Lola Sheen, the daughter of actors Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards, recently “began to trust Jesus” with her life and was baptized. She describes a “supernatural” transformation from a life riddled with anxiety.

“Jesus fulfilled His promise of making me new, and completely renewed my mind,” Lola posted on Instagram.

After Hitting ‘Rock Bottom,’ Charlie Sheen’s Daughter Was Baptized and Told of How Jesus ‘Rescued’ Her

In their four years of marriage (2002-2006), actors Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards welcomed two daughters, Sami (20) and Lola (19). Lola recently experienced a significant change in her life when she accepted, as she put it, “Jesus as my Savior.”

Lola’s profession of faith and baptism comes on the heels of other celebrities who have turned to Christ. Actor and comedian Russel Brand has publicly shared his faith, struggles, and baptism as he navigates his new life. And actor Denzel Washington was baptized as he began the process of becoming an ordained minister at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in Memphis, Tennessee.

Lola had resigned herself to a life of struggle. Her family has had its share of substance abuse and relationship challenges. Lola was afraid that she would “never genuinely laugh again” as she sunk deeper into anxiety and depression.

“When I was in my deepest depression, there was a moment where I realized I hit rock bottom,” shared Lola. “I felt so lost and hopeless, and was just doing my best to make it to the next day.”

However, throughout 2024, Lola experienced a deep transformation. She shared, “I can’t really explain it other than it was supernatural, but Jesus met me exactly where I was, and He forever became my sun.”

After meeting her “Savior” and “best friend,” Lola “began to trust Jesus with my life.” She continued, “He chose me when no one else did, and loved me when I didn’t feel worthy of love. He gave me a light, when I couldn’t find my own, and rescued me from the darkness.”

She remembers the anxiety and sorrow of her former life. “Jesus saved me from battling severe anxiety, and gave me a peace that makes no sense,” Lola said. “I now find myself laughing again, in places I only had cried.”

Lola said of the transformation, “Jesus fulfilled His promise of making me new and completely renewed my mind.”

“Jesus is the only reason why I’m here today and made my life worth living,” Lola said.

Lola explained why she chose to get baptized at the beginning of 2025: “Because I made it through this year only by the strength of Jesus, and I am so happy to go into this next year, after publicly declaring Jesus as my Savior. I am forever saved by His Grace, through faith.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lola Sheen 🕊️ (@lola__sheen)

Vice President J.D. Vance addressed several concerns regarding the early actions of the Trump administration during an interview with CBS News on Sunday (Jan. 26). During the interview, “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan asked Vance several pointed questions about immigration policy. 

The interview came roughly a week after Trump was inaugurated. On his first day in office, Trump signed numerous executive orders, including one that suspended the United States Refugee Admission Program (USRAP) and another that sought to bring an end to birthright citizenship. 

Trump’s plan to end birthright citizenship has since been halted by a federal judge, who described the executive order as “blatantly unconstitutional.”

The Trump administration has also enacted a policy whereby schools and houses of worship will no longer be protected from raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

US Conference of Catholic Bishops Urge Trump To ‘Reconsider’ Immigration Polices

In response to these policies and executive orders, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), released a statement urging the president to reconsider his course of action.

“Many of the issues President Trump addresses in his recent Executive Orders, along with what may be issued in the coming days, are matters on which the Church has much to offer,” Broglio said. “Some provisions contained in the Executive Orders, such as those focused on the treatment of immigrants and refugees, foreign aid…are deeply troubling and will have negative consequences, many of which will harm the most vulnerable among us.”

“I wish to reiterate that the Catholic Church is not aligned with any political party, and neither is the bishops’ conference. No matter who occupies the White House or holds the majority on Capitol Hill, the Church’s teachings remain unchanged,” Broglio continued. “It is our hope that the leadership of our Country will reconsider those actions which disregard not only the human dignity of a few, but of us all.”

JD Vance, a Catholic, on US Conference of Catholic Bishops: ‘I Hope…They’ll Do Better’

During Vice President Vance’s appearance on “Face the Nation,” Margaret Brennan brought up Broglio’s statement, asking Vance, who is a Roman Catholic, whether he supports allowing ICE to raid church services or schools.

RELATED: Christian Leaders React After Vance Says Trump Would Veto Federal Ban on Abortion If Elected

“Let me address this,” Vance said. “Of course, if you have a person who is convicted of a violent crime, whether they’re an illegal immigrant or a non-illegal immigrant, you have to go and get that person to protect the public safety. That’s not unique to immigration.”

