Carl Lentz Praises Wife, Laura, During Her Birthday Week, Thanks Her for Not Leaving Him

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October 18, 2023

Former Hillsong Church pastor Carl Lentz praised his wife’s (Laura) resilience and expressed gratitude that she did not leave him when his infidelity came to light. In an Instagram post celebrating Laura’s 45th birthday week, Lentz said his wife has faced the suffering of the past several years with grace.

“To watch my wife weather these storms of life the past few years has been inspiring,” said Lentz. “It would have been so easy and understandable for her to have walked out and ended our marriage. Yet she chose the harder road. The one that has included so much pain as she has had to endure the consequences of my decisions.”

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A post shared by Carl Lentz (@carllentz)

Carl Lentz: Laura’s ‘Strength Has Not Wavered’

Hillsong Church is a global megachurch based in Sydney, Australia. On Nov. 4, 2020, Hillsong East Coast (which has campuses in New York City, Boston, and New Jersey), announced it had fired its pastor, Carl Lentz, for “leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures.”

The next day, Lentz admitted that he had been unfaithful to his wife. “This failure is on me, and me alone and I take full responsibility for my actions,” he said. It later came to light that Lentz had an affair with Brooklyn jewelry designer Ranin Karim.

In December 2020, People magazine reported that Lentz was being treated for depression, anxiety, and pastoral burnout. His firing is one scandal among numerous others that Hillsong has faced throughout the past few years. Other high-profile church leaders have resigned amid controversy, not least of which was global senior pastor Brian Houston. In August 2022, a former employee filed a lawsuit against Hillsong, claiming the church was guilty of financial impropriety.

In May 2021, the Lentzes’ former nanny, Leona Kimes, alleged that Lentz had sexually abused her during the seven years she worked for the couple. The couple deny that any abuse occurred and have instead framed Lentz and Kimes’ interactions as another affair.

Several exposés about Hillsong Church have been released, including “Breaking Hillsong,” “Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed,” and “Secrets of Hillsong.” Both Laura and Carl Lentz appear in the latter docuseries.

In March, it was revealed that Pastor Mike Todd’s Transformation Church had hired Lentz, who later clarified that, despite being on staff at the church, he is no longer in ministry.

In his Instagram post, Lentz described his wife as “the heartbeat of our church” and “a steady and consistent friend for anybody who’s ever leaned on her.” Laura “was and is above reproach throughout every aspect of her life,” said Lentz, who denied that his wife was “complicit” or knew anything about his destructive choices.

Alex Harris: ‘Shiny Happy People’ Is Flawed but Serves the Church

By

Jessica Lea

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October 18, 2023

The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast · Alex Harris: ‘Shiny Happy People’ Is Flawed but Serves the Church

Alex Harris is an attorney and author who with his twin brother, Brett, as teenagers created TheRebelution.com and wrote “Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations.” A graduate of Harvard Law School, Alex worked as a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Anthony Kennedy and was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 for law and policy.

Other Ways To Listen to This Podcast With Alex Harris

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Key Questions for Alex Harris

-What was the Joshua Generation, and what was your involvement in it?

-Why do you think so many Christians were attracted to Bill Gothard’s version of the Christian life?

-What’s the difference between Christians pursuing power over Jesus and Christians seeking to influence culture for God?

-How can pastors and church leaders help people take a biblically faithful path toward cultural influence?

Key Quotes From Alex Harris

“I do think that the Joshua Generation idea and story is an important one. It’s why I originally agreed to be part of the ‘Shiny Happy People’ documentary.”

“[The concept of the Joshua Generation] was a bigger kind of spiritual, religious analogy that was really, you know, pushed by a lot of Christian homeschool leaders that inspired the launch of a lot of institutions…that were designed to be a place for Christian homeschool graduates to be trained and sent out to lead the nation and shape the culture.”

“As Christians, we are called to be salt and light. We are called to seek the welfare of our communities, to be engaged and active in society, and that includes politics. But there was, I think, a deeper part of that which I think was unhealthy.”

“My vision of what it meant to be a faithful Christian was to achieve earthly power and my vision of what it meant for Christianity to be in a healthy place in America was when we have political power and favor and influence. And that, I think, is at best a distortion and at worst a complete idol.”

‘The Chosen’ Convention Brings Thousands to Dallas, Announces Theater Rollout for Season 4

By

BeLynn Hollers

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October 18, 2023

The Chosen Con — The Chosen Insiders Conference was held to join fans with cast and crew members of the series, Oct. 14-15, 2023, in Dallas. Photo courtesy of BeLynn Hollers

DALLAS (RNS) — Over 3,500 fans attended The Chosen Insiders Conference in Dallas over the weekend to celebrate “The Chosen,” the popular film series about the life of Jesus and his followers in first-century Israel under Roman oppression.

“ChosenCon,” a two-day conference, gathered fans from around the world, some as far as Australia and South Korea, to meet with the cast and crew, including actor Jonathan Roumie, who stars as Jesus.

“It was overwhelming and beautiful to see over three thousand people in one room cheering and laughing and celebrating our show. But even better were the countless stories of impact viewers were able to tell us personally,” Dallas Jenkins, the show’s creator, told Religion News Service in a statement after the conference.

Thomas Mathew Rodre, 72, from Brick, New Jersey, said he came to the conference because he had a spiritual conversion after he watched the first episode eight months ago.

“This scene, where Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus, redeemed Mary Magdalene, had such a spiritual impact on me. I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior right then and there and became born again,” Rodre said.

Rodre gives credit to Jenkins for following God in choosing to make “The Chosen.”

“Jesus is using ‘The Chosen’ as an instrument through Dallas Jenkins — and his acceptance of the role and responsibility — to reach millions of people to bring the good news to millions of people worldwide. And it’s having that effect,” Rodre said.

Sunday night (Oct. 15), Jenkins announced to attendees that the show’s fourth season will be released exclusively in theaters, starting in February. After the full-season run in theaters concludes, the show will debut across streaming platforms.

“The Chosen,” which has 10 million followers across social media platforms, previously first released its episodes on a free streaming app, adding some special showings in theaters as it grew in popularity. In November 2022, the show released the first two episodes of Season 3 in theaters and grossed $8.75 million in sales on opening weekend, debuting at No. 3 in the box office.

