Displaying items by tag: Praise

A dramatic rescue unfolded on a New Jersey shore, where John, a father, and his three young children nearly drowned after being swept out to sea by a strong rip current. John managed to keep his children afloat but struggled against the powerful waves, eventually being dragged under. A group of onlookers, including John DiAngelo, sprang into action. DiAngelo, a retired firefighter and experienced lifeguard, heard the children’s screams and rushed to their aid. Once they were safe, he returned to rescue their father, who had been submerged for several minutes. He performed CPR until John regained consciousness. DiAngelo credits divine intervention for the timing and successful outcome of the rescue, calling it a 'literal miracle’. The family was taken to hospital and is expected to recover fully. DiAngelo's actions and faith serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of readiness and the belief in a higher power guiding our actions.

Jacob, an immigrant from Cameroun, endured a harrowing journey to the United States. Fleeing political persecution, he faced multiple hardships, including beatings and imprisonment in various countries along his route. Despite these challenges, Jacob’s faith remained unshaken. Upon arriving in the USA, he found refuge and support from a church community in Texas. Recognising the hardships faced by immigrants, Jacob decided to turn his painful experiences into a ministry, helping others who are navigating similar struggles. He established a support network providing food, shelter, legal assistance, and spiritual guidance to new immigrants. Jacob believes that God used his trials to prepare him for this mission, and he now sees his journey as a testimony of God’s faithfulness and purpose. His ministry has grown, impacting many lives and offering hope to those in dire circumstances. Jacob's story exemplifies resilience and the power of faith, transforming suffering into a source of strength and service.

Rebecca St James has discussed the profound impact of prayer and trusting in God through the lens of her family’s experiences. The Smallbone family, originally from Australia, faced significant challenges after relocating to the United States. Despite severe financial difficulties, their unwavering faith and persistent prayers led to numerous miracles, including unexpected provisions and career successes. St James' story, portrayed in the film 'Unsung Hero, ' underscores the power of relying on God during adversity. She also reflects on her journey away from the music industry, which allowed her to focus on her family and deepen her Christian faith. This period of rest and renewal has reinforced her belief in the importance of prioritising spiritual and familial values over material success. Through her testimony, she encourages others to trust in God’s plan, emphasising that He works through our prayers and faith even when circumstances seem insurmountable.

Josh's journey from addiction to redemption is a testament to the power of Christian faith and forgiveness. Deeply addicted to heroin and meth, he resorted to drug trafficking and crime to sustain his habit, leading to a downward spiral that left him homeless and estranged from his family. In a moment of despair, handcuffed in a patrol car, he prayed for forgiveness and a chance to reconcile with his loved ones. Miraculously, his withdrawal symptoms were manageable, and he received support from his wife and community. Now clean, Josh credits God for his second chance and strives to rebuild his life.

A historic mass baptism event in California saw a Satanist convert to Christianity among 12,000 baptised participants, breaking records across the state. Held over a weekend, 'Baptise California' took place at multiple locations, Huntington Beach being a primary site. The event featured worship music by leaders like Sean Feucht, numerous testimonies, and speakers sharing messages of spiritual renewal. Preliminary reports indicate over 6,000 baptisms at Huntington Beach alone, with another 6,000 across various churches. Pastor Mark Francey, founder of the event, expressed his excitement: 'God lit a match yesterday! If God can do this in California, it can happen across America!' Francey, the pastor of Oceans Church, initially garnered attention last year with 'Baptise SoCal,' which saw 4,200 baptisms, a record soon surpassed by Pastor Greg Laurie's event with 4,500 baptisms. Francey’s vision for 'Baptise California' was to unite the state for an unprecedented spiritual awakening, a goal he feels was achieved, as evidenced by the overwhelming turnout and profound impact.

