Christian News, 22 October 2026: Jailed 14 Years for Her Faith

A Christian mother jailed for fourteen years for sharing her faith. A church in England in court today, defending its right to preach. Digital I.D. being wired into your bank. A synagogue attacked on Yom Kippur. And two hundred and seventy former Muslims baptised in a day. This is Christian News for Thursday the twenty second of October.

Welcome to Christian News, from The Son Of Man, Daniel Seven. Daniel chapter seven, verse fourteen. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away.

Persecution watch

Christian mother jailed 14 years after sharing her faith (source: International Christian Concern)

Section one. Persecution watch. International Christian Concern reports that a Borno State High Court in Nigeria has sentenced Liyatu Samuel Dawa, a Christian mother from Gwoza, to fourteen years in prison, after she shared her faith with a Muslim woman. That woman testified she chose Christianity of her own free will. Liyatu's husband, Evangelist Amos Suleman, says he is in hiding: I'm on the run; my life is under threat. I.C.C. says those threats are not independently verified, and the full judgment is not yet public. A word of commentary. Nigeria's constitution protects the right to change religion. We ought to obey God rather than men.

Woman held by ADF militants since 2022 rescued, still trusting Jesus (source: International Christian Concern)

In eastern Congo, I.C.C. reports the rescue of Katungu Mbaka Darke, abducted by Allied Democratic Forces militants in Lume village in July twenty twenty two. She says she was forced to accept Islam and memorise Quranic verses. I just accepted, she said, but in my heart, I knew Jesus was God. Ugandan soldiers rescued her in Ituri Province. Her family had already held a burial ceremony. A word of commentary. The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom.

Teacher who sheltered converts from Islam is killed (source: Morning Star News)

In western Uganda, Morning Star News reports that Benjamin Kule Mayani, a forty five year old teacher who had sheltered converts from Islam in his home, was killed on the twenty ninth of September in Kasese District. Sources say three Muslim men questioned him about a woman who had become a Christian, before one struck him on the head. Police have opened a murder case. A word of commentary. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Four Christians killed, six abducted or detained in three months (source: Christian Daily International · CSI report)

In Syria, Christian Daily International reports a Christian Solidarity International study. From July to September, four Christians were killed, among them Nader Tannous, shot in Homs. Six were abducted or detained, including pastor Nihad Hassan, held for over two weeks in Afrin. A Defence Ministry job portal even asked graduates which parts of the Quran they had memorised. A word of commentary. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them.

Pastor detained after a house prayer meeting (source: UCA News)

In India, U.C.A. News reports that on the eighteenth of October, police in Korba district, Chhattisgarh, took Pastor Pitambar Singh and others for questioning after a prayer meeting in a private home. Bajrang Dal activists alleged conversions by inducement, claims U.C.A. News says are unverified. Pastor Shibu Thomas of Persecution Relief said: Prayer is not a crime. A word of commentary. The first believers met in homes too, breaking bread from house to house.

Colchester church in court today over street-preaching ban (source: Christian Concern · The Independent)

And here in Britain. Christian Concern reports that Bread of Life Community Church began its appeal today at Southend Magistrates' Court against a Colchester City Council notice that bans its amplification and what it calls engaging or intimidating behaviour, citing religious messaging that mentions hell. The council told an earlier hearing, reported by The Independent, that it acted on complaints, and was not censoring a religious group. Pastor Stephen Clayden said: Biblical teaching about judgment cannot simply be redefined as intimidation. No outcome has been reported yet. Day two is the twenty ninth of October, at Chelmsford. A word of commentary. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season.

Beast system watch

EU tells platforms to curb “incitement” and share user data with police (source: Reclaim The Net)

Section two. Beast system watch. Reclaim The Net reports that on the nineteenth of October, a European Commission spokesman said that under the Digital Services Act, platforms must curb the amplification of violence during the unrest in France, and respect police orders to share user information. No foreign interference operation was confirmed. Former French prime minister Gabriel Attal called for a temporary, targeted block of social media in riot areas. A word of commentary. Emergency powers over speech and data rarely shrink once granted. Daniel saw a power that would think to change times and laws.

