Mysterious Ancient Tunnel Discovered in Southern Jerusalem May 14: Archaeologists discovered a mysterious ancient tunnel in southern Jerusalem during excavations for a new neighborhood. Measuring approximately 50 meters long, 5m high, and 3m wide, the tunnel’s purpose and age remain unknown, though it is located near two Iron Age sites. Initial theories, such as a water installation or agricultural site, were ruled out. Current speculation suggests it may have been a quarry for building stone or lime production. (Jerusalem Post)

Pope Leo Expected to Sign First Encyclical, on AI Ethics May 14: Pope Leo XIV is set to sign his first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” addressing AI as a critical moral and labor challenge and a defining issue of Leo’s papacy. Expected on the anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s “Rerum Novarum” (1891), it draws parallels with the Industrial Revolution, emphasizing human dignity, labor rights, and ethics while arguing for technology to serve humanity. The Vatican has backed AI ethics initiatives and implemented guidelines. (Axios)

200-Year-Old Cherokee Bible Showcases Cross-Cultural Translation May 13: The Cherokee Bible has served as a unique bridge between Christian theology and Cherokee culture for over 200 years. The translation adapted biblical concepts to fit Cherokee cultural frameworks, such as translating “sheep” as “deer” and “baptism” as “washing another.” It also reflects grammatical differences, such as the Cherokee’s lack of gendered pronouns. Today, the Cherokee Bible remains a vital resource for language revitalization. (RNS)

U.S. Returns Two Ancient Coins to Jerusalem May 13: The U.S. has returned two rare ancient coins to Israel following a joint investigation into antiquities theft. One, minted in Hasmonean-ruled Jerusalem (40–37 BC), is the only Jewish coin to feature the Temple’s sacred seven-branched menorah. The second, dating back over 2,500 years, is one of only two known silver tetradrachm from ancient Ashkelon. Both coins were smuggled out of Israel and recovered through international cooperation. (Jerusalem Post)

Release of UFO Files Reignites Theological Speculation May 13: Theological debates about UFOs and extraterrestrial life continue to intrigue religious scholars and believers. Recent government disclosures have reignited these discussions, with some viewing them as demonic. Questions about the spiritual implications of such phenomena have persisted for centuries. Scholar Diana Pasulka noted that such sightings have occurred throughout history and suggested that cultural frameworks shape how societies interpret them. (Religion Unplugged)

Nigerian Christians Mobilize Resistance as Fulani Attacks Continue May 13: Fulani attacks on Christians in Nigeria continue, with recent assaults claiming at least 34 lives. However, rare resistance in Kaduna and Plateau states thwarted some attacks, as local residents and vigilantes mobilized to repel armed groups. In one village, eight Christians and one policemen were killed defending against hundreds of gunmen. Nigeria remains the deadliest country for Christians, with 3,490 killed for their faith in a year. (Christian Daily)

Campaign Aims to Mobilize 10,000 Churches for World Cup Mission May 13: The “Victory Beyond the Cup” campaign, led by Cru and partnered with organizations like FCA and Alpha USA, aims to mobilize 10,000 churches during the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, following similar successful campaigns during past World Cups. The initiative provides churches with kits for hosting events to spark Gospel-centered discussions. (Christian Today)

Documentary Traces Efforts to Preserve Traditional Psalm Singing May 12: The documentary Sailm nan Daoine (Psalms of the People) follows Rob MacNeacail’s heartfelt journey to preserve Gaelic psalm singing, a beautiful tradition of communal worship. The film captures MacNeacail’s travels across Scotland and Ireland, meeting fellow singers and sharing his passion for this unique art form. The psalms are sung in rich, textured waves with no instruments, evoking a timeless connection to Celtic history and faith. (The Guardian)

Growing Churches Share Emphasis on the Holy Spirit May 12: Two types of churches are growing in the U.S.: nondenominational and Pentecostal. Both emphasize experiential, Spirit-filled worship over institutional structures, as many nondenominational churches adopt charismatic practices. The trend contrasts with declining membership in traditional denominations like the mainline churches and Southern Baptist Convention, signaling a move toward less formal, more dynamic expressions of faith. (RELEVANT)

