Faith Facts

• A powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, resulting in over 800 deaths and widespread destruction.
• Christian Aid released £50,000 to local partners and is urging believers to contribute further.
• Afghanistan faces ongoing hardship from drought, reduced aid, and a long history of conflict.

The recent earthquake in Afghanistan has brought loss and hardship to countless families, highlighting a great need for compassion and practical help rooted in our Christian duty.

Christian Aid, inspired by the call to love our neighbors, is working with local partners to provide water, food, and shelter to those affected by the disaster.

“Partners tell us that people have been severely impacted … we have been told homes made of mud and wood collapsed as helicopters were sent in to evacuate the injured.”

The disaster comes on top of ongoing challenges, including food shortages due to drought and reduced international support, testing the resilience of families and communities.

Christian Aid has made it a priority to assist women and girls, recognizing their increased vulnerability in crisis situations.

People of faith are encouraged to join together in prayer and practical generosity, offering hope and restoration through acts of service and support.

Find out how you can help and join with churches in prayer by visiting the appeal page.

Learn more about Christian Aid’s Afghanistan appeal

Faith Facts

• Nearly $4 million has been raised to support victims and families following the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.
• The Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota’s Hope and Healing Fund has collected nearly $725,000 to address immediate needs and ongoing recovery.
• Individual students, such as Sophia Forchas and Endre, have received large donations for medical care and supportive services.

The aftermath of the devastating attack at Annunciation Catholic School has stirred hearts nationwide, inspiring a powerful outpouring of generosity rooted in compassion and Christian love. Across multiple fundraising campaigns, almost $4 million has been secured to provide aid and comfort to those suffering.

From supporting families facing steep medical costs to pastoral care for the grieving, the community has lived out the Biblical call to bear one another’s burdens. Children as young as six were injured, and several campaigns were established to cover the expenses of healing and recovery for each young victim.

“No words can capture what we have gone through, what we are going through, and what we will go through in the coming days and weeks. But we will navigate this — together,” wrote Principal Matthew D. DeBoer and Fr. Dennis Zehren.

Christian leaders and families are embracing prayer as a source of hope in the face of pain, standing firm on the truth that God listens and answers—even in tragedy. The faithful response reveals the deep well of grace, unity, and patriotism flowing through communities founded on faith and family values.

Read the full story at The Christian Post

Faith Facts

• Three maintenance workers claim wrongful termination after raising concerns about asbestos exposure at a church property.
• The workers allege they were dismissed after alerting leaders to unsafe conditions and refusing to continue work without remediation.
• California officials fined the church $1,125 for workplace safety violations linked to asbestos at the site.

Christian stewardship demands that we care for both the physical and spiritual welfare of our community members. Three former employees of Grace Community Church claim they were fired for expressing safety concerns about asbestos at a property intended to become an elementary school.

After reportedly discovering asbestos in flooring, these workers say their initial concerns were dismissed, and they continued to work in hazardous conditions without proper protection until independent testing confirmed the danger.

“In the days that followed, GCC never provided Plaintiffs with results of asbestos testing. GCC took no action to remediate the site,” the lawsuit alleges.

When the employees refused to work further until the asbestos was removed, they say church leaders accused them of spreading falsehoods and pressured them to resign. Failing that, the workers allege they were terminated for speaking out.

“This church is supposed to be the light of the world, and for them to trample on us, our wives, our children, is just a horrible witness,” stated Jose “Tony” Lara.

“They wanted to rush this job to put a bunch of little kids in there for school, and if we hadn’t spoken up, if OSHA hadn’t shut the place down, I bet they’d be in there right now, breathing in God only knows what,” added Chad Pritchett.

Faith calls for accountability and compassion, reminding us that every action reflects our witness to others. As the lawsuit moves forward, believers are urged to pray for wisdom, integrity, and reconciliation so the church can continue its mission faithful to Christ’s teachings.

Read more at The Christian Post