In Depth:  James Patterson

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Wheelchair landmark gift

Wheelchair landmark gift
James Patterson
James Patterson

Disability ministry Joni and Friends has donated its 250,000th wheelchair to an 11-year-old girl in Thailand.

The girl, Nada, had been carried around by her mother, Mim, before the donation, owing to her cerebral palsy. The pair were presented with the wheelchair alongside ministry president Shawn Thornton. They also received a Bible in their native language and a copy of disability advocate Joni Eareckson Tada’s autobiography.

James Leggett

James Leggett
James Patterson
James Patterson

The Synod of the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE) has approved the appointment of James Leggett as an Assistant Bishop.

The decision will now be submitted to the Chair of the Global Anglican Council, Archbishop Laurent Mbanda. The Global Anglican Council is a new name for the leadership team of Gafcon, the Bible-based organisation distinct from the existing Anglican Communion. AMiE is affiliated to Gafcon.

Iranian pastor

Iranian pastor
James Patterson
James Patterson

Edward Hosvepian-Mehr, an Iranian pastor and doctor who led the Iranian Church for more than three decades, has died.

Born in Iran, Hosvepian-Mehr pastored there for over five decades before shifting focus to the Persian-speaking world.

Your church may be bulldozed – warning

Your church may be bulldozed – warning
James Patterson
James Patterson

Officials in Sudan are warning the leaders of a church in the capital Khartoum that their building could be demolished at any time.

The director of planning of the Jebel Aulia District notified the leaders of the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church in June, but did not give a date nor any details of compensation. The reason given for demolition is that the building is on land not designated for religious buildings. Sudanese authorities have previously claimed this without evidence. The building was constructed in 1991 after the congregation’s previous building in another area was demolished.

New national event for grandparents

New national event for grandparents
James Patterson
James Patterson

A local ministry for Christian grandparents at a Northamptonshire church has expanded into a national group.

And it will hold the first national conference for Christian grandparents this autumn.

Satan & demons ‘using Hollywood’

Satan & demons ‘using Hollywood’
James Patterson
James Patterson

Bestselling author of The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel, has argued that Satan and demons are using Hollywood to promote immoral and corrupting values.

In an interview with political commentator Tucker Carlson, Strobel cited the sitcom Friends as just one example of this corruption. He said that it promotes “a very ugly sexual ethic that normalises multiple sexual partners”, and that it can open this up to people without them realising.

Biblical synagogue breakthrough claim

Biblical synagogue breakthrough claim
James Patterson
James Patterson

Archaeologists in northern Israel believe they may have uncovered the remains of a first-century synagogue, a Biblical find labelled as possibly the most significant for decades.

The remains were found in Chorazin (or Korazin, among other possible spellings), an ancient settlement associated with the New Testament.

Pro-life account blocked

Pro-life account blocked
James Patterson
James Patterson

The March for Life UK account on social media platform X, used to organise the anti-abortion protest, was locked just days before the event.

A screenshot shared by organisers showed X had banned the account for “graphic violence or adult content." However, the content in question was a photo of an unborn child in the womb, and had already been on the account for months.

Retiring EA leader reflects on two decades of work

Retiring EA leader reflects on two decades of work
James Patterson
James Patterson

Leader of the Evangelical Alliance (EA) Scotland, Fred Drummond, is leaving his role after nearly two decades. In a piece about his leadership, he reflected on his time at EA.

Drummond said it was odd to leave his local church nearly 20 years ago to join Evangelical Alliance Scotland, but that he can now “see the Lord’s plan and faithfulness".

Assisted suicide bill criticised by First Minister

Assisted suicide bill criticised by First Minister
James Patterson
James Patterson

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has said that the assisted suicide bill discriminates against vulnerable people with disabilities.

During First Minister’s Questions, he said it poses a risk to the human rights of disabled people.

Church role highlighted in £1.5bn community plan

Church role highlighted in £1.5bn community plan
James Patterson
James Patterson

£1.5 billion will be set aside for 75 communities across the UK. These include: Wrexham in Wales; Dumfries in Scotland; and Torquay in England.

The Plan for Neighbourhoods fund is to form part of the government’s community cohesion strategy from spring 2026.

Man with 'world’s highest IQ' announces faith in Jesus

Man with 'world’s highest IQ' announces faith in Jesus
James Patterson
James Patterson

Dr YoungHoon Kim, a South Korean man who claims to have the highest IQ in the world, has taken to X to announce he is a Christian.

He posted on X: “As the world’s highest IQ record holder, I believe that Jesus Christ is God, the way and the truth and the life.” The post now has over 22 million views.

Journalist baptised in Eastbourne

Journalist baptised in Eastbourne
James Patterson
James Patterson

Alex Phillips, journalist and broadcaster on TV channel Talk, has been baptised in the sea at Eastbourne.

Interviewed live on Talk, Phillips said she had been going to church for four years, saying she had been wishing to be baptised for “so long”. She referred to God has her “vitamin G”. Phillips attends church in London. She was in tears after being baptised by Phil Harris, a vicar in the West Midlands.

Liverpool's Alisson Becker shares his faith

Liverpool's Alisson Becker shares his faith
James Patterson
James Patterson

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker shared his faith on TV by wearing a shirt during Liverpool’s Premier League title celebrations last month.

Alisson wore an undershirt, which he uncovered at full time, with the message “Jesus, The Way, The Truth, The Life, John 14:6.”

Africa Inland Mission completes merger

Africa Inland Mission completes merger
James Patterson
James Patterson

Africa Inland Mission (AIM), an evangelical missionary agency, has merged its South Africa Mobilizing Office and Southern Region receiving office, forming a new ministry called AIM Southern Africa Region.

Tshepang Basupi has been appointed Director of AIM Southern Africa Region, consolidating the processes of sending and receiving missionaries, training leaders and sharing the gospel. The merger is intended to “better reflect the current and future realities of global missions” and will “enhance efforts to minister to the unreached peoples of Southern Africa”.

New principal for Edinburgh Theological Seminary

New principal for Edinburgh Theological Seminary
James Patterson
James Patterson

The General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland has appointed Dr Thomas Davis as the next Principal of the Edinburgh Theological Seminary (ETS).

Dr Davis will begin his new role in June 2028 upon the retirement of the current principal, Revd Iver Martin. Until then, he will teach some classes in Systematic Theology.

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