Displaying items by tag: North America

Joe Biden’s son Hunter has been found guilty on three federal gun charges - the first time a sitting president's son has been criminally convicted. The charges stem from his lying about his drug use on a federal form when purchasing a handgun in 2018. He kept it for only eleven days, but then it was discarded by his then-girlfriend in a rubbish bin outside a shop - triggering the investigation leading to his conviction. Although he pleaded not guilty, claiming he was in recovery from addiction at the time, a Delaware jury convicted him after three hours of deliberation. After the verdict, Hunter embraced his legal team and family, expressing disappointment but gratitude for their support. The judge has not yet set a sentencing date; he could face a prison sentence, but probably not the maximum of 25 years.

Rebecca St James has discussed the profound impact of prayer and trusting in God through the lens of her family’s experiences. The Smallbone family, originally from Australia, faced significant challenges after relocating to the United States. Despite severe financial difficulties, their unwavering faith and persistent prayers led to numerous miracles, including unexpected provisions and career successes. St James' story, portrayed in the film 'Unsung Hero, ' underscores the power of relying on God during adversity. She also reflects on her journey away from the music industry, which allowed her to focus on her family and deepen her Christian faith. This period of rest and renewal has reinforced her belief in the importance of prioritising spiritual and familial values over material success. Through her testimony, she encourages others to trust in God’s plan, emphasising that He works through our prayers and faith even when circumstances seem insurmountable.

American democracy faces a strange moment as Donald Trump, the leading Republican candidate, has been found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records. The verdict confirms that he altered financial accounts for his 2016 campaign, marking him as a convict. His murky past now seems to have caught up with him. On the other hand, it could be said that the district attorney, Alvin Bragg, combined tax misdemeanours into an indictment, and Judge Juan Merchan's aggressive behaviour has aroused suspicions. Describing it as a rigged trial, Trump has said, ‘Our country has gone to hell. The real verdict is going to be on 5 November by the people’. Democrats fear he might be right, as previous legal actions have boosted his popularity. His sentence, to be decided on 11 July, coincides with the Republican convention. In November we will find out whether Americans view Trump as a criminal or see Biden and his party as the real culprits.

A historic mass baptism event in California saw a Satanist convert to Christianity among 12,000 baptised participants, breaking records across the state. Held over a weekend, 'Baptise California' took place at multiple locations, Huntington Beach being a primary site. The event featured worship music by leaders like Sean Feucht, numerous testimonies, and speakers sharing messages of spiritual renewal. Preliminary reports indicate over 6,000 baptisms at Huntington Beach alone, with another 6,000 across various churches. Pastor Mark Francey, founder of the event, expressed his excitement: 'God lit a match yesterday! If God can do this in California, it can happen across America!' Francey, the pastor of Oceans Church, initially garnered attention last year with 'Baptise SoCal,' which saw 4,200 baptisms, a record soon surpassed by Pastor Greg Laurie's event with 4,500 baptisms. Francey’s vision for 'Baptise California' was to unite the state for an unprecedented spiritual awakening, a goal he feels was achieved, as evidenced by the overwhelming turnout and profound impact.

Shawn Ryan, a former Navy SEAL, once sought to bust drug lords in Colombia. However, his post-military life took a dark turn when he became addicted to adrenaline and established a drug trafficking ring in South America. Growing up, he struggled academically and socially, leading him to join the military. Despite initial rejections, he found his place in the Navy SEALs. He served in Afghanistan and Iraq, combating deadly threats like explosively formed penetrators. Then he became a Blackwater and CIA contractor, numbing his traumatic memories with drugs. His addiction and thrill-seeking led him to the jungles of Colombia, where he overdosed multiple times. Realising the danger he posed to himself and his family, he fled back to the USA and sought therapy, which saved his life. He met his future wife, Katie Jean, in Florida and started a family. Despite these positive changes, Shawn hadn’t yet found faith until a vacation in Arizona. Three uncanny experiences convinced him of God’s existence, leading him to embrace Christianity. Now, he helps others with PTSD through his podcast, dedicated to exposing military injustices and sharing his newfound faith in Jesus.

