I’d like to give an update on the two events for Anglican Bishop of Bukuru, Nigeria, Jwan Zhumbes.

Both events were sold out and Bishop Zhumbes was very well received. He shared from his heart. I asked him to hold nothing back and to give attendees a picture of the grim reality of persecution in Nigeria. He did. Be encouraged to know that the Lord has people like Jwan Zhumbes on the ground in such places. I have seen firsthand his fine work. I have seen the nature of the persecution. He did not exaggerate.

I thought his shining moment was in answering a question about persecution and whether or not Muslims are really the enemies of Christians: “Is a man who steals your land and builds a mosque on it, burns your church, leaving you no place to worship, your friend?”

I also want you to know that these two events have raised approximately $20,000 for the relief of Christians in Plateau State (Jwan’s diocese)! Thank you so much for your generosity!

On behalf of Bishop Zhumbes, let me say that we are grateful for the Presbyterian and Episcopal churches that have invited Bishop Zhumbes.

If you missed the bishop at these events, don’t fret. You can hear him in the C.L. Bryant interview included in this week’s email update and you can also hear him in person at:

This Sunday (August 18th) at Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Cullman, Alabama

The following Sunday (August 25th) at Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama

A personal note from Lauri and me: After two years away, it felt very good to be back in the saddle, as they say, doing what the Lord has called us to do. We enjoyed seeing so many of you again and meeting others of you for the first time. We are grateful to our friends and to the board of Fixed Point Foundation. From our family and staff, thank you. The Lord is good.

Below are a few pictures of these events:

Larry Alex Taunton is an author, cultural commentator, and freelance columnist contributing to USA TODAYFox NewsFirst ThingsThe AtlanticCNN, and The American Spectator.  In addition to being a frequent radio and television guest, he is also the author of The Grace  Effect and The Gospel Coalition Arts and Culture Book of the Year, The Faith of Christopher Hitchens. You can subscribe to his blog at larryalextaunton.com.