<rss
xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"
xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"
><channel>
        <title>Christian Today | Life</title>
        <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/life</link>
        <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
        <image>
            <title>Christian Today | Life</title>
            <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/life</link>
            <url>https://www.christiantoday.com/assets/images/icon/CT_logo.svg</url>
        </image>
        <copyright>Christian Today © 2026</copyright>
        <language>en-gb</language>
        <lastBuildDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2026 06:06:20 +0100</lastBuildDate>
        <atom:link href="https://www.christiantoday.com/life?format=xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
        <atom:link href="https://www.christiantoday.com/life" rel="alternate" type="text/html"/>
        <generator>CT</generator>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Twenty churches unite as 80 people are baptised in public celebration]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/twenty-churches-unite-as-80-people-are-baptised-in-public-celebration</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/twenty-churches-unite-as-80-people-are-baptised-in-public-celebration</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarah Pontier]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/90/99042.jpeg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[baptisms at Manvers Lake, Liberty Church Rotherham]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Liberty Church Rotherham) ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 2026 08:09:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[More than 80 people publicly declared their faith in Jesus Christ as 20 churches from across Rotherham and the surrounding area came together for a landmark public baptism celebration at Manvers Lake on Sunday.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
More than 80 people publicly declared their faith in Jesus Christ as 20 churches from across Rotherham and the surrounding area came together for a landmark public baptism celebration at Manvers Lake on Sunday.
Hosted by Liberty Church Rotherham, the second annual event brought together hundreds of people from across the borough for an afternoon of baptisms, live music, free food and family activities, demonstrating the growing unity of churches across the region.
The day was led by Pastor Adrian Dexter, who launched the initiative in 2025 with a vision of bringing churches together in a public expression of faith and unity.
The event marked a significant increase from the inaugural public baptism held at the same location in 2025. More churches participated this year, reflecting a growing desire among local congregations to work together and serve their communities.
Throughout the afternoon, 80 people entered the lake to be baptised in front of their friends and families, publicly declaring Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Many also shared powerful personal testimonies, speaking openly about how their lives had been transformed through faith in Jesus Christ.
The celebrations continued as the Gospel message was shared with those gathered, with eight people making the decision to give their hearts to Jesus Christ during the event.
One of the memorable moments of the afternoon centred around a woman whose life changed dramatically over the course of the weekend.
She shared publicly that although she had believed herself to be a Christian for many years, she had realised she had simply been "pretending." During Liberty Church Rotherham Youth on the Friday evening before the baptism event, two youth leaders had prayed with her and spoken words of faith and encouragement over her life.
According to her testimony, those conversations stayed with her throughout the weekend. She later explained that she was unable to sleep, feeling deeply challenged by what had been shared and increasingly convinced that she needed to make a genuine decision to follow Jesus.
Standing before the crowd at Manvers Lake, she openly declared that she had now placed her faith in Christ and had truly given her life to Jesus. After speaking personally with the two youth leaders who prayed with and encouraged her, she ran into the lake and was baptised alongside the others. Her testimony prompted cheers and celebration from those gathered around the lakeside.
Another unforgettable story came from Pastor Dexter's own family.
Pastor Dexter had asked his son on a number of occasions whether he felt ready to be baptised. Each time, his son honestly replied that he wasn't ready to take that step of faith, and Adrian respected his decision, believing that baptism should always be a personal choice made at the right time.
Then, on the morning of the mass baptism, his son approached him and said he was ready and wanted to be baptised.
Later that afternoon, Pastor Dexter had the privilege of baptising his own son in front of hundreds of people gathered at Manvers Lake. As he came up out of the water, the lakeside erupted with cheers, applause and celebration. It became one of the day's most moving moments, beautifully illustrating that faith is a personal decision made from the heart and not something that can ever be rushed or pressured into.
Beyond the baptisms, the event created a welcoming community festival atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors enjoyed a free community BBQ, children's games, an ice cream van and live worship music throughout the afternoon, creating a space where families, friends and neighbours could come together and celebrate.
The event also welcomed Christians Against Poverty (CAP), who hosted a community information stand throughout the afternoon. Their team spoke with visitors about the charity's work supporting people facing debt and financial hardship, highlighting practical ways local churches and charities are bringing support and hope to people across the region.
The youth and young adults from Liberty Church Rotherham also played an active role by raising money for future mission projects through the sale of bottled water and fresh watermelon. The community responded generously, helping the youth move significantly closer to their fundraising goals and future outreach opportunities.
The significance of the day also attracted local media attention, with journalists from the local BBC attending to cover the event and showcase the growing unity of churches across Rotherham and the positive impact being made through the Liberty Churches and the wider Christian community. Their presence reflected the significance of these impactful gatherings and helped share stories of faith, hope and transformed lives with a wider audience.
The annual public baptism has quickly become one of the largest visible expressions of Christian unity in South Yorkshire, bringing together churches from different backgrounds with a shared desire to serve their communities and celebrate lives being transformed through faith.
As the event drew to a close, there was a strong sense that something significant had taken place. From the 80 people baptised in the lake, to the eight new decisions to follow Jesus, to the stories of personal transformation shared throughout the day, the gathering reflected a growing movement of churches working together across Rotherham.
Organisers hope the event will continue to grow in the years ahead, welcoming even more churches and members of the public to experience a day of faith, hope, community and celebration together.]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Young adults are finding faith online but it's personal relationships that bring them to church, report finds]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/young-adults-are-finding-faith-online-but-it-s-personal-relationships-that-are-bringing-them-to-church-report-finds</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/young-adults-are-finding-faith-online-but-it-s-personal-relationships-that-are-bringing-them-to-church-report-finds</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/36/93667.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Church of England]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Facebook/Church of England) ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ The Church of England has been at odds for many years over sexuality ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:08:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Social media may be opening the door to Christianity for a growing number of young adults, but personal relationships are the "decisive factor" in leading many to church and to faith in Christ, according to a report commissioned by the Church of England.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Social media may be opening the door to Christianity for a growing number of young adults, but personal relationships are the "decisive factor" in leading many to church and to faith in Christ, according to a report commissioned by the Church of England.
"Understanding Young Adult Journeys to Faith in the Church of England" examines the stories of 30 young adults aged 18 to 30 who began attending Anglican churches for the first time during the five years following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The research, carried out on behalf of the Church by Theos think tank, paints a picture of a generation that is spiritually open and searching for answers.
While their journeys varied widely, the report identified a consistent pattern among the young Christians it spoke to - initial interest in Christianity was often piqued by online content, but it was almost always a real-life encounter or relationship with a Christian that turned that curiosity into genuine faith and church attendance.
Many participants in the study first encountered Christianity through TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, podcasts and online testimonies. Others came across Christian apologetics and discussions, or even passing references to the Bible while scrolling social media.
Yet almost none entered the Church of England directly through that digital content and it was often encounters with ordinary Christians that made them want to take things further, whether that was friends, teachers, or simply an acquaintance in their orbit. 
"Teachers, university chaplains, partners, housemates, and others often provide the encouragement or invitation that leads individuals into church for the first time," the report says, observing that it was "not so much individuals' attempts to persuade people of the truth of Christianity that moved people, but rather the qualities of love, joy, generosity, and kindness that they embodied".
This was the case for Becky, 25, who was drawn to church through her son’s childminder, who happened to be the local vicar’s wife. 
She shared, “My son started going to a childminder with the vicar’s wife. I got a bit curious, because I saw the love and peace that she projected and I thought, what’s wrong with you? What? What? What are you doing? Like, do you know what I mean?
"So that kind of gave me the first little bit of exposure … even though she was child minding my son, I felt like she was there for me, too. I feel like she really bridged that gap and brought me to Jesus.” 
