Corinne Broughton, Rebecca Coatsworth, Lydia Lee and Esther Longe will preach in front of a live audience and the viewers of BBC’s The One Show on Thursday 21st June.

The London School of Theology and Preach magazine are running the competition and require sermons to be no more than 1500 words and based on the theme ‘Be Set Free’.

Preachers from 19 to 83 years old entered and for a third of entrants it was the first sermon they had ever written.

Rebecca Coatsworth, a writer for a Christian charity said: “I got the email telling me I was a finalist at the end of my lunch break at work. I saw the subject line and started freaking out; I absolutely could not believe it! There were tears – happy tears!

“Honestly I am both incredibly nervous and incredibly excited for this event. I feel 100 per cent inadequate and totally out of my comfort zone, which terrifies me, but if God can use my sermon to speak to just one person (even if that person is me!) it will be worth it.”

Rebecca Coatsworth

Finalist Corinne Broughton, who is studying Theology in London, said: “I had entered the competition because I really believe God is growing the gift of speaking and writing in me, but I never considered that I would stand a chance of winning the competition. It really is an amazing opportunity to be published in the book. Also, for the…

Areeb Umeed Bakhsh, 13 and Somer, 15, and their parents, Maqsood and Parveen, have been living in limbo for six years after being repeatedly turned down by the Home Office, largely because officials do not believe they would be at risk if returned to the Muslim country.

Speaking on World Refugee Day, the brothers said they regarded themselves “Scottish boys”.

Somer, who is studying five Highers at Springburn Academy in Glasgow and hopes to be an astrophysicist when he is older, said: “I love Scotland and I do not want to go back to Pakistan.

“The thought of it terrifies me and it is very stressful to even imagine going back there. I wouldn’t have a future and I can’t even read or write Urdu.

“I want to live here in Scotland, it is my country and my home.”

Paul Sweeney, MP for Glasgow North-East, said it would be “inhumane” to deport the family.

He said: “I have met the family and was disturbed to learn that they are at risk of deportation to Pakistan where they have already faced discrimination and very real death threats for their Christian beliefs.

“This family have already contributed a huge amount to our local community of Possilpark in Glasgow through the parish church and are exactly the sort of people that our country should be welcoming with open arms, not casting out to a dangerous future.

“It is shocking that a highly skilled and motivated family like this…

More than 600 members of the United Methodist Church (UMC) say Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ endorsement of a new “zero tolerance” immigration policy infringes upon church law.

In the complaint, the 640 signatories accuse Mr Sessions of “child abuse” by introducing “practices that indefinitely separate thousands of young children from their parents” and “holding thousands of children in mass incarceration facilities with little to no structured educational or socio-emotional support.”

Taking a tougher stance on people illegally entering the country from Mexico has led to 2,000 children being separated from their families at the border, recent official statistics revealed.

Last week, Mr Sessions defended the new immigration policy by quoting chapter 13 of Romans, where Paul urges the believers in Rome to respect the God-given authority of their earthly leaders.

In response, the complaint accuses him of spreading “doctrines contrary to the standards of doctrine of the United Methodist Church”, through the “misuse of Romans 13 to indicate the necessity of obedience to secular law.”

Among the other charges clergy and lay members levelled against Mr Sessions – who is a UMC member and attends UMC churches in Alabama and Virginia – are “immorality” and “racial discrimination”.

Premier has contacted The United States Department of Justice for a comment.

Amid widespread…

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s youngest child, born on April 23, will be baptised at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace in London.

The palace said: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are pleased to announce that the christening of Prince Louis will take place on Monday 9th July at The Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, London.

“Prince Louis will be christened by The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby.”

Eight-week-old Louis, a younger brother to Prince George and Princess Charlotte, is fifth in line to the throne and a great-grandchild of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

George was also christened at the Chapel Royal, but Charlotte was baptised at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham.

Louis was born at the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, on St George’s Day, weighing 8lb 7oz.

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After almost two decades in his current role, Dr Steve Brady (pictured left) is joining First Baptist Church on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands.

He said: “It has been a real tussle in decision-making for me, since I have been so privileged to have been at Moorlands College these many years.

“I am so grateful for all the love, support, prayer and friendship I have experienced here, not least in these last six months since my dear Brenda’s passing.”

In a note to colleagues, Dr Steve Brady said he has been associated with First Baptist for 20 years and he will leave Moorlands by the end of the year.

He continued: “Although, I expect my tenure as Principal of Moorlands will conclude by the end of this calendar year, Moorlands will be in excellent hands with a superb team of colleagues.

“I also expect to keep very strong links with the College as some students already have experienced block placements at First Baptist – I am expecting many more.

“I and the whole team are grateful for your interest and prayers.”

Dr Steve became only the third principal in the college’s 70 year history when he was appointed to the role in 1999.

Founded by David Clifford in 1947, Moorlands College offers Christian theology and training from an evangelical and non-denominational perspective from its site near Christchurch.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian…

Theresa May, who is the third PM to attend the annual National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast, also said Christianity had “transformed the United Kingdom”.

In a written message to guests, she described the event as “an excellent opportunity both to celebrate Christians’ ongoing contribution to this country and to reflect on the role Christianity can play in contemporary public life.”

Mrs May joined 470 politicians – including almost 170 Members of Parliament and peers – and church leaders in singing hymns and reciting the Lord’s prayer in Westminster Hall. A keynote speech was delivered by the American and Presbyterian pastor Tim Keller.

Emphasising how Christianity has helped shaped the nation, she went on to say: “Over the past two millennia, the Christian gospel has transformed the United Kingdom, with its values and teachings helping to shape the laws, customs and society of the country in which we live.”

Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, Tim Farron MP, Rt Hon Ian Blackford MP and Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP were among public figures who also attended the event – which included seminars on topics including tackling modern-day slavery and the centenary year of women gaining the right to vote.

In her note to attendees, the PM also said: “Whether you are a Parliamentarian or constituent, I encourage all of you to continue your engagement as Christians in public life for the…