On 11 May family, friends, and many people who were involved in the Biafran airlift during the Nigerian civil war gathered at St Andrew’s Church, Toronto to dedicate a memorial plaque to four Canadians who died when their plane carrying food and medicine crashed on 2 August 1969. The plaque also honours all ground and air crews who worked for Canairelief and Joint Church Aid. Their work resulted in the largest non-governmental humanitarian airlift in history, funded entirely from public donations. Prayer Alert’s editor, David Fletcher, attended the ceremony, which also recognised the founders of Canairelief, one of whom was his father, Henry Fletcher. For more information, a full-length documentary about Canairelief (‘Operation Lights Out’) is available online to rent or buy.

A pastor is praising God for a miraculous outcome after an F1 tornado tore off part of his church’s roof during a worship service. Around 100 people, including young babies, were present at Crossroads Ministries in Finleyville, Pennsylvania, when the tornado hit, but no one experienced significant injuries. The tornado caused the church steeple to fall and part of the roof to be lost. Rev Ken Barner, in a video message to his congregation, detailed the events, noting that his wife Rhonda was leading praise and worship at the time. ‘I witnessed what I would say is a miracle’, Barner said. He emphasised that God's presence was felt throughout the ordeal: ‘The God who stays stayed with us,' he said. Due to the damage, the church could not meet on Sunday but plans to reconvene at another location the following week. Rhonda described the frightening moment when the lights flickered, and she heard a loud noise, followed by shattering glass and breaking windows. Congregant Lynn Michigan called it the scariest experience of her life. The church community seeks prayers as it rebuilds and recovers from the damage.

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested across US campuses on 1 May, as a protest movement over the Israel-Hamas war has put student demonstrators at odds with university leadership. Demonstrators have set-up encampments on about 30 campuses across the US and are demanding that academic institutions stop doing business with Israel or companies that are connected to the Israeli military. The exact number of arrests remains unclear but is believed to have exceeded 1,300. 282 arrests were made at Columbia University, where the first protests started on 17 April, with some accusations of police brutality. At UCLA, at least fifteen were injured in clashes when counter-protesters attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment. Joe Biden has condemned the violence, saying ‘Dissent must never lead to disorder’: he has refused to change his policy. See

On 8 February 2023, what began as an ordinary chapel service at Asbury University evolved into a 16-day 'outpouring' led by students, attracting individuals from numerous universities worldwide. Dr Sarah Thomas Baldwin, a professor whose book on this outpouring will soon be published, has described the lasting influence of the revival. Despite the initial exhaustion following the event, the campus experienced a revival in spiritual engagement. Students returned with renewed energy for worship and prayer, significantly raising the spiritual temperature. She recounted the early days when students gathered spontaneously post-chapel, leading to joy, repentance, and deep spiritual connection. The outpouring not only captured media attention but also solidified a strong community among campus leaders. Today, the spiritual lessons from the event continue to inspire and draw individuals seeking depth and hope in challenging times, reinforcing their commitment to deepening their faith in Jesus.

Duane Chapman, better known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, has extensively experienced the dark side of humanity through his career. He firmly believes in spiritual warfare and the redemptive power of Christ, which he discusses in his latest book co-written with his wife Francie, 'Nine Lives and Counting’. The book explores Chapman’s transformation from a troubled past involving crime and incarceration in the 1970s to a life driven by faith and outreach. His career has evolved from capturing fugitives to guiding them towards spiritual redemption, often sharing impactful conversations about faith. His Christian faith journey, intensified by personal losses, including the deaths of his daughter and his wife Beth, has led him to a renewed mission of spreading hope and engaging in ministry work. Now remarried and leading the Light Up the Darkness ministry, Chapman points to the transformative power of Jesus and the possibility of overcoming great struggles through divine help.