Season 4 has been challenging, Jenkins told fans at ChosenCon, attributing the difficulty to spiritual attacks.

“This whole season was a slog from Day 1. I don’t know why,” Jenkins said Saturday night. “I think we’ve noticed that as the show has grown, so has the difficulty in the challenged attacks from the enemy. And so during Season 4 it seemed like we just couldn’t ever escape.”

A theme throughout the conference was the show’s choice to humanize Jesus and his followers, particularly the women in his life.

Canterbury Mourns ‘Appalling’ Loss After Anglican Hospital Hit in Gaza

By

Catherine Pepinster

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October 18, 2023

LONDON (RNS) — Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby described reports of hundreds of deaths after an attack on an Anglican hospital in Gaza on Tuesday (Oct. 17) as “devastating.” The archbishop spoke as news emerged of the rocket attack on al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, that has left as many as 500 people dead and others injured, according to multiple reports.

“This is an appalling and devastating loss of innocent lives,” said Welby, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion and primate of the Church of England. The Associated Press confirmed that video footage showed fire engulfing the hospital and bodies scattered across the grounds, including those of children.

The hospital building was not only being used by medics and patients but was packed with Palestinians seeking shelter after evacuation orders from Israel. The rocket attack follows 10 days of conflict between Israel and Hamas after the Oct. 7 assault by Hamas militants on Jewish settlements, in which 1,400 Israelis died and 200 people were taken hostage. Palestinian officials reported Tuesday that more than 2,800 Palestinians have been killed and 10,000 others have been wounded in the days since.

Welby spoke out after first reports emerged that the hospital had been hit by an Israeli rocket, according to Palestinian officials. The Israeli military has denied the strike was theirs, accusing a Palestinian militant group of launching a rocket that malfunctioned and hit the hospital. Neither report has been verified.

The hospital attack has raised tensions even further in Israel and Gaza, with the planned visit of U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday now in jeopardy. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has said he is canceling Wednesday’s meeting with Biden following the hospital strike.

Among the first to denounce the attack was Richard Sewell, dean of the Anglican St. George’s College, in Jerusalem. “Disaster: our hospital, Ahli Arab hospital has taken a direct hit from an Israeli missile,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“This is deliberate killing of vulnerable civilians. The bombs must stop now. There can be no possible justification for this.”

Welby had previously urged that the Israelis reverse their demand for hospitals in Gaza to be evacuated. “The seriously ill and injured patients at the Anglican-run Ahli Hospital — and other healthcare facilities in northern Gaza — cannot be safely evacuated,” he warned in a statement on Sunday. “They are running low on medical supplies. They are facing catastrophe.

“I appeal for the evacuation order on hospitals in northern Gaza to be reversed — and for health facilities, health workers, patients and civilians to be protected,” he said.

On Tuesday evening, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, Michael Curry, issued a statement urging prayer following the attack on the hospital.

“My heart aches when I remember visiting al-Ahli hospital in 2018 during Holy Week to meet the medical teams and all the people of that remarkable ministry. They were passionately committed to anyone who had need,” Curry said in his statement.

In the days since the conflict began, American Episcopal leaders have been encouraging people to donate to the work of al-Ahli Hospital through the American Friends of the Diocese of Jerusalem. In an Oct. 15 statement, bishops of the Diocese of New York praised the work of the hospital and of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, as without “a political agenda” and in service to “Christian, Jew and Muslim alike through hospitals and schools and shelters, and at no cost.”

Drawn by a Desire for the Better

By

Nicholas Batzig

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October 18, 2023

Human experience is inexorably tied to desire. To stop desiring at any given moment of one’s conscious life is an absolute impossibility. Our desires may change according to age, stage of life, and circumstances. However, it would be an ontological possibility for someone to cease desiring for even a single second of his or her conscious life. Gaining a proper understanding of desire is vital if men are going to come to Christ and if believers are going to glean maximum spiritual benefit from Christ in our Christian lives.

In his famed sermon, “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection,” Thomas Chalmers approached the subject of desire in the human experience in order to explain that Christ is the superior object that must be set before the eyes of men. As Chalmers noted,

Under the impulse of desire, man feels himself urged onward in some path or pursuit of activity for its gratification. The faculties of his mind are put into busy exercise. In the steady direction of one great and engrossing interest, his attention is recalled from the many reveries into which it might otherwise have wandered; and the powers of his body are forced away from an indolence in which it else might have languished.

Chalmers then walked through the stages of desire from boyhood to further evidence this observation about the unconquableness of desire. He observed,

What can not be thus destroyed, may be dispossest—and one taste may be made to give way to another, and to lose its power entirely as the reigning affection of the mind. It is thus that the boy ceases, at length, to be the slave of his appetite; but it is because a manlier taste has now brought it into subordination, and that the youth ceases to idolize pleasure; but it is because the idol of wealth has become the stronger and gotten the ascendency, and that even the love of money ceases to have the mastery over the heart of many a thriving citizen; but it is because, drawn into the whirl of city politics, another affection has been wrought into his moral system, and he is now lorded over by the love of power.

Having come to terms with the inevitability of desire, we recognize that prior to the regenerating work of the Spirit of God in the hearts of men, all of our desires are depraved and tainted by sin. One of the ways that the Scriptures speak of this phenomenon is worldliness or love of the world.

Chalmers explained the ramifications of this inexorable aspect of depraved human experience, when he wrote,

The love of the world can not be expunged by a mere demonstration of the world’s worthlessness. But may it not be supplanted by the love of that which is more worthy than itself? The heart can not be prevailed upon to part with the world, by a simple act of resignation. But may not the heart be prevailed upon to admit into its preference another, who shall subordinate the world, and bring it down from its wonted ascendency?

For our desires to be freed from their enslavement to selfish motives and selfish goals, we must have an object of a better nature that is more worthy of our desire. Christ and his saving work on the cross is such an object. As the gospel is built upon the free grace of God in Christ it sets free those who have been enslaved to their own worldly desire. As Chalmers explained,

The best way of casting out an impure affection is to admit a pure one; and by the love of what is good to expel the love of what is evil. Thus it is, that the freer gospel, the more sanctifying is the gospel; and the more it is received as a doctrine of grace, the more will it be felt as a doctrine according to godliness.

