Easter Message Impact: Reach Parents As Well As Teens

March 20, 2025

Learn how the Easter message can change the lives of parents as well as kids. Longtime youth minister Theresa Mazza explains how to conduct outreach with teens’ families at Easter.

The death and resurrection of Jesus is for every student and every parent. During Holy Week, we remind teens that Jesus was a living sacrifice with a vision and plan for each of us. To be loved and to love. To be known and to know. Because of Jesus’ great love, we are free. We are alive in Christ. The Easter message is that simple!

But hold on… What if the gospel, what if Easter, isn’t that simple for everyone? What if living out the gospel is difficult for some family members?

Reaching Parents With the Easter Message

This Holy Week, let’s consider how we support families who feel spiritually ill-equipped and inadequate. We can encourage them. God’s grace and mercy are enough. Parents don’t have to be perfect to be spiritual leaders and influencers. And they don’t have to be Bible scholars to live out the gospel.

The truth is, we’re all inadequate. God doesn’t call the equipped; he equips the called. Few parents are vulnerable enough to admit that fear of biblical illiteracy keeps them from having spiritual conversations with their kids. These moms and dads depend on our spiritual leadership to guide their kids while they take a back seat.

But students need parents to take the front seat. Moms and dads often lack confidence in their own relationship with God. We know that God has a track record of loving and working through imperfect people. Through his Holy Spirit, he will love and guide parents and their teens.

Reaching Parents and Families at Easter

How can we partner with the work of the Holy Spirit? What can we do to help parents move from the back seat to the front? Start with these three essentials:

1. Engage.

First off, engage with people beyond drop-off and pickup. Moms and dads have a much more important role to play than taxi driver. By engaging with them, we become partners in ministry. We can see their spiritual needs and offer support and encouragement. We must invest in parent relationships.

2. Encourage

Second, encouraging parents is as important as communicating with them. They need to know that their role is way more significant and influential than ours. When was the last time you told a parent they were doing a good job? When did you tell a parent their student loves them?

Parents need to know they’re not alone. They need to know we’re backing them up. Even if it means calling us at 2 a.m. for support.

NICC: The Flesh and Sanctification Explained

Josh Spurlock

March 20, 2025

In Christian counseling, the integration of spirituality and neuroscience provides a fascinating pathway to understanding and transforming the human experience. This article explores Neuroscience Informed Christian Counseling® (NICC), a unique therapeutic approach that blends biblical wisdom with cutting-edge psychological science.

We delve into the concepts of the “flesh” and “works of the flesh” from a biblical perspective, reinterpreted through the lens of NICC’s distinctive views on the Core Self and Constructed Self. Furthermore, we examine the transformative therapeutic process within NICC, which parallels the scriptural processes of sanctification—crucifying the flesh, renewing the mind, living by the Spirit, and putting on the new self.

This approach not only aligns psychological practice with spiritual growth but also leverages the mechanisms of the nervous system, designed by God, to facilitate profound personal and spiritual healing.

The Flesh

From a Neuroscience Informed Christian Counseling® (NICC) perspective, the concepts of the “flesh” and “works of the flesh” as discussed in the Bible can be understood within the broader framework of the Core Self and the Constructed Self, which are central to NICC.

In the Bible, particularly in Pauline epistles like Galatians 5:19-21, the “works of the flesh” are described as manifestations of a life led apart from the Spirit of God. These works include behaviors like sexual immorality, idolatry, enmity, jealousy, and others that are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit.

In NICC, this can be interpreted as the expression of the Constructed Self at Worst (s@w), which encompasses the maladaptive Internal Working Models (IWMs) formed from trauma, sin, or negative life experiences. These IWMs guide how individuals relate to themselves and the world in ways that are misaligned with both their Core Self and God’s design.

The Core Self in NICC is seen as the non-thought, non-verbal felt sense of being that exists from the earliest moments of life, influenced by the “DNA of the soul”—a unique spiritual blueprint endowed by God. This core is inherently aligned with qualities such as compassion, curiosity, calmness, and confidence, and it represents the God-given identity, reflecting the imago Dei, and potential within each individual.

When individuals operate out of the Constructed Self at Worst, they are essentially living out the “works of the flesh,” as these actions reflect a life led by unhealthy patterns and the painful experiences that have shaped them rather than the fruit of the Spirit. The role of NICC, then, is to help individuals transform these maladaptive IWMs towards the Self@Best, aligning more closely with the Core Self, thus fostering behaviors that reflect the fruit of the Spirit.

This transformation process involves recognizing and reworking these unhelpful patterns through a therapeutic context that integrates biblical truths and spiritual practices, promoting healing and growth that reflect both psychological health and spiritual maturity. This aligns with the scriptural admonition to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16), highlighting a life transformed by the renewing power of God’s Spirit working in and through us.

Sanctification

In Neuroscience Informed Christian Counseling® (NICC), the transformation from Self@Worst to Self@Best can be seen as a spiritual and psychological process of sanctification, where the mechanisms of the nervous system—designed by Jesus—play a crucial role. This transformation parallels biblical concepts such as “crucifying the flesh,” “renewing the mind,” “living by the Spirit,” and “putting on the new self,” as described by Paul in his letters (e.g., Galatians 5:24, Romans 12:2, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 4:24).

Crucifying the Flesh

In NICC, “crucifying the flesh” involves acknowledging and addressing the maladaptive behaviors and emotional patterns (works of the flesh) that arise from unhelpful Internal Working Models (IWMs). These IWMs are developed through sin, negative experiences, and traumas that drive us away from God’s design. The therapeutic process includes:

Identifying these patterns as they manifest in daily life and interpersonal relationships.
Engaging in therapeutic practices that help deconstruct these patterns, allowing for the painful emotions and false beliefs they engender to be processed and healed.
Using techniques such as Memory Reconsolidation, which involves activating old memories and introducing new, corrective emotional experiences within the context of a secure therapeutic relationship, effectively “rewriting” the emotional tone of these memories.