(RNS) — The pastor of one of the world’s largest churches had some advice for President Donald Trump as he begins his second term in office: Don’t settle for just trying to make America great or think of America’s interests only. Instead, work on making the world a better place for everyone, not just Americans.

“We need the help of countries in the world, the United States, for example, to not only make America great, but to make the rest of the world peaceful,” said William F. Kumuyi, founder of Deeper Christian Life Ministry based in Lagos, Nigeria, a congregation that claims to draw 120,000 worshippers a week.

Kumuyi, a former university professor turned Pentecostal preacher whose evangelistic crusades have drawn millions, was in Washington, D.C., recently for Christian events surrounding the inauguration of Donald Trump. Those events included a praise and prayer convocation organized by the Family Research Council and Well Versed, a conservative group led by the Rev. James Garlow, an avid Trump supporter who organized prayer calls as part of the Stop the Steal movement following the 2020 presidential election.

In a video interview with Religion News Service, Kumuyi said he’d come to the inauguration from Nigeria to connect with other Christian leaders who believe their faith should make an impact in the public square and to talk with them about evangelism around the world.

Kumuyi had hoped to view the inauguration in person but ended up watching it on television after the ceremony was moved indoors. He said the peaceful transfer of power showed the importance of democracy, both in the United States and around the world. “The people have spoken and the votes are cast, and we now say that this is the president, even those who might not have voted for him would accept that,” he said. “I think other countries need to learn something about that.”

He also said it was important for President Trump to be not just a president for those who voted for him but also to work for the welfare of all Americans — and to remember that his administration will build on the work of the presidents who came before him.

During the interview Kumuyi spoke repeatedly about the need for Christians to have a positive impact on the world around them, calling them to be the light of the world and salt of the earth — two metaphors from the New Testament’s Sermon on the Mount. Rather than retreat from the outside world, or focus on the success of just one country, he said Christians in the U.S. should engage with the rest of the world.

If all the light is on one place, he said, using the biblical metaphor, what good is it?

“The Lord doesn’t want us to isolate ourselves,” Kumuyi said. “I would say that the New Testament encourages us, and not only encourages but instructs us that we should be part of the world in which we live and see how to make change for the better. Being isolated is not the solution.”

During a prayer convocation before the inauguration, the 83-year-old pastor asked God to bless Trump and to bring revival to America’s churches, which have been in decline for decades.

“Revive your church, restore your church and purge your church, that there will be the holiness and the righteousness you expect for your church, and the church will have a meaningful ministry in the government as well as in the nation,” he prayed. “Confirm it. Oh Lord, answer the prayer of your people for this nation, America.”

During his inaugural address, Trump mentioned the failed attempt on his life this past summer, saying he believed his life had been spared for a reason. Hearing that was encouraging, said Kuyumi.

Actor Chris Pratt, returning home for the first time since wildfires broke out around Los Angeles, shared an update Thursday (Jan. 23) about the disaster’s impacts. In a video posted to social media, the outspoken Christian thanked people for their prayers and support. Despite the heavy losses and devastation, Pratt said, “We’re resilient, and we trust in God and consider it a blessing.”

After the Palisades Fire began on Jan. 7, Pratt shared photos of the flames and requested prayers. That blaze, which is now contained, burned more than 23,000 acres.

Firefighters continue to battle flames throughout Southern California, which has experienced drought conditions and high winds. So far, this month’s fires have killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 15,000 homes and businesses.

Chris Pratt’s House Was Spared ‘By the Grace of God’

In his latest post, Pratt said he was heading to check out his house. “Miraculously it’s still standing,” he said. “By the grace of God, we have four walls and a roof.”

Although that was a “silver lining” of the disaster, said Pratt, “At the same time, so many people’s houses were burned around us, and the community’s gone.” Losses include his 12-year-old son’s school, the homes of “dozens of our friends,” and the house of Pratt’s ex-wife, actor Anna Faris.

Pratt, 45, married Katherine Schwarzenegger in 2019, and the couple have three young children.

Amid the “wild” devastation, Pratt said, “It’s been inspiring to see how our communities come together.” He told viewers he would provide more updates “now that we’re kind of getting back into life.”

‘We’ll Get Through This Together,’ Says Chris Pratt

In the caption of Pratt’s latest post, he wrote, “It’s been a tough few weeks, but we’re resilient. Praying for LA and all those impacted, we’ll get through this together. God bless.”

In the comments, people shared thoughts about the disaster and Pratt’s references to God. “Love how you’re so vocal for the Lord,” someone wrote.

