Displaying items by tag: Praise

The church in North Korea is growing at a remarkable 6% a year, far higher than the South Korean church's 0.7% growth rate, despite severe persecution under the Kim regime. With 400,000 Christians, North Korean believers face imprisonment or death for their faith, yet they persevere, using secret prayer codes and worshipping in hidden mountain sanctuaries. Miraculous healings often lead to conversions, highlighting God's power amidst oppression. In contrast, South Korea, renowned for its vibrant Christianity, faces a decline in faith among the younger generation. Nonetheless, South Korean churches remain a global force, with extensive missionary outreach, including efforts in countries like Afghanistan and North Korea. Initiatives such as Operation Dandelion, which sends Bibles into North Korea via balloons, demonstrate their dedication. Persecution in the North has ignited revival, while prosperity in the South has dulled spiritual fervour: but faithful witness continues to bring people to Christ across both Koreas.

Pastor Greg Laurie recently shared the Gospel with Jordan Peterson on the psychologist's podcast, addressing life, eternity, and hope in Christ. Laurie emphasised that heaven is not for 'good people' but for 'forgiven people’. Reflecting on Genesis 22, he paralleled Isaac’s willing sacrifice with Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for humanity, stating, 'There was no other way we could reach God.' Laurie shared his personal story of loss, recounting the tragic death of his son Christopher in 2008. Despite the pain, he expressed hope in God’s promises and confidence in seeing his son again, explaining that faith in Christ, not familial ties, secures eternity. Peterson admitted struggling with reconciling Christian teachings about perfecting the world with the eternal focus of the faith. Laurie responded with Scripture, highlighting how trials have drawn him closer to God’s promises. He affirmed God’s faithfulness, saying, 'I’ve put His promises to the test, and He’s come through for me’.

When Ronald Mallett’s son, Kevin, was involved in a terrifying tractor accident, a miraculous intervention unfolded. Kevin, just 14, was adept at handling the heavy tractor on their farm’s slopes. One day, while driving down a particularly steep hill, the tractor began to tip uncontrollably. Ronald and his wife, Pat, watched in horror, fearing for their son’s life. As the tractor reached a tipping point, it unexpectedly stopped in midair, as if held by unseen hands. Kevin safely exited, and the tractor gently settled back to the ground. This inexplicable event solidified Ronald’s belief in angels as active protectors, a truth anchored in Hebrews 1:14. He shares this experience to inspire faith in God’s miraculous power, even in modern times.

Bethany Ashcraft joined a mission trip to Liberia, encountering extreme poverty and spiritual warfare. Working alongside a team of medical professionals, she witnessed firsthand the impact of the drug 'Kush' on local people, causing disturbing symptoms. Amid her medical duties, Bethany prayed for patients, leading to surprising healings. One Muslim woman, after accepting Jesus, experienced a complete healing. Throughout the week, as Bethany prayed, some individuals manifested demonic behaviour, which was resolved through prayer, demonstrating God’s power. This experience strengthened Bethany’s faith and inspired her desire to continue witnessing God’s tangible impact on others.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen openly praised God following his team’s 2024 World Series victory over the New York Yankees, emphasising his deep Christian faith. In a post-game interview, Treinen described feeling 'overwhelming joy’: asked who he thought of during the final out, he simply replied, 'God’. His faith is evident on his social media, where he highlights his love for Jesus and shares his convictions. In 2023, Treinen spoke out against the Dodgers’ recognition of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a controversial group he views as disrespectful to Christianity. Despite the potential professional risks, he made clear that his loyalty to Christ and Christian values is more important than his career. Treinen, who has publicly shared his faith since at least 2016, continues to honour his commitment to God, reflecting his unwavering devotion through both his words and actions.

James O Davis, founder of the Global Church Network (GCN), launched a coalition with a vision to fulfil the Great Commission by 2030. Inspired by a call from the Holy Spirit in 2001, Davis aims to see billions come to Christ by creating 800 leadership training hubs worldwide, mobilising one million ministers to spread the Gospel. Recently, GCN established 200 training hubs across six continents, with additional expansion in regions like the Balkans and South Africa. These hubs provide theological and leadership training, with a focus on equipping pastors in hard-to-reach areas. Davis, along with GCN, hopes to 'catch a harvest' by tying relational knots across a global network. The FINISH 2030 initiative, launched at Martin Luther’s graveside in Germany, aligns with the two thousandth anniversary of the Church, which will be celebrated in Jerusalem in 2030.

A powerful revival movement continues to sweep across US college campuses, led by UniteUS, a group that began at Auburn University. Students gather in stadiums and auditoriums, usually filled with cheering sports fans, to celebrate salvation in Christ. This revival meets students where they are, offering hope to those burdened with guilt, shame, and life struggles. Many young adults arrive with feelings of despair, but they encounter Jesus, who brings transformative joy and purpose. 'I came in ready to end my life and left with the most joy I’ve ever had’, one student said. The impact has spread from one campus to another, with thousands of students attending each event. These gatherings provide a space for healing and openness as they pray for one another and build community. Tonya Prewitt, founder of UniteUS, believes, 'This revival is just beginning. It’s a movement.' Christian student leaders support these events, facilitating prayer, personal testimonies, and baptisms, which reignite faith and change lives.

Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen, has produced a new Christmas film, an adaptation of the beloved 1972 novel The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Jenkins describes the process of securing the rights to the novel as miraculous, crediting God and a fan of The Chosen for the breakthrough. The novel, which Jenkins calls ‘such a Jesus story’, tells the tale of six misfit children who unexpectedly take over their small town’s Christmas pageant, ultimately revealing the true meaning of the holiday. Jenkins and his wife have a personal tradition of reading the book every Christmas, and he spent years praying to obtain the rights to make the film. He was finally able to acquire them, partly due to the mother of one of the rights-holders being a fan of The Chosen. The film opens in US cinemas on 8 November, marking what Jenkins sees as a divinely timed calling fulfilled.

Chanen Johnson, wife of New Orleans Saints player Juwan Johnson, shared a heartwarming video of her husband reading Proverbs 31 over their newborn daughter in the hospital. The video, posted on 11 October, quickly gained nearly 100,000 likes. In the clip, Juwan reads aloud the passage praising a wife of noble character, saying, “Charm is deceptive, beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Chanen's Instagram post highlights their deep Christian faith, which is reflected in both their lives. She captioned the video, "POV: You just gave him a baby girl and this is what he does.” In a previous post, Chanen mentioned how Juwan read Scripture to her before childbirth, easing her anxiety. Juwan's faith is also visible on his social media, where he emphasises ‘Jesus over everything else’ and encourages fellow believers to seek God’s face rather than His hand. His testimony highlights the importance of faith and surrender to God’s will.

The movie ‘Average Joe’ tells the remarkable story of coach Joe Kennedy, whose silent prayer at a high school football game led to a US supreme court case defending religious freedom. Raised in foster homes and expelled from several schools, Kennedy struggled with anger toward life and God. His journey of faith began after serving in the Marine Corps, eventually finding strength in Christ. After his games, he knelt for a thirty-second prayer at the 50-yard line, joined voluntarily by players. The school district ordered him to stop, and when he refused, they sacked him. The case reached the Supreme Court, which ruled in his favour, citing his First Amendment rights. Despite marital strain and death threats, Kennedy and his wife, Denise, reconciled, inspired by the film ‘Facing the Giants’. His story highlights God’s ability to use unlikely individuals for historic impact, illustrating his belief in a personal relationship with Jesus.