The A–Z of Christian news in 2025

A is for AI worship songs. Many people were led to believe Ed Sheeran was singing his testimony of God’s redemption thanks to a fake AI-generated song which went viral at the start of 2025. 

B is for Bishop. The Bishop of Fulham appeared in his dressing gown at a late-night church concert in August and angrily told the choir to “leave his house”. He later apologised for the “distress and offence” he caused.

C is for Charlie. The US conservative and Christian activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in September while speaking at Utah Valley University. 

D is for Donald Trump. The US president said he wasn’t sure if he’d make it into heaven, after joking that brokering a deal between Israel and Hamas might seal the deal. Can someone tell him that salvation is by grace alone? 

E is for the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer. The construction of the UK’s largest Christian monument began in November after a £40m fundraising target was reached.

F is for female. In October, Dame Sarah Mullally was named the next Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman ever to hold the office in the 1,400-year history of the Church of England.

G is for giving God the glory. Oleksandr Usyk was full of praise after becoming the undisputed heavyweight boxing world champion. The Ukrainian beat Britain’s Daniel Dubois in July and told reporters that “Jesus is my life”.

H is for Hamas. Juman Al Qawasmi, the daughter of a Hamas founder, shared how she discovered faith in Jesus after years of living under the Islamist ideology of the terrorist group.

I is for Imminent. Some Christians claimed the rapture was going to take place on 23 September. Online videos under the hashtag #RaptureTok gained hundreds of thousands of views. But we’re all still here… 

J is for Jasmine Mitchell. The winner of this year’s Great British Bake Off told Premier that her faith in Jesus carried her through. Read the full interview in Premier Woman Alive magazine.

K is for KFC. The Advertising Standards Authority received more than 750 complaints over a KFC advert accused of belittling Christianity. It showed a man being ‘baptised’ in gravy.

L is for Living in Love and Faith. In June, Rt Rev Martyn Snow stepped down from his role as lead bishop for the CofE process on issues of sexuality. He said agreement could not be reached under his leadership. On and on it goes…

Can someone tell Donald Trump that salvation is by grace alone? 

M is for Mass baptisms. Almost 8,000 people were baptised at Huntington Beach, California in May. It is thought to be the largest single day of baptisms in US history. 

N is for Nigeria. Donald Trump said he was considering halting aid to Nigeria as the government has “done nothing” to stop the murder and violent persecution of Christians. The US restored Nigeria to the “Countries of Particular Concern” list, reserved for nations accused of severe religious freedom violations. 

O is for Ozzy Ozbourne. The frontman for heavy metal band Black Sabbath died in July, aged 76. The singer consistently rejected claims his band was ‘satanic’, instead stating: “I am a Christian.”

P is for Pope. US cardinal Robert Prevost was a surprise choice to be elected leader of the Catholic Church in May. The first American pontiff took the name Leo XIV. 

Q is for Quiet Revival. The name of a Bible Society report claiming church attendance is increasing, especially among Gen Z men. The research has prompted much debate ever since, including here.

R is for Rachael Maskell. The Christian MP was suspended from the Labour Party in July for voting against cuts to welfare, before eventually having the whip restored four months later. Maskell said she prayed about her stance and felt she should stick to her core values.

S is for Split in the Anglican Communion. GAFCON, the movement of conservative, biblically orthodox Anglicans, announced in October that it would no longer recognise the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

T is for Tommy Robinson. It is claimed the activist converted to Christianity while in prison. But dozens of senior church leaders said they were deeply concerned at the use of Christian symbols at his recent rallies, and a perceived rise in Christian Nationalism. 

U is for Underground. Police in China detained dozens of underground church pastors in October. It was the biggest crackdown on Christians in the country since 2018.

V is for JD Vance. Speaking at the University of Mississippi in November, the US vice president said he hoped his Hindu wife, Usha, would one day convert to Christianity. 

W is for Westminster Declaration. Christian leaders and theologians signed a declaration in September aimed at “re-Christianising” Britain. Their areas of concern include freedom of belief, biological gender and the value of human life.

X is for Xenophobia. The BBC removed Krish Kandiah’s ‘Thought for the Day’ segment from the Today programme in August after he accused Robert Jenrick MP of xenophobia. Jenrick had said he wouldn’t want his daughters living near “men from backward countries who broke into Britain illegally”.

Y is for YouVersion. The Bible app celebrated 1 billion installs worldwide in November.

Z is for Gen Z. A report from the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) has revealed Gen Z is transforming Christian student ministry around the world. It highlighted a younger generation who are digitally immersed, culturally aware, focused on wellbeing and “spiritually open”.