Two thousand years after the crucifixion, we are still debating Jesus of Nazareth. That fact alone, argues biblical historian Wesley Huff, is itself a piece of evidence.

On a recent episode of the Mikhailia Peterson Podcast, Huff laid out a cumulative historical case for the resurrection that he says even the most skeptical scholars have difficulty dismissing outright.

“There are other messianic movements in the ancient world, but I bet you couldn’t name any of the individuals involved in those. And there’s a reason why we’re asking questions about Jesus of Nazareth and not Simon Bar Kokhva,” he said.

Huff’s point is sharp: other messianic movements of the era collapsed when their leader died. Jesus’s movement accelerated. The disciples — who had been hiding in fear after the crucifixion — became a missionary force willing to march back into Jerusalem and preach within weeks of the event, to people who could have personally witnessed the execution.

Liars Make Poor Martyrs

One of the episode’s most compelling exchanges came when Huff addressed why the disciples’ willingness to die for their claims carries unusual historical weight. Peterson pressed him on whether religious zeal alone could explain such commitment — pointing to modern examples like the 9/11 hijackers.

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“Those aren’t martyrs — those are murderers. And they don’t actually know definitively that what they’re dying for is true. The difference is that the disciples were there when Jesus died and claimed to have seen him resurrected,” Huff stated.

The distinction matters: the disciples weren’t acting on inherited belief or secondhand report. They were eyewitnesses to the crucifixion itself, and then — according to their testimony — witnesses to something else entirely. Dying for what you personally know to be a lie is, as Huff put it, “a lot harder to actually go to your grave for.”

Liar, Lunatic, or Lord

Huff invoked the classic C.S. Lewis framework — and argued it still holds. Peterson, who described her own path to faith as gradual and hard-won, reflected honestly on what historical argument alone could and couldn’t accomplish in her own conversion.

“If you evaluate what Jesus’s claims actually are about himself, He’s either lying through his teeth, He’s either a lunatic or He’s the Lord of the universe who actually validated the claims that He made about who He is by rising from the dead,” Huff shared.

Peterson described her own experience of wrestling with exactly that threshold — knowing the historical arguments and still finding them insufficient on their own. As she put it, she had spent years trying to “rationalize something that you can’t rationalize” — and it was only when she stopped that the weight lifted.

“What changed for me was obviously if somebody could explain the historical evidence, but I kind of knew the historical evidence, and that’s not what really did it for me … I needed to have that extra step of you have faith that this was real,” Peterson said.

Huff didn’t resist the tension. He acknowledged that faith is ultimately a gift. “I’m never going to argue anyone into the kingdom, nor should I try,” he said, while acknowledging that removing intellectual barriers is still legitimate and important work, creating space for the Spirit to move.

What the manuscripts actually say

Beyond the resurrection argument, Huff walked through the reliability of the biblical text itself, countering the popular notion that modern translations have drifted far from the originals. The King James Bible was translated from roughly 31 manuscripts dating to the 11th century. Today, scholars have access to over 5,000 additional Greek manuscripts, many from the 2nd through 4th centuries.

“As time goes on, we’re not getting farther away from the original wording of the Bible — we’re actually getting closer to it,” he said.

The point was vivid: the proof of Jesus’ resurrection is undeniable.

Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

Actor and singer Joshua Bassett became visibly emotional while publicly revisiting the near-death health crisis that changed the course of his life.

During a New York City book launch event for his memoir, Rookie: My Public, Private, and Secret Life, Bassett read from the book’s opening chapter and struggled through tears as he recalled being hospitalized in 2021 with septic shock and heart failure, PEOPLE reported.

“Mom, I think I’m dying,” Bassett read from the memoir, according to PEOPLE.

The event took place at Barnes & Noble in Union Square, where Bassett, 25, reflected on the frightening health emergency that unfolded shortly after his 20th birthday. PEOPLE reported that Bassett said he lost 20 pounds, went septic and experienced heart failure within a matter of days.

