“Mariology stands at the core of Roman Catholic doctrine and practice and is not a secondary issue”, says evangelical theologian in Rome Leonardo De Chirico.

600 adults and children gathered in Madrid for the Protestant Congress on the Ministry with Infancy and Family. An intergenerational programme addressed the challenges in society, the model of Jesus Christ, and the role of families and local churches.

Päivi Räsänen, the leader of the Christian Democrats, could be accused under Section 10 of the Criminal Code of Finland for “ethnic agitation”. A fine or prison are contemplated for this crime.

The closure of at least 12 Protestant church buildings gets international attention. Algerian Christians share their situation in videos posted online. 63,000 have already signed a petition defending religious freedom.

Peaceful demonstrations call authorities to “stop closure of worship places”. Churches re-organise themselves in houses as the government threatens to close more buildings.

The fields around the Greek the refugee camp are “oversaturated”. Pau Abad, a volunteer on the ground, shares about the “hopelessness” of the hundreds of families who continue to arrive every week and will face “a very tough winter”.

Houses, schools and other buildings suffered severe damage, but no human deaths have been reported. The tremor “has the potential to bring people closer to each other and to God”, say Christians in Albania.

Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen shares her thoughts about the police investigation opened against her for quoting the Bible on homosexuality. She is “amazed” that “so many are praying for me and my country”.

Martin Durham is one of the leaders organising Behold Europe, a conference for evangelists aged 18-35. “Our vision is clear – an evangelist in every local church”.

George Kaloterakis (Greek Evangelical Alliance) analyses the situation after the legislative election. “Pray that Greek Evangelicals become a healing agent in the divisions that permeate our society”.

The German government plans to ban so-called ‘conversion therapies’. Reinhardt Schink, Secretary General of the German Evangelical Alliance, says the law proposal is “neither coherent with its assumptions, nor consistent in its approach”.

Evangelicals analyse the biggest demonstrations in the Czech Republic since the Velvet Revolution. Prime Minister Andrej Babis remains in power after surviving a parliament no-confidence vote.

Adrian Petrice, coordinator of IFES Graduate Impact, talks about the challenges for university graduates who start their work life. “Pray that they will give reason for the hope they have in Jesus”.

740 evangelical leaders connected for mission in Wisla (Poland). Ramez Atallah led the Bible expositions on 2 Corinthians. Seminars, thematic networks, and resources were available at the annual gathering.

Ramez Atallah, Director of the Bible Society Egypt, addresses some of the misconceptions about the country, and analyses the presence and influence of the Christian minority. 

The 2019 European Freedom Network conference will be held in Italy. “God has used many instrumental Christians over time to address the issue of slavery”, says Leanne Rhodes.

One million species are threatened with extinction, a UN report warns. Ruth Valerio, Global Advocacy and Influencing Director of Tearfund, shares ideas about how to care for creation through everyday actions.

The rise of far-right populism anticipates an unstable scenario. Evangelicals issued “Vote Wisely”, a guide offering biblical reflection on education, migration, economy, and other socio-political issues.

“Actually, Finland took a few steps to the left”, says Christian journalist Matti Korhonen. “Immigration politics, gender issues/sexuality and climate change are hot topics in society”.

“If the message is not understandable, no matter how important it is – it will not reach the people”, says Valeria Esteban, a graduate of the training programme started in Spain.

“The marketplace is the perfect place to build community and to show people who Jesus is, as well as having a positive social and economic impact”, says Mark Plummer.

The last video of the in-depth interview with the Welsh author and speaker.

Church planting, the amount of books authored by Spanish evangelicals and the growth of the Christian student movement in the last decades, are some of the marks underlined by Lindsay Brown.

Lindsay Brown: “The biblical pattern is not one of speed, but of steady sowing and gradual reaping in due course”.

“Christian history is often just a cultural decoration”, says German theologian Evi Rodemann in response to a Pew Research survey which confirms the rapid decline of Protestantism.