To offer further support to the truth of the freeness of God’s grace in Christ, Chalmers addressed the danger of infecting the gospel with legalism. He wrote,

Retain a single shred or fragment of legality with the gospel, and you raise a topic of distrust between man and God. You take away from the power of the gospel to melt and to conciliate. For this purpose the freer it is the better it is.

5 Commandments for Becoming a Media Savvy Pastor

By

Phil Cooke

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October 18, 2023

media savvy pastor — Adobestock #435645799

As a media consultant, I have the opportunity to help some of the largest churches and ministries in the country create effective, high quality media outreaches. In most cases, they are experienced, committed media savvy pastor who understand the value and the power of the media. But I also have the opportunity to spend time with less experienced pastors and ministry leaders who feel just as called to use media in a meaningful way, but have serious questions like:

“Will it compromise my message?”
“Will it be too expensive?”
“Will my preaching or teaching ministry really work on television?’
“I only have 100 people in my congregation, can I still use the media?”
“Is it an effective use of our money?”

There are many questions, and many options as well. Perhaps you’ve wondered about many of these issues before, or listened to Christian radio or watched Christian television late into the night thinking, “I could do that” but just have no idea where to start. I feel your pain. But the good news is yes – even if you have only a handful of people in your congregation, you can use the media.

I’ve taught media classes and workshops around the world, and I’ve seen people in the most remote places in Russia, Africa, India, and South America producing programs. Today, there’s a young Russian woman producing a local Christian television program in one of the most isolated cities in Siberia. She started with a department store video camera and a VHS tape deck, and yet it’s reaching thousands of people with a message of hope. She is a media savvy pastor.

Before you start, there are some critical things you need to know to be an effective media savvy pastor. Here’s five vital principles as you begin your journey.

5 Commandments for Becoming a Media Savvy Pastor

1. Think Quality People Before Quality Equipment

Most churches and ministries are happy to spend serious money on equipment, and then hire untrained volunteers to operate it. But remember – God works through people, not equipment. I would much rather have creative, innovative people working with second rate equipment, over great equipment operated by average people. When you allocate your budget – concentrate on qualified and committed people before you purchase state-of-the-art equipment.

2. Consult with Someone Who Understands the Media

Your brother-in-law may be a wonderful guy who loves your ministry, but chances are he doesn’t know anything about the media. Find someone with real experience in the business who can guide you and give you the best advice. Perhaps there’s someone in your church with experience. If not, call a media ministry you watch and respect, or Christian college with a mass communications department, and ask for their recommendations.

3. Learn How to Tell a Story

It’s no surprise that the most watched programs on secular television are story based. Even reality programs are built around a story. It’s critically important to remember that ultimately – as a pastor, you’re telling a story. A simple story about how God chose to become one of us and share His eternal plan with people who didn’t deserve it. That’s it. It’s not just about close-ups, cuts and dissolves, better lighting, or quality sound. It’s about telling a story. This coming Sunday, thousands of pastors will step up to the pulpit without telling a single story. And yet, when you study the life of Jesus, that’s just about all he ever did. Stories touch people, and change their lives.

4. Forget Christian Lingo

Christian media is so filled with it’s own “lingo,” that most of the people we’re trying to reach can’t even understand us. But when I read the New Testament, Jesus spoke in a language and style people understood. Why have we lost that ability? Why have we created an entire vocabulary of words and phrases that only church members can understand?

5. The Importance of the Package

On our home cable TV system in Los Angeles, we have nearly 500 channels. With TV remotes, our experience and research indicates that most people take an average of two to three seconds to decide which program to watch. Therefore, it doesn’t matter how powerful your message is – if the rest of the program can’t keep their attention, they’ll never watch long enough to hear it. We need to package our messages in an innovative and exciting way so people will want to watch and listen.

THis article on being a media savvy pastor originally appeared here, and is used by permission.

Youth Ministry Needs Less of These 10 Things in the Future

By

Matt Cleaver

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October 17, 2023

What is the future of youth ministry? And how can we minister to teens more effectively? When I think about the future, I consider certain things I’d like to see more or less of. What do you think about all the items on my list below?

Rethinking Youth Ministry

Here are 10 things I’d like to see less of in youth ministry. Yes, some of these are radical suggestions. But hear me out and consider how they might apply at your church or program.

1. Youth Ministers

First, look in the mirror. Adam McLane notes an inverse relationship between the increasing number of staff and decreasing attendance in churches. This has been occurring for the last three decades. I’m not sure adding more staff will solve our student ministry problems. I did something about this by voluntarily reducing my own hours at church.

2. Worship Services

Many youth ministries have separate worship services on Sunday or Wednesday night. How many other people in your church, outside of the youth ministry, attend two worship services per week (Sunday morning and the youth service)? If we don’t expect adults to go to two services a week, why do we expect youth to do that? Do we really need to do the same thing twice in one week?

Because people are so busy, I think ministry is better served by doing something different than Sunday morning. Let students get their corporate worship in on Sunday morning.

3. Preaching

This is related to worship services, because preaching is usually a main component. But more importantly, students need meaningful space to speak and space for authentic relationships to develop. Neither happens during preaching. Again, leave the preaching to Sunday mornings.

4. Money

I know it’s common to judge how much a church values its youth by how much money it spends on them. Why? Does an increase in financial resources translate into discipleship and evangelism? Does the spread of the gospel depend on money? China, Africa and South America seem to say “no.” Also, see #1. Try cutting your budget by 10% every year and see what happens.

5. Calendars

I was having a tough time getting students to show up to an event that was on the calendar. I sent out notices, told people about it, the usual. But due to extracurricular activities or something, I ended up canceling the event.

Then I discovered that a group of students self-organized a Bible study with their peers through texting and Facebook in a matter of days. And lots of people showed up. In addition to reinforcing #1 (they didn’t need an adult to coordinate or lead this), it also made me try to figure out a way to be more spontaneous with discipleship. I’m not sure how to go about this quite yet. But putting items on calendars isn’t working well for me anymore.

