Sean Feucht, a conservative Christian worship leader, gained attention in 2020 by defying COVID-19 restrictions with protest concerts. His ministry's revenue soared to $5 million that year, up from from $243,000 the year before. Now, former staff and volunteers accuse him of financial mismanagement, excessive real estate purchases, and mistreatment of workers. Feucht denies these claims, stating in a June video that all donations serve a "kingdom-ordained purpose." Property records show his ministry has acquired nearly $7 million in real estate since 2020. Watchdog group MinistryWatch gave his organization an F for transparency. Feucht has not responded to AP's requests for comment.

Worship leader Sean Feucht's meteoric rise to prominence began in 2020 during the pandemic. His mask-free concerts defied public health rules and drew thousands, boosting his ministry's revenue from $243,000 to $5 million. Now, several former associates are accusing him and his organization of financial mismanagement, lack of transparency and mistreatment of volunteers. His real estate acquisitions have raised questions not only among former associates, but also Christian watchdog groups. Feucht has dismissed these allegations as false and has questioned the credibility and ethics of those who have made these allegations.

Multiple people shot at Mormon church in Michigan and the shooter is down, police say.

A debate has been sparked among Black pastors who are trying to square a heroic view of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist who was gunned down in Utah this month, with the insulting statements about people of color that were key to his political activism. Conservatives and white Christians, particularly evangelicals, are emphasizing Kirk's faith and label him a martyr.  From the pulpits of Black churches, pastors used their sermons to denounce what they called hateful rhetoric from Kirk that runs counter to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Many Black clergy have  linked the veneration of Kirk to a history of weaponizing faith to justify colonialism, enslavement and bigotry.

A South African man's prophecy about the Rapture has gone viral. He claims it will happen on Sept. 23 or 24, sparking both belief and mockery. The Rapture is a belief among some evangelical Christians that Jesus will return to take true believers to heaven before a period of tribulation and the world's end. This idea, which began in the 19th century, has been popularized through media and literature. Experts say apocalyptic beliefs often resurface during times of crisis. The prophecy has sparked debates and social media discussions, especially on TikTok.

With Vice President JD Vance calling Charlie Kirk “a martyr for Christianity,” some Kirk admirers suggest his assassination will galvanize throngs of people — notably young conservatives — to become more engaged in evangelical and Catholic churches. Evocations of Kirk-inspired religious fervor surfaced almost immediately after his death on Sept. 10, and continued to swell as much of Sunday’s VIP-studded memorial service for the conservative activist resembled a massive megachurch service. There have been widespread reports of attendance surging at some evangelical churches. But a religious demographics expert says any surge might be brief, given there are no recent examples of an enduring religious revival after a civic trauma.

Motorcycle rallies often bring to mind beer and rock 'n' roll, but in northern Portugal one gathering focuses on spiritual protection. Over the weekend, 180,000 bikers rode to the Fatima sanctuary for the Blessing of the Helmets. The annual pilgrimage now in its 10th year seeks the Virgin Mary's protection for bikers on Portugal's roads. Participants attended talks on road safety and faith. The event's highlight was the blessing of their helmets. Priests sprinkled holy water as bikers held their helmets aloft. The pilgrimage has become one of the largest to the Shrine of Fatima.

The spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians has defended his 2019 decision to recognize an independent church in Ukraine. He also denounced the Russian Orthodox Church as giving a “ringing endorsement to the invasion of Ukraine.” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople made the remarks before the Council on Foreign Relations during a stop on his 12-day visit to the United States, which has also included meetings with President Donald Trump and other political leaders. Bartholomew has long been critical of the Russian Orthodox Church and its support for the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He reiterated those criticisms in his remarks to the Council on Foreign Relations.

Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica is ready to raise its immense central tower over the coming months and become the tallest Christian church in Europe. The church's Tower of Jesus Christ will be placed on top of the existing building, taking it to 564 feet. Architect Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece will then be taller than the Ulmer Münster in southern Germany, which tops out at 531.5 feet. The basilica’s General Director Xavier Martínez says that feat will be reached either in December or early next year. 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Gaudí.