Displaying items by tag: Praise

IG, a Nigerian missionary in China for two decades, faced immense hardship during his first two years, often going without food and shelter. Despite these challenges, his determination to fulfill God's call kept him going. He had a transformative experience in Nigeria, where he found faith during high school, initially attending Bible studies to impress a girl but eventually feeling a deep conviction to give his life to Jesus. At 18, after his spiritual awakening, he pursued a path of outreach and ministry. Feeling called to be a missionary, he initially attempted to go to Korea but ended up in China after a layover in Hong Kong. There, he struggled with homelessness and hunger but persevered, eventually connecting with other Nigerians and finding stability. IG began ministering in Guangzhou, where he married a Chinese translator and had three children. His work faced instability due to government crackdowns, leading him to rebuild his ministry multiple times. Despite these challenges, he continues to lead two churches, noting the Chinese appreciation for African preachers, who are seen as having "God's fire."

Following their success in the Euros, coming in  second, it is encouraging to know that several members of the England football team openly share their Christian faith, crediting it for their personal and professional success. Ivan Toney prays before each match and has Christian tattoos, viewing his faith as a source of strength and redemption. Eberechi Eze places God at the centre of his life, finding perspective and resilience through his beliefs, especially during injuries. Bukayo Saka reads his Bible every night, trusting in God's plan, which bolsters his confidence on the pitch. Marc Guéhi prays before games, aiming to showcase God's glory through his actions both on and off the field. Their faith plays a significant role in their lives, enhancing their performance and providing a strong foundation for overcoming life's challenges.

Chris, known at Speaker’s Corner as ‘The Iceman’, once struggled as a 13-year-old indulging in heavy drinking. Raised agnostic, he followed friends into dangerous behaviour, leading to alcohol abuse and deep depression. By 14, his drinking got so bad that once he passed out and was carried home. His relationships deteriorated, and he became isolated and suicidal. At 17, recalling his childhood happiness tied to his belief in God, he prayed for help, experiencing a profound sense of divine love. Embracing Christianity, Chris transformed his life, cutting ties with negative influences and diving into apologetics. He improved his relationships with his family and joined the Christian Union in college, where he found a supportive community. He now debates Muslims at Speaker's Corner, sharing his journey from despair to faith and purpose. His story is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the impact of a supportive community in overcoming personal struggles.

One year after the impactful release of 'Sound of Freedom’, Angel Studios have launched 'Sound of Hope’, focusing on Donna Martin and her church in Texas. Motivated by her mother’s love and dedication, Donna and her husband persuaded their church to adopt 77 children from troubled backgrounds. The film, featuring moving performances by Nika King and Demetrius Grosse, delves into the profound trials and rewards of adoption. The movie’s central Christian message aims to encourage viewers to support foster care and consider adoption. Through her story, the film showcases the transformative power of love and faith in addressing the needs of vulnerable children, offering a message of hope and action to its audience. 'Sound of Hope' seeks to inspire individuals and communities to make a tangible difference in the lives of at-risk children.

Love France is an initiative by International Prayer Connect and its partners, including the World Prayer Centre in Birmingham, aiming to bless, celebrate, and connect the worldwide Christian church with the Church across France as it runs various Christian events, outreaches and activities during the games this Summer. The project’s vision includes mobilising global prayer support for France, celebrating positive developments in the church community, and fostering connections through cultural, artistic, and sporting events. Key activities feature the 'France 1 Million' campaign that invites a gift of a million prayers from the worldwide Church for France this summer. A prayer guide and other resources are being published with daily prayer pointers: see An online prayer and discussion platform app will run for the duration of the main and para-games. See Churches are encouraged to get involved with the Eric Liddell 100 Celebrations, honouring the legacy of the famous athlete and missionary.

This year, over 200,000 attended the Glastonbury festival, to enjoy performances by major stars like Dua Lipa and Coldplay. Christian music took an unexpected spotlight when singer and teacher James Partridge led the crowd in worship songs remembered from primary school assemblies. Viral videos showed festival-goers enthusiastically singing and waving their arms to classics like ‘He's got the whole world in His hands’, ‘Shine, Jesus, shine’, and ‘This little light of mine’. Travel influencer Tasha Whitley and other festival-goers shared clips of the joyful, unifying experience. Festival attendees took to social media to praise the set, highlighting the nostalgia and joy it brought. Partridge, who teaches at various schools and has sung on recordings with notable artists, said, ‘The most incredible experience ever! Cannot believe I've just performed at Glastonbury. Incredible turnout today, the joy of singing really does unite!’

Ariana Cossie grew up helping her single father raise her siblings, excelling in school and church activities. Her life drastically changed in 2019 when her mother was murdered, causing her immense grief. She struggled with mental health issues, and even contemplated suicide while at university. However, successive personal tragedies drew her closer to Jesus, leading her to a deeper spiritual journey. After going viral in 2023 with a video as The Home Depot girl, she rejected critics who said she was too pretty to be working for a department store and advised her to make millions by opening a porn account. Her refusal to sell her body and soul generated a backlash, and she had to quit Home Depot - but she has now returned with a renewed mission to share her faith. She now actively proclaims her love for Jesus, aiming to spread light and love in a world she believes needs God.

CBN News has reported that over 300,000 people have reportedly been baptised in Papua New Guinea, marking a significant spiritual event. The mass baptisms occurred during the PNG for Christ campaign, a collaborative effort by several organisations. Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist world church, and his wife, Nancy, led daily events during the two-week campaign. He has recently confirmed that the number of baptisms has surpassed 300,000. Wilson attributed this to the 'Holy Spirit power being poured out on Papua New Guinea’. The campaign saw dramatic changes, including drug lords destroying their marijuana crops and being baptised, prisoners converting, entire villages embracing Adventism, and miraculous healings. Pastor Miller Kuso, PNG United Mission’s personal ministry director, coordinated the events, visiting numerous sites across the country. Prayers are requested for the newly baptised individuals and the leaders who are guiding them in their new faith.

Jennie Allen has witnessed a remarkable revival among young people, particularly on college campuses across America. Speaking at various universities, she has seen Generation Z’s growing interest in faith and the Bible. 'It is so real’, Allen says. 'They actually are hungry for God. It’s been the most beautiful thing.' She described how college-age audiences eagerly respond to her Gospel messages, sometimes resulting in impromptu baptisms in pick-up trucks or local creeks. Allen first noticed this intense hunger in 2018 at Texas A&M, where students responded passionately to her talk about sin. 'They were willing to be honest; they wanted God’, she said, emphasising their genuine interest. This revival has deeply impacted Allen, strengthening her focus on ministering to young people with the Bible’s message of grace and redemption. She is committed to her mission, saying, 'I want to serve God, and I want to serve them well, and I don’t want to hold back.'

A viral video shows a pastor, Ed Newton, pausing mid-sermon to engage with Anthony, a homeless man who interrupted with expletives to compliment Newton's shoes. Surprised, Newton gently addressed him, emphasising the need for respect due to the children present. Anthony then revealed he had been suicidal that morning before Michael, a church attendee, brought him to the service, saving his life. Deeply moved, the congregation raised $5,000 for Anthony. This remarkable act of kindness resulted in 35 people deciding to accept Christ that day. Newton and the church continue to support Anthony, including arranging medical help; they hope this incident will inspire believers to remember God's love for everyone. The interaction demonstrates how one act of kindness can change lives and inspire a community.