Displaying items by tag: Praise

The memorial service for Charlie Kirk at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium blended elements of political rally and charismatic evangelical worship, yet its defining feature was the bold proclamation of the Gospel. Speaker after speaker - from Ben Carson and Marco Rubio to JD Vance and even Donald Trump Jr - clearly articulated salvation through Christ. The most powerful moment came when Erika Kirk forgave her husband’s assassin, declaring that the forgiveness she has received through Jesus must also be extended to the one who made her children fatherless. Her testimony of grace was a profound witness before millions watching worldwide. Even Donald Trump appeared touched, seemingly showing an awareness of the cost of true faith and forgiveness. The service became a reminder that the Gospel is for all - even those we may struggle to accept. The legacy of Charlie Kirk now points beyond politics to the transforming power of Christ, challenging Christians everywhere to live and proclaim forgiveness and grace.

Born into a devout Muslim family in Tehran, Mohsen Khaleghi grew disillusioned by the contradictions he saw in Islam. As a young man, he pursued wealth, gambling, and pleasure, but the emptiness left him suicidal. After a failed attempt to end his life, Mohsen moved to the USA to study. One night, in desperation, he prayed to the unknown God for help. He then had a vivid vision of an older man named Randy, who urged him: 'Search for the light … Mariners’. Finding out about Mariners Church in Irvine, California, he drove for nine hours to visit it. There, he heard a pastor declare, 'Jesus is the light of the world. If you follow Him, you will find peace.' Amazed, Mohsen realised God had answered his prayer through a supernatural encounter. Later, he met Randy in person - exactly as seen in his dream. Now discipled at Mariners, Mohsen serves the homeless, ministers in rehab centres, and leads a small group. He has dedicated his life to Christ, testifying that true joy is found in Jesus.

The murder of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has ignited a surprising spiritual response. In life, he urged people to return to faith, marriage, and family. Now, after his death, many are doing just that. Catholic ministry leaders report church attendance rising by up to 15%, with unfamiliar faces filling pews. On social media, countless testimonies describe families returning to services for the first time in decades. A TikTok user shared how she and her husband brought their children to church after years away, determined to raise them with conviction like Kirk’s. Others spoke of parking streets away from packed sanctuaries, buying Bibles, or recommitting to God. One man admitted he had never believed in God until Kirk’s death stirred him to become a better husband and father. Though tragic, this moment is inspiring many to seek spiritual truth. Pray that God will comfort Kirk’s widow Erika and their children, and use this loss for Kingdom growth.

At New Birth Church in Georgia, Pastor Jamal Bryant recently turned an altar call into an unexpected job fair. During a September service, he invited unemployed members to the altar for prayer, then asked hiring managers present to share opportunities. The response was immediate: directors, supervisors, and business owners stepped forward, resulting in over 300 job offers for struggling congregants. Bryant praised the church’s faith in action, noting the need amid rising black unemployment, which recently reached 7.5%, the highest since late 2021. Economists warn the downturn is hitting black communities disproportionately, particularly as cuts in federal employment take effect. While national leaders debate solutions, New Birth showed what a church family can achieve by caring for one another in practical ways. Stories like this echo the early church’s example of meeting both spiritual and material needs. God is still using His people to bring provision, dignity, and hope.

Across the USA, a historic spiritual shift is unfolding as Millennials and Gen Z turn to faith in record numbers. At the premiere of CBN’s new film The Revival Generation, one commentator compared it to the Jesus Movement of the 1970s, describing it as 'seismic’. Former presidential candidate Dr Ben Carson says cultural conditions are ripe for revival, noting that past awakenings often followed crises. He sees growing openness among young people weary of empty alternatives and hungry for truth. The American Bible Society reports a 29% rise in Bible use among Millennials from 2024 to 2025, with Gen Z engagement increasing from 11% to 15%. Congressman Marlin Stutzman says this generation is searching beyond the flood of online information, longing for stability that only truth provides. From college campuses to local communities, many discern God stirring a new movement of faith, bringing hope to a generation eager for transformation.