Critics Call Out Christian Leaders for Attending Oval Office Prayer Session With Paula White

Stephanie Martin

March 20, 2025

paula white — Screengrab from X / @Paula_White

After a group of conservative faith leaders prayed over President Donald Trump in the Oval Office Tuesday (March 19), some people criticized them for aligning themselves with Pastor Paula White, head of the White House Faith Office.

On Tuesday, the White House released a photo of Trump surrounded by praying faith leaders. Several are laying hands on the president, who’s seated behind his desk. Attendees included David Barton of WallBuilders, Gary Bauer of American Values, William Wolfe of the Center for Baptist Leadership, theologian Owen Strachan, and Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress.

The White House Faith Office and Faith Leaders from across the country joined President Trump to pray in the Oval Office. 🙏🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/aZnUwa9SXB

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 19, 2025

The National Faith Advisory Board shared that Alabama Pastor Travis Johnson “was one of our NFAB board members who prayed for the President in accordance to 1 Tim 2:1-4.” It added, “The White House faith office led by @Paula_White @JennySKorn [is] working daily for people of faith.”

On social media, an uproar ensued about male faith leaders associating with White, as well as with self-described Christian nationalists such as William Wolfe.

Critics Say Faith Leaders ‘Should Be Ashamed’

Paula White—senior pastor of City of Destiny Church in Apopka, Florida—is also Trump’s personal pastor. After Tuesday’s prayer session, the 58-year-old posted, “Such a GREAT DAY It’s an honor to serve @POTUS and people of faith!”

During the first Trump administration, White served as adviser for the president’s Faith and Opportunity Initiative. She’s been criticized for being a female pastor, for teaching the prosperity gospel, and for being on her third marriage.

After Tuesday’s prayer session and photo op, Arizona Pastor Gabriel Hughes posted, “Prayer led by Paula White? Never. Never, ever. Not without serious repentance, which would require her stepping down as a ‘pastor’ and rejecting her false prosperity theology.”

Oklahoma Pastor Nathaniel Jolly posted, “There is no circumstance that would get me to join in a prayer or any spiritual engagement led by Paula White. None. It would be indefensible as a faithful believer.”

On David Barton’s post about praying in the Oval Office, someone commented, “You should be ashamed to be standing with false prophet, deceiver, female pastor, Paula White.” Another asked, “What are Christian nationalists doing in the room with you David?”

John MacArthur’s Kidneys Are Failing, but He Doesn’t Believe ‘God Is Through With Me Yet’

Jesse T. Jackson

March 20, 2025

During an episode of “The MacArthur Center Podcast” released on March 4, John MacArthur shared that his kidneys are failing.

Titled “The Grace of Technology,” the podcast episode focused on how MacArthur, in both his ministry and health, has benefited from advancements in technology.

MacArthur celebrated 56 years as Grace Community Church’s (GCC) pastor-teacher in February, but due to his health, he was unable to preach more than half of 2024 and all of 2025 so far.

Describing his current physical condition, MacArthur said, “The truth is, I went 85 years and then went off a cliff.”

“I had the need for surgery on my veins to keep me alive. I had surgery on my lungs to keep me alive,” he explained. “I had a replacement—this is amazing—of the aortic valve with a procedure called TAVR to keep me alive.”

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an outpatient surgery that involves replacing the aortic valve without ever opening up a patient’s chest.

MacArthur Shares That Dialysis Is Keeping Him Alive

MacArthur shared that he is being kept “alive by stints,” “a cow valve,” and “dialysis.”

“This will be new to people,” he said. “My kidneys have essentially come down to the final stage.” MacArthur explained that “over the last two months, I’ve been in a long, elongated hospital setting, and I’ve come out of that and entered into the world of dialysis.”

“It keeps me alive,” he added. “Literally dialysis. I can sit in a chair and watch my blood go out and spin through this machine that does what a kidney does.” MacArthur shared that he has to undergo the treatment “three times a week” for “four hours.” MacArthur said that he “can’t live without it.”

MacArthur praised God for the body he was given. “It’s been through a lot. It’s been a lot of places, done a lot of things. It’s carried me in and out of virtually every part of the world,” he said. “It served me well to provide a voice for preaching and teaching. God used it in my marriage to produce four wonderful, godly children…grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.”

“But I also understand that the body is temporary, and I’m okay with that,” MacArthur acknowledged. “I’m at the point where I’m running out of the capability of this body. And I long for my body, which is from above, but I want to make sure I ring everything that this body can do. So I’m going through every procedure I can.”

Sexual Assault Charge Against Texas Pastor Ronnie Goines Dropped; Goines Still Faces Indecent Assault Charge

Dale Chamberlain

March 20, 2025

One of two assault charges against a Texas pastor has been dropped. Dr. Ronnie Goines of Koinonia Christian Church in Arlington still faces a charge of indecent assault.

Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of sex abuse, which some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.

The charges stem from allegations made by a woman with whom Goines allegedly had two encounters, which are said to have occurred in 2023. Goines was arrested in July 2024 and charged with indecent assault and sexual assault.

The charge of sexual assault has now been dropped.

An investigation into allegations against Goines began after “an adult woman made an outcry that was reported to the department” the month previous. The woman alleged that Goines had made unwanted sexual advances, trying to kiss and touch her and even pulling down her shirt.

After being charged, Goines was released on a $23,000 bond.

Although Koinonia Christian Church named James Ray Taylor as its interim pastor following Goines’ arrest, Taylor abruptly resigned in October, and Goines returned to his leadership role.

The alleged victim is also suing Goines for alleged sexual abuse, as well as Koinonia Christian Church for allegedly failing to take action against Goines following the assaults. She is seeking more than $1 million in damages.

In the lawsuit, the alleged victim claims that she began attending Koinonia Christian Church in 2022 and that at that time, Goines reassured her that the church was “a safe place.”