Millie, 20, said, “One of the things that really did stand out to me was that people that I’d met at uni that were Christians that always seemed to be very kind people. That’s something that I distinctively noticed.
"I was like, every time, I speak to this girl or we have conversations and we bump into each other, they’re kind, they’re being kind to me, they’re being kind to other people, and always have a smile on their face and always, and obviously that’s a big generalisation, but for me that is just something that did stand out.
"And I was like, one, I guess these are nice people and it’s nice to spend time with them. And also just like, it feels like there’s something going on here, there’s some kind of pattern.”
The research found that rather than rejecting religion outright, many of the interviewees described spending a lot of time searching for meaning and trying out a number of different beliefs before eventually settling on Christianity.
Around a third described going through a teenage atheist phase, influenced by New Atheists like Richard Dawkins. Others, particularly women, explored astrology, manifestation, tarot cards, crystals and other New Age spiritual practices before turning to Christianity.
Many participants described doing their own research after initial encounters with Christian content online, engaging not only with Scripture but writers like CS Lewis and GK Chesterton.
Several said they were looking for objective truth and moral certainty in a culture that, in their view, was increasingly relativistic.
For many, however, the decisive turning point came not through persuasive arguments but through reading the Bible itself.
Some, like Jake, had bought a Bible after seeing it mentioned on social media.
"Immediately, he felt that scripture spoke to him and the struggles he had been going through," the report said. 
Others borrowed one out of curiosity and several described being unexpectedly moved by reading the Psalms or Gospels before they ever attended a church service.
The report records stories of people turning to God after experiencing anxiety, loneliness, illness, bereavement and some kind of personal crisis. In going to church, they reported finding relief from mental health problems, anxiety and loneliness.
Some participants described having dreams, answered prayers or other experiences they interpreted as being from God.
Participants consistently described finding something they felt had been missing in their life, and were attracted not only to community but to the worship and a renewed sense of purpose.
The report suggests that although digital evangelism may create opportunities to encounter Christianity, the local church remains indispensable. 
Ryan, 28, a young professional living in a shared house, experienced this: “The church very clearly gave me that in terms of a home, an identity, a community, an ability to think about issues on a deeper level than I had before.”  
Whether they settled on an evangelical church or Anglo-Catholic, what consistently appealed to them was worship that had "confidence", "seriousness" and "authenticity".
Interestingly, it emerged from interviews that the Church of England's online presence is not as strong as other denominations like the Roman Catholic Church or independent Christian voices, and researchers suggested there may be opportunities for Anglican leaders and thinkers to present their faith more proactively on online platforms.
The report stopped short of claiming that Britain is experiencing a large-scale religious revival, choosing more cautiously instead to describe what it calls "an emerging openness" to Christianity among some young adults.
It also notes the challenges - with many interviewees describing little knowledge of Christianity or the Bible within their social milieu, and noting that it is now several generations since going to church was the norm in Britain. 
Becky said, “I grew up believing [Christianity is] Bible bashing, it’s a cult. [My family were] very, very against it ... I’d never read a Bible, I’d never sung a hymn, nothing.”
Dom, 24, said, “There are people in our generation who don’t know any Bible stories at all. They know that Jesus was a person and probably that he was crucified, but they can’t really tell you anything else ... sometimes even their parents don’t know Bible stories.
"We’re at a weird point where we’ve had almost three generations of people who haven’t gone to church.” 
The report suggests that Christians should not only be ready to extend an invitation to the curious but also make sure their churches are ready to properly welcome them in. 
"The importance of community and belonging, many said, was something that the Church of England should prioritise in its youth outreach," the report said.
"Many stressed the importance of making young people feel as welcome as possible by personally approaching newcomers; inviting them to events; and better involving them in decision-making and governance.
"Several suggested appointing more student and youth representatives at deanery and general synod meetings, so that young people may be more visibly represented and engaged in the running of the church."
The young people involved in the study also recommended that the Church of England be more confident about its special place as the national Church.
"Whether they came from high or low church traditions, or identified as conservative, liberal or apolitical, this was a view that the majority of our interviewees shared," the report concluded.
"Now more than ever, they felt, the Church could be more assured in its identity, recognising its heritage and traditions as something to be valued, preserved, and shared."
Commenting on the findings, Dr Nick Shepherd from the Church of England's Vision and Strategy team said: “That young adults are exploring and questioning faith demands serious attention. 
“Whilst the facts and figures around patterns of attendance still need careful examination, we commissioned this preliminary report to ask 'what’s going on here?' and then 'how might we respond?'”
He added, “This report listens to the faith journeys of young adults engaging with the Church of England and aims to help us discern how we might accompany them, and those yet to come, into new destinations.” ]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Vicar gives blessing at 14,000ft during charity skydive]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/vicar-gives-blessing-at-14-000ft-during-charity-skydive</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/vicar-gives-blessing-at-14-000ft-during-charity-skydive</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Duncan Williams]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/90/99036.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Rev Gerard Rundell]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: SkyHigh Skydiving) ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ Rev Gerard Rundell during freefall. ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2026 07:08:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Rev Gerard Rundell was unexpectedly asked to bless the cameraman while they were still in freefall.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A Newcastle vicar has fulfilled a long-held ambition by giving a blessing from 14,000 feet in the air while completing his first ever skydive to raise money for children and families in his local community.
The Rev Gerard Rundell, vicar of St Aidan's Church in Brunton Park, Gosforth, jumped from a plane over Shotton Colliery in County Durham, raising more than £2,500 for the church's Family and Children's Worker Fund.
The fund supports a range of initiatives including an after-school club, a summer club, outreach work, and community and school events.
Rev Rundell described the experience to Newcastle's ChronicleLive as both exhilarating and unforgettable.
"It was great fun, I would certainly do it again," he said.
"It was beautiful up there above the clouds and as I descended I could look out to the sea and the Durham landscape. Going up in the plane was absolutely fine, but then there is that surreal moment when the sliding door opens, and that never feels quite right!
"But I was in safe hands. Once I jumped it was 50 seconds of freefall and then five minutes of parachuting."
The skydive took an unexpected turn when tandem instructor Ant Andrews asked him to bless cameraman Chris Brown while they were still in freefall.
"I was asked to give a blessing to the camera man. It was a wonderful experience and not something I was expecting at 14,000ft," he said.
Rev Rundell had previously described the skydive as a lifelong dream, and said the unusual fundraising challenge was an opportunity to support the church's ministry to children, young people and families.
He thanked those who had supported the appeal, saying: "Everyone has been incredibly generous. We are delighted at the amount of money this has raised and it will make a difference to how we support children, young people and families in our community.
"A huge thank you goes to everyone who has donated. We are very grateful indeed."
The skydive was also a family occasion, with Rev Rundell's sister, author Katherine Rundell, taking part on the same day.
"We had talked about doing a skydive and I'm so glad we did. It is something I had wanted to do for some time but I thought it would also be a great opportunity to raise some funds for our vital work," he said.]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[UN report finds many young people want to get married but find it hard to do so]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/un-report-finds-many-young-people-want-to-get-married-but-find-it-hard-to-do-so</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/un-report-finds-many-young-people-want-to-get-married-but-find-it-hard-to-do-so</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/66/96695.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[children]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 07:49:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Money and housing are the main barriers to marriage and children.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A UN report has suggested that across the world young people want to get married and have children, but often find it difficult to do so.
The report, which is based on a survey of 108,000 people aged 18 to 39 across 73 different countries, said that low fertility rates were no longer the preserve of highly developed countries.
Two-thirds of the world’s population now live in countries were the fertility rate is below 2.1 children per woman.
Even in countries with relatively high birth rates, the number is often on a downwards trajectory.
The Demographic Futures Survey found that the majority of young people (70 per cent) wish to get married, with the only disagreement being on whether to cohabit before or after the marriage (34 per cent supported cohabitation prior to marriage). Only 16 per cent of respondents said they wished to remain single.