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“Seven days prior, I was perfectly happy and pretty happy. Before I could blink, I lost 20 pounds, went septic, and my heart failed as I was surrounded by doctors telling me I had 12 hours to live — all this fresh off my 20th birthday,” Bassett read, according to PEOPLE. “When you come within an inch of death, nothing you thought matters, matters anymore.”

Bassett previously told GQ that doctors said he had a 30% chance of survival and that, had he waited another 12 hours to go to the hospital, he likely would have been found dead in his apartment, PEOPLE reported.

The former “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” star also acknowledged the strange contrast between outward success and private suffering.

“By the world’s metrics, I was at the top of my game,” he read, according to PEOPLE. “Starring in a hit Disney show.”

But the memoir goes even deeper than Bassett’s physical health battle. The singer also opens up about severe depression, addiction and suicidal thoughts during the aftermath of his medical crisis.

According to Us Weekly, Bassett revealed that after leaving the hospital, his life spiraled emotionally as he struggled with substance abuse and overwhelming mental anguish. The outlet reported that Bassett admitted he experienced suicidal ideation while trying to cope with fame, heartbreak, online scrutiny and unresolved trauma.

“At rock bottom, I had an encounter with God that gave me the peace I’d sought all my life, redefining what matters most: not success or survival — but to love and be loved,” Bassett wrote in the memoir, according to Us Weekly.

That spiritual transformation has become a defining part of Bassett’s public testimony. In past interviews, Bassett has openly discussed finding faith in Jesus after reaching a place of emotional collapse. As Charisma previously reported, Bassett came to a sudden realization that he needed the Holy Spirit’s help.

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“I sit up, and immediately I felt the Holy Spirit which I had never felt before…I just knew in that moment that I needed Jesus,” Bassett previously said.

“I got on my knees, and I called my dad, and I said, ‘Can you help me accept Jesus?'” he stated.

What makes Bassett’s story especially powerful is how honestly it exposes the emptiness fame can sometimes hide. From the outside, he appeared to have everything — success, popularity and a rising career. Internally, however, he was fighting for his life physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Sometimes, the very moment a person reaches the end of themselves becomes the place where God begins restoring what was broken.

If you are in crisis, please call 988 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. You are not alone.

Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

What if the device you handed your child to keep them quiet at dinner was, at that very moment, being used to target them? That’s not a hypothetical — it’s a reality that Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes, has spent more than a decade documenting, speaking about, and warning parents against.

In a recent conversation with Pastor Jack Hibbs, McKenna laid out a sobering picture of the digital landscape that most parents are dangerously unprepared for.

McKenna was quick to challenge the common defense that technology is simply a neutral tool. It isn’t, he argued — and the distinction matters enormously.

“It is engineered. It is crafted to extract human attention. And that was the benign version of technology — meaning social media. With artificial intelligence, we’re in a whole different country,” he said.

He drew a sharp line between what social media did and what AI is now doing. Social media competes for your minutes. AI, he warned, is competing for something far more intimate.

“Social media was coming after my attention. Artificial intelligence is coming after my affection,” he stated.

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McKenna described what he calls the defining difference of childhood today: the near-complete collapse of the distance between children and life-altering harm.

“When you and I were growing up, the places that were good for us versus the places that were harmful were often separated by relationship, distance, something. That doesn’t exist anymore,” he said.

He was equally blunt about the false comfort many parents take from digital filters and safety toggles. Every locked-down iPad, he said, still has roughly 10 exploitable pathways to content parents would never approve.

McKenna singled out Roblox — used by 120 million people daily, 40 million of them under age 13 — as his single greatest concern for young children. Parents picture one game.

In reality, Roblox is a universe of millions of user-generated games, some of which have simulated actual school shootings on U.S. soil, a revelation that helped prompt a congressional investigation.

“If I could snap my fingers and erase one game from childhood, it would be Roblox. It’s the number one spot that I don’t want parents letting their kids go into,” McKenna said.

