The biggest Christian news stories of 2024

The Good

Multitudes convened in the name of Jesus throughout the year, with thousands gathering to worship God in stadiums and arenas across the nation. 

In August, Nigerian pastor Jerry Eze brought his ministry to Twickenham stadium, London, filling the 82,000-capacity venue with praise and prayer. In January, Manchester’s AO Arena hosted the Festival of Praise, with organisers reporting attendance of nearly 20,000. Evangelist Daniel Chand took his ministry to central London, preaching the gospel in Trafalgar Square and praying for the sick to be healed. 

In Paris, the March for Jesus saw a record 25,000 individuals walk through the city proclaiming their faith. In Ireland, a ‘historic walk of faith’ saw every square inch of cement between Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance and the Irish parliament covered by feet marching for Jesus. These ministries and movements represent only a fraction of the moments where the Church has gathered en masse. But it’s an encouraging indication of a faith-filled future.

In a year where sports grabbed the attention of a global audience, the Christian community witnessed both subtle and striking displays of faith on the grandest stages.

Arguably the most iconic sports image of the year saw Olympic surfer Gabriel Medina suspended above the ocean with a single finger pointed heavenward. The image, which was posted on Medina’s Instagram, captioned with the words of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (NKJV), garnered 10 million likes. 

The Christian community witnessed both subtle and striking displays of faith on the grandest stages

In football, Bukayo Saka’s journey was a powerful story of redemption. After the heartbreak of missing the decisive penalty in the Euro 2020 final, he found himself in a similar high-stakes moment during this summer’s quarter-final against Switzerland. This time, with remarkable composure, Saka buried his penalty, propelling England into a semi-final match against the Netherlands. Saka credited his ability to overcome adversity to his “faith in God”. As an outspoken Christian, his victory became more than just a sporting triumph – it was a testament to the deeper faith that fuels him.

Then there was AJ Griffin, the 21-year-old NBA player, whose decision to leave a burgeoning career in the premier basketball league in the world was much discussed on social media. His reason? “To serve God with my full yes”, as he put it in a YouTube video, explaining he’d given his life to Christ. Forgoing millions of dollars and worldwide acclaim is a choice many struggled to comprehend, but his commitment to following Jesus attracted respect and admiration from believers and sceptics alike.

The bad

While 2024 was graced with bold displays of faith on the world stage, the year bore witness to significant trials and tragedies too. Acts of violence, persecution and internal corruption underscored the ongoing struggles faced by Christians worldwide. These serve as a reminder of the challenges continuing to confront the Church, both from external forces and within its own walls.

At the start of the year, the BBC unveiled allegations of sexual exploitation, coercion and physical abuse by Nigerian televangelist, TB Joshua. The late founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) led a church that drew multitudes from across the globe. However, beneath the surface lay troubling accusations. Several women claimed they were violated under the guise of spiritual deliverance. One woman, speaking to Premier Christianity, described the abuse as being justified as “training for Christ”. SCOAN rejected the claims as “fictional narratives and propaganda”.

In February, an attack by Islamist extremists on a Catholic church in Burkina Faso claimed the lives of at least 15 worshippers during a Sunday Mass. In northern Mozambique, ISIS-affiliated militants have continued to ravage the Cabo Delgado province and target Christians. The conflict has already displaced over 1m people and claimed close to 5,000 lives, according to the latest figures. In Eritrea, more than 200 believers, including children, were jailed under president Isaias Afwerki’s authoritarian regime that has banned a vast number of Christian denominations. It adds to the already 400 incarcerated without trial, according to Release International. 

In Nigeria, extremist Fulani militants continued targeted attacks on Christian communities. According to Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List, Nigeria is the sixth deadliest country for Christians.

Even in predominantly Christian democracies, some are warning of a growing hostility towards faith.  

Military veteran Adam Smith-Connor become the first person in British history to be convicted for silently praying outside an abortion clinic. His three minutes of prayer, remembering his deceased son, inside a buffer zone left him with a £9,000 legal bill. 