Wishes and reality are different, however, and around a quarter of those who wish to find a long-term partner said they were currently single and not dating. The figure was higher for men (30 per cent) than for women (19 per cent).
One of the biggest obstacles to forming a partnership is economic insecurity. Over half of respondents (57 per cent) said that economic insecurity or housing constraints presented the biggest barrier to forming a long-term relationship.
When it comes to children, the average ideal is to have two children, although in most of Africa the preferred number tends to by higher.
The findings also reveal that men tend to want more children (2.62) than women (2.43). 
Reality is again somewhat different, as the average number of children that people tend to have is uniformly lower than the ideal number they wish to have.
Among childless 35 to 39 year olds, most still wanted to have children - 79 per cent of men and 72 per cent women.
Once again housing and economic uncertainty are identified as the main culprits, with 72 per cent saying these represented a barrier to having children. Other common factors given were the lack of a suitable partner and health problems.
The report states, “The findings underscore the wider conditions that shape young people’s choices.
"Enhancing economic opportunities, employment security, affordable housing, accessible childcare and gender equality can help create the conditions to support young people to have the number of children they want, when they want them, and build the lives they aspire to lead.”]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Why integrity matters: Lessons from William Wilberforce ]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/why-integrity-matters-lessons-from-william-wilberforce</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/why-integrity-matters-lessons-from-william-wilberforce</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Anita Laryea]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/29/92978.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[William Wilberforce]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Wilberforce House, Hull Museum, Hull City Council) ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ William Wilberforce by John Rising ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 07:22:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Christian Today spoke with Holy Trinity Clapham Rector, Rev Jago Wynne, to hear his thoughts on what integrity looks like from a biblical perspective and why he looks to William Wilberforce for inspiration.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
In his new book, The Integrity Fix, author and Holy Trinity Clapham Rector Jago Wynne reflects on the life of William Wilberforce and his example of living with integrity across all aspects of his life. The book explores the meaning of integrity and some of the reasons for its decline in both society and the Church, while also thinking about how individuals can rediscover a more authentic and integrated way of living. 
Christian Today spoke with Rev Wynne to hear his thoughts on what integrity looks like from a biblical perspective, how churches can build healthier cultures of accountability and authenticity, and why he looks to William Wilberforce for inspiration.
What inspired you to write The Integrity Fix?
First of all, my inspiration comes from the very nature of the work I’ve been doing for the past 14 years, serving at Holy Trinity Clapham, where I am the Rector - the church is known for its historic significance as the place where William Wilberforce and the Clapham Sect worshipped. 
A second source of inspiration came from two recent events. One was the storming of the Capitol building in the United States. On that day, a friend of mine, a former speechwriter for George W Bush and contributor to the 2007 Amazing Grace film, sent me a message saying it was a “broken time” for his nation. Shortly after, he sent another message asking a simple but profound question: “Can Wilberforce be a model for the church to lead us out of this mess?”
That question stayed with me. It led me to reflect on how Wilberforce’s life might speak into both societal brokenness and our own personal struggles.
Around this time, I was also connected to an academic, Michael McMullen, Professor of Church History at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Kansas City, who had been studying Wilberforce’s prayer journals. These journals had originally been written in shorthand and required significant effort to decode. When I had the opportunity to read them, I gained a remarkable insight, not just into Wilberforce the public figure, but into his private life behind the public achievements. And as I explored Wilberforce’s life, I became increasingly aware of his integrity. 
How would you define integrity from a biblical perspective?
At its core, integrity means being whole or undivided. Applied to our lives, integrity is about coherence, when every part of who we are aligns. The opposite of integrity is hypocrisy, something the Bible frequently warns against - appearing one way outwardly while being different inwardly.
In Isaiah 6, when Isaiah encounters God’s holiness, he says, “Woe to me … I am ruined.” The word ‘ruined’ literally means “disintegrated”, falling apart under the weight of sin. Integrity is the opposite: a life made whole and all the parts integrated together.
John Stott, the former Rector of All Souls, Langham Place, one of my heroes, described integrity as having no division between public and private life, between profession and practice, or between word and deed. That is a powerful and practical definition.
Why do we seem to be facing a crisis of integrity in society and the Church?
In one sense, this is nothing new. Since humanity’s fall, there has always been a tendency towards hypocrisy. However, something has shifted in our culture. Increasingly, people are turning inward to find authority, rather than looking to God or Scripture. There is a strong current of individualism, the idea that we each define our own truth and live as we please.
We also see examples of compromised integrity in public life. For instance, during the pandemic in the UK, there were well-publicised cases of leaders failing to follow the rules they imposed on others. This highlighted a gap between public messaging and private behaviour.
Sadly, this issue is not limited to politics. Within the Church, we have also seen leaders fall because of a mismatch between who they appeared to be and who they truly were. This challenge affects all of us, not just leaders, as we wrestle with aligning our public and private lives.
What are some subtle ways Christians can compromise integrity without realising it?
In the book, I describe different “circles” of integrity, including life, discipleship, mission, and vision. One common issue is a disconnect between what others see and what happens “off-screen” in hidden areas of life. Wilberforce is a striking contrast here. While he is famous for leading the abolition of the slave trade, his private prayer life reveals the same depth of integrity.
For example, as a single man, he carefully prayed about relationships. In his journals, he writes about a woman he refers to as “Miss H”. Although he was deeply interested in her, he ultimately chose not to pursue the relationship because she did not share his passion for Christ.
As a husband and father, he also lived counter-culturally. At a time when men of his status often distanced themselves from family life, he was intentionally present, spending time with his children, eating meals together, and engaging in their lives.
Whether it was relationships, family life, finances, or prayer, Wilberforce demonstrated consistency across all areas. 
How can churches and leaders foster healthier cultures of accountability and authenticity?
A biographer, John Pollock, once wrote: “William Wilberforce is proof that man can change his time, though he cannot do it alone.” 
Wilberforce was part of a close-knit group known as the Clapham Sect. They met regularly, studied scripture, prayed together, and spoke honestly about both personal struggles and public issues. They held one another accountable.
This model is still highly relevant today. Leaders should not operate in isolation but should be part of trusted communities where they can be supported, challenged, and encouraged in honesty and humility.
The book title includes the word “fix”. What does restoration look like when integrity has been lost?
The word fix is interesting. It can describe both being in difficulty (“in a fix”) and the act of restoration. We chose the word because it echoes a phrase used about Wilberforce, that through his Christian faith, he “fixed the character of his time.” He had a positive and lasting influence on the world around him.
While most of us will not replicate his specific achievements, each of us can live with integrity in our own sphere of influence. Whether in family, work, or community, living faithfully can bring healing and restoration to broken situations.
What conversations do you hope will come from the book?
Many people admire Wilberforce for his role in abolishing the slave trade, and rightly so. However, I hope this book broadens that perspective.
Wilberforce’s influence was rooted in his faith in Jesus, which shaped every aspect of his life. I sometimes sum it up like this: he had deep roots in Jesus, which produced real fruit in life.
I hope readers will reflect on what “real Christianity” looks like for them - not just a Sunday faith, but a faith that transforms everyday life. My prayer is that people will be inspired to live with integrity, allowing their lives to make a meaningful difference wherever they are.]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Could smartphones be behind falling birth rates? Study suggests iPhone plays major role]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/could-smartphones-be-behind-falling-birth-rates-study-suggests-iphone-plays-major-role</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/could-smartphones-be-behind-falling-birth-rates-study-suggests-iphone-plays-major-role</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/90/99018.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[smartphone, phone, digital technology, social media, digital, online, AI, women, woman]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:07:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The introduction of the iPhone may have contributed substantially to America's falling birth rate, suggesting smartphones changed social behaviour in ways that led to fewer pregnancies, researchers have argued.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The introduction of the iPhone may have contributed substantially to America's falling birth rate, suggesting smartphones changed social behaviour in ways that led to fewer pregnancies, researchers have argued.