YouTube, he added, is just as underestimated. It is a mixed-content destination — not a children’s platform — and even YouTube Kids does not guarantee age-appropriate content. His rule is simple: no child in elementary school should be on YouTube without a parent alongside.

The battle for the next generation is no longer confined to classrooms, culture wars or Hollywood. Scripture warns believers to be sober-minded and watchful because the enemy prowls like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Today, that pursuit often arrives not through obvious evil, but through entertainment, algorithms and digital systems engineered to capture hearts and shape minds. What begins as a distraction can quickly become desensitization, isolation and deception.

Parents cannot afford passive Christianity in the digital age. Discernment is no longer optional — it is essential. The call is not merely to fear technology, but to steward it wisely, prayerfully and intentionally. Children need more than restrictions; they need present parents, spiritual covering and homes where truth is louder than the voices competing for their attention online.

You can watch the full interview by clicking here.

Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

As America moves toward its historic 250th anniversary, President Donald Trump is calling the nation back to one of its oldest traditions: prayer.

In his official presidential release for the 2026 National Day of Prayer, Trump urged Americans to seek God’s guidance and remember the spiritual foundation that has carried the nation through generations of triumph and trial.

“This National Day of Prayer, we honor America’s enduring tradition of prayer, faith, and trust in Almighty God,” Trump wrote in the official White House statement.

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The message arrives during a significant season in American history as the nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence in July 2026. Trump connected the National Day of Prayer directly to the upcoming rededication celebration, encouraging Americans to reflect not only on the country’s freedoms, but also on the faith that helped shape them.

His full statement reads:

This National Day of Prayer, we honor America’s enduring tradition of prayer, faith, and trust in Almighty God. And as we celebrate 250 glorious years of American independence, we pledge to never forget the countless blessings God has bestowed upon our people and our country.  

From the cradles of civilization in the ancient world to the Christian empires of medieval Europe and the miraculous founding of our own Nation, the entire Western experience has been connected by a golden thread of devotion to God. America’s faith was seen most prominently during our struggle for independence, when the Second Continental Congress declared a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer” to seek God’s providence and ask for His protection and blessing in their fight for freedom, virtue, and posterity. 

Just weeks later, armed with unshakable faith, the Colonies declared their independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776, and paved the way for freedom’s ultimate victory five years later at Yorktown. In the years since, this proud birthright of faith moved our Nation to expand the promise of independence to the furthest reaches of our continent; preserve our Union in the midst of a bloody Civil War; abolish slavery; win two world wars; defeat the evil forces of atheistic communism; plant our Flag on the Moon; and advance truth, beauty, and goodness in our culture every single day.  

Today, faith in God is resurging on American shores like never before. Throughout this historic year, we rejoice in the triumph of the American spirit and in the love and grace of Almighty God. And just as our Founders came together in prayer before declaring independence, thousands of Americans will gather on Sunday, May 17, on the National Mall to rededicate the United States as One Nation Under God.  

This National Day of Prayer, we proudly recommit to our magnificent birthright of faith. I encourage all Americans to come together today in prayer, reflecting on the many blessings God has given our Nation and asking for His continued protection, with ceremonies, events, and programs in their houses of worship and places of work, schools, and homes. Above all, we pledge that America will always, as it is written in Psalm 96, “Tell His glory among the nations”—and that we will never forget God’s role in creating, protecting, and sustaining the freest, strongest, most prosperous, and greatest country the world has ever known.

As churches, ministries and believers across the country gather for prayer events, the message serves as a reminder that America’s spiritual heritage has often been strongest during moments of crisis and uncertainty.

Let’s pray that America’s greatest days are not behind it, but still ahead.

Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

Christian music icon Amy Grant is opening up about one of the most talked-about songs on her latest album — a track titled “The Sixth of January” that directly references the events surrounding Jan. 6.

During a recent interview with NPR’s Rachel Martin on “Wild Card,” Martin admitted she was initially stunned by the song title.

“Before I listened, I was like, ‘Is that — no. Amy Grant. No,’” Martin said. “Is she singing a song about January 6th?”

