anthems such as ‘Anointing fall on me’ and ‘Ancient of days’, is known as one of the most influential figures in modern praise and worship.

Integrity Music, the music label he was signed to, said in a social media statement: "Ron was more than a powerful worship leader with a global platform. He was a shepherd, a teacher, and a man of deep integrity who carried the presence of God with sincerity, humility, and joy. Through his music, leadership, and discipleship, Ron taught the Church how to sing with faith, freedom, and conviction. His impact across nations and generations is unmatched, and his legacy will continue to lead the Church in praise for years to come.

"We are grateful for Ron’s legacy, his partnership with Integrity Music through the years, and the countless lives impacted through his obedience to God’s call. We extend our deepest love and prayers to Ron’s family, friends, and the many spiritual sons and daughters shaped by his life and ministry."

Speaking to Premier Christian News, worship leader and broadcaster Muyiwa Olarewaju described Kenoly as a man who transformed Christian worship by pointing people consistently to Jesus.

“Ron Kenoly taught us to lift Him up, to lift Jesus up,” Muyiwa said. “He taught us how to come into God’s presence. He was an absolute legend, a man who broke barriers and invited all of us to come in and worship the King.”

The news of his death was announced on social media by Christian music producer Bruno Miranda. He said: “For over 20 years, I had the honor of walking alongside him in ministry around the world, not just as his music director, but as a son, a student, and a witness to a life marked by faithfulness.

“Doc was very intentional about one thing: he was never an artist, never an entertainer. He was a worship leader. And he took all the time necessary to explain what that truly meant. A worship leader’s calling is not to perform songs, but to lead people into true worship in the presence of a King; the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.”

Miranda added that he was inspired by Kenoly not only as a worship leader, but by his personal life too.

“Off the stage, Doc carried the same integrity, humility, and reverence for God that the world saw under the lights,” he said. “He taught me that worship begins long before the first note is played, shaped by obedience, character, and a deep fear of the Lord.”

Kenoly rose to prominence in the 1990s, long before contemporary worship filled arenas and stadiums.

Olarewaju said his influence crossed musical styles and cultures. “Before there were stadiums filled with modern anthems, there was Ron Kenoly,” he said. “Whether it was black gospel, contemporary or traditional, he stood firm. Our living rooms were filled with songs like ‘Lift him up’ and ‘Ancient of Days’.”

He said albums such as ‘Jesus is alive’ became foundational for a generation of worship leaders.

“For many of us, his albums weren’t just recordings, they were textbooks for our calling,” Muyiwa said. “He showed worship leaders that you could be high-energy and orchestrated, yet deeply intimate and scripturally grounded.

“There would be no Maverick City today without Ron Kenoly. There would be no Brandon Lake, no Michael W. Smith as we know them today — none of the great names without Ron Kenoly.”

American worship leader Martha Munizzi said in a Facebook post: "Ron Kenoly , friend, worship leader, legend. You gave us more than songs; you gave us moments with God. Your voice and your iconic songs helped us sing through our hardest and happiest days. I’ll always remember your heart, your humility, and the way your music drew us closer to Jesus."

The Orphan, a short film written and directed by Leo Powell, exposes the grooming tactics used by criminal networks to exploit vulnerable young people across the UK.

Powell said the film shows how promises of belonging, protection and loyalty can quickly become a pathway into manipulation, violence and criminal exploitation.

“It’s a massive issue,” he said. “Thousands of young people are being drawn into this across the country. Communities, parents and those from deprived or vulnerable backgrounds are facing this reality. The film shows how grooming can begin with gifts or debt bondage, before a young person is deceived into travelling long distances to sell drugs.”

Released two weeks ago, The Orphan has been viewed more than 721,000 times on YouTube and was partly funded by British Transport Police (BTP).

The film comes as county lines activity has again hit the headlines, with a joint operation between BTP and Bedfordshire Police shutting down active drug lines and leading to arrests. It also coincides with new government figures showing record lows in the number of children entering the justice system and in custody.

A national programme targeting county lines has resulted in more than 8,000 arrests, over 3,000 drug lines closed and more than 900 knives removed from the streets.

While praising police efforts, including the work of the National County Lines Coordination Centre, Powell warned that funding cuts were limiting what could be achieved.

“The police are doing a good job, but they need more help and more funding,” he said. “There’s also a need for government to invest more in organisations that support young people and families.”

Powell, who raises awareness in schools and church youth groups, says churches are increasingly recognising that county lines can affect young people within their own congregations.

“Faith is about bringing a message of hope,” he said. “Through this film, I hope people learn how to keep themselves safe from grooming and exploitation and see that there is a way out.”

The Orphan is available to watch online.

Listen to the interview with Leo Powell here: 

US rapper and singer Jelly Roll, who won Best Contemporary Country Album for ‘Beautifully Broken’, delivered one of the night’s most striking moments.

“I believe that music had the power to change my life, and God had the power to change my life,” he said. “And I want to tell y’all right now, Jesus is for everybody. Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by any music label. Jesus is Jesus, and anybody can have a relationship with him. I love you, Lord.”

Meanwhile, SZA offered words of encouragement amid global uncertainty after joining Kendrick Lamar on stage to accept Record of the Year for ‘Luther’.

“Please don’t fall into despair,” she said. “I know that right now is a scary time. I know the algorithms tell us that it's so scary and all is lost. There's been world wars, there's been plagues, and we have gone on.

“We can go on. We need each other. We need to trust each other and trust ourselves, trust your heart. We're not governed by the government. We're governed by God.”

Christian singer-songwriter Israel Houghton also took home an award, winning Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for ‘Coritos vol. 1’ with Israel & New Breed. After thanking God and honouring his wife, Houghton addressed those living in fear in the United States, alluding to recent ICE raids and killings.

“To those who are hiding in the shadows in America, those who are scared, let this music, let the hope that we are a part of a kingdom that cannot be shaken," he said. "We are citizens of a kingdom that cannot be shaken and that will not end. I encourage you tonight, listen, be nice to the people in your community. Amen.”

2026 GRAMMY Awards — Christian Category Winners

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
'Coritos vol. 1' — Israel & New Breed
Nominees: Forrest Frank, Brandon Lake, Lecrae, Tauren Wells

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
'Hard fought hallelujah' — Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll
Nominees: Elevation Worship, Forrest Frank, Lecrae, Darrel Walls with PJ Morton

Best Gospel Performance/Song
'Come Jesus come' — CeCe Winans ft. Shirley Caesar
Nominees: Kirk Franklin, Pastor Mike Jr, Jonathan McReynolds & Jamal Roberts, Tasha Cobbs Leonard with John Legend

Best Gospel Album
'Heart of mine' — Darrel Walls & PJ Morton
Nominees: Yolanda Adams, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tamela Mann, Tye Tribbett

Best Roots Gospel Album
'I will not be moved (live)' — The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Nominees: Gaither Vocal Band, The Isaacs, Karen Peck & New River, Candi Staton

Outside a federal courthouse in Los Angeles after his release, Lemon vowed not to be silenced, stating: “I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now.”

“The first amendment to the US Constitution protects that work for me and countless other journalists who do what I do. I stand with all of them, and I will not be silenced. I look forward to my day in court.”

The Justice Department charged Lemon and three others with civil rights violations, alleging they interfered with the exercise of religious freedom at a place of worship and conspired to do so.

One charge also referenced the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which protects access to houses of worship as well as reproductive health facilities.

Lemon’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said Lemon was taken into custody while covering the Grammy awards and insisted his actions were “constitutionally protected work” as a journalist.

Lowell said: “The first amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth… Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.”

The arrest was publicly celebrated by the White House on social media, where they posted “When life gives you Lemons,” accompanied by a chain emoji. Lemon’s former colleagues and press freedom advocates have condemned the action.

Actor and activist Jane Fonda, speaking outside the courthouse, said: “Don Lemon is a professional journalist… he and his producer were doing their job, nothing more, nothing less.”

A court date in Minneapolis is expected in the coming weeks.

In an Instagram post shared on 22^nd January 2026, Posner reflected on his past before explaining that “thirteen years have passed” and his life had radically changed, saying he had “found faith” and love.

Online, the singer shared rewritten lyrics that reimagined the song, alongside a photo of himself holding a Bible open at Corinthians.

He revealed that he wrote the original song while living in Los Angeles and searching for meaning during the height of his fame. In the updated version, he referenced being 12 years older, ten years sober, and paid tribute to late DJ Avicii, who featured in the original lyrics.

The new words also described leaving Los Angeles, wanting to start a family, and turning away from choices that “had me headed towards tragedy”. 

In the chorus, Posner explicitly credited God for restoring his purpose, singing that he was giving his life “up to God” and that faith had brought him “back onstage singing”.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Mike Posner (@mikeposner)

Posner shared that he had since moved to Austin with “the love of my life” to begin a new chapter. He also shared that he recently performed the revised version live for the first time, with the audience responding enthusiastically.

One user commented: "This really has the potential to be one of the top Christian songs of the year. So cool seeing God taking famous Hollywood stars and saying,this person is now following me & is making cool songs”. Congrats Mike Posner!"

"I prayed for this years ago. God bless you! This is awesome," added another user.

Speaking on Wednesday at the Treasury Department’s Trump Accounts Summit, Minaj joined Trump on stage, held his hand and declared herself “probably the president’s No. 1 fan”. 

Minaj told the audience that criticism of Trump did not affect her, saying the “hate” motivated her to support him more.

She added that she believed smear campaigns would not succeed and said Trump had “a lot of force behind him” and that “God is protecting him”. 

Trump responded by telling Minaj, “We did pretty well with your community", an apparent reference to Black supporters. He also joked about the scale of contributions linked to Trump Accounts, citing a figure of $16Bn dollars (£11.6Bn).

Trump Accounts referred to Section 530A individual retirement accounts introduced as part of recently passed tax and spending legislation.

Under the scheme, the federal government pledged to deposit one thousand dollars into investment accounts for children born between 2025 and 2028 if parents signed them up while filing income taxes.

The White House later shared a photograph of Minaj and Trump together on social media, captioned “BARBZ x MAGA”.

BARBZ x MAGA 🇺🇸@NICKIMINAJpic.twitter.com/2zMZlhv8II

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 28, 2026

Minaj had previously announced plans to contribute between $150k and $300k to fund Trump Accounts for her fans.

The band had previously toured with Derulo for his 2Sides World Tour a few years ago, before revealing they’d been offered the chance to join him again for his upcoming UK and Europe tour as his support act.

The band is set to have a 30-minute slot at the opening of Derulo’s show where they will be sharing their latest single ‘Eternity’, which the band had last shared at Big Church Festival.

On a social media post to announce the news, lead singer Lindz West addressed his fans stating, “get onto ticketmaster!...It’s gonna be killer!”. Encouraging fans to buy tickets to see the band perform, West promised a “party”, and encouraged fans to show up and have a good time, promising that if anyone started a mosh pit, he would “call them out by name”.

The singer then explained it provided an opportunity for the band to share their faith to “25,000 people at a time”, who might not otherwise get a chance to hear it.

Speaking about his band’s message of hope and faith, the singer stated, “I’m gonna share about faith…you know what we stand for”, before adding, “we’ve got a beautiful message and that message is that everyone has a hope… a future and something to live for”.

West also revealed that there would additionally be an opportunity for those interested to find out more about faith and get connected with an Alpha group, appealing in a separate address to church friends to pray for the opportunity provided.

The tour will kick off this week in Glasgow and will move around the UK stopping at cities such as Birmingham, London and Cardiff, before moving across Europe.

“Hopefully you guys can enjoy it as much as we can”, the singer concluded, “taking this amazing news out there, and putting a lamp on a stand”.

The defender had “Isaiah 54:17” printed on his boots when he took to the field for his new side. 

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper,” is the verse Guehi chose, speaking of God’s protection. 

It is not the first time he has worn customised kit, having also had Exodus 14:14 inscribed on his boots.

 

 

 

 

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Guehi kept a clean sheet as Manchester City won 2-0 against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The England international left Crystal Palace, signing a five-and-a-half year contract.

In May, an image of him standing amongst Vatican crowds went viral, with fans surprised at the Grammy winner’s interest in Catholicism.

The Aperture singer told BBC Radio 1 that he had been in Rome at the time “getting a haircut”.

"I heard all these people start shouting, ‘Habemus papam! Habemus papam!’ People just running down the street," Styles said. "So, the guy cutting my hair stopped cutting my hair, and he was like, ‘Habemus papam! There’s a new pope!’"

“He finished up and I was like, ‘I’m five minutes’ walk from there,’ so I walked over there. It was wild."

Styles then joked that he is usually the person the crowds appear for – not the other way around.

“I was like, ‘Who’s this getting all this attention?’" he laughed.

Whilst the Grammy winner has never confirmed his religious views, he has a tattoo of the Bible on his forearm, as well as a small cross, and the number '777' - which often represents the Trinity. 

James told reporters that a Portland ballboy had given him the card after the game, saying, “Jesus loves you,” to which James responded, “and obviously He does.”

The NBA legend, who rarely speaks publicly about his personal faith, said the verse had a strong impact on him. “I thought that was a great quote. When I looked at it, I read it – it just spoke to me. So I posted it… because the guy was grateful enough and gracious enough to give it to me.”

While James seldom discusses his faith on social media or in interviews, he has occasionally referenced his beliefs. In 2015, when asked if his team at the time, the Cleveland Cavaliers, would improve after two injured players returned, James told the media: “I hope we don’t think that way. It’s never that way...

"There’s only one guy ever in the world that everything will be all right when He comes back, and that’s Jesus Christ. Other than that, you can’t bank on nobody being OK.”

Video diaries shared by Alex Iwobi showed the team united in song on the team bus travelling to and from their recent games. 

The Super Eagles sang before and after their third-place playoff, beating Egypt 4-2 on penalties.

 

 

 

 

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Iwobi, who plays for Fulham in the Premier League, had been recording Nigeria’s progress through the tournament on his YouTube channel, showing the team’s preparation behind the scenes.

The midfielder has previously shared how his Christian faith is integral to him, saying “it’s a part of who I am".

He told CNN in October: “When I’m playing in Nigeria, we’re literally praying before training, on the bus praying before matches.”

Nigeria’s players have been praised for their worship.

One Instagram user commented: “God is good. Nigeria, God’s own land. Full transformation is around the corner.”

Another said: “Well done boys for always giving the glory to God.”

The MOBO nominee was asked about his heroes by Geeta Guru-Murthy at the end of a live interview, when he responded: “Santan Dave, Kendrick Lamar, most of all Jesus Christ.” 

Guru-Murthy’s sharp intake of breath at the end of his response has been interpreted as a negative "hissing" noise by many viewers - a BBC spokesperson told MailOnline that this was “categorically untrue”.

JESUS CHRIST ON BBC NEWS pic.twitter.com/vmNfmlfEYQ

— DC3 (@dc3media) January 16, 2026

The video shared by DC3, captioned “JESUS CHRIST ON BBC NEWS” has racked up more than 2.4 million views on X. 

In a social media statement, the presenter denied that it was done with malice and shared the full video of the interview.

“For the record, I was simply breathing in before moving to end the interview. To suggest anything else is just untrue,” Guru-Murthy said. 

DC3, also known as Daniel Chenjerai, later told social media followers: “Jesus is Lord. God is good and thank you all for the love.”

On Sunday, the 18-year-old rapper released a music video in response to the incident titled “DID YOU SEE?”

It featured a clip of his appearance on the BBC, stating “the revolution will be televised”.

“Young me would get mad cause TV took the Lord's name in vain. Checkmate, guess now I’ve won,” is one of the lyrics declaring his faith and standing by his decision to make it clear during the interview.

DC3 won Best Newcomer at the Premier Gospel Awards 2025. 

He is now up for Best Newcomer and Best Gospel Act at the MOBO awards, to be held in March. 

Rev Rachael Phillips was beaten by a fraction of a second in the dramatic head-to-head eliminator during Saturday night’s episode, after taking on a series of elite Gladiators.

The mum-of-two went up against Naomi, 40, from Birmingham. Supporters in the crowd cheered her on, with one sign reading: “Rev it up Rachael!.”

The vicar, who's also a rugby player, brought both strength and humour to the competition. In her introduction video, she said: “At the centre of my faith is that Jesus showed us mercy, but on Gladiators, I’m going to be showing none.”

Phillips, 24, said she sought to “reinstate” her relationship with God earlier this month when she was baptised at a church.

Her decision prompted backlash online, with some critics arguing that her declaration of faith should lead to changes in her behaviour, including stepping away from adult content.

Phillips rejected that view, telling The Christian Post that she does not intend to stop working in the industry.

“I understand that my faith and my work don’t fit neatly into everyone’s expectations of what a Christian ‘should’ look like,” she said. “I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting, praying, and being honest with myself about both.”

She insisted that her faith is “personal, ongoing, and rooted in grace, not in public approval or moral perfection”, adding that Christianity, for her, “isn’t about pretending I have everything figured out or meeting other people’s standards”.

“It’s about sincerity, growth,” she said, “and trusting that God meets people where they are, not where others think they should be".

Phillips’ comments have drawn further mixed reactions on social media.

“She has no relationship [with God] or there would be conviction and repentance,” one user wrote on X.

Another added: “We continue to pray for her and all who believe as she does. Father forgive them." 

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Wroclaw has added it to a list of prohibited tracks, which include Leonard Cohen’s 'Hallelujah' and the Beatles’ 'All You Need is Love'.  

It follows an increase in couples asking to include secular pop songs in their church-held wedding ceremonies. The diocese has also reportedly reminded newlyweds that the music played during wedding services is left to the discretion of the priest in charge of the parish.

‘Perfect’, which was released in 2017, is a popular wedding song among couples and the decision has sparked debate online.

Speaking on Jeremy Vine 5, broadcaster Claire Muldoon defended the move, saying: “the rules of the church are you cannot have pop songs in the body of the magisterium”, going on to add that the purpose of the service was to “sanctify and bless the sacrament of the couple”.

Responding to queries over whether this perhaps pointed to outdated practices within the church, Muldoon hit back by suggesting this represented a broader pattern of people cherry picking “bits and bobs”, when it came to faith.

Commentator Pauline Briscoe disagreed, saying “There’s a lot of younger churches now…where they are drawing a lot more younger people”.

“Younger people love this”, she concluded.

Jim Sharma, a 65-year-old taxi firm owner from Wolverhampton, said the team’s sudden change in fortunes followed his November meeting with Pope Leo XIV, after Wolves had gone 19 league games without a win.

Speaking to BBC Radio WM, Sharma said he thought, “let’s give him a Wolves shirt and see if it can make any difference", adding that the pontiff later told him he would “say a prayer”.

The meeting took place during Sharma’s trip to Turkey last year, where he was granted permission by the Vatican to gift the Pope a specially printed Wolves shirt reading “Pope” and the number one. 

According to Sharma, the Pope smiled, remarked that his name was on the shirt, and agreed to pray for the club, Vatican Media reported.

Since then, Wolves recorded a 6-1 FA Cup win against Shrewsbury, easing pressure after fan protests and the departure of former executive chairman Jeff Shi. 

Sharma said the moment highlighted the power of faith, adding he “didn’t realise how big a moment it was” until afterwards.

In an Instagram post made on Tuesday, Lecrae described the parody, which has over 45.5 million views, as “not invented out of thin air",  adding there are “wolves in the pulpits, theatrics for attention and money and influence, and leaders manipulating God’s name for gain".

Druski, a 30-year-old comedian known for his viral parodies, released the three-minute video online on Monday, which featured him in a designer outfit suspended above a pulpit with smoke and lights, delivering a theatrical sermon and encouraging tithes, including for a project in Zimbabwe. 

The skit has drawn both criticism and praise, with some viewers offended and others saying it reflects real-life church culture.

Lecrae emphasised that accountability must come from within the church. “The work needs to be done internally. There needs to be more leaders and teachers and pastors warning people about these false leaders and false teachers,” he said.

He also urged discernment rather than outrage. “This is not the opportunity for people to say, ‘This is why I don’t go to church,’” Lecrae explained. “It’s the opportunity for people to say, ‘I don’t want to go to a church like that.’”

Matthew Hyndman told The Independent that he had been "wrestling with a growing awareness" of his sexuality and had believed it would lead to "eternal damnation".

Matthew, aged 24, said he was subsequently subjected to pressure by the church congregation to undergo conversion therapy following a private email being shared amongst 100 members of the local Christian community. This allegedly culminated in church leaders demanding that Matthew follow conversion therapy practices before an audience of over 400 Christian leaders.

Hyndman said he refused to comply, stating he “didn’t need to change or ‘cure’” himself.

As a result, he said his membership in the church was revoked on the basis of "lifestyle choices" and he was left, as he recalled, with “nobody to turn to”.

Hyndman subsequently withdrew from church and his community, going on to co-found the group “Ban Conversion Practices”, which looks to fight the repression of people identifying as LGBTQ+.

"The first reaction of the mission leaders was not to comfort or support me, but to immediately demand that I undergo therapy and publicly, in front of my 400 fellow missionaries, confess and repent," he said.

Conversion therapy remains legal, though attempts by the government have been made in recent years to outlaw the practice.

The 37-year-old former MMA fighter shared the idea on social media on Sunday, saying he wanted to create “a massive monument to our nation’s faith”, inspired by a huge statue currently being built in Armenia. 

Writing on Instagram, McGregor said Armenia’s project “looks magnificent” and added: “Bravo Armenia!”

The caption said: "I have a dream to construct the largest statue of Jesus Christ in Ireland."

McGregor referenced plans for a 77-meter statue of Jesus Christ on Mount Hatis near Yerevan, which is set to become the tallest of its kind in the world. The monument is being funded by Armenian businessman Gagik Tsarukyan and is intended as a national landmark and tourist attraction.

He shared what appeared to be an AI-generated image of a giant Jesus statue on the Cliffs of Moher, describing his vision as a celebration of Ireland’s Christian heritage. 

He later linked the idea to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, writing: “May the Holy Spirit renew you and remind you, you are loved!”

The comments came shortly after McGregor married his long-term partner Dee Devlin and followed a series of posts in which he praised God and spoke about faith, purpose and gratitude.

Reaction online was mixed. Some followers encouraged him to pursue the idea, with one writing “Ireland deserves a landmark like that”, while others criticised the proposal.

McGregor has not announced any formal plans, funding details or locations.

Matilda Draper, 25, said she once felt mocked for believing in God but told Sky News that faith was now “becoming more normal” among young people. 

“I remember when I was in school I would tell people I believed in God and they would be like ‘you’re a loser’,” she said, adding: “Now I couldn’t be prouder.”

A recent YouGov study found that Gen Z were more likely to believe in a higher power than any other age group, with levels of faith now surpassing those aged over 65. 

According to the data, church attendance among 18 to 25 year olds rose from seven per cent in 2018 to 23 per cent in 2024, while belief in a higher power increased from 28 per cent to 49 per cent.

Draper said that online culture was driving the shift, saying young people were “yearning for purpose and fulfilment”, at a time of negativity and uncertainty. 

A video she shared of her and her partner, Roman Hackett, who's a fellow TOWIE star getting baptised attracted more than 1.3 million views on TikTok, reflecting the growing influence of Christian voices on social media.

The former UFC champion revealed that he and Devlin married at the Chiesa di Santo Stefano degli Abissini, a historic chapel behind St Peter’s Basilica, after receiving a request from the Vatican to move their ceremony earlier than planned.

McGregor, 37, said the couple married on 12th December 2025 at exactly 12:12pm, describing the timing as divinely significant. 

Writing on X on Monday, he said the date fell 151 days after his birthday, which he linked to Christian numerology connected to Jesus Christ.

I married the love of my life, Dee, on the 12th of the 12th at exactly 12:12pm.

We wed in the Chapel of Santo Stefano degli Abissini — the Vatican’s oldest church. ⛪️

The date was precisely 151 days after my birthday.

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ — His name adds up to 151… pic.twitter.com/X58b1PAqzy

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 12, 2026

“The exact 12:12pm timing was not my plan at all,” McGregor wrote. “A letter from the Vatican arrived just a week prior, requiring the ceremony to be moved earlier.”

He added that the alignments were “unmistakable signs of divine orchestration”, insisting the marriage was blessed by God.

In the same post, McGregor publicly declared his faith, writing: “Serving God is my number one priority… I love You, God.” 

He also expressed love for his wife, children and parents, thanking God for guiding his life.

Dee, who has four children with McGregor, stood by him after a civil court case where a jury found he sexually assaulted Nikita Hand. McGregor had denied the allegation and claimed the encounter was consensual, but the court rejected his account.

After last year's case, Devlin wrote: "Conor and I dealt with these issues privately many years ago, as should be done in a relationship, and we have come out stronger than ever. 

"We have four beautiful children now whose smiling faces and happy hearts are a testament to who he is and who we are!"

Much like the previous two, it follows detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, as he uses his skills to work out who is to blame for the murder.

Protagonist Jud Duplenticy, a former boxer turned Catholic priest (Josh O’Connor) finds himself in the middle of the investigation, as the former priest Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin) is found dead in a storage cupboard next to the pulpit.

However, it’s not been the outcome of the investigation that has been doing the rounds, but instead the extensive portrayal of overcoming abuse in the Church.

Josh Brolin's character is portrayed as a charming and outspoken head of the church. 

He peddles a prosperity gospel, and damns those who do not agree with his 'rant' style sermons. In a not-so-subtle dig at the MAGA movement, we see that the pastor has an AI-heavy social media presence, where he portrays himself as a macho warrior figure. 

However, as the story progresses, a more authentic Christian narrative of compassion begins to prevail - with Josh O'Connor's character intent on serving God, rather than charismatic church influencers. The impassioned young priest declares: "My real purpose is not to fight the wicked and bring them to justice, but to serve them and bring them to Christ." 

By tackling the tension of corruption and abuse at the pulpit, the film directly tells the story of the crucifixion and of Good Friday.

Speaking in an interview American filmmaker Rian Johnson said: “The notion of speaking of Christianity in the terms of war, speaking of it in terms of us-against-them, and about being under attack from the world outside and raising up walls, which is kind of the opposite of the things that Christ actually taught.

“Wicks is in opposition to Jud's viewpoint, which is, ‘Let's open our arms. Let's go to people where they're at. Let's meet people who have need in their life, and let's meet them at that level.’”

The film is continuing to raise eyebrows, with the message that Christianity centres on love and forgiveness being put into the mainstream film industry.

Chance the Rapper, whose real name is Chancelor Johnathan Bennet, revealed he had recorded his “first gospel song” in an online video that he posted on Christmas day in 2025. 

In the caption, he stated: "I wrote and recorded this in just a few days, I might need a whole album cause this is what we grew up on."

This announcement prompted mixed reactions across faith communities and social media, with one TikTok user saying "Imagine how many people you'd bring to Christ locking in on this lane".

While many fans shared excitement at the prospect of a Gospel album, some questioned the legitimacy of this move. One user said: "But is it ACTUALLY GOSPEL, or is it Hollywood gospel?"

The announcement came shortly after discussion around Gloria, from his collaborative album with Jeremih, which had already prompted debate about a deeper move into gospel or Christian hip hop.

The 32-year-old, Chicago artist has long explored Christian themes in his music, frequently referencing God, prayer and gratitude, however this is the first time he has explicitly described recording a gospel song. 

In August 2025, he released Letters, a track on his album STAR LINE, which addressed church life, grief and faith with direct references to worship, scripture and the role of the Black Church. The song, featuring Rachel Robinson, highlighted both reverence and critique, underscoring his ongoing spiritual engagement.

In 2018, he proudly declared his faith in God before more than seven million followers when he referred to himself as a "Christian rapper" and said he has "faith in my soul".

No release date for the gospel song has been announced.

The 24-year-old scored twice in a 3-0 win at home to Sunderland at the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday night and in the process becoming the Premier League’s top Brazilian goal scorer with 17 games to spare.

Thiago had equalled the record earlier in the match, scoring 15 in record time, this before it become 16 times in just 21 outings.

This comes just three days after scoring a hat-trick in an impressive 4-1 win against Everton.

But it has been the reaction to his success that has drawn the eye, with the striker commenting on Brentford’s Instagram post captioned: "It’s what he does!’ with ‘This is what Jesus does."

There has been no shortage in Premier League players giving over their success to Jesus through social media with Chelsea’s Estevao, Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze and now Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo all talking about their faith.

Social media channel Ballers in God has been highlighting the rapid increase in footballers promoting their faith in God through football.

Igor Thiago’s goal scoring form could yet still continue with nearly half the season still to play, as he now will be aiming to win the golden boot.

While explaining her belief, Kardashian said her faith in God and Jesus sustained her through both good and difficult moments.

Speaking in a recent episode of her Khloé in Wonder Land show, Kardashian said her belief system centred on God and Jesus as the son of God, describing faith as something that helped her “every day, good or bad”. 

She said her mornings began with scripture, explaining that she opened two bible apps daily to anchor her day in gratitude.

Throughout the day, Kardashian said she prayed regularly, describing prayer as a source of comfort. 

“I love talking to God multiple times throughout my day,” she said, adding that it gave her security.

At night, she said prayer became part of family life. Kardashian revealed she prayed every evening with her two children using short, age-appropriate prayers before praying on her own. She said her personal prayers focused on gratitude rather than only turning to God during hardship.

“I don’t want to just turn to God if I need something,” she said, adding that she wanted to express gratitude even when things went wrong.

Kardashian also said that while building her home several years earlier, she wrote bible verses directly onto the wooden framing to root the house in faith.

Reflecting on her spiritual journey, she said her relationship with God evolved after seasons of anger and distance following her father’s death. 

She pointed to praying during Lamar Odom’s coma as a moment that strengthened her faith, saying, “I know I was heard by God”, and adding that her faith “does not waver”.

Speaking on the Podcrushed podcast, the actor said he had always felt close to God but reached “a different level” after intentionally praying more and refocusing his life.

McLaughlin, 24, said he'd “always felt the connection with God in my spirit,” explaining that the fast pace of life sometimes pulled him away from prayer before he felt the need to “talk to God and ground myself".

He added that stepping away from social media in the summer and prioritising prayer had been “really replenishing".

The comments reflected a consistent theme in McLaughlin’s public life as a young Christian who had to navigate global fame after being cast in Stranger Things at the age of 13.

In a 2022 interview with Essence, McLaughlin revealed he believed acting was a calling from God, adding that while discipline was required, his career was something he never planned but came to love deeply.

In recent years, the actor has expanded beyond television, appearing in films including Concrete Cowboy (2020), The Book of Clarence (2023) and Shooting Stars (2023).

McLaughlin is also set to star in the animated film called GOAT, which has been produced by basketball star Steph Curry and is scheduled for release this February. 

As the programme enters its fifth year, it continues to shape how millions of listeners engage with Scripture daily.

The podcast, that was launched at the start of 2021, aims to help Catholics understand the Bible as a unified story rather than a collection of disconnected texts.

