Global Bible News | January 2026

Week 1: January 1–7, 2026

• Australia: Church Attendance Rebounds After Pandemic A major new survey finds that around 1.35 million Australians now attend weekly church services, showing a strong recovery from the COVID-19 downturn in participation. The study covers more than 1,000 congregations across denominations and offers a broad view of how worship life is returning, even as some communities continue to face cultural challenges.

• Faith’s Impact on Daily Life in South Korea A national survey in South Korea reveals that although Protestant Christianity is less favored publicly than Buddhism and Catholicism, it has the strongest influence on believers’ daily decisions and emotional support structures. Christian respondents also report higher perceptions of faith shaping ethical behavior and relationships.

• Growth of Evangelical Churches in Spain New figures show that evangelical Christian worship spaces continue to increase across Spain, with nearly 4,800 recorded locations in 2025. This growth places evangelical Christianity as the largest non-Catholic Christian presence in terms of congregational sites, especially in Catalonia, Madrid, and Andalusia.

• Catholic Church Concludes the 2025 Jubilee The Catholic Church officially closed its year-long 2025 Jubilee celebration on Epiphany (January 6), a liturgical milestone focused on mercy, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal.

• Bible Translation & Study Highlights in Church Media A prominent church podcast released on January 6 featured a BYU Bible scholar discussing how different Bible translations can enrich understanding and study, highlighting growing interest in biblical literacy.

• Bible in a Year Plans Gain New Followers As 2026 begins, many believers and digital communities are adopting year-long Scripture reading plans, joining accountability groups and structured journeys to grow in daily engagement with the Bible.

Reflecting on December’s Scripture Stories

Don't miss to revisit major Bible-related developments from December 2025, including archaeological insights, translation milestones, and global Christmas celebrations.