Grant confirmed the connection.

“Yes,” she replied. “I was like just going right into it.”

Grant explained that the song was written by songwriter Sandy Lawrence, who originally began writing it years before the events of Jan. 6, 2021. However, she said the national unrest eventually shaped the song’s direction and meaning.

“She played ‘The Sixth of January’ for me, and she had started the song 15 years earlier,” Grant said. “So she started it with the second verse, but then life happens, and everything affects everything. And ‘The Sixth of January’ affected that amazing songwriter.”

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Grant said she immediately connected with the track.

“I loved everything about the song,” she said. “I loved it. It piqued my curiosity.”

Still, the singer acknowledged that some people close to her warned against recording such a politically sensitive song.

“I had a couple of musician friends that I worked with, and they said, ‘I don’t think you should touch that one,’” Grant recalled.

But Grant said she ultimately felt the song fit within the type of honesty and introspection that has long characterized her music.

“I’ve always welcomed singing the questions,” she said. “I’ve always sung about unrest in my own life. I thought, ‘Why wouldn’t I sing about unrest within our culture?’”

Grant said her goal was not to inflame division or publicly align herself with one political side over another.

“It’s happening at every end of the spectrum, at all times,” she said.

The singer then spoke about the importance of remaining reflective and compassionate during moments of national tension.

“I think that we have to be willing to sit quietly in unrest,” Grant said. “To not wave a banner, to not pick a team, but to say, ‘Where from here?’”

When Martin asked whether she intentionally avoids “picking a team,” Grant emphasized the importance of empathy and listening to others.

“I think there’s always in every scenario something to be gained by listening and by imagining what if our roles were reversed,” she said. “What if I were that person with fewer opportunities? What if I was in that role?”

Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

President Donald Trump has issued what many are describing as a historic proclamation encouraging Americans to observe a national Shabbat during Jewish American Heritage Month.

The proclamation, connected to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration, marks what the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews says is the first time a sitting U.S. president has formally called for a national Shabbat observance tied specifically to Jewish tradition.

The observance is scheduled from sundown May 15 to nightfall May 16 and is part of the broader “Rededicate 250” initiative leading into the nation’s semi-quincentennial celebration.

According to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Trump’s proclamation encourages Americans to pause for reflection, prayer and gratitude while recognizing the contributions of Jewish Americans throughout U.S. history.

Trump’s Proclamation

In the official proclamation recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month, Trump praised the influence and legacy of Jewish Americans in the nation’s history and culture.

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“In special honor of 250 glorious years of American independence and on the weekend of Rededicate 250 — a national jubilee of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving — Jewish Americans are encouraged to observe a national Sabbath,” the proclamation states.

Trump also connected the observance to the nation’s spiritual heritage and the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence.

“From sundown on May 15 to nightfall on May 16, friends, families, and communities of all backgrounds may come together in gratitude for our great Nation. This day will recognize the sacred Jewish tradition of setting aside time for rest, reflection, and gratitude to the Almighty,” the proclamation states.

He also stated that “Under my leadership, we are aggressively fighting the violence against Jewish Americans that increased under my predecessor, prosecuting hateful criminals to the fullest extent of the law, and working to end the scourge of anti-Semitism throughout our institutions.”

A Renewed Focus on Faith and Rest

The call for a national Shabbat observance arrives during a season when many Americans are expressing spiritual exhaustion, cultural frustration and growing uncertainty about the future.

As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Trump’s proclamation is drawing attention to the spiritual foundations that have shaped America since its earliest days, prompting people to look again at the need for a deeper moral and spiritual awakening in our nation.

Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

A new faith-based biographical film centered on the life and ministry of Kathryn Kuhlman is preparing to enter production — and the story behind its lead casting is already stirring excitement among charismatic Christians.

Heaven’s Dance, an upcoming film chronicling the life of the famed healing evangelist, will star actress and evangelist Gemma Wenger as Kuhlman. According to a press release for the project, filming is scheduled to begin this summer in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.