Fr Schmitz guides listeners through the entire Bible over the course of a year, combining daily Scripture readings with short explanations and reflections.

The podcast follows a chronological framework to show how individual books fit into the wider narrative of salvation history, making it accessible to Catholics who may never have read large portions of Scripture and to non-Catholic listeners drawn by its clarity.

The Bible in a Year show has consistently ranked at the top of podcast charts and continues to attract a large international audience.

Ascension Catholic Media plans to expand the content with additional reflections and special conversations alongside the daily episodes.

This came as his club also celebrated his 100th Premier League appearance.

The 25-year-old was recently baptised and has openly credited his Christian faith for guiding his career and mindset.

In a brief clip shared on social media, Semenyo appeared calm as Pastor Jon Thompson laid a hand on his chest and offered prayers, drawing widespread attention from fans in Ghana and across the UK.

“That moment adds a layer of meaning to his performance,” one supporter wrote on X, while another noted, “It reminds us how much faith can motivate”.

Semenyo’s faith journey has also been publicly documented through a video shared on New Years day by Ballers In God featuring his baptism on Bournemouth beach.

According to the Daily Mail, the Manchester City bound player wrote online "I don't know where to start [...] the love was endless. These pictures don't even tell the full story but I thank you God for your protection, your blessings and your work over my life. 2026 let's get it!" as he posted his favourite moments from last year. 

Christianity and football often intersect in the Premier League, with players such as Gabriel Jesus, Eberechi Eze, and the Bible Brothers openly sharing their faith. 

Kim shared that Micah suffered sepsis and seizures, which led to him being placed on life support. In a video posted on Thursday, Kim said Micah “went home to the house of our father” after fighting for 11 days.

Kim, who has six children and frequently speaks about his Catholic faith on social media, thanked followers for their prayers. He said, “We are so proud of him. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart as his dad, on behalf of my family, for all the ways you guys prayed and lifted us up during this time.”

The influencer said clergy, including deacons, priests, and cardinals, reached out to support Micah and his family during his hospitalization. “I’m thankful. I love you in Christ,” Kim added.

He also reflected on how Micah’s life and death are inspiring faith online, saying, “Micah is already in Heaven at work, seriously, so many testimonies, so many ways in which God is using the light in my five-year-old to truly save souls and change the world.”

Micah’s death comes amid a surge of severe flu cases across the United States. The child death toll from flu rose this week as “super flu” spread across more than a dozen states.

The nationwide tally stands at nine children, with Ohio and Kentucky reporting their first pediatric flu deaths.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that this flu season has caused 7.5 million infections, more than 81,000 hospitalizations, and 3,100 deaths across the country.

Former Brazil star Kaka publicly supported the Arsenal striker, saying online “we belong to Jesus”, after Jesus revealed a faith-based message during the club’s 4 - 1 win over Aston Villa.

The incident took place when Gabriel Jesus scored Arsenal’s fourth goal and removed his shirt to reveal an undershirt reading ‘I belong to Jesus’. The gesture echoed a famous celebration by Kaka during the 2007 Champions League final.

The report said the celebration could have breached the Football Association’s Law four, which banned political, religious or personal slogans on player equipment. The regulation stated that players or teams “will be sanctioned” for any such offence, though previous cases suggested a reminder rather than punishment was likely.

Following the match, Jesus openly credited his Christian faith for sustaining him through injury. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Jesus saved my life, from the beginning when I was born, but I didn’t know that.” He added that during his long recovery from a cruciate ligament injury, he realised “we are nothing without Jesus” and wanted to “glorify his name”.

Kaka responded to the celebration on Instagram, writing: “We belong to Jesus God, bless you bro.”

As previously reported by Premier Christian News, Jesus had been widely praised by Christian fans for his bold declaration of faith.

The striker had returned to action earlier in December after nearly a year sidelined and was expected to play a key role as Arsenal continued their title challenge.

During an interview with US Weekly, she explained that challenges and hardships in her personal life had led her to “look to God” for guidance and strength.

“Quite a big thing happened in my personal life, where I felt the need to start speaking to God again,” she said. “I hadn’t really practised faith for a while. I just wanted to get rebaptised to reinstate my relationship with God.”

Following the interview, Phillips posted a video on Instagram, captioned “A Day To Remember Forever,” showing her dressed in a white robe and being baptised in a church pool. Her account has more than 1.5 million followers.

However, some people remain sceptical about her decision. Phillips has previously faced significant online criticism for her provocative sexual content.

“I hope this is real and not a marketing act, as mocking God is no laughing matter,” one person commented.

Another wrote: “What’s the point of getting baptised and getting closer to God if you’re going to continue sinning and making adult videos?”

Not everyone is questioning her intentions, though, with others rooting for her transformation.

“I’m praying that Jesus heals you and gives you such a powerful testimony to share,” one comment read.

“Praise the Lord. This is amazing. Praying for you as you grow closer to the Lord,” another added.

Phillips acknowledged the hesitancy some may feel towards her, especially as she does not identify as a traditional Christian.

“I’m not against gay marriage. I am also pro-choice,” she said. “That doesn’t mean I can’t be Christian. I would just hope that the Christian community welcomes me, because everyone’s relationship with God is bespoke to them.”

His family announced the death of the “world-renowned artist, songwriter, and musician” in a statement posted online on Tuesday.

In the message, the family asked for privacy during “this difficult time” as they sought to “celebrate the legacy he leaves behind and the gifts he unselfishly shared with the world”.

An obituary compiled by Smallwood’s representative, Bill Carpenter, said the singer died at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Sandy Spring, Maryland, due to complications from kidney failure. The obituary added that mild dementia and other health issues had prevented Smallwood from recording in recent years.

Smallwood “clearly and solidly changed the face of black gospel music,” according to his profile on the Gospel Music Hall of Fame’s official website, written when he was inducted in 2006. The profile said his blend of classical musical movements with traditional gospel earned him multiple Dove Awards, Stellar Awards and a Grammy.

He received eight Grammy nominations and helped secure a Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album for the 1992 production of Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.

One of Smallwood’s best-known songs was ‘Total Praise’. He also published an autobiography titled Total Praise in 2019, reflecting on his Christian upbringing, struggles and faith journey, according to its Amazon description.

Smallwood has been survived by his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and several godchildren.

The US President rang in the New Year with an auction that included the sale of a painting of Jesus for $2.75 million (£2.04 million).

The party, held at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, included an auction to raise money for local institutions and charities with proceeds from the sale of the depiction of Christ going to the town’s sheriff’s office and St. Jude’s Hospital.

Bidding opened at around $1 million, which Trump derided as “peanuts", before rising to a winning bid of $2.75 million after the president pledged to sign the painting if higher offers were made.

Several high-profile people attended the party, including New York's former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and director Brett Ratner.

The painting was created by artist Vanessa Horabuena, who was praised by Trump during the sale as “one of the greatest” artists to exist, according to The Guardian.

The President praised the Christian creative’s exceptional talent, saying that "she can paint the most incredible painting in literally 10 minutes”.

The striker revealed an undershirt emblazoned with ‘I belong to Jesus’ as he celebrated his goal, scored in the 78th minute. 

It was his first goal since returning from injury, an anterior cruciate ligament rupture which saw him spend nearly a year on the sidelines. 

 

 

 

 

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In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, the Brazilian said: “Jesus saved my life, from the beginning when I was born, but I didn’t know that.”

“Through this tough moment in my life, I realised that we are nothing without Jesus, so I want to glorify his name because he made a huge difference. Now in this shining moment, I want to glorify his name.”

Gabriel Jesus spoke of the challenge of regaining confidence after his injury, and how the time allowed him to slow down and learn about “how to be better as a person”.

“It’s amazing how Jesus works in our lives. Sometimes you keep questioning, doubting yourself. But you never know what Jesus prepares for you. 

“Just keep going, trust in the process and trust in Jesus.”

Defender Gabriel, alongside his teammate in the interview, started his answer by thanking God. He also scored and was coming back from an injury. 

Gabriel Jesus’ celebration emulated that of Kaka, who also unveiled a shirt saying ‘I belong to Jesus’ after scoring. 

The north London side won the top-of-the-table clash against Aston Villa 4-1. 

Arsenal players have frequently spoken out about how their Christian faith strengthens them as a team, with a group nicknamed the ‘Bible Brothers’ being formed within the squad. 

The Traitors' Harry Clark has said his Christian faith became central to his life after winning the programme. 

Clark won series two in early 2024, quickly moving from being an army engineer in Slough to gaining national recognition. Amid public attention, he said the Christian faith of his upbringing continued to keep him grounded.

Speaking to Premier Christianity Magazine, Clark described God as being "the answer” during a period of struggle with doubt and trauma.

Clark revealed that his faith was shaped in childhood when his sister underwent heart surgery, recalling how his mother leaned on God during that time and demonstrated how faith sustained people through fear and uncertainty.

Raised in a close-knit Roman Catholic family, Clark grew up attending Our Lady of Peace church, where he and his siblings played instruments during services.

He said faith was always present in family life - something he explored in his book Staying Faithful, which was published by the Christian publisher, SPCK.

Clark said his own faith was later tested after joining the army at 16, which he described as the darkest time of his life. Exposure to suffering led him to question why God allowed death and illness. He said a return to prayer, encouraged by his mother, marked a turning point as he shifted from asking for help to giving thanks.

Now aged 24, Clark says faith has kept him “a normal guy” despite winning the show as a “traitor”, adding that he wore God “as my armour”.

He is not the only young British reality star to open up about faith - with Great British Bake Off winner Jasmine Mitchell telling Premier Christian News: “My faith has become stronger and stronger over the last year. Being under the high pressure [of TV] really pushed me to rely on Jesus, because there were a lot of situations where I just felt completely unequipped”.

"Faith is like a wave," Harry Clark told Premier.  "Some days it might be weaker, other days it might be stronger. After The Traitors... it seemed to save me again – my relationships, my career, me as a person. Now it’s stronger than ever."

Joshua, who reportedly suffered only minor injuries, was travelling on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway when his vehicle collided with a stationary truck.

In the wake of the crash, Joshua’s family offered powerful prayers for both his recovery and the souls of those lost.

A relative, speaking to BBC News, shared the family's shock and said: “We are praying for Anthony’s speedy recovery, and also for the departed, may their souls rest in peace.”

The crash comes just days after Joshua’s victorious fight against YouTube star Jake Paul.

Joshua, who has strong family ties in Sagamu, Ogun State, was returning home for the New Year when the crash occurred. The 36-year-old has often expressed his pride in his Nigerian heritage and the importance of faith in his life.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has also shared his relief, stating that despite the traumatic event, Joshua appears to be recovering well.

Here’s a look back on the celebs who spoke about God this year.

Nicki Minaj

An unexpected voice for the persecuted church this year was the Pink Friday rapper and singer, known for ‘Starships’ and ‘Super Freaky Girl’.

In November, Nicki Minaj commended President Donald Trump for taking a stance on the frequent attacks happening in Nigeria – before joining US envoy Mike Waltz at a United Nations event.

“I am so grateful to be entrusted with an opportunity of this magnitude,” she said.

“The Barbz & I will never stand down in the face of injustice. We’ve been given our influence by God. There must be a bigger purpose.” 

The ‘Barbz’ is the collective nickname for Minaj’s fans – short for Barbie dolls.

 Minaj described Nigeria as "a beautiful nation with deep faith traditions". She had that protecting Christians in the country is “not about taking sides” but about “standing up in the face of injustice” and “uniting humanity”

Conor McGregor

The UFC fighter made headlines in the autumn for announcing that he has been on a "spiritual journey."

“I am not here by chance, there is a higher power - God - that dictates my journey and all of our journeys,” McGregor told press at a pre-fight conference. “I live my life by God’s word... I’ve engaged on a spiritual journey, and I’m saved, I am healed.”

He later described seeing the trinity during psychedelic trauma therapy.

“God came to me in the Holy Trinity,” McGregor shared on social media. “He is MIGHTY!”

He also described seeing Jesus, Mary, and the archangels: “Jesus descended from the white marble steps of heaven and anointed me with a crown. My brain. My heart. My soul. Healed!”

McGregor has had a controversial year. In July, he was denied a civil appeal against a claim of sexual assault. Judges ordered him to pay £206,000 plus legal costs to Nikita Hand, who accused McGregor of raping her in a Dublin hotel room in 2018.

Ms Hand said the appeal process had “retraumatised” her.

"To every survivor out there, I know how hard it is, but please, don't be silenced,” she said.

McGregor now claims he has turned his life around after reflecting “inward”.

Dolly Parton and Sabrina Carpenter

Country legend Dolly Parton has been known to speak about her faith – but laid down the law this summer when collaborating with pop princess Sabrina Carpenter.

Carpenter had previously been in hot water with the Catholic church, over shooting a raunchy video at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Brooklyn.

“She can talk a little bad now and then,” Dolly said of the young star.

“I told her, I said, ‘Now, I don’t cuss. I don’t make fun of Jesus. I don’t talk bad about God.”

Speaking on the intersection of faith and fame, Dolly previously said: “I don’t want to be worshipped, because there’s a scripture in my Bible that talks about idol worship. And I see that happening all the time with movie stars and these celebrities... But if I can set an example, then that’s great.”

Michael Bublé sings at the Vatican

In December, the star known for his smooth festive hits opened up about his personal Catholic faith, before a performance at the Vatican. 

"When I hear music, I hear the voice of God," he said. 

He described his pre-show routine, which involves prayer: "Right before the curtain opens and I walk out, I say the same thing. I say 'Thank you God, for blessing me with the ability to connect with these beautiful souls.' And when I say it, I get goosebumps."

Free tickets for the Vatican's 'Concert with the Poor', which Bublé headlined, were offered to 3,000 vulnerable people, who are supported by volunteer organisations around Rome. 

Bublé said it was "an honour to serve" and to celebrate the birth of Christ. He shared that he teaches his children about how Jesus washed the disciples' feet, as an example of serving others. 

The pair share their Christian faith, with Adam saying his bride “came to church with me and joined the incredible community we have there without a question.”

Holly’s TV chef father, Gordon Ramsay, said he “couldn’t be a prouder dad” to walk his daughter down the aisle in the historic church, which dates to the seventh century.

Two days prior, the couple shared Christmas together at the Ramsays’ estate, with Adam posting Mark 1:21 on his Instagram: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

The Abbey was abuzz with paparazzi and onlookers, leaving the wedding party to jostle for space walking up to its historic doors. Among the guest list were A-listers such as the Beckhams, and TV personalities including presenter Dan Snow and Dragons Den’s Sarah Davies.

Notably absent were Adam’s parents, Caroline and Mark, who have been embroiled in talk of a family feud since social media posts shared by Peaty’s aunt, which claimed his mother had been left out of Holly’s hen celebrations.

Bethany Peaty, Adam’s sister, was a bridesmaid in the wedding party.  

In a previous social media post addressing the feud, Adam said: "I work so hard on trying to improve myself as a person who wants to contribute to making the world a better place.

"I am continuing to learn about myself and how I can be the man I want to be; a worthy partner, father, businessman, friend and athlete; even through these challenging times.”

Christian theatre company, 4Front Theatre is doing its part to ensure that the gospel is still being shared across the country, with its aim to "put faith at the 4Front". 

Formed by Rob Holman and his wife Natalie Holman over a decade ago, has now expanded into a national company in which put on hundreds of shows yearly.

Rob Holman, the Artistic Director, spoke to Premier about their work over the Christmas period.

He said: “We very much want to live a way that puts our faith in Jesus and our beliefs first. This is the most important thing for us, and we'd love for other people to be able to share in this as well.

“We like theatre and performance things, and we like to share our faith, and especially at Christmas, there are two things that sell out every year, pantos and nativities.”

Holman went on to add that it wasn’t a difficult decision to use their faith to put on performances to share the good news.

He said: “It seems a no-brainer that we're performing, schools are desperate to go and take kids to a panto or see a panto, and it's a lovely thing to take the family along to.

“But also, no one is completely switched off to the idea of a nativity, so we combine the two and do pantivities.

“Telling the stories of the bible whilst having a whole lot of fun and lots of silliness and tying in with what people are looking for already at Christmas.”

In their recent Christmas tour, they have performed over 110 times, reaching 19,000 people across the nation with three separate shows and casts.

With three new shows and new casts, ‘Have Ewe Herd’ (Jessica Debenham, Claudia Floodgate, Isaac Consadine, Fin Gardner), ‘Not Getting Inn’ (Nicole Cuthbert, Marcus Wood, Sian Elissa, David Lister), ‘Herald of Herod’ (Owen Marcus, Rebekah Nicol, Joshua Opriasa, Josh Glover).

Holman continued: “It’s perfect whether you’re a 5-year-old who's giggling at the front of a school hall or you're a 70-year-old who's sitting at the back laughing along with the jokes that go over the kids' heads.

“We're hoping that something of the message of the show is, is going to land, and in equal measure, you're going to be laughing and enjoying it.”

The impact the company have had on the community has been clear, with all the credit given to the blessings of God.

He added: “God's really been opening doors into stuff with families and children, and again, that whole thing of the Bible is a big text.

“It is filled with so much amazing stuff and the way that God wants to interact with us and guide us through our life, but practically it is a big old book, and we live in a society that is less and less good at doing books.”

4Front theatre are also a charity and can only continue their work through donations and support from contributors.

You can donate to the 4Front Theatre here.

The Christian adventurer, who doesn’t often go to church, told The Times God isn’t found there: “You don’t need to go to church. Our faith has nothing to do with church.

“We’ve had 2,000 years doing a good job of really screwing it up, wrapping it around religion and rules when the beating heart of the message was always about freedom, laughter, life, love, risk, rescue and sacrifice.”

The 51 year old added that Jesus: “understood all about religion because that’s why he was so angry with it all the time. The religious elite were always the ones distorting the truth for control or for money or for power.”

Grylls’ book, The Greatest Story Ever Told which dramatizes Jesus’ life, has sold more than 190,000 copies and has been published as a special Christmas edition.  

He’s hoping it will become the third furthest-reaching book in history after the Bible and the Quran.

Grylls doesn’t shy away from controversy and last year baptised Russell Brand, who had been accused of sexual misconduct. Brand was later charged with multiple counts of sexual assault, allegations he denies.

Grylls said: “I feel in my faith that we’re not called just to love perfect people. I don’t know if he’s guilty or not.

“I love all sorts of people. And again, unashamedly, I’m proud to. I can’t have a faith that says ‘I’m broken and I’ve messed up and I need help’. And also, I’m not going to be a friend to you because you’re broken and you failed and you messed up.”

Grylls, who often speaks in prisons added:

“You can love people without condoning what they do. That’s different, isn’t it? We’re not called to have no boundaries and no morals. You’re loving the person, not their mistakes. That’s the point.

“I was in Wormwood Scrubs last week. You’re not condoning the fact that these guys murdered people. I’m not there going ‘great job’. It’s not saying I’m not sympathetic to victims, of course I am. But we are called to love everyone in our orbit, from the prison guard to the person in the cell.”

This comes as the government launched a review of the broadcaster’s Royal Charter. 

The Sandford St Martin Trust said the review was a crucial opportunity to reverse what it described as a long-term decline in religious programming, warning that “informed representation of faith has never been more critical”. 

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Trust welcomed the review announced by the culture secretary Lisa Nandy but said the BBC’s responsibilities towards belief communities must be reinstated. 

It called for “formal opportunities” for representatives of faith groups to take part meaningfully in the public consultation. 

The Trust also urged the BBC to commit to commissioning content that reflected the UK’s full religious diversity. 

It cited data from Ofcom showing a 42 per cent decline between 2010 and 2022 in time devoted to religion and ethics programmes across public service broadcasters. 

The figures showed near-zero provision from Channel 4 and 5, raising concerns about religious literacy and cultural understanding. 

The Trust’s executive director Anna McNamee said that, in an increasingly polarised media environment, faith representation was essential. 

She said: “Religion is a driving and defining force for much of the world’s population. 

The BBC Charter is reviewed every ten years, with the current consultation closing on 10th March 2026. A draft Charter is expected to be debated in Parliament before the existing agreement expires in December 2027. 

 “We want the BBC to continue to enrich people’s lives, tell Britain’s story and showcase our values and culture at home and overseas, long into the future,” Nandy stated on Tuesday. 

The review followed significant upheaval at the BBC, including a ten billion dollar lawsuit filed by President Trump for its editing of his speech on 6 January 2021 and the resignation of director general Tim Davie and head of BBC News Deborah Turness last month. 

The 30-year-old has already sold over 470,000 tickets with shows in Detroit, Los Angeles, Dallas, Nashville and Phoenix all selling out.

Frank's tour is set to welcome special guests from the Christian music world, including Tori Kelly, Cory Asbury and The Figs.

This new tour will be a follow-up to his successful sold-out Child of God Tour Part 2, which was a resounding success at the beginning of the year.

Speaking to Billboard in a statement, United Talent Agency’s Jonathan Roberts said: "Forrest is such a force. He continues to stay on the path that he feels led to follow.

"His authenticity, coupled with a constant release of songs that captivate audiences globally, has culminated in the most in-demand tour in Christian music history.”

Roberts went on to add that its significance in a world that is starting to open their eyes to the church.

“It shines a spotlight on how Christian music continues to impact culture and is only going to blaze a trail for other artists to follow in the years to come," he said.

2025 has proven to be a career-defining year for the Artist who topped Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart for 45 weeks, making history for any modern Christian artist.

He also charted 45 songs on Billboard’s Hot Christian songs chart with 12 No.1s, with songs like ‘Lemonade’, ‘God’s Got My Back’, ‘Misunderstood’, and his most successful song ‘Your Way’s Better’, ending No.2 on the 2025 Year-End Billboard charts.

Frank also won the GMA Dove Award for Artist of the Year and has been nominated for two awards in the 2026 Grammys.

These are the Christian stories that resonated most strongly with our readers over the past 12 months.

1. Global prayers for Miss Universe Jamaica who remains in ICU after pageant fall

Christians around the world were urged to pray after Miss Universe Jamaica contestant Dr Gabrielle Henry was left in intensive care following a serious fall during the 2025 Miss Universe competition in Bangkok.

The Miss Universe Jamaica Organisation issued repeated calls for prayer, asking supporters to lift Henry “in love, strength and hope” as doctors monitored her condition. Medical teams confirmed she had suffered a severe head injury and would remain in ICU for at least seven days.

The incident drew widespread attention after a deeply Christian moment earlier in the pageant.

Mexico’s winner, Fatima Bosch, who is Catholic, publicly declared “¡Viva Cristo Rey!”, which means “Long Live Christ the King”, following her national victory, a statement that resonated across the global Church.

The Miss Universe Jamaica organisation shared on 8^th December 2025 that she’s expected to return home shortly.

They later expressed heartfelt thanks to people around the world who “have sent prayers, messages and overwhelming support for Dr Henry’s full recovery”.

2. ‘We are the Anglican Communion’: GAFCON announces major split

One of the most significant church developments of 2025 came when GAFCON announced it would no longer recognise the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, signalling a major rupture within global Anglicanism.

In a strongly worded statement, GAFCON primates declared the Anglican Communion would be “reordered”, rejecting long-standing Instruments of Communion including the Lambeth Conference and the Primates’ Meeting.

They accused Church leadership of abandoning biblical authority, particularly over sexuality and gender.

The announcement came shortly after Dame Sarah Mullally was named Archbishop of Canterbury-designate, the first woman to hold the role.

Conservative Anglicans said the appointment reinforced theological divisions that had been growing for years.

Archbishop Laurent Mbanda of Rwanda said the future of faithful Anglicanism now rested with those committed to the “plain and canonical” reading of Scripture.

Archbishop Laurent insisted they had not left Anglicanism and later said “we are the Anglican Communion”.

3. Bake off pushed me to rely on Jesus, says winner Jasmine

Great British Bake Off winner Jasmine Mitchell became one of the year’s most inspiring Christian voices after speaking openly about how her faith sustained her throughout the competition.

The 23-year-old told Premier Christian News that the intense pressure of filming pushed her to rely more deeply on Jesus.

She described praying the Lord’s Prayer repeatedly during stressful moments and said: “It didn’t take away the stress, but I felt like God was walking along beside me with it.”

Jasmine also shared how her Christian upbringing shaped her love of hospitality and baking, rooted in family gatherings and church life.

Alongside the show, she balanced filming with studying medicine, describing the experience as nothing short of miraculous.

At age ten, Jasmine began losing her hair due to alopecia, however, in her early 20s, she decided to embrace her natural look, telling Premier that it has been a journey of identity and faith.

Church members famously tasted her practice bakes after Sunday services, unaware she was competing.

Jasmine revealed that one Sunday she “kind of just scraped off all the fancy decoration and dismantled it, hoping that no one would actually guess that I was doing anything like being on the Bake Off, which thankfully they didn't”!

4. AI generates fake Ed Sheeran 'worship song'

An AI-generated fake worship song, appearing to feature Ed Sheeran singing about Jesus, was released online in January 2025.

The song, which included lyrics praising Christ and redemption, circulated widely online and fooled thousands into believing the pop star had released a worship track.

The AI bot sang “Jesus lift my soul so high, break my chains let me fly //Through the storm through the fire seekin' love seekin' higher.”

The incident came as the UK government intensified efforts to tackle deepfake content, particularly where manipulation of real voices and images could mislead the public.

Christian AI expert James Poulter told Premier Christian Radio: “There’s a real opportunity for the church to have a dialogue with the public around what it really means to be a human person, and what it means for AI to come alongside us and be a help and not a hindrance."

He later added: “The way things are created is obviously very hard to regulate […] But we could regulate it on the distribution end, which is really the social networks the likes of YouTube and Meta's platforms, TikTok and elsewhere.”

5. Franklin Graham explains why Trump didn't swear on Bible at inauguration

Evangelist Rev Franklin Graham gave his view on why Trump did not swear on the Bible during Monday's inauguration ceremony, after the incident sparked a flurry of speculation amongst Christians online. 

Speaking exclusively to Premier Christian News, Graham insisted the moment had no spiritual significance and was simply due to timing issues during the ceremony. He said the oath had already begun before the Bible was in position.

"You're supposed to be sworn in by 12," Graham said. "And I think it was now 12:01, and so that was just kind of hurried and didn't have time."

Graham, who prayed publicly at the inauguration, also addressed Trump’s claim that God saved his life during an assassination attempt. He echoed that belief, urging Christians to pray consistently for the president.

The evangelist contrasted Trump’s approach to faith with that of previous administrations, saying President Trump, "cannot do his job without God" and is confident that he will "listen to the Christians" while in office. 

6. Ozzy Osbourne heard the gospel weeks before death

The death of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne took on spiritual significance for many Christians after an evangelist revealed the singer heard the gospel just two weeks before he died.

According to a post shared by @celebrityevangelist on Instagram, the evangelist visited Osbourne shortly before his death and “placed a Bible in his hands” while sharing “the good news of Jesus Christ”.

The post added: “The Holy Spirit was drawing him,” suggesting spiritual openness in the final days of the 76-year-old rock icon.

The claim prompted an outpouring of prayer and reflection online. One user commented: “For his sake, I hope he repented and received Christ,” while another wrote: “I pray he made it to heaven.”

Osbourne was raised in a working-class Roman Catholic family in Birmingham and attended Catholic school. Despite his controversial image, Christian themes frequently appeared in his music, including Black Sabbath’s ‘After forever’, which defended belief in God.

Osbourne previously said: “I’m not religious, but I’m spiritual… I do believe there’s a God.”

7. Christian teen freed from forced marriage in Pakistan

A landmark court ruling in Pakistan brought relief and celebration after the forced marriage and conversion of Christian teenager Shahida Bibi was formally annulled.

In February 2025, a civil court in Bahawalpur ruled in Bibi’s favour, dissolving the marriage and ordering new identity documents confirming her religion as Christianity.

The decision allowed the 18-year-old to return to her father and freely practise her faith.

Bibi’s case was supported by legal advocacy group ADF International. Tehmina Arora, ADF’s director of advocacy for Asia, said: “We are grateful that Shahida Bibi has received justice over her captor. Shahida is now free and able to begin the process of healing from this ordeal.”

She added: “These cases are a tremendous violation of these young women’s basic human rights, including their religious freedom.”

According to ADF International, more than 1,000 girls from minority communities in Pakistan are forcibly converted and married each year.

They added that many victims are unable to escape due to threats against them and their families.

According to UNICEF, 100 million girls worldwide are at risk of forced child marriage over the next decade, with girls from religious minorities facing an even greater threat of coercion into both marriage and religious conversion.

8. Charlie Kirk shares scripture minutes before death

The death of Christian activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk shocked supporters after it emerged he was quoting Scripture moments before he was shot dead while speaking at Utah Valley University.

Just minutes before his death, Kirk shared 2 Corinthians 5:15 with the crowd. The verse states: “And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

Addressing students, Kirk said: “That’s all pretty amazing evidence, not just intra-biblical evidence but extra-biblical evidence that Jesus Christ was a real person. He lived a perfect life. He was crucified, died, and rose on the third day, and he is Lord and God overall.”

Kirk was killed around 12:20 pm local time on the 10^th September 2025 while launching his ‘American Comeback Tour’. Authorities confirmed an ongoing investigation into the shooting.

Hours earlier, his wife Erika shared Psalm 46:1 on X, writing: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Days before his death, Kirk also posted: “Jesus defeated death so you can live.”

The verses quickly went viral, with some Christians describing his final words as a powerful witness of faith.

9. KFC ‘gravy baptism’ advert sparks Christian backlash

Hundreds of Christians complained to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after a KFC advert was accused of mocking Christian baptism.

The two-minute commercial, titled ‘All Hail Gravy Part 2’, depicts a man being submerged in a lake of gravy in a ritual that many viewers interpreted as a parody of baptism. The ASA confirmed it received close to 600 complaints.

One complainant said: “I’ve never complained about an advert before, but this is beyond the pale.”

Another critic on Marketing Beat described the imagery as “degrading and disturbing”, and accused it of promoting “cultism, cannibalism, grooming”.

KFC defended the advert, describing it as a “modern-day fable”. Monica Silic, KFC’s chief marketing officer for the UK and Ireland, told Adweek the campaign was intended to inspire “fandom” and bring “lightness and levity to the chaotic world”.

However, Christians objected to the advert’s religious language, including references to a chicken being “divinely dunked”.

The ASA confirmed it had been reviewing the complaints.

10.  Plans to merge 14 CofE parishes is announced

Plans to merge 14 Church of England parishes in Warrington and St Helens sparked widespread discussion about the future of local church life and mission.

The proposals form part of Liverpool Diocese’s Fit for Mission programme and would see the parishes unite as a single larger parish, sharing resources, administration and professional support.

Supporters said the changes would free clergy and volunteers from bureaucracy, allowing more time for evangelism, worship and pastoral care.

The plans were unveiled at a well-attended public meeting at St Peter’s Church in Newton-le-Willows.

