By FāVS News Staff
Christ Church pastors to participate in Christian nationalism town hall at University of Idaho
Members of Christ Church will participate in a town hall on Christian nationalism at 7 p.m. April 9 at the University of Idaho Administration Auditorium. The event, organized by the Collegiate Reformed Fellowship, a UI student group, will feature pastors Doug Wilson, Toby Sumpter and Jared Longshore as panelists. According to a news release, the town hall will address questions about what a Christian nation or town would look like and how non-Christians would be treated. The public may submit questions via a text line available at the event.
Christ Church has drawn national media attention for its advocacy of Christian nationalism and its stated goal of making Moscow a “Christian town.” Wilson, Sumpter and Longshore were recently quoted in a CNN report expressing support for repealing women’s right to vote.
Supreme Court strikes down conversion therapy ban, raising questions for Washington
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8–1 that Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors is unconstitutional, finding it violates First Amendment protections for speech and religion. The law, challenged by therapist Kaley Chiles, had prohibited licensed providers from offering such therapy to youth. Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote that the statute improperly regulated speech based on viewpoint.
Supporters called the decision a win for free expression and religious liberty, while LGBTQ+ advocates warned it endangers vulnerable youth. The ruling could invalidate similar laws in over 20 states, including Washington, where officials are reviewing impacts on its 2018 ban. Organizations like The Trevor Project condemned the decision, emphasizing that conversion therapy is widely discredited and harmful, while some lawmakers renewed calls for a federal ban. Read more on The Spokesman-Review.
Author Christine Emba to speak at Whitworth on modern love, gender divide
Christine Emba, author, journalist and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, will speak at Whitworth University on Wednesday, April 8, at 4 p.m. in Robinson Teaching Theatre in Weyerhaeuser Hall. Her talk, “Modern Love, or Lack Thereof: Bridging the Gender Divide,” is part of Whitworth’s Call & Character and Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith & Learning’s Speakers Series. Emba, a former staff writer at The Atlantic and opinion columnist and editorial board member at The Washington Post, is the author of “Rethinking Sex: A Provocation,” a book examining contemporary sexual ethics. She was named among Prospect magazine’s top global thinkers in 2022 and received the Nell Minow Award for Cultural Criticism in 2024. The event is free and open to the public.
Thrive International nears completion of mixed-income housing project in North Spokane
Move-ins into the first library-private partnership for refugee housing are expected to begin by late May 2026. Thrive International, in partnership with the Spokane Public Library system, has been building a 48-unit apartment complex for mixed-income units for working families, including refugees. Half of the units will be reserved for refugees, with the other half open to the general population. Located at 6980 N. Nevada, the project also includes a community garden, greenhouse dome, library kiosk and public learning space operated by Spokane Public Library.
“Innovative collaboration, like that between Thrive International and the Spokane Public Library, is what will solve our affordable housing crisis,” said Mayor Lisa Brown in the May 2024 press release announcing the project. “This new project exemplifies the power of partnerships and I could not be more thrilled for what this will do for our greater Spokane community.”
Spokane Buddhist Temple to host annual Ramen Fest on April 12
The Spokane Buddhist Temple will host its annual Spring Ramen Fest on April 12, inviting the community to enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine while supporting the temple’s volunteer-run programs. Held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event will offer ramen with pork or chicken broth, as well as a vegetarian tofu option. Additional items include mochi desserts, onigiri, and inari sushi. The event is primarily carry-out, with limited outdoor seating available, weather permitting. Organizers say they’ve expanded kitchen capacity this year to meet high demand. Proceeds benefit the temple, which has served Spokane since 1945.
Spokane revives “Spokane Gives” campaign to boost community volunteerism
The City of Spokane is marking National Volunteer Month with the return of Spokane Gives, a citywide initiative encouraging residents to support local nonprofits throughout April. Since 2014, the program has engaged over 100,000 volunteers. This year, the city is partnering with LaunchNW to streamline sign-ups through VolunteerSpokane.org. Activities include cleanups, food support and arts programs, with participation from city employees. The campaign also features the Mayor’s Day of Recognition on April 10, with projects organized alongside groups like Habitat for Humanity, highlighting Spokane’s commitment to community service and civic engagement.
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