“Plaintiff was unaware that, while Goines was reassuring her that she was in a safe environment with trustworthy individuals, he was in fact grooming her and would eventually sexually victimize her,” the lawsuit reads.

The Peril of Success

Full Strength Network

March 20, 2025

Ah success…an oft-used word in our country. Many times, an oft-misunderstood word.

What happens when we get this “success thing” right? What happens when we get it wrong?

Twenty-eight years ago, I suffered through major depression. I was pastoring a growing church. We had been there four years, and that particular year was the best of our tenure. We had more people surrender to Jesus, get baptized, join the church than any year prior in our four years.

I was married to the beautiful love of my life, Laura (still married to her, thank you Jesus!). We had four healthy boys, a house with a pool. On the outside, life was outstanding. But on the inside, I was falling apart emotionally.

It’s strange isn’t it: In a season of tremendous growth and blessing, I found myself on the edge of suicide. How could that be? Well, I’ll explain in just a minute. Since that dark time of my life, I’ve never fallen as far into the emotional pit. But there have been three occasions where depression was knocking at my door. Interestingly enough, all three happened during stretches of significant growth and momentum in either my marketplace work or ministry work.

It begs the question, why? How can depression and anxiety threaten when so much good is happening in our life? On the surface, it doesn’t add up. But when you dig beneath the surface, it’s not hard to figure out why.

When those seasons of growth and momentum occurred, I made three critical errors:

Error 1: I allowed success to tempt me to take on more than I should

When we’re in a season of great momentum, a false sense of invincibility can overtake us. We think, “I can take on one more event, one more client, one more opportunity.” We end up allowing momentum to fool us, and all of a sudden, our work days get longer, our sleep gets shorter, and it doesn’t take long before the evil twins of anxiety and depression start knocking at our door. Exhaustion sets in, and our defenses get lowered. In those moments, we’re more susceptible to making poor choices…choices we would never make if we were rested.

Error 2: I allowed success to crowd out exercise and healthy eating

I do strength training four days per week and walk a minimum of 10,000 steps daily. When work success comes, it easier to cheat your body. “I’ve got no time to walk today, lift weights today, do cardio today, etc.” Because our schedule is out of control—due to growth in our work—we eat at odd times, are tempted to consume fast food, and eat ice cream to combat our elongated stress. Exercise and proper diet are garrisons against anxiety and depression. Scientific research proves time and again their positive impact on our mental/emotional wellbeing.

Error 3: I allowed success to put friendship on the back burner

Healthy friendships are a lifeline to us. In Genesis 2:18 God said about Adam: “It is not good for the man to be alone.” We were built for healthy, replenishing, life-giving relationships with God and other humans. Success, momentum, growth…all of these, if we’re not careful, can compete with our need to intentionally nurture those friendships we must have in order to thrive. If I have to lose at relationships in order to win at work …I’ve lost.

Success—though desirable—comes with hidden landmines. In times of growth and momentum, beware. You’ll be tempted to overcommit in terms of your work schedule, and under-commit in terms of caring for yourself.

Be sensible about what you say yes to. Care for your spirit, your body, and your mind/emotions. And cultivate those most important relationships God has blessed you with. That way, you can succeed with less peril.

This article originally appeared here.

Here’s a Look at the Various Legal Battles Faith Groups Are Fighting Against the Trump Administration

Jack Jenkins

March 20, 2025

Trump lawsuits — President Donald Trump waves to the media as he leaves the U.S. Capitol on March 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

WASHINGTON (RNS) — President Donald Trump remains locked in at least five major lawsuits filed by religious groups during the first two months of his new administration, showing tensions between the White House and the faith-based organizations challenging his agenda.

The latest chapter in the ongoing legal battles unfolded on Monday (March 17), when a legal report announced the federal government had paid Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Worth more than $47 million for refugee resettlement work — funds frozen since Trump halted the federal refugee program in January.

The case highlights a sustained faith-based pushback to Trump’s actions that began almost immediately after he took office. His efforts to reshape the federal government and dramatically alter immigration policy have been met with religious resistance almost every step of the way — including in the courts.

The payment in Texas was part of a broader outcry against Trump’s decision to effectively freeze the refugee program and, in turn, abruptly halt funds — including for work done before Trump became president — for the groups that partner with the government to resettle refugees once they’ve arrived in the United States.

According to The Dallas Morning News, the millions paid to Fort Worth’s Catholic Charities agency, which has overseen Texas’ refugee resettlement services since Gov. Greg Abbott pulled the state from the federal program in 2016, was part of a suit filed in early March against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which supplies some funds related to refugee resettlement.

In the lawsuit, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Worth demanded it be paid millions in withheld funds it typically distributes to various partner organizations in the state, alleging Trump’s funding freeze was unlawful and led to widespread layoffs.

The Texas result follows another legal victory for faith groups involved in a similar case, Pacito v. Trump, filed by national faith-based refugee resettlement agencies Church World Service and HIAS, alongside Lutheran Community Services Northwest and individual refugees and their families, against the Trump administration for suspending the refugee program. In late February, U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead, the federal judge overseeing the case in Seattle, blocked the president’s executive order halting the suspension of the refugee program.

However, the day after the ruling, the government sent out “termination orders” regarding federal contracts, also known as cooperative agreements, to all 10 refugee resettlement groups working with the government. The administration then argued in court that the organizations, seven of which are faith-based, no longer had standing to sue. The move resulted in a tense court hearing March 4, in which Whitehead questioned the timing of the termination orders.

Resettlement groups also argued they had yet to see evidence of the refugee program restarting to comply with the judge’s order, prompting Whitehead to order the government to produce a status report released last week. In it, federal authorities acknowledged a “significant deterioration of functions” of the refugee program.