‘American Idol’ Winner Closed Season With Worship May 12: Hannah Harper, a 25-year-old stay-at-home mom from Missouri, won season 24 of American Idol and closed her victory with a heartfelt performance of Chris Tomlin’s worship song “At the Cross (Love Ran Red).” Harper openly shared her Christian faith throughout the season, while runner-up Jordan McCullough also performed gospel songs during the competition. (RELEVANT)

U.S. Churchgoers Forming Groups for Discipleship Accountability May 12: New research indicates that U.S. Protestant churchgoers are improving in forming relationships within their congregations, with 77% reporting significant friendships at church. Two-thirds intentionally connect with new people, and 68% have Christian friends who hold them accountable. Small group and prayer group participation is also rising. These efforts reflect a growing focus on discipleship and fostering biblical relationships within church communities. (Baptist Press)

Drying Biblical River Sparks More End Times Speculation May 12: The Euphrates River, a vital waterway in the “cradle of civilization,” is rapidly drying, sparking apocalyptic fears tied to Revelation 16:12. NASA reports the Tigris-Euphrates basin lost 117 million acre-feet of water between 2003 and 2009 due to climate change, over-pumping, and droughts. The river’s decline threatens crops, spreads diseases, and worsens humanitarian crises in the region. Iraq warns it could run dry by 2040 without intervention. (New York Post)

American Churches Suffer Increasing Pastor Shortages May 11: The U.S. pastor pipeline is shrinking, with seminary enrollments dropping 14% from 2020 to 2024. Top factors include low pay, high stress, and rising religious disaffiliation. Rural and Black communities are hit hardest, while Catholic dioceses rely on priests from Asia and Africa to fill gaps. While Pentecostalism grows and clergywomen reach record numbers, leadership shortages persist, threatening the future of local church leadership. (Axios)

New Study Reexamines Pilate’s Role in Roman Judea May 11: Missed in April! A new study challenges long-held assumptions of Pontius Pilate’s role as governor of Judea that were based on a single line from Roman historian Tacitus. Tacitus referred to Pilate as a “procurator,” a term that was not used in Pilate’s time. Archaeological evidence, including the Pilate Stone discovered in 1961, identifies Pilate as a “prefect.” Scholars now suggest Pilate held both titles, combining administrative and financial duties. (Greek Reporter)

Young Christians More Bible-Engaged Than Older Generations May 9: The Patmos Youth Report revealed that Christians aged 15–30 are engaging with the Bible more frequently than older generations. The study found that 50% of Christians aged 18–24 across 85 countries read the Bible weekly. They are also more confident in discussing faith and applying scripture to daily life, such as volunteering and giving to charity. Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa show stronger engagement than Western regions. (Christian Today)

Archaeologists Restoring Ancient Gate in Biblical City of Nineveh May 8: Archaeologists have begun restoring the Shamash Gate at Nineveh, an ancient Assyrian city near modern Mosul, Iraq. Built during the reign of Sennacherib (2Kg. 19), the gate suffered two major destruction events: the fall of Nineveh in 612 BC and ISIS’s occupation of Mosul in 2017. Restoration efforts include stabilizing the gate by backfilling tunnels with sandbags. It’s a potent example of ancient history’s connections to modern conflict. (Biblical Archaeology Society)

RIP: Daystar Co-Founder and President Joni Lamb May 8: Joni Lamb, co-founder and president of Daystar Television Network, died age 65 following health complications worsened by a recent back injury. Lamb, who co-founded Daystar in 1993 with her late first husband, helped expand the network into one of the largest Christian broadcasters globally. Known for her deep faith and dedication to spreading the Gospel, Lamb leaves behind a legacy of spiritual leadership. (Christianity Daily)

