#ourCOG Daily Brief [October 26, 2025]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for October 26, 2025.

Today, in U.S. news, Detroit continues to make headlines with violent crime falling to historic lows, a testament to strong community bonds, while in California, Connie Bell faces daunting choices as she charts a future after losing both her husband and her home in the LA wildfires. Politically, the House seat in one Arizona district remains in dispute, with lawsuits accusing Speaker Mike Johnson of playing politics regarding Adelita Grijalva’s swearing-in. Virginia’s closely watched gubernatorial race could signal a comeback for Democrats, and in New York, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, lauded for modernizing the NYPD, faces differing views on crime fighting with mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani. On the world stage, Paris police have arrested two suspects a week after the daring heist at the Louvre. Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro accuses the U.S. of fabricating a war as the USS Gerald R. Ford moves closer to his nation, and Argentina is holding midterm legislative elections, serving as a critical report card for President Javier Milei’s economic policies, which have tamed inflation but left the economy stalled and many worse off.

For our featured videos today, we have “Balancing Act Pt. 2,” followed by “Truth Is to Be Lived, Not Merely Known” from Pastor Dustin, “Encounter ReplenishU discipleship Wesley Williams 10/26/25,” and “The Perfect Son 10/26/2025” with Associate Pastor David Lamb.

Turning to our FaithNews headlines, we’re seeing stories about the Ministry to Israel’s ‘Lone Soldier Program’ looking to welcome one of the hostages, a new book examining the generational shift in leadership and discipleship, VPN.com honoring TPUSA Founder Charlie Kirk, and Intercultural Ministries hosting a ‘Seat at the Table’ Conference.

In prophecy news, we’re following significant developments, including Captain Maxim Herkin’s emotional return to the IDF after nearly two years in Hamas captivity. This comes as reports indicate President Donald Trump has continued his successful diplomacy, freeing dozens of Americans wrongfully detained abroad during the first nine months of his second term. However, the Department of Justice is reportedly investigating claims that Democrat cities are fudging crime numbers to boost midterm hopes, while Hamas, despite a ceasefire and IDF withdrawal, is not disarming and continues violence against rival militias and political opponents in vacated territories.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back at October 27th, we remember the year 312, when Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross, an event that would ultimately join the Sword of Constantine to the Cross of Christ in governing the Roman Empire, much to the detriment of Jews for centuries to come. And in 710, Islamic forces conducted raids on Sardinia, an island where Jewish communities had existed since the time of Emperor Tiberius.