Displaying items by tag: Praise

British diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix gave glory to God after winning a bronze medal at the Olympics. Spendolini-Sirieix, 19, and Lois Toulson, 24, were competing in the women's synchronised 10-metre event. She said In an interview, 'I'm so happy. I usually have so much to say; I don't have anything to say today. Having my family here, doing it alongside Lois, it's been a crazy two years. I give glory to God.' The duo's final dive surpassed competitors from Canada, with China winning gold and North Korea silver. Despite finishing sixth in the individual 10-metre platform dive, Spendolini-Sirieix remained positive, reflecting on her journey from severe mental health struggles after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She emphasised her faith, stating, 'It was just God's way of saying we've still got a lot more to do, and I just give God all the glory.'

Adam Peaty has shared insights into his faith following his silver medal in the men's 100m butterfly event. Speaking right after his race, a breathless but elated Peaty said, 'I gave my absolute all there. In my heart, I've already won. These are happy tears. I'm not crying because I came second; I'm crying because it took so much to get here. I'm a very religious man, and I asked God to show my heart, and this is my heart.' He missed gold by two-hundredths of a second, tying for second place. He still holds the world record for the breaststroke (56.88 seconds). Peaty has been vocal about his struggles, including battling depression and alcoholism after the Tokyo Olympics. He found solace in faith, meeting pastor Ashley Mull in Melbourne, who introduced him to church. His first visit to a Nottingham church had an Olympic-themed sermon, which resonated deeply with him. Now sporting a cross tattoo on his chest, Peaty said, 'Everything I've done to this point has happened for a reason. I said to myself I'd give my absolute best, and I have! That's the victory for me.' Graham Daniels from Christians in Sport praised Peaty's determination and celebration of God's role in his life.

Atheist businesswoman Akane Fujimoto had achieved success in her career and personal life, but she felt a deep sense of emptiness. As a nominal Buddhist, she decided to pray to the God her mother had embraced a decade earlier: 'If you exist, if you love me, if you have a purpose for my life, please reveal yourself to me.' 'I felt God hugging me deeply,' she said. 'I repented for the first time and couldn’t stop weeping. Everything I was searching for was found in God’s love.' Now she is passionate about bringing revival to Japan, a nation often considered resistant to the gospel. Despite these challenges, she remains optimistic. 'I heard sharing the gospel is hard in Japan, but it’s actually quite fun’, she says. 'Material comforts can't compare to the fullness of Christ.' She believes Japan's resistance - rooted in pride, social pressure, competitiveness, and suspicion - can be overcome through genuine relationships and sharing the pure gospel. She experienced a personal breakthrough when she forgave her father and led him to Christ. 'For the first time, I saw him weeping like a child’, she recalls. 'The Holy Spirit told me it was time.' Now he attends church, and Akane is confident that revival is unfolding in Japan.

IG, a Nigerian missionary in China for two decades, faced immense hardship during his first two years, often going without food and shelter. Despite these challenges, his determination to fulfill God's call kept him going. He had a transformative experience in Nigeria, where he found faith during high school, initially attending Bible studies to impress a girl but eventually feeling a deep conviction to give his life to Jesus. At 18, after his spiritual awakening, he pursued a path of outreach and ministry. Feeling called to be a missionary, he initially attempted to go to Korea but ended up in China after a layover in Hong Kong. There, he struggled with homelessness and hunger but persevered, eventually connecting with other Nigerians and finding stability. IG began ministering in Guangzhou, where he married a Chinese translator and had three children. His work faced instability due to government crackdowns, leading him to rebuild his ministry multiple times. Despite these challenges, he continues to lead two churches, noting the Chinese appreciation for African preachers, who are seen as having "God's fire."

