Displaying items by tag: Praise

Thursday, 25 January 2024 20:31

Street preachers' charter is planned

The Christian Institute is creating a charter aimed at fostering understanding between police and street preachers regarding freedom of speech. In recent years, arrests of street preachers have become more common, often on grounds of hate crimes or causing public disorder. The charter's purpose is to clarify the rights and restrictions of street preachers while evangelising. It will also emphasise the importance of adhering to Biblical teachings and sensibility, encouraging preachers to document their activities in case of complaints. The goal is to have this charter endorsed by the police as a common understanding between those sharing the Gospel on the street and law enforcement. The move comes after a recent case in which Police Scotland wrongfully arrested a street preacher, resulting in substantial damages being awarded to him. The Christian Institute defends such preachers, highlighting the need to challenge the notion that simply claiming offence equates to a legal violation. It aims to support street preachers who adhere to the law, and encourages freedom of expression within the bounds of legality.

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Jonathan Roumie, known for his portrayal of Jesus in 'The Chosen’, views his role as a divine mission, much like the characters in 'The Blues Brothers’. Speaking to CBN News, the New York City-born actor and devout Catholic expressed how he finds it humbling that his portrayal is a top Google image result for Jesus. The 49-year-old actor sees his work as a blend of ministry and entertainment, acknowledging God's guidance in his career. With over 500 million streams, 'The Chosen' has made his face recognisable as Jesus, a responsibility he embraces with humility and a sense of duty. As the fourth season of the series delves into the persecution of Jesus' disciples, Roumie emphasises the importance of being present, both in his portrayal and personal life. He aims to maintain this presence in interactions with fans, acknowledging the fine line between himself and the character he plays. Roumie's mission is to portray Jesus as a real figure of salvation and hope, a role he finds both humbling and profound in its impact.

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Angus Cameron, a Christian street preacher in Glasgow, Scotland, has won a substantial settlement after being wrongfully arrested for alleged 'homophobic language' in January 2022.  Police Scotland agreed to pay over £5,500 and £9,400 in legal fees, following a legal challenge by the Christian Institute, which represented Cameron. The incident began when Cameron was stopped by police, searched, handcuffed, and accused of a 'breach of the peace with homophobic aggravation’, a claim he firmly denied. Despite being released after an hour, a 'non-crime hate incident report' was filed against him, later leading to legal action for wrongful arrest, discrimination, and human rights breach. The Christian Institute revealed that the arrest lacked just cause, emphasising Cameron's peaceful preaching without targeting individuals or using offensive language. As a result, Police Scotland settled the case out-of-court, paying damages and legal costs, and removed the report from their records. This case highlights ongoing concerns about the rights of evangelical Christians to express religious views in Glasgow, referencing a similar case in 2022 involving Franklin Graham.

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Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, known for his recent baptism and embracing Christianity, heroically rescued a 17-year-old girl from a car accident in Tampa. Hogan, with a friend, witnessed the crash and immediately helped the teenager trapped in the flipped vehicle. His wife Sky recounted on Facebook how they punctured the car's airbag to free the girl. Hogan confirmed the girl was unharmed but shaken, describing the rescue as 'an absolute miracle.' He also shared on Twitter how he resourcefully used an Indian Rocks Christian ballpoint pen to puncture the airbag, thanking God for the positive outcome.

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A Kentucky high school student named Sophy Jones decided to address mental health issues and suicide concerns in her school by starting a TikTok-inspired prayer wall. She initiated this project to spread God's message and provide encouragement to her fellow students who were struggling. The prayer wall, adorned with Bible verses on sticky notes, has made a significant impact, offering comfort and support. Jones began this initiative last year, with the help of a friend, Evelyn Philpot, and they both belong to First Priority, a student-led Christian organisation at their school. Todd Lawson, the organisation's director, expressed pride in the girls' efforts, emphasising the importance of prayer and God's love in their lives. For Jones, prayer is a source of love and comfort, reminding her of God's significance in her life. The project has been embraced by the students, offering a sense of importance and support to those who need it most.