A new working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) says that early smartphone adoption could explain between 33% and 52% of the decline in the US general fertility rate between 2007 and 2011.
The paper, authored by economist Caitlin K Myers of Middlebury College and her stepson, researcher Ezekiel Hooper, is the latest contribution to a long-running debate over why US birth rates have continued to decline even after the recovery from recession.
It notes that the general fertility rate has dropped by around 22% since 2007 despite no single economic explanation emerging. 
In their paper, ‘Is the iPhone Birth Control?’, Myers and Hooper argue that any convincing explanation must be “big,” “dated,” and “broadly distributed” across demographic groups.
Building on earlier research that identified the iPhone, email and social media as possible drivers of a “cohort-level shift in priorities,” they sought to test whether the arrival of smartphones could have had a measurable impact on birth rates.
To do so, they took advantage of what economists describe as “a natural experiment.”
When Apple launched the first iPhone on June 29, 2007, it could only be used on AT&T's mobile network under an exclusive agreement that lasted until February 2011. 
Counties with extensive AT&T 3G coverage therefore gained access to the iPhone years before counties where its coverage was limited.
Comparing counties with more than 90% AT&T coverage against those with less than 10%, the researchers found consistently larger declines in births where early smartphone access was greatest.
Their estimates suggest early iPhone access was linked to births among women aged 15 to 19 being 4.5% to 8% lower than they might otherwise have been. Births among women aged 20 to 24 were similarly affected, being an estimated 3.2% to 6.6% lower.
Smaller but statistically significant reductions were also observed among older age groups.
Overall, the authors estimate that smartphone adoption explains between a third and half of the decline in the US general fertility rate during the study period.
The effects appeared broadly similar among white and Hispanic women, although the researchers said they could “estimate no effect” for black women - a finding they acknowledge is “harder to reconcile with the broad smartphone-diffusion story”. 
The study also found no meaningful differences according to marital status or whether women had previously given birth, although there was some variation by education level - ranging from a 2.1% decline among college graduates to a 5.8% decline among women with some college education but no degree.
To test whether their findings were simply reflecting differences between mobile networks rather than smartphones themselves, the researchers carried out placebo tests using Verizon and Sprint coverage during the period when those carriers did not yet offer the iPhone.
They found no comparable effect before 2011 but did observe similar declines once Android smartphones became available on those networks. 
The authors argue that this corroborates the “broader smartphone reading” rather than undermining their conclusions.
The paper does not argue that smartphones in themselves reduce biological fertility. Instead, it proposes three possible behavioural mechanisms that could have contributed to fewer pregnancies: reduced face-to-face socialising, greater access to contraception and reproductive information, and increased consumption of online pornography.
Myers and Hooper stress that these mechanisms are not causally tested but are supported by descriptive evidence showing Americans spent less time with friends, reported declining rates of recent sexual activity alongside increased contraceptive use, and exhibited rising online interest in pornography during the study period.
The researchers suggest that if smartphones have fundamentally altered relationship formation and social interaction, governments seeking to reverse falling birth rates may need to rethink current policy approaches to take these into consideration.
They note that conventional pronatalist policies such as cash payments and subsidised childcare “do raise fertility, but modestly and at steep cost”. 
If declining fertility is increasingly driven by changes in relationships rather than the financial burden of raising children, they argue, existing policy tools may be addressing the wrong problem.
“The operative margin may be less about the cost of raising a child and more about whether the relationships and sexual activity that produce children are forming at all,” the researchers wrote. 
The authors acknowledge that attempts to estimate the effect among individual iPhone owners are “fraught”, since smartphones likely influence behaviour at a broader social and network level rather than only through personal ownership.
Nonetheless they conclude: “We do not claim that the iPhone is the sole cause of the post-2007 decline, nor that no policy lever can move the trajectory. But over the 2008–2011 window that our design identifies, our estimates imply that the introduction of the modern smartphone played a sizable role in the decline in US births.” 
The study has already attracted discussion among other researchers.
Speaking to CNN, Dr Alison Gemmill, an epidemiologist at UCLA whose work examines US fertility patterns, agreed smartphones may have influenced relationship patterns but cautioned that they have done so alongside “major changes in housing costs, education, labour markets, gender norms, and social life,” adding that “untangling those factors is challenging.”
Also speaking to CNN, Ohio State University sociologist, Dr Sarah Hayford, questioned whether a technology introduced in 2007 could explain a decline that stretches back many decades. She also pointed to expanding access to longer-lasting contraception during the same period as another important factor.]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA['On the brink of death': Minister turns near-fatal illness into book of hope]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/on-the-brink-of-death-minister-turns-near-fatal-illness-into-book-of-hope</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/on-the-brink-of-death-minister-turns-near-fatal-illness-into-book-of-hope</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Anita Laryea]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/90/99027.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[care, health, sickness, ill-health, assisted suicide, death, grief, assisted dying, euthanasia, sorrow]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:02:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA["It is in pain that you really discover what you believe" - that's the hard-won lesson at the heart of a new book by Christian minister Cornel Romans following his own brush with death from serious illness. ]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
"It is in pain that you really discover what you believe" - that's the hard-won lesson at the heart of a new book by Christian minister Cornel Romans following his own brush with death from serious illness. 
Romans, minister of the New Testament Church of God in Westmoreland, Jamaica, said the book, Flourishing in Times of Sickness, was born out of his own experience of life-threatening illness and is intended to offer hope, encouragement and practical guidance to people facing serious health challenges.
At an online launch hosted by Marcia M Publishing House, Romans shared the personal journey behind the book and his hopes for readers.
Although Flourishing in Times of Sickness is his first publication, Romans revealed that he did not originally set out to write a book.
He said that after coming out of therapies and hospital check-ups, he was not in any physical, emotional or mental state to write a book. 
"I have to say the inspiration was from God because I've never experienced anything like that before," he explained. "I would be doing something and have to stop immediately to write down what came to me because I knew if I didn't, I would lose it."
He described the writing process as deeply emotional, particularly when recollecting some of the most difficult moments of his illness. 
During the launch, Romans spoke candidly about the severity of his illness, recalling repeated lung collapses, emergency surgeries, chronic pain and moments when he questioned whether he could continue.
He described the physical and emotional toll of repeated hospital admissions, saying there were times when he could no longer bathe independently or climb stairs without assistance.
"I know what it feels like to be literally on the brink of death," he said.
Romans admitted he became so overwhelmed that he considered giving up altogether.
“My mind was losing the fight," he recalled. "But thank God that was not His plan."
Throughout the launch, Romans emphasised the importance of emotional and spiritual support in times of illness, including prayer, companionship and simply having someone willing to remain alongside a person through difficult circumstances.
"I believe there are some people who could still be alive had they received the right support at the right time," he said.
Faith also plays a central role in the book. Addressing one of the most common questions raised during suffering, "Where is God?", Romans acknowledged that serious illness can challenge even the strongest believer.
He admitted experiencing what he described as a "crisis of faith" after his condition stabilised but credited family, friends and fellow Christians with helping him navigate those difficult questions.
"It is in pain that you really discover what you believe," he said.
The book explores themes including forgiveness, the mind, emotional resilience, the human spirit and the importance of healthy support systems in the healing process.
While it is primarily aimed at people living with serious illnesses and their families, Romans believes it also offers valuable insight for healthcare professionals, church leaders and anyone seeking to prepare themselves spiritually and emotionally for life's unexpected challenges.
One chapter that holds particular significance for the author focuses on guarding the mind.
