Displaying items by tag: USA

Barry Black, a 76-year-old retired Navy rear admiral and the first black and Seventh-Day Adventist Senate chaplain, recently experienced a life-threatening brain bleed. Swiftly cared for by Capitol physician Brian Monahan, Black is now on a hopeful and steady path to recovery. Black deeply credits God’s extraordinary intervention for sparing him from a potentially dire outcome: Monahan’s urgent decision to call him and advise immediate medical care was seen as divinely inspired, averting more serious complications. As Christmas approaches, Black is expected to reunite with his family, further showcasing God’s compassionate and providential care. Let us pray for his continued healing, and for his family to feel God’s comforting presence.

Phil Cohn, a passionate evangelist and president of Saturate USA, leads an ambitious project to distribute the Jesus Film and salvation pamphlets to every home in America by 2027. This initiative equips local churches with free resources, enabling members to engage neighbourhoods through door-to-door outreach or door-handle delivery. With an aim to reach 120 million households, Saturate USA has already covered 38.4 million homes across all 50 states. Phil has felt compelled to share the gospel globally since the age of 19. His vision expanded to using the Jesus Film, which has sparked revival worldwide, including starting over a million churches. From Muslim families in America to residents under Taliban rule, countless lives have been transformed. Despite challenges, Phil continues to trust God for miracles, passionately focused on saturating America with the message of Christ. His vision reflects his unwavering belief in God’s power to save.

Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) has won a significant legal victory, securing a permanent statewide injunction allowing Good News clubs to operate in all public school districts across Hawaii. These weekly gatherings teach children aged 5-12 about the Bible, memory verses, and praise songs, while also fostering fellowship and fun. Represented by Liberty Counsel, CEF filed a lawsuit against Hawaii education officials after several school districts blocked the clubs from using public school facilities, while permitting secular groups access. The courts ruled that such actions violated the first and 14th amendments of the US constitution, ensuring religious organizations have equal access to public spaces. Fred Pry of CEF welcomed the ruling as a triumph for religious freedom and free speech. Liberty Counsel continues to defend Christian clubs in other states, with plans to challenge similar restrictions in California. This victory highlights the enduring importance of protecting constitutional rights for faith-based organizations in public settings.

Joe Biden has granted a full pardon to his son Hunter Biden, who faced sentencing for gun charges and federal tax evasion. Hunter had been convicted of lying on a federal gun purchase form in 2018 by denying his drug addiction and had pleaded guilty to failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes, which he later repaid with interest and penalties. The pardon, ahead of Hunter’s scheduled sentencing dates, cancels both convictions. Biden described the charges as politically motivated and unfair, arguing that similar offences often result in non-criminal resolutions. He condemned the justice department’s pursuit of his son, attributing it to congressional opponents' pressure. Hunter’s legal troubles, including struggles with addiction, have been a focus of considerable scrutiny over the past five years. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who granted a total of 144 pardons in his first term of office, has appointed one of those who were pardoned (his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner) to be US ambassador to France: see

Thanksgiving Day in the USA often brings families together for meals, sports, and festivities, but for many, it’s also a day of worship. Churches nationwide, including the National Cathedral in Washington DC, host special Thanksgiving services. The cathedral, known for its stunning altar decorations, draws hundreds to its annual service. Spokesman Kevin Eckstrom hopes this year’s observance will promote unity in a divided nation, reminding attendees to focus on God’s gifts and cultivate gratitude. 'We all have something to be grateful for’, he remarked. Reeds Mill Church, nestled in the Maine woods, offers a nostalgic, hymn-filled service in its one-room, 1892-built sanctuary. This year’s message, 'Jesus Comes to Dinner', reflects on Zacchaeus’s encounter with Jesus and the call to generosity. Thanksgiving services remind believers to reflect on gratitude, unity, and God’s abundant gifts.

Sixty British troops have joined the United States Air Force (USAF) to investigate a series of unidentified drones spotted flying over three bases in Suffolk and Norfolk. The incidents have raised concerns about security, although the drones have not been deemed hostile. The bases play crucial roles in US military operations. USAF has confirmed multiple sightings during nighttime hours, but no source or intent has been identified. The Ministry of Defence emphasised robust security measures at all defence sites, and both British and US authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of personnel and infrastructure. Efforts to determine the origin and purpose of the drones continue.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the USA, began on 27 November, with thousands of  displaced people cautiously returning to southern Lebanon. The truce calls for a sixty-day withdrawal period for Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters from southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army deploying extra troops in the region to oversee the ceasefire and reclaim control. However, Israeli officials have warned that any breaches by Hezbollah would prompt immediate military action. Hezbollah claimed ‘victory’ in its first statement since the ceasefire, vowing readiness to confront Israeli actions. The conflict, which began in October 2023 but has escalated since September, has devastated Lebanon, with over 3,800 killed and nearly 16,000 injured. Caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati has called for unity after what he said was the ‘most cruel phase in Lebanese history’. For a view on how this truce might affect the conflict in Gaza, see

Donald Trump has initiated a bold and controversial strategy for his return to power, unveiling cabinet appointments which embody his disregard for traditional governance. These selections, including individuals with histories of legal trouble, extremist ideologies, and controversial actions, aim to dismantle governmental structures Trump perceives as obstacles. Key appointments, such as Pete Hegseth as secretary of defence, reflect his intent to politicise institutions like the military, while figures like Robert F Kennedy Jr as health secretary highlight his disdain for scientific consensus. Others, such as Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk, are to downsize federal agencies radically under a vaguely defined ‘department of government efficiency’. Trump’s intent to bypass Senate confirmation through recess appointments signals his push for one-man rule. His nominations seem to be not only instruments of policy but tools of intimidation and revenge, targeting perceived enemies and undermining traditional checks and balances in favour of centralised authority.

When Ronald Mallett’s son, Kevin, was involved in a terrifying tractor accident, a miraculous intervention unfolded. Kevin, just 14, was adept at handling the heavy tractor on their farm’s slopes. One day, while driving down a particularly steep hill, the tractor began to tip uncontrollably. Ronald and his wife, Pat, watched in horror, fearing for their son’s life. As the tractor reached a tipping point, it unexpectedly stopped in midair, as if held by unseen hands. Kevin safely exited, and the tractor gently settled back to the ground. This inexplicable event solidified Ronald’s belief in angels as active protectors, a truth anchored in Hebrews 1:14. He shares this experience to inspire faith in God’s miraculous power, even in modern times.

James O Davis, founder of the Global Church Network (GCN), launched a coalition with a vision to fulfil the Great Commission by 2030. Inspired by a call from the Holy Spirit in 2001, Davis aims to see billions come to Christ by creating 800 leadership training hubs worldwide, mobilising one million ministers to spread the Gospel. Recently, GCN established 200 training hubs across six continents, with additional expansion in regions like the Balkans and South Africa. These hubs provide theological and leadership training, with a focus on equipping pastors in hard-to-reach areas. Davis, along with GCN, hopes to 'catch a harvest' by tying relational knots across a global network. The FINISH 2030 initiative, launched at Martin Luther’s graveside in Germany, aligns with the two thousandth anniversary of the Church, which will be celebrated in Jerusalem in 2030.