Another person commented, “I believe that’s the exact reason your house is standing, because of God! Because you are not afraid to speak the name of Jesus! So many other celebrities are not for Christ, and I think that’s why so much devastation.”

RELATED: Chris Pratt Encourages Others to Listen to Christian Music and Read the Bible Amid Backlash

Other people questioned God’s role in the wildfires—and even his existence. Some took issue with Pratt’s phrasing “by the grace of God.” One wrote, “You mean by the grace of firefighters working around the clock…”

Two men are in custody after allegedly assaulting a pastor, robbing him, and driving away in the pastor’s car. David Harris, 36, and Jaddin Norris, 20, are in custody and face several charges. 

The alleged assault and robbery occurred in Statesville, North Carolina. 

According to a statement released by the Statesville Police Department on Thursday (Jan. 23), the incident occurred on Jan. 1. 

“During this incident, a local pastor was assaulted, robbed, and had his vehicle stolen while renovating his church,” the statement said. Police said that the men “were working alongside the pastor during the renovation process when the incident occurred.”

Investigators believe that a third suspect was involved. 

RELATED: Retired Pastor Found Not Guilty of 1975 Murder of 8-Year-Old Girl

According to police, Harris allegedly carried out the assault on the pastor and the theft of his vehicle, and Norris allegedly acted as an accomplice by following Harris in a separate vehicle, later assisting him after the pastor’s stolen vehicle was abandoned. 

The name of the pastor and his church have not been publicly disclosed. 

RELATED: MMA-Trained Pastor Restrains Man Who Broke Into Church With an Axe on Thanksgiving Morning

According to WHKY, Harris faces felony charges of common law robbery, larceny, larceny of a motor vehicle, and assault inflicting serious bodily injury.

He has also been charged with simple assault and resisting a public officer. Both of those charges are misdemeanors. 

Pastors celebrating Donald Trump’s presidency as a sign of God’s favor to the United States need to repent of their “theological arrogance” and their “failure to understand Scripture in light of history,” said Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates in a video posted to Instagram on Thursday, Jan. 23. 

“I want to offer to you tonight a response to some of the messages from, namely, white evangelical—some of them associates of mine—pastors in Texas, Georgia, and in other places,” said Dates, “who want you to think, theologically, that God somehow intervened and delivered for America salvation in the inauguration of the 47th president.”

“That’s not Christianity,” he said.

RELATED: Franklin Graham Compares Trump to Moses, Vance to Aaron in Inauguration Prayer

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Salem Baptist Church Of Chicago (@salem_chicago)

Charlie Dates: ‘God Is Not on the Side of Those in Power’

Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates is senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church and Salem Baptist Church in Chicago. In the caption of his video, he said, “I offer this pastoral rebuttal to those who are sincerely seeking the Christ of The Scriptures and for those who are defending the faith against its misrepresentations.”

“You should vote according to your convictions,” Dates said, “but to claim the results of this election and the day of this inauguration as the favor of God on America is the sorrowful historical succession of inaccurate and irresponsible theology.”

“To be clear,” Dates added in the caption, “I do not think that either party fully represents the interests of Jesus Christ. They both fail miserably. My issue isn’t with the parties, but with the leaders of the Church who tie Christ to their candidate.”

In his video, Dates quoted orator, author and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who differentiated between a Christianity “of this land” and a Christianity “of Christ” and said, “Between the two, we recognize so wide a difference that to be the friend of one is to be the enemy of the other.”

“Some of these pastors would have you to believe that God somehow now is riding on the backs of their issues and their candidate,” said Dates. “But the problem with that is that we get to cast God in the light of our political and cultural interest. We all want to do that.”

“I have to ask you, brother pastor, where was God when my ancestors were praying to him through the 240 years of American chattel slavery?” Dates asked. “Where was God at the failed point of reconstruction? Where was God when my ancestors and my grandparents were marching to end a long night—73 years-plus of Jim Crow? Was he not present, or is he present now because the issues that you pick have come to prevail?”

Last Sunday (Jan. 19), as churches throughout America honored the sanctity of human life, Daniel Ritchie shared his powerful story at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. Ritchie, born without arms 40 years ago, urged listeners to stand in the gap for life, just as his father did for him.

In the delivery room in 1984, Ritchie arrived armless, to everyone’s surprise, and also struggled to breathe. But when the doctor asked Ritchie’s dad if he should just “let him go,” the new father chose life, urging all necessary actions to bring back his son.

