Faith
Churches Urged to Embrace Persecuted Women
Faith Facts
- Christian women in South Asia and Africa face targeted religious persecution and abandonment by their communities.
- Many churches struggle to accept survivors back, compounding trauma and isolation for victims.
- Faith leaders call for compassion, restoration, and active support for those returning from persecution.
The vulnerability of women and girls in regions hostile to Christianity was front and center at the World Evangelical Alliance’s 14th General Assembly. Panelists revealed that many survivors face rejection not only from society, but heartbreakingly from their own church communities.
Irene Kibagendi, executive director of the Pan African Christian Women Alliance, noted that Christian girls in Nigeria, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are frequently kidnapped and forced to abandon their faith. Upon return, these women often find themselves unwelcome in their churches and families.
“They’re rejected by their families. Their husbands cannot accept them back. The Church cannot accept them back,” Kibagendi explained, emphasizing the urgent need for a more compassionate response.
Emma van der Deijl, CEO of Gender and Religious Freedom, reflected on the spiritual harm inflicted, stating, “It’s as if the Church thinks that the blood of Christ isn’t strong enough to cleanse these women or to keep the Church pure.” She encouraged believers to restore and receive persecuted members with love rather than allowing the enemy to divide the body of Christ.
Sarah Cunningham of Open Doors US discussed the lasting psychological effects that survivors endure, such as PTSD and ongoing fear, and highlighted the stigma that victims often carry in silence.
Despite these challenges, a number of churches are beginning to offer hospitality and grace to those who have suffered for their faith, placing blame on perpetrators and supporting victims on their path to healing and reintegration.
The Rev. Martha Das and others pointed to ongoing cultural obstacles that hinder support in minority-Christian regions, where churches often desire tidiness over messy realities of trauma and pain.
Kibagendi insists Christians have a responsibility to welcome back and restore those hurt by persecution, leaving judgment aside and modeling Christ’s sacrificial love. Support and care groups within churches can provide hope and renew the dignity of women and girls impacted by violence.
At the assembly, over 850 Evangelicals considered how the global Church can more faithfully live out the Gospel, including through the adoption of the Seoul Declaration—a roadmap for theological integrity and unity in addressing pressing global issues.
Faith Facts
- Dame Sarah Mullally embarks on historic 140km London-to-Canterbury pilgrimage before installation.
- Walk coincides with House of Lords vote to decriminalize abortions at any stage, drawing pro-life criticism.
- Journey emphasizes spiritual preparation, prayer, and encounters echoing ancient Christian traditions.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will walk the Becket Camino from St Paul’s Cathedral, joining Morning and Evening Prayers at historic sites like Southwark and Rochester Cathedrals.
Stops include Lesnes Abbey, Aylesford Priory, and Faversham’s Shrine of St Jude, with pupils providing pilgrim passports and prayer cards.
Pro-lifers lament the timing, urging defense of the unborn as sacred life from conception, rooted in Biblical truth.
Dean David Monteith and cathedral chapter will join the final leg into Canterbury for Evensong.
“As I prepare for my installation at Canterbury Cathedral, it feels deeply humbling to be following in the footsteps of those who have walked this ancient route.”
“As I walk this path I will be praying for our Church and our world, and asking God to bless those we meet. Every Christian life is a pilgrimage – a journey with God.”
As stewards of faith and family, pray for Archbishop Sarah’s ministry to boldly champion life, uphold Scripture, and guide the Church in truth.
Faith Facts
- Adam Christopher Sheafe, 51, charged with first-degree murder for pinning 76-year-old Pastor William Schonemann’s hands to a wall in crucifixion pose.
- Sheafe sought guilty plea and immediate death sentence in court to deliver quick justice for victims’ families.
- Crime part of alleged plot targeting 14 pastors nationwide due to their Christian faith.
This heinous attack on a devoted shepherd of New River Bible Chapel echoes biblical persecution of the faithful, demanding swift divine justice in our land.
Authorities linked Sheafe via burglary evidence, backpack items, and stolen truck after responding to the April 2025 scene.
Prosecutors filed charges including burglary, kidnapping, theft, trespass, and three attempted murders, vowing to pursue capital punishment.
“It’s an undisputable fact that the victim, Pastor Bill Schonemann, was over 70 years old. It’s an undisputable fact that the crime was heinous in nature. I intended it to be heinous,” Sheafe declared in court.
“From day one, I’ve said I did this. These are the reasons why I did this, and I’m not contesting anything,” he insisted.
In a confession, Sheafe admitted crafting a crown of thorns for the pastor and plotting assaults in cities like Las Vegas and New York while avoiding bystanders.
Believers must rally in prayer for protection over pastors, upholding America’s godly heritage against Satanic assaults on faith and freedom.
Faith Facts
- Shannon Bream endured years of 10/10 chronic corneal pain, reaching suicidal despair yet clinging to God’s presence.
- Prayer led to her ideal doctor within 48 hours; surgery brought 98% pain relief and unprecedented clear vision.
- New book weaves her trial with biblical heroes like Jonah, urging perseverance and sharing mercy universally.
Fox News anchor Shannon Bream faced a rare genetic eye condition that caused unrelenting agony, testing her limits profoundly.
Through fervent prayer, she sought divine guidance to the right healer.
“If you’re not going to heal me,” she prayed, “please at least lead me to somebody to help guide me through this and lead me to the right doctor.”
Her ordeal deepened intimate knowledge of Scripture’s promises, transforming intellectual faith into lived reality.
Today, she marvels at simple sights like individual leaves, a miracle post-surgery.
“I’m literally looking out the window at the leaves on a tree, and it’s a miracle that I can see them individually,” she shared.
Bream’s ‘Nothing Is Impossible with God’ profiles figures like Moses and Peter.
It highlights triumphs over doubt, failure, and enmity through divine restoration.
Jonah’s reluctance to extend grace mirrors human biases, yet God pursues all souls relentlessly.
“God is the God of the universe. That means He wants relationship with every single human being, even those you may see as enemies.”
Embrace trials as pathways to bolder faith, bringing doubts directly to the Lord who redeems fully.
Draw from Peter’s denial to leadership, proving God’s mercy endures.
Trust Biblical truths amid adversity.
Let Bream’s testimony fortify your walk in freedom and family values rooted in Christ.
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