Shawn Ryan, a former Navy SEAL, once sought to bust drug lords in Colombia. However, his post-military life took a dark turn when he became addicted to adrenaline and established a drug trafficking ring in South America. Growing up, he struggled academically and socially, leading him to join the military. Despite initial rejections, he found his place in the Navy SEALs. He served in Afghanistan and Iraq, combating deadly threats like explosively formed penetrators. Then he became a Blackwater and CIA contractor, numbing his traumatic memories with drugs. His addiction and thrill-seeking led him to the jungles of Colombia, where he overdosed multiple times. Realising the danger he posed to himself and his family, he fled back to the USA and sought therapy, which saved his life. He met his future wife, Katie Jean, in Florida and started a family. Despite these positive changes, Shawn hadn’t yet found faith until a vacation in Arizona. Three uncanny experiences convinced him of God’s existence, leading him to embrace Christianity. Now, he helps others with PTSD through his podcast, dedicated to exposing military injustices and sharing his newfound faith in Jesus.

'Goodness of God' by Bethel Music has topped the Premier Praise Worship 100 List for the second consecutive year. The 2024 list, released on Pentecost Sunday, highlights contemporary worship anthems and classic hymns which resonate with Christians. 'I Speak Jesus' by Charity Gayle climbed to fourth place, while timeless hymns like 'Be Thou my vision' and 'Amazing grace (My chains are gone)' remain popular. Premier's director of content, Charmaine Noble-McLean, praised the spiritual heritage and enduring significance of these songs and hymns, emphasising their role in bringing comfort, hope, and glory to Jesus.

A pastor is praising God for a miraculous outcome after an F1 tornado tore off part of his church’s roof during a worship service. Around 100 people, including young babies, were present at Crossroads Ministries in Finleyville, Pennsylvania, when the tornado hit, but no one experienced significant injuries. The tornado caused the church steeple to fall and part of the roof to be lost. Rev Ken Barner, in a video message to his congregation, detailed the events, noting that his wife Rhonda was leading praise and worship at the time. ‘I witnessed what I would say is a miracle’, Barner said. He emphasised that God's presence was felt throughout the ordeal: ‘The God who stays stayed with us,' he said. Due to the damage, the church could not meet on Sunday but plans to reconvene at another location the following week. Rhonda described the frightening moment when the lights flickered, and she heard a loud noise, followed by shattering glass and breaking windows. Congregant Lynn Michigan called it the scariest experience of her life. The church community seeks prayers as it rebuilds and recovers from the damage.

In 2009, the UK's atheist bus ad campaign aimed to diminish the relevance of God but inadvertently spurred more spiritual dialogue. This misstep highlighted a broader decline in atheism and a resurgence in Christian movements, particularly Spirit-led churches, which are flourishing globally amidst a growing disenchantment with secularism. Despite the decline in mainstream church attendance and an increase in religiously unaffiliated individuals, vibrant new church plants are thriving, driven by a deep desire for authentic spiritual experiences. This growth is notable in Pentecostal congregations across South America, Africa, Asia, and even the UK, as observed by historian Tom Holland. The intellectual landscape is also shifting, with former critics of Christianity, like Peter Boghossian, moving away from aggressive atheism. Instead, they are now addressing the rise of 'woke' ideologies within academia. As atheism struggles to provide a fulfilling narrative, Christianity is attracting both intellectuals and the general populace by offering robust moral and existential answers. This renewed interest in the Christian faith is evident in various public expressions and increasing church involvement, signalling a significant cultural and spiritual shift.

During a church service in Pennsylvania, a man attempted to shoot Pastor Glenn Germany but his gun jammed, preventing any harm. The assailant, Bernard J. Polite, 26, approached Pastor Germany while he was preaching at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock. The incident, captured during a Facebook Live broadcast, shows Deacon Clarence McCallister heroically tackling Polite, who later told authorities that "God told me to do it." Pastor Germany expressed gratitude for the divine intervention that spared his life and emphasized the incident's unifying effect on his congregation. Polite, who had no prior connection to the church, faces charges of aggravated assault and attempted homicide. Despite the attack, the community remains thankful as no one was physically harmed.