Faith
Turkish Ban on U.S. Christian Sparks Legal Fight
Faith Facts
- Kenneth Arthur Wiest, a Christian serving in Türkiye for over 30 years, was banned from the country in 2019.
- Legal group Alliance Defending Freedom International is challenging the ban in the European Court of Human Rights.
- Over 200 foreign Christian workers have been expelled from Türkiye since 2020, impacting church communities and religious freedom.
The Turkish government is under scrutiny for removing a faithful Christian who served local churches for decades.
Alliance Defending Freedom International highlights that authorities are using national security claims to remove foreign believers and disrupt Christian ministry.
“Türkiye’s labeling of peaceful Christian residents as ‘security threats’ is a clear misuse of law and an attack on freedom of religion or belief,” said Elizabeth Rieder at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Expulsion and entry bans have been used to silence Christian workers, leaving churches without spiritual leaders and splitting families.
The Turkish constitution guarantees religious liberty, yet Christians find themselves targeted and denied rights promised by law.
Protestant churches suffer restrictions and the closure of long-standing places of worship, eroding their freedom to gather and grow in faith.
The Wiest v. Türkiye case could establish a vital precedent for protecting religious freedom throughout Europe.
“Authorities banned Mr. Wiest, a U.S. citizen who had resided legally in Türkiye for over 30 years, from returning without evidence of wrongdoing,” stated the ADFI.
Elizabeth Rieder warned that believers cannot live out their faith freely if they face expulsion for their convictions.
“The OSCE and its participating states have pledged to promote tolerance and non-discrimination. We must uphold these commitments not only in word, but in action.”
Christians are called to pray for their brothers and sisters in Türkiye and stand firmly for religious liberty worldwide.
Faith Facts
- The Lausanne Movement’s LIGHT research division is exploring how artificial intelligence affects the work of fulfilling the Great Commission.
- The LIGHT Briefing calls the Church to ensure AI is used with discernment, prioritizing Christ-centered mission and authentic human relationships.
- Researchers emphasize biblical values by offering an ethical framework that keeps technology aligned with justice, truth, mercy, and love.
Christian leaders are seeking wisdom as artificial intelligence transforms communication, outreach, and discipleship. The Lausanne Movement urges the Church to govern new technologies by faith and grounding in Scripture.
The church is encouraged to reject both fear and misplaced optimism, choosing instead to prayerfully consider how AI can support—never replace—God’s call to spread the Gospel.
“AI is neither savior nor threat in itself. Rather, its value depends on how it is discerned, governed, and deployed by God’s people.”
Believers are challenged to model transparency, fairness, and accountability while recognizing that digital tools can never replace Spirit-led, personal gospel witness.
“The gospel remains unchanged. Biblical commands transcend technological innovation and demand faithful proclamation, regardless of medium.”
It remains vital that evangelism expresses Christ’s love through genuine presence, as only human ambassadors can fulfill the Great Commission’s relational call.
“While AI may augment, it must always serve, not supplant, the spirit-filled human herald in proclaiming the good news and fulfilling the Great Commission.”
The church must move forward with courage and prayer, trusting God’s mission will not falter in the digital age.
Faith Facts
- The World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed deep concern about violence and unrest following Tanzania’s recent election.
- Key opposition leaders faced arrest and exclusion from the election, raising questions about fairness and transparency.
- The WCC called for an investigation into the violence and urged protection of human rights and accountability.
Christian leaders emphasized the sanctity of human life, highlighting that every life is a gift from God and must be honored, even amid political turmoil. They denounced the use of lethal force against citizens standing for peaceful assembly and free expression.
Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC General Secretary, declared,
“Reports of widespread protests, excessive use of force by security agencies, and numerous civilian casualties are deeply distressing and call for urgent moral reflection and accountability.”
He further stated,
“The sanctity of human life — a gift from God — must be protected at all times, and no political process should ever justify the shedding of innocent blood.”
The WCC stands in solidarity with the people of Tanzania, supporting faith-driven calls for peace, dialogue, and justice, and affirming the vital contributions of Christian organizations in seeking reconciliation.
Faithful believers are called to uphold Christian values by praying for Tanzania and advocating for truth, accountability, and protection of freedoms guaranteed by God.
Faith Facts
- The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear Kim Davis’s petition, leaving the 2015 ruling on same-sex marriage in place.
- Kim Davis was previously jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing her Christian convictions.
- Liberty Counsel continues to support Davis, emphasizing the need to protect religious liberty for public officials.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to reconsider Obergefell v. Hodges keeps the national legalization of same-sex marriage unchanged. The decision also leaves in place a ruling requiring Kim Davis to pay substantial legal fees related to her stand for biblical marriage.
“This cannot be right because government officials do not shed their constitutional rights upon election,” stated Mat Staver, Liberty Counsel Chairman.
Believers must remain vigilant, standing for religious freedom and biblical principles in the public square. Our faith calls us to uphold God’s design for marriage while advocating for the rights of Christians to live out their convictions.
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