Displaying items by tag: Praise

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.

When Christian singer Colton Dixon and his wife Annie welcomed their daughter Ava in 2020, joy turned to terror. Despite a smooth pregnancy and natural labour, complications arose, and Ava was delivered via emergency C-section without a pulse or breath. The Dixons were suddenly thrust into a moment of crisis - faced with a choice between fear and faith. Choosing faith, they began boldly praying over their daughter, declaring life over her tiny, unresponsive body. Surrounded by medical staff, their desperate cries to the Lord filled the room. Colton says they didn't care how strange they may have seemed: they knew God was still a God of miracles. Miraculously, Ava began to breathe and her pulse returned. The Dixons believe it was either God’s direct touch or His hand guiding the doctors and nurses, but either way, they experienced a powerful answer to prayer. This moment reaffirmed their trust in God’s promises. Today, Ava is thriving, and Colton’s testimony is a reminder that even in the most desperate moments, God can still intervene.

St Stephen’s Church, Bradford, has found a creative and compassionate way to care for the homeless - by installing a lockable sleeping pod on its grounds. The initiative, in partnership with Shine and Hope Housing, offers more than shelter: it provides dignity, safety, and community. The pod includes a bed and toilet; guests also have access to showers and hot meals through the church. All guests are referred through trusted homeless organisations, and although designed for temporary stays, many have used the pod longer while awaiting permanent housing. Michelle, a mother recovering from years of addiction, credits the pod for helping her stay clean, describing it as a sanctuary where she feels safe and 'on God's ground'. Apart from shelter, the church offers lasting friendship and spiritual support. Some former guests have even become part of the church family. St Stephen’s demonstrates that true Christian compassion includes walking alongside the vulnerable, offering not just practical help, but long-term love, restoration, and hope in Christ.

New research suggests a 'quiet revival' may be underway in the UK, with church attendance rising significantly - particularly among Generation Z. A study commissioned by the Bible Society found that 12% of UK adults now attend church at least once a month, up from 8% in 2018. The biggest increase was among 18- to 24-year-old men, rising from 4% to over 20%, with similar growth seen among young women. One-third of Gen Z non-attenders said they would go to church if invited by a friend. The report also highlights increasing diversity within UK churches, with ethnic minorities now accounting for one in five regular attenders. Churchgoers were also found to report higher life satisfaction, lower anxiety, and stronger community engagement. Paul Williams, CEO of the Bible Society, said the findings challenge the narrative of church decline, revealing instead that the Church in England and Wales is growing and offering real hope. Pentecostal and Roman Catholic congregations showed especially strong growth during the study period.