On this Date: Settlement Between Liberty U and Falwell Revealed

Plus, Eritrean church leaders imprisoned, NY adoption agency resumes services, Russell Moore resigns from ERLC, and more.

ONE YEAR AGO: On May 21, 2025, MinistryWatch reported that Liberty University agreed to a $15-million settlement of a lawsuit with former president Jerry Falwell Jr., according to tax documents reviewed by USA Today. The agreement had been reached in July 2024, but the details were not revealed until later. Read more here.

TWO YEARS AGO: On May 21, 2024, MinistryWatch reported that Pastors Haile Nayzgi and Kiflu Gebremeskel, both arrested for their leadership roles in the Full Gospel Church of Eritrea, had been imprisoned in that country for 20 years. Read more here.

THREE YEARS AGO: On May 25, 2023, MinistryWatch reported that Syracuse-based Christian adoption agency New Hope Family Services entered into a favorable settlement agreement with the state of New York and could continue offering adoption services to children and families. Read more here.

FOUR YEARS AGO: On May 24, 2022, MinistryWatch reported that a Georgia federal district court allowed donors to the ministry of late evangelist Ravi Zacharias to pursue a lawsuit to recover their money on the grounds of misuse of funds but not on faith-based allegations. Read more here.

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FIVE YEARS AGO:  On May 24, 2021, MinistryWatch reported that Russell Moore announced his resignation as president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. The ERLC is the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy arm. Read more here.

SIX YEARS AGO: On May 27, 2020, MinistryWatch reported that Promise Keepers would cancel its live event and move to a virtual-only gathering. In June 2023, Belmont University canceled a Promise Keepers event due to its statement about Pride Month. Read more here.

EIGHTEEN YEARS AGO:  In May 2008, a group of 20 conservative and Christian activists sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee expressing concern over Sen. Charles Grassley’s investigation of six televangelists. The letter says Grassley ignored normal processes and targeted organizations that “share the same branch of evangelicalism and . . . promote socially conservative public policy positions.” Read more here.