Displaying items by tag: Praise

A West London church has successfully challenged a ban that restricted street evangelism in Uxbridge town centre. The Kingsborough Centre, formerly attended by footballer Bukayo Saka, took legal action after Hillingdon Council introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). This banned amplification, leafleting, and displaying Bible verses, prompting fears of criminalising Gospel outreach. Church members, stunned by the potential £1,000 fines, described the restrictions as 'oppressive.' Pastor Tunde Balogun stressed that street evangelism is a core expression of Christian faith and love for the community. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, the church argued that the PSPO breached human rights. After review, the council reversed the order in May 2025, permitting religious preaching and the distribution of literature. The council will also cover £20,000 in legal fees. Pastor Balogun welcomed the outcome, praying that it sets a precedent for Christian freedom nationwide. Andrea Williams called open-air preaching 'a pillar of free speech.' The case highlights ongoing tensions around public faith expression in the UK.

After a devastating fire destroyed the historic Pleasant Grove Baptist Church building in South Carolina, the congregation gathered in tents on their church grounds to worship and praise God. Founded in 1869, the church had been a spiritual anchor in the Back Swamp community for over a century. The fire, which engulfed the 1910 building on Saturday afternoon, left nothing salvageable. Despite the emotional blow, Pastor Eugene Thomas and his members chose to remain grounded - literally and spiritually - by holding their Sunday service amidst the ruins. Churchgoers emphasised that the true church is not the building but the people. Community leaders, firefighters, and local historians expressed sorrow over the loss of one of Darlington County’s oldest African American churches, while also commending the resilience and faith of its members. Pastor Thomas credited his congregation for the inspiration to worship on-site, describing their response as 'perfect.' Their act of faith amidst heartbreak served as a testimony of hope, perseverance, and the enduring presence of Christ among His people.

Jenn Johnson, worship leader with Bethel Music, has shared a powerful testimony of encountering an angel during a critical moment in hospital. Speaking to CBN News, she described seeing an angel appear in her hospital room just before undergoing a C-section for her daughter’s birth. The angel, bald with a gold earring, simply looked at her, nodded, and turned away - but the peace Johnson felt in that moment was overwhelming. The encounter inspired her song ‘Mention of Your Name’, born from the deep reassurance she received when she needed it most. 'Peace went through my body’, she said, recounting how unafraid she was despite the gravity of the situation. The experience left her longing for more such glimpses of heaven. Johnson also shared a separate miracle: the healing of her leg after it had been lifeless for two years due to a back condition. After being prayed for, sensation returned instantly. These encounters have deepened her faith and stirred hope in many who hear her story.

James O Fraser, a missionary to China in the early 1900s, is being remembered as a 'latter-day Joseph' whose quiet faithfulness sparked a spiritual awakening. Working among the Lisu people in remote southwest China, he faced immense challenges: isolation, language barriers, and demonic opposition. Yet he persevered with prayer and sacrificial service, often spending entire nights in intercession. Instead of rushing to convert, Fraser devoted himself to translating Scripture and creating a phonetic alphabet for the Lisu language. His patient work laid the foundation for a revival that would later sweep through the region. When the Chinese church faced decades of persecution, the Lisu believers endured and multiplied - in large part due to Fraser’s early efforts. Today, they are one of the few people groups in China where a whole Bible-based Christian culture exists. Fraser’s life illustrates how deep prayer and obedience can shape nations. Though largely unknown in his lifetime, his legacy is likened to that of Joseph in Egypt: faithful, prophetic, and world-changing through God’s hand.

Candace Cameron Bure has opened up about a deeply challenging season in her marriage to husband Valeri during 2020, revealing that they were close to separation. The turning point came unexpectedly through their eldest son, Lev. Although unmarried at the time, Lev confronted his parents with a heartfelt, Bible-based exhortation about marriage. In a recent podcast, Candace recalled Lev speaking for 45 minutes, Bible open, urging his parents to consider whether they had done everything possible to reconcile, and to offer further grace and kindness to each other. His gentle firmness and spiritual insight deeply moved his parents, prompting them to reflect and recommit to working through their difficulties. Candace described the conversation as a 'pivotal moment' which transformed the couple’s relationship. She expressed profound gratitude for her children’s courage and spiritual maturity, crediting their family’s legacy of Christ-centred marriages as a sustaining influence. Lev has since married Elliot Dunham, continuing the family’s legacy. Candace celebrated the wedding as a Spirit-filled, Gospel-focused occasion, underscoring their generational faith.

