Displaying items by tag: Praise

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.

A new YouGov survey has revealed a marked increase in young adults believing in God, signalling what many church leaders describe as a ‘quiet revival’. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, 37% now affirm belief in God—up sharply from just 16% in 2021. Although down from a January peak of 45%, the figures still indicate a significant generational shift. By comparison, belief among 25 to 49-year-olds stands at 25%, while older age groups remain steady, with around 27% of 50- to 64-year-olds and 32% of those over 65 continuing to express faith. Notably, disbelief in any spiritual power among younger adults has dropped from 19% in 2022 to 12% today. Bishop Jill Duff of Lancaster welcomed the findings, noting a clear openness to God, Christianity, and the supernatural among younger people. She described this as evidence of a growing spiritual awakening which is already being observed in churches across the nation.

Bita’s life in Iran was marked by abandonment, abuse, and despair. Raised in hardship, forced into servitude, and married at 14 to an unfaithful addict, she endured decades of rejection and loneliness. Broken and suicidal, she was rescued by a friend, then invited to a secret house church. There she first heard of Jesus’ love for the brokenhearted, and for the first time she felt truly seen. That night she surrendered her shattered life to Christ. Immediately, her children noticed a change: her burdens lifted, and joy began to replace despair. Later, at a women’s conference for persecuted believers, she testified that God had wiped away bitterness and given her 'unimaginable joy.' Though she must still worship in secret, hiding her Bible and whispering prayers, Bita’s faith is unshaken. She longs to help other women find the same freedom and healing in Jesus. Her story mirrors numerous  Iranian women who, despite persecution and rejection, are discovering the beauty of Christ’s redeeming love.

In Green Bay, Wisconsin, a homeless man, Weldon Tucker, is being hailed as a hero after saving a six-year-old girl from oncoming traffic. The child, Honeretta, who has autism, ran into a busy road while her family was moving house. Her grandmother’s cries for help caught Tucker’s attention, and without hesitation he ran into the street, risking his own life to pull her to safety. Mother Faith Roberts praised his quick thinking, especially since others nearby did not intervene. Tucker, currently receiving shelter assistance, downplayed his heroism, saying he simply acted instinctively and hoped anyone would do the same. The town’s mayor will honor him publicly during a city council meeting, recognising his courage and selflessness. The family is deeply grateful, crediting God for Tucker’s timely intervention, and seeing in him a powerful example of sacrificial love and compassion in action.

Political unrest; environmental changes; natural disasters; human rights violations; war and famine; migration. The list could go on: all of them are causes of widespread anxiety and stress. While experts recommend practical strategies like healthy living, Christians also turn to prayer, scripture, service, and witness. History offers models of resilience during turbulent times, such as Japanese author, minister, and activist Toyohiko Kagawa. Born in 1888, he lived through poverty, war, natural disaster, and political unrest, yet maintained joy and hope. His poetry reflects a spirit unbound by chains, seeking light and peace in Christ. He worked for justice, environmental stewardship, women’s suffrage, and peace, which earned him several jail sentences but also a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. His final words were 'Please do your best for world peace and the church in Japan’. His life shows us how to navigate chaos: embrace Christ’s peace, shine his radiance, and let joy endure.