Another Hillsong church has decided to step away from the global megachurch network, this time in San Francisco. Hillsong San Francisco, led by pastors Brenden and Jacqui Brown, will now operate independently under a new name. The announcement, made by Hillsong Global Senior Pastor Phil Dooley and Hillsong California Lead Pastor Sam Lopez, comes after a period of reflection and planning.

“After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, we’re announcing that Brenden and Jacqui Brown will be taking on the leadership of our church community in San Francisco as a separate church,” Dooley said in a remote broadcast to Hillsong California. He emphasized that this transition is an exciting new season for the Browns and their congregation, with Hillsong’s full support.

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On the surface, this seems like a natural move—church leaders feeling called to something new, stepping out in faith. But given Hillsong’s recent history, it’s hard not to see the bigger picture. As reported by The Christian Post, this marks the 11th church to depart from the Hillsong network in the U.S. since a wave of scandals rocked the megachurch. The most high-profile of these was the 2020 firing of Carl Lentz, former lead pastor of Hillsong NYC, due to “leadership issues” and moral failings, including infidelity. Since then, allegations of deeper cultural problems, including mishandling of abuse claims, have come to light—some of which were exposed in the 2022 documentary “Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed.”

Despite the history, Lopez insists there’s no hidden drama behind Hillsong San Francisco’s departure.

“In my conversations with a couple of people in our church, I’m starting to realize that this isn’t very normal. … The tone I keep getting is like, ‘So what happened?’ And let me tell you, nothing happened,” he said. According to him, the Browns simply have a “fresh vision” and are following God’s calling.

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It’s understandable that people might be skeptical. When a church experiences multiple departures in a short time, it raises questions. Is Hillsong undergoing a natural transition, letting go of campuses that are ready to stand on their own? Or is this another sign that the megachurch model—especially one as centralized as Hillsong—just isn’t sustainable in today’s world?

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

For centuries, humanity has pondered two of life’s greatest mysteries: where we come from and where we go when we die. Now, science is offering glimpses into both—confirming what the Bible has told us all along.

A recent study, as reported by the Daily Mail, observed a sudden burst of energy in the brain at the moment of death. Dr. Stuart Hameroff, an anesthesiologist and researcher, suggests this could be the soul leaving the body. His theory argues that consciousness exists on a quantum level, separate from the physical brain, and when we die, this information “distributes and dissipates into the universe.” In simple terms, it’s possible that what makes us us—our soul—is not bound by our mortal frame.

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This echoes a truth found in Ecclesiastes 12:7: “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.”

Science may not use the word “spirit,” but its findings align with the idea that something within us transcends death.

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Interestingly, there is also a remarkable moment at the very beginning of life. Northwestern University researchers discovered that at the instant of conception, a literal explosion of zinc sparks erupts. The healthier the egg, the more radiant the spark—almost as if life itself is marked by divine light.

From the first flash of conception to the final burst of energy at death, the evidence is overwhelming: life is not an accident. Scripture declares in Genesis 2:7 that God breathed life into man, and throughout the Bible we see that human existence is divinely ordained. These scientific discoveries merely pull back the curtain on what faith has long understood—life is sacred, purposeful and not confined to the material world.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

Are you worried about demons and their influence in your life?

In a recent teaching video, deliverance minister Isaiah Saldivar dives deep into what the Bible reveals about demonic forces, their agenda and the power of deliverance.

If you’ve ever wondered how demons operate or how to stand against them through biblical truth, this video is a must-watch.

Saldivar breaks down key Scriptures, exposes the enemy’s tactics and equips viewers with the knowledge to walk in spiritual freedom.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

The Presbyterian Church in America has issued a statement of repentance after one of its websites published guidance advising illegal immigrants on how to avoid U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention.

The since-deleted page, published in January by the PCA’s Mission to North America, provided recommendations such as not carrying documents that show one’s country of origin and not disclosing information about criminal history. The guidance went viral on X last week, prompting swift backlash.