Romans warned that constant exposure to negative news, social media and unhealthy influences can affect emotional wellbeing, especially during periods of illness.
"When you're going through serious sickness, you have to be very careful who you listen to and what you allow into your mind," he said.
Looking ahead, Romans said his greatest hope is that readers experience “healing, restoration and transformation”, regardless of their circumstances.]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[New guidance published to help churches use AI wisely]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/new-guidance-published-to-help-churches-use-ai-wisely</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/new-guidance-published-to-help-churches-use-ai-wisely</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/64/96426.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[artificial intelligence]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 07:53:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[New guidance has been launched to help Christian leaders navigate the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Churches across the UK are being encouraged to take a more intentional approach to artificial intelligence following the launch of new guidance designed to help Christian leaders navigate the opportunities and risks of the rapidly developing technology.
The AI Christian Partnership (AICP) has published ‘AI Guidelines for Christian Ministry’ - a practical resource developed in collaboration with The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion to help church leaders think carefully about how AI is used in ministry. 
With AI being “silently adopted” across many churches, the guidance focuses on the use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot across preaching, pastoral ministry and church administration. 
It explores the ethical, pastoral and practical implications of AI while offering recommendations for its day-to-day use, alongside a template statement that churches can adapt to clarify their own position on AI.
Although written primarily for church leaders, the ethical principles and practical recommendations are relevant to all Christians, the authors say.
Chris Goswami, founder of AICP, warned that churches should not drift into adopting AI by default.
He said: “AI can be a great asset for ministry, or it can leave us with a fast-food version of ministry. As with social media it may only be much later, with hindsight, that we understand the impact of AI - therefore, we encourage churches with foresight to give serious consideration to this now.”
The guidelines were piloted earlier this year with churches from four denominations and reviewed by UK specialists before being revised in light of feedback.
Among the themes explored is the question of not only how churches should use AI, but when they should choose not to use it. 
The report highlights benefits like support with administration, research, translation and creativity. However it also warns of risks including inaccurate information, loss of critical thinking, data privacy concerns, diminished spiritual formation, and the possibility of AI replacing meaningful human interaction.
The document argues that AI can never replace human ministry because it lacks embodiment, moral agency and the capacity for “a relationship with God”.
It also encourages churches to treat AI “as an intern, not an expert”, recommending that any AI-generated material be carefully checked by a human and used primarily to critique or refine work rather than create it.
Ruth Bancewicz, Church Engagement Director at The Faraday Institute and a member of the AICP core team, said churches needed practical help to navigate AI responsibly.
“These guidelines are a welcome contribution, as they encourage Christians to approach AI thoughtfully and with accountability,” she said.
The resource seeks to strike a balance between policy-heavy documents, academic discussions of AI ethics and overly simplistic advice, making it accessible for churches of all sizes and traditions.
The publication comes amid growing debate over AI’s role in Christian ministry. 
Last year, The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion launched its ‘AI for Humanity’ Research Hub, spearheaded by Graham Budd, to examine how advances in artificial intelligence could affect human dignity, relationships, spiritual formation and the essence of humanity.
The initiative brings together theologians, philosophers, psychologists and computer scientists to explore how AI can be developed and used in ways that support rather than reduce human flourishing.
Research released earlier this year by Barna and Pushpay found that while many church leaders are already using AI to assist with tasks like writing, communication and content creation, relatively few churches have formal policies governing its use. 
The study also found widespread concerns about plagiarism, data privacy, authenticity in preaching, and the potential erosion of trust between pastors and congregations.
The subject has also been raised by leading Christian thinkers. 
Speaking at the Christian Broadcasting Council’s Revive 2026 conference in London in May, Oxford mathematician John Lennox welcomed AI’s potential in areas including medicine and Bible translation but cautioned that overdependence on the technology could weaken critical thinking and effectively make society lazy. He also warned of an increased risk of deception through misinformation and deepfakes.]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[When God changes our plans: trusting Him through disappointment]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/when-god-changes-our-plans-trusting-him-through-disappointment</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/when-god-changes-our-plans-trusting-him-through-disappointment</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/77/97727.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[faith hope life choices journey challenges decisions plans dreams]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 18 Jul 2026 07:34:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[We may not understand every twist in the journey, but we can trust the Author.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
We believe in a God who is faithful and able to do far more than we can ask or imagine. Yet life does not always unfold the way we expected. We pray, we persevere, we seek to be faithful and obedient, and still, a door closes; an unexpected diagnosis arrives; a relationship ends. Plans we held so tightly suddenly unravel. A dream we thought God had given us seems to disappear before our eyes.
What do we do when our hopes are dashed and our plans suddenly change? How do we respond when God’s answer is not what we wanted? And what does this reveal about our relationship with Him?
We have heard and read time and time again that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are His ways our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). He sees the beginning and the end at the same time, while we see only a small part of the story (Isaiah 46:10; Psalm 139:16). What feels like a closed door may be God’s protection or preparation for something we cannot yet imagine. What feels like a delay may be His perfect timing. His plans stretch beyond the limits of our understanding (Job 42:2; Romans 11:33-34).
Knowing this, however, does not mean disappointment is easy. Often, our first response is not trust but confusion. We wonder whether God has forgotten us. We question whether our prayers mattered at all. We may even begin to believe that He has abandoned us. This disappointment can quietly become discouragement, and discouragement can slowly give way to despair.
God welcomes honest grief
God is not offended by our grief. He does not ask us to pretend that loss does not hurt. Throughout Scripture, His people cried out to Him in grief, confusion and lament (Psalm 22:1-2; Lamentations 3:1-3). The Psalms are filled with honest prayers asking, “How long, O Lord?” (Psalm 13:1-2; Psalm 89:46). Even Jesus Himself wept at the tomb of Lazarus. And, on the cross, He cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Grief is not the opposite of faith. Sometimes grief is simply love expressing itself in the face of loss.
But while God welcomes our tears, He does not want us to remain trapped in hopelessness (1 Thessalonians 4:13; Jeremiah 29:11). Healthy grief eventually leads us to surrender - not because the loss no longer hurts, but because we choose to place what we cannot understand into God’s hands (1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22). Like Jesus in Gethsemane, we learn to pray, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42), trusting that the Father’s will is always good even when it is painful. If we continue clinging to what has been taken away, our hands remain closed. Yet God often calls us to release what was so that we can receive what He is preparing next (Isaiah 43:18-19; Philippians 3:13-14).
God’s pattern throughout Scripture
Few people embody this truth more powerfully than Job. In what seemed like a moment, he lost his wealth, his children, and his health (Job 1:13-19; Job 2:7). His future collapsed before him. From a human perspective, every reason for hope had vanished. Nothing about his suffering made sense. Yet in the midst of overwhelming grief, Job did something remarkable: “He fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised’” (Job 1:20-21).
Job did not pretend everything was fine. He lamented honestly (Job 3:1-3; Job 10:1). He wrestled with difficult questions (Job 13:3; Job 23:3-5). But through it all, he never completely let go of God (Job 13:15; Job 16:19-21). By the end of the book, after encountering God in a deeper way, Job reaches a profound conclusion: “I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted...Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know” (Job 42:2-3).
Job’s circumstances eventually changed, but the greatest transformation was not in his possessions - it was in his understanding of God (Job 42:5). He learned that God’s wisdom extends far beyond human understanding and that His sovereign purposes remain trustworthy even when they cannot be explained (Romans 11:33; Isaiah 40:28).
The whole Bible tells this same story. Joseph was sold into slavery before becoming the one God used to preserve many lives (Genesis 37:28; Genesis 50:20). Israel repeatedly wandered from God, yet He continually pursued and restored His people (Judges 2:18-19; Hosea 11:8-9). Naomi returned to Bethlehem believing her life had ended in bitterness, only to discover that God was weaving her story into the lineage of King David and ultimately of Christ Himself (Ruth 1:20-21; Ruth 4:13-17; Matthew 1:5).
