Displaying items by tag: USA

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Howard and Lisa Ray, a North Carolina couple, experienced God’s saving power firsthand amidst unimaginable devastation. When floodwaters from the hurricane overtook their trailer, they used their couch to stay afloat as the water rose nearly thirty feet above normal levels. They drifted 400 yards on their makeshift raft, with Howard reassuring Lisa, ‘If we’re going to drown, we’re going to drown together’. Eventually, Lisa managed to pull herself up on a barbed-wire fence, sustaining cuts in the process, and they took shelter in a nearby garage. They lost everything but incredibly were soon reunited with their dog, Saddi, which had waited at the ruins of their home. Supported by donations from their church, they are pressing forward, convinced that God has a purpose in their survival. The chaplain assisting relief efforts echoed their faith, testifying to God’s guidance and strength in the worst storm damage he had ever seen.

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.

As 5 November draws near, the presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is extremely close, with Harris at 48% and Trump at 47% support according to a recent poll. Harris garners stronger personal support, especially on issues like reproductive rights, uniting the country, and protecting democracy, while Trump is seen as stronger on the economy, immigration, and foreign policy. Trump’s supporters focus on economic issues, particularly inflation, whereas Harris’ supporters prioritise protecting democracy. Both candidates have a gender divide in support, with independent women favouring Harris and independent men leaning toward Trump. The poll also highlights a nation divided on political violence: 77% believe current political discourse encourages violence, with more fearing escalation if Trump wins (57%) than if Harris does (42%). Emotions run high, with nearly equal numbers expressing fear (47% for Trump, 45% for Harris) and excitement (41% for Trump, 40% for Harris) depending on the winner. Both candidates inspire complex reactions, reflecting shifts from past elections and a broader concern about the country’s direction. For a discussion about what difference the result of the election would make, see

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.

The heartbreaking story of Meghan Drye’s loss during Hurricane Helene took a miraculous turn. Meghan, her son Micah, and her parents were swept away by floodwaters in North Carolina. Meghan survived, but Micah, her parents, and their dog Bella were lost. In his final moments, Micah called out to Jesus, and his faith became a source of strength for his grieving mother. Shortly afterwards, Christian artist Elizabeth Londen, unaware of the tragedy, was moved by God to create a painting and poem entitled ‘Can you tell my mommy I’m safe now?’ The poem, written as if spoken by a child in Heaven, brought profound comfort to Meghan and her family, and they discovered that the painting referenced specific details from Micah’s life, including his dog and favourite blanket. Elizabeth reached out to the family, offering the artwork and peace in their sorrow. This story exemplifies God’s intimate presence and reassurance, even in the deepest grief.

A judge has overturned changes made by Georgia's Republican-controlled state election board in August, which a conservative group argued would disrupt voting rights ahead of the presidential election on 5 November. His ruling followed a lawsuit by the conservative group Eternal Vigilance Action, which claimed the board overstepped its authority. The changes included empowering county election officials to investigate discrepancies in vote counts before certifying results. The move drew bipartisan criticism; one official warned that it would undermine voter confidence and burden election workers. Democrats, who filed a separate lawsuit, argued the rules aimed to delay certification, a mandatory part of election outcomes. The judge’s ruling follows a similar decision to block a rule requiring ballots be counted by hand, which Democrats said was another attempt to impede certification. Georgia is expected to be a key battleground state in the presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Federal prosecutors are increasing efforts to target suspects who use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create or manipulate child sex abuse images, fearing that the technology could lead to a surge in illegal content. The Justice Department has initiated two criminal cases against individuals accused of such crimes. A department official has voiced concerns over the potential normalisation of such images, as AI makes it easier to create and distribute them. Prosecutors worry that AI-generated content will complicate the identification of real victims and make the task of law enforcement more difficult. These cases are likely to break new legal ground, especially when real children are not depicted. Convictions may face appeals as courts navigate the evolving legal landscape around AI and child exploitation.

Cameron Arnett, an actor who starred in shows like Miami Vice, experienced a profound spiritual transformation which led him to leave the mainstream entertainment industry. Initially drawn into Hollywood's allure, Arnett later became a Christian. His faith was tested when he was asked to do partial nudity for a role; despite attempts to compromise with a body double, the Holy Spirit convicted him to reject even the appearance of evil. He refused, and as a result, he lost his career, agency, and connections. However, he saw God’s plan in all of this, and realigned his career to reflect his faith. He became a pastor and then returned to film-making, this time with a focus on faith-based projects. To date he has appeared in over fifty movies and seven television shows, all with Christian themes. Arnett’s journey illustrates the importance of standing firm in one's convictions and using every platform, even in Hollywood, to shine the light of Christ.

As Israeli forces intensify their offensive centred on the Jabaliya refugee camp, over 400,000 civilians remain trapped in northern Gaza, according to the head of UNRWA. He expressed concerns about repeated evacuation orders and worsening humanitarian conditions, including hunger and the closure of key medical services. Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas has led to widespread displacement, with hospitals forced to close and critical aid deliveries disrupted. The USA has called on Israel to urgently address the ‘catastrophic conditions’ in Gaza. Journalists and civilians continue to be casualties of the violence. Humanitarian groups have condemned the forced displacements, describing northern Gaza as turning into a ‘lifeless desert’ while southern regions struggle to cope with the influx of displaced people. There have been more than 42,000 Palestinian casualties since October 2023.

On 9 October Hurricane Milton hit Florida’s west coast, bringing 120 mph winds and widespread destruction. At one point a Category 5 hurricane, the Category 3 storm weakened overnight to a Category 1 storm, but not before destroying over 125 homes and knocking out power for over three million residents. Tornadoes and heavy rain have also caused significant inland damage, with storm surges threatening coastal cities such as Tampa. Officials have warned of severe flooding along rivers and lakes as Milton continues to batter the state, with nearly 100,000 people sheltering in evacuation centres. Florida officials had issued urgent evacuation orders for nearly two million people, many of whom had not recovered from Hurricane Helene. Joe Biden, calling Milton one of the most destructive hurricanes in Florida's history, has urged residents to heed local warnings.