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Following the removal of the resource, MNA Director Irwyn Ince released a statement of repentance, acknowledging the mistake:

Mission to North America serves the PCA for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom through our churches in the U.S. and Canada. We do this through a two-pronged focus on church planting and church vitality. Our church planting efforts facilitate starting and supporting new PCA churches. Our church vitality efforts provide ministry resources that enable our churches to grow in their outward facing missional engagement in their communities, loving neighbors as our Lord commands (Matt. 22:39). One such long-standing MNA ministry is our Refugee and Immigrant Ministry.

Recently, we posted links on our webpage to external organizations offering a wide range of recommendations and frequently asked questions on immigration. MNA’s leadership erroneously allowed the posting of content that advised undocumented persons on ways to avoid being detained by authorities.

We also apologize for causing confusion and consternation in our church. We have removed all the previously posted information from our website.

MNA’s Refugee & Immigrant Ministry, along with other MNA ministries, seeks to serve our churches with resources that enable them to faithfully follow our Lord’s call to love the stranger. However, MNA does not engage in providing legal advice, political campaigning or partisan positions. The information we post going forward will provide ecclesiastical resources in line with our Confession for guidance on the matter.

The MNA Permanent Committee is holding its Spring Meeting during the first week of March and this issue is docketed for further focused discussion as part of the Committee’s regular oversight of MNA’s ministries. The Committee does this work on behalf of the General Assembly of the PCA, which meets annually in June.

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As reported by The Christian Post, Zachary Groff, senior pastor at Antioch Presbyterian Church in Greer, South Carolina, and a member of the committee overseeing MNA, said many in the denomination were “very, very alarmed” by the guidance.

“The rank-and-file of the PCA is not at all pleased or supportive of what was published,” Groff said, calling it a “grave error in judgment.”

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

The shooting at Lakewood Church last year remains an unsettling and tragic event.

The Feb. 11, 2024, incident, in which 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno opened fire inside the megachurch before being shot and killed by off-duty officers, is now entering its next chapter. As reported by The Christian Post, “The case will be reviewed by a grand jury,” a customary process for any officer-involved shooting that results in a fatality.

The circumstances surrounding the attack are as tragic as they are complex. Moreno, who was described as struggling with mental illness, brought her then 7-year-old son, Samuel Moreno-Carranza, into the church before opening fire. The child was shot in the head during the incident, believed to be an accident in the chaos. A 57-year-old bystander also was shot in the leg.

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In the aftermath of the shooting, a troubling portrait of Moreno’s life emerged. She had been entangled in a contentious custody battle over Samuel with her ex-partner, Enrique Carranza. Court documents revealed that Moreno was diagnosed with schizophrenia and allegedly did not consistently take her prescribed medication. Despite these concerns, she was granted custody of the child in a Montgomery County court ruling, even after her former mother-in-law, Walli Carranza, had petitioned to be his conservator.

The custody battle over Samuel had a history of legal complexity, moving from Harris County to Montgomery County. Enrique Carranza had initially been granted custody in Harris County, but Moreno was later awarded custody in Montgomery County. During the proceedings, Walli Carranza expressed concerns about Moreno’s mental stability and had a history of not adhering to her medication regimen. Additionally, Moreno’s erratic behavior extended to fabricating information, as Enrique Carranza testified that he was not informed of his son’s birth until a month later, at which point Moreno had told the hospital he was deceased.

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The question many are left asking is whether this tragedy could have been prevented.

According to Lakewood Church spokesperson Don Iloff, the church had no record of Moreno’s mother being an active member after 2022, nor any record of emails requesting help during the custody battle.

“If we had reached out and [Moreno] had accepted counseling, then we definitely would have been more than happy to provide that,” Iloff told The Associated Press.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

Hamas has announced that it will release the bodies of four hostages, including two of the youngest captives—9-month-old Kfir Bibas and his 4-year-old brother Ariel—at the time of their abduction during the October 7th attack. Their mother, Shiri, was also among the dead, according to Hamas, though Israel has not confirmed this claim.

