What Was the Best News of 2014?

“Engagement between evangelicals and Catholics has gone to a whole new level. In June, I had a three-hour project meeting with Pope Francis—with no agenda. In my tenure, I have not seen that kind of openness. There’s a shift taking place under Francis. He seems clearly geared toward evangelicals.”
~Geoff Tunnicliffe, secretary general, World Evangelical Alliance

“The decision by World Vision to immediately and completely revoke a new policy allowing for the hiring of persons in same-sex marriages. This was Christianity at its best. In a difficult circumstance, our brothers and sisters lovingly held accountable those in error, leading to repentance and a course correction.”
~Eric Teetsel, director, Manhattan Declaration

“Missionaries working with Ebola patients in West Africa brought attention to the continual work of missionaries around the world. Similarly, the ‘We are N’ movement brought more attention to persecuted minorities and made religious freedom advocacy trendy in a social media context.”
~Sarah Pulliam Bailey, national correspondent, Religion News Service

“The news of persecution of believers overseas seems to finally be shaking the North American church out of our bargain-basement prosperity gospel. As churches pray and work for freedom and justice, this could free us from the thin gruel of civil religion, and enable us to see who we are: the global body of Christ.”
~Russell Moore, president, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

“Immigrants are becoming Christians and starting new churches in large numbers. Our evangelical denominations are growing. Financial stewardship is on the rise. And most of our evangelical pastors are morally faithful and doctrinally orthodox. The good news is that there is plenty of good news about the Good News.”
~Leith Anderson, president, National Association of Evangelicals