It’s Thursday, June 26th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus
Iranian Christians vulnerable to arrest, falsely accused of espionage
Christians in Israel and Iran are experiencing fear and uncertainty during recent conflict between the two countries.
Christians already face arrest in Iran for simply leading a house church.
An Iranian believer told International Christian Concern, “The Iranian government is now arresting anyone caught taking or sharing photos and videos with news outlets. Christians are especially vulnerable, as they risk being accused of espionage and deemed a threat to national security. If their faith is discovered, the consequences are far worse.”
Iran is ranked ninth on the Open Doors’ World Watch List of the most difficult countries to be a Christian.
Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.”
ICE arrested 11 Iranian nationals, one served as Iranian army sniper
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 11 Iranian nationals over the weekend. The individuals entered the U.S. illegally, and one of them reportedly served as an Iranian Army sniper.
Officials are on high alert for extremist attacks after the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday.
Iran has threatened to carry out retaliatory terrorist attacks using sleeper cells in America.
Trump thrilled that NATO paying their fair share
The NATO military alliance of western nations held its 2025 summit in the Netherlands this week.
NATO countries agreed to raise defense spending to 5% of annual gross domestic product over the next 10 years. That’s up from the current target of 2%.
This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump has called on European countries to contribute more to the defense budget of the alliance.
Listen to comments from Trump.
TRUMP: “This is a monumental win for the United States, because we were carrying much more than our fair share. It was quite unfair, actually. But this is a big win for Europe and for actually, Western civilization.”
Muslim socialist beat Andrew Cuomo in NYC Dem primary for mayor
A Muslim socialist won the Democrat primary for New York City mayor on Tuesday.
Remarkably, Zohran Mamdani, age 33, defeated former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo in the race.
(Watch his election night victory speech)
MAMDANI: “Tonight, we made history. (cheering) In the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘It always seems impossible until it is done.’ (cheering) My friends, we have done it. (cheering) I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City.” (cheering)
Mamdani has served as a New York state lawmaker. He campaigned on making the Big Apple more affordable, calling for free public transit, rent freezes, and universal childcare.
If elected, he would be the city’s first Muslim mayor.
President Trump sounded off on Truth Social. He wrote, “Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor. We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. … He’s got [U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]. … and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, ,,, groveling over him.”
Two-thirds of churchgoers attend weekly
The Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations project released a new report on U.S. churchgoers this month.
The survey found two-thirds of respondents attend services weekly. And over 80% report stable or increased attendance compared to five years ago.
The survey noted a positive outlook: “Many more respondents said their religious faith and spirituality had strengthened since the pandemic. Likewise, financial giving has increased, as has involvement and volunteering.”
In terms of newcomers, 38% of churchgoers began attending their church since the COVID-19 pandemic. Of these new attenders, nearly a third never attended church before or are returning to church after years of not participating.
Astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary head to Int’l Space Station
Astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary blasted off for the International Space Station yesterday. It’s the first time astronauts from those countries have gone to space in over 40 years.
Axiom Space arranged the flight which launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The mission is part of NASA’s effort to open space to private companies. Axiom is among several American space companies hoping to put their own space stations into orbit.
The Polish astronaut on the mission said space “is not only for the biggest agencies anymore—space is for everyone.”
Psalm 8:3-4 reminds us, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?”
8 Worldview listeners gave $3,375 to fund our annual budget
And finally, toward our $123,500 goal by Monday, June 30th to fully fund The Worldview annual budget for our 6-member team, 8 listeners stepped up to the plate.
Our thanks to Augustine in Auburn, California who gave $25, James in Lebanon, Oregon who gave $50 as well as Stephen in Adrian, Oregon and Mark in Grand Forks, North Dakota–both of whom gave $100.
We’re grateful to God for Richard in Camden Wyoming, Delaware who pledged $25/month for 12 months for a gift of $300, and Keith and Nicole in Aiken, South Carolina who pledged $50 per month for 12 months for a gift of $600.
And we were touched by the generosity of Doreen in Caldwell, Idaho who gave $1,000, Shane in Columbia City, Indiana who $1,200, and Scooter in Naples, Florida who, as promised, matched twelve $1,000 donors with his matching gift of $12,000 which has already been incorporated into our previous total.
Those 8 Worldview listeners gave a total of $3,375.
Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please. (Drum roll sound effect) $70,908.55 (People clapping and cheering sound effect)
That means by this coming Monday, June 30th, we need to raise $52,591.45 in just 5 days. That’s $10,518.29 per day!
We are looking for 9 super donors. Could you give $10,000? Or perhaps you feel the Lord prompting you to become one of 3 businesspeople who could give $5,000? Or one of 5 businesspeople who could contribute $2,500? If so, those donations would total $37,500.
Then, we would need another 6 people to pledge $100/month for 12 months for a gift of $1,200. And another 12 people to pledge $50/month for 12 months for a gift of $600?
Please, go to TheWorldview.com and click on Give on the top right. If you want to make it a monthly pledge, click on the recurring tab.
Help fund this Christian newscast for another year with accurate news, relevant Bible verses, compelling soundbites, uplifting stories, and practical action steps.
I can see the finish line from here.
Go to TheWorldview.com and click on Give.
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And that’s The Worldview on this Thursday, June 26th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.