Displaying items by tag: Praise

Scotland’s Parliament has rejected proposals to legalise assisted suicide in a significant and closely watched vote, with MSPs voting 69 to 57 against the bill after extensive debate. The bill had sought to permit medically assisted death for certain patients, but concerns over safeguards, coercion, and risks to vulnerable people proved decisive. Many Christian leaders and organisations welcomed the outcome, giving thanks that the intrinsic value of every human life has been upheld. Medical bodies, disability advocates, and faith groups had raised serious objections, warning of unintended consequences seen in other nations where such laws have expanded over time. The debate was deeply personal, with many MSPs reflecting on experiences of illness and loss, yet ultimately choosing to prioritise protection, dignity, and care. Attention is now turning toward improving palliative care and support for those facing serious illness, ensuring compassionate alternatives that honour life until its natural end.

Around a thousand students gathered for a three-night, student-led tent revival at a university in Texas, continuing a long-standing tradition of campus spiritual renewal. Organised through months of prayerful planning by student leaders and the university’s Student Life team, the event created space for worship, preaching, and deeper engagement with God. The revival reflects a historic pattern at the university, recalling earlier outpourings such as a significant move of God in 1909 when many students responded to Christ. This year, about eighty students made decisions to follow Jesus, recommitted their lives, or sensed a call to ministry and missions. Guest speaker Shane Pruitt focused on the biblical image of the potter and clay, encouraging students to surrender to God’s shaping hand and walk in His purposes. As attendance grew each evening, with overflow crowds by the final night, many experienced repentance, freedom, and renewed passion for Christ.

Worship leader Brooke Ligertwood has shared a remarkable testimony of God’s faithfulness, describing a providential meeting with a Ukrainian woman whose prayers helped shape her journey. While visiting a theological campus in Texas to audit a doctoral course, Ligertwood encountered Ksusha, a Ukrainian theology student studying remotely while living amid the challenges of war. Years earlier, Ksusha had seen a video in which Ligertwood expressed a desire to study theology. Moved by this, she began praying earnestly for God to open that door. In a striking moment of divine orchestration, the two women met in person at the very class Ligertwood had been invited to attend. Ksusha shared how she had faithfully prayed, and together they witnessed the beginning of that prayer being answered. Ligertwood reflected on the experience with awe, recognising God’s personal care and timing.

A Maltese Christian has been cleared in a landmark court case widely viewed as a significant moment for freedom of expression and religious testimony. Matthew Grech was acquitted by the magistrates’ court in Valletta after being prosecuted for allegedly 'advertising conversion practices' during a 2022 podcast interview in which he shared his personal journey of becoming a Christian and leaving a homosexual lifestyle. Malta became the first EU country to ban conversion therapy in 2016, and prosecutors argued that because he was introduced in the podcast as working for the International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice, it meant he had promoted such practices in his workplace. However, his legal supporters argued the interview was simply personal testimony about faith and life transformation. Two journalists charged in connection with the case were also cleared. After more than three years of legal pressure, Grech thanked God for the verdict and said justice had prevailed.

A review of the influential Christian book Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby highlights the enduring impact of its central message: believers should 'watch to see where God is working and join Him’. First published in 2007, it has guided countless Christians, churches, and ministries in discerning God’s will and participating in His work. One remarkable example described in the book comes from Angola Prison in Louisiana. After inmates began studying it, many committed their lives to Christ, leading to the formation of seven inmate-led church congregations within the prison. Reports indicate that violence and drug use significantly declined as lives were transformed. Some prisoners even sensed a call into Christian ministry, and the prison later became a satellite campus for a theological seminary! The book continues to challenge believers to examine their priorities and recognise where God is already at work, encouraging them to join Him in faith and obedience.

More than a thousand schoolchildren in Staffordshire have heard the Gospel through a creative church-led cinema project organised by local congregations in Uttoxeter. Churches worked together to 'sponsor a seat’, enabling children from local schools to attend free screenings of the animated film The King of Kings. The 2025 production, featuring the voice of Kenneth Branagh, presents the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as a story told by Charles Dickens to his son, inspired by Dickens’ book The Life of Our Lord. For many of the children it was their first experience of visiting a cinema. Jordan Lambert, a Christian schools worker serving through Churches Together, organised the event after pupils had repeatedly asked him why Jesus had to die. He said Christians often focus outreach around Christmas but can overlook Easter, even though the resurrection is central to the Christian faith. Teachers and volunteers reported that children were deeply moved by the story. Churches also distributed Easter booklets and chocolate eggs, hoping the message of Christ would stay with every child who attended.

England netball international Berri Neil has spoken about how a painful sporting defeat led her to discover faith in God. The 23-year-old Loughborough Lightning player struggled emotionally after her team lost the 2025 Netball Super League Grand Final to London Pulse, a club she had previously played for. Feeling deeply discouraged and questioning her purpose, Neil accepted an invitation from her twelve-year-old brother to attend church. The experience became a turning point in her life. She describes encountering joy, peace, and a new perspective that helped her realise that success or failure in sport does not define her ultimate purpose. Neil says her new faith has brought freedom from pressure and anxiety, reminding her that God has a greater plan for her life. She has also been encouraged by discovering other Christian teammates who are helping her grow spiritually. As her team prepares for the new season after winning the Netball Super Cup, Neil believes the difficult loss ultimately became a blessing that led her to faith and renewed hope both on and off the court.

Christians in Pakistan are using theatre to proclaim the Gospel through a growing creative movement centred in Karachi. The Othniel School of Biblical Art (OSBA) is preparing its 2026 season of 'Journey to Salvation', a large-scale musical production presenting the story of Jesus from Creation to the Ascension using only Bible verses. Scheduled for 7–15 March at the National Academy of Performing Arts, the production combines drama, music, and worship to bring Scripture to life on stage. Since its launch, the ministry has expanded rapidly, reaching thousands through dozens of performances and launching a Christian art gallery to encourage faith-inspired creativity. Over 110 actors from diverse backgrounds have participated, reflecting the unity of Pakistan’s Christian community. Organisers expect the 2026 performances to reach more than 8,000 attendees, with potential media exposure to millions across the country. Despite financial and cultural challenges faced by Christians as a minority, the movement continues to grow. Leaders believe theatre can help younger generations encounter the message of Christ in powerful, memorable ways.

Christian nurse Jennifer Melle has returned to work after more than ten months of suspension following an incident involving a transgender prisoner. She was disciplined after referring to the patient as ‘mister’ while speaking with colleagues, despite reporting that she had faced racial abuse and physical threats during the encounter. Although her NHS trust has confirmed it will take no further action, she remains under investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council over the language used and for speaking publicly about her treatment. Melle, a south London nurse with twelve years of service, is pursuing an employment tribunal, alleging harassment, discrimination and breaches of freedom of belief. She has expressed gratitude for support received throughout the ordeal, especially by the Christian Legal Centre.

Ngoc*, a 63-year-old believer in Vietnam, has endured severe persecution for her Christian faith. Raised in ancestral worship, she came to faith in Jesus after hearing about His love and forgiveness at a local church. When she told her husband, his violence intensified, including attempts to strangle and stone her. Though some of her children opposed her decision, one daughter stood by her. Local authorities and neighbours later pressured Ngoc to renounce her faith. When she refused, a mob forced her from her home, and she was expelled from her village with only the clothes she wore. With her daughter and granddaughter, she found refuge in another community where local Christians helped them rebuild their lives. Despite suffering rejection, violence and loss, Ngoc continues to express deep trust in God, testifying to His faithfulness through hardship. (*name changed for security reasons)