Talking to Kids About the Devil: 3 Important Tips to Remember

By

David Jennings

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October 17, 2023

Are you intimidated about talking to kids about the devil? If so, you’re not alone. Satan may seem like a difficult subject for children’s ministries to tackle. But it’s important that we do so, and there’s a right way to do it.

More than half of all Americans believe in the devil. And 8 out of 10 Christians believe in the devil, according to a poll featured in the Washington Examiner.

When talking to kids about Satan, follow these three guidelines:

Tips for Talking to Kids About the Devil

1. Keep it age appropriate.

This is such a simple step, but it’s so important. When talking about Satan (or any Bible passage, for that matter), keep the discussion at a level your kids will understand. Don’t hide or change facts to try to make the topic more acceptable. Instead, word it in such a way that kids can grasp the Bible’s truth.

Lauren Hunter has an amazing article about helping kids dive into some of the Bible’s tougher parts. Check it out before you talk to your kids about the devil and hell.

2. Don’t scare kids into doing right.

There’s no need to go all fire and brimstone on preschoolers. We’ve previously talked about why shaming kids into doing the right thing isn’t the way to go.

TIME’s Latest ‘100 Next’ List of Influencers Includes 4 Outspoken Christians

By

Stephanie Martin

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October 17, 2023

Since 2019, TIME magazine has spotlighted “emerging leaders” and influencers in its “100 Next” list. The 2023 collection of artists, phenoms, innovators, leaders, and advocates includes at least four Christians who are vocal about their faith. The magazine’s Sept. 25 issue featured a tribute to each honoree.

4 Christians Make TIME Magazine’s ‘100 Next’ List for 2023

Here’s a closer look at four “100 Next” standouts who are shining stars in their fields as well as in their faith:

Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts

As ChurchLeaders has reported, Sarah Jakes Roberts is following in the footsteps of her father, Pastor T.D. Jakes, both in ministry and in TIME magazine. In July, T.D. Jakes installed Sarah and her husband, Touré Roberts, as co-assistant pastors of The Potter’s House Church in Dallas. The couple also co-pastor branches of the church in Los Angeles and Denver, and Jakes Roberts leads the Woman Evolve conference ministry.

In addition to preaching, Sarah Jakes Roberts, 35, is an author, speaker, businesswoman, and media personality. Her latest book, “All Hope Is Found,” released last month.

After hearing she was named a 2023 TIME honoree, Jakes Roberts reflected on her journey, calling it a “full-circle moment.” She wrote on Instagram, “In 2001, my dad was on the cover of Time Magazine. A year later, I was the pregnant teenager of America’s Next Billy Graham. I wanted to hide. So, I did. I hid in shame, pain, depression, and fear. When I found a flicker of light to clench, it wasn’t because I sought to start a ministry or empower others. I just wanted to believe that healing was available to me.”

In his tribute, entertainment mogul Tyler Perry wrote that Jakes Roberts has found her own voice and uses it to speak “loudly to a generation desperately in need of compassion, teaching, and love.” Perry added, “Her lived experience using the grace of prayer to find a way through personal pain and tragedy resonates deeply with so many.”

Christians ‘Were the Worst’—Kat Von D Responds to Criticism About Her Baptism

By

Jessica Lea

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October 17, 2023

Tattoo artist Kat Von D, whose real name is Katherine von Drachenberg, has responded to negative comments she received after being baptized into the Christian faith earlier this month. Von D said she was expecting some negativity from her followers, the majority of whom are not Christians, but she was surprised when the majority of the criticism came from Christians.

“I just wanted to take a moment to talk to you about my baptism,” said Von D in an Instagram post Sunday evening. “I really haven’t talked about it or posted anything since I posted the baptism video, and it’s pretty much because I’ve been kind of taking my time processing the experience and some of the response and feedback that I’ve gotten and just putting my thoughts together before I actually share them with you guys.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kat Von D (@thekatvond)

Kat Von D: Criticism Is ‘Egoic,’ Not ‘Christlike’

In addition to being a tattoo artist, Kat Von D, 41, is an entrepreneur, television personality, and recording artist. She is perhaps best known for starring in the reality shows “Miami Ink” and “LA Ink.” On Oct. 3, she shared a video of her baptism, the most recent spiritual milestone in a journey out of substance abuse and the occult.

In her Sunday video, Von D made it clear that she would not be talking much about her spiritual journey in the future. “I know that a lot of people want me to share my testimony, and I’m definitely not going to do that today,” she said, “but I do plan on doing that maybe like in a podcast interview or some kind of format where I can just give you 100% of me.”

Von D said that she is friends with conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey and that “I really love her podcast.” Von D might eventually discuss her testimony with Stuckey on that platform but said for now she wants to address feedback that people have given her about her baptism.

One reason why Von D does not want to comment much on her faith is “I don’t really feel equipped to be the poster child for Christianity. I think that I’m still learning.” She also said not to expect her account to become “some kind of Christian meme page.”

Von D began by pointing out that many people responded to the news of her baptism by celebrating it and encouraging her: “It was an overwhelmingly beautiful amount of just positivity and just love.” The artist said that her family will go out for lunch and strangers will want to give her hugs, congratulate her, and “welcome me to the family, which I love.”

“It’s been pretty awesome,” said Von D. “I’m actually shocked because I was expecting to get so much hate for it.”

Victor Marx and Wife Ask for Prayers As They Prepare To Minister to Women and Children in Israel

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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October 17, 2023

Last week, Victor Marx and his wife, Eileen, announced that they accepted an invitation to go to Israel and help minister to children who have been affected by the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas near the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7.

Hamas terrorists savagely raped, kidnapped, and killed over 1,400 men, women, and children on the day of the attack. At least 30 United States citizens have been confirmed to be among those killed.

It is typical of Marx’s ministry, All Things Possible Ministries, to go into places where tragedy and acts of evil have occurred in order to help people.

Marx shared that All Things Possible Ministries is hoping to take over 1,000 trauma healing toys, which they call Lion & Lamb. These toys are “a small gift that brings a tremendous amount of joy and peace” to children who have been traumatized and displaced from their homes, schools, communities.