As reported by the BBC, Hamas asserts that the Bibas family was killed by Israeli airstrikes, with no independent verification, as the truth remains shrouded in the fog of war. Their father, Yarden, was freed earlier this month, but his freedom is now tainted by an unimaginable grief—his family will not be returning home.

Per CNN, Hamas will return the bodies of Shiri Bibas and her two babies, Kfir and Ariel this Thursday February 20th.

Our hearts are broken for the family.

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) February 18, 2025

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This conflict has seen countless moments of devastation, and yet, a glimmer of hope remains. In addition to the release of the bodies, Hamas has pledged to free six living hostages on Saturday—double the original plan—in exchange for Israel’s release of all Palestinian women and minors detained since last October.

An Israeli official told Reuters that deceased hostages would undergo identification in Israel before being named. Meanwhile, the Bibas family issued a statement, saying, “In the past few hours, we have been in turmoil following Hamas spokesperson’s announcement about the planned return of our Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir this Thursday as part of the hostages’ remains release phase.” They added, “We want to make it clear that while we are aware of these reports, we have not yet received any official confirmation regarding this matter. Until we receive definitive confirmation, our journey is not over.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also commented on the broader ceasefire discussions, stating, “If we will see there is a constructive dialogue with a possible horizon of getting to an agreement (then) we will make this timeframe work longer.”

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While every hostage return is a step toward some form of resolution, it is painfully clear that the cycle of violence is far from over. Israel remains firm in its position that Hamas must be eliminated from Gaza, and negotiations for a broader ceasefire continue to stall.

From a biblical perspective, the persecution of Israel is not a new phenomenon. Scripture foretells that in the last days, Israel will face great tribulation, yet God’s hand remains upon His chosen people. Zechariah 12:3 declares, “On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations.”

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

As the Catholic world watches with concern, Pope Francis remains in the hospital, recovering from a prolonged bout of bronchitis. Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, provided an update Feb. 18, assuring journalists that “the night passed peacefully.” Bruni further stated “The Pope rested, woke up this morning, had breakfast and spent some time reading newspapers, as he regularly does.” While no immediate medical updates were available, Bruni indicated that further information would be provided later in the evening.

The Pope’s hospitalization since Friday, Feb. 14, has sparked speculation and concern among Catholics worldwide. The Vatican confirmed that the Holy Father has not had a fever and continues to follow his prescribed therapy. However, the severity of his illness has led to significant adjustments to his schedule.

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Earlier Tuesday, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis would not preside over the Mass for the Jubilee of Deacons scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 23. This development, coupled with his ongoing health struggles, has fueled discussions about the future of his papacy and the church itself.

Beyond medical concerns, a more mysterious narrative has emerged: the ancient prophecies of St. Malachy. These cryptic predictions, which claim to outline a succession of 112 popes, have long been a source of speculation within Catholic circles.

Widely considered a 16th-century forgery designed to influence papal elections, the final entry on the list remains a haunting enigma. It describes a figure known as Petrus Romanus (Peter the Roman), under whom “the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people.” Many prophecy enthusiasts believe this marks the final pope before the end times.

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With Pope Francis often considered number 112 on the list, speculation has intensified. If he were to step down or pass away, attention would inevitably turn to his potential successor.

One intriguing figure in this discussion is Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State. Born in Italy and holding one of the most powerful positions within the Holy See, his name—Pietro, which translates to Peter in English—only adds fuel to the prophetic fire. If he were to ascend to the papacy, some would see it as the fulfillment of the Peter the Roman prophecy, ushering in an era of great tribulation.

Of course, the Catholic Church has dismissed these prophecies as non-canonical and unreliable, and history has shown that predictions of imminent doom are often exaggerated.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

For those following the red heifer project in Israel, a pressing question has emerged: what happens if all the heifers are disqualified or age out before the ceremony can take place?

Byron Stinson, the man responsible for locating and transporting these rare cattle to Israel, recently provided Charisma News an important update that directly addresses this concern:

“Out of the five, three are still pure and could still be used for the ceremony. Two have started growing a couple of white or black hairs that disqualify them for the ceremony. They’re still very good animals that could produce another red heifer,” Stinson explains.

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Rather than allowing the disqualified heifers to go to waste, Stinson reveals the rabbis have already taken action to ensure the future availability of red heifers.

“So what we’ve done, and you’ll be only the second one to hear about this, is we have actually arranged for the cows to be inseminated with semen from the reddest bulls that we could find in the whole world. And so we now have those two reinseminated. And of course, they could have a bull calf instead of a heifer calf. We won’t know about that, but we’re starting that process. So we’re going to build a herd out of any that aren’t used. It’s only one needed for the ceremony. And so we’re doing that just for future generations.”

This step marks a significant shift, as it means that future red heifers will be bred directly in Israel, reducing the reliance on searching the world for these rare animals.

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As Christians, we do not believe in the purifying power of the blood of the red heifers. It is only the blood of Jesus Christ that washes us white as snow (Isa. 1:18). However, we recognize the prophetic significance of the red heifer and the temple preparations as an indicator of the times we live in. Jesus Himself commanded His followers to remain alert and discerning regarding the signs of the end times (Matt. 24:42-44).

Stinson confirmed that the remaining heifers are currently in Shiloh, a historically significant site for red heifer ceremonies in ancient Israel.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

On Feb. 13, something remarkable happened in Times Square.

In a place known for its flashing lights and cultural icons, one show stood out—not for its spectacle, but for its message. “The Chosen,” the groundbreaking Bible-based drama, took over the heart of New York City, displaying stunning new promotional images shot by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz. Creator Dallas Jenkins was there to take it all in, standing beneath a massive display of Jesus and His disciples.

“A Jesus show has taken over. Look at this!” Jenkins exclaimed.

Right next to “The Chosen,” another massive advertisement loomed—one for “Wicked,” the recently released movie that glorifies witchcraft and the occult. The contrast was striking. On one side, the story of Christ, the Savior of the world. On the other, a Hollywood production that celebrates rebellion and dark spiritual themes.

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This is not just a coincidence. There is a real spiritual divide in entertainment today. “The Chosen” has made a worldwide impact, drawing people to the Gospel in ways that few TV series have. As reported by , Jenkins expressed excitement that “The Chosen’s” presence in Times Square would bring even more people to the series.

“More people are gonna watch the show now because of this,” he said, emphasizing the growing reach of the show’s message.

Meanwhile, “Wicked” is part of a broader trend of normalizing witchcraft in mainstream entertainment. The film, based on the hit Broadway musical, has already drawn millions to its dark, revisionist tale of magic and rebellion. It’s no surprise that one of its biggest stars, Ariana Grande, openly practices witchcraft. She has publicly spoken about her use of tarot cards and even admitted, “I sit somewhere between being a literal witch.” Grande further revealed in a past interview, “A literal witch, I’m not kidding, and being the most cut and am indeed the most witchiest witch.”

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This is the spiritual atmosphere that much of Hollywood is pushing onto audiences.

“The Chosen,” however, stands apart. It’s not just another TV show; it’s a movement that is bringing the life of Jesus to a new generation. With Season 5 premiering in theaters on Mar. 28, the momentum is only growing.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

In his latest live broadcast, Joseph Z dives deep into the fascinating realm of angels and their celestial hierarchy. He breaks down their origins and roles using Scripture, referencing Ephesians 1:21 and Colossians 1:16 to explain different ranks like Seraphim, Cherubim, thrones, dominions, virtues, powers, principalities, archangels and angels. Each of these beings carries a unique spiritual substance and authority, some standing in higher ranks than others in the divine order.

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Z takes this teaching further by explaining how Jesus stepped into a world where a higher substance being—the devil—had taken authority through Adam’s fall. But the good news is that John 12:31 assures us that Jesus is actively casting out the devil, and 1 John 3:8 confirms that His purpose was to destroy the works of the enemy. This means that no matter how powerful these celestial forces are, Jesus holds ultimate authority over them all!

Want to dive deeper into this incredible revelation? Watch the full video in the article to learn more about the heavenly hierarchy and how it impacts your life today! Don’t miss out on this eye-opening teaching!

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.