Rev Martin Cox, priest in charge of St Oswald’s, Winwick, and rector of Christ Church, Croft and Newchurch, described the proposals as “an exciting development for the mission and ministry of the Church of England in the Winwick Deanery”.

He added: “The Fit for Mission project will introduce a new culture through a large single parish. It will effect closer connections between member churches who will be strengthened by joint resources and specialist advice.”

The initiative builds on similar schemes elsewhere in the diocese. Churches were expected to confirm participation by October, with any transition beginning in 2026.

Speaking on The Louis Theroux Podcast, the 53-year-old explained that growing up as a Christian influenced his attitudes towards sex, alongside a close relationship with his mother.

He told the podcast that he was “a religious guy growing up, a Christian”, adding that faith contributed to him accepting that “it happens at different times” for different people.

"I think it’s very good to talk about this because there is a lot of pressure on young men to lose their virginity," Carr said.

During the conversation, Carr also reflected on how modern culture and social media distorted expectations, saying “the comparison [on social media] is the thief of joy”.

When discussing the advice he’d give to his younger self, he said he would not change his past, believing his journey shaped who he became.

Carr has been in a long-term relationship with Karoline Copping since 2001.

The 85-year-old Christian singer said the cancer was discovered just before he was due to travel. 

“I was about to embark on a tour… I was going to Australia and New Zealand,” he said in an interview with Good Morning Britain, adding that a medical check for insurance purposes led doctors to find cancer in his prostate.  

He said it had been caught early and had not spread. 

“The good fortune was it was not very old… it hadn’t moved into bones or anything like that,” he shared. 

Since his diagnosis and treatment, Sir Cliff has backed calls for a national screening test for men, saying: “We’ve got to be seen as human beings who may die of this thing.” 

The singer-songwriter has received backlash from fans for the paid-for app’s pro-life stance, which its chief executive said it “proudly and unequivocally” supports. 

In a social media clip, Stefani shares her belief that “it is important this holiday season to spend time in prayer. That is what Christmas is all about: letting God into our hearts and letting Jesus bring us his peace".

One Instagram user commented “I ain’t no Hallow app girl” - a play on her 2005 single Hollaback Girl. 

“This is very disappointing Gwen,” one fan commented, “lots of your fans are from the LGBTQ+ community and this feels like a deep betrayal".

Another said: “honestly never thought that you would be anti-abortion.” Others accused her of being a “traitorous girl” and being a “grifter of Jesus.”

Some fans came to Stefani’s defence, praising her for “promoting something others try to demonise” and “shining light in the midst of darkness".

WWE star Nikki Bella responded with a heart and praying hands emoji. 

Stefani spoke of her return to faith in Hallow’s Lent campaign, having fallen away at the beginning of her music career. 

“Then came a time in my life where I felt like I was losing everything,” she said, “feeling so desperate, I got on my knees, I asked God: 'Please, please get me well. Please use my gift of music again. Please let me be the person I used to be.'”

Alex Jones, chief executive of Hallow, previously told the National Catholic Register that it “stands proudly and unequivocally in support of all Catholic Church teaching, especially the pro-life stance of the Church".

The subscription-based app frequently partners with celebrities. 

Using Romans 6:4 as the post’s caption, the 23-year-old can be seen wearing a T-shirt that reads “Jesus saved my life” while standing in a pool alongside Pastor Tim Timberlake.

The video features a voice-over from Pastor Tim of Celebration Church, who reflects on the words he shared with the footballer during the ceremony.

“I’m asking him to process some of the things that he knows Jesus saved him from. I want him to recall and I want him to go back down memory lane and think about the valley moments, and even some of the mountaintop moments. Without God, there are few things that are possible but with God, scripture teaches us all things are possible for those who believe.

“I’m walking him through that process along with my wife and getting them to remember to recall, reflect... Close your eyes. I want you to envision some of the things God has brought you through and delivered you from.”

Doku was baptised earlier this year following a victory over Manchester United. In a post-match interview, the footballer revealed he was heading off to be baptised.

"For me, today was already a victory day," he said.

"Why? Because I knew that after the game I'm going to be baptised.

"As a Christian, when you get baptised, your old nature, your old sinful nature dies, and you start living with God. You resurrect with God, with Jesus Christ.

"You can do that as a kid, but normally it's meant for when you're older and you really realise what you're doing."

Doku has long been open about his Christian faith and frequently points to the sky in celebration. On Monday, the winger shared a photo of himself gesturing upwards alongside the verse 2 Corinthians 4:7.

The 41-year-old who’s from east London, also pleaded guilty to driving dangerously in other areas of London before the fatal accident that took place on the 18th October in Ilford, shortly after 11:30pm. 

The victim was named as Yubin Tamang, a 20-yea-old student from Nepal, who died two days after being hit by the rapper’s BMW M5. 

On Monday, the grime artist, whose name is Justin Clarke-Samuel appeared in a green polo shirt for a hearing at the Old Bailey via video from Pentonville prison. 

The police revealed Ghetts was driving more than 60mph in a 30mph zone, when he hit Tamang who was crossing the road. 

They added that he also failed to stop at the scene after the collision. 

The court heard that Tamang was an only child who had been sent to complete his studies, according to his family who travelled to the UK to watch in court as the pleas were made.  

Ghetts has professed to have a Christian faith. The Mercury Prize nominee, MOBO winner and a Premier Gospel Award winner, has been in custody since a preliminary hearing at Barkingside Magistrates’ court on the 27th October.

The Canadian singer-songwriter explained how he views music as "a gift from God," with his faith grounding him in an industry which is "based so much on ego".

Bublé told Vatican News: "When I hear music, I hear the voice of God."

He described his pre-show routine, which involves prayer: "Right before the curtain opens and I walk out, I say the same thing. I say 'Thank you God, for blessing me with the ability to connect with these beautiful souls.' And when I say it, I get goosebumps."

The lifelong Catholic performed at the Vatican's 'Concert with the Poor' on Saturday. Free tickets were offered to 3,000 vulnerable people, who are supported by volunteer organisations around Rome. 

Attendees were given dinner and comfort items after the concert. 

Bublé said it was "an honour to serve" and to celebrate the birth of Christ. He shared that he teaches his children about how Jesus washed the disciples' feet, as an example of serving others. 

At the event, Pope Leo described music as "like a bridge to God".

"The melodies touched our hearts, we felt the inestimable value of music: not a luxury for the few, but a divine gift accessible to everyone, rich and poor," he said.

"It is not a coincidence that the feast of Christmas is very rich in traditional songs, in every language and every culture. It is as though this Mystery could not be celebrated without music, without hymns of praise."

The pope thanked Bublé and the musicians, as well as Cardinal Vicar Baldo Reina and Monsignor Marco Frisina for their involvement in the concert. 

More than 5,000 guests attended the event, which featured dance performances, choir renditions, the Christmas message, and a moving version of ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ performed by the Salvation Army’s International Staff Band.

Commissioner Paul Main, UK territorial commander, told attendees the concert aimed to inspire churches and communities across the UK to engage in evangelistic work.

“We were excited to see how Shine Your Light would enable the good news of Jesus to spread across the nation as God’s people stepped out in faith,” he said.

The launch comes shortly after Premier Christian News covered the reimagining of the classic worship song ‘Shine, Jesus shine’ for the campaign, which organisers say aims to unite Christians nationwide in “a powerful moment of unified worship”.

Over 2,000 churches are expected to participate, with a focus on reaching young people, workplaces, prisons, and homeless communities.

After scoring against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, he credited prayer and Bible study with helping the squad stay close on and off the pitch.

Around ten Arsenal players, including Madueke, Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka, and Eberechi Eze, have formed a group nicknamed the "Bible Brothers."

Madueke told the Premier League in December 2025 that the group prays before games and holds Bible studies at team hotels. “We believe that we have God fighting for us… it just brings us closer together,” he said.

Jurrien Timber, nicknamed ‘Pastor Timber’ by fans, told The Athleticthat his Christian faith is central to his life. “For me, it is a way of life… it brings unity and understanding,” he said.

Timber has also posted Bible verses on X before matches, explaining that they “just come to me as I’m speaking to team-mates or to people around me, like my family and friends”.

Bukayo Saka told GQ in 2022 that religion is a big part of his life. “I normally try to memorise the messages and take them into my life… the Bible my father gave me is one of my most essential belongings,” he said.

Manager Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports that the players’ faith strengthens their mental well-being and team bonds.

Arsenal who have been leading the Premier League with 33 points from 14 games, remain unbeaten in Champions League group play, and are in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

The club also supports players of other faiths and none. In March 2024, former midfielder Mohamed Elneny opened Arsenal’s first multi-faith prayer room, telling Arsenal.com, “Having this space to contemplate and pray will change the lives of future Arsenal players. I am really grateful to the staff and everyone involved in making this happen.”

The award-winning 70-year-old actor told Christian Post that he began with no idea of what acting was and instead was told to just stand still.

“I was a rascal,” explained Costner, “I was asked to be a shepherd. I didn't even know what acting was; you just be a shepherd.

“You have this big, long stick, so don't fight any kids with it."

Whilst it wasn’t the most elaborate way to begin his career, he described how his faith was always central to his upbringing.

He said: “I didn't go through life dreaming of being an actor, but the Church was very much a part of my life."

With award nominations in classics like ‘Dances with Wolves,’‘Field of Dreams, ’ and ‘The Bodyguard,’ and a recent triumph in ‘Yellowstone,’ Costner has had a very successful four decades in the film industry.

He is now returning to a place of faith in a two-hour ABC special, ‘The First Christmas.’

Its aim is to bring a human perspective to the birth of Jesus Christ from the side of Mary and Joseph, exploring the spiritual element to the real reason for Christmas.

In his interview with Christian Post, he said: “I didn't want to just be a famous face in front of a religious story.

“I wanted to be very human about it. The story is the story, and I felt that if I humanised myself a little bit, maybe the entry into a story we think we know so well becomes more human, too."

He added: "It's a chance to refocus, to recalibrate, to take stock of the people who matter to us.

"Sometimes we go overboard, but we're human. Let's give ourselves a break. … Just because you have ornaments and decorations doesn't mean you don't have faith. It doesn't mean that God hasn't had His hands on your life."

Costner has stressed the importance of many to “keep Christ in Christmas” as the world is slowly starting to lose focus on the reason for the season.

'The First Christmas' will premiere on the 9th of December and will be available to stream on Disney+ the following day.

The 46-year-old from Houston kick-started his music career back in the early 2000s with his first two albums, ‘Real Talk’ (2004) and ‘When the Music Stops’ (2006) and since has elevated his music to award-winning levels.

In a public announcement video on his Instagram, he thanked all those who supported him throughout the tours and said he was grateful for a platform to spread the gospel through music.

“It won’t be my last show," he admitted. "I’ll probably do shows and festivals and events.

“But as far as getting on the road for months at a time and living on a tour bus, that is it!”

The artist who has won the ‘Best Gospel Album’ at the 55th annual Grammy Awards, as well as ‘Best Gospel Artist’ at the 2013 and 2015 BET Awards, believes his music has helped encourage others in faith.

Lecrae went on to add: “It's not bittersweet, it’s just sweet. Who gets to go from city to city, encouraging people?

“Sharing your heart and sharing your faith, and then saying, ‘Alright, y’all, I’ve got to be a husband and a dad,’ and they celebrate you for that?

"Having to deal with parenting on the phone or over FaceTime and having these incredible experiences that I don't get to share with my family."

Alongside his music, appearances in Superfly (2018) and in the Christian drama film ‘Breakthrough’ (2019), the songwriter also addressed racial tension and injustice in the US.

He would also become a key figure advocating for the importance of responsibility and fatherhood, joining up with NBA stars, before he released a video in 2020 of him reconnecting with his long-absent father in San Diego.

The rapper will now step back from touring to focus on family life with his wife and three children, but is determined to continue to make music and spread faith across the nation.

Flamengo defeated Palmeiras 1-0 to claim the highest honour in South American club football. 

Leo Pereira pointed heavenwards in a photo with the trophy on Instagram, captioned “TO GOD BE THE GLORY.”

 

 

 

 

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Looking to future success with the team, the central defender posted another photo captioned “All in God’s time.”

Striker Pedro Guilherme posted: "Glory to Jesus for another Libertadores title! Speechless for all the Lord has done in my life. All honour and glory are His!" 

 

 

 

 

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Emerson Royal shared a picture of his family with the trophy, sharing with his followers: “God is God. I am a Libertadores Champion!”

The former Tottenham Hotspur player later posted a picture of his open Bible on Instagram stories, with the text: “Thank you, God, for the things only we know.”

 

 

 

 

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Assistant manager Rodrigo Caio expressed his gratitude to Jesus "for providing moments like this alongside my family and this club that I love and respect so much".

Caio has now won the trophy as a player and a coach, with Flamengo being crowned champions for the fourth time. 

Roumie, who played Jesus in the faith-based drama, told The View that the first episode “grabs hold of you”, adding that “if God wants to, He will find you”. 

The actor said his own relationship with Christ shaped the authenticity of his performance.  

He explained that what he brought to the role was “my relationship to Christ… and my love for him”, telling the programme it had “made me a better person” and made him “want to love people”. 

Speaking to co-host Sunny Hostin, he described how he occasionally looked through direct messages on Instagram and found two people who “had been lifelong atheists and never had any interest in God”.  

He said both were sent the show by someone they knew and became drawn in, later reading the Bible, attending church and eventually converting to Christianity. He called their experience “remarkable”. 

Roumie also spoke about the difficulty of filming the sixth season of The Chosen, which depicts the crucifixion.  

He said: “I think as an actor, you’re always looking for truth in a character and to be able to find that and to play a character authentically you have to enter into whatever that character’s truth in the story.” 

When talking about Jesus he says, “it becomes doubly intense because I’m now trying to enter into the truth of what it meant to go through torture and crucifixion”. 

Roumie said he asked God to give him “some sense” of what it would be like, adding: “He didn’t disappoint.” 

The sixth season of The Chosen is set to premiere in 2026. 

In a statement shared online on Monday, the organisation said “Grace has found us again. December arrives not just as a new month, but as a season of recovery reflection and renewed resilience.” 

In reference to the Category 5 hurricane that killed 28 people on the island, they said it’s important that “We rise with gratitude […] for the strength that binds us together”. 

The organisation has urged supporters to “rebuild with hope” and to “uplift each other with kindness”. 

They also added that “even in hardship, Jamaica's spirit remains unshaken”. 

Premier Christian News has previously reported that the Miss Universe Jamaica organisation renewed its call for international prayers after Henry suffered a serious head injury during the preliminary evening gown segment on 21st November.  

At the time, the organisation asked supporters to lift her “in love, strength, and hope”, while her sister, Dr Phylicia Henry-Samuels, revealed Henry “isn’t doing as well as we would have hoped”. 

In its latest update, the organisation said Henry remained in hospital after she had fallen from the stage in Thailand last month and been carried away on a stretcher. 

Dr Henry-Samuels continued to stay with her and their mother as doctors carried out “specialised care” in the intensive care unit, where she was expected to remain for at least seven days. 

The organisation again asked “Jamaicans at home and across the diaspora” to continue praying during what it called a “profoundly difficult time” and urged people to avoid speculation or negative comments that could further distress the family.  

It said its “primary focus” was Henry’s recovery as she continued receiving treatment at Paolo Rangsit Hospital near Bangkok, where staff confirmed she had “no life-threatening injuries”. 

First written by Graham Kendrick in 1987, the song has remained one of the most recognisable modern worship hymns in the UK.

The Christmas project aims to unite Christians across the nation in “a powerful moment of unified worship”, according to organisers.

Nicole Hobday, a Christian school teacher and musician from Romford who inspired the project, told Premier Christian News: “What happened was, back when I was younger, I was 13, and I first encountered ‘Shine, Jesus shine’ at a Christian youth camp… I thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful if all the churches all over the country were to sing this at exactly the same time?”

She said the idea resurfaced last year while talking with Steve Thompson, Graham Kendrick’s musical director. “We went to see Graham perform, and at the end, he asked everyone to face north, south, east or west, and sing this song as a prayer over the nation. I thought, right, I have to tell Graham this.”

She revealed that Graham said he could not get the music out because “it’s like I’m promoting my own music, but you can do it”.

Hobday said the timing felt urgent after a period of national unrest last August. “I just heard, the time is now to pray over my people and sing healing to the nation. I phoned Steve straight away, and we started working to get this song sung by all the churches across the UK,” she said.

“This project isn’t just about reimagining a classic; it’s about proclaiming God’s light, love, and hope over our nation in a powerful moment of unified worship,” Nicole added.

The new arrangement includes children’s voices, prayers, lines in Punjabi and Mandarin, a rap and a choral arrangement by Ken Burton.

Hobday said the recording session at COM Church was “was so emotional. I think we were so blown away by the whole experience”.

She added: “It was just a joyful time of not just singing together, but worship as well.”

The Shine Your Light campaign runs from 12th to 14th December 2025, involving around 2,000 churches. Organisers said it aimed to mobilise 200,000 Christians to share the Gospel with two million people.

Appearing on RTÉ’s Late Late Show with Patrick Kielty, the undisputed lightweight champion was asked what role faith plays in her life.

“It’s the most important thing to me — not just in my fights,” she said. “It helps me with everything. It helps me make sense of the world. I view the world through the lens that God is real, that Jesus is a real historical figure who lived, breathed, died and rose again. I believe he’s the greatest of all time.”

Taylor said her faith is “the foundation” of her life, adding that she becomes emotional when discussing it.

Her remarks drew strong applause from the studio audience and were widely shared online, including by UFC star and fellow Irish fighter Conor McGregor.

“Jesus forever King! Ireland forever Catholic!” McGregor wrote on Facebook, calling Taylor “a shining example of the power of Christ”.

Taylor is understood to attend an Assemblies of God church in Dublin. She married American real estate agent Sean McCavanaugh earlier this year in a private ceremony.

Ryder will make his West End theatre debut in the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical, with performances running from June to September 2026.

Producers have come under fire for issuing "trigger" warnings over the "onstage depiction of the crucifixion" and scenes which include "some violence".

36-year-old Ryder became a household name in 2022 when his song Space Man earned the UK its best Eurovision result since 1998, finishing second to Ukraine. Prior to his success on the contest, Ryder gained a following by performing song covers on TikTok.

It is not known whether Ryder has a personal faith. In an interview with the BBC, he shared that he played guitar for a Christian rock group called Blessed By A Broken Heart in his early life. He has also described his 2022 Eurovision experience as “like being in a church” because of the “joy” and “togetherness” it brought at the time.

Jesus Christ Superstar first opened on Broadway in 1971, with its London production following a year later. The show, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, brought a modern, rock-infused approach to the story of the final week of Jesus Christ’s life.
 

The singer posted an image on Instagram showing a framed document titled “The Bieber Family,” outlining ten commitments the couple intend to practice as parents.

It begins with: “We value Rest as Worship.”

Other statements focus on serving others with sustainability and kindness, which the Biebers describe as “graciously giving time, money, and respect to people on our path.”

Another principle was: “We value innovation and moving the human experience forward."

The final line captures the heart behind the list: “We value human beings and believe in their dignity and eternal worth.”

The release of the family code comes just weeks after the couple marked their son’s first birthday.

Hailey Bieber told GQ magazine that motherhood was “a very spiritual experience.” 

She said the changes in her life since becoming a mum have made her more grounded, and intentional about what she shares publicly.

The fighter described the experience in a public post on his X account.

He wrote that he was blessed to meet “the most forward-thinking doctors from Stanford University and undergo a series of treatments to address trauma” and later travelled to Tijuana, Mexico, where he received ibogaine treatment at AMBIO. The university said the treatment is "a plant-based psychoactive compound" used to treat depression anxiety due to traumatic brain injuries.

McGregor urged followers to watch the Netflix documentary In Waves and War, noting that it depicts “the exact place I went".

Describing the intensity of the therapy, McGregor said it was "incredible, intense, and absolutely eye-opening" and added that he was shown “what would have been my death... how soon it was to be, and how it would have impacted my children".

He recalled the near-death vision: “I was looking down on myself as it happened, and then I was looking out from the coffin.”

McGregor said he experienced a direct encounter with God, writing: “God then came to me in the Holy Trinity. He is MIGHTY!”

He also described seeing Jesus, Mary, and the archangels: “Jesus descended from the white marble steps of heaven and anointed me with a crown. My brain. My heart. My soul. Healed!”

Reflecting on the duration of the treatment, McGregor wrote: “I was 36 hours under before I finally rested. When I awoke, I was me again.”

He expressed gratitude to those who prayed for him, saying in his statement, “Thank you for all your inspiration, motivation, encouragement, well wishes, support, and most importantly, for your prayers! THEY WORKED!”

He concluded with a declaration of faith: “To God, I am yours!! I live my life per your word and nothing more.”

A study published in the Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health notes that while ibogaine shows promise for treating severe mental illness and addiction, it carries significant safety concerns, such as dangerous changes in heart rhythm that can sometimes be life-threatening.

The network announced in a press release on 19th November that the 52-episode series will “bring stories from the New Testament to life through immersive storytelling”, featuring over 100 notable actors. Fox and Friends co-host, Ainsley Earhardt will introduce each episode.

Kristen Bell, who voices Mary Magdalene, told Rolling Stone through her representative that she had never given permission for her recordings from a 15-year-old audiobook project to be reused. Bell said she was “blindsided” after being asked to appear on Fox and Friends to promote the series.

Brian Cox, voicing God, and Malcolm McDowell, voicing Caiaphas, also confirmed through representatives that they were unaware their audio would be recycled for the new podcast.

Sean Astin, Neal McDonough, and Julia Ormond are among the other actors listed in the series.

In an alleged note obtained by Rolling Stone from a producer associated with the podcast, at least one star was asked to “not mention that this audio New Testament Bible was produced years ago, we’d like it to feel like something that was produced more recently”.

A Fox News spokesperson told Premier Christian News: “Gulfstream Studios produced the ‘Life of Jesus Podcast’ from The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible, which was licensed by FOX News Audio, with full cooperation and participation by all the actors involved.”

Footage from the event showed the pontiff telling attendees to “share your faith” before closing with an ‘Amen’ just as the beat dropped.

The appearance celebrated Archbishop Bernard Bober’s seventy fifth birthday on 8th November 2025 outside St Elisabeth’s Cathedral in Košice.

A video was shared on Instagram by Padre Guilherme, a Catholic priest known as the “DJ priest,” which showed the Pope appearing via projection while lasers, spotlights, and projection mapping lit the cathedral walls.

During his blessing, Pope Leo said: “With joy, I greet you as you gather before dear young people. I greet you as you gather before the splendid cathedral, of course, which is a beating heart of faith and hope coming from different nations, yet united by the same faith."

He added: "Your presence is a tangible sign of the fraternity and peace that is instilled in our heart by friendship with Christ. I impart to you my apostolic blessing and entrust each of you to the protection of the Virgin Mary, Mother of the church and Queen of Peace, and may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit come upon you and remain with you always. Amen.”

Padre Guilherme, who has led in the Catholic Church since 1999, has DJ’d for several years and began streaming sets during the pandemic, combining techno beats with “sacred, folk music,” he told Classic FM. He added that raves brought together people from many backgrounds, much like shared faith.

The viral footage drew attention on Instagram, with commenters noting Pope Leo’s Chicago roots and the city’s connection to the origin of House music. One wrote, “This is the most Chicagoan thing ever!”

While another commented: "This is actually beautiful and what a way to bring young people together in faith!"

This has ignited fresh concern among worship leaders who fear believers have been engaging with music created by machines rather than human hearts.

Soloman Ray, the virtual singer appeared as a Mississippi soul musician and drew more than 324,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

Online viewers questioned the authenticity of his music, with one writing: “This is AI. The lyrics are beautiful but it feels so wrong coming from a thing without a soul.”

Worship artist Forrest Frank said online, he believed “at minimum, AI does not have the Holy Spirit inside of it,” adding that it was “really weird to be opening up your spirit to something that has no spirit.”

The real Solomon Ray, a worship leader in Montana who has worked with Elevation Woship, told Christianity Today that the situation had amused but also saddened him.

He said, “It bums me out to see people get hoodwinked by AI,” explaining that the vocal precision and creative choices immediately signalled to him that the music was generated by algorithms and not by a human artist. He added that God wanted “costly worship” rather than songs crafted by machines.

The creator behind the AI persona, Christopher “Topher” Town, described himself online as “the man behind the machine”.

He defended the project, saying it was “an extension of my creativity” and argued that “God can use any vehicle to reach people,” even if the music “may not be performed by” a Christian.

The call for ongoing prayer support came as the wider pageant community also reflected on a deeply Christian moment shared by this year’s winner.

Dr Phylicia Henry-Samuels, speaking from Thailand where she stayed with their mother, told the organisation that her sister “isn’t doing as well as we would have hoped."

Medical personnel advised that Henry would remain in the ICU for at least seven days, with doctors closely monitoring her and providing specialised care.

In a statement, the Miss Universe Jamaica Organisation asked Jamaicans and international supporters to keep Henry “in their prayers,” and encouraged supporters to lift her “in love, strength, and hope.”

The organisation also urged the public to avoid negative comments or speculation, stressing that its focus remains on Henry’s recovery and the well-being of her family.

Henry suffered a serious head injury during the fall, prompting her immediate withdrawal and medical intervention.

The accident occurred as the Miss Universe 2025 pageant continued in Bangkok, where Mexico’s Fatima Bosch was crowned the new titleholder on 21st November 2025.

Moments after her earlier victory at the Miss Universe Mexico pageant, Bosch, who is a Catholic, shouted, “¡Viva Cristo Rey!”, which means “Long Live Christ the King!”, a statement that resonated strongly across the global Christian community.

The new clip, shared by creator Buku Music, captured Bieber asking “What happened?” before leading him in what Buku described as a healing prayer.

Buku Music said in the video clip that he “might be tripping” when he saw the car pull over, before asking, “Are you Justin Bieber?”

The singer appeared, hugged him and assessed the situation, according to the footage posted to TikTok.

The content creator later updated viewers, saying the Grammy winner led him in a healing prayer that set his mind “at ease”.

Fans reacting in the comments called the moment an act of grace. One wrote, “God literally sent you Justin Bieber,” while another joked, “Is Justin Bieber your fairy godmother?”

The surprise act of kindness reflected values Bieber recently shared on Instagram, where a framed list of “Bieber Family” guidelines in his home included, “We value generosity and graciously giving time, money and respect to people on our path.”

The reality TV star from the hit program Keeping Up with the Kardashians said on Thursday’s episode of the show’s rebooted series that she used “an alias to bid on the Bible”, which she purchased for $80,276.

According to Kardashian, she had previously attempted to contact Simpson’s estate regarding a private purchase of the Bible but was unsuccessful.

In the end, she outbid other offers by more than $15,000, a price she said was worth paying because of how “special” it was to her, having once belonged “to her daddy".

“If anyone was wondering who won that O.J. Simpson auction, you best believe it was me,” Kardashian said while showing the Bible to family members.

The Bible was reportedly a gift from Kardashian’s father, Robert Kardashian, who gave it to Simpson around the time of the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, the murders for which Simpson was tried and acquitted.

Referring to the gift, she explained that it was given by her father to Simpson to “give him some motivation from Jesus".

Describing the sentimental value of the Bible, Kardashian added: “I thought it was a Bible that my dad bought O.J. It’s actually my dad’s Bible with his name inscribed on it. I didn’t know that.”

The gold-winning swimmer is set to marry Holly Ramsay, daughter of TV chef Gordon, in a Christian ceremony at Bath Abbey this December.

Reports of tensions had been circling since Peaty’s aunt posted on social media that his mother was not invited to her future daughter-in-law’s hen do, whilst Gordon Ramsey was invited to his son-in-law’s stag.

“Yes. Adam is a born-again Christian. He's not living by the tenets of Christianity is he? Where is 'honour thy mother and thy father,' where is the forgiveness?'” read his aunt Louise’s social media post.

Adam has now released his own post, stating: “Over the past few days, a lot has been reported and comments posted about the private life of Holly and myself. My sister Bethany has also been targeted. This has been almost entirely one-sided and, in many cases, excessive and intrusive.”

"I work so hard on trying to improve myself as a person who wants to contribute to making the world a better place,” he continued.

"I am continuing to learn about myself and how I can be the man I want to be; a worthy partner, father, businessman, friend and athlete; even through these challenging times.

"Bethany, Holly and I will get through this - we do not ask for sympathy. We just need people to be aware that there are always two sides to every story.

“To those of you who have reached out and shown kindness and understanding - thank you. It is deeply appreciated. Yours faithfully, Adam."

Peaty has described himself as “a religious man,” and is open about finding faith after years of struggling with mental health and fame.

Upon announcing their engagement, he shared that Holly joined his church community “without question” – which proved to him that she was meant to be his life partner.

Holly herself shared 1 Corinthians 13:13 on her Instagram account: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

The US rapper addressed the United Nations at an event on Tuesday and said: “Churches have been burned, families have been torn apart, simply because of how they pray." 

Minaj said: “I stand here as a proud New Yorker with a deep sense of gratitude that we live in a country where we can freely and safely worship God regardless of one’s creed, background, or politics.”

She added: “No group should ever be persecuted for practising their religion, like I recently stated on social media”. 

Minaj said protecting Christians in Nigeria is “not about taking sides” but about “standing up in the face of injustice” and “uniting humanity” as she thanked Trump for “prioritising this issue”. 

The Nigerian president had said the long-running violence affected “everyone, regardless of background or belief” and that militants attacked “all who reject their murderous ideology”, including “Muslims, Christians and those of no faith alike”. 

The 42-year-old rapper, whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, appeared alongside the US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, who thanked her for “leveraging her massive platform to spotlight the atrocities against Christians in Nigeria”. 

During her UN appearance, Minaj also described Nigeria as "a beautiful nation with deep faith traditions" and acknowledged the "beautiful Barbz", her fans, in the West African country. 

For months, right-wing campaigners and politicians in Washington have alleged that Islamist militants are systematically targeting Christians in Nigeria.  

However, the Premier Christian News has previously reported that Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s information minister, said  that "any narrative suggesting that the Nigerian State is failing to take action against religious attacks is based on misinformation or faulty data".

Minaj had told fans on X that “the Barbz & I will never stand down in the face of injustice”, saying they had been “given our influence by God”. 

The United States Congress will hold a hearing to examine allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria after Trump redesignated the country as a “country of particular concern (CPC)”. 

Lilliput Church of England Infant School in Poole contacted parents to explain that elements of the soundtrack had caused unease within its community.

In their initial message, the school noted that some parents are “deeply uncomfortable” with the film’s depiction of demons because they “associate them with spiritual forces opposed to God and goodness".

The Netflix animation has been a huge hit, becoming Netflix’s most-watched film ever, with reportedly over 236 million views.

It is about a fictional K-pop group battling supernatural enemies that heavily draws on Korean mythology.

The soundtrack has also been incredibly successful, with multiple original songs charting very high.

