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Olivet University has officially initiated the appeal process following the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education's (BPPE) decision to revoke its license. The university says it is committed to safeguarding the interests of its students and faculty, who have been directly impacted by this decision.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, New York-based Chinese Online School of Theology (COST) has seen significant development in expanding its ministry in theological education and mission outreach. They have promoted a series of new events and projects to explore different strategies that expand theological education for Chinese ministers. The following are some highlights from the 2023-2024 annual report:

Recently, a Malaysian educator, Soh Or Kan (苏湖港), wrote to The Gospel Herald to express his support for President-elect Donald Trump’s stance on reintroducing prayer into public schools. He emphasized the spiritual void, moral decline, societal and familial impacts, and the mental health crises that have afflicted the U.S. education system since prayer was removed. Reflecting this history, he strongly advocates for the return of prayer to schools, believing it could restore moral and spiritual guidance to education and equip students to face societal and psychological challenges.

Olivet University (OU), a Christian Bible college in Anza, California, announced it will continue operations in the state under its newly acquired "religious exempt school" status after a notice from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). This action resolves OU's two-year licensing dispute over Newsweeks' defamatory articles and BPPE's unreasonable conduct.

A few decades ago, renowned U.S. universities such as Harvard and Johns Hopkins used to brim with activities from Christian fellowships. Many churches purchased properties near the campuses as meeting points, providing students with free food and Bible studies. The campus ministries not only touched the lives of students but also helped shape campus culture. However, all this has quietly gone away.

A documentary film, “Fly With ACTS”, showcasing the journey of Chinese church missions in Africa will be released in Taiwan theaters on November 24. The documentary follows the works of ACTS (Africa Career Training School) and their ten years of ministry.

The Alliance Bible Seminary (ABS)’s mobile Bible meditation platform “Erdao Meditations (尔道自建)” has recently launched comic versions of the scriptural commentaries it provides.This innovative initiate transforms previous devotionals into comic format, enhancing the depth of meditation and witnessing the truth more powerfully.

As a Christian in the 21st century, you probably have the YouVersion Bible app downloaded on your phone. Although hundreds of websites and platforms feed the demand for a digital Bible, one program dominates the market: YouVersion. Since the platform’s launch by Life.Church in 2008, it has been providing believers all over the world with free access to the Bible and related contents.

On September 30th, the Alliance Bible Seminary (ABS) in Taiwan held its 125th anniversary symposium under the theme of “Christian Faith, Multi-Approach”. More than ten faculty members presented their research covering six areas, including epistemology of truth, missions, and church history. Acting President, Dr. Lawrence Ko, emphasized the importance of academic training, with the seminary officially launching the “Alliance Faith Resource Bank” which intends to stimulate believers’ interests in theological studies and to promote church ministry.

On September 25th, the New York Theological Education Center (NYTEC)’s Chinese Online School of Theology (COST) held its 10th Graduation Ceremony in Toronto.

When people think of Calvin, they usually think of furrowed eyebrows. Long pointy nose, thick beard, stiff expression, no smiles, this is how Gary Brown depicts him. “But actually, he is human like us, with flesh and blood. He has his humanity and feelings.” Dr. Simon Wat said in his online lecture “Summary of Calvin’s Theology”. He led his audience to break the stereotypical image of Calvin and explore the multifacetedness of this spiritual giant.

On September 6, 2024, Rev. Dr. David White, American missionary who served as president and chairman of the board of directors of Christ’s College Taipei (CCT), passed away at the age of 90 years. CCT and related organizations have arranged a funeral committee and called for everyone’s prayers.

Suk Yi Pang, Executive Secretary of the Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China, shared her insights at a World Council of Churches (WCC) meeting, emphasizing that nurturing the next generation of ecumenical leaders involves more than imparting knowledge. She stressed the importance of recognizing and accepting differences, proposing a renewed perspective on understanding and respecting these differences. Pang also revealed plans to launch the Theological Education 2025 initiative.

From a sermon during the Hong Kong Kowloon Bible Conference(Aug 9th), Rev. Chen Tingzhong, a Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer at Melbourne School of Theology, preached on the story of Daniel and his three friends being thrown into the lion's den.

Due to Muslim conversions, faith leaders indicate Christianity now is making a comeback in Europe.

The Case For Christ is a new Christian drama film based on a book written by an award-winning investigative journalist, who as an atheist was working to disprove the newfound Christian faith of his wife. The movie debuts in theaters April 7.

"Occasionally, weep deeply over the life that you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Feel the pain. Then wash your face, trust God, and embrace the life that he's given you," suggests John Piper, founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minnesota.

Not all movie-goers are rushing to see the sexually charged, new sequel film "50 Shades Darker." In fact, religious freedom campaigner Naghmeh Abedini, former wife of previously imprisoned Pastor Saeed Abedini, countered the release of the film by instead supporting a grassroots movement to combat domestic abuse and sexual violence.

A roundtrip to The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, planned by Virginia parks and recreation department employees of a city ironically named "Christiansburg," was canceled after Freedom From Religion Foundation representatives pointed out the trip would violate the Constitution due to the "Christian and proselytizing nature" of the destination's exhibits.

Doctoral students in Baylor University's religion department launched an online petition asking administrators of the private Christian institution to join the growing "sanctuary campus" movement.

Evidence of a 12th cave related to the Dead Sea scrolls was found this week by Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers. Archeologists, including Oren Gutfeld and Ahiad Ovadia from the university's Institute of Archeology -- aided by Randall Price and students of Liberty University in Virginia -- are the first people in more than 60 years to have discovered a new scroll cave. Prior to this find, it was believed only 11 caves had contained the coveted scrolls.

The second season of CNN's original series "Finding Jesus" reportedly explores groundbreaking science and discoveries to reveal more about the life and times of Jesus Christ. Premiering March 5 at 8 p.m. CST, the show's producers said the latest scientific techniques and archaeological research were tapped to learn more about Jesus.

Former pro football athlete and current author, motivational speaker and actor T. C. Stallings said the Lord shifted his passion from sports to acting, and he deliberately has managed that part of his career through film representation that protects his faith. "God is author of my life, and the director of my movies," he proclaims.

Origins of all three of the world's major religions - Christianity, Judaism and Islam - will be explored and "explained" in the second season of The Story of God, a National Geographic special hosted and narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman. Season 2 premiered on Monday.

Martin Scorsese, Academy Award winner and director of the new film Silence, joined Fuller Theological Seminary faculty for a private screening of the movie, followed by a discussion about faith. The sold-out screening and interview with Scorsese, held at Laemmle's Playhouse 7 Theatre in Pasadena, was coordinated through Reel Spirituality, an initiative of the Fuller's Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts at Fuller Seminary.