The cross: when defeat became victory
Above all, the cross reminds us that God’s greatest victories often come through what appears to be defeat. To those watching, Jesus’ crucifixion looked like the end. The Messiah, the Son of God, had been rejected, humiliated and killed (Isaiah 53:3; Luke 23:21). Every hope seemed buried with Him. Yet what looked like humanity’s darkest moment became God’s greatest act of redemption (1 Corinthians 1:18; Romans 5:8). Through Christ’s death and resurrection, sin was defeated, death was conquered, and the way was opened for all who believe to be reconciled to God (1 Corinthians 15:54-57; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
If God could bring salvation out of the cross, He is certainly able to bring purpose out of our disappointments.
Dear reader, perhaps you are living through an unexpected change today. Maybe a prayer remains unanswered. Maybe the future you imagined has disappeared. Perhaps you are carrying questions that seem to have no answers.
Take those questions to God. Cry if you need to. Lament honestly. The Lord welcomes the broken-hearted.
But do not let disappointment become despair. Lift your eyes again to Christ. Remember that God’s faithfulness is not measured by whether life unfolds according to our plans, but by His unchanging character (Lamentations 3:22-23; Hebrews 13:8). His love has not diminished (Romans 8:38-39; Jeremiah 31:3). His promises have not failed (Joshua 21:45; 2 Corinthians 1:20). His purposes have not been abandoned (Philippians 1:6; Isaiah 46:10). For those who belong to Christ, disappointment is never the final chapter (Revelation 21:4-5). God is still writing the story.
We may not understand every twist in the journey, but we can trust the Author. One day we will see that every chapter - even the painful ones - was held together by His wisdom, His goodness and His unfailing love (1 Corinthians 13:12). Until then, we walk by faith, not by sight, confident that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Premier League stars use World Cup spotlight to share Christian faith with millions online]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/premier-league-stars-use-world-cup-spotlight-to-share-christian-faith-with-millions-online</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/premier-league-stars-use-world-cup-spotlight-to-share-christian-faith-with-millions-online</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/90/99022.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Maxence Lacroix, French player and Crystal Palace defender]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Instagram/YouVersion) ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ Maxence Lacroix, French player and Crystal Palace defender ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:18:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Several Premier League footballers are using the global attention surrounding the FIFA World Cup to speak openly about their Christian faith, taking part in a Bible campaign encouraging fans around the world to engage with Scripture.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Several Premier League footballers are using the global attention surrounding the FIFA World Cup to speak openly about their Christian faith, taking part in a Bible campaign encouraging fans around the world to engage with Scripture.
The initiative forms part of YouVersion’s Mid-Year Bible Reading Challenge: World Cup Edition, which invites people to read the Bible for 7 consecutive days with each day's engagement contributing to their country's standing on a global leaderboard while earning users a digital achievement badge.
Among the players participating are Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace and France, Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest and Nigeria, Michelle Agyemang of Arsenal and England, Sam Coffey of Manchester City and the United States, and Morgan Gautrat of Newcastle United and the United States, with more testimonies expected to be released throughout the campaign.
Through short videos shared online, the players explain how particular Bible passages have shaped their lives both on and off the pitch, reflecting on faith, identity and the pressures of elite sport.
In an Instagram post, Lacroix highlighted Gospel of Matthew 28:19-20, commonly known as the Great Commission, describing it as a daily reminder that his purpose extends beyond football.
He said the passage inspires him to “get to know Him better so that I can reflect Him more fully,” adding that it gives him confidence because, although he is “not the best disciple,” he knows he can continue to grow in faith. 
He continued: “We still have something to do in this world, which is to speak out, to be a witness, to be able to show the character of Jesus.
“Everyday I wake up and give glory to the God that I exist, that I’m part of the Kingdom. I’m simply filled with a joy and peace that’s very hard to explain but which you really have to experience.”
In the video’s caption, Lacroix wrote that his God-given mission is not simply to win football matches but “to share Jesus with others.”
Awoniyi, meanwhile, pointed to Ecclesiastes as a key influence on his life, saying his Christian faith underpins everything he does.
“My faith is not something I turn to only when life is difficult or only when everything is going well,” he said. “It is the foundation of everything I do.”
Reflecting on his upbringing in a Christian family, Awoniyi said he has grown to know God more deeply through Scripture and believes every success in his life is a result of God's grace.
He continued: “My greatest desire is to fear Him, keep His commandments, and live a life that honours Him. As Ecclesiastes reminds us, this is the whole duty of mankind.”
“After all is said and done, I am who I am because of God. God is the Greatest,” he concluded, adding that if sharing his testimony encourages even one person to trust God more fully, it is worthwhile.
The campaign also features 39 footballers from Brazil and Latin America, including former Brazil international Kaká and Lucas Moura.
The campaign comes amid growing visibility of Christian faith among professional athletes, with an increasing number of footballers using interviews, social media and major sporting events to speak publicly about the role their beliefs play in their lives and careers.]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Ann Widdecombe, devout Christian and right-wing stalwart, dies aged 78]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/ann-widdecombe-devout-christian-and-right-wing-stalwart-dies-aged-78</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/ann-widdecombe-devout-christian-and-right-wing-stalwart-dies-aged-78</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/4/90/49082.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Ann Widdecombe]]></media:title>
                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ Ann Widdecombe ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 10:28:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The longtime Conservative MP and later TV personality was known for her outspoken faith and defence of free speech.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Ann Widdecombe, former Conservative Cabinet minister and an unapologetic Christian voice in public life, has died at the age of 78.
"It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG," her management said. 
"We send our deepest condolences to Ann's family and friends. We ask that the family's wish not to be contacted at this sad time is respected." 
No cause of death was given in the statement.
Widdecombe served as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Maidstone, later Maidstone and the Weald, from 1987 to 2010. Under former Prime Minister John Major, she held various ministerial posts including the employment and prisons portfolios. She later served in the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Health Secretary and Shadow Home Secretary under William Hague.
Faith was central to Widdecombe's identity throughout her public life. Raised in the Church of England, she went through a period of agnosticism before returning to Anglicanism in her 30s. In 1993, she made national headlines by converting to Roman Catholicism following the Church of England's decision to ordain women as priests. She remained a practising Catholic for the rest of her life and was a member of the Conservative Christian Fellowship.
The statement from her management continued, "Her life and career were driven by her strong Christian values and commitment to public service."
For Widdecombe, who never married, faith informed many of her political positions, including her opposition to same-sex marriage, abortion and assisted suicide. More recently she decried the "prevailing lunacy" over transgender issues.
She was a fierce defender of free speech, arguing that no one had the right to not be offended. In 2019, she spoke powerfully against "no platforming" at an Oxford Union debate, winning the house to her side by a considerable margin. 
After leaving the House of Commons in 2010, Widdecombe became a familiar face on TV, reaching the semi-finals of Strictly Come Dancing and charming the nation in the process. She later finished runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother. 
She remained a politician at heart, though, returning to the fray to serve as a Brexit Party MEP for South West England from 2019 to 2020 before joining the Reform Party in 2023 to serve as its Immigration and Justice spokesperson.
The statement from her management continued, "She loved the cut and thrust of political debate and, 16 years after leaving Parliament, was still actively campaigning for Reform UK and offering forthright views on the hot topics of the day across numerous radio and television programmes.
"Ann was a valued patron of many causes, particularly her animal charities.
"As Ann once said on The Graham Norton Show, 'we get one go this side of eternity, one go. Life is not a dress rehearsal, you take opportunities that you like and you go for it, that's my philosophy'.