Digital ID is being wired into banking on three continents (source: Mobile ID World · Biometric Update · El Imparcial)

Mobile I.D. World reports that the European Payments Council has begun a rulebook so E.U. Digital Identity Wallets can be used to log in to banks and approve payments. Under the eIDAS two regulation, payment providers must accept the wallet when customers choose it. In the Philippines, Biometric Update reports a seven point eight million dollar tender for national I.D. checks, with plans to make biometric verification mandatory to open a bank account. And in Mexico, El Imparcial reports a new Digital Economy Law, sent to the president, that recognises an optional biometric I.D. for opening bank accounts, and lets the finance ministry make digital payment compulsory, starting with toll roads, petrol stations and government fees. A word of commentary. We are not saying this is the mark of the beast. But it shows how easily buying and selling could be tied to one identity.

Israel and the Temple Mount

Netanyahu: Iran trying again for nukes; Katz warns Iran against election attacks (source: The Times of Israel)

Section three. Israel and the Temple Mount. The Times of Israel reports that on the twenty first of October, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran is once again trying to develop nuclear weapons, and that his directive to the security services is to topple the regime. Defence Minister Israel Katz said Iran and its proxies are trying to carry out terror attacks to affect the elections, and warned: If Iran attacks Israel, Iran will burn. In Gaza, the I.D.F. says it killed an Islamic Jihad rocket operative and a Hamas sniper who were rebuilding capabilities in systematic violation of the ceasefire. Israel is also resuming private sector goods into Gaza. Israelis vote on the twenty seventh. A word of commentary. Remember why Israel stays on guard. On the seventh of October twenty twenty three, terrorists murdered about twelve hundred people in Israel and abducted two hundred and fifty one hostages. Israel has every right to defend its people, and Christians should stand with her. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Stones hit car carrying Knesset candidate Fleur Hassan-Nahoum (source: The Times of Israel)

The Times of Israel reports that on the nineteenth of October, near Turmus Ayya in Samaria, a stone smashed the car window behind Knesset candidate Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, on a pro-Israel tour. Her party says people inside were lightly hurt, and police are investigating. She said: Palestinian terrorism will not deter us. A day earlier, the I.D.F. says commandos caught two suspects north of Jerusalem who were advancing an imminent attack. A word of commentary. Violence in Judea and Samaria is not one way, and first reports about Israel deserve caution. In October twenty twenty three, The New York Times published an editors' note admitting that its early coverage of the Gaza hospital blast relied too heavily on claims by Hamas. American and other officials said the evidence pointed to a rocket from Palestinian positions. Scripture says: He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. Love the truth, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

Natasha Hausdorff on “colonialism” claims against Israel (source: Natasha Hausdorff (@HausdorffMedia) on X)

The barrister Natasha Hausdorff, on X on the twenty first of October, wrote, word for word: Breaking down the term colonialism and why the use of the phrase against Israel renders it meaningless. This contribution is part of the I.L.F. dictionary of terms, a critical initiative against the weaponisation of international legal terminology. A word of commentary. The Jewish people are not colonisers in that land. God said to Abraham: I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. And through Jeremiah, the Lord who set the sun, moon and stars in their courses said: If those ordinances depart from before me, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

Temple Mount seal impression may link to King Josiah's adviser (source: JNS)

And from the Temple Mount, J.N.S. reports that the Temple Mount Sifting Project will publish a First Temple period seal impression reading: Yeda'yah, son of Asayahu. Researchers tentatively link the father to Asaiah, an adviser to King Josiah in Second Kings. J.N.S. stresses this is a possibility, not an established match. A word of commentary. A Hebrew name, from the Temple Mount, from the days of the kings of Judah. That is not colonialism. That is history. For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.

Antisemitism in the West

Gunman targets synagogue on Yom Kippur; officer shot defending it (source: Global News · The Jerusalem Post)

Section four. Antisemitism in the West. Global News reports that on the twentieth of September, during Yom Kippur, a gunman opened fire on Constable Jeff Smith, stationed outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, as about two dozen people gathered inside. Though badly wounded, Constable Smith kept engaging the attacker until help arrived. The gunman later died in hospital. Police called it a deliberate, hate-motivated attack, and played video in which the shooter is heard saying: You are going to die for the Jews. On the first of October, The Jerusalem Post reports, antisemitic flyers were found outside the same synagogue. A word of commentary. The psalmist saw this spirit long ago. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

UK antisemitic incidents up 21% in the first half of 2026 (source: Community Security Trust (CST))

