#ourCOG Daily Brief [September 13, 2025]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for September 13, 2025.

Today’s news features a fascinating archaeological discovery in Laodicea, uncovering Christian symbols in the city Jesus famously addressed. This find is prompting reflection on the enduring relevance of early Christian faith. Meanwhile, in the U.S., a new study reveals a concerning trend of churches avoiding sermons on sin, potentially hindering spiritual growth. Counter to this, a surprising surge in church attendance among younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) is prompting questions about the nature of their discipleship. On the technological front, a former Wall Street executive has launched Faithly, a Christian networking app. Sadly, the world continues to witness horrific violence against Christians; reports from Nigeria detail the brutal killings of numerous Christians, including children, at the hands of Fulani herdsmen, while in India, a pastor and his wife face false charges.

Turning to our video highlights, we have Perry Stone discussing forgiveness, Jentezen Franklin’s “Cancel the Invitation to Temptation” series, and a worship video from Jentezen Franklin TV.

Our FaithNews RSS feed brings updates on the reaccreditation of the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home, reactions from pastors and evangelical leaders to the killing of Charlie Kirk, the White House dismissing concerns over “Christian Nationalism,” and a response from a Church of God chaplain following a shooting at Ft. Stewart.

In prophecy news, we’ve seen commentary on America’s societal issues focusing on the coddling of criminals and neglect of the mentally ill; President Trump’s rebranding of the Department of Defense; protests in Paris against austerity measures; and a shocking Israeli strike targeting Hamas leadership in Doha.

Finally, in Jewish history, today marks the Fast of Gedaliah, commemorating the assassination of Gedaliah ben Achikam in 586 BCE and the subsequent exodus of many Jews to Egypt. This event, a stark reminder of the mixture of joy and sorrow in Jewish life, follows the joyous celebrations of Rosh Hashanah.