Displaying items by tag: Praise

Over two thousand Iranians are reportedly turning to Christ each day, according to the Bible Society. Despite the severe risks in a nation where leaving Islam can carry a death sentence, underground Christianity is flourishing. One 92-year-old woman evangelises on public transport by inviting strangers to help her read the gospels: many end up taking home a New Testament. This quiet revival is not only drawing Iranians to Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, but also transforming their attitudes toward Israel and the Jewish people, long depicted as enemies by Iran’s regime. Formerly steeped in antisemitism, many new believers now intercede for Israel, praying for peace between the two nations. Amid growing persecution, the gospel is advancing, fulfilling prophetic scripture and reshaping hearts even within regions historically opposed to God’s people. This movement coincides with increased Christian engagement among British youth and raises hope amid cultural hostility. The spiritual battle is intensifying - but so too is the light of Christ in dark places.

Christian actor Jesse Hutch has shared his remarkable survival story after nearly drowning during a whitewater rafting accident. While working as a guide in his college years, Hutch was pulled underwater into a powerful current known as the 'green room’. Trapped and unable to surface, he eventually blacked out after water filled his lungs. He was under water between 11 and 22 minutes, so by medical standards he should have died. Yet, miraculously, he survived with no major damage. Hutch describes the moment of surrender as filled with divine peace, saying, 'I completely surrendered … and it was the most peace I ever felt.' This life-altering experience deepened his walk with God, instilling a lasting lesson: he is not in control—God is. Following the incident, Hutch felt an unexpected call into the acting world, a path he had never pursued but now sees as part of God’s purpose. His testimony is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and grace, even in moments when all seems lost.

Brad Arnold, lead singer of the rock band 3 Doors Down, has publicly revealed his battle with stage-four clear cell renal carcinoma, a cancer that has metastasised to his lungs. Despite the grave diagnosis, Arnold’s response is one of unshaken faith and peace. In a heartfelt video message, he declared, 'We serve a mighty God and He can overcome anything... I have no fear.' He has cancelled his summer tour to begin treatment and humbly asked fans for prayer. Arnold has used his platform to share the Gospel boldly in concert settings, often reminding audiences that the messages of worthlessness perpetuated by society are lies. 'You are enough… because Jesus Christ loves you’, he told fans during a recent show. His testimony continues to inspire many, and his story is a compelling call to pray, believe, and speak hope in life’s darkest trials.

Over 7,750 believers were baptised at Huntington Beach, California, marking the largest single-day baptism in US history. The event, hosted by Oceans Church and Pastor Mark Francey, gathered 30,000 attendees from over 300 churches statewide. Held as part of the Baptise California initiative, it surpassed last year’s record and is seen as a powerful spark for revival across America. The movement’s vision is expanding through the upcoming Baptise America event on Pentecost Sunday, seeking to unite churches nationwide in synchronised water baptisms. Organisers say that this initiative is not about one church but the entire Body of Christ, standing together in obedience to the Great Commission. Testimonies included a 71-year-old woman baptised after forty years of waiting, a symbol of God’s ongoing call to repentance and renewal. The team’s ultimate goal is lasting fruit: connecting new believers into local churches and fostering a growing, united movement of faith across the nation.

Nearly fifty years ago, Yorkshire coal miner Russ Gill’s life was transformed after a desperate prayer for his daughter’s healing led him to Christ. When seven-year-old Jayne was critically ill with kidney failure, Russ cried out to God, promising to become a Christian if she recovered. After her healing, the family attended church, and Russ soon gave his life to Christ. His faith deepened, leading him and his wife, Jean, to Bible College and a lifetime of ministry. Russ boldly shared his testimony in an evangelistic paper, sparking seeds of faith in his mining colleagues. One colleague, initially dismissive, later wrote to him, recounting a powerful encounter with God which brought him to his knees and into church. Despite challenges, including Jayne’s later passing, the family’s legacy of faith endures. Their son now pastors a vibrant London church, and granddaughter Jessica is studying at Bible college. Russ’s joy-filled witness continues to inspire, as he declares: ‘My God is a living God, Jesus - the same yesterday, today and for ever!’

