Try this: Turn on your television and flip through the channels. You’re more likely to see sex, drugs and violence than you are positive images. 

“The media has helped to shape the young minds with some negative/false images of what is acceptable for a teen to feel valued in society,” says Stacey Spencer, founder of youth-oriented ministry Teen Tyme.

 That’s why Spencer created Just Teens, a TV show that this month expands its reach from 5 million to 36 million homes. The talk show is educational and relevant while tackling topics affecting 12-to-17-year-olds such as abortion, suicide and anorexia. Teens are involved in deciding the show’s content and helping with the production. 

Spencer says the need f or positive teen programming is so great that both private and public schools have requested the shows be aired for their students. So far more than 65,000 students have been exposed to the show in schools. 

“Our production ministry has helped to reinforce high standards, meaningful morals, priceless values and valuable virtues through positive television programming for teens,” Spencer says.

For more information, visit .

The Holy Spirit is on the move in the small town of Brooksville, Fla., observers say.

With the local economy in shambles—including a 17 percent unemployment rate—even the ever-popular Starbucks restaurant closed its doors. Yet the Rising Sun Café, owned by John and Lisa Callea, continues to buck the trend. 

Within a year of his conversion John arrived in Florida in 2005. He was penniless and divorced, but he remembered a message the Lord gave him in 2001: “The church is broken. It’s become a business and has forgotten Me. I will build My church in the marketplace.” 

John says of his restaurant: “This is becoming the church. Many pastors and people just show up for fellowship, and God’s church is flowing out from here.”

The resources are scarce, but never the blessings. The Calleas have helped many through Love Your Neighbor, a ministry they founded that feeds the needy, and from which most of their kitchen staff has come. Through the ministry, Bob—who was an atheist,  suffered from leukemia and was considering suicide—received prayer. Bob then heard a voice say, “I’m not done with you yet,” and he was soon healed. He became a believer as a result. 

Afsan (not her real name), a Muslim excommunicated for becoming a Christian, had stage 4 breast cancer when she came to the café in secret after it was closed for business. A Bible study group that was meeting there prayed for her, and she was healed.

John says true Christianity is weaving itself into the fabric of life at the Rising Sun Café. Denominational walls are dissolving, and a network is forming to care for people in real and tangible ways. Their focus, according to John: to build true, biblical and Christian community.

The Obama administration has revised portions of the “conscience clause,” which protected health care workers from being forced to perform procedures that conflict with their faith. The new regulations still protect medical workers’ rights not to perform abortions, but professionals can no longer refuse to provide contraception or to give in-vitro fertilization to lesbians or single women.

A new survey found that 61 percent of young people would like to be virgins when they get married. Another 63 percent said they would regain their virginity if it were possible, cites a OneHope survey of 5,108 teens between the ages of 13 and 18.

Sixteen-year-old pop superstar Justin Bieber (below) was outspoken about his pro-life views when featured on the cover of Rolling Stone. Dubbed the “Tween evangelist” by USA Today, Bieber says he is a Christian and released a single titled “Pray” last year. His mother, Pattie Mallette, says Bieber recognizes his singing is “a gift—and a ministry.”

2011 began bleak. With 13 million Americans unemployed, many middle-class families had to turn to an unfamiliar source to put food on the table: the church.  

Many ministries such as Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida have recorded a 100 percent increase in the number of soup kitchens and pantries that they start to collect and distribute donated food.

In nearby Palm Bay, Fla., Walter Truss, head of Zion Christian Church’s food pantry, says he’s seen the local need for food pantries continually expand since he started working as a volunteer 10 years ago.

“I can remember when our church pantry was just a little hole-in-the-wall serving about seven families,” he says. “Back then we gave out maybe 12 or 15 boxes ^­of food a month. We stocked mostly peanut butter and cereal—things that people from the church gave us, or we had to buy the food retail.”

By 2006, Truss says the pantry distributed about 100 boxes of food per week. Today it serves an estimated 300 families each week and recently started a mobile food delivery program.

 “God’s mandate is to feed the hungry and care for the needy. … We take that mandate seriously,” says Tom Walker, pastor of Zion Christian Church.

