In this episode of Passages Pulse, Josiah McGee is joined by Samuel Ben-Er for an important conversation about a growing global reality: why are Christians being targeted in different parts of the world?

From the Middle East to places like China and Iran, restrictions on faith are increasing and in some cases turning into outright persecution. Drawing on historical context and present-day examples, this episode explores why Christianity is often seen as a threat and what that reveals about power, control, and belief.

Samuel’s article: https://providencemag.com/2026/04/christianity-is-the-vanguard-of-western-civilization-and-america-must-protect-it-abroad/

So what’s really going on, and why does this matter right now?

We unpack:

🌍 Where Christians are facing the most pressure globally and what that looks like on the ground

⚖️ Why authoritarian regimes often view Christianity as a threat

🧠 The deeper political and ideological reasons behind restrictions on faith

⛪ What happens when belief challenges government authority

📣 Why this issue is often misunderstood or overlooked in mainstream conversations

🙏 How Christians should respond with awareness, wisdom, and prayer

Disclaimer: Individual views expressed in this episode are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Passages.

Want to learn more about Passages? Visit www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.

In this episode of Passages Pulse, Josiah McGee and Olivia Layne unpack a viral moment that sparked major controversy online: a widely circulated image involving Israeli security forces and a Christian site in Lebanon.

What actually happened? And why did so many people immediately jump to conclusions?

As reactions spread across social media, many began asking deeper questions about Israel, Christianity, and whether tensions between the two are growing. But is the narrative we’re seeing online telling the full story?

We unpack:

📸 The viral IDF photo and what actually took place on the ground

🧠 How misinformation and missing context shape public perception

⛪ The complex reality of Christian identity and worship in Israel today

⚠️ Why quick reactions online can often miss critical details

🙏 How Christians should respond with wisdom, patience, and discernment

IDF confirms photo of soldier smashing Jesus statue in Lebanon is genuine: https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-image-of-soldier-destroying-jesus-statue-in-lebanon-is-real-vows-action/

Disclaimer: Individual views expressed in this episode are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Passages.

Want to learn more about Passages? Visit www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.

In this episode of Passages Pulse, Josiah McGee and Olivia Layne break down a rapidly shifting moment in the Middle East as Iran talks collapse, new dynamics emerge in Lebanon, and major questions remain unanswered.

With headlines moving fast and narratives changing by the hour, it can be difficult to understand what’s actually happening and what it all means.

So what’s really going on, and did diplomacy just fail?

We unpack:

🌍 What led to the collapse of recent Iran talks and why it matters

🇱🇧 Why Lebanon is suddenly becoming a key part of the conversation

⚠️ How shifting alliances and regional pressure are shaping what comes next

🧠 Why so much feels unresolved despite major developments

📣 The danger of reacting too quickly to breaking news and incomplete information

🙏 How Christians can respond with wisdom, patience, and prayer in uncertain moments

Disclaimer: Individual views expressed in this episode are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Passages.

Want to learn more about Passages? Visit www.passagesisrael.org and follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.