#ourCOG Daily Brief [October 19, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for October 19, 2026.

In today’s top stories, we’re looking at significant debates in the U.S., including calls for a new constitutional convention, reflecting on America’s early history of amendments. Our White House correspondent returns to Mar-a-Lago, a decade after a first visit, to reflect on how much, or how little, has changed. Meanwhile, in Kansas, a megachurch pastor is mounting a surprisingly competitive U.S. Senate campaign, attempting to bridge the gap for Democrats with Christian voters. We also consider the complexities of military victory, drawing lessons from the Iran and Ukraine wars on the importance of negotiation over just winning battles. And in sports, perseverance is a key theme as Angel Reese drives the WNBA towards its 2026 championship, with the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries set to face off. Internationally, France is grappling with a frustrated and fractured public after a weekend of widespread protests, destruction, and looting. In India, tech giants are breaking ground on massive AI-ready data centers, raising questions about whether local cities are equipped to handle the resource demands. And as always, our international team brings you a global news roundup in “Our World: The week of Oct. 19, 2026.”

Our video section features insights on “Finding Your Stories’ Purpose,” along with teachings from “Russell Evans,” a look at “The Way of the Generous,” and the latest from the “Dallas Church of God Livestream.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we have several updates: A new initiative is seeking to benefit Native American Ministries, while Operation Compassion is preparing first-responder relief teams for Hurricane Isaias. In entertainment, ‘The Chosen’ talent has joined award winners for a unique multimedia retelling of the story of John the Baptist. On the legal front, a case heads to the U.S. Supreme Court after the San Diego Mayor allegedly punished a pastor for Christian beliefs.

Turning to prophecy news, we’re tracking a significant proposal from Vladimir Putin, who is reportedly suggesting a summit with President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to negotiate an end to the Ukraine War, notably without inviting President Zelensky. This comes amidst reports that Russia is no longer considered the “mortal enemy” it once was. Meanwhile, France continues to face widespread unrest, with communist and Islamic rioters clashing with police, storming Marseille City Hall, and chanting ‘We’re Taking the Bastille!’. This social turmoil isn’t isolated, as riots are now spreading across Europe, from France and Belgium to Albania, with far-left groups exploiting grievances and channeling them into broader anti-government mobilization.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking at October 20th, we note several historical moments. This day marks the traditional death of Gad, son of Jacob, one of the Twelve Tribes, back in 1409 BCE. Later, in 460 AD, Aeilia Eudocia, the Byzantine Empress known for allowing Jews to return to Jerusalem in 438, passed away. The year 1314 saw Louis IV begin his reign as King of the Romans, who would later authorize the Duke of Guelders to receive Jews in his duchy. Also in 1314, Rabbenu Asher and his sons, Judah and Jacob, established a trust to distribute funds to the poor. And in 1614, we remember Franciscus Mercurius van Helmont, a notable Christian Kabbalist of the 17th century.