The WEA.

 World Evangelical Alliance celebrates 180th anniversary

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has held an online celebration to mark its 180th anniversary. Hundreds of people from more than 22 countries attended, and the event was rebroadcast to accommodate different time zones.

                              

Why Worry.

 

Birdie.

 

Tauren Wells.

 Tauren Wells on church scandal, burnout and rediscovering God’s presence.

By Leah MarieAnn Klett, Entertainment Editor Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Courtesy of Tauren Wells

Tauren Wells thought planting a church would be about what he could give to God, but instead, for the 11-time Grammy-nominated artist and pastor, the experience exposed how much God wanted to change him.

“I thought that I was going to plant a church and exert all of this change into the world,” the 40-year-old Michigan native told The Christian Post. “I was going to get all my ideas and all of my vision out, and I'm going to change the city and change the church. The biggest thing that has changed is me.”

 

The husband and father of four, who launched Church of Whitestone in the Austin, Texas area in 2024 after already having a successful music career, reflected on how the weight of those responsibilities became particularly acute last year when he found himself driving and feeling as though he was on the verge of a panic attack.

“I've never had a panic attack, but I feel like I was on the verge of one, just completely overwhelmed,” he said. “I was driving in my car, a million things going through my mind.”

Despite having a pastor, a supportive wife, close friends and others he could turn to, Wells said the moment revealed how isolating overwhelming pressure can feel.

“For some reason, when you're overwhelmed in a moment like that, you feel like no one can relate to you, no one could understand what you're going through,” he said. “I thought there's not one person I could call who would understand what I'm feeling right now.”

Wells discussed the experience with his counselor, who encouraged him to examine what his time with God actually looked like, and that conversation prompted a realization.

“I've been really good at doing projects with God, but I have not been great at just being with Him,” Wells said. “That has been a growth curve that I've been on for the last year. What does it look like to just be with God, not doing things for Him?”

The desire for God’s presence fueled Wells’ forthcoming live album, Here Comes the Church, which releases Oct. 2. Recorded before a sold-out crowd at the Austin City Limits Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, the project features artists from across Christian music, gospel, worship and hip-hop. CP.

Heroic Israelis.

 https://mail.aol.com/f/newMail/messages/AAI3J57l7JrIu3edrnqlecEfKVU

Afghanistan.

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Please pray Afghanistan Our partner for Afghanistan has a vision for seeing vibrant communities of Christians among the peoples of that country. The work of developing healthy, accessible fellowships, where Christians can share their faith, disciple other Afghans and contribute to society is supported through a radio ministry. Pray for the ongoing recording of a new radio series that will focus on the needs of women in Afghanistan and provide a biblical response to those needs. Pray the episodes will be a blessing to all who hear them. Pray for a training seminar in Germany: that it will provide encouragement to all who attend, and excite and equip them further in new and improved ways of radio production. Pray for our partner’s leadership team, that the Lord will grant them wisdom, guidance and insight in the decisions they have to make. Find out more For some background on the situation for Christians in Afghanistan, and the work VoPC supports, click the button below. LEARN MORE

I Rate Renoir.

‘Spectacular’: Dance at the Moulin de la Galette (1876) has never been shown in the UK before Credit: Musée d'Orsay, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Patrice Schmidt X1111-A5

This beautifully balanced new exhibition at the National Gallery settles a fundamental question: was Pierre-Auguste Renoir actually any good? It used to be a given that he was but, recently, the French Impressionist painter has come in for a kicking. (See: the “Renoir Sucks at Painting” Instagram account.) To add insult to injury, earlier this month a museum in his former home in the South of France was targeted in a heist.

Faith.

 

Birdie.

 

Mega Conference.

A message from Simon Turpin, our Executive Director and Speaker   Dear Supporter,   We are thrilled to announce our 2027 Answers Mega Conference!   The conference will take place at the Kings Centre in Oxford between 29th – 30th October 2027 and delegates can look forward to hearing from world-class scientists, apologists, and theologians, including:   • Dr Nathaniel Jeanson • Dr Terry Mortenson • Dr Nagy Iskander • Joseph Hubbard • Dr Joe Boot • Dr Timothy Edwards • Dr Michael Reeves • Professor Stuart Burgess • Professor Andy McIntosh   Attendees will experience biblically-grounded, accessible teaching that thoughtfully addresses difficult and controversial issues through a biblical lens, upholding the authority of God’s Word as we engage with an increasingly post-Christian culture. These sessions are designed to be both engaging and understandable for believers of all ages.   In a world marked by confusion, our goal is to strengthen believers in their understanding of Scripture and confidence in the truth.   Answers in Genesis is a resource ministry committed to equipping the church through books and other materials. In addition to the teaching sessions, we will make a selection of resources from our catalogue available at the conference alongside resources from Ezra Centre for Christian Thought, Selden College, Union School of Theology and Creation Research amongst other ministries.   There are 700 tickets available for the conference and, since seating is limited, we will only be able to make 100 free tickets available for ages 0-16. Although there will be no specific children’s ministry available during the conference, we do hope and pray that your older children will engage with the content and be strengthened and challenged in the Christian faith.   In the past, Answers in Genesis Mega-Conferences have been a real highlight of the ministry. We are hoping and praying that God will also see fit to use the Oxford Mega Conference to glorify Himself and to strengthen His people.    Tickets for the conference are available by clicking this link:   Select tickets – Answers in Genesis UK Mega Conference 2027 – The King's Centre   Yours in Christ

Simon Turpin Executive Director/Speaker AIG UK

If you would like to book Simon then please visit our website Book an Event, reply to this email or ring our office on 0116 2708400   Thank you for your continued support, we greatly appreciate it.