Marx is a former Marine, master of martial arts, and a weaponry expert turned missionary who has led multiple successful rescue missions in high-risk countries. He said that he and his wife “have friends on the front lines.”

The Marxes shared that when they received the invitation to go to Israel, they “did not want to go.” But Eileen said the Lord impressed upon their hearts to “pray for Israel,” “to bring comfort to those who mourn,” and “to bring the gospel.”

“So those are the three areas that we know we’re very comfortable [with] and God equips us with. Especially with the children and the mothers. I cannot imagine what they’re going through,” she added.

Eileen asked for people to commit to praying for her and her husband as they go. She also asked for financial support, adding, “We’re stepping out because we believe this is what God wants us to do.”

Victor said they aren’t able to minister to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip at this time—something they secretly have done before—because if they go to Gaza now, they’ll likely be “kidnapped and killed.” Nevertheless, he encouraged everyone to “pray for the innocent people.”

“We’re [going] there to help children and combat evil—the manifestation of it,” Victor said, equating Hamas to ISIS. “We’ve lived this. We still have a home in Iraq. We’ve seen what evil does, and it’s the same demonic forces of ISIS in what they’re doing.”

2-Year-Old Pastor’s Son Accidentally Shot in the Head by Brother in Church Parking Lot; Child in Stable Condition Following Surgery

By

Dale Chamberlain

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October 17, 2023

River Valley Baptist Church — Screengrab via WSOC

An investigation is underway after the 2-year-old son of a pastor was shot in the head outside of his father’s church on Sunday evening. Investigators believe the shooting was an accident. The toddler is in stable condition.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina said in a statement that emergency services responded to a call from River Valley Baptist Church in Morganton around 8:26 p.m. on Sunday (Oct. 15). When emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene, they airlifted the young boy to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, where he underwent surgery.

The child had been in critical condition but has since stabilized, according to WBTV. Doctors are hopeful that he will make a full recovery.

Witnesses described hearing a single shot fired inside a car in the parking lot.

Adam Vines, pastor at the church and father of the victim, told WBTV that the victim was his son and that it was his other son who accidentally fired the shot. The weapon had been in the back of Vines’ van, and the child got a hold of it following a Sunday evening service at River Valley Baptist Church and accidentally shot his brother.

“It did go in behind his ear, but it went across the corner on the lower side instead of going through the brain,” Vines said. “His talking, communications, his moving ability, all of that part is still intact.”

Vines requested prayer for both of his sons, including the son who fired the shot.

“He’s in shock for the most part,” Vines said. The boy who fired the shot is three years old, according to WCNC.

Kevin Barlow, who attends River Valley Baptist Church and lives nearby, told WSOC that he heard the single gunshot from his home. After learning that the toddler had been shot, Barlow said that he and his wife spent much of the night praying for the child and his family.

“My hearts go out to them,” Barlow said. “We will help in any way we can, and God is the help that you need.”

Russian Orthodox Church Appoints Putin’s Spiritual Adviser Metropolitan of Crimea

By

David I. Klein

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October 17, 2023

Russian Orthodox Church crimea — FILE - In this file photo taken on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, Russian Orthodox Church Bishop Tikhon speaks at a news conference on the issue of the remains of Russia's last Czar in Moscow, Russia. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, File)

(RNS) — The Russian Orthodox Church has installed one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest allies as the highest-ranking church leader in Crimea.

“His Eminence of Simferopol and Crimea, the head of the Crimean Metropolis is to be His Eminence Metropolitan Tikhon of Pskov and Porkhov with his release from the administration of the Pskov Metropolis,” the church announced in a statement on Wednesday (Oct. 11).

Tikhon, whose secular name is Georgy Shevkunov, is one of the most influential church leaders in Russia. He has long been reported to be particularly close to Putin, and there is speculation that he is Putin’s confessor.

In an interview with a Ukrainian journalist last year, Tikhon gave a rare glimpse into his relationship with the Russian president, whom he described as lonesome.

“There is no one (for Putin) to talk to,” Tikhon said. “It is difficult to communicate with him, because those topics, questions that we cannot even imagine, lie with this person. So what can we tell him?”

When the Wagner mercenary group was marching on Moscow in Yevgeny Prighozhin’s short-lived coup attempt in June, Metropolitan Tikhon was alongside Moscow Patriarch Kirill as one of the most prominent religious voices backing Putin.

“Russians must rally around President Putin to prevent a division that is fatal for the country and the people,” Tikhon announced on social media. “Preserving your faith and convictions, put aside strife and discord, no matter how important they may seem to the parties to the conflict today, and be in unity with the one whom God’s Providence has put to rule Russia.

“No matter how this person is called in history: Grand Duke, Tsar, Emperor or Chairman of the State Defense Committee and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the USSR… today, President Vladimir Putin bears this burden, cross and responsibility,” he continued.

According to iStories, an investigative journalism outlet covering Russia, that support has been a two-way street. Programs and Initiatives connected with Tikhon have received more than 20 billion rubles ($332 million) from the Russian state and state-owned companies since 2015.

In March, Tikhon was seen at Putin’s side as the president made his first visit to Crimea since full-scale war broke out between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022.

Russia has asserted its control over Crimea since a disputed referendum in 2014, following Ukraine’s conflict with Russian-backed separatists in 2013.

The Russian Orthodox Church did not share its reasons for appointing Tikhon to Crimea, but in his public statements, the metropolitan did not appear enthusiastic about the job. In his first sermon since taking the role, publicized on the social media app Telegram, Tikhon compared Crimea to a Soviet gulag.

Vatican Seeks To Defuse Tensions With Israel as It Offers Mediation in the Holy Land

By

Claire Giangrave

-

October 17, 2023

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Holy See officials this week rushed to remedy tensions with Israel, which criticized the Vatican’s pronouncements on the outbreak of violence in the Holy Land as too impartial and lacking a clear condemnation of Hamas.

On Oct. 13, the Christian Patriarchs and church leaders in Jerusalem, including the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, issued a joint statement that did not openly condemn the actions of Hamas and demanded that Israel avoid the killing of innocents. The Israeli ambassador to the Holy See, Raphael Schutz, harshly criticized the statement on X (formerly Twitter).