In that same March 4 hearing, lawyers for the government suggested the abrupt contract cancellations were part of ongoing litigation in yet another case, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops v. U.S. Department of State, filed in Washington, D.C. Unlike Pacito v. Trump, the suit filed by the USCCB — which also partners with the federal government to resettle refugees — was narrower in scope: The bishops focused primarily on the government’s contracts with the USCCB in the U.S., alleging the government had violated the Administrative Procedure Act.

The USCCB’s request for a preliminary injunction was denied by a judge in early March, who argued the case should be resolved by the Court of Federal Claims. In response, the USCCB asked the D.C. Circuit appeals court to issue an emergency injunction — the only feasible way to recoup the withheld funds within a relevant timeline. The USCCB, like other resettlement agencies, offers refugees 90 days of assistance upon arrival into the U.S., but the Trump administration froze the program on Jan. 24, meaning the bishops have until April 23 to offer refugees still under their care any funds traditionally provided by the government.

The D.C. Circuit is expected to respond by the end of next week.

31 Creative Easter Service Ideas to Help Your Church Reach More People

Outreach Magazine

March 19, 2025

Looking for fresh inspiration for your church’s Easter services this year? These 31 creative Easter service ideas will help your church share the hope of the resurrection, engage your community, and make a lasting impact. From meaningful outreach events to unique worship experiences, discover practical ways to invite others and communicate the transformational message of the cross this Easter season.

BEFORE EASTER SUNDAY: INVITING YOUR COMMUNITY

1. Easter kindness.

Easter is often more inwardly focused than Christmas and Thanksgiving. This year, mark Easter weekend with a significant act of service to your community (restore hiking trails, host a dinner for the homeless and underprivileged, hold a blood drive, run a 10K for a local women’s shelter, etc.) and invite your community to join with your church.

2. Easter signs.

In cities where increasing restrictions are affecting public signage, creative churches are using silk-screened, corrugated plastic yard signs. Planted on church members’ front lawns, the signs invite neighbors to Easter services and church outreach events.

3. One card. One guest.

Hand out printed invitations to Easter services to all of your regular attendees. Ask them to pray for one person God is leading them to invite. Members either mail or hand-deliver the invitations to those people they’ve been praying for.

4. Palm Sunday reflection.

The Sunday before your Easter service, invite your community to join you for a meaningful time of spiritual reflection. Consider creating sacred spaces that guide people through the events leading up to the cross. It helps prepare people mentally, emotionally and spiritually for the Holy Week. You may want to borrow from the liturgy of other churches to help create the sacred environment.

5. Email Easter Sunday invitations.

In addition to direct mail, signage, fliers and other materials, promote your Easter service with an e-card that can easily be forwarded along with a personal note from your members.

6. Spring cleanup.

The week before Easter Sunday, host a huge, community-wide garage sale to benefit a local charity or cause. Offer a tax receipt to any donors and even offer to pick up larger items. Make it a fun community event by providing food, music and fliers promoting your church’s Easter program activities.

7. Egg-vitations.

The Sunday before your Easter service, give children 10 plastic eggs with candy and an invitation for their friends and families to attend the Easter service. It is great to see children involved as inviters.

8. Last Supper re-enactment.

Attract art appreciators to a Maundy Thursday drama of the scene, using Scripture as a script and DaVinci’s painting for costume and backdrop inspiration.

9. Artists at the Foot of the Cross gallery.

Turn a multipurpose room into a gallery of crucifixion art, poetry and music created by people of all ages. Invite the community to participate.

10. Easter Parade to go.

Contact a local senior center or assisted living community and asked if your church may bring residents a nostalgic evening of the Irving Berlin classic film, popcorn and lemonade.

11. Messiah Live!

Host an evening of live orchestra presenting Handel’s oratorio. Engage your city’s orchestra for a special Easter program.

12. Free car wash.

Organize a car wash free of charge with no strings attached. Just leave a small Easter card with your church’s Easter Sunday activities in each vehicle.

Gwen Stefani Takes Criticism for Praising Jonathan Roumie’s Interview With Tucker Carlson

Jessica Lea

March 19, 2025

Gwen Stefani is not letting criticism from some of her fans deter her from expressing her appreciation for Jonathan Roumie of “The Chosen” or for Christianity. Stefani recently got pushback from some of her followers after her enthusiastic response to an interview Roumie did with Tucker Carlson.

“Wow @JonathanRoumie u r a powerful inspirational human…what an enlightening intelligent beautiful interview thank you for being u,” Stefani posted on X March 6.

@gwenstefani 🙏🏽♥️ It was an unexpectedly insightful and rich conversation. ☺️ So grateful for you! 🙌🏽

— Jonathan (@JonathanRoumie) March 14, 2025

Roumie replied, “It was an unexpectedly insightful and rich conversation. So grateful for you!”

Gwen Stefani Takes More Criticism

Gwen Stefani is a Grammy Award-winning and -nominated artist who rose to fame as the lead singer of No Doubt, which achieved mainstream success with the band’s third album, “Tragic Kingdom.” Stefani recently released the new single, “Still Gonna Love You.”

Stefani met her now-husband Blake Shelton while both were coaches on “The Voice.” Shelton has credited Stefani with encouraging him to go to church for the first time. Stefani was raised Catholic and has said that her faith in God helped her to get through her divorce and be open to finding love again.

“For me it was a spiritual intervention,” she said. “It was a true miracle. I think the only way I got through all the hard times is just my spiritual faith and my belief in God, because I’ve just seen the miracles around me.”

Both Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton have publicly voiced praise for the popular series, “The Chosen,” which is based on the life of Jesus and stars Jonathan Roumie as Jesus. The first two episodes of Season 5 of the show will release in theaters on March 28.

In May 2024, Shelton praised “The Chosen” on X, saying he had just finished Season 3, “and I absolutely love it.” Stefani replied that she was “obsessed” and couldn’t wait to watch Season 4.