UMC Council of Bishops Elects New President May 8: Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. has been elected as the new president of the United Methodist Church (UMC) Council of Bishops, succeeding Tracy S. Malone. Saenz, who currently leads the Horizon Texas Conference, emphasized his commitment to a church “alive in Christ, anchored in grace, and committed to justice, mercy, and joyful service.” Also known for launching new churches, Saenz brings extensive pastoral and administrative experience to his new role. (Christianity Daily)

Scholars Present New Theories on Mysterious Copper Scroll May 7: The Copper Scroll, one of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in 1952, continues to puzzle scholars. Engraved in copper instead of the usual parchment or papyrus, the scroll lists 64 treasures with vague directions, making it nearly impossible to locate them. Some scholars propose that the scroll may serve as a record of financial contributions to the Bar Kochba revolt (132–136 AD), while others suggest it could document tithes for a future rebuilt Temple. (Haaretz)

Tech Companies Seek Faith Leaders’ Guidance for Ethical AI May 7: Tech companies are increasingly collaborating with faith leaders to address ethical concerns in artificial intelligence (AI). At the “Faith-AI Covenant” roundtable in New York, representatives from various faiths and tech firms discussed integrating moral principles into AI development. Though many remain skeptical of Silicon Valley’s intentions, the dialogue reflects a growing recognition of the moral complexities surrounding AI’s rapid advancement. (AP)

Irish Study Shows Key Role of Faith in Mental Wellbeing May 7: A study of the role of faith in young people’s mental wellbeing found that students who used religion positively — through prayer, gratitude, social connection, or finding purpose — reported higher resilience and emotional health. Conversely, associating faith with guilt or fear correlated with poorer mental health. The study’s author emphasized the importance of guiding youth to engage with faith in ways that promote reflection, hope, and emotional resilience. (Christian Today)

Southern Baptist Church Compensation Survey Seeking Participants May 6: Are you a Southern Baptist minister or church leader? GuideStone, Lifeway Research, and SBC state conventions are now conducting the 2026 SBC Church Compensation Survey to help churches assess fair pay and benefits for pastors and staff. The survey takes about 10 minutes and will remain open until July 15. Participants will be entered to win an Amazon gift card. (Baptist Press)

Why Religious Belief and Practice Don’t Always Line Up May 6: Religious sociologist Ryan Burge did a deep analysis of the recent Gallup poll showing that religious importance among young men (18–29) jumped from 28% to 42% in two years. Among weekly church attendees, religion being “very important” climbed from 65% to 77% in that period. But among those who go to church less than once a year, it jumped from 6.7% to 17.1% — suggesting religious practice hasn’t yet caught up to belief. (Religion Unplugged)

Leadership Transitions Reshape South Korea’s Biggest Churches May 6: South Korea’s megachurches are undergoing a generational shift as several prominent congregations appoint new senior pastors. SaRang Community Church, Global Mission Church, and Oryun Church have all appointed new pastors, while others are in the process of selecting successors as longtime leaders prepare to retire. The new leaders will be tasked with balancing tradition and innovation to address shifting cultural attitudes. (Christian Daily)

Was Mary Magdalene From Magdala, and If So, Where Is It? May 5: Mary Magdalene is traditionally believed to be from Magdala, but the Bible never explicitly associates her with such a place. Archaeological evidence reveals that the current Magdala, near the Sea of Galilee, was called Taricheae during Jesus’ time; it wasn’t known as Magdala until the 6th century AD. The name “Magdala,” meaning “tower,” was common in Roman Palestine, and Mary “the Tower” could have been an epithet rather than location. (Biblical Archaeology Society)

Southern Baptist Membership Down, Attendance and Baptisms Up May 5: The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest U.S. Protestant denomination, continues to experience a membership decline, dropping 3% in 2025 to 12.3 million — its lowest since 1973. However, worship attendance rose to 4.5 million and baptisms increased to 263,075, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. These trends indicate heightened engagement despite issues like an aging membership and the growth of nondenominational churches. (Baptist Press; AP)

