International Christian Concern’s 2026 Global Persecution Index

More than 388 million Christians around the world are persecuted because of their faith in Jesus, according to International Christian Concern (ICC)’s 2026 Global Persecution Index (GPI).

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS ]

From China’s pressure on diaspora communities to Turkey’s targeting of exiled critics and religious minorities, persecution is a global threat that reaches far beyond national borders. The 2026 GPI emphasizes the rise of transnational repression, as regimes increasingly surveil, intimidate, kidnap, or pressure religious minorities and dissidents living abroad.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Hostility Spreading Against Religious People: Pew Research ]

The 124-page free report provides in-depth analysis of the persecution Christians suffer in more than 20 countries grouped by the regions of Africa, Latin America, Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, including personal testimonies from believers (titled Faces of the Persecuted), and profiles of four notorious heads of state who incite persecution in their countries: Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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US Dept. of Justice Updates USA Religious Liberty Guidance

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has published updated guidance on federal protections for religious liberty, reaffirming the Trump administration’s commitment to safeguarding the constitutional rights of religious individuals and organizations.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, US Department of Justice Task Force Reports Steps to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias in Government ]

The 26-page memorandum, Federal Law Protections for Religious Liberty, sent to executive branch agencies, revises and expands upon the department’s 2017 Religious Liberty Guidelines in light of significant US Supreme Court decisions issued over the past nine years.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Religious Liberty Commission Report Addresses Violence Against Houses of Worship ]

It follows the June recommendation from the DOJ’s Religious Liberty Commission that President Trump “instruct the Department of Justice to issue guidance clarifying the proper understanding of the Establishment Clause and separation of church and state.” The Establishment Clause refers to the first phrase of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from exerting political control over religion:

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Scriptural Principles for Church Security Volunteers

THE STAND Magazine is American Family Association (AFA)’s monthly publication that filters current news and information through scriptural truth to encourage Christians to live out their faith.

[ Bookmark the SemperVerus CHURCH SECURITY INTELLIGENCE CLIPBOARD ]

The focus of its brief devotional article, Officers and Believers, explores how the unity, courage, and sacrificial commitment of law enforcement reflect the even greater calling for believers to stand together as one body in Christ.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, The Ministry of Protection: Why Church Safety Teams Matter and How Serving in the Ministry of Protection Brings Clarity to the Calling ]

We’ve excerpted it here, adapting and applying its selected Bible verses to the men and women who volunteer on church security teams:

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CCW Safe: Situational Awareness Video Series

CCW Safe is the self-defense legal coverage membership program that connects members with a criminal defense attorney and helps pay for legal expenses involved in a court case following a self-defense incident. It also provides educational resources on topics pertaining to self-defense.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, CCW Safe Lessons: How, When, and Why to Use a Firearm Lawfully ]

One such resource is its Situational Awareness: Stay Ready, Stay Safe 9-part short video series presented by retired Oklahoma City police officer Cris Cunningham, CCW Safe Critical Response Specialist. During her 31-year career, she spent 17 years in the Homicide Unit as an investigator.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, CCW Safe Lessons: Medical Series ]

The topics of the 9 episodes are as follows:
      Part 1:  What is Situational Awareness?
      Part 2:  Situational Awareness Basics
      Part 3:  What Role Does Intuition Play?
      Part 4:  Safety Tips while Traveling
      Part 5:  Parking Lots/Garages and Large Gatherings
      Part 6:  Public Event Safety Tips and Confrontations
      Part 7:  Improve Your Situational Awareness
      Part 8:  Simple Daily Habits
      Part 9:  Final Thoughts

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Forgiving vs Forgetting

[The following is a guest article by retired police officer and police trainer Ron Borsch.]

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Interview With Police Trainer, Ron Borsch, on Church Security Teams Stopping Active Killer Incidents ]

Some readers may remember the 1982 movie with Robin Williams as an example of strange thinking. My takeaway was that Garp wanted to buy a house that an airplane had just crashed into. AI: “Garp’s logic was that the house had already been ‘pre-disastered.’ He reasoned that the astronomical odds against an airplane crashing into a house meant it could never possibly happen to that specific property again, making it the safest place they could possibly live…. The memorable quote from the IMDb The World According to Garp Quotes captures this comedic display of absolute logic cloaked in absurdity… “We’ll take the house Honey, the chances of another plane hitting this house are astronomical. It’s been pre-disastered. We’re going to be safe here.” “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps” (Proverbs 14:15).

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