During the Christmas holiday season, Stefani partnered with Catholic prayer and meditation app Hallow for its Pray25 Advent challenge, which also featured Roumie, as well as Lauren Daigle, Bear Grylls, Kevin James, and Francis Chan. Stefani took criticism for that decision at the time, with one follower saying, “While I respect anyone’s personal choices, this is definitely a new direction and seems, well, disingenuous.”

Longtime Pastor Arrested for Child Molestation Tried To Blame 5-Year-Old Victim

Stephanie Martin

March 19, 2025

Former Indiana Pastor Rodger Daily Strong, who led Orland Church of the Nazarene for four decades, was arrested Monday (March 17) for allegedly molesting a 5-year-old girl last year. Strong faces five counts of child molestation; three are Level 1 felonies, and two are Level 4 felonies. If convicted on all counts, he could be sentenced to more than 170 years in prison.

Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of child sex abuse, which some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.

Court documents indicate that the alleged offenses occurred between January and May 2024. Police questioned Strong on March 7, 2025, two days after the victim’s parents contacted authorities about suspected abuse. During that interview, the 69-year-old pastor told police he planned to announce his retirement on March 9 and lead his final church service on March 16.

Pastor Tim Kellerman, district superintendent of the Northeast Indiana District of the Church of the Nazarene, told ChurchLeaders he terminated Strong on March 6. Then on March 9, the small congregation decided to close Orland Church of the Nazarene.

Touching Was Accidental, Indiana Pastor Told Parents of Alleged Victim

The court filing indicates that the alleged victim, now 6, recently began displaying concerning behavior. When her parents confronted Strong about it—and recorded that conversation—he said he accidentally touched their daughter, who was to blame for the incidents. The girl’s mother, according to a probable cause affidavit, told Strong, “You don’t unintentionally touch a kid’s vagina.”

When the pastor indicated he should have told the parents what had happened, he said “he did not want [the girl] to get into trouble twice,” the affidavit stated. The girl’s mother pushed back, saying it sounded like Strong was “blaming their daughter for something he did.”

Then, according to the filing in Steuben Superior Court, Strong told the parents, “If you want me to say I did, then I did it. It was not intentional.”

When police interviewed Strong, he said the alleged victim was lying. In the charging document, Indiana State Police Detective Matthew Teusch wrote, “I explained to [Strong] that kids can tell lies, but nothing like one with great detail like this. I advised him kids do not make up big lies like this and could never have kept the details straight over this long period of time.”

After Teusch referenced Strong’s faith, the pastor admitted he had touched the girl five times, including three incidents of vaginal penetration. As the interview concluded, Strong “advises me that he really is not a bad person,” Teusch. “I told him that I don’t think he is a bad person, but he is one that has made some bad mistakes. He agreed and stated that he will probably serve 20 years for it.”

Blake Shelton Pleads With God To ‘Let Him in Anyway’ in New Single

Janna Firestone

March 19, 2025

Award-winning country music artist Blake Shelton gave the public a taste of his upcoming album, “For Recreational Use Only,” with a pre-released single, “Let Him in Anyway.” The “emotionally gripping ballad” captures the raw emotion of a man standing at his friend’s funeral.

“I’ve never heard a song like this before,” said Shelton in a press release.

‘The Only Way To Get In’ Heaven ‘Is Through You,’ Says New Blake Shelton Single

Fans have waited four years for a new album from Shelton, and he agrees that “it’s been a long time.” Shelton recently announced a new album and a single, “Let Him In Anyway,” available now.

Shelton’s wife, Gwen Stefani, joins him for the song, “Hangin’ On,” on the new album. The duo wed in 2021 and enjoy spending time with one another. The couple has mentioned how “obsessed” they are with watching “The Chosen.”

“Just finished season 3 of The Chosen and I absolutely love it,” said Shelton of the show. “No question in my mind why it’s a world wide phenomenon.”

Shelton recently changed music labels, leaving a 20-year relationship with Warner Music Nashville for BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, according to Country Music Nation. BBR Music Group also works with Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll.

“One of country music’s most compelling voices” offered a “powerful preview” of his new album. “For Recreational Use Only” releases May 9, and his pre-released single offers a taste of the album.

One of 12 songs on the album, “Let Him In Anyway” is an “emotionally gripping ballad” that tells about “a man hoping for divine forgiveness for a lost friend who was just shy of redemption.” The lyrics read in part:

Hey, God
I know you know what I’m ’bout to pray, God
I just had to suck it up and say goodbye to my best friend
And I don’t ever wanna never see him again
And I know the only way to get in is through you
And he wasn’t quite the Christian he was supposed to be
And Lord, it ain’t my place
But could you let him in anyway?

I can’t imagine thе day
On my heart’s last beat
When I walk through thosе gates
And he ain’t waitin’ on me
All I needed was a little more time, I swear
I was so dang close, it ain’t fair

The song “is one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever had the chance to record,” Shelton said. “Hardy is a co-writer and a friend, and I’ve never heard a song like this before.”

“When I first listened to it, I knew it was something special,” said Shelton. “It’s an honor to bring it to life, and I’m incredibly proud of the record we made.”

Indianapolis Church Vandalized With Graffiti Containing Obscene Language, Demonic References

Dale Chamberlain

March 19, 2025

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church — Screengrabs via WTHR

Indianapolis Police are asking for the community’s help to identify suspects after a church in the Haughville neighborhood was struck by vandals on Tuesday night. The building of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, as well as the church’s bus, were spray-painted with obscene messages.

The words “F*** the lord” were spray-painted onto a brick wall of the church’s building, and “die, die, die” was painted on the concrete. On another wall are painted the words “the devil rules.”

On the church’s bus, “666” is scrawled several times, along with the same messages that appear on the building.

Ronald Covington, pastor of the church, told FOX59 that while graffiti has recently been a problem in the area, “when it goes to the church, it’s on a different level.”