Amid public concern over his mental health, Justin Bieber has shared deeply personal reflections on Instagram about how God’s grace has transformed his life. The 31-year-old artist opened up about his past struggles with anxiety, fear of failure, and a relentless need to earn love and acceptance - feelings that left him restless and insecure. Bieber credited God’s grace with liberating him from those burdens, saying it shifted his identity from striving to belonging, from fear to trust. He described experiencing God’s love as being fully accepted, without shame or accusation. Emphasising that this love cannot be earned but only received, Bieber encouraged others to stay rooted in God’s internal work rather than external expectations. He warned against confusing pressure with the voice of Jesus, who leads gently, never with force. Fans and peers, including Bear Grylls, praised his openness. Bieber acknowledged past flaws and the pull of fame but expressed a desire to grow, serve, and advocate for love, truth, and equality.

Actress Kimberly Elise, best known for The Manchurian Candidate, has opened up about her renewed Christian faith after years of spiritual searching and disillusionment. Though baptised at 16, Elise lacked discipleship and drifted from faith as she pursued a Hollywood career. In 2019, she realised her choices were leading her astray, especially as she immersed herself in New Age practices, which she now calls ‘a bottomless pit’ of deception. Feeling lost, she cried out to God in desperation. Two weeks later, a Christian woman affirmed God’s love and began praying with her, setting Elise on a transformative journey. Compelled to read the Bible, Elise found clarity in the Gospel of Matthew and recognised her sin, pride, and need for forgiveness. Her encounter with God reshaped her life, leading to deep repentance and a new sense of spiritual purpose. Today, Elise speaks publicly about her journey, warning others of counterfeit spirituality and testifying to the life-changing power of knowing Jesus personally.

The death of Pope Francis has sparked reflection among church leaders in Argentina who knew him personally. Evangelical pastor Alejandro Rodríguez described him as 'a pastor with the smell of sheep’, deeply connected with the people. Legendary evangelist Luis Palau considered him a friend, despite theological differences, praising Francis’s humility and respect for the Bible. During his time as archbishop and pope, Francis built bridges with Evangelical leaders, supporting Bible engagement and championing unity. He collaborated on projects like the Community Bible Experience and encouraged Catholics to read Scripture. His personal gestures, such as serving others and breaking protocol, left a lasting impression. While not all Evangelicals agreed with his views or reforms, many respected his sincerity, humility, and service to the poor. Many church leaders have expressed sorrow and praised his legacy of service and openness to inter-church dialogue. His life invites reflection on the importance of unity without compromise and the shared mission of lifting high the name of Jesus. See

Pastor Shane Idleman of Westside Christian Fellowship has reported a remarkable outpouring of revival in his congregation. The awakening appears to have been sparked by a sermon he delivered on 30 March, in which he shared vulnerably about personal struggles in ministry. This heartfelt honesty resonated deeply with his church, igniting an atmosphere of repentance, worship, and spiritual hunger. Idleman emphasises that revival must be grounded in sound doctrine, describing it as a spiritual resuscitation that transforms lukewarm hearts into ones burning with passion for God. He witnessed spontaneous worship, extended prayer times, and a strong desire among congregants to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. The following week, services continued without a sermon, as the congregation was drawn into powerful praise and intercession. He is quick to note that true revival cannot be manufactured; it is a sovereign move of God upon a prepared people. The seeds were planted years ago through faithful prayer and teaching. Now, the church is experiencing the fruit of that long-standing hunger for awakening.

Jesus’ final words on the cross - 'It is finished' (Tetelestai) - were not spoken with regret but with triumphant certainty. Unlike our own flawed works, the finished work of Christ on Calvary left nothing undone. His sacrifice was not a last-minute rescue plan but the fulfilment of a divine purpose set in motion from the beginning of creation. In Genesis, God called His creation 'very good’, but sin entered through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, fracturing the harmony. From the first shedding of animal blood in Eden to the Old Testament’s repeated sacrifices, a pattern emerged: atonement required blood. Yet these sacrifices could not fully cleanse sin: they pointed to a greater Lamb. Jesus, the spotless Son of God, took upon himself the world’s sin at the cross, fulfilling what the Old Covenant foreshadowed. His resurrection confirmed his victory over death. The cross wasn’t a divine error or a regretful necessity: it was the plan of God’s love to restore what was lost in Eden.