“We expect the Holy See to issue an unequivocal and clear condemnation of the murderous terrorist acts perpetrated by Hamas terrorists that caused grievous harm to children, women and the elderly just because they are Jews and Israelis,” read a statement by the Israeli minister of foreign affairs, Eli Cohen, on Sunday (Oct. 15).

The statement — issued after Cohen met with the Vatican official for relations with states, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, to discuss the ongoing conflict in the south of Israel — said it was “inconceivable” that the Vatican would voice concern for the suffering in Gaza without acknowledging the 1,300 killed by the Hamas missile attacks on Oct. 6.

“Israel is fighting a war that was imposed upon it, and will continue to fight Hamas until it no longer poses a threat to the citizens of Israel. This is being done for the benefit of the entire world,” the statement read.

Pizzaballa, who was recently made cardinal by Pope Francis, was among the signatories of the statement, but he claimed he was not responsible for drafting the document and voiced his “perplexities” during an online meeting with Vatican journalists on Monday (Oct. 16).

“The Israeli foreign ministry is very irritated and I understand their reasoning,” Pizzaballa said. The cardinal also condemned the “barbarism of Hamas as unacceptable and incomprehensible.”

Pizzaballa represents the Vatican’s interests in the Holy Land and is considered to be the pope’s eyes and ears on the situation on the ground. He said there are currently 1,300 Christians in the Northern Gaza Strip seeking refuge in churches who refuse to leave because they don’t know where to go. Israel has launched an ultimatum for Gaza residents in the north to evacuate or face retaliation for the attacks of the Hamas militants.

“We are worried about what might happen in Gaza,” Pizzaballa said, while adding that so far there have been no casualties among his flock.

The No. 2 official at the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, met with the Israeli ambassador on Friday (Oct. 13) in an attempt to defuse tensions. After condemning the “inhuman” attack by Hamas, Parolin said the Vatican “is always available for any mediation,” in an interview with the Italian broadcasting network Tv2000 on Monday.

Pope Francis called for an end of “the diabolical hate, terrorism and war” in the Holy Land during his Angelus prayer on Sunday (Oct. 15), and he also asked that humanitarian corridors be safeguarded to help those fleeing the conflict. “I forcefully ask that children, the sick, the elderly and women, and all civilians do not become the victims of the conflict,” he said.

“So many have already died. Please, no more spilling of innocent blood either in the Holy Land or in Ukraine or anywhere else. Enough! Wars are always a defeat, always,” he added.

The Good News About Spiritual Warfare

By

Greg Stier

-

October 17, 2023

spiritual warfare — Adobestock #738644265

I have good news and awful news.

First, the awful news: The Devil hates you and has a horrible plan for your life. Satan is real. He has an army of demons at his command, and he’s coming for you.

He’s stronger than you, he’s smarter than you, and he hates you with a fury that cannot be measured. Why? Because you, as a child of God, are receiving by faith what he failed to take by force: the Kingdom of God (Hebrews 12:28).

He longs to deceive, distract, and discourage you, so that ultimately he can destroy you.

The apostle Peter reminds us:

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

That someone is you.

Spiritual Warfare Truths

Now, the good news, which is actually amazing news: God has defeated Satan. Past tense—it’s done.

Not only that, but God is in you and has given you all the lion repellant you need to fight off the prowling enemy. Now it’s up to you to use it.

If you knew a serial killer had escaped from jail and, for some reason, had set his sights on you as his next victim, you’d take preventive measures. You’d lock the doors at night. You’d get an alarm system. You’d buy a gun and learn how to use it. You’d be ever so vigilant, ready for his attack, ready to counterattack.

Spiritual Warfare Strategies

As the apostle Paul makes clear in Ephesians 6:10-18, God has given us both defensive and offensive weapons for the spiritual battles we face. And we should take full advantage of both.

First, take defensive measures:

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the Devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:11)

Also, take offensive measures: Pick up “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17), and learn how to use it.

Memorize it. Meditate on it. Master it. Be ready to plunge it into Satan’s chest by quoting Scripture, as Jesus did, when you’re attacked. (See Matthew 4:1-11.)

And, finally, my dear brothers and sisters, “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). A Scripture-quoting, Bible-toting, armor-wearing, cross-bearing follower of Christ who is fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit will stand firm against Satan’s attacks. This brand of believer submits to God consistently and resists the Devil persistently. This brand of believer makes the Devil run away in the opposite direction, like an already defeated foe (James 4:7).

Spiritual Warfare Endgame

What are you fighting the Devil for? What’s the prize?

You’re fighting to rescue the billions of lost souls around the world whom he keeps captive (2 Timothy 2:26).
You’re fighting for the spiritual well-being and boldness of your fellow brothers and sisters (Ephesians 6:18-19).
You’re fighting to advance the Kingdom of God, by making and multiplying disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).

May these six words describe you: Armor on. Prayed up. Battle ready.

Join me in fighting the good fight, today and every day.

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

Truths the Devil Uses To Stop Us From Praying

By

Joe McKeever

-

October 17, 2023

The forces of hell will do anything to keep us from praying.

Satan tells lies to keep us from praying. He uses pleasures and misinformation and our laziness to keep us from praying. He uses false teachers and busy schedules and great television to keep us from praying.

He also has been known to use truth.

As odd as it seems, the dark prince does not hesitate to speak the truth if it will make us think we shouldn’t pray.

Here are eight true statements Satan uses to put a stop to the most powerful force in the world, the prayers of God’s people…

1–God already knows what you need. No point in asking.

2–You are unworthy.

3–You are weak.

4–Your faith is small.

5–You have no idea whether God will answer your prayers or not.

6–You’re only one person, what good will your prayers be?

7–You don’t know how to pray.

8–Your sins can block your prayers.

He’s right, of course. But that statements—while completely accurate—don’t tell the whole story.

“God already knows what you need.”

In Matthew 6:8, Jesus said, “For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” And what did He do then? Proceeded to give us the Lord’s Prayer.

