Thousands of people in Austria's second largest city mourn the deaths of seven students and three teachers at a secondary school, killed by an armed young man who later committed suicide.

We spoke in Berlin with Päivi Räsänen, the Finnish parliamentarian awaiting the outcome of a trial for publicly expressing her Christian beliefs. “I see a real threat to freedom. That’s why I always encourage Christians to make use of the rights we still have: freedom of speech, freedom of religion”.

More than 350 Baptists, Pentecostals, Brethren and Charismatics gathered in Prague with the aim of deepening relations between evangelical churches in this strongly secularised Central European country.

What are the significant outcomes from such a global Christian in-gathering in revitalising our outward vision to impact the world for Christ? 

A report from the Ibero-American Missionary Cooperation Congress (COMIBAM), which gathered over 1,600 evangelicals from 25 countries in Panama City.

The Polish evangelical magazine Słowo Prawdy (Word of Truth) celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Without God’s grace, character or plan, and tangible reliance on the Holy Spirit’s work in the heart, the Bible gets used to beat people into behavioural submission.

Christian nationalism shows more concern with preserving one’s own ‘tribe’ and national identity than with sharing the Gospel with other ethnicities.

The responses of evangelical churches to allegations of abuse have been vitiated by five factors: wrong expectations, wrong priorities, a wrong reading of biblical stories, a wrong approach to sin and crime, and a wrong view of love and justice.

Church planting and revitalisation, media, theology, charitable work, and ministry to younger generations were some of the topics addressed by participants from countries such as Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Ukraine.

To be a disciple of Jesus asks much of us, but we cannot fully describe how much we receive in the process. 

The L4 demonstrates that Christianity does not belong to North Americans or Europeans, but to everyone who is made in God’s image, humbly learning God’s Words and following God’s way.

The takes effect on 1 February. Religious communities now need at least 500 adult members to be legal. Any activity on a public place must be notified and may be banned.

The 23 February election could turn frustration into a historic rise of the far right. A journalist points to the importance of “acknowledge other opinions and not immediately condemn them”.

Muriel Furrer, a young cyclist in Switzerland, died while competing in the World Championships. She was 18 years old and had a deep faith in Christ, which she often expressed on social media.

Several people were arrested after an American woman died in the so called ‘Sarco’ capsule. The Swiss interior minister says it is not legally compliant.

“Pray that what is really in the hearts of the individual candidates is revealed”, says Oliver Stozek, leader of the Austrian Evangelical Alliance.

The Lausanne 4 congress deploys the term ‘polycentric Christianity’ to describe the shift from being solely a ‘EuroAmerican religion’ to a global one.

The evangelical church of O Grove to celebrate 100 years of Protestant presence in the town with various activities.

In a letter delivered to the Nicaraguan embassy in Spain, the Spanish Evangelical Alliance expresses its concern about the “harassment and demolition of freedoms” in the Central American country.

Some 270 young people from 30 countries joined local Christians in a 10-day street effort to share the Christian message throughout the Czech capital.

Around 450 Christians from various denominations gathered in Prague to engage in prayers for the country at the National Day of Prayer.

Wisla in Poland was a hustle and bustle of conversations fostered by the extensive programme of the European Leadership Forum conference. These were the highlights from our point of view.

In just 2 moths, police raided 4 worship services and issued 7 fines for leading and participating in “illegal missionary activity”.

The Church of Scotland falls from 32% to 20% in only one decade. Roman Catholics represent 13% while “other Christians” remain at 5%.