While many pupils have been enjoying the songs, the school asked families to help ensure children “not to sing these songs at school out of respect for those who find the themes at odds with their faith".

One parent, who described himself as an atheist, felt the request was over the top.

He told the BBC: “I thought it was ridiculous, it’s just harmless, a nice little thing for them to do to get their confidence up.”

He added that he believed the school had been placed under pressure, though he praised it overall.

Following mixed responses from parents, acting head teacher Lloyd Allington wrote again on Monday, acknowledging that some families felt the songs carried positive lessons.

Some parents had told him the music had encouraged their children in values such as teamwork and bravery,

Mr Allington repeated their point that tracks like the UK hit Golden supports messages of “teamwork, courage, and kindness".

In his update, he reiterated the school’s aim of balancing differing beliefs within the community:

“While we fully respect your right to make choices about the content your child engages with at home, we also want to be mindful of the diversity of beliefs within our school community.”

Earlier this month, US envoy to the United Nations Mike Waltz publicly invited Minaj to visit him “for an in-depth discussion about what our administration is doing to protect Christians’ freedoms all over the world”.  

On Sunday, journalist Eric Cortellessa reported on X: “Scoop: U.S. envoy to the UN @michaelgwaltz and rap superstar @NICKIMINAJ will deliver remarks early this week on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The unexpected collaboration was arranged by Trump advisor @AlexBruesewitz, who will also speak at the Tuesday event.” 

Waltz confirmed the meeting on X, calling Minaj a “principled individual who refuses to remain silent”.  

Minaj replied: “Ambassador, I am so grateful to be entrusted with an opportunity of this magnitude… The Barbz & I will never stand down in the face of injustice. We’ve been given our influence by God. There must be a bigger purpose.” 

Minaj has previously spoken about the targeting of Christians in Nigeria, posting on X that “no group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion”.  

Christian charity Open Doors reported that attacks in Nigeria have been carried out by Fulani militants, Boko Haram and ISWAP, and lists Nigeria as the seventh-most dangerous country for Christians.  

Nigerian foreign ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said the government had “noted” the US statement and remained committed to tackling violent extremism, while presidential adviser Daniel Bwala said claims of “Christian genocide” misrepresented the country’s security situation.

President Trump said on Truth Social that the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening”.  

The United States Congress will hold a hearing on Thursday to examine allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria after Trump re-designated the country as a “country of particular concern (CPC)”.

The drive, run jointly by the top UK toy retailer The Entertainer and the Salvation Army, seeks to spread festive joy to those in need by providing toys to children who may otherwise go without.

This initiative is particularly timely for many who face the reality of rising bills and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Tony Daniels, the Salvation Army’s Director of Community Services, said that this year's appeal is “needed more than ever” and seeks to assist those “on the margins of society”.

This will be the seventh year the drive has tackled inequality and poverty in the UK around Christmas time, with a total of 134,000 gifts having been distributed to children across the country so far.

According to the Entertainer, every gift donated by shoppers either online or in-store will be donated as part of the Salvation Army’s Christmas appeal. For each gift purchased, the Entertainer will also donate a gift, doubling the number distributed in total.

The CEO of the Entertainer, Andrew Murphy OBE, expressed the company’s desire to deliver Christmas joy to “as many children as possible” and encouraged customers to consider digging deep in support of the mission.

The Salvation Army similarly hopes that the gifts will serve as messages of hope for families who are facing difficult times.

“No children or families should feel the sadness of not receiving a gift on Christmas Day”, Daniels concluded. 

Also joining a special audience at the Vatican with Leo, the first pope from the United States, will be Oscar-winning directors Spike Lee, George Miller and Gus Van Sant.

The pope "has expressed his desire to deepen dialogue with the World of Cinema... exploring the possibilities that artistic creativity offers to the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values," the Vatican said in a statement.

Papal events often feature high-ranking Catholic cardinals but rarely include Hollywood stars.

The late Pope Francis, however, hosted an event at the Vatican in June 2024 for comedians, including US late night hosts Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon.

Among others set to take part in Saturday's event with Leo are actors Alison Brie, Dave Franco, and Viggo Mortensen and directors Joanna Hogg, Tony Kaye and Julie Taymor.

Ahead of the new event, the Vatican shared four of the pope's favourite films: It's a Wonderful Life(1946); The Sound of Music (1965); Ordinary People (1980); and Life Is Beautiful (1997).

Saturday's event is being organised by the Vatican's culture office as part of the Church's ongoing Holy Year.

The 57-year-old Hollywood producer, known for comedy hits such as The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, said the vision led him to read the New Testament.

Sharing experiences from his memoir with NPR, he recalled taking ayahuasca, a psychoactive drink made from vine leaves “one on one, with my shaman”.

“I saw Jesus,” he said. “Which is weird, because I’m Jewish.”

“I saw Jesus, on the cross, and I suddenly thought, ‘Oh, I get what that means. ’”

Apatow claimed that the encounter made him realise that human beings are “all supposed to take care of each other".

“He’s there for us, in a way, to show us how to take care of one another.”

“It was very impactful,” Apatow asserted. “It made me download the audiobook of the New Testament, read by Johnny Cash.”

Jasmine Mitchell, 23, is the youngest contestant in the series to win ‘Star Baker’ of the week five times, and is the second person ever to do so, alongside series five’s Richard Burr.

“My faith has become stronger and stronger over the last year,” she told Premier. “Being under the high pressure [of TV] really pushed me to rely on Jesus, on God, because there were a lot of situations where I just felt completely unequipped”.

Jasmine said she applied to the show on “a complete whim,” after being encouraged by a friend.

Her love of baking stemmed from hospitality being at the heart of her Christian upbringing. “I’ve grown up in a family which gathers around food,” she shared. “I’ve learnt a lot from my mum, aunts, family and friends who love bringing people together around the table”.

Jasmine recalled the Lord’s prayer being a mantra of peace during stressful times on the show: “Walking to the tent from the green room, or waiting, I would just pray the Lord’s prayer a lot in my head. It didn’t take away the stress, but I felt like God was walking along beside me with it”.

Whilst stirring up showstoppers each week, Jasmine was also studying for a medicine degree, balancing her time between filming and exams.

“I would look back at the end of the week and just feel completely held by God,” she recalled. “It was a complete kind of miracle, to be honest, that I had managed to get through it!”

At age ten, Jasmine began losing her hair due to alopecia. Throughout her teen years, she wore wigs, saying: “I was just so keen to look like everyone else I was around. To fit in and just not stick out, basically”.

However, in her early 20s, she decided to embrace her natural look, telling Premier that it has been a journey of identity and faith.

“Often, I would pray for my hair back, in a sense of: ‘This is what I want, this is what healing looks like to me.’ Ironically, healing isn’t just what we ask for.

“God has healed me to make me more whole, and more me,” Jasmine said. “I’m now starting to enjoy being different and just going with that. It's definitely a process of learning to see myself the way God sees me”.

Throughout the competition, Jasmine’s church family has been integral to her success. She began by secretly sharing her on-show bakes with them, bringing broken-down bits of cake to have with after-service coffee.

“My showstopper for week one was this three-tiered blackberry pistachio cake,” she recalled. “In practice, it was Sunday, and I kind of just scraped off all the fancy decoration and dismantled it, hoping that no one would actually guess that I was doing anything like being on the Bake Off, which thankfully they didn't!”

And her best recipe for a church bring-and-share?  “A brownie! They’re super simple and basic, but they’re my go-to bake. Chuck it in the oven,” she laughed.

“Last week, my brownies were still literally hot, so I was carrying them with a tea towel on the tube in the rain to church, because I didn't leave myself enough cooling time.”

The weekly “Art and Acceptance” gathering offers food, support and community for those who often feel outside the Church.

The show, Saturday Church, follows a teenager navigating faith, identity and family tension.

Writer Damon Cardasis told Church Times he was struck that there was a programme “helping and providing social services to a lot of at-risk, LGBTQ+ youth, especially given the sort of contentious relationship between Christianity and this community.” 

Rector Caroline Stacey said: “Anything that connects the world that most people live in and the joy of the gospel is a good thing."

The run officially ended this week, at the New York Theatre Workshop, but producers hope that it might translate to Broadway, after a sell-out run.

In an in-depth interview with Variety magazine, Scherzinger said Christianity "gets a bad rap".

"I have a wonderful church that I go to in Hollywood. Most of my friends in Hollywood are Christians," she added. “If you’re a true Christian, you have to lead by example and be the light.”

The 47-year-old pop star, who is now starring as Norma Desmond in the Broadway production of Sunset Boulevard, recently won an Olivier Award for the role after a successful run in London.

Scherzinger has always been open about her faith and is a practising Catholic. Born in Honolulu to a teenage mother, she moved to Kentucky with her maternal grandparents, who instilled a deep Christian faith in her while her mother worked multiple jobs.

“My papa started out as an atheist, and then he would go on to be a priest and then a bishop, and now he’s an archbishop for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” she explained.

In the interview, Scherzinger described her mother’s difficult upbringing: “She had 22 pregnancies and 18 children living in a three-bedroom house with very little money. That’s the blood that I am.”

The former X Factor judge has spoken about her faith before, sometimes facing criticism for it. In 2024, she commented on a Russell Brand Instagram post the day after the election, in which Brand wore a red hat in the style of President Trump’s campaign hats and posted: “Make Jesus First Again.” Scherzinger replied, “Where do I get this hat?!” and added prayer hands emojis.

She later apologised for the comment, acknowledging that Trump’s election is divisive within some of the communities she supports. 

"I stand with them, as I always have throughout my life and career," she said. "If you know me, you know that.”

The 42-year-old football legend recently shared his testimony at the Elim Girona Evangelical Church in Spain, describing how faith carried him through what he called “the darkest moments” of his life, as reported by MWN.

“In the middle of storms and suffering, there is always a messenger from God,” he said. “That messenger took me to church during the darkest moments of my life.”

Alves, now calling himself “a disciple of Jesus Christ,” told the congregation, “I made a covenant with God. We must believe, my brothers. I am proof that God keeps His promises.”

After serving 14 months in prison before being acquitted of a sexual assault charge, Alves has turned to preaching, worship and sharing his story publicly.

Now in its thirty-third season, the competition allows players to combine their love of football with their faith, making it one of the longest-running national tournaments connecting sport and ministry.

Keith Hammond, director of Christians in Football, told Premier Christian News that the cup gives players an opportunity to “reach out and… share in its blessings”.

He explained that the tournament helps churches engage with footballers and their communities in ways that reflect Christian values.

Hammond, who has been involved in Christian football for more than 50 years, described the competition as a “wonderful ministry to be involved in” and added, “For many people who don't know Jesus, with the gospel message, it's a fantastic way of being involved in church”.

The competition allows teams to live out their faith on the pitch through fairness, respect, and sportsmanship.

“The finals have been played at Saint Albans City, Northampton Town, Macclesfield, Liverpool… and recently Hemel Hempstead Town,” Hammond added, emphasising the national reach and history of the cup.

He noted that Christian teams aim to set themselves apart by avoiding aggression, remonstrating with referees, and showing Christ’s example in every match.

The tournament has grown across the country, from Newcastle to Southampton and across Wales, giving players of all levels a chance to honour their faith while playing football. Hammond described it as “playing the game of our lives” while sharing the gospel with teammates, opponents, and spectators.

The next round of the National Christian Cup and Trophy is scheduled to take place on the 29th of November 2025.

National Christian Cup 2025/2026 – Second Round

Matches to be played on 29 November 2025

Regional Section (South, West & Wales)

• Assembly of Nations (East London) v St Mary’s West Croydon (Surrey)

• Riverside Family (Southampton) v Mumbles Baptist (Swansea)

• Beacon Church Camberley (Surrey) – Bye

• Bethel Town Pontyclun (South Wales) – Bye

• Emmanuel Baptist (Cardiff) – Bye

• City Gates (Ilford) – Bye

• Kings Sports (Herts) – Bye

• Christchurch Bromley (Kent) v Inter Thurrock (Essex)

Regional Section (North & Midlands)

• Armley Christchurch (Leeds) – Bye

• City Church Athletic (Manchester) – Bye

• Gatley St James (Manchester) – Bye

• Jesmond Parish (Newcastle) – Bye

• St Charles (Newcastle) – Bye

• St Thomas More (Coventry) – Bye

• Sunderland Samba (Durham) – Bye

• Trent Vineyard (Nottingham) – Bye

National Christian Trophy 2025/2026 – Second Round

Matches to be played on 29 November 2025

Regional Section (South, East & West)

• Holy Rood Rickmansworth (Herts) – Bye

• Woodside Baptist (SE London) – Bye

• Raynes Park United (SW London) v Waypoint Church (Fareham, Hants)

• Cotswold Churches (Glos) v Coastline Vineyard (Bournemouth)

• Christchurch Bromley Supa 2s (Kent) v Apex Stars (Enfield, Middx)

• Newgen (Kent) v Danbury Mission (Essex)

• Winton Wanderers (Dorset) v Beeches Pilgrims (Cirencester, Glos)

• Chatsworth United (SE London) v Central Park (Chadwell Heath, Essex)

Regional Section (North & Midlands)

• Living Hope Church (Birmingham) – Bye

• Mansfield Legion (Notts) – Bye

• Newcastle Community – Bye

• Real Riverside (Birmingham) – Bye

• St Nicholas & Grace United (Nottingham) – Bye

• Trinity (Nottingham) – Bye

Justin Clarke-Samuel, 41, goes by the stage name Ghetts. On the day he appeared at Stratford Magistrates' Court, the victim died in hospital, meaning the charge could be elevated to one of death by dangerous driving.

Ghetts has been open about Christian faith, particularly on his 2018 album Ghetto Gospel: The New Testament.

On the track Spiritual Warfare, he sings: “No weapon formed against me shall prosper / I've got God as my sponsor / But I still got the devil on my back though… I know my nan prays for me everyday but I'll still leave my yard with a rambo”.

Last year, Ghetts told Kiss FM that his relationship with God was the main way in which he grew in 2023. He described the death of his grandmother that year as a turning point his faith journey, saying: “Because I watched her faith never waver… my reason was ‘I want to see my nan again’.”

“I started praying, and it was different,” he said. “With the Almighty, it’s different. Us who worship, we’re also human.”

In 2021, he won the Best Male Act at the Mobo Awards, and in 2024 received the Mobo Pioneer Award for significant contribution to British black culture.

Ghetts has been remanded into custody and is due to appear at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Monday 27th October. Police are appealing for witnesses.

The lightweight champion is due to return to the sport, after an eighteen-month suspension for failing to show up to multiple drug tests.

He now says he's been “on a spiritual journey,” and is ready to embrace the game with a new approach.

“I am not here by chance, there is a higher power - God - that dictates my journey and all of our journeys,” McGregor told press at a pre-fight conference. “I live my life by God’s word... I’ve engaged on a spiritual journey, and I’m saved, I am healed.”

McGregor’s recent years have not been without controversy. In July, he was denied a civil appeal against a claim of sexual assault. Judges ordered him to pay £206,000 plus legal costs to Nikita Hand, who accused McGregor of raping her in a Dublin hotel room in 2018.

Ms Hand said the appeal process had “retraumatised” her.

“Being forced to relive it, what happened, has had a huge impact on me," she said. "To every survivor out there, I know how hard it is, but please, don't be silenced.

McGregor now claims he has turned his life around after reflecting “inward”.

Founder of the Bare-Knuckle Fighting Championship, Dave Feldman, said McGregor has made “the kind of changes he had to make”.

"A lot of people in the world need to make changes in their life and they don’t because they don't have the guts to…they don't have the fortitude to,” said Feldman. “I want to take this time to take my hat off and commend Conor.... It's not easy.”

In January, McGregor attended a pre-inauguration ball held by conservative Christian organisation Turning Point USA.

Rev Sorrel Shamel-Wood, who serves at University Church in Oxford, took up acting part-time and recently featured in the BBC soap as a vicar officiating a funeral. The episode aired on Tuesday 14th October 2025, after being filmed over the summer. 

Rev Shamel-Wood said in a statement that, acting was a “refreshing” change from church life. “I work part-time, to balance my two vocations as a mother and a priest and this is a lovely hobby my family get to do together”, she said. 

“It is really refreshing, meeting people who are completely outside of the church. Church can sometimes be a bit of a bubble […] meeting people who are nothing to do with a church is refreshing”. 

The priest found herself in a familiar role when she presided over the funeral of Ben Mitchell’s husband Callum Highway’s father. She described the day of filming as long but enjoyable. 

“It was a long day, you do a lot of takes. It was a real funeral directors and I am comfortable working with funeral directors so that was a familiar dynamic”, she said. “We started with us in the background and warmed up to the funeral scene”. 

Rev Shamel-Wood added that although she did not meet the main cast, the experience gave her a new appreciation for the world of television.  

“There was paparazzi there, trying to hide behind a tree to get a story. That’s not a world I was aware of,” she said. 

Text with Jesus is an artificial intelligence (AI) platform which generates scripture-based responses supposedly from figures such as Jesus, Moses, Mary and – controversially – Satan.

Stéphane Peter, CEO of Catloaf software, admitted that he did not consult any Christian advisors on the project. He told Fox News: “It’s been incredible to see how many want to try a conversation with biblical figures”.

AI-powered pastors and spiritual mentors were recently added to the app, which describes itself as being “designed for devoted Christians seeking a deeper connection with the Bible's most iconic figures”.

In one exchange, “Jesus” tells a user who is worried about their job: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6).

Minister Ken Weliever called the app’s “Satan” feature “chilling”, saying: “Quite frankly, I don’t want to talk to the devil. I’m trying to avoid him”.

Peter claimed it gives people a “safe, approachable way to ask questions about faith, scripture or life that they might hesitate to raise elsewhere,” but the launch has not been without criticism.

Joel Berry, managing editor of The Babylon Bee, said of religious AI platforms: "AI isn’t a source of anything. It’s a mirror — a twitching, mutated simulacrum, and all it can do is reflect our own depravity back to us. … For wisdom, the only legitimate source must be something transcendent, objective, outside ourselves. … The only real source of truth and wisdom is God’s Word".

Speaking on Steven Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO podcast, the former Liverpool manager recalled how his mother used to pray at his bedside every night.

“This lady – my mom – prayed every night before going to bed. So, for me it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

“I never doubted it, to be honest, with all the information we get in life. God is real - for me. And Jesus, of course”.

Bartlett asked if he had been religious as a younger man.

“Everyone says I’m ‘religious’,” Klopp remarked. “I believe. I don’t know 100 per cent what ‘religious’ means, to be honest with you.”

It is not the first time Klopp has been outspoken about faith. In 2004, he told Kicker magazine: “Jesus Christ is the most important person in history. For me, this is an easy answer… In the end [of his life], he took all the sins on himself and was nailed on a cross… We don’t have to do it [paying for our sins], and this is a huge comfort.”

He also told fr-online: “To be a believer, but not to want to talk about it - I do not know how it would work! If anyone asks me about my faith, I give information.”

In 2024, Klopp stepped down as Liverpool FC’s manager, after a nine-year stint which saw them win both the Champions League and Premier League for the first time in 30 years.

He is currently the head of global soccer for Red Bull.

In 2018 the Christian rapper and musician set up a scholarship at the university which funds the tuition and living costs of a number of black British students every year. So far, the Stormzy Scholarship has supported almost 70 students and the university says 2025 is set to accommodate the largest cohort so far.

Stormzy, who's 32, was awarded the Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his cultural influence, commitment to social change and work championing educational access and equity. Earlier this year the university also awarded him an honorary Doctorate in Law in recognition of his scholarship programme.

Sonita Alleyne the master of Jesus College, said: “Stormzy is an amazing storyteller, creative mind and champion for social change. His cultural impact is huge. We share many values, including supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds to reach their potential, tackling inequalities and using the arts as a force for good.

“In joining the college, we believe he will inspire our current and future students and enrich our community.”

In 2022, Stormzy said he was "extremely blessed and grateful" after receiving an honorary degree from the University of Exeter for his “outstanding achievement in the field of higher education, philanthropy and widening participation".

The rapper, whose real name is Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, was brought up by his Christian mother and has said his “greatest desire is to be a great man of God.”

He frequently references his faith on the public stage, including at this year’s Brits, when he took home the award for Best Grime/Hip Hop, Rap Act. In his acceptance speech he said:"Firstly, I say thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus.

“I want to be very clear about the God I serve, that’s Jesus Christ, Yahweh, the God of Abraham, that’s my God.”

His faith-filled song 'Blinded by your grace' soared into the top ten of the UK's Singles Chart back in 2017 and in 2020, he was given a Sandford St Martin award for his contribution to the public understanding of religion.

Stormzy set up the #Merky Foundation in 2020 which pledges millions of pounds to tackle racial inequality and support justice reform and black empowerment in the UK.

Hart re-shared a Fox News video on Wednesday which highlighted an increase in Bible sales, downloads of Christian mobile apps, and streams of contemporary Christian music. The 30-year-old guard added a series of celebratory emojis alongside the clip.

The New York Knicks are one of the best-known basketball teams in the US National Basketball Association (NBA), based at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.

Supporters praised Hart for publicly expressing his faith. One social media user wrote: “I hope you’re ignoring all the backlash in the replies. Remember what Jesus said: ‘And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.’”

Another commented: “The number of people in the comments who view Josh posting this as a bad thing is alarming.”

Others criticised the post, accusing the player of amplifying what they saw as politically charged content.

According to Fox News, the video highlighted what some commentators have described as a renewed interest in Christianity across the United States, reflected in sales data and online engagement.

Hart, who had a standout 2024-25 season averaging nearly 14 points and 10 rebounds per game, has not commented further on the reaction to his post.

The artist, born Raymond Ayala, revealed he had struggled creatively amid personal turmoil, including a highly publicised divorce.  

The 49-year-old artist said it was “part of the process to arrive at a total dependency on God”.  

He said it was a period of complete creative silence, adding that “for the first time in my life, the muse shut down”, something he said had never happened to him before. 

After concluding what was meant to be his final tour in December 2023, Daddy Yankee surprised 15,000 fans in his hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico, by announcing that he was not “ashamed to tell the whole world, that Jesus lives in me, and I live for him”. 

He described this as the start of a new chapter in his life when he said, “a story ends, and a new story begins”. 

Daddy Yankee aims to use his platform to “revolutionise” pop culture through music inspired by his faith and Billboard magazine have reported that he started spreading the gospel and appeared in churches Puerto Rico and other Latin countries. 

The Grammy winning artist revealed that his new purpose is to “transform lives”. 

Film industry magazine Deadline has reported that Jim Caviezel, who portrayed Jesus, and Monica Bellucci, who played Mary Magdalene, will not return for sequel, The Resurrection of the Christ.

Sources close to the production have confirmed that Gibson and his team have opted to recast the film entirely. 

The Passion of the Christ was a huge box office success when it was released in 2004 securing $612m (£452m) worldwide and remains one of the highest-grossing independent films ever made. 

Its sequel has been in development for nearly 20 years. Filming began this summer at Rome’s famed Cinecittà Studios, where the original was also shot.

The film will explore the three days between Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, a period Gibson has described as “the most transformative story ever told”.

It will be released in two parts; the first is scheduled for 26th March 2027 (Good Friday), and the second for 6th May 2027 (Ascension Day).

Caviezel had previously expressed interest in reprising his role and claimed in past interviews that Gibson’s script would be “a masterpiece”. However, recent reports suggest it was creative and scheduling differences led to his departure. Bellucci’s exit is also believed to be amicable.

Caviezel is known to have a deep and personal faith. He has spoken many times about how his Catholic faith is more than just belief. He said praying the Rosary, going to confession, and receiving the Eucharist regularly have been central to his spiritual journey.

Gibson has not revealed which actors are slated to play the role of the Messiah and his mother, Mary.

Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE has apologised after one of its programs described the growth of evangelical Churches as “worrying” and “dangerous”, following a backlash from religious groups and viewers. 

According to Evangelical Focus, the controversy began after a recent episode of RTVE's afternoon show Directo al Grano aired a segment that used footage of evangelical congregations without consent and portrayed them in a negative light.  

Evangelical Focus highlighted that the report mischaracterised evangelical Christians while referencing an isolated case involving an individual pastor. 

Beatriz Ariño, RTVE's audience ombudswoman, said in a statement: “We are very sorry for your disappointment, and we fully understand your anger.”  

She confirmed that the broadcaster had “taken note of the mistake” and reaffirmed its commitment to avoiding religious prejudice. 

The program’s host, Marta Flich, issued an on-air correction, clarifying that the segment had intended to discuss “the spread of cultish messages by some pastors acting on their own” rather than the evangelical Church as a whole.  

She apologised to those offended and pledged that future coverage of religious issues would be handled “with the utmost care.” 

Daniel Hofkamp, director of Protestante Digital, wrote that the episode reflected “a biased and manipulated view of evangelicalism in Spain”, warning that such coverage risks stigmatising a growing faith community. 

Posts alleging that Turning Point wanted to combat lewd content being shown at the NFL’s major TV slot began circulating on social media this week.

The organisation, now headed by Charlie’s widow Erika Kirk, responded: “It’s true, Turning Point USA is thrilled to announce the All-American Halftime Show.”

It promises an event “celebrating faith, family and freedom”, to run on the 8th of February 2026, concurrent to Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny’s NFL headline act.

🚨 HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

It’s true, Turning Point USA is thrilled to announce The All American Halftime Show.

Performers and event details coming soon.

2.8.2026https://t.co/HBHGfXj6yUpic.twitter.com/HYUs6BqgVL

— Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) October 9, 2025

The announcement followed MAGA fury at Bad Bunny being the Halftime Show pick, with commentator Tomi Lahren claiming that the rapper had a “clear disdain for America”, after he stayed seated during ‘God Bless America’ at Yankee Stadium. House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed that it was a “terrible decision” to have the Puerto Rican perform.

Many of Bad Bunny’s lyrics are written in Spanish. He has been largely neutral on the topic of religion, yet in the song ‘Una Velita,’ sings: “Of the Holy Spirit, may God protect my song / I don't want a tarp, I want His mantle / Obviously, the light will go out, God knows it will never return… Don't forget the old lady over there who lives alone, we need to help her / Remember that we're all from here, it's up to the people to save the people.”

In an interview with Mark Sullivan, the Danish defender said: “It means a lot to me. It’s always been a big part of my life, and for my family. Always, always been praying ever since I was young, and I still keep praying.”

Dorgu joined the club in January, and has increasingly chosen to use his full Igbo name, Chinazaekpere, to honour his Nigerian heritage and religious roots.

He explained that his middle name means “God answers prayers.”

Speaking to Sullivan, Dorgu said he attends Sunday prayer as much as his football schedule allows. “I always try to be here as much as I can,” he said, adding that faith helps him remain balanced in both triumph and challenge.

Reflecting on his move to Old Trafford, Dorgu said he viewed it as part of God’s plan. “I always think that God has a plan for everything. That United was the only team coming for me in January meant for me that it has to be it."

Moore, one of the founding members of the worship collective, recently filed a lawsuit against his former manager Norman Gyamfi, accusing him of fraud, forgery, and misappropriating royalties. The complaint alleges that Gyamfi used companies linked to TRIBL and Maverick City Music to benefit financially at Moore’s expense.

The lawsuit also mentions a 2024 deal in which Moore claims he fulfilled his commitments to Maverick City Music but was not fully paid or given accurate royalty statements. He is asking the court to cancel the disputed contracts and award damages.

In response, Jay issued a statement on Instagram on Wednesday rejecting the claims and defending the integrity of Maverick City Music and its leadership.

“To be clear: the claims being made against me, against Norman, and against our companies are categorically false,” Jay wrote. “These aren’t misunderstandings. These are calculated attempts to strong-arm a way out of agreements Chandler made freely and later breached.”

Jay said Maverick City’s business dealings with Moore were “forthright, generous, and above reproach,” and that the organisation “acted in good faith” and “consistently extended grace.”

He also expressed sadness at the public nature of the dispute and added: “There’s a pattern of avoided accountability, unresolved conflicts passed off to others, and a history of others being forced to carry the weight of consequences never owned. That pattern ends here.”

Jay concluded by reaffirming the group’s commitment to its mission and message.

“We will keep lifting the name of Jesus in every room He opens," he said. "We stand on truth. We stand on integrity. And we will not be moved.”

Representatives for both Moore and Gyamfi have not yet commented publicly on the ongoing legal proceedings.

Earlier this week, both Moore and Naomi Raine announced that they are no longer part of Maverick City Music.

The 79-year-old singer told fans she needed “a few procedures” to address unspecified “health challenges” and would delay her December concerts at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace until September next year.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Freida Parton said she had spent the night praying for her sister and urged others to join her.

“Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately,” she wrote. “I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been led to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.”

Freida ended her message on an encouraging note: “She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!”

Following a wave of concern from fans, Freida later posted a clarification to reassure supporters.

“I want to clear something up,” she wrote in a follow-up post. “I didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly. She’s been a little under the weather, and I simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer. It was nothing more than a little sister asking for prayers for her big sister. Thank you all for lifting her up. Your love truly makes a difference.”

Dolly Parton did not reveal details of her condition, though she recently withdrew from an event at her Dollywood theme park after being diagnosed with a kidney stone that was causing “a lot of problems.”

Parton, whose hits include 'There was Jesus' and 'God only knows' had been due to make her first Las Vegas appearance in decades.

The postponement comes after the singer's husband passed away earlier this year, after almost 60 years of marriage.

The ‘Your Way’s Better’ singer said he wanted to distinguish his metrics of success from “worldly” goals.

He had been expected to attend the GMA Dove Awards on 7th October, but instead shared a video with fans on social media explaining his absence.

“Had a lot of people asking where I was today,” he explained from the front seat of his car.

“As Christians, it’s hard to know where the line in the sand is between being in the world, but not of the world?”

“I dress like the world, my music sounds kind of like the world,” Frank continued.

“The line I can draw is that I will not receive a trophy for something that is from Jesus, and for Jesus.”

 

 

 

 

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He shared that previous accolades had made him feel spiritually conflicted: “I was wrestling with this even last year on stage at the (GMA) Dove Awards.”

Frank took home two Doves in 2024; New Artist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year for Good Day.

He was also nominated for a Grammy in 2025, for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.

“I want to be an inspiration to the youth,” said the singer. “The trophy is our salvation. The trophy is that my name is written in the book of life. What good is a piece of metal going to do, compared to that?”

Noel Robinson is under consideration in three categories: Song of the Year and Best Gospel Performance/Song for Breaker of Chains featuring Steph Macleod, and Best Gospel Album for his live project Change the Atmosphere (Live).

"Being under consideration at this stage is such a blessing and I am truly grateful,” Noel wrote in a message to his supporters on Facebook.

He continued: “Now, I would love to invite you to join me on the journey.”

He added that the songs came “from a place of deep worship, passion, and a desire to see hearts changed and lives lifted.”

First-round voting for the GRAMMY Awards is open from 3rd-15th October and Robinson has asked members of the Recording Academy for their support.