“It’s a level of disrespect. It’s dishonoring God and his house,” said Covington. “This is the Lord’s house. We’re tired of it, we’re saddened by it—this evil. Acts of evil, that’s basically what it is.”

Covington said that he and other local pastors have had meetings to discuss Haughville’s graffiti problem, saying, “We’ve just been meeting with some of the pastors in the city. We just talked about this—this graffiti in our community.”

Nevertheless, Covington expressed faith in his community. And churchgoers and other local residents have already begun to power wash the graffiti off the church’s property.

“You know, Haughville strong. It talks about community and how we support each other,” he said. “I think it’s just a positive thing when we have even pastors leave their churches and come over here to support us over here.”

6 Characteristics of a Strong Evangelist According to the Bible

Staff

March 19, 2025

Spreading the Gospel is at the heart of Christian ministry, and evangelists play a crucial role in sharing the message of Jesus Christ. The scripture provides guidance on what makes a strong evangelist, highlighting key qualities that enable them to effectively reach others. Whether preaching to large crowds or engaging in one-on-one conversations, a characteristics of an evangelist embody faith, dedication, and love for God and people.

Characteristics of an Evangelist in the Bible

The Bible is filled with examples of individuals who boldly proclaimed the Gospel. From the apostles to early Christian leaders, these evangelists shared common qualities that allowed them to spread the message of Christ effectively. Below are six characteristics of an evangelist according to Scripture.

1. A Deep and Personal Relationship with Christ

First among the characteristics of an evangelist is that a strong evangelist must first have a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Before leading others to faith, they must be rooted in their own spiritual walk. Jesus emphasized the importance of remaining connected to Him in John 15:5, saying, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Evangelists must nurture their faith through prayer, studying Scripture, and living in obedience to God’s commands.

RELATED: 7 Ways to Share the Gospel

2. A Passion for the Gospel

Passion is a driving force behind effective evangelism. Those who truly understand the power of the Gospel cannot help but share it. Paul exemplified this zeal in Romans 1:16 when he declared, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” A strong evangelist speaks with enthusiasm and conviction, making the message of salvation compelling and life-changing.

3. Boldness and Courage

Evangelism often requires stepping outside of one’s comfort zone. The early disciples faced opposition, persecution, and even imprisonment, yet they remained steadfast in their mission. Acts 4:29 records a prayer of the early believers: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” A strong evangelist does not fear rejection or criticism but trusts in God’s strength to proclaim His truth with confidence.

Three more characteristics of an evangelist on Page Two . . .

18 Must-Have Resources for Pastors To Grow Their Ministries

Staff

March 19, 2025

Pastors seeking to expand and enrich their ministries have access to a wealth of resources designed to support various aspects of church leadership, spiritual growth, and community engagement. Below is a curated list of 18 essential resources for pastors in their mission to nurture and grow their congregations.

Comprehensive Resources for Pastors

1. Barna Access Plus

Barna Access Plus allows you to strengthen your message, train your team and grow your church with cultural insights and practical resources, all in one place.

2. Gloo+

Gloo+ is the ultimate membership designed to empower churches to foster deeper connections, simplify communication, and amplify their impact. With Gloo+, you can reach people in your community, follow up with visitors, coordinate volunteers, and streamline communication like never before.

3. Church.Tech

Church.Tech offers time-saving tools for sermon prep, discipleship strategy, small group tools, church communication and more. This resource is built to help church staff
spend less time with technology and more time with people.

4. SermonCentral.com

Prepare Exceptional Sermons — organize your 2025 preaching calendar with biblical sermon series kits from SermonCentral, where you can find clear, flexible preaching plans for Sunday sermons.

5. Carey Nieuwhof

Carey Nieuwhof helps leaders unlock their churches’ potential and their own potential. Rather than settling for an impact smaller than you are called to make, you’ll be able to lead confidently into a future filled with growth—for yourself, your church, and your mission.

6. VisitorReach

VisitorReach empowers church leaders to grow their churches by connecting with more visitors through personalized outreach, SMS engagement, and digital strategies.

7. Faith Assistant

Faith Assistant delivers trusted, biblically grounded answers, prayer support, and personalized guidance, all designed to reflect your values and serve your community—24/7.

8. Grace Seminary’s Resource Compilation

Grace Theological Seminary provides an array of resources for pastors aimed at effective ministry. The collection includes theological articles, leadership development tools, and practical guides tailored for pastoral ministries.

9. North American Mission Board (NAMB) Pastor Resources

NAMB offers tools to encourage and equip pastors both personally and pastorally. Resources include eBooks, podcasts, and information about events, all curated to support church leaders in their growth and ministry efforts.

10. Life.Church Open Network

Life.Church’s Open Network provides over 100,000 free resources, including sermon notes, kids’ lessons, and worship materials. This extensive library empowers pastors to lead and grow their churches effectively.

More Resources for pastors on Page Two . . .

5 Worship Leading Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Congregation

Kristen Gilles

March 19, 2025

It’s easy to falling in the habit of weekly ritual, especially for worship leaders. Whether you’ve been leading worship for ten weeks or ten years, why not take a moment to review these worship leading mistakes to see if there isn’t room for improvement in your ministry?

5 Worship Leading Mistakes

1. Being practically unprepared to lead
This one is pretty simple: Know your music, lyrics and chords, and know it well. And have your music clearly marked with any key changes, etc. If you don’t have it memorized, make sure you have your music organized and easy-to-read in front of you while you’re leading. If you’re fumbling through your chords and lines while leading, your congregation is surely going to be distracted. This will be a hindrance to them in focusing their individual and corporate attention on our God who is most worthy of praise. Avoid drawing any unhelpful attention to yourself. Which brings me to number 2…

2. Drawing attention to yourself by dressing inappropriately
In this regard, it’s not necessarily best to let your conscience be your guide. My former worship pastor, Mike Cosper, encouraged our team along these lines:

“As worship leaders, you’re a representative face for the church. Your particular visibility communicates a lot about the church and the community. We don’t want to lay out any weird expectations, but we want to make sure that we send the right message visually. “Dressing down” can say that we don’t care about putting our best face forward, and “dressing up” can say, “LOOK AT ME!” What we want to do is dress in such a way that:

Communicates to the church, “We’re glad you’re here.”
Honors men and women.
Doesn’t distract from the gospel message of the songs and texts.”