The film is directed by writer-director Richard Rossi, whose previous projects have explored the lives of revivalists and healing ministers. Rossi said the production team is approaching the film with deep spiritual intentionality.

“We want Heaven’s Dance to be a Spirit-led production that honors one of the most influential evangelists of the 20th century,” Rossi said in the release. “We are making a film about faith and making it on faith, trusting God to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory.”

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One of the most compelling aspects of the casting is Wenger’s personal history with Kuhlman’s ministry. According to the release, Wenger attended Kuhlman’s healing services as a child at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and remembers being deeply impacted by the atmosphere of God’s presence.

“As a child, I attended Kathryn Kuhlman’s services at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles,” Wenger said. “I felt the awesome, even at the time, scary presence of the Lord. I never could have imagined that God would open the door for me to portray on film the person I saw on that stage.”

Wenger also described portraying Kuhlman as a personal and spiritual milestone.

“I have looked up to Kathryn Kuhlman and her ministry my entire life and consider her the greatest healing evangelist in history,” Wenger said. “To play the part of Kathryn is truly a dream come true.”

According to the release, Heaven’s Dance will be the third installment in Rossi’s trilogy of films focused on healing evangelists, following Sister Aimee and Canaan Land. Rossi’s earlier film, Sister Aimee: The Aimee Semple McPherson Story, centered on the life of evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, who helped influence Kuhlman’s ministry.

Casting director Lynn Marie said the filmmakers believed the role required more than just performance ability.

“Oscar-winning actresses auditioned for the role, yet the Holy Spirit directed that the person who could embody Kathryn Kuhlman’s anointing was an actress who ministers—someone who understands the Holy Spirit and can authentically channel her anointing,” Lynn Marie said. “Richard chased God, instead of chasing stars.”

The film’s creators say the project aims to introduce a new generation to Kuhlman’s legacy of healing, miracles and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

At a time when conversations about revival, healing and supernatural ministry are once again gaining momentum across many churches, Heaven’s Dance seeks to revisit the life of one of the 20th century’s most influential evangelists through a modern cinematic lens.

“This project is not only a cinematic tribute but also a testament to the ongoing power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives through the arts,” the release states.

Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

Have you ever felt like you simply don’t belong? Like no matter where you go, you stand out — and not always in the way you wanted? Perhaps it just may be the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

“To be anointed is to be marked by God,” says evangelist David Diga Hernandez in a recent video. “To be given a divine assignment, to be empowered unto a special purpose, to be set apart from everyone else.” Drawing from the lives of David and Elisha, Hernandez outlines four powerful signs that God’s anointing is at work in your life.

Sign #1: You’ve Been Given a Position — Even if No One Sees It Yet

When God sent Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel, every outwardly impressive son of Jesse was passed over. The prophet himself was fooled by appearances, ready to crown Eliab simply because he looked the part. But God had other plans — and a very different candidate in mind.

“When God has chosen you, He’s going to make sure you’re found. You don’t have to fight your way for position. You don’t have to try to convince others,” Hernandez says.

David was out tending sheep — dismissed, overlooked and notably absent from the family lineup. Yet the moment Samuel inquired, the command came swiftly: “Send for him at once. We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” God halted the proceedings until His chosen one was present. If God has marked you, your moment cannot be indefinitely delayed by the indifference of others.

Sign #2: You’re Walking in Greater Power

Elisha refused to leave Elijah’s side — not once, not twice, but three times. When Elijah told him to stay behind, he responded with iron resolve: “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” That persistence was not stubbornness. It was a consecrated focus.

When Elijah finally asked what he could do for Elisha, the answer was bold: a double portion of his spirit. And that is exactly what he received. After Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha struck the water with his master’s cloak — and the river divided, just as it had before.

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“With the assignment comes the authority,” Hernandez explains. “If God gives you a task, He’s also going to give you the ability. When God gives you the command, He also gives you the supernatural grace.” The anointing is not just a title — it is power in motion.