That God already knows my need is no excuse to get out of prayer; it’s motivation to pray.

10 Things Every New Christian Should Know

By

Brian Mavis

-

October 17, 2023

Recently, a 20-something friend became a new Christian, and he asked me, “What are the top 10 things for a new Christian to learn within the first year?” (Apparently, he is a David Letterman fan.)

This is a wise question because if you are off by a few degrees at the start and you travel that path for a while, you will be off by miles later. I know that from experience. I have been a Christian for over 25 years, and God has had to redirect me on multiple things because of what I mistakenly believed early on about being a Christian. And it is better to learn sooner than later.

10 Things a New Christian Should Know Within the 1st Year

So here are the 10 things (not necessarily in any particular order) that I thought my new Christian friend should sink down deep into his heart, head and hands as he travels his first year with Jesus:

1. God Loves Us

The one thing that the Bible emphasizes more than us loving God and people is that God loves us. He loves us first and most. God isn’t in heaven plucking a daisy saying, “I love you” when you obey and “I love you not” when you sin. He cannot not love you (Rom. 5:8 and 1 Jn. 4:16).

2. Relationship First!

Your motivation to and the purpose of learning, serving, worshipping, giving, reaching, reading, praying, etc. is to grow relationally more in love with God and people (Mt. 22:36-40).

3. You not only are saved by grace; you grow by it, too.

A common trap for new and growing Christians is trying to clean up their lives without God’s help. This is a false equation: The less you sin = the less you need God’s grace. You can’t sin less and love more without the strength of God’s grace.

4. Don’t trample over the Great Commandment trying to obey the Great Commission.

New and enthusiastic Christians often do this. Instead, lead people to Jesus by loving people to Jesus (1 Cor. 13:1-3). If they ask you why you live the way you do, humbly and simply share with them why you put your hope in Jesus.

5. Love your neighbors—your literal neighbors.

Do this because you are a Christian, not just because you want them to be Christians.

6. It’s All About Jesus.

Focus on Jesus, His cross, His resurrection and His kingdom. When you confessed Jesus as the living Lord and Messiah, you never said—and will never say—anything more meaningful. Jesus is God with skin. No other “religious leader” (Moses, Buddha, Muhammad) is His equal. They were mere men; Jesus is God who became a man. He is the center and circumference—the hub and rim of all of life and creation. All of the world’s greatest gifts—love, life, truth, grace, etc.—have a name. Jesus.

7. God cares about your whole life, not just your “spiritual life.”

It is a mistake to think that God is only concerned about a section of your life called “your soul” or “your spirit.” God cares about and is to be Lord of all of your life—personal, emotional, social, familial, financial, physical, vocational, sexual, intellectual and so on.

8. Love other Christians, even when they are different.

Unfortunately, many Christians and churches view their “brand” of Christianity as the only true or most true type of Christianity. They may not think they are the only Christians, but they do think they are the best or most right ones. This is a prideful and sinful attitude that grieves Jesus and dismembers His body. Strive for unity in the body of Christ by praying humbly and thankfully for other Christians.

9. Pray with your Bible open.

There are many different spiritual exercises (fasting, solitude, serving, etc.), but the two most important ones are communicating and communing with God through prayer and listening to and learning about God through the Scriptures. Prayerfully read about Jesus (in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Prayerfully read about the beginning of the church in a book called Acts. Prayerfully read some letters written by Christians for Christians—some good ones to start with are James, Philippians and Ephesians.

10. Find a Christian mentor.

You will need help and encouragement in this journey with Jesus. Ask an older Christian (of the same gender as you) to mentor you. Look for someone who displays the attitudes and actions that were described above. Be a blessing to them in return.

Christianity is not a list, but a life; it’s not a chart, but a charter. But a new Christian will learn new things. Some of those things will be true but not important. Some things will be off by degrees that can lead them astray. Other things will be just plain wrong. Help a new Christian learn to follow Jesus by being their best at what matters most to Him.

Hygiene Policies Help Keep Preschoolers Healthy and Safe

By

Suzanne Arguello

-

October 16, 2023

Hygiene policies are a must for every children’s ministry. This is especially true with younger kids, including the nursery, toddlers and preschoolers. Follow these steps to create successful hygiene policies that are as easy as A-B-C.

ABCs of KidMin Hygiene Policies

Alert All

All members of the preschool team must agree to follow the hygiene policies. Otherwise they won’t work. So before you distribute new policies:

Alert church members to potential health and safety issues in preschool.
Arrange for a meeting so parents and teachers can express ideas and share concerns. Ask health professionals from your church or community to attend and answer questions.
Accept nominations of parents, preschool ministry teachers, and church leaders to draft the hygiene policies. Or at least create an advisory board regarding best practices in children’s health and safety.
Arrange for a system of accountability. Be sure every teacher and children’s worker knows, understands, and follows the hygiene policy.

Benefits & Broadcasting

Benefits of sound hygiene policies extend to everyone. Church is a hugging, kissing, hand-shaking kind of place. Ministries may be organized by age, gender, language, or marital status, but germs know no boundaries.

Broadcast your church’s commitment and strategies for creating a healthy environment through:

Banners in classrooms reminding teachers of hygiene procedures (sanitizing toys, equipment, and diapering areas).
Bulletin boards prominently situated near classroom doors. Advise parents about health issues (chicken pox and pink-eye, for example). Remind them about the recommended childhood immunization schedule. List the hygiene policies, and perhaps even alert parents to toy and equipment recalls.
Brightly colored brochures detailing what the preschool ministries must do when a child gets sick at church. Include rules about notifying the state health department about certain diseases. Remind parents when to keep ailing children home.

Clean Church Considerations

Cleanliness is next to healthiness, if not godliness. So for the sake of the entire church body:

Call every person to “a ministry of hand washing.” Washing hands frequently and thoroughly is the easiest and best way to reduce the spread of germs.
Continue to emphasize good, consistent hygiene practices throughout preschool.
Consider the time and effort spent caring for children’s health and safety to be a ministry to them and an act of worship to our Lord.

Instituting sound hygiene policies and procedures is a good starting point. But policies are effective only insofar as people adhere to them. Consider these suggestions as you develop hygiene policies for children’s ministry and church.