3. Acting like a rock star
It’s not helpful to anyone in the congregation for you to be giving your best rock performance during gathered worship times. Save that sort of showmanship for other arenas and stages. We serve our people best when we point them to Christ, and not to ourselves. We are not to be performers seeking our own fame and glory. We are servants, the redeemed of the Lord, seeking to glorify and make much of Christ who saved us.

Easter Is Not About the Bunny: Perspective From a Children’s Minister

Vanessa Myers

March 18, 2025

As Christians, we know that Easter is not about the bunny. It’s about the Lamb…Jesus, the Lamb of God. What’s your take on the Easter Bunny and kids?

I’ll admit: I’m not a fan of the Easter Bunny. As a Children’s Ministry Director, I don’t bring the Easter bunny into any kidmin event our church offers. That’s because Easter is not about the bunny.

I just don’t believe my job is to teach kids at church about a fake bunny. Nor is it to decorate halls with cute Easter bunnies (or chicks, for that matter). I can’t bring myself to do it.

Recently, a friend texted to say she saw a sign that reminded her of my dislike for the Easter bunny. It said, “Silly rabbit…Easter is for Jesus!” I love that! Maybe I need to get one to display at church.

Easter Is Not About the Bunny

I believe in teaching my own kids and the kids at church about the true meaning of Easter. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose to life again. Easter isn’t about a cute bunny hopping into our houses to leave baskets of candy. It’s about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

So if Easter is not about the bunny, where did that creature come from? I looked up the Easter Bunny’s origin, just to make sure it didn’t have religious meaning. It doesn’t. None! Every website I visited said it’s folklore.

The legend dates to 15th-century Germany. Much as with Santa, kids left out carrots hoping the Easter bunny would replace them with candy. The Easter Bunny has no religious meaning. Easter is not about the bunny!

Every year our church holds a family Easter event. It always includes an egg hunt and fun activities for kids. One year, I decided not to stuff the eggs. Not just for the ease (though that was a bonus). I wanted kids to search for eggs with no candy inside. That way, they could connect it with Jesus’ empty tomb.

I was worried some children would cry. But I was pleasantly surprised, because no one complained. When I asked what the empty egg might represent, kids knew it was the empty tomb!

I did tell kids they could trade in their eggs at the Resurrection station for candy, though. And they were very excited about that.

KidMin Stations for Holy Week and Easter

After the egg hunt, families rotated to five stations: Palm Sunday, The Last Supper, Garden of Gethsemane, Good Friday, and the Resurrection. At each station, families read a card together and then did an activity. For Palm Sunday, they decorated palms and waved them, shouting, “Hosanna!” At the Last Supper station, they ate bread and washed each other’s feet.

Easter Lessons for Youth: Putting the Resurrection on Trial

Youth Ministrycom

March 18, 2025

Easter lessons for youth teach the joyful news of Resurrection. That’s the most important knowledge you can share. So let’s make sure all teens in our youth ministry programs are rock-solid about Easter truth. Use Easter lessons for youth to teach and reinforce the good news that Jesus is alive.

Maybe you’ve heard about young Sunday school students confusing their holidays. One said, “Easter is when Jesus died and went in a tomb for three days. … Then everybody gathers to see if Jesus comes out. If he sees his shadow, he has to go back inside. And we have six more weeks of winter!”

Some ideas about Easter are even stranger. A few blogs describe it as “the day Christians celebrate the idea that a dead Jewish preacher came back as a zombie.”

Or we could go with conspiracy theories. Maybe Jesus was a great guy and all, but when you’re dead, you’re, well, dead. Should we file away this Resurrection talk with belief in the Tooth Fairy and Santa?

What is the Resurrection to you and your students? Why does teaching Easter lessons for youth matter? Is it ridiculous to think an actual history-changing event occurred 2,000 years ago?

Easter Lessons for Youth: Some Perspective

From a logical and scientific angle, it seems impossible to return from the grave. But consider a historical angle. If overwhelming evidence exists that Jesus arose, then a logical and scientific explanation also must exist.

Most importantly, Jesus claims to be the only way to heaven. So what we decide about his existence must be our priority.

For intriguing, life-changing Easter lessons, teach the Resurrection to teens. Then you decide what most likely happened on that bright morning at Jesus’ gravesite.

First, let’s hear opening remarks from bestselling author Lee Strobel:

“If we were to call to the witness stand every witness who personally encountered the resurrected Jesus and we cross-examined them for only 15 minutes, and if we went around the clock without a break…we would be listening to first-hand testimony for more than 128 hours… That’s over 5 days’ worth of testimony… Who could possibly walk away unconvinced?”¹

Perhaps you remain unconvinced… So keep reading for factual evidence.

US Congress Moves To Sanction Nigeria Over Rising Christian Persecution

International Christian Concern

March 18, 2025

sanction Nigeria — Pete unseth, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa has approved measures urging President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Nigeria due to the widespread persecution of Christians, following a congressional hearing on March 12.

Lawmakers condemned the Nigerian government for its failure to protect Christian communities from escalating violence, citing alarming data from multiple human rights organizations. A 2024 report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa revealed that Nigeria accounted for 90% of all Christians killed globally each year. The report documented that between October 2019 and September 2023, at least 55,910 people were killed, and 21,000 others were abducted by terrorist groups operating in the country.

During the hearing, Committee Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ) emphasized the severity of the crisis, referencing firsthand testimony from Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria.