The worship leader, who has been a prominent figure in the UK gospel scene for decades, said he hopes his music continues to carry “hope, healing, and the sound of heaven".

Surrey Police issued a Community Protection Notice to Christian evangelist Ollie Sabatelli who has gained a large following online for preaching in town centres.

The order prohibits him from using amplification equipment and warns that he could face arrest if he breaches its terms.

Sabatelli, who has more than 200,000 followers on TikTok, posted footage of the incident on social media.

In the video, an officer tells him he had been previously warned about his behaviour.

Sabatelli responds by turning to the crowd and saying: “The world is going to see the persecution that is happening to Christians in the UK.”

Police later clarified that the order “is not related to the content being said, but the volume and the nature of its amplification.”

Since receiving the notice, Sabatelli has continued to preach in Guildford without using a speaker or microphone.

His videos from the town have drawn mixed reactions online, some praising his boldness, others criticising his approach.

A police spokesperson said: “Officers have spoken to the man and issued him with a Community Protection Notice which prohibits him from causing annoyance, upset and distress to the local community and businesses of Surrey and Sussex.”

Sabatelli describes himself on social media as a “servant of Christ” seeking to “prepare the way” for Jesus’ return.

In heartfelt statements shared on Instagram, both artists reflected on the life-changing journey they’ve had as part of Maverick City and expressed gratitude for what God has done through the group.

Moore described the decision as a “bittersweet” transition after years of pouring his heart into the ministry.

“This transition isn’t easy. Maverick is something I poured my heart into, so it’s almost like saying goodbye to your own kid,” he wrote. “There may be press and conversation around certain business matters that my legal team is handling. But my heart, my energy, and my focus are on what’s ahead.”

He continued by affirming his commitment to his calling in music:

“The dream hasn’t changed. I’m stepping into this next phase ready to share my story and make music that helps people feel a little more human, a little more understood, and a little less alone.”

Moore thanked Maverick City fans for the years of support and encouragement. 

Meanwhile, Naomi Raine also shared her own announcement, calling the moment a “new beginning.”

“After a lot of prayer and consideration, I’ve decided that now is the best time to share that I’m no longer a part of Maverick City Music,” Raine wrote. “Being a part of Mav truly changed my life. What started as a group of folks singing in a shed has turned into something I could’ve never even imagined!”

Raine said she will continue writing, singing, and leading worship as a solo artist, adding that her time with Maverick City taught her invaluable lessons about faith, community and herself.

“This isn’t really an ending, but a new beginning. I’m excited about the music, the ministry, and the purpose ahead. God’s not done yet.”

Since its founding in 2018, Maverick City Music has become one of the most influential worship movements in contemporary Christian music. Both Moore and Raine have been central figures in the group’s success, lending their voices and songwriting to hits such as 'Jireh', 'Promises', and 'Wait on you'..

Speaking in Rebecca Miller’s new documentary Mr Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street and Goodfellas director said: “There was a preparatory seminary… I did okay for the first few months, but something happened.” 

The 82-year-old director explained that he became more aware of life beyond the church. “It was early rock and roll and the old world was dying out. I became aware of life around me… Falling in love or being attracted to girls… I realised it's much more complicated than this. You can't shut yourself off.” 

Eventually, school leaders told his father to take him out. “They got my father in there and they told him, 'Get him out of here.' Because I behaved badly,” he said. 

Scorsese has previously shared with People magazine that he struggled even as an altar boy, often being late for early Mass. 

The Taxi Driver and The Irishman director reflected that the desire to become a priest came from wanting to devote himself to others. 

Despite leaving seminary, he told Miller that his fascination with faith, particularly with the lives of the saints, continues to influence his work.

Her Instagram bio also reads: “Living in answered prayer.”

The post received a warm response, with fans praising the moment and encouraging her to release Christian music. One user commented: “WE NEED A GOSPEL ALBUM SIS!”

Maverick City Music themselves replied in the comments: “Glory be to God.”

Kehlani, best known for her secular music, has spoken openly about religion in the past.

According to a report by Wealthy Peeps, she was raised in a Christian family and was adopted by her aunt after her mother, who struggled with addiction, was incarcerated.

However, in a 2023 episode of Impaulsive with Logan Paul, she described herself as a “very religious person, and not Christian.”

Pop star Madonna has sparked online debate after publicly criticising Pope Leo XIV’s comments about the Church’s mission, describing his stance as “disappointing” in a viral Instagram comment. 

Her remarks came in response to a Catholic News Agency (CNA) Instagram post quoting the Pope’s recent interview with Crux, in which he said: “I don’t see my primary role as trying to be the solver of the world’s problems… My priority is the gospel, not the world’s problems.” 

Madonna replied: “The whole point of teaching and learning the gospel is to inspire people to love one another and make the world a better place. Not just with words but with actions, which is exactly what Jesus did. I am truly disappointed by this.” 

Her comment quickly gained traction, receiving more than 1,500 likes and triggering a wave of responses.

Supporters praised her for defending the social mission of Christianity, while others pushed back. One user responded: “That’s literally the point. By teaching the Gospel, you change the world.” 

Madonna, who was raised Catholic and often infuses her music with religious imagery, has a long history of challenging Church authorities.

Her clash with Pope Leo is the latest in a series of public remarks about faith, including a 2022 message to Pope Francis requesting a meeting where she tweeted: “Hello @Pontifex Francis, I’m a good Catholic. I Swear! I mean I don’t Swear! It’s been a few decades since my last confession. Would it be possible to meet up one day to discuss some important matters?” 

Despite her criticisms, Madonna has never renounced her Catholic roots. The Catholic Herald reported her saying: “I always feel some kind of inexplicable connection with Catholicism. It kind of shows up in all my work, as you may have noticed.” 

In a BBC documentary, Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury, the 26-year-old revealed how church and prayer have always been central to his journey, even when he faced personal struggles.

“Me and my brother used to go to church with my nana all the time ever since I was young,” he recalled. “She used to take us to church every Saturday night. And then me and my brother Roman actually became altar boys. So, religion has always been a huge factor for me.”

Fury, who starred in Love Island UK in 2019, described church as a place of peace amid life’s pressures: “When you walk into a church and you sit down, it’s like all the stresses of life just go away.”

Asked about his prayer life, Fury said he speaks to God “every day in some form or the other,” and credits Jesus with all that he has achieved. “Without Jesus, I wouldn’t have what I have right now,” he said.

The documentary follows Fury as he recovers from mental health struggles, heavy drinking and a relationship breakdown with TV personality Molly-Mae Hague, the mother of his young daughter.

“At one stage in my life, I had everything, big fights, big money, houses, cars, my life was going too well. So, I think God just wanted to test me a little bit… see how I would fare when it’s not so great,” he explained.

Fury said he now sees those challenges as part of God’s plan to refine him: “I actually thank God for that in a way, thank God for giving me those tough times, because if I hadn’t gone through them, I probably wouldn’t be the man I am today.”

Fury, whose brother Tyson is also outspoken about his faith in and out of the boxing ring, shared that the sport and his daughter Bambi, also helped him most during that period. This May, it was confirmed that Fury and Hague had reconciled.

The first six episodes of Tommy:The Good. The Bad. The Fury are available on BBC iPlayer, with the series continuing later this year.

The show was suspended indefinitely, after Kimmel said the country had “hit some new lows,” with "the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it."

ABC’s parent company, Disney, said the comments were “ill-timed and thus insensitive.”

After international uproar over censorship, the show returned on Tuesday night. A visibly emotional Kimmel declared that he “never meant to make light of the murder of a young man,” or blame either side of the political spectrum for “the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual.”

Kimmel then praised Kirk’s widow, Erika, for forgiving her husband’s killer. "Erika Kirk forgave the man who shot her husband," he said. "She forgave him. That is an example we should follow. If you believe in the teachings of Jesus as I do, there it was.”

He also described Erika’s approach as “an act of grace”. “Forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply. It touches many, and if there's anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that and not this." he said.

Kimmel had a Catholic upbringing and was an altar boy as a child. 

In 2017, he had a public disagreement with Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore, who accused Kimmel of mocking Christian values. 

"It doesn’t fit your stereotype, but I happen to be a Christian too," Kimmel responded. "I made my first holy communion, I was confirmed, I pray, I support my church, one of my closest friends is a priest, and I baptised my children. Christian is actually my middle name. I know that’s shocking, but it’s true."

The 31-year-old singer wrote that Jesus teaches our efforts in life "are simply a response to the gifts of life and forgiveness". 

"Jesus becomes the prize," he wrote. "And growth becomes something you desire because of the grace we have received."

Bieber, who was baptised in 2014, has often spoken about how his Christian faith has reshaped his life. His wife, Hailey Bieber, is also a practicing believer, and the couple often speak publicly about their faith. 

The father-of-one’s post quickly gained traction, attracting more than 22 million views.

Bieber is among the most-followed people on X, consistently ranking in the platform’s top 10 accounts worldwide and holding the title of most-followed musician.

He currently attends Churchome, a non-denominational Christian congregation in Seattle and LA, and was previously connected with Hillsong Church.

Frankie Muniz, who is best known for starring in the 2000s sitcom Malcom in the Middle shared the message on X: “Happy Sunday! I am proud to say I live for Jesus Christ. Who’s with me?”

The post drew tens of thousands of likes, with actress Candace Cameron Bure responding: “Let’s GO!!! Praise God.”

Muniz, now 39, has become increasingly vocal about his faith. Earlier this year, he posted a video listening to the worship song 'Build my life', reflecting: “All part of His plan so you have to trust the good and the bad.”

Known for his breakout role alongside Bryan Cranston in the hit TV show, Muniz stepped away from Hollywood in 2006 to focus on family and professional racing.

Speaking recently, he said: “Money does not buy happiness. Look at Hollywood, there’s a lot of miserable people, right?”

Muniz also revealed over the summer he is recovering from a fractured wrist following a fall, but says he plans to return to the track once fully healed.

She continued: “Because of Him I wake up each day feeling more positive, confident, grounded and more grateful.” 

The emotional video shared on social media shows the couple embracing and celebrating their baptism, a moment Draper called “the most special day of my life.”  

She added: “Getting baptised together felt like the most beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness… walking in faith and love with my best friend by my side.”  

Quoting Philippians 4:7, she ended: “Glory to God always!” 

The packed event brought together artists, fans and industry leaders for an unforgettable evening of faith and music.

Performances included a powerful collaboration between rapper Guvna B and Keisha Buchanan of the Sugababes, while Ghetts and Sam Henshaw delivered show-stopping sets that had the crowd on their feet.

Reflecting on the night, Premier Gospel Station Director Muyiwa Olarewaju OBE said: “The Premier Gospel Awards are about more than trophies, they’re a celebration of the incredible talent within the gospel community and the way this music continues to inspire, uplift, and transform lives. Last night was a true testament to the power of gospel.”

As the UK’s leading gospel music station, Premier Gospel continues to champion the genre through radio, events and digital platforms, creating a home for artists and fans while bringing gospel music to wider audiences.

James was one of three people killed when a small private plane crashed near Macon County Airport in Franklin on the afternoon of 18th September. The FAA confirmed the aircraft was registered to Brett Cornelius of Brentwood, Tennessee, James’s legal name.

Celebrated for his contribution to Christian and country music, James rose to prominence with Carrie Underwood’s 2005 hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel”, a faith-filled ballad that won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song and became a spiritual anthem for millions.

A graduate of Christian Heritage Academy in Oklahoma, James often integrated Christian themes into his songwriting

His early recordings included hymns such as “What Child Is This?” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus".

Over his career, James wrote more than 300 major-label songs and received multiple industry honours, including induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020 and being named ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year twice.

Ministerios Restauración, a Spanish-speaking congregation in the Plateau-Mont-Royal area, is pleading not guilty to breaking a city bylaw when it opened its doors to Feucht in July.

Their legal team, supported by The Democracy Fund, has appealed in both municipal and Quebec Superior Court, claiming the city acted unlawfully and breached constitutional rights.

Litigation director Mark Joseph said that this is the "first step" in defending the Church and "ensuring that Christians in Canada have the same rights to freely and peacefully worship as anyone else".

The appeal is asking for the fine to be dismissed, recognition of the church’s right to hold worship services, and $10,000 (£5,368 ) in damages for alleged violations of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Montreal officials maintain the penalty was justified because the church hosted Feucht despite objections to his views.

A spokesperson for Mayor Valerie Plante said at the time: "Freedom of expression is one of our fundamental values, but hateful and discriminatory speech is not acceptable in Montreal."

Feucht, who has been outspoken on issues including abortion and transgender ideology, described the city’s response as evidence of rising hostility to Christianity in Canada.

He warned that "to publicly profess deeply held Christian beliefs is to be labeled an extremist, and to have a free worship event classified as a public safety risk".

The event itself was disrupted by a smoke bomb, with police arresting one protester.

Posting on social media, Sarah Sizzle revealed her decision to quit a prominent adult platform, saying she has found “joy and peace” in her new path. “How did I ever live that way and think it was right?” she wrote. 

With over 120,000 followers on X and nearly triple that on Instagram, Sarah now plans to host livestreams on YouTube and TikTok “to grow the Kingdom of God”.

She described the dramatic change as “God-ordained”. 

However, her transition has not been welcomed by everyone. Critics have questioned her sincerity, noting that her social media still features provocative photos posted recently, despite her new religious message.

Some users have called her transformation a “grift”, while others have mocked the tone of her faith-based posts. 

Sarah appears undeterred. Responding to supportive comments, she expressed gratitude and affirmed her belief that “God is faithful” and “draws near” to those who seek Him. 

The new imprint, named Ebury Vine, will publish books on faith, spiritual growth and self-development, with commissioning editor Charisa Gunasekera already acquiring 15 titles.

Gunasekera told Premier Christian News it is "really exciting" to have the ability to "get the word of Jesus out" to places where it may be harder to access.

Among the first releases are Waiting for Jesus by Rich Villodas, an Advent devotional out this month, and Rhythms of Faith by Claude Atcho, which explores the church calendar.

Other authors include New York Times bestseller Mark Batterson, mythographer Dr Martin Shaw, and minimalist pastor Joshua Becker.

Publishing director Olivia Morris described the move as “a fitting way to build on our heritage and mark out our ambitious intent to grow this space.”

The launch comes as UK church attendance has risen by 50 per cent in the past six years, with more than two million now attending services regularly.

In a lengthy post on X, the Harry Potter author also reflected on how her views on several sensitive issues have shifted in recent years, including sexual identity, gender, and assisted dying.

“I used to believe nurture was everything and that nature wasn’t important. My belief changed because of my own life experience and from reading studies about genetic inheritance,” she wrote.

“In my early twenties I believed the difference between the sexes was entirely due to socialisation. I no longer believe that (for the same reasons as above).”

Rowling added that she had once supported assisted dying but had changed her mind, saying: “I no longer do, largely because I’m married to a doctor who opened my eyes to the possibilities of coercion of sick or vulnerable people.”

Turning to religion, the billionaire writer said she has “struggled with religious faith” since her mid-teens.

“I appear to have a God-shaped vacuum inside me but I never seem quite able to make up my mind what to do about it,” she said.

Rowling has previously alluded to having faith in God, and in a 2012 interview said she was a member of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Speaking to the BBC ahead of their upcoming FOLK! Tour returning to Northern Ireland, lead vocalist Chris Llewellyn said that the group began as a simple Bible study 16 years ago, which escalated into worship and songwriting.

It was Delirious’ Martin Smith who launched them to the heights of the Christian worship scene, after hearing a track they recorded as a “memento”. He then played it to a US worship leader, who connected them with the industry across the Atlantic.

Bangor-born Llewellyn said the chance to tour America has been an "incredible privilege".

"I remember getting on a tour bus for the first time, and I was just soaking it in because I thought I'd never get back on one again…and yet, 16 years later and we're still going."

He addressed controversy over the band being image-focused, by describing performances as both "a show and worship".

The group says faith is very much at their heart, with their ethos boiling down to: “trying to love God and love your neighbour, through the context of playing a banjo".

"It doesn't make sense to do it any other way," said the Llewellyn.

"When I've personally tried to write stuff that isn't necessarily faith-based, it always ends up back there."

Daigle, whose Christian faith influences both her music and advocacy, told Fox News the issue is deeply personal: 
 
“At a young age, I was revolted by the idea that children are being harmed around the world and now we have an opportunity to do something about it.” 
 
She added: “A lot of predators are here, and they can sexually exploit children around the world, which is really, really tough.” 
 
Daigle has encouraged Christians to stand with groups such as International Justice Mission (IJM), a Christian charity which supports the bill, and provides resources for reporting abuse. 

“This act is about bringing big tech to the forefront and saying, ‘You have the resources to help stop this.’ It’s global, and it’s happening on apps we all use every day,” she said. 
 
 

The move comes as the cathedral confirmed a consultation on redundancies, with five of eight non-clergy posts at risk.

In a statement, the Chapter, which is the cathedral's governing body, said the incident “included the choir singing a specially composed and entirely inappropriate piece… whilst members of the congregation were receiving Holy Communion, and the walking out of the choir immediately afterwards.”

According to Anglican teaching, Holy Communion is the most sacred part of worship, intended for reverence and prayer.

The Chapter added that the imposed break for the choir would allow time to “review what happened and consider appropriate next steps", as well as open dialogue with choir members.

The Chapter also acknowledged the cathedral’s financial struggles, warning of a significant shortfall between income and expenditure.

“Whilst the financial situation is very challenging, it is also redeemable. But only with urgent action,” the statement read.

Speaking on the Shawn Ryan Show, Rich said Osteen never preaches on Matthew 24, where Jesus warns of “famines and earthquakes” and false Messiahs before His return.

Rich argued this is because “it’s very uncomfortable for Christians to have to think about.”

“To say that God would never make his people go through something like that is one of the most ignorant, spiritually ignorant things a person could say,” he added.

“Joel Osteen is never going to preach that. Joel Osteen is never going to say anything that’s going to make anybody uncomfortable ever on any level ever.”

Rich contrasted American Christianity with believers facing persecution abroad.

“Why don’t you go tell that to the underground Christians in communist China right now who are being killed by the thousands?” he asked.

“Do you think fat, lazy American Christians are better than them? No. They are superior to us.”

Osteen, based in Houston, Texas, is known for his weekly broadcasts watched by millions and his teaching on prosperity and positive thinking.

He has not responded to Rich’s remarks.

Stuart Murdoch, the band’s lead singer, said the encouragement and support provided to him by members of Hyndland Parish Church in Glasgow in the early 1990s was pivotal and the catalyst for success.

Belle and Sebastian were formed in 1994 and since then have recorded 12 studio albums.  They’re currently preparing for a worldwide tour to mark the 30th anniversary of their first two albums, ‘Tigermilk' and ‘If You're Feeling Sinister'.

Murdoch credits his success to the support shown to him early on by Very Rev John Christie, who allowed him to live in a flat above the church hall rent free for more than five years in exchange for caretaker duties in 1991. Murdoch was unemployed and lacking direction at the time and this enabled the now internationally acclaimed band to use the space to regularly practice and rehearse when it was not in use by community groups. They later recorded several albums there.

Murdoch joined the church choir and was given tips on how to strengthen his voice. He’s now a committed Christian who serves the same church to this day as an elder and worship leader.

He appeared at the Edinburgh Book Festival recently to promote his new book, ‘Nobody's Empire', and was re-united with Rev Christie, who served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 2010-2011.

The minister led Hyndland Parish Church for 14 years and is named in the book's acknowledgements along with hall convener Ann Henderson in recognition of the part they played in steering the direction of the musician's life.

Murdoch recalled how he was suffering with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) at the time, a condition that led to him returning to his Christian faith while unemployed and searching for meaning in his life. He took up the invitation to live in the flat above the church hall but did not really want to get involved with the daily life of the congregation because of his health. However he added:

"I was pleasantly surprised because I had not been in church since I was a kid and it was much more open, friendlier and easier to digest than my memory of it.

"John Christie was a young man to me at the time and his personality seemed to be kind and I enjoyed the service.

"He came up to me afterwards and said hello and invited me back the next week and after a few weeks of attending I mentioned to him that I was interested in music.

"He called John Langdon over and said, ‘here is a chap who is interested in music, can you put him in the choir?

"I was at the University of Glasgow doing music part-time but I was still struggling to keep up with it energy wise, and I initially thought ‘I don't want to be in the choir'.

"But within the next week there I was standing up at the sharp end with a red gown on with Maggie and her husband Ian and the rest of the double quartet."

He attended the church for the next four years, helping out as a caretaker and sweeping up in the evenings:

"I wasn't a very good jannie but I tried my best and for many folk I was always just the guy upstairs…

"The old ladies used to always try to go up to my flat and have a look around.

"They would chap the door and say, ‘here are some left over sandwiches and cakes from this morning' which were always gratefully received but I would always stand there and think to myself ‘nope, you are not coming in'.

"I had to draw the line because my flat was messy and it was full of music equipment and I don't think anybody from the church would have been very impressed with the way I was keeping it."

It was around this time in 1995 that Mr Murdoch and his friend Stuart David recruited some local musicians and they formed ‘Belle and Sebastian', named after a short story about a boy and his dog.

The 58 year old said :"The life of the band and my life at the church went together hand-in-hand, it was symbiosis…

"I would show the band the new songs that I had written at the piano in the big hall because as soon as people using it left, I would go down there to use it and we would practice for the recording of the second LP.

"We were so comfortable in the church hall because we enjoyed the acoustics and that led to us later recording in the hall itself.

"When the band started we recorded the first two albums in a professional studio in Glasgow but then for the next recordings, which became our first three EPs, we brought equipment into the hall because we wanted to get more of a live feel."

Mr Murdoch, who is married with two children, said his Christian faith is extremely important to him and he is very active at his church when time allows.

Mr Christie said he was pleased to have helped the musician in his younger days and to be acknowledged in the book:

"I am very pleased to see that Stuart maintains his link with the Church of Scotland and his faith continues to play an important role in his life."

Today, the church is called Broomhill Hyndland Parish Church following a merger in 2017 and Mr Murdoch is still a member of the choir.

The 39 year old has made no secret of his faith over the years. He was raised as a Seventh Day Adventist in Jamaica, but converted to Catholicism, taking the middle name Saint Leo in honour of an early Pope. One of his twin sons is also named Saint Leo.

Throughout his career, which saw him labelled as ‘the fastest man in the world’, Bolt was regularly seen making the sign of the Cross and pointing heavenward before races. He also wears a Miraculous Medal which is worn by the faithful as a symbol of protection and safeguarding.

Speaking to The Times this weekend for a feature entitled ‘What I’ve Learnt’, Bolt said: “I travel with my Bible. I still read it. I grew up as a Christian. It’s very important in my life. My mum still goes to church and still encourages me to go…

“I’m pretty blessed. I was given the time by God to run and compete.”

Bolt who retired in 2017, holds eight Olympic gold medals, as well as the world record in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.

Campaigners attempted to block Feucht’s ‘Revive in 25’ tour at Gas Works Park, with the activist group Lavender Rights holding a counter rally at the same time.

In 2022, Feucht drew controversy by saying he denounced “gender confusion [and] sexual perversion”. The same year, he accused Seattle officials of “discrimination towards believers” when a worship rally – also planned for Gas Works Park – was shut down due to COVID concerns.

However, this time his concert did go ahead, with Seattle’s mayor stating that shutting it down would be a breach of Feucht’s First Amendment rights to free speech.

Franklin Graham took to X, saying: “Another woke, blue city trying to shut down a Christian event.  

“Worship leader @SeanFeucht has faced harsh pushback from LGBTQ activists who tried to get the permit revoked for the event he was holding today in Seattle. I’m thankful that Seattle’s mayor stood by the law.”

Another woke, blue city trying to shut down a Christian event. Worship leader @SeanFeucht has faced harsh pushback from LGBTQ activists who tried to get the permit revoked for the event he was holding today in Seattle. I’m thankful that Seattle’s mayor stood by the law and said…

— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) August 31, 2025

The evangelist and CEO of the Billy Graham Association also invited his followers to pray for Sean.

Earlier this summer, Feucht again landed in hot water over allegations of spiritual abuse and misuse of funding during his time at Bethel church.

Feucht strongly refuted the claims, telling Premier they were a "complete sham,” put forward by "embittered former volunteers" who "have been attacking the ministry for over a decade." 

St Ethelburga’s, situated below the iconic ‘Gherkin’ building, will be open to the public as part of the Open House festival 2025.

The festival aims to celebrate connection through city spaces, by allowing the public into a selection of homes and cultural buildings during September.

St Ethelburga’s is a medieval church dating back to 1250. Its stones date to 1411, when parts of the church were rebuilt.

In 1993, the ancient building was almost completely destroyed by an IRA bomb dropped on Bishopsgate. After a £350 million restoration project, it became the centre for a non-profit initiative focused on interfaith work and social justice.

St Ethelburga’s says it is keen to invite people into the church space for “peaceful reflection,” and wants to celebrate “London’s architecture, neighbourhoods, and the communities that shape them”.

The church will be open for the festival on Monday 15th September.

The Canadian pop star jumped into the audience, where one ordained fan was able to reach out and pray for him.

Mendes can be seen clutching the hand of Eliet Jerez, and mouthing “thank you" as the priest makes the sign of the cross on his forehead.

 

 

 

 

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The ‘Senorita’ singer has previously described how the Christian music collective Maverick City changed his outlook on faith.

Speaking on Justin Baldoni’s Man Enough podcast, he said he grew up “more or less atheist" but has become “much more spiritual” through their worship.

"I watched Maverick City Choir singing about God, about Jesus. I'm sitting there watching this YouTube video about Jesus, and I just start crying, crying my eyes out," he said.

“You know when it’s like ‘something is leaving me’ – that type of cry? How does something I’ve not grown up believing in feel like home?”

Mendes also said he listens to spiritual mantras from the Buddhist and Hindu faiths. 

“Let me take this opportunity to say I apologise, man,” Asbury posted on Instagram. “I never meant to poke fun at anything that you were going through.”

Asbury has since taken down his original video, but Frank reposted it in a stitch before sharing his personal thoughts. In the original video, Asbury told fans that he had recently left the hospital following a vasectomy.

“We didn’t plan this, but you know, my boy Forrest, he turned lemons into lemonade. I figured I still got use of my hands. I can still make music,” Asbury said. “I’m sitting here and decided to cook this song up and hope it encourages you all.”

Asbury then shared a song that referenced his medical procedure.

“Snip, snip season but we stay winning souls/ Spread the gospel not my seed,” he sang.

Asbury was referring to the process of making a song in a similar way to Frank, who wrote music while recovering from a back fracture during a frightening skateboarding accident.

A few days into his recovery, Frank revealed that he had written a song inspired by his injury. He teased the track, saying the outro was the most encouraging:

“I won’t fear no past/
My path, I’ll just keep moving straight ’cause God’s got my back/
Even when I fall or get attacked/ ’cause God’s got my back.”

The track, titled God’s Got My Back, was released on 28 July 2025.

However, Frank did not appreciate Asbury’s song. He told his followers that it was one of at least a dozen posts he had seen from other Christian artists making fun of one of the most traumatic moments of his life.

“I can totally understand the fact that you guys are just having fun. You’re probably not even thinking that I’m going to see it,” Frank said. “I’ll just say this: to everybody who’s making these videos, I’m not telling you to stop. But this raises a really interesting conversation with social media because there’s no seatbelt on social media.”

Frank then shared lyrics to a song he wrote for Asbury, titled Misunderstood, in response to what he felt was mockery of his healing journey:

“Sometimes words hit you in the chest/
Sting you like a bee/ And rob you of your rest.

And heaven knows sometimes/ People try to mean well/
But trauma from their past’s got ’em stuck inside of hell.”

He ended the song with lyrics about how, if Jesus forgave the people who nailed him to a cross, then Frank could also forgive those who mock him.

Before performing the song, Frank told Asbury that he recognised him as a deep songwriter. He invited him to collaborate on a track about a “bigger topic that could be really productive to talk about” if he was willing to take part.

He has also performed at the foot of Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer statue and once had his headphones blessed by the late Pope.

Reflecting on his Medusa Festival appearance, he wrote: “Music, irreverence, gratitude and a great respect for all who made the Medusa Festival.” He believes electronic music is a powerful force for good, a space where people of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds unite.

“Those who have faith and those who don’t, dance together,” he says.

The couple shared their garden proposal on Instagram, with the caption: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married", followed by a dynamite emoji in reference to their couple nickname ‘TNT’.

Asbury United Methodist Church in Kansas City, which has been known for its humorous welcome boards, displayed the message: “We do weddings! Congrats Travis & Taylor.”

Cambellsburg United Methodist Church also joked: "What's even bigger news than Taylor Swift getting engaged??? This Sunday is Service Sunday!! You may not get invited to Taylor and Travis' wedding, but you are warmly welcomed to our Sunday Family gathering!"

Travis' father, Ed Kelce, told WEWS: "They’re two people obviously very much in love." 

“They were about to go out to dinner and he said, ‘Let’s go out and have a glass of wine,’ … they got out there and that’s when he asked her and it was beautiful.”

The couple has yet to publicly confirm any wedding plans, such as whether they intend to have a church ceremony. 

The 48-year-old Coldplay frontman grew up with Christian values having attended Exeter Cathedral School, and later boarded at Sherborne School, a former monastery in Dorset, and so when he was asked to sing songs like Sympathy For The Devil by The Rolling Stones, he felt it wasn't appropriate.

Appearing on the #ABTalks podcast, he said: "There are a couple of songs when I was 15 that I wouldn’t sing.

"I was in a band and they wanted to do some covers and I said, 'I don’t think I can sing that,' because they were about evil or the Devil. Now I realise it was just a song."

Chris family attended Belmont Chapel, a conservative evangelical church, and religious teachings were very much part of his upbringing.

However, later in life, he branded himself an "alltheist".

Speaking in a 2021 interview with Howard Stern, he explained: “My God, for me, is all things and all. God is everywhere and everyone and it’s also the unknowable, the vast majesty behind everything. And it’s just the point where you get to the place where you can’t think any further—that’s where I think God is.”

Coldplay's songs have also touched on faith and spirituality, including We Pray, Fix You, Paradise and Viva La Vida.

Charles and Camilla were pictured arriving in the back of a car, while William and Kate, known in Scotland as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, arrived in another vehicle with the Prince at the wheel, as reported by The Independent.

“Crathie Kirk has long been a spiritual home for our family,” a palace spokesperson noted, reflecting the late Queen Elizabeth II’s regular attendance.

The Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh were also present for the service.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed that William and Kate will move later this year with their three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, to Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park, funding the renovations themselves.

As heir to the throne, William oversees the Duchy of Cornwall estate, a significant portfolio of land, property, and investments valued at over £1 billion, supporting his family and royal duties.

In a recent interview with The Christian Post, Smith spoke about the “calling” to make new music.

“I don’t need to make another record, but I feel called to make this one,” he said.