After Firepit Accident, Cleveland Browns Tight End David Njoku Glorifies God

By

Stephanie Martin

-

October 16, 2023

david njoku — Screenshot from Twitter / @NFL_DovKleiman

The Cleveland Browns’ victory over the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Sunday (Oct. 15) was labeled a miraculous upset. But for true inspiration, many people are pointing to Browns tight end David Njoku. On Sept. 29, the seventh-year NFL pro suffered burn injuries to his face and hands while trying to light a backyard fire pit.

The next day, Njoku, 27, posted on social media, “The flesh is weak.” And the day after that, he played in his team’s game against Baltimore, catching a team-high six passes. Njoku showed up for that contest wearing a huge mask, but he didn’t stay covered for long.

Now the athlete, who’s proud of both his Nigerian heritage and his Christian faith, is opening up about the accident and why he’s displaying his scars.

Video: #Browns TE David Njoku says he’s grateful to god that he’s still alive after suffering his burn injuries 🙏

“When it happened, my eyes were open, so I should’ve been blinded.” – crazy 🙏

(h/t @H_Grove) pic.twitter.com/wfCvpfHbQ3 https://t.co/P9LQy3oDC1

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 13, 2023

David Njoku: ‘I Really Should’ve Been Blinded’

In an Oct. 11 Instagram post, Njoku shared a photo of the burn scars on his face. He did so, he told reporters, because he was “getting a lot of messages from other burn victims and nurses that have burn victims,” indicating they felt “embarrassed” by their appearance while recovering. “So I wanted to just come out forth and show myself so everyone feels a little bit better about themselves,” said Njoku. “End of the day, things heal.”

When asked about his ordeal, Njoku said, “First and foremost, I give all the glory to God.” He continued, “When it happened…my eyes were open, so I saw everything. I really should’ve been blinded…luckily I’m not. So yeah, I give all the glory to God.”

Although the Browns listed Njoku as questionable to play after the accident, he shrugged off the injury. “The way I see it, all the pain and sufferings from training in the off-season are far worse than any of this,” he said. “We really push ourselves a lot to strive to be great, so a little burn isn’t going to stop me.” The player added, “The fact that I’m still breathing, I’ve still got my vision and everything…mentally [I] feel great.”

Last week, Njoku announced a new merchandise line to support “burn care, prevention, and research.” A portion of proceeds from every sale of his “Withstand” apparel will go to the American Burn Association.

Chief Njoku Proclaims ‘God Is the Greatest’

Njoku, a first-round draft pick out of Miami in 2017, earned praise from teammates for his attitude and perseverance. “Says a lot about him,” said teammate Amari Cooper. “Showed a lot of toughness on his part, 100%. There are a lot of players who definitely would not have played with that happening to them less than 48 hours before the game.”

Florida Church Group Returns Home From Israel; ‘We’ve Been Through a Lot,’ Says Pastor Zach Terry

By

Janna Firestone

-

October 16, 2023

Pastor Zach Terry — Screengrab via YouTube / @zachterry

Zach Terry, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach, Florida, led a group of 25 people to tour Israel. While the church has taken many trips to Israel, this one was met with the unexpected terrorist attack from Hamas. As a result, the group, along with many other visitors, were unable to fly home to the United States as planned.

While the trip members remained safe, the nearby attacks, delays, and changes of plans were unsettling. “God used it all, and we’re very thankful,” Terry told News4Jax. “It’s good to be home.”

Church Group Led by Pastor Zach Terry Returns Home After Being Stuck in Israel Amid Attacks

According to News4Jax, the group of 25 people (as part of a larger group of 54) returned home to Florida via separate planes between Friday and Sunday night.

“This salty piece of First Coast land is amazing, and we value it so much from everything that we’ve been through this week, just wondering how it would turn out sometimes,” Terry said. “We’ve been through a lot.”

Terry recounted many of the events. “What happened moved so fast there at the Gaza border. And then when we were in Jerusalem, we would hear the gunfire,” he said.

The group was near the Lebanon border when attackers came into Israel, and they fled toward Jerusalem. Last week, Terry shared with The Morning Show (of News4Jax) that they saw the Iron Dome and heard machine gun fire within blocks of the hotel. “All in all, we’ve stayed safe,” he said.

The group was able to move into Jordan in an effort to secure flights back to the United States. “We’re in safe territory as we speak,” Terry said at the time. “We’ll feel better when we’re back on American soil.”

Throughout the process of rerouting the group, Terry explained that they were safe and that many other groups were attempting to reach Jordan. “That was cool to see all the cultures work together,” he said. “We couldn’t speak each other’s language, but we’re trying to be kind to each other and help each other get to safety.”

Terry posted a video while he was walking through the Jacksonville airport, near his home. “Hey, guys. We’re back home in Jacksonville. All of our group is back in the States, now. And, one by one, they’re making it back home,” he said. “I want to thank you all for praying…all the messages you’ve sent—it all means the world to us. The Lord used it, and we’re back in safe territory. Thank you so much.”

Group members embraced family and friends as they arrived home. Terry’s daughter turned 22 while he was stuck in the Middle East. The family had planned a birthday celebration but ended up postponing the gathering until Terry returned safely.

Israel Tour Update: WE ARE HOME! pic.twitter.com/6KvJDvF0hF

— Zach Terry (@zachterry) October 16, 2023

With nearly 15,000 views, the video has reached friends, family, and those praying around the world. One person commented, “Happy to hear this news! An answer to so many prayers!” Another shared, “Praise the Lord! We’ve been praying for you guys! Glory to God!”

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1. God Loves Us

2. Relationship First!

3. You not only are saved by grace; you grow by it, too.

4. Don’t trample over the Great Commandment trying to obey the Great Commission.

5. Love your neighbors—your literal neighbors.

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7. God cares about your whole life, not just your “spiritual life.”

8. Love other Christians, even when they are different.

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ABCs of KidMin Hygiene Policies

Alert All

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Chief Njoku Proclaims ‘God Is the Greatest’

Church Group Led by Pastor Zach Terry Returns Home After Being Stuck in Israel Amid Attacks

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