Sign #3: You’re Under Divine Protection

Psalm 105 carries one of Scripture’s most arresting declarations: “Do not touch My chosen people and do not hurt My prophets.” God was so fiercely protective of His people that even the nations He used to discipline Israel were themselves judged for their role in that judgment.

“What you think is the rejection of man is sometimes the protective hand of God,” Hernandez says.

This protection is deeply personal. God hears conversations you never heard. He sees motives you couldn’t discern. He surveys futures you cannot yet imagine. If certain people or opportunities have been removed from your path, consider that it may not be rejection at all — it may be redirection. His protection keeps you pure, keeps you safe and keeps you on course for everything He has prepared.

Sign #4: You’re Being Purified — and It’s Uncomfortable

The anointing oil in Exodus was holy — so holy that God strictly forbade any imitation. The real thing could not be faked, and its purity could not be replicated. That same principle applies to the anointing of the Spirit. When God marks your life for a higher purpose, He also initiates a deeper purification.

“The things you listened to and used to feel comfortable listening to, you can’t listen to them anymore,” Hernandez observes. “The places you went, the conversations you had, the thoughts you thought, the attitudes you allowed yourself to carry no longer works for you. Why? Because when He takes you to higher plateaus, He increases the consecration.”

This is the critical warning for anyone chasing position or platform on their own terms: you can force your way into influence, but you cannot manufacture the purity that comes with God-given elevation. When He raises you, the power and the holiness arrive together. One without the other is a dangerous counterfeit.

The Bottom Line

If you feel like you’re between seasons — not quite where you want to be, but restless in the place you’re standing — take heart. David was anointed king long before he sat on the throne. The spiritual reality preceded the visible one. “In the spirit, God’s made His selection,” Hernandez reminds us. “It’s just a matter of time now until you step into the fullness of what God has assigned to you.”

The anointing is not merely for a select few spiritual giants of history.

It is active.

It is present.

And according to these signs, it may be resting on you right now.

Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

A new federal initiative spearheaded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reigniting national debate over antidepressants, psychiatric medications and the future of mental health treatment in America.

According to the Christian Post, Kennedy spoke during a recent summit centered on SSRIs and mental health care, something officials are calling a “deprescribing” initiative — a nationwide effort designed to help patients safely reduce or discontinue psychiatric medications under medical supervision when clinically appropriate.

The initiative, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, seeks to address concerns surrounding psychiatric overprescribing while promoting what officials describe as a more comprehensive approach to mental and emotional wellness.

Moving Beyond a Medication-Only Approach

During the summit, Kennedy argued that psychiatric medications should not automatically become the first solution for emotional and mental health struggles. Instead, he emphasized the importance of exploring additional avenues of healing, including counseling, nutrition, physical activity and community support systems.

Federal officials say the initiative will include new physician education programs focused on safe medication tapering, withdrawal management and informed consent for patients considering discontinuation of antidepressants or similar drugs.

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Kennedy clarified that the initiative is not encouraging patients to stop taking prescribed medications abruptly. Rather, he said Americans deserve greater awareness regarding potential side effects, dependency concerns and withdrawal symptoms tied to certain psychiatric drugs.

Concerns Over Antidepressant Withdrawal

A major focus of the summit centered on the experiences of patients who say they struggled with severe withdrawal symptoms after attempting to discontinue antidepressants too quickly.

Some advocates argued that many patients are never fully warned about the challenges associated with stopping SSRIs and other psychiatric medications, while others claimed tapering schedules are often handled too aggressively.

The debate comes as antidepressant use remains widespread across the country. Reports referenced during the summit estimated that nearly 17% of American adults currently take antidepressants, including commonly prescribed medications such as Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro and Paxil.

A Nation Searching for Healing

As conversations surrounding mental health continue to intensify, the growing debate reveals a deeper reality facing the nation: people are searching for peace, hope and healing in unprecedented ways.