"A consummate professional and a delight to work with, indefatigable to the last, we know this news will come as a great shock to the many colleagues and friends she made along the way and our sympathies go to them and her family."
Right to Life UK called Widdecombe a "heroine of the pro-life cause".  
"Right To Life UK is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe, a courageous heroine of the pro-life cause, and patron and close friend of Right To Life UK. Her principled example has inspired many." 
Chris Whitehouse, Right to Life trustee said:“For 40 years, Ann was to me a personal and family friend, a political mentor and a remarkable heroine of the pro-life cause. To have known her was a pleasure and a privilege, if sometimes a challenge.
“She was unflinching in her politics, constant in her friendships and steadfast in her defence of the principle of the right to life, both for the unborn and for those approaching the end of their lives.”
John Pontifex, head of press and public affairs at Aid to the Church in Need, said: “Whether or not you agreed with her politics, without a doubt, Ann Widdecombe was a fearless champion for persecuted Christians, constantly seeking to raise the public profile of their suffering with the media and government. At ACN we are thankful for her witness and support over many years.” 
The Pro-Life Campaign Ireland said they were "so upset" by the "tragic news" of her death and now possible murder, describing her as an "unwavering advocate for the right to life throughout her political career". 
"Her deeply held Christian faith shaped both her public service and her commitment to causes she believed in," it said. 
"Although she was often seen as a controversial figure because of the views she held, there could be little doubt about the sincerity of her beliefs or the care with which she considered the issues she championed.
"Away from politics, her lively personality, sharp wit and wonderful sense of humour shone through during her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing, introducing her to a new generation and winning the affection of many.
"We remember Ann Widdecombe with gratitude for her lifelong witness in defence of human life. We offer our deepest sympathies to her family, friends and loved ones at this time of profound sadness."
Lord Alton, a fellow Catholic, said of Widdecombe, "Known as a conviction politician, her beliefs were founded on two pillars: her faith and her intensely patriotic love of country.
"Beyond the well-known public figure, there was also a less well-known private person, capable of great kindness in responding to people facing personal challenges and tragedy.
"As they will attest, she was never a fair weather friend. At a time when the national debate needs respectful disagreement and intelligent debate, Ann’s voice will be missed.
"I will not be alone in mourning her passing."]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Christian app for defeating porn addiction has over half a million downloads]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/christian-app-for-defeating-porn-addiction-has-over-half-a-million-downloads</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/christian-app-for-defeating-porn-addiction-has-over-half-a-million-downloads</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/90/99002.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[mobile phone, technology, digital, apps, social media]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:16:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The app features daily devotionals and accountability groups to help its users live free from porn. ]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
An app designed to help Christians overcome addiction to pornography has been acquired by Rocapine, a company that describes itself as a “wellness venture studio”.
The app, Unchaind has received over half a million downloads in less than a year. Rocapine acquired the app after raising $13 million in early funding from investors.
Unchaind includes a number of features, such as accountability groups, streak tracking, daily check-ins, content blocking and an AI Bible companion. The companion is designed to provide faith-based guidance when the user is feeling tempted.
A survey of over 1,000 Unchaind users in Britain found that nearly all were young men (95 per cent male and 90 per cent under 25). Of these the vast majority (85 per cent) said their first encounter with pornography came before they were adults, with more than half (51 per cent) saying they first encountered pornography before the age of 13.
The survey also found that half of the app’s users viewed pornography or explicit content every day and 42 per cent said they found sexual arousal without pornography challenging.
The intention behind the app is not simply to try and block overly sexual content, but to hold users accountable and provide them with something more wholesome, notably faith and community.
In short, the void they are trying to fill with porn, must be filled with something else.
One user of the app, James, said, “This app changed my life. The AI Bible companion is like having a pastor available 24/7. I've been free for 6 months now and my relationship with God has never been stronger.”
Another, Marcus, said, “I struggled for years and tried everything. Unchaind addressed the spiritual root of my struggle. The daily devotionals hit different when they're personalized.”
Stanislas Marchand, CEO and co-founder of Rocapine, said of the group’s acquisition of Unchaind, “Millions of people want to change behaviours that leave them feeling trapped, but very few digital products genuinely help them do it."]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Pastors are still struggling but relief remains out of reach for many]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/pastors-are-still-struggling-but-relief-remains-out-of-reach-for-many</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/pastors-are-still-struggling-but-relief-remains-out-of-reach-for-many</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christian Daily International]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/90/99001.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Christian man, faith, Bible, prayer, pastor]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 11:36:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Pastoral satisfaction has dropped 20 points since 2015 but the measures many pastors believe would help are often unattainable.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
More than half of Protestant pastors in the United States say they need help with their physical and mental health, while the burnout-relief measures they believe would work best remain largely out of reach, according to new research from Barna Group.
The findings, published July 6 from a survey of 507 U.S. Protestant senior pastors conducted in early 2026, come as pastoral exhaustion has eased and confidence in calling has largely recovered from pandemic-era lows. Vocational satisfaction, however, has not followed. The share of pastors who describe themselves as "very satisfied" with their vocation has dropped 20 percentage points since 2015, from 72 percent to 52 percent.
When asked which area of their lives needed the most support, 52 percent of pastors named mental and physical health—well ahead of close relationships (41 percent) and financial stability (36 percent). Spiritual connection came in at 30 percent.
Age and gender shape those priorities. Pastors under 45 flag health concerns at higher rates than older colleagues—62 percent versus 51 percent. Female pastors prioritize health at even higher rates, with 66 percent naming it a top need compared to 49 percent of male pastors. Men, meanwhile, are somewhat more likely to identify close relationships as a pressing concern.
On the question of what would actually help, pastors were asked to rate a set of burnout-relief actions by both helpfulness and difficulty. Three responses stood out as high on both dimensions: extended rest such as a sabbatical, delegating responsibilities to staff or other leaders, and restructuring one's role to better match personal gifts and limits. Pastors say these measures would make the most difference. They also describe them as the hardest to take.
Sabbaticals require congregational backing and staffing cover. Delegation depends on having people to delegate to. Role restructuring requires a leadership team or board willing to raise and sit with uncomfortable questions. None of these can be accomplished unilaterally.
"There's a difference between recovering from burnout and actually resolving it," said Daniel Copeland, Barna's vice president of research. "Consistent rest, boundaries, and personal spiritual practices build the weekly rhythms that keep a pastor healthy. But the deeper question—whether your role is genuinely an expression of your gifts and strengths—requires a different kind of time and attention altogether."
Several relief measures that pastors find more accessible also registered as meaningful: consistent personal spiritual practices, clearer expectations around role and schedule, short breaks such as a long weekend, and honest conversations with close friends or family. These ranked as helpful and relatively achievable.
At the bottom of the helpfulness rankings, the Barna research found, are resources and curricula specifically designed for burned-out pastors—despite their wide availability. The gap between what is offered and what pastors say would help is substantial.
Support structures within ministry show a similar unevenness. Eighty percent of pastors say they rely on a spouse as their primary personal support, and 65 percent turn to a fellow pastor or ministry leader. Forty-two percent name a close friend outside the church. Mentors or spiritual directors are cited by 30 percent, and only 18 percent say they rely on a counselor or therapist.
Female pastors draw on a wider range of support: they are more likely than male pastors to name friends outside the congregation (51 percent vs. 38 percent), family members (52 percent vs. 32 percent), mentors (36 percent vs. 28 percent), and therapists (29 percent vs. 14 percent).
Copeland said the data points to a gap between the institutional support structures churches typically offer and the conditions pastors say they actually need. "Pastors deserve the time to step back and ask honestly whether their role is an expression of their actual gifts," he said. "If there's any vocation we want liberated from the mundane, it's this one."
The research was conducted by Barna Group as part of its State of the Church initiative, produced in partnership with Gloo.
