Bible engagement down, interest up; US refugee resettlement rises but under government limit

Scripture engagement remains down among Americans, but a widespread curiosity gives ground for evangelism, the American Bible Society (ABS) said in releasing the first chapter of its 2023 State of the Bible survey.

Only 47 million Americans, or about 18 percent of the adult population, ranked as Scripture-Engaged in the 2023 study, using a descriptor based on Bible use and its impact in one’s life.

While Scripture engagement remains low, adults ranked in a category termed the Movable Middle grew by 10 million from 2022 to 2023, the study found, rising to 76 million. The movable middle spiked to 95 million in the 2021 COVID-19 pandemic year, but dropped back to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, reverting to 66 million.

The ABS finds hope in the newest numbers.

Refugee resettlement in the U.S., doubled in March from the previous month, the Department of State said in its monthly report.

The U.S. accepted 6,122 refugees in March, double the February total of 3,069 and far surpassing previous months this fiscal year ranging from 2,152 to 2,481. Yet, if resettlement continues monthly at the March count, resettlement would fall far below the annual national cap of 125,000, the National Immigration Forum reported.

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) praised the increase but said more progress is needed.

At the March rate, the U.S. would accept about 55,000 refugees through the fiscal year ending in September, less than half the number allowed. 

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One of the courageous Louisville Metro Police officers who rushed into danger Monday morning with bullets flying is a member of Westport Road Baptist Church in the east side of Louisville.

Metro police officers rushed into the room at the Old National Bank and shot and killed the shooter to stop the carnage that left four dead and nine injured. Later that night, a fifth victim died from their wounds.

The mass shooting was another example of the present darkness in the world, Westport Road Pastor Chip Pendleton said.

One of the injured was a rookie Metro officer who was struck in the head, writes Mark Maynard with Kentucky Today.

The church is planning to host a city-wide prayer vigil as they grieve the tragic event and loss of life.