In Britain, the Community Security Trust recorded one thousand nine hundred and twenty six antisemitic incidents in the first half of twenty twenty six. That is up twenty one percent on a year earlier. Assaults reached one hundred and thirty five, the highest six-month figure on record. An Iran-linked group claimed arson attacks on synagogues and Jewish sites in London, and in April, two visibly Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, in what police declared a terrorist incident. A word of commentary. For he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

ADL: some 300 Oct. 7 anniversary protests; record antisemitic assaults in 2025 (source: ADL (Anti-Defamation League))

In the United States, the A.D.L. says it tracked about three hundred demonstrations around the third anniversary of the October the seventh attack, many with pro-terror rhetoric, some with antisemitic slurs and swastika imagery. And the A.D.L.'s audit for twenty twenty five recorded two hundred and three antisemitic assaults, the most on record. A word of commentary. How does this fit Bible prophecy? We must not read every headline as fulfilment. But Scripture does foretell that the nations would turn against Jerusalem: In that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people. Jeremiah speaks of the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. And in Revelation twelve, the dragon persecutes the woman, whom many read as Israel, and makes war with the remnant of her seed, which have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Christians must stand with the Jewish people, and never stand by.

The church at a crossroads

Adam Hamilton: Christians needn't believe in the virgin birth (source: The Christian Post)

Section five. The church at a crossroads. The Christian Post reports a resurfaced clip from December twenty twenty four, in which United Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton, now a Senate candidate in Kansas, said it is OK for Christians not to believe in the virgin birth, calling the accounts less about biology and primarily about theology. His campaign says he personally believes it. In his book, he writes that he rejects biblical inerrancy, and that biblical authors sometimes misrepresented God. A word of commentary. Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son.

PC(USA) committee adds GE Aerospace and Palantir to divestment list (source: Presbyterian News Service · Christian Century)

Presbyterian News Service reports that on the twenty first of October, the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.'s investment committee added GE Aerospace and Palantir to its divestment list, after a General Assembly vote said engagement had failed. That engagement began in twenty twenty four over claims that G.E. jet engines are used by Israel's air force and that Palantir's technology is used to surveil Palestinians. A word of commentary. Israel is not above criticism. But Christians must reject replacement theology, the idea that God is finished with the Jewish people. Paul asked: Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. And he warned Gentile believers: Boast not against the branches. Thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

United Church of Canada report targets Christian Zionism and end-times theology (source: United Church of Canada General Council)

In Canada, an interim United Church of Canada report on what it calls post-Gaza theology critiques dispensationalist end times theology as providing religious cover for violence. It names Christian Zionism, rather than Judaism, as the primary theological problem, and proposes continued support for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. It says it is early stage work, not a final statement. A word of commentary. Calling Christian love for Israel the main problem turns Romans eleven upside down. Paul wrote that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved. As touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

The gospel among the nations

270 former Muslims baptised in a single day (source: OrthoChristian.com)

Section six. The gospel among the nations. OrthoChristian reports that on Saturday the seventeenth of October, Metropolitan Dimitrios of Irinoupolis baptised two hundred and seventy former Muslims at the Orthodox mission centre in Morogoro, Tanzania, after systematic teaching. The report spoke of faces shining with joy. More than sixty thousand people have been baptised there since two thousand and four. A word of commentary. John saw a great multitude, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, before the throne.

Kurdish pastor met Jesus in a prison vision (source: CBN News, via Good News Journal)

And a testimony first reported by C.B.N. News. Pastor Nihad, now Kurdish ministry director with Horizons International, says that while imprisoned in Syria, in pain in a tiny cell, he saw a person in white pour oil on him, and the pain went away. He says he was told: You are My beloved, and I love you so much. Missionary Georges Houssney says thousands have come to Christ through their centres in Lebanon. A word of commentary. Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love.

Prayer

Will you pray with me. For Liyatu Samuel Dawa in prison in Nigeria, and her husband in hiding. For Katungu in Congo. For Benjamin Mayani's family in Uganda. For the Christians of Syria, and Pastor Pitambar Singh in India. For the church in Colchester. For Jewish communities in Belleville and London. And for Israel, and the peace of Jerusalem. Lord, strengthen Your persecuted people, and let the gospel go forward among the nations. In Jesus' name, amen.

Closing

The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest. If this has helped you watch and pray, please subscribe to The Son Of Man, Daniel Seven, and follow us on Rumble, X and TikTok. All our links, and every source from today, are in the description. God bless you.