“There’s no way in the world my dad could have imagined what God has brought about” through that one decision, said Ritchie. The married father of two, who has an in-demand speaking ministry, said, “Because of that one sentence, I get the opportunity every year to literally share the gospel with millions of people.”

RELATED: Jelly Roll Brings His ‘Storm-Tossed’ Story and Joins Brandon Lake on ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah’

Prestonwood, led by Senior Pastor Jack Graham, has had a pregnancy center since 1991. During Sunday’s services, people involved with the center shared how it has changed their life. Ritchie, who will speak at Prestonwood’s men’s conference on Jan. 24, has “no arms but his feet are beautiful carriers of the gospel,” according to a post from Graham.

This is Daniel Ritchie preaching in our Prestonwood pulpit….no arms but his feet are beautiful carriers of the gospel. God spared his life at birth when his father told the doctor to fight for his life tho the doc asked do you want me to just let him go…An amazing man ….you… https://t.co/e7XNc4c4R7

— Jack Graham (@jackngraham) January 23, 2025

Daniel Ritchie: ‘God Is the Author of Life’

Preaching on John 1:1-5, Daniel Ritchie emphasized that “God is the author of life” and that true life is found in Jesus, the Word. “Jesus is our light, our life, our everything,” he said. “Our very personhood hangs on the person and work of Jesus Christ. We look to him to know and understand what our value, what our worth, and what our calling is.”

Ritchie continued, “We’re not a collection of cells. We’re not some accidental, spontaneous creation.” Because God made each person “fearfully and wonderfully,” he said, “there are no accidental image-bearers in this room.”

While growing up, Ritchie doubted God’s plans, wondering, “What in the world is God going to do in an armless life like mine?” Decades later, he sees how “God is using these empty sleeves [and] the weak things of the world to shame the wise…We don’t have to come in the same package as everybody else for us to be used in the kingdom of God.”

During his sermon, Ritchie spoke about the value of pregnant women, as well. Mothers who consider abortion aren’t the enemy or monsters, he told worshipers, and the church must stop treating them as such. “They’re scared, and they have nowhere else to turn,” he said of pregnant women. Thinking the church will judge them, they “turn to Planned Parenthood because that’s the one place that welcomes them with open arms.”

RELATED: Jack Graham: Penalizing Women for Abortion Is Not Pro-Life

Dr. Bernice King, the youngest daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has said that Pastor Lorenzo Sewell distorted the message of her father’s “most well-known speech” when Sewell quoted it while praying at the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Monday, Jan. 20. That day was also Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

“I don’t deny the power of my father’s most well-known speech, ‘I Have a Dream,’” said Bernice King, who is a minister, thought leader, and CEO of the King Center, on X Wednesday, Jan. 22. “However, its power and popularity (with focus on its conclusion) have been misused to weaken its clear messaging about ending racism, stopping police brutality, ensuring voting rights, and eradicating economic injustice.” 

I don’t deny the power of my father’s most well-known speech, ‘I Have a Dream.’

However, its power and popularity (with focus on its conclusion) have been misused to weaken its clear messaging about ending racism, stopping police brutality, ensuring voting rights, and… pic.twitter.com/aULHDGYJYX

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) January 22, 2025

Lorenzo Sewell Prays ‘Americans Would Begin To Dream Again’ 

Lorenzo Sewell is the senior pastor of 180 Church in Detroit. He campaigned for Trump in 2024, appearing at the Republican National Convention and hosting Trump at his church. The pastor came under criticism for asking social media users later in the day Monday to purchase his cryptocurrency.

He also joined a chorus of church leaders criticizing Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde for taking the final minutes of her message Tuesday, Jan. 21, to ask Trump to have “mercy upon the people in our country,” specifically immigrants and “gay, lesbian, and transgender children.”

RELATED: Trump Tells Bishop Budde She Owes the Public an ‘Apology’ After Prayer Service Plea To Show Mercy

“We are grateful that you are the one that have [sic] called [Trump] for such a time as this, that Americans would begin to dream again,” Lorenzo prayed during Trump’s inauguration, after giving God thanks for Trump’s “millimeter miracle.”

“We pray that we would fulfill the true meaning of our creed, that we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,” the pastor continued, quoting the Declaration of Independence. “We pray that you use our president, that we will live in a nation where we will not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character.”

Sewell’s prayer Monday went on to directly quote and/or paraphrase a large section of the end of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, beginning with King’s quote of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”: “My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. / Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, / From every mountainside, let freedom ring!” 

“Because America is called to be a great nation, we believe that you will make this come true,” said Sewell, rephrasing King’s words, which were, “And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.”