Your Love Is a Flood specifically is about “the overwhelming grace of God,” he explained, “and how, even in the hard times, I wake up every day knowing I’m loved.”

Smith's confidence, he says, comes from knowing he is loved by God, regardless of whether or not he has sold a single record (he has sold 18 million). 

“My identity is not being Michael W. Smith the artist,” he said. “The things that are near and dear and more important to me are, first and foremost, my relationship with the Lord. Then my family—my wife, my children, my grandchildren—and my friends that I walk through life with.”

Early success brought its own challenges, including pride and self-fulfilment. When Place in This World first reached the top of the Billboard charts, Smith was at the centre of mainstream media attention, even appearing in People magazine as one of its “Most Beautiful People” and receiving the American Music Award for Best New Adult Contemporary Artist in 1992. Looking back, he admitted he wished he had learned true contentment earlier in life.

“Back in the day, it was about how many records we sold, what awards we won,” he said. “I was young, kind of immature. I got caught up in it. I wish I could go back and talk to that younger version of myself.”

Now, he knows that “God doesn’t share His glory with anybody.” It was a piece of advice he received from a friend that continues to guide his life today.

“Now, every night before I go on stage, I pray, ‘Let my posture be sure. Let me walk out in humility.’”

As he moved into modern worship with his albums Worship, Worship Again and Surrounded, Smith also began investing more into younger artists—a mentoring role he continues today.

“There’s a lot of great stuff happening,” he said. “But I also see this surge of fame, and I worry about that. If you’re not grounded, it can consume you.”

Smith will continue to introduce new music to audiences on his autumn Beyond the Far Horizon Tour, which will take him to more than 10 cities before he gears up for his Every Christmas solo tour and Christmas Together with Amy Grant and CeCe Winans.

“We all know Christmas is, hands down, my favourite time of year, and getting to tour with Amy always makes it even more special—but this year, we’re taking it to the next level!” he told Billboard.

“We’re beyond excited to have our dear friend CeCe Winans join us. After so many years of touring together, adding CeCe’s incredible voice and spirit to the mix feels like the ultimate Christmas gift. To say that the three of us are thrilled about this tour is simply an understatement.”

Dobson, who began his career as a child psychologist, rose to prominence through his Christian parenting advice and radio broadcasts. In 1977, he founded Focus on the Family, which grew into one of the most influential evangelical ministries in the United States and featured regularly on Premier Christian Radio.

At its height, it employed more than 1,000 staff and shaped public debates on family life, faith, and morality.

"Dr. Dobson was a pioneer, a man of deep conviction whose voice shaped the way generations view faith, family, and culture," said Gary Bauer, senior vice president of public policy at the JDFI.

"His bold leadership, integrity, and compassion helped equip countless families to thrive in a world of shifting values. He was a mentor, a counselor, and a steady voice of truth in turbulent times."

After stepping down from Focus on the Family in 2010, Dobson launched the Dr James Dobson Family Institute and continued to broadcast through his Family Talk radio program, which today reaches hundreds of thousands of listeners across the country.

Throughout his life, Dobson was outspoken on issues of faith, family, and culture. He served on President Donald Trump’s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board and was known for his strong pro-life stance and traditional views on marriage. 

Dobson wrote more than 70 books on family life and Christian discipleship, including The New Dare to Discipline, The New Strong-Willed Child, Bringing Up Boys, Bringing Up Girls, and When God Doesn’t Make Sense. Many of these titles remain widely read in Christian homes around the world today.

Many within the Church have described Dobson as one of the most significant Christian leaders of the past half-century, whose teaching on family discipleship has influenced generations of believers worldwide.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley; their children, Danae and Ryan; daughter-in-law Laura; and two grandchildren.

On X, Focus on the Family paid tribute: “Today we remember a hero of the faith... Although we're sorrowful over this loss, we are thankful for his legacy of family ministry that will live on for future generations, and rejoice that he is now in the presence of our Savior.”

In a conversation with Complex, Washington questioned the very idea of being “canceled.” When told the term means losing public support, he responded boldly: “Who cares? What made public support so important to begin with? Followers now are currency? I don’t care who’s following who.”

Washington went on to explain that his confidence rests not in fans or followers, but in his Christian faith. “You can’t lead and follow at the same time, and you can’t follow and lead at the same time. I don’t follow anybody. I follow the heavenly spirit. I follow God, I don’t follow man. I have faith in God. I have hope in man, but look around, it ain’t working out so well.”

Sitting alongside director Spike Lee, who also dismissed cancel culture by saying “I could care less,” Washington laughed off the debate, adding: “You can’t be canceled if you haven’t signed up. Don’t sign up.”

Washington, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, recently made history with his 11th Golden Globe nomination for Gladiator II, which is the most nominations ever received by a Black actor.

Despite his enduring career success, he says he is now more focused on legacy than accolades: “Life is in three sections: you learn, you earn, you return. I’m in the return part of life.”

In a public message on Instagram, she wrote: “Most Holy Father. Please go to Gaza and bring your light to the children before it’s too late. As a mother, I cannot bear to watch their suffering… We need the humanitarian gates to be fully opened to save these innocent children. There is no more time. Please say you will go.”

Posting on her son Rocco’s birthday, Madonna said her plea was the “best gift” she could give him, asking others to do what they can to help.

“Politics cannot affect change. Only consciousness can. Therefore I am reaching out to a man of God,” she wrote, adding: “I am not pointing fingers, placing blame or taking sides. Everyone is suffering. Including the mothers of the hostages. I pray that they are released as well.”

Pope Leo, who became the first American-born pontiff in May, addressed the crisis in a recent Mass: “We are closer than ever to young people who suffer the most serious evils which are caused by other human beings. We are with the young people of Gaza.”

The inscriptions reference passages that speak of God’s protection and deliverance, with Isaiah 54:17 declaring: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper”, and Exodus 14:14 stating: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

This football shoe customisation has been praised by Christians online.

One X user wrote: "Great awesome scriptures!" while another praised his openness, saying: "I like celebrities who are not ashamed of their faith."

FA Cup holders Crystal Palace won this year's Community Shield after beating Premier League champions Liverpool 3-2 on penalties at Wembley Stadium.

Aged 19, the striker has risen to prominence after scoring critical equalisers against Italy and Sweden during the Euros.

Agyemang is open about her strong Christian faith. She can be seen praying before matches, and shares Bible verses on social media.

A post on 9th April reads:  “Philippians 4:13 - ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’. Not the result we hoped for, but beyond grateful for the opportunity to make my senior team debut. A moment I’ll never forget - just the beginning.”

She is one of five players nominated for the Women’s Kopa Trophy, alongside; Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid & Colombia), Wieke Kaptein (Chelsea & Netherlands), Claudia Martinez Ovando (Club Olimpia & Paraguay) and Vicky Lopez (Barcelona & Spain).

The Ballon d'Or will be held on 22nd September 2025. 

The exhibition, running until Friday, features a rare collection of Bibles loaned from the Museum of the Book in London, including a 16th-century "chained Bible" from the time of Henry VIII, John Bunyan’s personal Bible, and even an original Torah scroll.

Pastor Gary Stevens, who was inducted to the church this year, said he was “thrilled to include Elvis's Bible in the display”.

“I didn’t think we’d get a Bible like that in Suffolk and the personal notes from Elvis are quite moving”, he added.

The Bible, gifted to Presley by his aunt and uncle at Christmas in 1957, sheds light on the faith of the man known as the "King of Rock and Roll."

Pastor Stevens said: “Most people think of Elvis as a rebel, but he was brought up in a very devout Christian home and clearly had a relationship with God.”

He added: “Interestingly, Elvis never won a Grammy for Rock ’n’ Roll, but he did win three for his gospel songs. You could say he was the King of gospel, too.”

The exhibition that is open 2-5pm daily, has 23 rare artefacts and Bibles on display and Pastor Stevens said it’s attracted non-believers too.

“We’ve had a few Elvis fans come to the church and people from all over East Anglia and London”.

A special anniversary service will take place at the church in Suffolk on Saturday at 4pm.

The Lethal Weapon star directed the 2004 original and he's been busy working on a follow-up - titled The Resurrection of the Christ - and it's now been revealed the film will be split in two and the movies will be released just 40 days apart with the first installment due on Good Friday on March 26, 2027 and the second following on Ascension Day on May 6, 2027.

The news was revealed in a post on Instagram which gave the release dates. Gibson is directing and Jim Caviezel - who played Jesus Christ in the original film - will be returning to the role for the next two movies alongside Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene.

Original cast members Maia Morgenstern and Francesco De Vito will also be returning.

Gibson has been working on the sequel for many years and back in 2022, he spoke about the difficulties he was facing in his attempts to bring the story to the big screen.

During an appearance on EWTN's The World Over YouTube show, he explained: "Well it's a huge subject, and it’s not a linear narrative so that in order to have it mean something and resonate for almost anybody that watches it ...

"You have to juxtapose the central event that I’m trying to tell with everything else around it in the future, in the past, and in other realms, and that’s kind of getting a little sci-fi out there.

"It's a big story, it's a difficult concept and it's taken me a long time to focus and find a way to tell that story and really delivers to someone who may not know anything about the central story ... "

Gibson went on to reveal he had two finished scripts and was struggling to choose between them. He added: "I've got two scripts ... so I got the pair of them and they're both good ...

"Plus you have to add your own mojo to it ... and there's a lot of material to draw from, believe me."

The movie star elaborated on his script issues during a live event with Jenni Falconer in October 2022, revealing one of the scripts is "very structured" and the other is "like an acid trip".

He explained: "It is such a massive undertaking that you can't do it lightly and you can't do it quickly. You have to really consider what you have to show in order to be poignant ... It's going to be a real jigsaw puzzle to do and I have two scripts. And one of them is very structured and a very strong script and more what you would expect.

"The other is like an acid trip because you're going into other realms and stuff. You're in hell. It's like you're watching the angels fall. It's crazy."

Gibson also addressed the issue of bringing back his lead actor Caviezel 17 years after making the first film, adding: "Nobody else [could play that part] ...

"It's going to be a Rip Van Winkle kind of thing. Three days later, look he's got wrinkles. You can fix that stuff now."

During her Lifetimes Tour, the 'Dark horse' singer brings a few fans on stage every night to help her perform her 2011 ballad 'The one that got away'.

According to Billboard, Perry selected a young girl named McKenna and waited for her and her friend to make their way to the stage from their seats high up in the area. McKenna, who appeared overcome with emotion, hugged the singer when they arrived on stage.

However, as Perry was preparing to start the song, the fan fainted. The 'Firework' hitmaker knelt alongside her as her crew and the venue's medical team treated McKenna, who was subsequently taken off the stage.

Perry then pulled the three remaining fans into a group hug and led a prayer, saying, "Dear God, we pray for McKenna, that she will come back fully and brighter and better than ever. Amen."

She also told the crowd, "It's so much. Sometimes you're so brave and you can get on stage, and it's overwhelming. I understand that feeling."

The 40-year-old then performed the track with her fans before they left the stage.

Later in the show, Perry gave a shout-out to McKenna and told the audience, "McKenna's doing great, by the way."

The pop star kicked off the Lifetimes Tour in April, and it is slated to run until 7th December. She is next scheduled to perform in Toronto, Canada on Tuesday.

Perry was raised in a Christian home and grew up leading worship at her parent's church. In 2001, she released her debut gospel album under her birth name Katy Hudson, but after moving into the mainstream music industry is when she became one of the most successful recording artists of all time. 

Although she doesn't describe herself as a practicing Christian, in 2020, she said remembering to be thankful to God helped her get through suicidal thoughts. 

According to a report from The Guardian, Jason Jones met Tait in the early 1990s as a fan. He told the publication that he was later fired from Evanescence for speaking out about the alleged assault, which took place at Tait’s house in 1998.

“It destroyed me,” Jones told the outlet. “I was achieving my dreams at an early age, and Tait changed all that.”

Jones said Tait helped him and Evanescence secure meetings with record labels, producers, and venue owners. During this time, he said he participated in uncomfortable behaviour, including partying, drinking, and smoking cannabis to gain Tait’s approval, according to The Daily Beast.

It was also during this period that Jones claims Tait confessed to living a double life as “a closeted gay man.”

In one incident from 1998, Jones said he was drinking at Tait’s house, felt tired, and was told to go to sleep in Tait’s bedroom. When he woke up some time later, he alleges that Tait was performing oral sex on him.

“I said no and pushed him off, but then, somehow, I passed out again. I woke back up, and he was still doing it. I said no again, then nodded out,” Jones told The Guardian. “And then I woke up a third time, aggressively shouted, ‘no!’ and pushed him harder. It was then that he left me alone.”

Jones believes that Tait drugged him.

Evanescence co-founder Ben Moody denies that Jones was fired for speaking out against Tait. Moody said that while he recalls Jones telling him about the sexual encounter, he thought it was consensual.

“I was a kid, only 18, and clearly didn’t realise what he was going through,” Moody said. “I’m sure I missed a lot of things I’d recognise today. I didn’t realise he was traumatised.”

In total, the number of men accusing Tait of sexual assault and/or being drugged has risen to eight since 4 June. In addition to his fame with DC Talk and Newsboys, Tait has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, even serving as a bridge between Trump and evangelical voters.

The Roys Report first revealed that Tait allegedly assaulted three men between 2004 and 2014. Since then, more alleged victims have come forward, including two minors.

On 10 June, Tait responded to the allegations with a post titled “My Confession.” He admitted to abusing cocaine and alcohol for over two decades and to touching men in “an unwanted sensual way.”

“I am ashamed of my life choices and actions, and make no excuses for them,” he wrote.

The 19-year-old is a Christian, who wears crosses on her socks, was “raised on gospel music” and plays piano to get in the zone for games. She is a member of the Christian football group Ballers in God, and proudly displays a cross in her Instagram bio.

Agyemang has proven her place in the England squad. In the quarter finals, her goal against Sweden took the team to penalties. The Lionesses then roared into the semis, where again she scored a critical equaliser – in the 96^th minute.

After Sunday’s victorious final, the breakout star directed all the glory to God, telling the BBC: “I thank God for where he's brought us as a team... We've won, we're European champions."

Just four years ago, Agyemang was a ball girl whilst her soon-to-be teammates played at Wembley.

“It's just surreal… to have come so far this quickly,” she said. “It’s only by the grace of God… the teammates around me, the staff, the coaches, everyone's put in the effort to help me get me where I am and where the team is today.”

The Christian golfer is public about family and faith being his “not-so-secret weapon” to sporting success.

Scheffler dominated at Royal Portrush, winning by four shots and finishing at 17 under par.

He maintained a humble approach to beating Rory McIlroy in his home country: “I know I wasn't the fan favourite, so I appreciate you guys coming out to support," he said.

Trophy in hand, he told reporters: “Am I grateful for it? Do I enjoy it? Oh my gosh, yeah, this is a cool feeling. I can't wait to get home and celebrate this Championship with the people that have helped me along.”

“But at the end of the day, it doesn't fulfil the deepest desires of my heart… it’s tough to describe when you haven’t lived it.”

In what appeared to be a reference to his faith, Scheffler continued: “Just because you win a golf tournament or accomplish something, it doesn't make you happy. Maybe for a few moments, maybe for a few days - but at the end of the day, you know, there's more to life than playing golf.”

After winning the Masters in 2022, the New Jersey-born sportsman said it all comes down to Jesus: “The reason why I play golf is I’m trying to glorify God and all that he’s done in my life. So for me, my identity isn’t a golf score.”

Speaking to The Times, the 77-year-old said he prays for ten minutes before a stage show, never blasphemes and never uses upside-down crosses because they offend him. He also teaches a weekly Bible class close to his home in Phoenix, Arizona.

Cooper, whose father was a pastor, said he runs three youth centres in Arizona for vulnerable children because he knows that “heaven and hell are real and one day I will have to answer to Jesus". 

The former hell-raiser found fame in the 1970s with songs such as ‘School’s Out’, but his ghoulish make-up and wild act, which included snakes and vampires, led to the campaigner Mary Whitehouse attempting to ban him from the UK. His drug and alcohol addictions led him into rehab, but 42 years ago he found God.

His latest UK tour starts this week and before a show he now has an afternoon nap followed by a Diet Coke and a chocolate chip cookie. And he says it’s important to keep life in perspective:

“I’ve discussed this with Marilyn Manson. I’ve discussed it with Nicolas Cage. Perform the dark role, but don’t let it consume you. So many of my friends didn’t make it: Jim Morrison, Keith Moon, Jimi Hendrix… These were my brothers and I watched them die. They all lived fast and became good-looking corpses, but it was a tragedy to see…

“People shouldn’t give their whole lives, their health, to rock’n’roll. Life is bigger than that.”

In 2012, he formed a band, the Hollywood Vampires, with the actor Johnny Depp, along with the Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry.

“When I first started the Vampires, I was the only one who was sober…

“Johnny got sober and it took Joe almost dying to get there. They were always professional, but I prayed for them.”

Cooper, whose real name is Vincent Furnier, has been happily married to Sheryl Goddard for almost 50 years. They have two daughters, a son and five grandchildren.

Fr Pat Brennan, who was ordained in 1992 and has led three parishes simultaneously, announced his departure in the church newsletter, saying he leaves “with many fond memories” but also acknowledging challenges.

“You can’t please all the people,” he wrote. “And those few who have been vocal in criticism in and outside of the parish, have contributed to my leaving.”

Fr Brennan, who will continue serving at two other parishes in Bulkington and Bedworth, shared a reflective poem titled Not I Lord Surely!, questioning the impact of unwelcoming attitudes in church life. 

This is the poem in full: 

What makes people not come to church?

Could it be the people who already go?

The righteous, the clique, the worthy,

the disdainful look given, the thought you’re in my seat

the unfriendly, so that the stranger remains so.

Gossip flows from holy lips,

a hobby to talk about so and so, you know?

A mix of disgruntled, unlikeable,

entitled offended, who don’t want to know

Better than you, holier too,

tutting for a living, whispering about you know who…

Did you ever go inside and wish you hadn’t arrived

The words of love conveniently ignored

A plethora of benches occupied by the weekly bored

What makes people not come to church?

The cold indifference and quiet distain of those who already go.

If your first instinct when you hear the words “Go in peace” is time for war

Then think again, ask am I the reason people flee, am I to blame, is it me?

Not I surely?

So not quite the whole story.

Just don’t make it so

Continue to go, but in Christ’s likeness grow.

Rejected… this is how for some it can feel.

Yet each person who steps inside should be…

Welcomed, accepted, loved, forgiven, this is the mark of the Lord’s own seal.

What makes people stay and not run away?

Hearing Christ’s command to love and allowing those words in our heart to stay.

Despite the strong tone, Fr Brennan expressed gratitude for his time in Coventry: “I was very happy at Holy Family and had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful people... The Covid times opened the parish up to many others… staying with us online since then.”

His departure, along with the poem, has garnered media attention, prompting further reflection.

Responding to the coverage, he penned another poem titled Slow News Day?, calling the experience of hearing his name on the radio “confusing", as reported by The Metro.

The Archdiocese of Birmingham praised Fr Brennan’s commitment, noting his years of dedicated ministry and heavy workload.

“Father Pat is an experienced and much-valued member of the clergy,” said a spokesperson.

Fr Charles Miller will take over as parish priest at Holy Family Church later this month.

Elizabeth Okogwu, 10, and Afraz Hussain, 17, from Mitcham, were crowned winners in their age groups after a day of live auditions at BAFTA’s 195 Piccadilly HQ.

They each interviewed TV presenter Katie Piper and After Party Studios co-founder Ben Doyle as part of the competition.

Launched during Children’s Mental Health Week, the contest invited young people to reflect on self-awareness and confidence under the theme Know Yourself, Grow Yourself. 

BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip said the competition shows how “early engagement with the screen arts can spark ambition and nurture invaluable life skills.”

Elizabeth told Premier Christian News how her parent's prayers over her helped calm her nerves on audition day, saying: "As a Christian God is part of my life a lot and my Mum and my Dad pray for me quite a lot...so that day that they prayed for me, I felt so much better about going there."

Both winners will now join Young BAFTA and receive a year-long programme of presenting opportunities, industry mentoring and event appearances.

Lisa Prime, BAFTA’s Head of Children & Young People’s Programmes, added: “Huge congratulations to Elizabeth and Afraz – we’re thrilled to welcome them to Young BAFTA.”

In a light-hearted Instagram post last week, the Guardians of the Galaxy star ranked his top essentials, starting with oxygen, his organs, blood (his own), gravity, and Jesus. He followed with food and water, the NFL, his wife and kids, bass fishing, and—at number 10—his glam team.

When some followers questioned the order of his list, particularly placing Jesus above his family, Pratt responded, “Family first, always. Don’t overthink a fun post, please.” He also admitted he forgot to include golf.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Chris Pratt (@prattprattpratt)

Known for being unapologetic about his Christian faith, Pratt didn’t shy away from naming Jesus as a vital part of his life—something that resonated with many fellow believers online.

“Thank you, my brother in Christ,” one follower wrote. Another commented, “I see Jesus is the cornerstone of your list.” A user named Zach added, “I love how you’re just actually a normal guy that loves Jesus and his family and fishing. A great inspiration to young men.”

Autumn wrote, “I love how you have both Jesus AND your wife and kids in this post. That's rare to find in Hollywood these days. God bless you!”

Others shared how Pratt’s boldness has impacted their own faith. “Respect you so much for being so open about following Jesus. It has helped me a lot, and I’ve been putting in so much more effort because of you,” one follower commented.

However, not all reactions were positive. Some users pushed back, posting comments such as “Jesus isn’t real,” and “Can’t live without your imaginary friend is crazy—what’s even crazier is that you put him above your family.” One user, Patrick, simply wrote, “Jesus? Ugh.” Another, Tracy, questioned, “Dude, what’s with the addition of Jesus into this list and the other videos wearing the American flag hat?”

Although the comments were divided—with slightly more critical voices—Pratt has never wavered in standing by his beliefs.

In a previous media interview, he said, “I care enough about Jesus to take a stand, even if it costs me. It could cost me everything, but I don’t care.”

It follows the discovery of a piece of music in a 15th-century book which had been housed in the British Library since 1753. The Buckland Book was originally part of Buckland Abbey but after the building closed it’s unclear what happened to it. It wasn't until it came into the possession of the Harley family in the 1720s that it was sold to the Library. It has now been loaned back to the abbey.

The discovery of the rare monastic music was made by a historian at the University of Exeter during a research project. Now the National Trust, which owns the abbey, has worked with the University to prepare the music for its first performance since medieval times.

National Trust music historian Daisy Gibbs believes the music, which is a "plainchant" may have been used in response to a Tudor "sweating sickness" or other threat. 

She said: "The pieces found in the book ask for God's mercy, forgiveness and protection from harm.

"They share a real feeling of anxiety and fear. It looks as though they were once sung as a complete sequence, perhaps to help the monks through a crisis of some kind.

"We still have work to do to find out exactly how unusual this collection is."

The music will be performed at Buckland Abbey by the University of Exeter’s Chapel Choir as part of a new exhibition.

Michael Graham, the university's director of chapel music, said: "Although the music is written down using the same notation that's still used in the modern Catholic Church, it doesn't give any instructions about rhythm or dynamics, so we had to make decisions about how the pieces should sound.

"This is one of the most interesting, and also most challenging, parts of performing music that's over 500 years old.”

The event runs from 22nd-24th August. 

Three weeks prior to the accident, Jota married his childhood sweetheart and mother of his three young children, Rute Cardoso, in a Catholic ceremony. Silva was also a footballer, playing as a striker for Bundesliga club RB Leipzig.

The brothers were reportedly driving to a ferry port in the Zamora region of Spain when a tyre on their Lamborghini blew out, causing the vehicle to crash and burst into flames.

Diogo and André were raised Portuguese Catholic. Diogo was known to make the sign of the cross before matches.

Christian football fan page Ballers in God paid tribute, saying Jota was “a gifted footballer, but most importantly a son, a husband, a father and friend". 

The page added: “It’s moments like this we are reminded that life is fragile, but God’s love and His promises remain unshaken. The Bible tells us, ‘The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ — Psalm 34:18.”

Fans have posted tributes online, with one writing: “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord."

“Titles, trophies and all accolades will perish, but God's promise for eternal life to all believers will always stand," one person wrote, while another added: "As a Man U fan I send my deepest condolences to all his family. Also as a man of faith, I believe that our Father will comfort his family at this time.”

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who signed Jota from Wolverhampton in 2020, shared an anguished tribute: “This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose, but I can't see it! We will miss you so much. All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them! Rest in peace – Love J.”

The Church at Glastonbury, a temporary worship space, is once again providing festival attendees with a peaceful retreat from the noise and activity. Staffed by volunteers and clergy, the initiative offers daily prayers, quiet reflection, pastoral care, and even baptisms and wedding vow blessings for those who feel led to mark a spiritual moment during the festival.

Among those helping to lead the ministry this year is Lewis Simonds, 39, who is based at St Frideswide’s Church in Water Eaton, Bletchley. Simonds is set to begin his curacy there next month following his ordination as deacon.

Speaking to the BBC, Simonds described the outreach as “a very gentle expression of church".

A seasoned Glastonbury attendee, he said the festival has always been a spiritually significant space for him.

“The reason I come here is for a chance to be with real people, in a real place, in their real lives,” he explained. “The world is diverse, the festival is diverse, and the Church is part of that diverse world – it mirrors the microcosm of Glastonbury.”

Glastonbury Festival, now in its 55th year, draws around 200,000 people annually. Despite its reputation for music and revelry, the event has long hosted a Christian witness. Since 1970, the Sanctuary Marquee – also known as the Church Tent – has been a fixture at the festival, offering a calm space for prayer and reflection close to the famously spiritual Glastonbury Tor.

Last year, Rev Lee Barnes, who served with the Church at Glastonbury, told Premier he was struck by the openness of festivalgoers:

“There’s a real spiritual openness among the punters who come in. Many are looking for meaning, peace, or simply someone to talk to.”

Church volunteers continue to provide not only prayer and conversation, but also practical support. Each year, they distribute around 20,000 cups of free water, offering care and compassion to those in need.

This year’s musical line-up includes The 1975, Neil Young, Olivia Rodrigo, and Alanis Morissette, among many others. But for those seeking a different kind of encounter, the Church at Glastonbury stands ready to welcome them.

A new TikTok account is drawing attention for reimagining Bible stories as video blogs.

The account, @holyvlogsz, uses AI to generate biblical characters who speak directly to the camera in a style familiar to YouTube and TikTok audiences.

In one video, David recounts the story of defeating Goliath (1 Samuel 17) as if he were an influencer.

“Asked the guy to film it, but guess what? The camera froze,” he says, eyes wide. “Threw one rock, dude dropped, no proof. Love that for me.” He wraps up by asking viewers to like and comment.

Goliath, meanwhile, offers his perspective: “Morning people, day 40 of standing out here. Still no challenger,” he reports. At one point, he plunges his face into a bowl of ice water—a nod to an influencer's viral morning routine. During the fight, he briefly pauses to update followers: “Okay, the kid actually knocked me down. What is happening right now? This better not be my last vlog.”

@holyvlogsz If Goliath had an iPhone… ❤️‍🩹✨ #hope#jesus#faith#goliath#vlog♬ original sound - 「 ✦ 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐕𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐬 ✦ 」

Other familiar Biblical figures also make appearances. Daniel vlogs from the lion’s den (Daniel 6), Jonah checks in from inside the whale (Jonah 1–2), and Moses speaks to the camera while parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14). “Guys, the sea literally opened up... I’ll explain later,” he says. “And no, this path isn’t on Google Maps.”

In a more light-hearted clip, Mary announces the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-7): “Baby’s first collab? We’ll unbox later.”

@holyvlogsz If Mary had an iPhone… ❤️🩹✨ #hope#jesus#faith#mary#biblical#veo3♬ original sound - 「 ✦ 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐕𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐬 ✦ 」

The clips are created using Google’s latest AI video tool, Veo 3, which allows for dialogue, realistic lip-syncing, and sound effects. 

Since launching just last month, @holyvlogsz has gained over 435,000 followers and millions of views.

The videos have surprised viewers with their lifelike quality. While some view the format as irreverent, many find it compelling. As one user commented: “I Hate how much I like it."

Jonathan Roumie, who is a practising Christian, has been in Italy for a screening of an upcoming episode from the latest series.

The 50-year-old star was joined by his co-stars, including Elizabeth Tabish (Mary Magdalene), George Xanthis (St John the Apostle), and Vanessa Benavente (Mary, Mother of God).

They are scheduled to meet Pope Leo during his general audience in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday.

Series five of The Chosen is set to premiere in July on Amazon Prime, alongside the first four series.

The multi-season historical drama portrays Jesus Christ’s life and ministry through the eyes of those around him, depicting the recruitment of disciples, Jesus’ miracles, and the growing tensions with religious and Roman authorities. The latest series focuses on the Last Supper and the betrayal by Judas.

So far, the series has been viewed by 280 million people worldwide.

"Coming to the Vatican is always an honour," Roumie told reporters at a press conference in Rome. "The possibility of getting to meet the newest pontiff is extraordinary."

The cast has just completed filming for the sixth series, which will depict the final days of Christ’s life on earth. The series was filmed in the Italian town of Matera, whose landscape closely resembles that of Jerusalem. Catholic director and actor Mel Gibson also used the town for his 2004 film on the crucifixion, The Passion of the Christ.

Bowe was released from the group in 2022 due to behaviour described as “inconsistent with our core values and beliefs”, with the band announcing at the time they had decided to “pause” their relationship with the singer. He then issued an apology on Instagram, which was deleted a week later.

Now, it has been confirmed that Bowe has rejoined the Grammy award-winning group on tour. A video posted to his social media showed him performing on stage with the band, prompting messages of support from fans.

“God is so good. Shoutout to everyone who prayed for this reconciliation instead of engaging with gossip,” wrote one fan. Another said: “Is this for real??? Dante Bowe...for real....my God is forever doing great things.....I am soooooooo happy right NOW!!!! Lord, I give you praise and thanksgiving for this precious young man. Welcome, Home, Son.”

Since returning, Bowe has appeared in several performances with the collective. In a more recent video, he is seen at a photo studio preparing something with the group, drawing further reaction from fans. “Can’t wait!!! Our God is a God of Reconciliation!” one comment read.

Maverick City Music was founded in 2018 and rose to prominence with songs such as Promises, Jireh, and Man of Your Word. The group became known for bringing together a diverse range of voices from across Christian tradition, gaining particular traction during the coronavirus pandemic.

Their work has been recognised with multiple Dove Awards and five Grammy Awards, including Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. The group is also known for its collaborations with gospel, worship and mainstream artists, often pushing genre boundaries while remaining rooted in themes of faith and justice.

In October 2024, the collective faced criticism after appearing on Rain Down on Me, a track from rapper GloRilla’s album Glorious, alongside Kirk Franklin, Chandler Moore and Kierra Sheard. The song was the only track on the 15-song album without explicit or inappropriate lyrics.