As in years past, internal scandals also exposed significant moral failings within the Church.

In May, Forerunner church, Kansas City, the local church connected to the International House of Prayer (IHOPKC) closed its doors after a tumultuous year during which its founder, Mike Bickle, was accused of multiple counts of sexual misconduct, one against a 14-year-old girl. IHOPKC severed ties with Bickle at the end of 2023, after he admitted historic “moral failures” on social media. 

Acts of violence, persecution and internal corruption serve as a reminder of the challenges continuing to confront the Church

Throughout 2024, the fallout from allegations against Soul Survivor’s Rev Canon Mike Pilavachi continued to make waves. In April, worship leader Matt Redman and his wife, Beth, released a documentary, Let There Be Light, opening up about the abuse they suffered. Shortly after, prominent church leaders, brothers Rev Tim and Pete Hughes – both part of Pilavachi’s youth group – said they had raised concerns about his behaviour with Soul Survivor trustees as far back as 2004. In September, the Scolding report, an independent inquiry commissioned by Soul Survivor church, finally concluded. Pilavachi had “hidden in plain sight”, it said, abusing his power over a 30-year period to inflict deep psychological harm and forming “inappropriate” relationships with many young people who worked alongside him.

The memorable 

Donald Trump’s campaign to re-enter the White House saw the release of the controversial God Bless the USA Bible. On social media, the president-elect promoted the Bible, urging followers to “make America pray again”, proclaiming the Bible to be his favourite book and encouraging every American to own one. In March, pastor Brandon Biggs appeared to prophesy the July assassination attempt against Trump in vivid detail. Following the shooting, Trump said it was “God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.” 

The war in Ukraine passed the 1,000-day milestone in November. International sanctions have not been enough to deter Russia’s Vladimir Putin, but Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been unwavering, rejecting Pope Francis’ suggestion they negotiate and have “the courage to raise the white flag.”

The Israel-Hamas war has continued to claim thousands more lives and, despite growing international calls for a ceasefire, both sides remain deeply entrenched. In Gaza, civilians face severe shortages of food, clean water and medical supplies, while the broader region endures the devastating ripple effects of the ongoing conflict. For the global Christian community, the war is a call to both prayer and action. The tragedy was felt acutely when an Israeli airstrike struck a Greek Orthodox Church, killing 18 Palestinian Christians seeking refuge there. 

The UK general election in July saw Labour win a landslide victory that ended 14 years of Conservative reign. Speaking shortly before he became prime minister, Keir Starmer told Premier Christianity that the country owes a “huge debt” to Christianity. He emphasised a commitment to working alongside churches to “rebuild the country”. It remains to be seen how he will translate this pledge into action.

In November, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater introduced the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Strict safeguards – including being over 18, having a life expectancy of six months or less, demonstrating mental capacity, making two separate witnessed declarations, and assessments by two independent doctors at least seven days apart – have not been enough to deter strong displays of opposition. More than 1,200 Christian leaders signed a letter objecting to the bill, stating their faith-based views, concerns about the legislation’s implementation and its potential impact on vulnerable populations. Despite this, the bill advanced to the committee stage, where it will undergo further detailed examination.

This year, the Church of England’s decision to approve blessings for same-sex couples triggered a divided response, with some conservatives calling on Most Rev Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, to resign over the decision. That resignation eventually came in December – but not due to debates over sexuality. Following publication of the long-overdue Makin Report, an independent inquiry into the handling of abuse claims against the late Rev John Smyth, Welby came under heavy criticism for not taking sufficient action after learning of Smyth’s misconduct in 2013. 

In his resignation speech in the House of Lords, Welby joked that if anyone should be pitied, it should be his diary secretary who had “months of work disappear in a puff of a resignation announcement”. His remarks, which were widely panned as “frivolous”, were criticised by the CofE’s lead bishops for safeguarding who objected to his “utterly insensitive” speech that “made light” of the serious failings that had happened under his watch. They pledged to change the culture of the Church to expose and prevent abuse. And Welby, again, apologised.