The Weekend – 3-29-25

March 27, 2025
March 27, 2025
CT Weekly

weekend reads

In public schools and grocery stores, hospitals and oil fields, Midland, Texas, is experiencing the disorienting impacts of a massive influx of immigrants, people from Cuba and Venezuela and Honduras. 

“On the one hand, the Bible seems to me to be inescapably clear about how Christians are to respond to foreigners,” writes Carrie McKean from this West Texas community. At the same time, “the challenges posed by shifting demographics and culture are real and meaningful and worthy of consideration.” And “they pale in comparison to the spiritual consequences of allowing illegal immigration to run unchecked.”

In his column this week, Russell Moore writes in particular about criminals who are in the country illegally and how to deport them without deporting the Constitution too.

Other recent immigration coverage at CT includes the story of Hispanic churches in Florida groaning under the state’s double immigration crackdown and a report on the legal hurdles in the way of a path to citizenship.

P.S. A personal essay in our digital pages this week reflects on the fast-fashion icon Forever 21. (The clothing company recently announced it will shutter all US stores.) “The story of Forever 21 is also my story: a story of Korean immigrants, like my parents, succeeding in America,” writes Sara Kyoungah White. “It’s a story of Christians making a mark on the world, imperfectly and sometimes even harmfully, and of God’s unlikely redemption.”

Immigration’s Complicated Costs for My Town—and My Soul

Don’t Deport the Constitution

Yesterday, Today, and Forever 21

weekend listen

It’s been five years since the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team at The Bulletin news podcast is covering the anniversary in a two-part series.

“Much of the discussion has shifted away from the disease itself to focusing on the actions we took in response to it—and the long-term consequences of these actions. But as we look back, it’s critical that we remember also what this disease actually was.” | Listen here.

What COVID Left Behind, Part 1

editors’ picks

Mia Staub, editorial project manager, online: The Memory Police was recently translated into English from Japanese. I read it in two days! The book is about a writer who lives on an island where items and memories are forgotten: at first smaller items, like a ribbon or perfume, then more noticeable and essential things. 

Kate Lucky, senior editor, engagement and culture: My former college ministry leader is now pastor of a church in Greenwich Village. I’ve been enjoying his sermon series on discipleship, which employs a different metaphor each week to get at what it means to follow Jesus.

Daniel Silliman, news editor: Eat a meal with somebody. It will make you happy. It will be good for all of us.

2025 Podcast Guide

Looking for a new listen? Grow your mind and spirit by exploring the shows on our Annual Podcast Guide.

Read more

prayers of the people

CT Partners are making a global impact through the One Kingdom Campaign

So much has already been accomplished since the launch of the One Kingdom Campaign in September 2024. From beautiful storytelling that lifts our eyes to Jesus working in our midst to global reporting that reminds readers of the cost of following Jesus around the world, God is at work through our generous CT Partners. 

See what God is doing through the One Kingdom Campaign and how you can participate in this important community. Learn more.

more from CT

Overdiagnosis Is a Medical Problem—and a Spiritual Problem, Too

Side effects may include needless worry, loss of agency, and inadequate explanations of human hardship.

When Your Church Has Growing Pains

A look at how church growth shapes both the blessings and the burdens of pastoral leadership.

Why a Democracy Advocate in Putin’s Russia Didn’t Fear Death

Alexei Navalny’s memoir testifies to the political power of the Resurrection.

NYC Pastor Rich Villodas on Subversive Anger and True Forgiveness

A conversation with Russell Moore on living out the challenges of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

IN THE MAGAZINE

Even amid scandals, cultural shifts, and declining institutional trust, we at Christianity Today recognize the beauty of Christ’s church. In this issue, you’ll read of the various biblical metaphors for the church, and of the faithfulness of Japanese pastors. You’ll hear how one British podcaster is rethinking apologetics, and Collin Hansen’s hope for evangelical institutions two years after Tim Keller’s death. You’ll be reminded of the power of the Resurrection, and how the church is both more fragile and much stronger than we think from editor in chief Russell Moore. This Lent and Easter season, may you take great courage in Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:18—“I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

THE WEEKEND FROM CHRISTIANITY TODAY

The Weekend delivers the best content from Christianitytoday.com to your inbox each week.

Delivered free via email to subscribers weekly. Sign up for this newsletter.

You are currently subscribed as no email found. Sign up to more newsletters like this. Manage your email preferences  or unsubscribe.

Christianity Today is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
“Christianity Today” and “CT” are the registered trademarks of Christianity Today International.

Copyright ©2025 Christianity Today, PO Box 788, Wheaton, IL 60187-0788 
All rights reserved.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube