FeedBack

My Turn

I want to thank Charisma for writing a balanced article about the movie Jesus Camp (Fire in My Bones online, March 16). I am the father of the boy named Levi in the movie and also pastor to one of the other three children highlighted, Rachael.

Please know that there is nothing about Becky Fischer’s ministry that is fear-based. When you see children looking nervous in the movie, please know that the shots of the audience do not necessarily match real time with the speaker. Our kids never felt guilty or fearful with Becky. That said, it is amazing how many people have been touched radically while viewing this movie.

One Baptist pastor said he began preaching the baptism of the Holy Spirit after seeing it. A father who watched the movie with his 10-year-old son said the screening marked the first time his son was happy since his mom died two years ago. A Spanish-speaking congregation in New England showed the film to 50 children, and now the members are sharing Jesus with friends.

The kids from our church, many who are seen in the movie, continue to march on with Jesus. We recommend Becky Fischer’s ministry to anyone.
Pastor Tim O’Brien

Rock of Ages Worship Center
St. Robert, Missouri

China’s Great Revival

Thank you for the report on Brother Yun (“China’s Brave Witness” by Paul Steven Ghiringhelli, April). Shandong Province in China was mentioned several times in the story. It reminded me of a great revival that occurred in that province in the 1920s in which thousands of Chinese came into the kingdom. Some believe that revival was the foundation for the house-church movement sweeping China today.

Years ago I met C.L. Culpepper, a Southern Baptist missionary and one of the leaders of that great revival. He told me an amazing story about his wife going blind, and how the doctors said there was nothing that could be done for her. But two Scandinavian missionaries prayed for her and she was healed. This was only one of many miracles that occurred during the revival.
Bill Keith
Longview, Texas

Barack Obama and Unfair Politics

We were disappointed with Stephen Strang’s recent editorial about politics (Final Word, March). He wrote: “It’s been rumored that [Barack] Obama is a Muslim because his father was a Muslim.” This smacks of tabloid journalism.

Mr. Obama wrote about his Christian conversion in his book. He said: “Kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side of Chicago, I felt God’s Spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will and dedicated myself to discovering His truth.” If he experienced the Holy Spirit, what does it matter what his father believed?
John and Sally DeVincenzo
San Luis Obispo, California

I find that Christian leaders are not giving a straight story on some of the Democratic hopefuls. Yes, Barack Obama was a young Muslim, but I know a lot of people who were baptized as Christians yet they no longer believe in God.
Obama is a liberal, but I believe he is a Christian. I think we believers are willing to sell our souls to the devil to get a Republican in office.
Jeff Shedd
Claremore, Oklahoma

I read an excerpt from Barack Obama’s book The Audacity of Hope in which he stated that he is not sure what happens to us when we die. My heart went out to him and I wrote him a letter, but I don’t know if he ever read it. I am a registered Republican.
Aimee M. Richmond, M.D.
Middletown, Ohio

I disagree with those who wrote letters against the endorsement of political parties and candidates by Christian publications, ministers and churches. If we Christians do not endorse those who represent our morals, we may end up with people in office who will be against our values and will try to restrict us from speaking about our faith.
Robert Kinney
Lincolnton, Georgia

The Obesity Epidemic

Your recent cover story on health was excellent (“God’s Secrets for Divine Health” by Don Colbert, M.D., January). I thought I had seen obesity before, but when I moved from the West Coast to the South I was shocked. It has become an epidemic—even among believers.

How long will Christians continue ignoring what the Lord told us about our bodies? How can we talk to others about the fruit of the Spirit when our bodies contradict our words? Please continue to address this timely and sensitive issue.
R. Fiveash
Marietta, Georgia

Does God Like Hip-Hop?

Some of your readers must be so wrapped up in hip-hop music that they couldn’t hear what hip-hop critic G. Craige Lewis is saying (News, February). He makes a clear distinction between hip-hop and rap music. He acknowledges that godly rappers are doing the will of God and spreading the gospel.

Lewis opposes the hip-hop culture because its origins are not godly. His research is undeniable. He has an anointed message from God. It is sad to see that so many who call themselves Christians don’t know the difference between truth and error.
Walter F. Ales
DeFuniak Springs, Florida

The Antichrist in Miami

I was a member of two prominent churches in Tulsa that preached the same false doctrine as José Luis De Jesús Miranda—the cult leader based in Miami who calls himself the Antichrist (News, April). I was deeply saddened to hear that another saint has been deceived by Satan in the form of apostasy and false doctrine.

The Word clearly says we must confess Jesus Christ as Savior for salvation. My prayer is that everyone would seek God and search the Scriptures.
KaTonya Samuels
Tulsa, Oklahoma

No More Greasy Grace

J. Lee Grady’s editorial about the lack of integrity in the church today has some good points (Fire in My Bones, April). But the advertisements in your magazine are full of ministers who have been exposed in sinful lifestyles and then are restored to leadership a few years later. Does anyone read 2 Peter 2 anymore?
name withheld

I agree with J. Lee Grady. However, “independent charismatic churches” are not the only ones that are soft on sin. This attitude is also prevalent in many Spirit-filled denominations. The church in the United States needs a spiritual awakening from top to bottom.
Nathan Johnson
Deltona, Florida

It was unfair that you listed independent charismatic churches as the only ones that have developed this “lovey-dovey” culture that shies away from hard-line discipline. Second Timothy 4:3-4 says people in the last days will not endure sound doctrine and will turn away from the truth. One reason I left the mainline church was because many were steering away from the truth of the Bible.
Lynn Hape
Leesburg, Florida

What bank would hire a teller who was caught stealing from the drawer at a previous bank? And yet pastors are “restored” to leadership instead of being made to function for the rest of their lives as faithful laymen. We need pastors who are always faithful to God’s call to holiness in their lives, behind the scenes and in their marriages.

It is time Charisma magazine stopped running ads featuring Christian leaders who have not been faithful to lead the church by the example of their own lives.
Eugene Douglass
Red Springs, North Carolina

Rescuing the Children

Thank you for publishing the article on the International Justice Mission (“Who Will Cry for Justice?” by David Lee Mundy, February). So many sexually abused girls were not getting help before this organization came on the scene.
Elizabeth Arnold
West Salem, Wisconsin

The horrible child trafficking I read about in your recent report touched me so strongly that I was on the verge of getting sick (“Girls Are Not For Sale” by Diana Scimone, December). I cannot fathom the pain felt by the millions of innocent children around the world who are abused in this way.

At first I was too upset to even see any hope of rescue for these little ones. I felt an overwhelming feeling of despair. But God opened a door by showing me your article and that introduced me to your organization. I am thrilled to support the effort to help these children, both financially and with prayer.
Marita Dwight-Smith
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Editor’s note: So far, our readers have given $5,802 to our nonprofit partner, Christian Life Missions, to help the victims of child-sex trafficking.

More on Ted Haggard

This letter is in response to the person who asked how Ted Haggard could be blessed with a large church and prominence in ministry (Feedback, March). God allowed this man to prosper until the time was right to expose Haggard’s spiritual darkness to the light. In all things, even immorality, God’s will determines the time when sin is exposed.
Beverly D. Harris
Sacramento, California

With regard to the question raised concerning Ted Haggard, his success as a man, and how we should respond to homosexuality in the church. Jesus would teach that it is sin, and that it is an abomination in God’s eyes—even in the pulpit.

Repentance, therefore, is in order for the body of Christ. God will not tolerate this type of lukewarm living. If we do not repent, Jesus said He would eventually spew us out of His mouth. Let’s not confuse church growth and “successful Christianity” with the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Michael Johanning
Laveen, Arizona

I read your coverage of Ted Haggard’s removal from church leadership. I tend to argue that power, wealth and sex are usually the reasons for such moral failures.
Abraham, David and Solomon accumulated great wealth and power as a result of their relationships with the Lord yet lived in violation of the Creator’s command that a sexual relationship is for one man and one woman for life.

As men and women gain power and wealth, many are tempted with the question: “What good is all this if I can’t indulge my sexual desires?” We shouldn’t be surprised that leaders are tempted in this sex-saturated society.
Del Yoder
Epworth, Georgia

Creation Museum Opens to Capacity Crowds

On May 28 a first-of-its-kind Creation Museum opened its doors to an estimated 4,000 people representing more than 30 states and two countries.

On May 28 Answers in Genesis opened the doors to a first-of-its-kind Creation Museum that explores the Bible’s account of the world’s origins.

By the days end an estimated 4,000 people representing 32 states and two Canadian provinces had toured this $27 million “apologetics museum.”

Ken Ham, president of the Kentucky-based ministry, says that the museum will help Christians defend their faith. “The purpose of the museum is to use observational science to show that the Bible is true, its history is true and therefore the gospel is true,” Ham said. “There are a lot of Ph.D. scientists who believe what the Bible teaches. Both creationists and evolutionists use the same science, and the same evidence – the difference is our pre-existing beliefs [about origins].”

Complete with animatronic human figures, high-quality video, two planetariums and life-size dinosaur replicas, the museum takes visitors through what Ham calls the seven Cs of history: creation, corruption, catastrophe, confusion, Christ, the cross and consummation. At the end of the tour, the gospel is presented through a theatrical presentation. “As they walk through biblical history, they experience it, read signs and watch videos that answer the skeptical questions of the age,” Ham says. “At the end they will understand the Bible’s history is true. It’s an evangelistic museum.”

A former public school teacher in Australia, Ham believes the museum will be an important teaching tool for those who have learned about evolution in school but aren’t sure how to counter its proponents’ arguments. He also hopes it will challenge Christians who embrace evolution. Located in northern Kentucky, just minutes from the Cincinnati airport, the museum will be open seven days a week until after Labor Day . —Adrienne S. Gaines

Millions Gathered to Pray on Pentecost Sunday

An estimated 400 million Christians are believed to have gathered in more than 200 nations worldwide for numerous Global Day of Prayer events.

Roughly 400 million Christians are believed to have gathered in more than 200 nations worldwide for numerous Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) events held on Pentecost Sunday. Although detailed statistics are still being assembled, believers from countries such as Korea, Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States gathered under the prayer banner of 2 Chronicles 7:14. In Nigeria millions gathered in the economic capital of Lagos to pray for their nation and the world just days ahead of their new president taking office. In Dallas, a service hosted by T.D. Jakes of The Potter’s House, evangelist Luis Palau and pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas drew many to pray in Reunion Arena. In London tens of thousands of Christians from a multitude of denominations packed into the West Ham United Football Club in East London to pray for their nation and the globe. GDOP founder Graham Power and 47 others climbed to the top of the largest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, reaching the summit on Pentecost Sunday. They planted a cross, offered prayers of repentance and interceded for revival and restoration around the world. Ninety Days of Blessing follows the GDOP as an opportunity for Christians to not only continue in persistent prayer, but to also become actively involved in outreach ministry and evangelism. —Janet Sebastian in Johannesburg, South Africa

Global Day of Prayer to be Broadcast Live Sunday

Nations around the world will unite in prayer for the third annual Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) on Pentecost Sunday, May 27.

Nations around the world will unite in prayer for the third annual Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) on Pentecost Sunday, May 27. A three-hour television special, hosted by T.D. Jakes of The Potter’s House, evangelist Luis Palau and pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, will broadcast from the Reunion Arena in downtown Dallas 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (EST). The global prayer day began in March 2001 with more than 45,000 Christians gathering to unite in prayer at Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. Last year, 199 countries participated in the event. As part of a three-phase strategy, the celebration began May 17 with 10 days of 24-hour prayer and was to end with 90 days of blessing. The Dallas GDOP event will be broadcast live on GodTV.

Thousands Attend FalwellÃ¢Â€Â™s Funeral

Thousands attended the funeral services for the Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr. May 22 at his Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va.

The funeral service for the Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr. was on May 22 at his Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va. Among the guests were the Rev. Franklin Graham, who spoke during the funeral; Gary Bauer president of American Values; Paige Patterson, president of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Falwell was remembered as a prominent voice in the Christian conservative community. He founded the Moral Majority in 1979 and credited his organization with helping Ronald Reagan get elected president in 1980. Even after he stepped down from leading the Moral Majority in 1987, he continued to oppose abortion, gay marriage and bans on school prayer. “Jerry has been a tower of strength on many of the moral issues which have confronted our nation,” Robertson said. Falwell died May 15 after being found unconscious in his Liberty University office. “So many in politics aren't recognizing the social and moral issues in our society,” Roy Moore, the Alabama judge who fought to display a Ten Commandments monument, told the AP. “People like Jerry Falwell were bold enough to speak out.” After the service, a private burial was held on the grounds of Liberty University near Falwell's office.

Hamas Proves to be Terror Group “˜Through and Through,” Says Olmert

After battling Fatah and cross-border attacks on Israel, Hamas further isolates itself as a party of Islamic extremism

Top government officials in Israel last week authorized the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to respond to what has since been a week-long barrage of Kassam rockets launched from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, striking targets in Sderot and an Israeli high school in Negev.

Observers say Palestinian members of Hamas, the terrorist organization involved in fierce infighting in Gaza with rival Fatah, are attempting to draw Israel into the Palestinian conflict, which could descend into civil war as Israeli air strikes on Hamas are promulgated by the terrorist group as an Israeli alliance with Fatah.

At the outset of the unrest, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert resisted calls to order the evacuation of southern Israeli communities. “I oppose population evacuations,” he said. “These are the exact pictures that Hamas has been waiting for and I am not prepared to grant any victory to terrorism.”

Olmert said Hamas’ behavior demonstrated a bold but double-minded approach to politics. “The Hamas government is behind the terrorist actions [against Israel] and it cannot be that it also seeks international recognition and economic assistance from the nations of the world,” he said. “The Hamas terrorist organization, which constitutes a significant part of the Palestinian Authority (PA) government, has again proven to the entire world that it is a murderous terrorist organization through and through.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said that Israel views the Palestinian government itself as fully responsible for the violence in, and spilling from, the Gaza Strip. “The situation in the last two days is unbearable,” she said last week.

Livni said Israel has exercised great restraint, but that there needed to be an end to the daily attacks on Israeli civilians from the Gaza Strip—land that Israel’s former prime minister handed over to the Palestinians in August 2005 in hopes of encouraging its leadership to become viable partners in the peace process. In democratic elections five months later Palestinians gave Hamas a majority in parliament.

“For no reason, and because of some internal disagreements in the Palestinian Authority, someone has decided to strike the residents of Sderot (Israel) in such a massive and severe manner. This is something we cannot accept,” said Livni.

The latest violence in Gaza effectively disintegrated an already fragile Palestinian unity government formed in March in Saudi Arabia between the radical Islamic Hamas and the more secular Fatah. It also put on permanent hold potential peace talks between Israel and the PA.

“We must understand that no one has a magic solution,” said Livni. “We will have to act, and the time period will be determined by the circumstances.”

Prayer Exposed Terrorist Attack, Leaders Say

New Jersey prayer leaders believe prophetic intercession played a crucial role in the unveiling of a terrorist plot to attack the Fort Dix Army base.

Prayer Exposed Terrorist Plot, Leaders Say

New Jersey prayer leaders believe prophetic intercession played a crucial role in the unveiling of a terrorist plot to attack the Fort Dix Army base. Chuck Pierce, founder of Glory of Zion International Ministries, was a guest prayer leader in Trenton, N.J., on May 3, this year’s National Day of Prayer. Pierce said he felt God leading him to New Jersey. “By the Spirit I knew last week [May 6-13] was key for our nation, but God said I was to be in New Jersey and not Washington D.C.,” Pierce said. Just one week before the major terrorist attack on the military base was foiled Pierce prophesied over the state of New Jersey, “within a week … there is an awakening that is beginning and you have chosen New Jersey for that awakening.” Pierce continued: “The Lord is focusing on New Jersey. We agree that the battle will be turned at the gate! New Jersey is a key place. This year New Jersey will begin to take an incredible turn. You will hear about it and you will see it.” On May 8 reports surfaced that six men had been arrested for their involvement in a plot to enter the New Jersey military base with rocket propelled grenades, intending to kill as many soldiers as possible. Since July 2006, after Pierce said New Jersey was at a crossroads, residents of the state reported having corporate prayer gatherings, along with “angelic” sightings and other signs and wonders.

Jerry Falwell Dies at 73

The Rev. Jerry Falwell, founder of the Moral Majority, died May 15 shortly after he was found unconscious in his Liberty University office. He was 73.

The Rev. Jerry Falwell, founder of the Moral Majority, died May 15 shortly after he was found unconscious in his Liberty University office, the Associated Press (AP) reported. He was 73. Ron Godwin, executive vice-president of the Lynchburg, college, said Falwell had a history of heart problems, but he was unsure what caused the minister to collapse. Founder and senior pastor of 22,000-member Thomas Road Baptist Church, Falwell became a prominent voice for the Christian conservative community after abortion was legalized in 1973. He founded the Moral Majority in 1979 and credited the organization with helping to put Ronald Reagan into office in 1980. He stepped down as its leader in 1987 but continued to oppose abortion, gay marriage and bans on school prayer. “Jerry has been a tower of strength on many of the moral issues which have confronted our nation,” said Christian Broadcasting Network founder Pat Robertson, who launched the Christian Coalition of America in 1988. “Jerry's courage and strength of convictions will be sadly missed in this time of increasing moral relativism.” Falwell made careful plans to transition his leadership to his two sons, Jerry Falwell, Jr., currently vice chancellor of Liberty University, and Jonathan Falwell, the executive pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church. In addition to his two sons, Falwell is survived by his wife of 49 years, Macel, and his daughter.

Reaching the Illiterate With Technology

More illiterate people are being reached with the gospel thanks in part to a hand-held solar-powered digital audio Bible called the “Ambassador.”

As technology advances in the 21st century, great evangelistic advances are being forged. Today more illiterate people are being reached with the gospel thanks in part to a hand-held solar-powered digital audio Bible called the “Ambassador.” Smaller than a cell phone it is capable of playing 10 hours of the Bible in any language. “The device is unlike any other evangelistic tool in history,” said Jim Subers, executive director of MegaVoice (), the Kansas-based company producing the devices. “When you give people access to the Word of God, it’s not just words, it is the power of God; it is living and active.” Currently there are more than 1 billion illiterate people in the world, many of whom have never heard the name of Jesus Christ. In an effort to reach them, MegaVoice has distributed more than 50,000 devices worldwide. “We’re getting testimonies from every part of the globe—from Muslims … to Hindus to Buddhists [who come to faith] through the audio Scripture delivered on these devices,” Subers said. Missionary Heidi Baker said the Ambassador has helped expand her ministry. Baker, who co-founded Iris Ministries with her husband, Rolland, has distributed 1,000 devices to people in Mozambique. “It’s like the bread of life is offered to them verbally so they can understand it.” She hopes her ministry will be able to distribute 6,000 more devices. “We’re working with groups that used to be unreached. … We’re reaching them now,” Baker said. —Suzy A. Richardson

Universities Have More Majors in Religion

Some officials are attributing this surge to the prominence of the religious right in politics, catastrophic events and evangelical students enrolling in secular colleges.

Many American universities are seeing a surge in students interested in religion. Compared with the last decade, “there is a greater interest in religion on campus, both intellectually and spiritually,” Charles L. Cohen, a professor of history and religious studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, told The New York Times. Dozens of interviews with various universities showed that more students are choosing to live in dormitories where religion and spirituality are a part of the everyday conversation, and some are joining discussion groups that address topics such as what happens after death, The Times reported. In a 2004 study conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, two-thirds of 112,000 freshmen surveyed said they prayed and nearly 80 percent said they believed in God. The survey also showed that half the respondents were searching for spiritual growth. Some university officials attribute the surge in religious interest to the prominence of the religious right in politics. Others believe catastrophic events—such as hurricanes, tsunamis and Sept. 11—have caused students to turn more to religion. An increase in evangelical students who now attend secular universities is also a contributing factor. Although some sociologists say there hasn't been enough research to proclaim that students' attitudes toward religion have dramatically changed, others say there has been a noticeable shift. “All I hear from everybody is yes, there is growing interest in religion and spirituality and an openness on college campuses,” said University of Notre Dame sociology professor Christian Smith. “Everybody who is talking about it says something seems to be going on.”