Reaction was mixed. “Maverick City is featured on a song with Glorilla???? What an embarrassment for the Christian music industry. Come quickly, Lord,” wrote one listener. Another added: “These 'Christian' gospel artists need to stop compromising. It’s plenty of ways to reach souls. Kirk Franklin, Kierra Sheard & Maverick City Music being on Glorilla's album is wild. God come get us.”

Others praised the collaboration. “It’s a great song. Time to stop judging people,” one fan commented.

The God Loves You Tour, hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, reached full capacity despite organisers increasing seating to 15,000.

Those unable to enter reportedly responded with spontaneous worship and singing outside the venue.

Inside, worship led by CeCe Winans, Michael W. Smith and The Afters stirred the crowd, many of them young people from across the UK.

“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” the young people chanted, before Graham took the stage.

Referencing global unrest, Graham told the crowd: “Since I last preached here in London two years ago, the world seems to be one step closer to Armageddon... Many people feel hopeless.”

He added: “You can come to the One who can turn that around, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Hundreds responded to the Gospel invitation, including a 16-year-old girl who said: “Everybody is hungry for God in my generation right now, and He is moving.”

In a message posted to her Instagram stories, Haley Williams expressed anger toward what she described as a culture of silence and complicity within the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) industry. “The amount of people I know who were likely changed forever by this man and by the industry that empowered/enabled him...” she wrote. “I hope the CCM industry crumbles.”

Williams also challenged the way faith communities have treated issues of sexuality, arguing that "being gay is not the problem".

“I grew up around this. I am not afraid of any of these people — most of them have written me off anyway by now," she said. "How many stories like this from this very small corner of the music industry will we hear before we realise that capitalising on people’s faith and vulnerability is the ‘sin’?”

Reflecting on her own upbringing in Christian music circles, Williams called for more “gay-affirming” support systems, claiming that some destructive behaviours may stem from repression.

“Because this is a man whose entire faith identity is built upon a faulty structure of self-hatred,” she said, “to please a system that would rather cover up abhorrent behaviour for 20-plus years (and make money off of it) rather than accept that being gay is not the problem.”

Her remarks came after Tait released a statement last week titled My Confession, in which he acknowledged that many of the allegations against him were “largely true".

Tait's comments followed an investigative report by The Roys Report (TRR), which detailed accusations from three men who claimed he engaged in inappropriate behaviour during music tours in 2004, 2010, and 2014.

According to TRR, the outlet interviewed more than 50 sources and described what it called a pattern of alleged predatory conduct.

“For some two decades, I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way,” Tait wrote. “I am ashamed of my life choices and actions and make no excuses for them. I will simply call it what God calls it—sin.”

In a statement titled 'My Confession' released Tuesday, Tait acknowledged that many of the recent accusations made against him are "largely true".

The statement follows an investigative report by The Roys Report (TRR), which detailed allegations from three men who accused Tait of inappropriate conduct during music tours in 2004, 2010, and 2014. TRR reported that it spoke with more than 50 sources and outlined what it described as a long-term pattern of predatory behaviour.

“For some two decades, I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way,” Tait wrote. “I am ashamed of my life choices and actions and make no excuses for them. I will simply call it what God calls it—sin.”

Tait said he had been leading a “double life" and that his departure from Newsboys in January 2025 was prompted by a crisis in his personal and spiritual health. He disclosed that he spent six weeks in a Utah-based treatment facility earlier this year, which he credits with helping him avoid “ultimate destruction".

“I lied and deceived my family, friends, fans, and even misled my bandmates about aspects of my life,” he stated. “I was not the same person on stage Sunday night that I was at home on Monday.”

While Tait said he disputes certain aspects of the accusations, he acknowledged that “the substance of them” is accurate. He expressed remorse for the harm caused, stating: “I have hurt so many people in so many ways, and I will live with that shameful reality the rest of my life.”

He added: “I can only dream and pray for human forgiveness, because I certainly don’t deserve it.”

Tait also addressed the potential spiritual impact of his actions on fans and followers: “It crushes me to think that someone would lose or choose not to pursue faith and trust in Jesus because I have been a horrible representative of Him.”

In response to the allegations, Newsboys released a statement last week expressing deep sorrow and support for those who have come forward.

“Our hearts are shattered,” the band said. “As husbands and fathers to fourteen children between us, this news is deeply personal. We are horrified, heartbroken, and angry. In many ways, we feel deceived.”

Michael Tait first rose to prominence in the 1990s as a member of DC Talk before joining Newsboys in 2009. He has been a prominent figure in contemporary Christian music for over three decades.

It is the first appointment of its kind at an English cathedral, and he was one of four new lay canons installed by the Rt Rev Stephen Lake, Bishop of Salisbury.

Holland is the son of an atheist father but was taken to church services as a child by his Anglican mother. He has said that, as a boy, he enjoyed Bible stories but later became an atheist, dismissing Christianity as "gloomy".

He went on to become a writer and is known for his historical non-fiction titles, including Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic.

In the mid-2010s he experienced a spiritual change of heart and now describes himself as navigating "shadowlands between belief and agnosticism" and feeling "in almost every way...Christian" in cultural identity.

Holland has appeared on Premier Christian Radio’s Unbelievable? where he discussed his spiritual insights after witnessing Christian and Yazidi persecution in Iraq.

The 57-year-old shared the news on his X account, saying: "To my native city of Salisbury, there to be enrolled as the first Canon Historian in the 800-year-old history of Salisbury Cathedral – as great an honour as I could possibly imagine!"

He added: "I even got to wear a cloak!"

Allegations against the singer – who famously fronted the popular Christian rock bands DC Talk and Newsboys – date back to 2004 and have been published in an extensive article by The Roys Report (TRR). 

Three different men spoke to TRR and detailed instances of alcohol abuse and sexual assault after being befriended by Tait on music tours in 2004, 2010, and 2014 respectively. 

One also alleged that Tait offered him cocaine while on the Newsboys tour bus before engaging in non-consensual sexual contact.

Another of the accusers, 'Steven', alleged that after drinking heavily with Tait, he passed out and awoke to the singer sexually assaulting him. TRR claims to have obtained text messages between Steven and a former girlfriend in which they discussed the incident multiple times.

TRR said it has spoken to more than 50 sources about Tait's alleged behaviour and claims to have "documented [his] alleged predatory pattern with stories dating back more than two decades". The outlet also claims to have corroborated allegations of Tait’s alcohol and substance abuse "with multiple sources". 

Tait stepped down from his role in Newsboys in January of this year, saying at the time: "This decision does not come lightly and has been a shock to even myself, but amidst prayer and fasting, I have clarity that this is the right decision." 

Premier Christian News has reached out to Michael Tait and his representatives for comment. 

The 34-year-old also took home 'Male Artist of the Year' for the third consecutive time, along with 'Song of the Year' for Hard Fought Hallelujah, his collaboration with Grammy-nominated artist Jelly Roll.

In his speech, Lake urged the audience to embrace their calling as everyday ministers of faith.

“Revival might come about in the less obvious ways,” he said. “And I just want to say it doesn't take a platform and a microphone to be a revivalist. You’ve got somebody in a house next to you who may need Jesus. You might be the closest thing to Jesus they're ever going to experience. So walk across the street and be the hands and feet of Jesus — whatever God's called you to do.”

Jelly Roll, who was unable to attend the ceremony in person, celebrated the Song of the Year win in a video message.

“Brandon, I love you, brother,” he said. “I had to interrupt this moment because, one, we're here at the beautiful Grand Ole Opry, and I'm so sad I'm not there. But two, I just found out we won a K-LOVE award. Man, what a beautiful story — from a jail cell to a K-LOVE award. That is something only God can do.”

Jelly Roll has previously spoken candidly about his journey of faith, reflecting on years spent in and out of prison as a teenager and how his life has been transformed.

He closed his message with a note of gratitude: “I don't take this lightly at all. Y’all, I wish I was there. I'm on the road, serving in other ways, but I hope to never miss another one. Love y’all very much.”

The K-LOVE Fan Awards celebrate excellence in Christian music, film, sports, and media, as voted on by fans across the country.

Erivo told Billboard: “Why not? You can’t please everyone. It is legitimately a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off.

"So hopefully they will come and realise, ‘Oh, it’s a musical, the gayest place on Earth.’”

The production will run for three nights in August and is directed by Sergio Trujillo with musical direction by Stephen Oremus.

Though her casting has been met with some opposition, particularly from those Christians who have called it “blasphemous”, many fans have praised the decision, highlighting the show’s long-standing tradition of diverse casting.

In 2020, Erivo played Mary Magdalene in an all-female version of the show.

This time, she is set to take on iconic numbers like “Gethsemane” and “Hosanna” in a new retelling of the 1971 rock opera, which explores Jesus’ final days through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.

Show co-creator Tim Rice voiced support for the new interpretation, telling LBC: “I think a piece that is established, there’s no reason it can’t be done in lots of forms. I think Cynthia, who is one of the best singers on the planet, will do a great version.”

The Serpent & The Seed is being pitched as a poetic narrative adventure game that aims to introduce the story of Jesus to players who might never open a Bible.

The project, two decades in the making, is the brainchild of Discipleship Tech CEO Andy Geers, known for the award-winning PrayerMate app.

“In a world ruled by a serpent, his thorns & thistles choke the earth. But whispers speak of a long forgotten book that tells of a way to end his reign,” reads the game’s description.

Combining visual storytelling, puzzles, and a soundtrack by US indie folk duo Poor Bishop Hooper, The Serpent & The Seed guides players through the overarching narrative of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation.

Anglican Bishop of Lancaster, Jill Duff, praised the game’s immersive design and faith-based storytelling: “It’s absolutely beautiful and compelling… my hope is that this game will breathe the oxygen of faith into young hearts who might otherwise never discover the living words of the Bible.”

Amy Green, writer of the BAFTA-winning That Dragon, Cancer, contributed to the narrative and said she was “honoured to have contributed to this beautiful story of faith".

Rev Dr Andrew Sach of Grace Church Greenwich likened the game’s impact to that of medieval mystery plays and the hit TV series The Chosen: “To my surprise, a computer game turns out to be one of the most effective storytelling media of all… we are helped to experience the tragedy of a former paradise now overgrown with thorns and thistles, and to rejoice in its eventual renewal.”

With a focus on storytelling, spirituality, and artistic excellence, The Serpent & The Seed aims to reframe the way the gospel is experienced in the digital age.

Announcing the news in a post on X this morning, Mthr Arwen Mary Folkes who is vicar of St Mary the Virgin, Eastbourne,  wrote :

"The news is out - I can’t access the original D*ily M*il article, but it is very lovely to welcome

@RevRichardColes to our Ministry Team."

Rev Coles, who was vicar of Finedon in Northamptonshire from 2011 until his retirement from the clergy in 2022, told the Daily Mail: "It's a lovely church and very convenient for Waitrose.

"They've got a robed choir. We sing proper old hymns, the ones I like.

"The vicar is a great preacher. There's tai chi on a Friday. Everything you'd want."

The 63 year old Anglican is also an author, with the number one best-selling crime series The Canon Clement Mysteries.

He's also well known as an entertainer appearing in Strictly Come Dancing and a range of entertainment shows. 

More than a quarter of a century ago he was half of pop band The Communards, together with Jimmy Somerville.

Since 2017 he has been Chancellor of the University of Northampton.

In a viral video, Joel Ward, 35, can be heard saying: “Something that I hold dearly is obviously my faith. In Jeremiah 29:11: it talks about how God has a plan and a purpose for our lives.

“You may not believe... but personally I believe that everyone here is here for a reason and we do all have a purpose in our lives.”

He went on to say: “You’re a special group of guys and I believe this group can achieve incredible things.”

The video was shared to the Instagram page Ballers in God, which has over half a million followers.

One user commented: “It’s beautiful to see the work of God in Palace... clearly God is at the centre of their success.”

Ward will officially step down as Captain this Summer, after 13 years with the club.

“I can tell you for a fact he is attending church,” Huff told Relevant Magazine. “Things are happening. He’s a very inquisitive individual.”

In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan discussed historical and theological aspects of Jesus’ resurrection with Huff.

Huff, an expert in biblical manuscripts and Christian theology, serves as the Central Canada Director for Apologetics Canada, where he engages in public interfaith dialogues such as The Joe Rogan Experience.

He has also appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored.

During the episode, Huff addressed Rogan’s theory that Jesus might have survived the crucifixion, using historical and medical evidence to argue that this could not be the case, pointing out that the precision of Roman crucifixion practices at the time would definitely have resulted in Jesus’s death. Huff also shared his own transformative experience of recovering from paralysis at a young age, describing it as miraculous and pivotal in his faith journey.

Rogan’s show is the most downloaded podcast in the world, and his audience–largely made up of men in their 20s and 30s–has been tracking his growing openness to faith and spirituality.

Rogan was raised in a Catholic household and attended Catholic school. From 2000 to 2010, he was known for his critical stance on organised religion, but from 2020 began featuring guests from diverse spiritual backgrounds.

In February 2024, he had a discussion with NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers about the role of Christianity in society, with Rogan acknowledging the need for moral structure and the positive aspects of religious teachings.

Following his conversation with Huff in January, he made a statement last month expressing a preference for the concept of Jesus over scientific explanations for phenomena such as the Big Bang, stating: “I’m sticking with Jesus.”

The collision occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning, around 3.47am, when a small private plane crashed into the Murphy Canyon neighbourhood, setting cars and homes alight and injuring people on the ground.

In total, there were six people onboard the plane, all of whom are presumed dead.

Also killed was music agent Dave Shapiro, 42, co-founder of Sound Talent Group, who represented rock bands including Sum 41, Story of the Year and Pierce the Veil.

According to CNN, eight people on the ground in the military housing community where the plane crashed were injured, though none are reported to have life-threatening injuries at this stage.

Daniel Williams, 39, was the former drummer for metal band The Devil Wears Prada. The band was part of the Christian metalcore movement, which included groups such as Underoath, As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red and Demon Hunter. Christian metalcore is a genre that combines the intensity of metal with Christian themes and messages.

Shapiro, who held a pilot’s licence, is not confirmed to have been flying the plane at the time of the crash. He was considered a ground-breaking music executive, championing subcultures and independent labels. He co-founded the National Independent Talent Organization and was included in Billboard’s 2012 “30 Under 30” list, seen as a rising star in the entertainment industry.

Awoniyi, 27 is currently in an induced coma following urgent abdominal surgery after a serious injury during a Premier League match against Leicester, as reported by Mail Online.

His collision with the goalpost on Sunday has left his family, team, and fans praying for his recovery.

Pro footballer Rasheedat Ajibade OLY wrote on X "Our hearts are heavy as we hold Taiwo Awoniyi in our prayers."

A devout Christian, his faith has been a constant source of strength throughout his career.

It's been reported that despite financial struggles, including not being able to afford proper boots, Awoniyi worked hard, even repairing his own and teammates' shoes to continue playing.

Awoniyi has credited his belief in God for giving him the strength to overcome adversity, especially when facing injury setbacks.

His wife Taiye told the outlet "faith keeps us going.”

In conversation with The New Statesman, Freeman was asked who he most looks up to.

“My childhood hero was Jesus as portrayed by Robert Powell in the TV series Jesus of Nazareth,” he replied.

“I don’t have a hero now – just people I really admire. Paul McCartney, there’s one.”

The NBC series Jesus of Nazareth aired in 1977. Through preparing for the role, Robert Powell’s own understanding of Christ shifted.

“Now, I do believe in Christ and His divinity, even though I do not necessarily go to church,” he told Movie Stars magazine in 1977.

“Prior to being cast in the part, my knowledge of Christ was limited to Sunday school teachings and religious stories, all on a rather immature level. I knew this would never be enough for me as an actor, to work with in developing a character.

“So I read the Bible through thoroughly, which I’d not done before, taking it apart and analysing it… An actor has to be objective when interpreting a part. Nonetheless, after playing Christ for all these months, it would be difficult not to really believe in him.” 

Harry Styles spotted in Rome for the new Pope announcement. pic.twitter.com/LqERgA7FNL

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 8, 2025

The ‘Watermelon Sugar’ singer appeared to keep a low profile, wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap reading: “Techno is My Boyfriend”.

The former One Direction star is not known to have a personal faith – but frequently wears cross necklaces. His mother, Anne Twist, had a Catholic upbringing and remembers Styles’ grandfather praying to St Anthony.

Styles’ fans joked online that he is “everywhere but the studio”, as they keenly await his next album. Last month, the singer was spotted running the Tokyo Marathon.

“Grace changes everything because it shifts the foundation of your entire life,” reads the post by the Yummy singer. 

Bieber hinted at his struggles with fame, saying: “Before grace, you believe your worth depends on what you do, so failure feels like death.”

 

 

 

 

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In another, he says: “Pressure is not the voice of Jesus. He leads he invites. He never shoves.”

TV survival personality and Christian, Bear Grylls, publicly responded: “Boom! It’s one of those things it’s almost impossible to explain but when you receive it, it changes our hearts totally.”

In August 2020, Justin and his wife Hailey Bieber shared that they had been baptised by their longtime friend, and high-profile pastor Judah Smith.

The 60-year-old comic who is known for his sharp one-liners and appearing on BBC's Mock the Week is also a Christian.

Jones has been forced to cancel his upcoming tour in a statement he released today where he said his cancer was "treatable" but that he would need time to recover from the surgery and wasn't up performing his UK tour.

Writing on Instagram he said “I’m so sorry about this, but I need to announce the cancellation of several dates from my ongoing Ha!Milton live tour."

“Abnormal service will resume as soon as possible and I'm looking forward to being back out on the road again soon - though probably not on a bike! Milton x”.

The affected shows include Leeds, Coventry, Basingstoke, Sterts, Launceston, Durham, Hexham, Ilkley, Wakefield, Lichfield, Tunbridge Wells, Portsmouth, and Lyme Regis and were due to take place this summer.

Summer dates in Colchester, Bridlington, Stroud, and London are being rescheduled for the autumn. Shows that were planned for the autumn will not be affected.

Jones was raised in a Christian family and immersed in church life from a young age though says his own personal faith developed slowly over time.  In his own style of comedy he has said that God can 'take' a joke but avoid targeting vulnerable people individually in his sets an says his Christian values come out more in interactions with colleagues on tours noting: "If you say nice words but you're a pig during the week, that will come out".

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the UK, with approximately 55,000 new cases each year.

After scoring in a 3-1 win against Tottenham at Anfield, the Dutch player immediately ripped off his Liverpool shirt to reveal a white vest, bearing the words: "I belong to Jesus."

The vest mirrored a shirt worn by Brazilian footballer Kaka, after his 2007 Champions League final win over Liverpool.

As Gakpo revealed his shirt in celebration, he was shown a yellow card by referee Tom Bramall. FIFA rules state that players’ equipment “must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images”.

Liverpool won 5-1 against Spurs, meaning the Premier League win is secured for the Reds, who still have two games left of the season. 

They will return to Anfield to lift the trophy on May 25th after their game against Crystal Palace.

The spoof sees Mikey Day, dressed as Jesus in the temple.

“This will not stand – I will rid this place of all its money,” he exclaims, before flipping a table of coins.

On bursts James Austin Johnson, dressed as Donald Trump: “Remind you of anyone? The money’s gone. Hi. It’s me, your favourite president, Donald Jesus Trump.”

The spoof goes on to joke about global tariffs, as Johnson says that the stock market died and rose again after three days, “and then on the fourth day it died again, possibly never to return.”

Johnson’s Trump character declares: “Many people are even calling me the Messiah, because of the mess I, uh, made out of the economy — all because of my beautiful tariffs. So beautiful. They were working so well I had to stop them.”

The scene ends with another jibe, as ‘Trump’ says many people only attend Church on Christmas or Easter, but “not me…. I don’t go on those days either.”

Many Christians were unhappy with the sketch. Conservative televangelist Lance Wallnau drew parity between the NBC comedy writers and those who mocked Jesus at his crucifixion, saying: “SNL mocks Trump and Jesus. They ‘know not what they do’.”

Another commented on X: “Will the comedy show’s ratings rise from the dead?”

In 1920, the ‘Baby, Baby’ singer’s grandfather, Andrew Mizell 'A.M.' Burton, founded the Central Church of Christ

The building has since been sold to businessman Shawn Mathis, after a dwindling congregation left it in financial peril.

The conditions of sale stipulated that it must only be used as a church, with worship services. Mathis began attending the church in 2017, and became an elder, before buying the building and merging the church into a non-profit rgansiation.

He now claims to be using the building as the base for the non-profit,  with online ministries.

Amy Grant began an investigation into his use of the building in 2019, and insists that it is being misused, as its last worship service was held in 2018.  

The church reported to the state attorney’s office that as of 2021, it was paying Mathis a base salary of $138,250  plus a $2,000-a-month housing allowance, as its administrator.

The building is currently worth $6.7 million, with its parking lots generating monthly revenue.

It is classed as a commercial property, and reportedly owes $500,000 in unpaid taxes despite being shuttered.

After the 2019 investigation, the Nashville Church of Christ sued Grant and her relatives, seeking to invalidate the restrictions on the original church deed. Their submission was rejected by the court.

The Grant family are hinging their upcvoming case on a 1925 deed restriction.

“This is all about the legacy of A.M. Burton,” Grant told the WSJ. “To me, the family has to get involved because otherwise, that property is at a standstill. And that doesn't make any sense.”

State court hearings will begin in June.  

CS Lewis is a beloved Christian author, who weaves the Christian message throughout the Narnia series. The character of Aslan the Lion serves as a parallel for Jesus, being killed by the White Witch and resurrecting to save the kingdom.

In a letter, CS Lewis described Aslan as “an invention giving an imaginary answer to the question, ‘What might Jesus be like if there really were a world like Narnia, and he chose to be incarnate and die and rise again in that world as He actually has done in ours?’”

Deadline has confirmed that three-time Oscar winner Streep – who starred as matriarch Aunt March in Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women – is a frontrunner for the iconic role.

Many have expressed concern that casting Streep is effectively gender-swapping Jesus.

Christian blogger Taylor Trandahl said: “Will all due respect to Meryl Streep's acting abilities, there's no conceivable reason to cast a female as Aslan unless it is to deliberately subvert C.S. Lewis.”

Gerwig is currently adapting the first book of the series, The Magician’s Nephew, which tells the origin story of Narnia. It will be the first in a multi-film deal with Netflix.

In 2024, she told Time that her adaptation would be “connected to the folklore and fairy stories of England, but a combination of different traditions.”

“As a child, you accept the whole thing - that you’re in this land of Narnia, there’s fauns, and then Father Christmas shows up. It doesn’t even occur to you that it’s not schematic,” said Gerwig. “I’m interested in embracing the paradox of the worlds that Lewis created, because that’s what’s so compelling about them."

Hailey Bieber has reportedly asked her family to pray for her husband, Justin Bieber, as he faces a spiral of health issues.

Sources close to the pop star have revealed that he has been "not sleeping" and "hardly eating," causing significant distress, particularly for his wife, Hailey.

An insider told Radar Online: "Hailey has asked everyone around her to bathe Justin in prayer. She can't pull him out of this. People close to him don't think even he can pull himself out of this. Only God can help him now."

According to the Daily Mail, the 31-year-old is "in a spiral." A source shared: "He's manic, not sleeping, hardly eating, sending frantic texts in the middle of the night."

The call for prayer follows a series of strange behaviours from Justin, including unsettling videos and cryptic social media posts. His public struggles, which involve erratic live streams and potential signs of substance misuse, have only heightened concerns among fans and those closest to him.

Hailey's father, Stephen Baldwin, added to the worries when he shared a post from Pastor Victor Marx, urging prayers for the couple’s “faith, marriage, and life in general.” The message, which was later removed, encouraged followers to pray for the couple, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by high-profile individuals.

"There are special challenges that folks in high visibility positions face, and also the enemy doesn't want them to draw closer to Jesus," the post read. Pastor Marx asked Christians to "take a moment to offer a little prayer for them to have wisdom, protection, and to draw close to the Lord."

The couple, married since 2018, welcomed their first baby last year.

The Metropolitan Police say the 49-year-old is accused of raping a woman in the Bournemouth area in 1999 and indecently assaulting a woman in London in 2001.

Brand is additionally accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Westminster in 2004.

Another charge relates to an allegation of sexual assault against a woman in Westminster between 2004 and 2005.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 2nd May. 

Over recent years, Brand has talked openly about his conversion to the Christian faith.

In April 2024 he was baptised in the River Thames by TV survivalist Bear Grylls.

Brand previously denied the claims before the allegations were published, saying his relationships were "always consensual". 

He also previously stated in an online interview that it was "very, very painful" to be accused of "what I consider to be the most appalling crimes".

Jaswant Narwal, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "We have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offences.

"We carefully reviewed the evidence after a police investigation into allegations made following the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023.

"We have concluded that Russell Brand should be charged with offences including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault.

"These relate to reported non-recent offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women.

"He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court for a first hearing on Friday May 2 2025.

"The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.

"It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

The charges follow an investigation by detectives that began in September 2023, after they received several allegations following reports by Channel 4's Dispatches and The Sunday Times.

Baylee Littrell, 21, shared that he wrote the song after losing his grandmother, saying: "She understood me like not many people do. My grandma passed away three years ago, almost…

"I questioned everything, and I had pushed away faith. I thought I would not find it again. This song kind of helped me find it.”

The lyrics included: “Hey Jesus, I broke my wings again, could you help me up one last time old friend...”.

“Baylee, you're so good,” Carrie Underwood told him. “Your heart and genuineness just coming through.” Lionel Richie added: “Boy, that’s great lyrics.”

His father, Brian Littrell, a professing Christian, said in 2006: “I want [my son] to have the best life that he can have. I want him to know God.”

Another Christian contestant this season, Canaan Hill, received a platinum ticket for his gospel performance. Afterward, he said, “To God be the glory.”

The 2025 remake of Disney’s 1938 classic has underperformed at the box office, with an estimated loss of $115 million.

Some attribute the poor turnout to its CGI rendering of the seven dwarfs – rather than employing actors with dwarfism – or the political controversy of casting former IDF soldier Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen.

Pastor Greg Laurie, of Harvest Christian Fellowship, California, believes its failure stems from "secularisation" of the storyline.

In a YouTube video, he said: “The ‘Snow White’ tale was a story of a battle between good and evil, likening the Evil Queen’s obsession with beauty and power to the pride and fall of Lucifer in the Bible.

“That’s basically the story that we read about in the Bible, about Lucifer, a once high-ranking, powerful angel who wanted to take the place of God with himself.”

Laurie asserts that the modern princess's journey of self-empowerment reflects a self-obsessed culture. Rather than the leading musical number centring around 'true love', the original 'Someday My Prince Will Come' has been replaced with 'Waiting on a Wish'. 

Leading actress Rachel Zegler sings: "Waiting on a wish... I close my eyes and see the girl I'm meant to be // Is she a part of me?" 

Pastor Laurie branded the film "woke", remarking: "Heaven forbid we acknowledge the timeless human desire for love, redemption, and rescue."

He drew parallels between the original fairytale and Jesus' resurrection, saying: "Snow White is resurrected from her deathlike sleep [and] saved by the prince... which if we're being honest is not all that different from a Christian worldview."

Greg Laurie has a background in film production, having worked on the 2023 film Jesus Revolution, which tells the story of his own conversion and features The Chosen actor Jonathan Roumie. 

The pastor’s YouTube channel has over 567,000 subscribers.

The 90-year-old baking legend's second child William died in a car crash aged 19 in 1989 but Mary - who is a Christian - was able to stay strong at a time of heartbreak because she believes they will be reunited in the afterlife.

She is quoted by Yours magazine as saying: "When you have faith and tragedy hits you, you have a reason to go on and be strong.

"William's death deepened my faith.

"Without its support, I really would have struggled.

"I absolutely believe I will see my son in the afterlife."

The former The Great British Bake Off judge and her husband Paul Hunnings have two other children - Thomas, 57, and Annabel, 55 - as well as five grandchildren and Mary has "huge sadness" that families no longer eat together because it removes the chance to see a "smile on a loved one's face with something you've created from scratch".

The food writer added: "It's very important.

"You miss out on those special moments if you're eating in front of the TV."

Mary - who trained at the Bath School of Home Economics and later Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France - is known for being the Queen of Cakes, as well as having numerous awards to her name, such as the National Television Award for Most Popular Talent Show Judge in 2017 for The Great British Bake Off.

However, she attributes all of her success to her domestic science teacher Miss Date.

Mary explained: "She was the most wonderful woman who made cooking fun and told me I was good at it.

"By the end of the very first class, I was brimming with excitement and longing for the next lesson.

"Suddenly, for the first time in my life, I felt like I could do something.

"And, as it would turn out, do it rather well.

"I truly believe any success I have had in my career is down to Miss Date.

"Life is all about sharing.

"If we are good at something, pass it on."

Wallen gave a half hug to his co-host, Oscar winner Mikey Madison, and left the stage early, as credits rolled for America’s prime-time entertainment show.

The show’s hosts typically stay on stage during the credits, and join the cast and crew for an after party.

Wallen has a reputation for speaking about faith issues. When asked about US’ issues with mass shootings, Wallen toldThe Christian Post: “I’m a person that has faith and I believe that a lot of people have neglected God.” 

“We don’t put the Ten Commandments in school anymore. We just neglect everything, and people act like the Ten Commandments is something so terrible. I mean, it’s a way to live. I think we all could agree on what they say.

“I believe in God,” said Wallen. “I believe that He’s real, and I believe He has control over a lot of things. I think throughout history, there have been a lot of countries that have turned their back on Him, and the result is not great. Hopefully, we can get something figured out.”

Wallen appeared on SNL to perform his latest song, ‘Just in Case’.

He then declared: “Praise the Lord and go vols!”. The latter statement related to the University of Tennessee’s volunteer basketball team, which was playing the University of Houston’s March Madness tournament on Sunday night, and lost.

After his early exit, the singer posted an Instagram story of an airport runway captioned: “Get me to God’s own country.”  Wallen has since released a line of apparel emblazoned with the slogan.

The Bible was up for auction, along with other items from the footballer’s private collection. It had been given to OJ by Robert Kardashian – his lawyer and a close personal friend – the day after his arrest on suspicion of Nicole Brown’s murder.

The Bible was sold alongside a note in Robert’s handwriting: “OJ, this book will help. God loves and he will speak to you with his words. Read this book every day. God has a definite plan for your life. You are his child and he will use you again. I love you and God loves you."

RadarOnline report that Kim Kardashian attempted to buy the holy book at auction, but was denied from doing so by the executor of the estate, Malcom LaVergne.

An emailed obtained by TMZ reveals that Kim offered to pay $15,000 for the Bible. It sold for $80,000 (£62,000).

LaVergne alleges that he would have been “insane” to accept the offer, as he was operating under contract to cover civil lawsuit payments to the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.