“Militant Fulani herdsmen are terrorists. They steal and vandalize, they kill and boast about it, they kidnap and rape, and they enjoy total impunity from elected officials,” Smith stated. “None of them have been arrested or brought to justice.”

Nigeria has consistently ranked among the deadliest countries for Christians, according to various organizations tracking global religious persecution.

International Christian Concern (ICC) reported that in 2023 alone, thousands of Christians were killed in Nigeria, with entire villages burned down by extremist groups.

“Terrorism, violent militancy, and local unrest continue to rock Nigeria’s many fragile Christian communities,” an ICC staffer said in ICC’s 2025 Global Persecution Index.

Islamic terror groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are killing Christians in the northeast, while Islamic Fulani militants regularly kill Christians throughout the north. Fulani militants have killed more Christians than Boko Haram in Plateau, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, and Southern Kaduna states.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has also warned that Nigeria’s security forces have failed to curb the violence and that in some cases, local officials have been complicit.

Lawmakers at the hearing expressed serious concerns about the Nigerian government’s failure to act, despite constitutional protections for religious freedom. The subcommittee’s report criticized Nigerian authorities for allowing extremist groups to operate with near-total impunity.

Jonathan Roumie Talks to Jimmy Fallon About Interning on ‘SNL,’ Voicing ‘Celebrity Deathmatch,’ and the Origins of ‘The Chosen’

Jessica Lea

March 18, 2025

Before he starred as Jesus in “The Chosen,” Jonathan Roumie’s career in the entertainment industry included interning at “Saturday Night Live” (SNL)—where he met Chris Farley—and voicing “Celebrity Deathmatch.” Roumie made his first appearance on “The Tonight Show” Tuesday (March 17), where he talked to host Jimmy Fallon about the unexpected success of “The Chosen.”

“Thirty years ago, I was an intern for ‘Saturday Night Live,’” Roumie told Fallon. During that time, Roumie had worked in the very same building that he and Fallon were currently in.

Now, Roumie said, “I’m a guest with you, who was on ‘Saturday Night Live.’ So it’s really, it’s a crazy full circle.”

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A post shared by The Tonight Show (@fallontonight)

Jimmy Fallon Asks Jonathan Roumie About ‘The Chosen’

Jonathan Roumie pursued acting for years before finding success in “The Chosen,” a historical drama based on the life of Jesus Christ. The series, which is created, co-written and directed by Dallas Jenkins, is unique in that it got its start through being crowdfunded and is now a global phenomenon.

Roumie told Fallon he interned on “SNL,” working in the research department, during Will Ferrell’s first season. When Fallon asked if any memories of “SNL” hosts stuck out to him, Roumie answered, “One of the things I do remember is seeing Chris Farley come back to visit” after Farley’s tenure on the show had ended.

Everyone on staff lined up to greet Farley and “it was clear that he was beloved by everybody,” Roumie said. Roumie decided to take the opportunity to meet the famous actor and comedian—who was not sure who Roumie was, but greeted him warmly anyway.

Fallon mentioned that Roumie also voiced MTV’s “Celebrity Deathmatch.”

“For those who don’t know,” Roumie said, the show featured “clay animated celebrities [fighting] each other to the death in the most ridiculous ways, and they needed people to sound like the celebrities. And so I wrote a letter to the casting director and said, ‘Hey, I do impressions. Could I audition?’”

As Ceasefire Proposal Looms, Franklin Graham Urges Zelenskyy To Call for Day of Prayer

Stephanie Martin

March 18, 2025

franklin graham — L: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. President Of Ukraine from Україна, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. R: Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham. Cornstalker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire in his country’s war with Russia, the leader spoke to Franklin Graham about efforts to obtain “a just and lasting peace.” Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, shared on March 14 that he urged Zelenskyy “to call for a national day of prayer at this critical time.”

In a social media post recapping last Friday’s phone call, Graham added, “I would encourage this not only for the people of Ukraine, but also for the people of Russia and around the world—that the church of Jesus Christ stand together in prayer for peace.”

“So many lives have been lost,” he said. “President @realDonaldTrump is right—this war must end. We need God’s help.”

Today I spoke with Ukraine’s President @ZelenskyyUa. I urged him to call for a national day of prayer at this critical time. I would encourage this not only for the people of Ukraine, but also for the people of Russia and around the world—that the church of Jesus Christ stand…

— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) March 14, 2025

Ukrainian President: ‘We Value Franklin Graham’s Voice’

Zelenskyy also posted about the conversation, thanking Graham “for his support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, humanitarian aid, and the important guidance” during the three-year conflict. Zelenskyy said the two men talked about the March 10 meeting in Saudi Arabia between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations.

“Our state seeks peace more than anyone,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media, “which is why Ukraine accepts the United States’ proposal for an unconditional 30-day full interim ceasefire.” Although the Ukrainian leader called that “a good step to save people,” he warned that “Russia is looking for various excuses to avoid ending the war.”

Zelenskyy concluded, “We value Franklin Graham’s voice and rely on his support. Thank you for your prayers for Ukraine and peace.”

Days later, on March 17, Zelenskyy expressed impatience with the lack of progress on the ceasefire. “It’s clear to everyone in the world,” he wrote, “that it is [Russian President Vladimir] Putin who continues to drag out this war.”

The proposal could have been implemented “long ago,” Zelenskyy posted, adding that people are dying daily. “The unconditional ceasefire proposal is essentially about saving lives, allowing diplomats to work on ensuring security and a lasting peace—the proposal that Russia is ignoring,” he stated. “Pressure is needed to finally make Moscow accept that their war must be brought to an end.”

Trump and Putin Discuss Ukraine War

Zelenskyy issued that plea ahead of the Tuesday (March 18) phone call between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. The two leaders were expected to discuss topics such as territorial concessions by Ukraine and control of a Russian-occupied nuclear power plant in Ukraine.