© Christian Daily International]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Jordan Peterson says activities remain 'very limited' in health update]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/jordan-peterson-says-activities-remain-very-limited-in-health-update</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/jordan-peterson-says-activities-remain-very-limited-in-health-update</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Leah MarieAnn Klett]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/8/99/89940.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Jordan Peterson]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Wikimedia Commons ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ Jordan Peterson's views on gender are controversial. ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 11:20:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Canadian psychologist and author Jordan Peterson has shared a health update, revealing his activities remain "very limited" as he continues recovering from a prolonged illness, but he has resumed writing and is "relieved" to "be doing something creative and useful."]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Canadian psychologist and author Jordan Peterson has shared a health update, revealing his activities remain "very limited" as he continues recovering from a prolonged illness, but he has resumed writing and is "relieved" to "be doing something creative and useful."
In an Instagram post shared Tuesday, the 64-year-old 12 Rules for Life and Beyond Order author offered another glimpse into his recovery, saying his health still prevents him from returning to his normal schedule but that he has made enough progress to begin writing.
"My activities are still very limited at the moment. I have been doing some writing, however — thank God," Peterson wrote. "I'm so relieved to be once again doing something creative and useful."
The update comes just weeks after Peterson announced he would begin releasing one archived lecture each week while recovering from illness, though he’s unable to speak publicly. The famed psychologist also revealed he’s been spending time watching courses on Peterson Academy, the online education platform he co-founded with his daughter, Mikhaila Fuller.
In his latest update, he recommended historian Paul Kengor's course, The Dark Side of Marxism, praising the professor as "a truly engaging, creative and witty storyteller and lecturer."
Peterson used the post to criticize German philosopher Karl Marx, writing that Marx "was quite the satanic soul" due to the socialist author’s admiration for demonic themes in literature.
He also quoted a passage by Mephistopheles from Faust before asking whether New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, known for his socialist bent, was aware of the philosopher's intellectual influences.
The health update follows months of uncertainty surrounding Peterson's condition. In April, Fuller revealed that her father had suffered a recurrence of akathisia, a neurological disorder characterized by severe physical and psychological distress, after an old neurological injury was re-triggered.
She said Peterson had also battled pneumonia and sepsis during the health crisis, marking a year as "hell" for the family. Fuller said specialists eventually identified the underlying condition after months of misdiagnoses and expressed hope that Peterson could recover with time.
“Thank God for that. It’s just horrifying, and it’s so infuriating that these sensitivities, this damage that can cause severe symptoms like this, can last for so long after stopping psych meds and then, apparently, be re-triggered,” she said.
Though he doesn’t identify as a Christian, Peterson often discusses faith in his podcasts and lectures. His wife, Tammy, entered the Catholic Church in 2023, and Fuller has said she became a Christian two years earlier.
In a 2024 interview with The Christian Post, Peterson reflected on the benefits of Christianity, particularly when it comes to raising children in an increasingly secular culture.
“We are seeing a revival of church-going, especially of the more conservative type,” Peterson said. “And I suspect that’s probably also useful. Providing [children] with something like exposure to classic religious ideas is necessary.
“By their fruits, you will know them,” he said, adding that it takes discernment to know who is truly living the Christian life.
“You have to pay attention to the fact that not everybody who says ‘Lord, Lord is going to enter the Kingdom of Heaven,’” he said.
© The Christian Post]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Tributes paid to Lord Mackay of Clashfern, committed Christian and public servant]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/tributes-paid-to-lord-mackay-of-clashfern-committed-christian-and-public-servant</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/tributes-paid-to-lord-mackay-of-clashfern-committed-christian-and-public-servant</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/90/99000.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Lord Mackay of Clashfern]]></media:title>
                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ Lord Mackay of Clashfern 1927 - 2026 ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:30:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Lord Mackay, who has died aged 99, was described as "a great Conservative, a great lawyer, a great Lord Chancellor, and also a man of profound Christian faith".]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Tributes have been paid to Lord Mackay of Clashfern, a devout Christian and former Lord Chancellor of Britain who has died aged 99.
He died on July 7, just days after his 99th birthday, and his death was announced on the same day in the House of Lords by the Lord Speaker, Lord Forsyth of Drumlean who extended condolences to Mackay's family on behalf of the House. He said there would be an opportunity for the House to pay tribute to Lord Mackay in due course. 
Some peers took the opportunity to do so during the debate immediately following the announcement. 
Attorney General Lord Hermer told peers that Lord Mackay's death was "sad news".  
"Lord Mackay was a hugely respected figure across all parties. He was a giant in the law. I am sure we all join in sending our condolences to his family," he said. 
Shadow Attorney General Lord Wolfson of Tredegar added his own praise for Lord Mackay.
"He was a great Conservative, a great lawyer, a great Lord Chancellor, and also a man of profound Christian faith, who lived out the words of scripture: 'He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God'," he said. 
Mackay served under Margaret Thatcher and John Major. He earlier served as Lord Advocate, Scotland's senior law officer, and had been Dean of the Faculty of Advocates - the Scottish bar. 
He was the first Scottish advocate to become Lord Chancellor in modern times, holding the post from 1987 to 1997 during which time he oversaw reforms to the legal profession. 
He was raised in the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland and served as an elder, but was suspended from that role in 1988 after attending the Roman Catholic funeral Masses of two judicial colleagues - something forbidden by his denomination. He insisted he had done so in order to pay his respects and refused to give any guarantee he would not do so again, later withdrawing from the Church over his stance. The dispute contributed to a schism within the denomination.
Born in Edinburgh in 1927 the son of a railway signalman, Mackay originally trained as a mathematician before turning to law. He was made a Knight of the Thistle in 1997 and retired from the House of Lords in 2022.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, whom he married in 1958, and their three children.]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Over 100 baptised in sea near Bournemouth beach]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/over-100-baptised-in-sea-near-bournemouth-beach</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/over-100-baptised-in-sea-near-bournemouth-beach</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/89/98995.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[bournemouth, Boscombe beach, baptisms]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Diocese of Winchester) ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ A joyous scene on Boscombe Beach. ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2026 08:03:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Over 120 people have been baptised in the sea near Bournemouth over the course of two weekends.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[Over 120 people have been baptised in the sea near Bournemouth over the course of two weekends.
Over a thousand people gathered to watch each event, with 43 people being baptised on 21 June, followed by another 80 the following weekend. The events took place on Boscombe beach, which is a short walk along the seafront from Bournemouth.
The Church of England said that a number of people were baptised from St Swithun’s, St Clement’s and St Andrew’s Church in Charminster. 

Among those being baptised were mother and daughter, Liz and Ollie. Liz told the Diocese of Winchester, “We’ve been coming to St Andrew’s Church for quite a short time and this is the next step in our journey. You don’t have to have all the answers but I feel like I’ve let a lot of stuff go from the past and I feel really clear going forward now. It’s lovely here today with so many people.”
Amy Snow, also of St Andrew’s, also underwent baptism. She said, “As I came out of the water, I felt more alive than I ever have before. It was an outward expression of the inward change that God has been doing in my life. 
"I’m so thankful that God met me where I was, even when I wasn’t looking for Him. He has taken brokenness and begun turning it into something beautiful. My story isn’t about having all the answers or being anywhere near perfect – it’s about the grace of Jesus and how He can transform a life.”
At last year’s baptism event 92 people were baptised in the middle of a heatwave. The event was organised by a group of 14 churches in the area known as the BCP Church Collective (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole).
Senior Leader at Lovechurch Bournemouth, Rev Tim Matthews, said, “These baptisms are a sign of great hope for the church in BCP.
"They come out of many years of ecumenical prayer and friendship shared with pastors across the town. Our impact together is so much greater than anything we could accomplish alone.”]]></content:encoded>
            </item>
            </channel>
</rss>