The executor said he would “rack up” the amount offered by Kardashian in attorney fees alone.

Robert Kardashian passed away from oesophageal cancer in September 2003, aged 59. The following year, his ex-wife and daughters shot to TV fame, with their Calabases-based reality show.

The Resurrection of the Christ will be filmed in Rome and other historic locations across Italy.

Jim Caviezel will return as Jesus, Maia Morgenstern as Mary and Francesco De Vito as Peter. Gibson will be directing and co-writing the script.

Released in 2004, The Passion of the Christ grossed $370 million domestically. It became both acclaimed and controversial for its graphic depiction of Christ’s suffering. It is widely credited with paving the way for faith-based films in Hollywood.

Manuela Cacciamani, CEO of Cinecittà Studios in Rome, confirmed the film's production start date to Catholic News Agency (CNA): “The Resurrection of Christ will be shot entirely in Cinecittà starting in August and requires many theatres and stage constructions.”

Gibson discussed the ambitious project in an interview with Joe Rogan recently, describing it as covering “the fall of the angels to the death of the last apostle".

He explained: “To tell the story properly, you have to start with the fall of the angels, which means you’re in another realm. You need to go to hell. You need to go to Sheol.”

Gibson added: “It’s going to require a lot of planning and I’m not wholly sure I can pull it off; but I’ll take a crack at it because that’s what you’ve got to do."

The two-minute commercial, titled 'All Hail Gravy Part 2', is part of KFC's ongoing 'Believe' campaign in the UK., developed by the London-based advertising agency 'Mother'.

The ad has stirred controversy for depicting a man being submerged in a lake of gravy as part of a ritual, which some have interpreted as a parody of religious baptism practices.

The commercial begins with a man encountering a chicken in a forest before following a group carrying a large golden egg. He is led to a lake where a woman immerses him in gravy, an act that transforms him into a chicken mini fillet.

KFC has described the ad as a “modern-day fable” intended to highlight the strong connection between KFC fans and the brand’s Original Recipe Chicken, as well as its signature gravy.

Monica Silic, KFC’s Chief Marketing Officer for the UK and Ireland, told Adweek that the campaign was designed to inspire "fandom" and bring "lightness and levity to the chaotic world" through the brand’s core products.

However, the ad has faced backlash for its disturbing imagery and perceived religious overtones.

Critics have expressed their discomfort, with one commentator on Marketing Beat calling the ad "disgraceful", accusing it of promoting “cultism, cannibalism, grooming" and describing it as "degrading and disturbing". 

Others have labeled it "vile", "uncomfortable" and "horrendous".

One complainant noted: "I’ve never complained about an advert before, but this is beyond the pale."

The ad’s use of religious language, including billboards featuring a chicken dipper being "divinely dunked" into gravy, has further fueled controversy.

It comes on the heels of a previous KFC campaign in 2014 which also sparked complaints over a commercial that included a song with the lyric "all our stupid songs" performed by the KFC choir.

At the time, the ASA cleared KFC of any wrongdoing, stating the ad was a lighthearted commentary on the frustrations older individuals may feel towards carol singers.

As KFC continues to face increasing competition in the fast-food chicken market from rivals like Chick-fil-A, Popeyes, and McDonald's, the company has found itself at the center of another public relations challenge.

The ASA is currently reviewing the complaints.

The country music legend, who has referenced faith throughout her career, said she had some ground rules for Sabrina before featuring on the single Please Please Please.

Parton said: “Of course, [Sabrina] can talk a little bad now and then.

 “I told her, I said, ‘Now, I don’t cuss. I don’t make fun of Jesus. I don’t talk bad about God.”

Dolly joked: “I don’t say dirty words, on camera, but [am] known to if I get mad enough.’”

Sabrina Carpenter has previously come under fire from the Catholic church for filming a sexually suggestive music video in the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, New York. The Diocese of Brooklyn said it was “appalled” at the video, which saw a scantily clad Sabrina pretending to kill her ex-boyfriends, before attending a funeral at the church’s altar, wearing black lace lingerie.

 “We got approval in advance,” Sabrina told Variety. “And Jesus was a carpenter,” the star quipped, referencing her fan’s nickname for themselves.

 

 

 

 

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When it comes to the country-pop collaboration, Dolly’s moral stipulations were upheld with a subtle lyric change.

“I beg you don’t embarrass me, motherf***r,” has been swapped for “I beg you, don’t embarrass me like the others.”

Parton is open about her faith, fame, and role in shaping celebrity culture. In 2021, she told People magazine: “I don’t want to be worshipped, because there’s a scripture in my Bible that talks about idol worship. And I see that happening all the time with movie stars and these celebrities... But if I can set an example, then that’s great.”

The series is the fictional story of a 13-year-old boy who is accused of stabbing a girl. It explores the factors and culture that could have turned him into a killer.

And it’s sparked a national conversation about the serious mental and emotional health challenges facing today's teenagers.

Mark Russell who is Chief Executive of The Children’s Society said: "For too long, the struggles of teenagers in crisis have been overlooked.

"We work directly with young people every day and the challenges they face – academic stress, the pressures from social media, appearance worries, poverty at home – are driving children’s wellbeing to record lows. We must change the way we support young people. Every adult in a young person's life has a role to play; to listen and support them, and to offer them the help they need.”

The Children's Society was founded by a Christian Sunday school teacher, Edward Rudolf in 1881 and it's vision is based on Gospel values.

In 2024 the charity's Good Childhood Report found that 15 year olds in the UK have the lowest average life satisfaction in Europe and that one in ten children between the ages of 10 and 17 report low overall wellbeing. It found that nearly a third (30 per cent) of 15 year old UK girls report low life satisfaction.

The charity is calling for early mental health support in every school and community to ensure young people have access to help before reaching crisis point. It also wants investment in youth hubs and spaces where teenagers can build connections and find trusted support. And it wants reforms which will reduce bullying and academic pressure in schools.

Mark Russell added: “We need to create a culture where asking for help is seen as a strength. Every teenager should have someone to talk to and somewhere to turn, whether it’s a counsellor at school, at a youth hub or safe space in their community. The Adolescence series is prompting tough conversations – now we need action to match.

“If we listen to young people, support them and act together to improve their world, we can be there for young people before they reach breaking point”.

The Oscar-winning actor recounted his journey from rejecting God to embracing faith, just months after his baptism and ministerial licensing, The Christian Post reports.

Opening with a reflection on Psalm 19, he prayed: "In all that I say, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in God's sight."

Despite growing up in church, he admitted that he "rejected God". 

"I hated God," he said, before acknowledging, "God has had nothing but patience with me. That's why they call it grace."

Addressing the team, Washington stressed that their purpose in life goes beyond football.

"God did not put you here to play football," he said. "He gave you that gift, but that's not your purpose, because one injury can end it."

He reflected on his own career, admitting he never planned to act but soon recognized it as his "God-given ability". 

Yet, he insisted, "God did not put me on this planet to act; God put me on this planet to preach."

Washington also shared how God’s grace spared him from a life of crime.

Encouraging the players, he advised them to take two minutes each morning to "be quiet, breathe, and listen."

Lola Sheen, aged 19, regularly shares about her newfound Christian faith online using her Instagram account.

On her HeavenlyBonded podcast, during an episode called God's Strength in Our Weakness, Sheen shared how she felt God allowed her to experience a panic attack so she "got to see how God’s power worked so much" in her weakest moment.

The influencer explained how on the morning of the press tour she felt "very anxious and overstimulated” and "didn't make enough time to pray".

Sheen also reflected on the self-doubt she experienced, saying: “I’d wake up with all these anxious thoughts like, what does this person think of me? or what if I said something wrong in that interview?" 

The podcast host said she thought she would have to “go to the hospital” due to the panic she felt.

"It was so scary because it was like everything felt like it was going in phases," she said. "It was like I couldn’t remember what I said five seconds ago.”

Eventually, she called on her "sisters in Christ" to pray over her and explained how her anxiety completely disappeared afterwards.

"I felt like Jesus put his hand on me and instantly, every single feeling I felt was gone," she said.

Over 10,000 young Catholics were gathered at the OVO arena, Wembley, along with teachers and bishops. Attendees had come from England, Wales, Gibraltar and the Ukrainian National Chaplaincy.

The theme of the event, 'Unstoppable: Fan the flame of hope' echoes Pope Francis' Jubilee year theme: 'Pilgrims of Hope.'

In conversation with Catholic speaker David Wells, Mr Grylls shed light on his Christian faith:

“Faith is in your heart, faith is in relationships, faith is a constant connection to the Almighty. I have many struggles, many doubts, I really don’t have it all together, but I know that I am loved and held, and the light shines.

“Faith is part of the adventure, faith is the adventure. It’s a journey… It’s a backbone, a streak of steel, the presence of Jesus besides us in the highs and the lows. It’s fire and life and water, all in one. It’s a journey.”

He finished by telling the crowd: “I hope you have an amazing rest of Flame. You guys are unstoppable!”

Other key guests include rapper Isaac Borquaye, known as Guvna B, founding member of the Hallow prayer app, Brian Enriquez, and Isaac Harvey MBE, a disability advocate.

A message was read on behalf of Pope Francis, who is still being treated for double pneumonia.

Rt Rev David Oakley, Bishop of Northampton, read: “Fan a flame of hope that is truly ‘unstoppable’ for Christ itself is its living source.”

In a video posted to TikTok, the influencer highlighted the times that “God showed up” in her life.

“I’ve never spoken about my faith on here before,” begins Liberty. “The reason being, I’ve honestly never felt worthy enough to. I don’t know the Bible inside out… but I’m at a point in my life where my consistent prayer has been: ‘Lord, show me Your will, show me the way.’”

Liberty, 25, told her followers that a year after winning the reality dating competition, she fell into a period of depression.

“I was transitioning from my old life into this new life,” she said, telling fans that she found herself attending church alone for the first time in years. “The pastor mentioned influencers… you do not go to church expecting to hear about influencers!”

Liberty shared that she felt the sermon had been a direct call to her heart. “I was so overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit… I cried the whole way home. Wow, that really brought be back to the church.”

@liberty

Hi I’m Lib and I’m on my faith journey . Jesus Gang Where you at 🩷

♬ original sound - Liberty Poole

She went on to say that she found lasting friendship at the church, and had felt pulled out of her depression in a manner similar to the Israelites being pulled out of the desert.

“It felt like I was going through that depression forever and would never get out of it... but I did, because I just held on to God.”

The video has since garnered over 55,000 views, and over a thousand comments.

“Wow, there is a serious revival happening,” one commenter wrote.

Another said: “Welcome to the Christian family Liberty!”

The influencer acknowledged that there may be negative stereotypes around church and Christianity. “I’ve got nothing but love in my heart for everyone out there,” she said.

“I’ve been quiet on a lot of things, but I feel like my faith in God is something I can no longer be quiet on.”

The Holy singer and his wife, Hailey Rhode Bieber, attend Churchome in Beverly Hills, led by pastor Judah Smith.  

In recent months, fans have expressed concern for his wellbeing after several photos have shown him looking dishevelled and vacant.

Taking to Instagram, Justin shared that he has “always felt unworthy”.

“People told me my whole life… ‘Wow Justin u deserve that’… and I personally have always felt unworthy… if only they knew my thoughts… how judgemental I am, how selfish I really am, they wouldn’t be saying this.”

A spokesperson for Bieber refuted fans’ speculation that Justin has relapsed into struggles with substance abuse, telling TMZ that the last year has been “transformative” for the singer.

“Despite the obvious truth,” the source said, “people are committed to keeping negative, salacious, harmful narratives alive… Justin is in one of the best places of his life.”

The rapper, who now goes by Ye, revealed on Instagram that the faith-based gatherings will resume on 16th March, sharing a screenshot of a text exchange with Sunday Service Choir director Jason White.

First launched in 2019, Ye’s Sunday Services featured a gospel choir – often dressed in the rapper’s clothing line, leading praise and worship. While some Christians have celebrated the events as a way for non-believers to experience God’s presence, others have questioned their legitimacy, seeing them as more of an exclusive celebrity spectacle than a true worship service.

However, Ye’s latest announcement comes amid fresh controversy. Just hours after confirming the return of Sunday Service, he faced backlash for posting an image of white robes and a pointed hood resembling those worn by the Ku Klux Klan, captioned “outfit of the day.”

The post has been widely condemned, adding to a long list of past accusations of antisemitism and admiration for Adolf Hitler that have tarnished the rapper’s reputation.

Meanwhile, a church building previously purchased by Ye as part of his ministry expansion in Los Angeles has burned to the ground. The $1.5 million property in San Fernando Valley, reportedly bought from Cornerstone Christian Church, was destroyed in a fire last October.

“Pastors and preachers really love to just put words together with the same letter and act like it’s HITTING so crazy…” Hailey posted. “‘There’s blessing in the brokenness’ ‘There’s grace in the gratitude’ s*** drives me bananas.”

She followed it with a meme of Elmo standing in flames with arms outstretched, saying: "And then people sit there eating it up like this!" 

"Anyways...", Bieber concluded/

Along with her husband, pop star Justin Bieber, Hailey has been known to attend Churchome in Beverly Hills, led by pastor Judah Smith.  

The couple’s romance reportedly began after they bumped into each other at a Christian conference in 2018.

With 10,000 seats filled, the event will feature music, performances, and a keynote address from Cardinal Vincent Nichols.

Bear Grylls will take the stage as part of the launch of his new book, The Greatest Story Ever Told, which presents a series of eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life.

Every attendee will receive a copy of the book, which aims to make the Gospel more accessible to young people.

The event, themed Unstoppable: Fan the Flame of Hope, will include talks from other inspirational speakers, live music, and performances.

Bear Grylls, OBE, a former British Special Forces soldier and global survival expert told Catholic Herald: "I'm so excited to share this book with you...it's all of our stories really."

Joining Grylls on stage will be Bryan Enriquez, a founding member of Hallow, the world’s leading Catholic prayer and meditation app, and Isaac Harvey, MBE, a disability advocate and content creator.

Fr Dominic Howarth, co-chair of the Flame Core Group and a priest of Brentwood Diocese, highlighted the significance of this year’s event.

He told the outlet: 

"Flame 2025 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of many, many teachers, chaplains, priests and youth leaders from across the country – some of them will be leaving with groups of young people at 4am, and returning well after midnight!

"We are looking forward to a wonderful day, to ‘fan the flame of hope’ for young people, parishes and schools across the country."

Twitch is a social media platform where users stream live video of themselves, often playing video games. Tyler Blevins – known as ‘Ninja’ – sits atop the global views leaderboard, with over 19 million followers.

During a recent stream, he said: “Yes, dude, Jesus is King. I mean, and if — even if you don’t think He is — don’t judge me for it, and I won’t judge you for it, man. I do, I just feel it’s so crazy, man.”

Nija has also amassed a major YouTube following of over 19 million subscribers.

He has described himself as being “a better person and in a better mindset” since committing to daily prayer. 

He told his followers that everyday conversations are opportunities to share faith.

“When you’re talking to somebody and you’re having a conversation, that’s an important conversation, right?” he said. “…You’re talking to someone, don’t talk to that person to change their mind, right? You’re talking to this person, you know, you’re just talking to them, right? And if you end up changing their mind, that’s great.”

He also emphasised that religious practice shouldn’t feel forced or heavy.

“We don’t need something like the threat of the end of times to start becoming better humans and developing a relationship with the Lord,” said Blevins. “You know what I mean, dude? Anyways, I’m never here to push anything on you guys.

“I love you all — no matter what. And in the chat, we respect all religions, all people … Someone has no religion? We love everybody, dude.”

He finished by telling viewers: "I love my life. I'm blessed, I love you guys. I'm blessed to have you guys here."

The 88-year-old Pope, who has been receiving treatment for double pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli hospital since February, posted a reflective message on his X account to mark the beginning of Lent.

His post read: "The Ashes remind us of who we are, which does us good. It puts us in our place, smooths out the rough edges of our narcissism, brings us back to reality, and makes us more humble and open to one another.

"None of us is God; we are all on a journey."

In response, the official England Cricket account replied: "Even @Pontifex loves The Ashes", referencing the historic cricket rivalry between England and Australia.

One X user referred to the joke as "vile", while another seemed to see the humorous side, saying: "no one can have a laugh anymore".

The post was swiftly deleted following the backlash.

According to the BBC, an ECB spokesperson said: "This was an ill-judged post and was swiftly removed. We apologise for any offence caused."

Fresh off their first BRIT win for band of the year, it will be the second time the band plays Glastonbury - the first was in 2023. 

Koleoso began his BRIT acceptance speech with: "First and foremost, let me thank my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” before paying tribute to youth clubs and schools which encourage young people to explore music.

The band met at youth jazz programme Tomorrow’s Warriors, and have since won the prestigious Mercury Prize for emerging artists in 2023.

 

 

 

 

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Among their hits are ‘God Gave Me Feet for Dancing’ (ft Yazmin Lacey), which Barack Obama listed as one of his top songs of 2024.

Lacey sings:

“God gave me feet for dancing
And that's exactly what I'll do,
Give me high life,
Give me good times,
God gave me feet for dancing.”

The quintet will play Glastonbury alongside headliners Olivia Rodrigo, the 1975 and Neil Young

The video of the Ash Wednesday event went viral online, accumulating hundreds of thousands of views across various social media platforms.

Rev Pat Allerton told Premier Christian News that he was surprised by just how popular the video has been.

"We put this video out there...just checked five minutes ago, on TikTok it's been watched 320,000 times, 80,000 times on Instagram," he said. "It's just crazy what social media does."

On his personal Instagram page 'the portable priest', where he has amassed over 15,000 followers, Rev Pat captioned the video: "What a great reminder that says, 'For dust you are and to dust you shall return.'"

The popular worship song Goodness of God by Bethel Music played in the background.

A priest in Notting Hill is blessing people this Ash Wednesday.

I’m not religious myself, but it’s heartwarming to see this and see how positively people are responding ✝️ pic.twitter.com/EvAo9mc5Oj

— Queen Natalie (@TheNorfolkLion) March 5, 2025

Reactions to the video were overwhelmingly positive.

One user commented: "God bless you! The UK needs this more than ever," while another said: "With everything else going on in this country and in our capital at the moment, this has me in tears."

It was not only Christians singing Rev Pat's praises, with one saying: "I am not religious in any way, but I will say, well done that man!"

However, the video did spark political discussion. On TikTok, a user said, "It's a pity our head of the church hasn't made a comment or the PM, absolutely embarrassed by this country."

Another wrote: "I've not seen our King, Prime Minister, or Mayor of our capital wish us Christians a happy Ash Wednesday/Lent, shows where their loyalty lies."

This marks the first time since the 2007 film Bridge to Terabithia that a Disney film or series has prominently featured a Christian character.

The series, set to premiere on Disney+, is Pixar’s first original show and takes place in the world of 'Inside Out'. It follows the journey of a school softball team as they prepare for their championship game.

Laurie, the daughter of the team’s coach, is introduced in the first episode as an athlete who struggles with self-doubt and insecurity. However, she leans on her Christian faith to navigate these challenges.

In one scene, she is shown praying to her "Heavenly Father" for guidance, and her room features angelic imagery. The character appears to depict Christianity in a rare, positive light within Disney media.

The introduction of Laurie comes shortly after Disney reportedly removed a transgender storyline from the series.

Some speculate that the decision to highlight a Christian character is a strategic move to broaden the company’s appeal, particularly following a decline in Disney’s recent popularity.

Others note that this shift coincides with the recent election of Donald Trump as U.S. president, which coincides with a shift toward more conservative values.

As they collected their first BRIT Award for Band of the Year, frontman Femi Koleoso began by saying: "First and foremost, let me thank my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

The 'God Gave Me Feet For Dancing' hitmaker met his bandmates through the jazz programme Tomorrow’s Warriors in 2012, which he went on to praise, urging young people to take up music.

He said: "Secondly, I’ve banged this drum a number of times and I will continue to do so until this country gets it. This moment right here is because of the great youth clubs, the great teachers, and the great schools that support young people playing music."

The singer also emphasised the importance of getting children interested in musical instruments, believing it gives them something to "aspire" to and a "goal" to work towards in life.

He added: "The reason that we continue to bang this drum is because so many of the problems that face wider society in the UK, we’re unsure how to fix it, but the solution lies with giving a young person a trumpet, the solution lies with giving the young person a saxophone. When you do that, you give them a dream, an aspiration, and a goal."

Rapper Stormzy, who took home the award for Best Grime/Hip Hop, Rap Act, also expressed his faith in his acceptance speech. He said: "Firstly, I say thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus.

Alamy Stock Photo

“I want to be very clear about the God I serve, that’s Jesus Christ, Yahweh, the God of Abraham, that’s my God.”

Singer Charli XCX, whose album "Brat" inspired a cultural phenomenon last summer, was the big winner at the BRIT Awards.

Kardashian, a top attorney, gifted Simspon the Bible, before representing him in the headline-grabbing trial for the murder of OJ’s ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend Ron Goldman. Simpson was famously acquitted of the murders, but was sentenced to 33 years in prison in 2008 for armed burglary. 

TMZ report that Kardashian gifted Simpson the Bible a day after he was arrested, to remind him that he – and God – loved him.

The holy book bears an inscription of Robert Kardashian's name on its front page. Simpson was the best man at Kardashian’s wedding to Kris Jenner, with both families remaining close until Nicole’s murder. 

OJ Simpson died in 2017. His children have until February 26 to appeal the sale of them by Goldin Auctions LLC. Also up for sale will be a photo of Simpson and former president Bill Clinton. 

Robert Kardashian passed away from cancer in 2003, four years before his ex-wife and daughters rocketed to celebrity status through their reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

The fifth series of the hit, based on the life of Jesus, bears the tagline: ‘The Last Supper: The table is set’.

Screenplay is set to depict Jesus’ arrival to Jerusalem, and the days leading up to his crucifixion.

Actor Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus, can be see flipping tables in the temple – in reference to Matthew 21:12-13:

“Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’[a] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.” (NIV)

Previously available on Netflix, a new deal with MGM studios means season five will be available on Amazon Prime.

The Wicked star has been cast in the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar, at the Hollywood Bowl this summer.

John K. Amanchukwu Sr. is a pastor from North Carolina.

Taking to X, he wrote: “With all due respect and humbly submitted, Cynthia Erivo is too bald, brown and bisexual to play Jesus.

“Casting a woman as Jesus Christ is an intentional form of blasphemy that Hollywood would be fuming over if done to certain other religions.”

 

 

 

 

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In response, some have pointed out that classic depictions of Jesus are misaligned with a historically accurate picture of a Nazarene.

One X user wrote: “[Men] getting upset that Jesus is being portrayed by a bald headed African, but had no problem portraying him as a white man with flowing long hair …”

Others pointed out that the musical plot of Jesus Christ Superstar is blasphemous in itself. The play is told from the perspective of Judas, and refers to Jesus as “just a man”. Since its Broadway debut in 1971, its biggest controversy has been depicting Jesus as having a romantic relationship with prostitute Mary Magdalene.

Erivo will not be the first black actor to play the role; singer John Legend starred in NBC’s 2018 production of the musical.

The actress was raised in a Catholic home, and has described herself as having a “strong belief” in God.

As a child, she attended a school run by the Sisters of Mercy, and said she was drawn to the idea of joining a convent.

 “I loved the idea of being a nun,” she told Allure, “Obviously, I did not choose to go that path, but I was very drawn to it… I absolutely believe in God.”

Kidman is married to fellow Australian-American, Keith Urban. The couple share two daughters, aptly named Faith and Sunday.

As a family, Kidman ensured they attended mass: “That’s how we are raising our children. Keith has his own beliefs, but he comes, too,” the actress told Vanity Fair. “I had a very Catholic grandmother, and I was raised praying, so that had a massive impact.”

Many of Kidman’s films have been criticised by Catholics for their sexual themes. Her most recent film, Babygirl, has been censored in India, due to its highly explicit scenes.

The decision to cast Erivo, who came out as queer and bisexual in 2022, has ignited strong reactions from both critics and supporters.

Erivo, best known for her role as Elphaba in Wicked, will take on the iconic role in a special production at the Hollywood Bowl, running from 1st-3rd August, 2025.

While some have hailed the move as “bold” and “inspiring,” others have condemned it as “blasphemous” and a “mockery of Christ the King".

This is not Erivo’s first connection to the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice rock opera. In 2020, she starred as Mary Magdalene in an all-female album recording of the musical titled She Is Risen.

"Conclave", which had led nominations with 12 nods, won the night's most coveted award, best film, as well as outstanding British film, best adapted screenplay and best editing.

"We live in a time of a crisis of democracy and institutions that are usually used to bring us together are used to pull us apart," "Conclave" director Edward Berger said in his acceptance speech for the outstanding British film award.

"And sometimes it's hard to keep the faith in that situation but that's why we make movies and that's why we made this movie."

"The Brutalist", a three-and-a-half hour tale about a Hungarian immigrant architect trying to rebuild his life in the United States post-World War Two, had also been considered a frontrunner for best film. It won best director for Brady Corbet and best actor for its star, Adrien Brody.

"This film is really about this pursuit of leaving something meaningful and I think that is something we can all relate to," Brody said in his acceptance speech.

"The Brutalist" also won original score and cinematography.

In one of the big surprises of the night, Mikey Madison won the leading actress category for portraying an exotic dancer who gets involved with a Russian oligarch's son in "Anora".

Many had considered the frontrunners to be Demi Moore, who has received multiple honours for her performance in body horror "The Substance", and Briton Marianne Jean-Baptiste, for her critically acclaimed portrayal of a woman struggling with depression in "Hard Truths".

"I really wasn't expecting this," Madison said.

"I want to take to a moment to recognise the sex worker community ... you deserve respect and human decency. I will always be your friend."

"Anora", considered a strong awards season contender after it and director Sean Baker triumphed at the Critics Choice Awards, as well as the Producers and Directors Guild of America Awards ahead of next month's Academy Awards, was also up for best film, as was Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown".

SALDANA, CULKIN WIN

Fellow best film nominee "Emilia Perez", which mixes the diverse genres of musical and crime, triumphed in the film not in the English language category.

"This is too nice, you shouldn't have done that," director Jacques Audiard said, accepting his award. "This award is not just for me but everyone who worked tirelessly on this film."

He thanked the film's cast members, including an absent Karla Sofia Gascon, who had been nominated for leading actress.

Zoe Saldana won supporting actress for her portrayal of a lawyer who helps a Mexican cartel leader, played by Gascon, fake his death and transition from a man to a woman.

"Emilia Perez", had been an early awards frontrunner but its campaign lost steam following controversy surrounding Gascon, who has apologised for past social media posts denigrating Muslims and other groups and said she would go silent to help the movie ahead of the Oscars.

In the supporting actor category, Kieran Culkin won for dramedy "A Real Pain". The movie also picked up best original screenplay for writer-director Jesse Eisenberg.

The actor and comedian told the OnlyFans model she was a "child of God", "special" and "sacred".

The 23-year-old has made headlines from her controversial and record-breaking 'sexcapades' - and has claimed to have had sex with 101 men in 24 hours.

The 49-year-old said he didn't want to judge her but worried about young men who were accessing her content.

"I think our culture doesn't handle sex very well," he said.

"There's gonna be generations of men growing up and one of the first things is going to be hitting them around sex is your escapades, if I may, call them that Lily I don't know be at all derisory about it."

Brand is now living full-time in the US and speaking openly about his Christian faith.

He has faced allegations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse over a seven-year period.

In November 2024, detectives investigating Brand sent the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) a file of evidence so they can consider bringing charges.

Brand's conversation with Phillips is his first public appearance since the BBC apologised to staff over the former presenter's behaviour during his time at the Corporation between 2006 and 2008, which he loosely referenced in the interview.

"Certainly before everything got on top for me in the United Kingdom, with documentaries and attacks and stuff, like, young men would say to me, oh my God, what's he like? What's it like? What's it like to be able to sleep with as many women as you want?" he said. 

The Get Him to the Greek star described sex as a "condiment" and admitted he had changed his opinion about it. 

"(sex) is kind of an accompaniment to love and also, sex is the act of the Creator. It's the act of creation," he said. 

Brand became a Christian in 2024 and was baptised in the River Thames by Bear Grylls.

At one point during the interview, Brand quoted 1 Corinthians 6 to Phillips: "Did you not know that your body is a temple."

He then offered "protection" to her as she faces being banned from AirBnB after filming her sex work at a London flat without telling the owner. 

"I suppose when I was younger and before I was married and had children... if I'd have heard of you, I would have been happy to see you as an object and not to investigate that a bit further," Brand admitted. 

Phillips recently revealed she made $43 million (£34 million) in one year on the Adult subscription platform Only Fans.

The short clip features lead singer Marcus Mumford singing the line 'You're all I want, you're all I need, and I'll find peace beneath the shadow of your wings', which appears to be a paraphrase of Psalm 17:8.

'Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.'

The currently untitled track is likely to appear on the band's new album 'Rushmere', slated for release on 28th March. 

Mumford is the son of Vineyard Churches UK and Ireland founders, John and Eleanor Mumford. 

The Grammy award-winning group have alluded to the Bible in many of their songs and often pen lyrics themed around grace, redemption and hope. 

Gibson, 69, who created the hit movie 'The Passion of the Christ', told Rogan that his idea for a film based around the crucifixion of Jesus faced serious pushback from Hollywood. 

"There was a lot of opposition to it," he explained. "I think if you ever hit on that subject matter,  you're going to get people going because, of course, it's a big subject matter."

The Passion grossed $370.8 million against its $30 million budget and became the most successful 'R-rated' movie of all time. 

"The idea was that we're all responsible for this, that His sacrifice was for all mankind, and that for all our ills and all the things in our fallen nature," Gibson added. "It was a redemption, so you know, and I believe that."

Rogan, who has described himself as agnostic, agreed that Christianity faces distinct criticism from Hollywood. 

"Christianity is the one religion that you're allowed to disparage," he said.

Rogan went on to highlight that despite Hollywood being full of "progressive, open-minded leftist people" who might embrace various religions, the Christian faith, "for whatever reason that represents like white, male, colonialism, whatever it represents, it's negative". 

Gibson went on to talk about his personal faith. 

"I was born into a Catholic family. I'm very Christian in my beliefs," he said. "I do actually believe this stuff to the full."

He also advocated for the historicity of the gospels, saying the Biblical accounts of Jesus are "verifiable history" and noting that many of Christ's followers laid down their lives to follow him. 

"Every single one of those guys died rather than deny their belief," Gibson said.

"Nobody dies for a lie."

The actor also tackled the central tenet of the Christian faith - the resurrection of Jesus - saying it "requires the most faith and the most belief."

"Who gets back up three days later after he gets murdered in public?" he asked "Buddha didn't do that."

Rogan has seemed increasingly interested in the Christian faith as of late.

In a recent podcast episode with apologist Wesley Huff, the comedian said the evidence for Jesus Christ being presented to him was "fascinating".