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Evangelist Nick Hall, founder of Pulse, a global evangelistic organisation, has embarked on a transformative mission to saturate North Dakota with biblical truth. In 2023, Hall witnessed a spiritual revival sweeping across America, with remarkable moments like the Asbury outpouring and mass baptisms. Hall perceives this as a reformation, where societal hopes have faltered, drawing people closer to God. He marvels at the unprecedented openness and hunger for the Gospel, particularly among the youth. Amid a cultural embrace of self-centred ideologies, Hall finds cause for celebration in the growing light of faith. He trains young evangelists nationwide through Pulse and recently concluded The Reason Tour in North Dakota. Hall's North Dakota roots drive his desire to reach every corner of the state, touching lives in recovery centres, nursing homes, and juvenile centres. The tour has already ignited positive transformations. His vision includes fostering unity, prayer, and a shift in the cultural narrative in North Dakota, reminding Christians of their ultimate hope in Christ amidst societal challenges.

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Thursday, 04 January 2024 21:51

'Local hero' saves mother and child from flood

Birmingham man Liam Stych emerged as a hero by rescuing a mother and her three-year-old daughter from a car submerged in floodwaters near Hall Green's bridge. The incident, highlighted by West Midlands police on social media, involved Stych tying the vehicle to the bridge to stop it from drifting away. He described to ITV News how he had to break the car's back window to save the child and then secure the car with ratchet straps from his van. Stych's pregnant partner, Tia Draper, assisted in keeping the child warm after the rescue. Stych, reflecting on his brave act, stated that he had no choice but to act in the moment and would do it again if needed. The police praised his actions, calling him a 'local hero'. The dramatic rescue underscores the quick thinking and bravery required in life-threatening situations.

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Scientists have made a breakthrough in antibiotic research with Zosurabalpin, a new drug effective against drug-resistant bacteria like Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (Crab). This discovery, significant in the fight against antibiotic resistance, has shown promising results in mouse models for pneumonia and sepsis and is now progressing to human trials. Crab, a critical pathogen identified by the World Health Organization, is notorious for its resistance to multiple antibiotics. Zosurabalpin, developed by Roche Pharma, is notable as the first new antibiotic for Gram-negative bacteria, known for their protective outer shells, in over fifty years. Research demonstrates that Zosurabalpin disrupts the bacterium's outer membrane, effectively killing it. This breakthrough offers new avenues for antibiotic development against similar bacteria. However, experts like Dr Andrew Edwards and Dr Michael Lobritz emphasise that this is not a complete solution to antimicrobial resistance. The UK's science committee suggests exploring bacteriophages as an alternative treatment, recommending a production facility at the Rosalind Franklin laboratory to facilitate clinical trials.

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Thursday, 21 December 2023 21:28

Blackpool 'giftmas' tree a treat for 200 children

The Half Way House pub in Blackpool has initiated a 'giftmas' tree project to provide Christmas presents for nearly 200 underprivileged children. Traditional decorations on the tree were replaced with tags indicating an anonymous child's age and gender. Patrons were encouraged to pick a tag and donate a suitable gift. This initiative led to over 185 children receiving gifts for Christmas. The landlords highlighted the importance of the project, acknowledging that many children might not receive gifts otherwise. The presents will be distributed through Blackpool's Children's Services. This initiative is significant in the UK, where around 4.2 million children live in poverty, and research suggests one in five might not receive a Christmas present. Following the success of this scheme, other pubs in the same chain are following suit. The chain’s marketing manager praised the initiative for demonstrating the pivotal role pubs play in their communities, ensuring that many children will have gifts to open this Christmas.

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Cambridge United Football Club, inspired by Baptist minister and fan Simon Cragg, has introduced an official club carol titled 'United at Christmas' to connect football enthusiasts with the teachings of Jesus. This unique carol was a highlight of a 1,000-person carol service at Abbey Stadium, attended by players, staff, and fans. It was also featured at halftime during the club’s FA Cup match against Fleetwood. The lyrics of 'United at Christmas' use football-related imagery to convey themes of love, hope, and peace, and include references to the club's nickname and historical Christian narratives. Club director Graham Daniels, a former player and head of Christians in Sport, noted the growing openness to faith in football. He credits past Christian footballers like Gavin Peacock and Cyril Regis for setting strong examples of faith in the sport, leading to a cultural shift where being a devout Christian and a professional footballer is respected.

Published in Praise Reports