Following their success in the Euros, coming in  second, it is encouraging to know that several members of the England football team openly share their Christian faith, crediting it for their personal and professional success. Ivan Toney prays before each match and has Christian tattoos, viewing his faith as a source of strength and redemption. Eberechi Eze places God at the centre of his life, finding perspective and resilience through his beliefs, especially during injuries. Bukayo Saka reads his Bible every night, trusting in God's plan, which bolsters his confidence on the pitch. Marc Guéhi prays before games, aiming to showcase God's glory through his actions both on and off the field. Their faith plays a significant role in their lives, enhancing their performance and providing a strong foundation for overcoming life's challenges.

Chris, known at Speaker’s Corner as ‘The Iceman’, once struggled as a 13-year-old indulging in heavy drinking. Raised agnostic, he followed friends into dangerous behaviour, leading to alcohol abuse and deep depression. By 14, his drinking got so bad that once he passed out and was carried home. His relationships deteriorated, and he became isolated and suicidal. At 17, recalling his childhood happiness tied to his belief in God, he prayed for help, experiencing a profound sense of divine love. Embracing Christianity, Chris transformed his life, cutting ties with negative influences and diving into apologetics. He improved his relationships with his family and joined the Christian Union in college, where he found a supportive community. He now debates Muslims at Speaker's Corner, sharing his journey from despair to faith and purpose. His story is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the impact of a supportive community in overcoming personal struggles.

One year after the impactful release of 'Sound of Freedom’, Angel Studios have launched 'Sound of Hope’, focusing on Donna Martin and her church in Texas. Motivated by her mother’s love and dedication, Donna and her husband persuaded their church to adopt 77 children from troubled backgrounds. The film, featuring moving performances by Nika King and Demetrius Grosse, delves into the profound trials and rewards of adoption. The movie’s central Christian message aims to encourage viewers to support foster care and consider adoption. Through her story, the film showcases the transformative power of love and faith in addressing the needs of vulnerable children, offering a message of hope and action to its audience. 'Sound of Hope' seeks to inspire individuals and communities to make a tangible difference in the lives of at-risk children.

Love France is an initiative by International Prayer Connect and its partners, including the World Prayer Centre in Birmingham, aiming to bless, celebrate, and connect the worldwide Christian church with the Church across France as it runs various Christian events, outreaches and activities during the games this Summer. The project’s vision includes mobilising global prayer support for France, celebrating positive developments in the church community, and fostering connections through cultural, artistic, and sporting events. Key activities feature the 'France 1 Million' campaign that invites a gift of a million prayers from the worldwide Church for France this summer. A prayer guide and other resources are being published with daily prayer pointers: see An online prayer and discussion platform app will run for the duration of the main and para-games. See Churches are encouraged to get involved with the Eric Liddell 100 Celebrations, honouring the legacy of the famous athlete and missionary.

This year, over 200,000 attended the Glastonbury festival, to enjoy performances by major stars like Dua Lipa and Coldplay. Christian music took an unexpected spotlight when singer and teacher James Partridge led the crowd in worship songs remembered from primary school assemblies. Viral videos showed festival-goers enthusiastically singing and waving their arms to classics like ‘He's got the whole world in His hands’, ‘Shine, Jesus, shine’, and ‘This little light of mine’. Travel influencer Tasha Whitley and other festival-goers shared clips of the joyful, unifying experience. Festival attendees took to social media to praise the set, highlighting the nostalgia and joy it brought. Partridge, who teaches at various schools and has sung on recordings with notable artists, said, ‘The most incredible experience ever! Cannot believe I've just performed at Glastonbury. Incredible turnout today, the joy of singing really does unite!’

Ariana Cossie grew up helping her single father raise her siblings, excelling in school and church activities. Her life drastically changed in 2019 when her mother was murdered, causing her immense grief. She struggled with mental health issues, and even contemplated suicide while at university. However, successive personal tragedies drew her closer to Jesus, leading her to a deeper spiritual journey. After going viral in 2023 with a video as The Home Depot girl, she rejected critics who said she was too pretty to be working for a department store and advised her to make millions by opening a porn account. Her refusal to sell her body and soul generated a backlash, and she had to quit Home Depot - but she has now returned with a renewed mission to share her faith. She now actively proclaims her love for Jesus, aiming to spread light and love in a world she believes needs God.