Author: Shalem John

Congregations worship in the shadows. A latch clicks. Sandals shuffle over tile. When the hymn begins, it comes out more mouthed than sung so the sound won’t climb the stairwell. More than 7,700 churches remain shuttered following the Rwandan government’s August 2024 mass inspection of prayer houses. The government’s tightening regulations have not only burdened churches and driven some underground—by requiring extensive pastoral training and inspecting church facilities from toilets to noise levels—but also produced a chilling effect on pastors’ speech. Despite the risk of retaliation from the government, some Rwandan pastors are pushing back against the new rules. CT…

Key Updates September 12, 2025 Shooting Suspect Turned in by Minister September 10, 2025 Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot at TPUSA Event September 12, 2025 Utah authorities named the suspect in conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination as Tyler Robinson, 22, and said they had taken him into custody in St. George, Utah. A judge ordered him held without bail on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice, with prosecutors promising formal charges soon. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said a family member reported the suspect to a family friend, who reported Robinson…

This week the White House issued detailed prayer guidance, urging Americans to pray an hour a week for the country. “Will you join with at least 10 people to meet each week for one hour to pray for America?” the White House site says. President Donald Trump announced the initiative at the Museum of the Bible on Monday, surrounded by mostly Christian supporters. “To have a great nation, you have to have religion,” said Trump, who considers himself a nondenominational Christian. Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” played at the opening of his remarks. The US government has a history…