In Iran, one of the world’s most dangerous places to be a Christian, the underground church is growing remarkably. Amid an oppressive regime enforcing Twelver Ja’afari Shia Islam, over one million believers now worship in secret, making Iran home to the fastest-growing Christian population globally. These followers meet discreetly in house churches of no more than fifteen people, risking arrest, loss of livelihood, and severe punishment. Stories like Azam’s highlight this courage: shunned for pregnancy outside marriage, she found hope in Christ through a Christian woman’s witness, discovering the One who bears shame and offers new life. Despite surveillance, threats, and societal rejection, Iranian Christians embody a faith purified through suffering, reminding believers worldwide that Christianity is not defined by comfort or buildings but by a willingness to risk all for Jesus. Their example challenges Western believers to strip away distractions and embrace genuine, sacrificial faith. Ministries like ICM partner with the underground church, discreetly distributing Scripture via micro SD cards, ensuring the Gospel continues to spread even in the darkest circumstances.

Aidan Perry, a 20-year-old man from Florida, is praising God for saving his life after he was accidentally shot in the chest at close range on 7 June. The incident occurred when a friend was showing off a .40-calibre pistol that unexpectedly discharged. In the terrifying moments afterward, Aidan recalled seeing blood and fearing he would die. However, he credits both divine intervention and his cross necklace - a Christmas gift from his father - for his survival. Doctors confirmed that the necklace had deflected much of the bullet’s force, causing it to ricochet and lodge harmlessly in Aidan’s chest rather than striking vital organs. Aidan, who already had faith before this incident, said the experience has deepened his belief in God, reminding him to ‘never stop believing’. Meanwhile, the friend involved has been arrested and charged with culpable negligence causing injury.

Holy Hubert Lindsey, a fiery street evangelist, left an indelible mark on UC Berkeley in the turbulent 1960s and ‘70s. Born in Georgia in 1914 and converted at fifteen, Hubert sensed a divine call to preach boldly, even barefoot if needed. Drawn to Berkeley amid anti-war protests and cultural upheaval, he proclaimed repentance and Christ’s grace in Sproul Plaza, enduring jeers, violence, and scorn. In 1965, he was beaten unconscious yet returned swiftly, bullhorn in hand, declaring, 'They can bruise the body, but the soul is under the Shepherd’s care’. Many considered him a precursor to the Jesus Movement, as his preaching forced students to confront deeper spiritual questions. Despite opposition, he remained resolute, often tearfully urging listeners to turn to Christ. Hubert rejected media fame, choosing a humble life focused on the Gospel. He passed away in 2003, remembered as a courageous voice for Christ amid moral confusion.

Tyler Blevins, famously known as 'Ninja’, one of the world’s top video game streamers, has opened up about a personal journey of faith. During a recent livestream, he shared that he and his wife Jess now attend church every Sunday and are growing in their relationship with God and Jesus. 'I’m just trying to be a better person’, he explained, responding to criticism of his gaming habits. Acknowledging past flaws such as a quick temper and moments of hypocrisy, Blevins says he’s striving to live more biblically and to genuinely walk the Christian path. He also has stepped away from toxic gaming environments and resisted the urge to retaliate against critics. Earlier this year, he made headlines for affirming his belief by declaring, 'Jesus is King’. Many fans have praised this transformation, with one calling his faith commitment 'the biggest streamer glow-up ever’. Blevins’ candid testimony highlights a growing trend of influencers boldly embracing and sharing their Christian faith.

YoungHoon Kim, the man officially recognised as having the highest IQ in the world - measured at an astonishing 276 - has boldly declared his Christian faith. A renowned expert in neuroscience and artificial intelligence, Kim publicly proclaimed, 'Jesus Christ is God, the way and the truth and the life.' His statement, shared on social media, reflected not just heartfelt belief but also deep intellectual conviction: 'Christ is my logic’, he affirmed. Kim holds a theology degree from Yonsei University and describes theology as 'the ultimate discipline of all fields of study’. He has also articulated how science and faith converge, referencing theories from quantum physics and consciousness studies to argue that death may be a transition rather than an end. Despite his status as one of the world's most brilliant minds, Kim insists that science and faith are allies in the quest for truth. His desire is to use his global platform to point others to God, exemplifying a humble intellect submitted to Christ.