Leonardo Blair

Latest

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  May 26, 2026

  New bill seeks historic $1 billion in funding to secure at-risk houses of worship

  More than 400 Jewish leaders have lobbied Congress to invest a historic $1 billion into a federal program that helps houses of worship at high risk of terrorist or extremist attacks, including churches, to enhance their physical security and cybersecurity.

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  May 21, 2026

  Fewer Protestants vocal about their faith in public, study reveals

  A growing share of Protestant churchgoers in the U.S. say many people are not aware that they are Christians. Still, a majority of them would not hesitate to let non-Christians know where they stand on their faith, according to a new Lifeway Research study.

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  May 21, 2026

  'Prophet' told congregant sex with him would protect her from mental illness, told another to get abortion

  A self-styled "prophet" who told one of his followers that sex with him would protect her from mental illness and instructed another to get an abortion after getting her pregnant is now facing two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, three counts of forced labor, and conspiracy to commit forced labor.

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  May 20, 2026

  Brian Houston says his X account was 'compromised': ‘I do not watch pornography’

  Days after an explicit pornographic video appeared on his X account, Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston assured supporters that he doesn't watch pornography and alleged that someone with access to one of his devices compromised the account.

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  May 20, 2026

  Virginia court overturns dismissal of lawsuit against David Platt’s McLean Bible Church

  An ongoing legal battle between Pastor David Platt’s multi-campus McLean Bible Church in Virginia and disgruntled longtime members over the 2021 election of new elders amid allegations of leftward drift was given new life on Tuesday by the Court of Appeals of Virginia.

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  May 20, 2026

  Ex- Shades Mountain pastor created hostile work environment, leaders say

  Less than two years after he was named the new senior pastor of Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, Pastor George Wright was working through leadership issues that some church staff say created a hostile work environment and a raft of resignations, until he resigned earlier this month.

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  May 20, 2026

  Restaurant owner escapes with life after calling on God in his mind during brazen gunpoint robbery

  An Illinois restaurant owner who was held up at gunpoint and robbed of about $10,000 worth of jewelry said he cried out to God in his mind for help and escaped with his life.

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  May 19, 2026

  Joseph Manzi, finance director who bought Cadillac SUV with church’s credit card, pleads guilty

  Joseph Manzi, the former director of finance, operations, and development for the Church of Saint Leo the Great in Lincroft, New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $1 million from the church after using the congregation’s credit card like his “personal piggy bank” to splurge on gifts for himself, including a Cadillac SUV.

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  May 19, 2026

  Trial of Tom Keesee, son of Faith Life Church founders, is delayed

  The trial of Gary Thomas "Tom" Keesee, a son of Gary and Drenda Keesee, founders and senior pastors of Faith Life Church in Ohio, for the alleged sexual abuse of multiple minors that reportedly began when he was also a minor, continues to be delayed.

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  May 19, 2026

  Police investigate after Sacred Heart of Jesus statue beheaded at NY church

  Suffolk County Police are investigating whether a hate crime was committed after a suspect beheaded a Sacred Heart of Jesus statue at the Church of St. Mary in East Islip last Friday.