Filipino Sign Language New Testament Enters Review Phase May 5: The Filipino Deaf Community recently reviewed the New Testament translation into Filipino Sign Language (FSL) at the Philippine Bible Society in Manila. Participants evaluated passages from Matthew and Luke, providing feedback to enhance clarity, accuracy, and cultural relevance, and ensuring the translation communicates Scripture naturally in FSL. The initiative will next progress to other parts of the New Testament. (Christian Daily)

U.S. Pastors Report Higher Sense of Calling, Lower Satisfaction May 5: New research reveals that while American pastors are regaining confidence in their calling (up to 58% from a pandemic low of 35%), job satisfaction is declining. Only 52% of pastors report being “very satisfied” with their vocation, down from 72% in 2015. Emotional health has improved, with feelings of inadequacy and exhaustion decreasing significantly, but many pastors struggle seek better alignment with their strengths and gifts. (Barna)

Massive Statue of Biblical Pharaoh Discovered in Egypt May 4: Archaeologists in Egypt discovered a massive statue in the Nile Delta, likely depicting Ramses II, who is believed to be the unnamed pharaoh who opposed Moses in Exodus. The statue, weighing 5-6 tons and over 7 feet long, is in poor condition, missing its legs and base. Preliminary studies suggest it was relocated in ancient times from its original location for use in a religious complex. It has been transferred to a museum storage facility for restoration. (New York Post)

Young New Yorkers Are Filling Pews for Catholic Mass May 3: New York Catholic churches, once full of empty pews, are now running out of space as young adults, especially Gen Z, return to church, attending mass more frequently than older generations. These young parishioners volunteer, redesign spaces, and engage in outreach (and dating). Clergy credit this revival to a search for meaning and values beyond materialism, as young people seek tradition, connection, and spiritual growth. (Wall Street Journal)

Ornate Hebrew Manuscript on Python Skin Seized in Turkey May 2: Turkish authorities have seized an ornate Hebrew manuscript inscribed in gold on python skin during an antiquities bust in Gaziantep. The two-meter-long scroll, stored in a copper case, features intricate gold script and a peacock image. A foreign national was detained for attempting to sell the artifact on the black market and is also suspected of illegal excavations. The manuscript’s origins and historical significance remain under investigation. (Jerusalem Post)

Rededicate 250 Brings 2nd Major Prayer Gathering to D.C. This Month May 2: Ten days after the 75th annual National Day of Prayer, the “Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving” event will take place on May 17 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The livestreamed event will feature prayer, worship, and reflection on America’s spiritual history, present, and future, featuring speakers such as Robert Jeffress, Franklin Graham, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, followed by music. (Christianity Daily)

Thousands Expected at Return of Jesus March in London May 2: The Jesus March is set to return to London on May 23, Pentecost weekend, bringing together thousands of Christians from across the UK. Organized by Ichthus Christian Fellowship along with various churches and ministries, the event will feature a procession starting near Marble Arch and ending in Trafalgar Square with collective worship and prayer. This year’s theme is “Hope in our Hearts, Joy on the Streets.” (Christian Today)

75th Annual U.S. National Day of Prayer to Be Held May 7 May 1: The 75th annual U.S. National Day of Prayer will take place on May 7, coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary. This year’s theme, “Glorify God among the nations, seeking Him in all generations,” is inspired by 1 Chronicles 16:24. Kathy Branzell, president of the NDP Task Force, praised the growing faith among younger generations and encouraged prayer as a daily practice. The event will be held at Statuary Hall and broadcast on CBN. (CBN)

Second Temple-Era Ritual Bath Discovered in Israel May 1: A newly conserved Second Temple-era ritual bath (mikveh) has been unveiled at Tel Hebron, offering insights into Jewish life before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Carved into bedrock and featuring an ancient water system, the mikveh is among the largest of its kind in Israel. The site, located near the Cave of the Patriarchs, showcases layers of settlement from the Canaanite to Roman periods. (Israel 365)

Catch Up on April’s Bible News Stories  May 1: Don’t forget to catch up on all the biggest, strangest, and most inspiring Bible news stories of April 2026!