Christians recognize that true restoration also involves emotional, relational and spiritual healing. In a culture increasingly marked by anxiety, isolation and despair, the Church has a unique opportunity to point people not only toward help, but toward the lasting hope and peace found in Christ.

Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

John Ramirez doesn’t talk about spiritual warfare from a seminary classroom. He talks about it from a place most people will never go—and come back from.

For 25 years, Ramirez served as the third-highest-ranked devil worshipper in New York City. Today, he is a born-again Christian, author and minister who has made it his mission to expose the very kingdom he once served.

In a recent episode of the Revival Is Now podcast, hosted by Kathryn Krick, Ramirez pulled back the curtain on the demonic world—its rituals, its strategies, and its relentless campaign to destroy the Church from the inside out.

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Drafted Into Darkness at Age Eight

Ramirez’s story begins not with a curse. At seven and a half years old, a necklace bearing what he describes as the seven demonic powers fell at his feet in a broken lot. He put it on—and within months, he was being initiated into the occult.

By the time he was a young adult, Ramirez had been sworn in by 17 warlocks in a blood ritual, received ceremonial marks carved into his body, and given a new demonic name. He ran spiritual “regions” from New York to Miami, Cuba and Haiti—astral projecting, cursing neighborhoods, breaking marriages and performing rituals for hire.

“I had $100,000 worth of witchcraft items in my house,” he said.

What the Devil Really Wants

One of the most striking revelations Ramirez shared is what Satan actually seeks from his followers—and it isn’t power through sacrifice. It’s devotion.

On the night he almost committed murder at the devil’s instruction, Ramirez describes being asked to prove his loyalty through a human sacrifice. He missed his chance—and two weeks later, Jesus showed up.

But the lesson he draws is profound: the devil wants the same thing God wants. Worship. Loyalty. Time. Dedication.

“The devil wants how loyal could you be? How faithful? How much you love me? See, that’s what the devil wants. The devil wants the same thing we give Jesus,” he stated.

This parallel, he says, explains why people in the occult outspend, out-pray and out-commit most churchgoers—because they believe in what they serve.

The Night He Died and Came Back

Ramirez’s conversion in 1999 was not a quiet moment of prayer. It was a near-death encounter with hell itself. Sitting on his bed one night, he challenged God—telling Him he planned to die a warlock and that if He was truly more powerful than the devil, He would have to prove it.

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What followed was a vivid vision of hell—the ground breathing like a living person, terror wrapping around him like a python, and a 14-foot devil declaring he had to destroy him. Each time the devil lunged, an ancient wooden cross covered in blood appeared between them, dropping the devil to the ground. God then placed Ramirez back in his body.

“That was my only chance that God was giving me to turn to Him. And that night I said, ‘Lord, I just go with you. I leave everything behind.’ That was my sinner’s prayer,” Ramirez said.

The Devil’s Scheme to Divide the Church

Perhaps the most urgent portion of the conversation was Ramirez’s diagnosis of what is killing the church today: division, pride, jealousy and a religious spirit.

Having spent 25 years in a kingdom that operated with military-like unity, he is grieved by what he sees among believers.

“I have [seen] more unity with the devil worshippers than I have with some people in the body of Christ. That belongs to the body of Christ,” he said.

Ramirez identifies the religious spirit as the devil’s most effective weapon inside the church—producing Pharisee-like critics who attack genuine anointing they cannot understand, spread gossip under the guise of “exposing,” and allow jealousy to poison their calling. He also warns that the devil can send dreams that fit a person’s existing hatred or jealousy, fueling false accusations that feel like divine revelation.

A Call to Deliverance and Revival

Ramirez closed with a direct challenge to pastors and church leaders: get equipped for deliverance, or risk being bypassed by the coming revival. When the lost come flooding in—addicts, gang members, the broken—they will need more than a sermon. They will need someone with authority to cast out what has been tormenting them.

The message Ramirez carries is both a warning and an invitation: the enemy is organized, strategic and relentless. But the church has been given authority over all of it—if it will only walk in it.

Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].