In 2024, Pastor Justin Walker of Salt and Light Church in La Grange, Kentucky, launched Salt and Light Academy with nothing but faith. Within a year, God provided resources, teachers, and students, transforming a former horse auction house into a thriving Christian school. Beginning with kindergarten to sixth grade, the school quickly grew, doubling enrolment and adding seventh and eighth grade, with waiting lists forming. Yet the true impact has been spiritual. Of 65 students enrolled in the first year, six accepted Christ and were baptised; one of them led their entire family to salvation and baptism. Pastor Walker sees America’s 57 million public school students as a mission field, believing secular education often promotes not only spiritual emptiness but also darkness. His vision is to build Christ-centred education that nurtures truth and pushes back unrighteousness. After the personal tragedy of his wife’s death, Walker now leads a growing family and ministry, confident of God’s call to raise disciples through education.

At London’s ExCeL Arena, 40,000 believers joined Pastor Jerry Eze’s New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations conference, the UK’s largest Christian gathering this year. The six-hour event was marked by fervent worship, bold declarations, and testimonies of God’s power. Ministers stirred the crowd with faith-filled proclamations, urging worshippers to believe that walls of opposition had fallen and breakthroughs were imminent. Attendees testified of God’s intervention: a woman finally received her UK visa after years of denials; a nurse cleared of false accusations unexpectedly found a husband after decades of waiting. Worship leader Dunsin Oyekan led participants to lift prayer requests - contracts, photos, and lists of 'new beginnings' - as symbols of faith. The highlight came as miraculous healings unfolded: wheelchair users walked, crutches were discarded, and stroke survivors stood unaided, tumours dissolved, and sight and mobility were restored. Amid rejoicing, Pastor Eze declared: 'What God cannot do does not exist’. The event concluded with thousands of voices shouting 'Amen' to his promise that next year’s greatest testimonies had already begun.

A pioneering UK charity, Greater Change, is transforming lives by giving direct financial support to people facing homelessness. When single mother Laura Burns was threatened with eviction due to debts and moving costs, she received £600 almost instantly, enabling her to secure a new home. Today, she has a job, a fiancé, and renewed hope. Greater Change’s approach is simple yet radical: provide people with dignity and choice, allowing them to use funds for deposits, bills, or debts. Since January, the charity has distributed £699,000 to 403 people, with 86% moving into stable housing and almost half gaining employment. Critics fear misuse of funds, but international studies show that recipients rarely spend on harmful addictions. Instead, they invest in rebuilding their lives. Partnering with councils, philanthropists, and grant bodies, Greater Change saves taxpayers thousands per client by preventing homelessness before it becomes entrenched. For many, even modest grants are life-changing interventions at the right moment, offering stability, opportunity, and hope.

Actor Gavin Casalegno, best known for his role in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’, is gaining recognition not just for his acting but for boldly sharing his Christian faith. The 25-year-old regularly posts on TikTok, speaking openly about prayer, repentance, and living wholly for God in Hollywood. He warns against complacency, saying, 'God wants all of you, not just the Sunday version’, and testifies that real strength comes from relying on God, not self. Casalegno has spoken vulnerably of repentance as a turning point, describing how admitting his need brought a clear experience of God’s love. Raised in a Christian family, he says stepping back from social media to focus on God and family keeps his perspective healthy. Last year he married nurse Cheyanne King, who also celebrates her faith publicly, bringing Christ’s light into healthcare. Together, they launched a clothing line inspired by biblical truths, designed to spark meaningful conversations. Casalegno joins other Hollywood figures unashamedly professing Christ, demonstrating that faith is becoming more visible in mainstream culture.

Matt Williams of Tennessee was heartbroken when his Bible case, filled with family photos and treasured memories, was stolen from his vehicle. In that moment, he turned to God in prayer, surrendering the situation: 'Not my will but yours’. Astonishingly, his Bible was later discovered inside another stolen car, placed alongside a second copy of the Scriptures. The chain of events that led to its recovery seemed providential: the mother of the woman whose car had been stolen posted online about finding the Bible, and Williams recognised it as his. The unexpected return of his precious Bible reminded him of God’s intimate care: 'Not even a sparrow falls without His notice. Apparently not even a Bible gets stolen without His response.' This showed Williams that God is attentive to the details of His children’s lives and answers prayer in personal, unexpected ways. His testimony is a reminder that God values His people deeply and delights to show His faithfulness.