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(RNS) — The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom cited more than two dozen countries as main contributors to an “ongoing downward trend” in religious liberty worldwide and called on the Trump administration to prioritize the release of religious prisoners and assist in resettling refugees fleeing persecution.

Elijah Brown, originally from Texas, started in January as the ninth general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance. Word&Way Editor Brian Kaylor sat down with Brown in March in the BWA offices in Falls Church, Va.

After spending more than 15 months in prison, two Baptist pastors in Myanmar were suddenly released on April 17. Langjaw Gam Seng, 36, and Dumdaw Nawng Latt, 67, were among about 8,500 prisoners released by a decree of Myanmar President U Win Myint in a move timed to mark the start of the new year in Myanmar.

In April, Word&Way received eight awards — including one for top overall local/regional magazine — from three religious communication organizations honoring excellence in religious journalism in 2017.

(RNS) — The top U.S. board of the Assemblies of God has unanimously elected its first woman general secretary in the Pentecostal denomination’s more than 100-year history.

SOUTH BARRINGTON, Ill. (RNS) — As the allegations against former Willow Creek Community Church senior pastor Bill Hybels mount, his congregation is trying to cope — spiritually and practically.

Not only do social safety nets "play a pivotal role" in reducing poverty and lowering income inequality but they also have been demonstrated to be effective in doing so.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- When it comes to charity, a personal touch works 10 times better than Facebook -- at least for churchgoers, according to a study released April 17.

(RNS) — Barbara Bush, who died Tuesday (April 17) in Houston, always seemed a little old-fashioned to me. But it wasn’t until a few days ago, when news broke that the former first lady was dying, at age 92, that she seemed old.

Like other aspects of her persona, Bush had an old-fashioned sort of religious faith.

(RNS) — In his 32nd book, titled simply “Faith,” Jimmy Carter looks at how belief in God and others has shaped his 93 years.

“To me, ‘faith’ is not just a noun but also a verb,” the former president writes in his latest — and possibly last — book.