Don and Deyon Stephens know how to dream big. In 1978 they imagined launching a ship that would provide medical care to the poor in undeveloped nations. Thirty-three years later, Mercy Ships, the ministry the couple founded, has expanded that vision to include the world’s largest charity hospital ship. 

“Jesus clearly, in the New Testament, gave us the great commandment and the Great Commission, so those are the bookends of Mercy Ships,” Don says. “Those are the two compass points that have helped me develop Mercy Ships.”

Africa Mercy, the lone Mercy Ship today, is a 16,500-ton vessel that sails around the world, though mostly along the coast of Africa, where 50 percent of the residents don’t have access to medical care. 

As the fourth Mercy Ship in the ministry’s history, Africa Mercy has six operating theaters, a 78-bed ward and an all-volunteer staff of 450, including medical specialists who address everything from cataracts to dental hygiene to tumors.

Mercy Ships’ 1,200 volunteers each year have performed more than 56,000 operations and provide ongoing medical training to local health-care workers. To date, the ministry has impacted an astounding 2.9 million people, free of charge. The ship operates from donations, and volunteers pay stipends to serve on the ship. 

“The vast majority of the people that are with us are here because they believe this is part of their mission in life and it’s a means for them to follow Jesus,” Don explains.

Why you Should Care:

»  Across the globe billions of people live in fear and 
desperation because of impure water, inadequate
food and little or no access to health care.

»  More than 1.2 billion people survive on less than 
$1 each day.

»  More than 6 million children die each year from 
completely preventable causes such as malaria, 
diarrhea and pneumonia. —

When Bethany Hamilton decided to hit the waves on Oct. 31, 2003, she had no idea one ride would forever change her life. Attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark, the then-13-year-old surfer lost her left arm and 60 percent of her blood. But according to Hamilton, she also gained an understanding of her purpose.

Hamilton not only returned to the surfboard but won several championships. She now travels the country telling others how her faith in Christ helped her overcome her challenging circumstance. 

Her compelling story caught the attention of Hollywood executives, and a biopic of her life, Soul Surfer, hits the big screen on April 8. The film has drawn heavy-hitters such as Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid to play Hamilton’s parents, and country singer Carrie Underwood, who portrays Hamilton’s youth leader.

Hamilton hopes the film will highlight God’s ability to help people rise above seemingly insurmountable opposition. 

“We never know what life brings,” Hamilton says. “Maybe there are some rough times for you now or in the future. 

“I think that if you seek God first and focus on Him, you’ll be able to endure those struggles and hardships.”

What’s in a Name?

Thank you for continually producing an inspiring and anointed magazine. In addition to your magazine, however, your commitment to utilizing other forms of media such as your top-notch website and social media sites is to be commended. It is refreshing to see a Christian organization at the forefront of communication technology. Finally, the article “What’s in a Name?” (February) by publisher Steve Strang really spoke to me and should be read by every Christian business owner. Thanks again for all that you do.

Dr. George Burroughs,
Saraland, Ala.

Filming God is a Challenge

The article by C. Hope Flinchbaugh, “Filming God” (February), is a discernment challenge for Christians. I wonder if there is a mandate for believers to follow unseen angel spirits when the Bible clearly warns that Satan comes as an angel of light. Galatians 1 warns us very clearly about angels. The [former] Toronto Vineyard church [now called Catch the Fire Toronto] is “another” gospel to me. God told us to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). Darren Wilson is on dangerous territory, I believe. Is Satan in the church deceiving Christians?

Leonard Ostrom,
Cloquet, Minn.

We Like Hitting the Target!

The January issue of Charisma is a major winner. Almost every article was exceptional, and so critical as well. Forgiveness is essential to being a Christian, and the applications were on target. I also really appreciated the refresher on the history of the Bible. Just wish I could remember all the fascinating details. Thank you for a wonderful magazine.

Nora Jenae,
via e-mail

Dick Eastman

Thank you for giving us an update on Dick Eastman and his wife, Dee (January online). Years ago I went to a conference in Los Angeles where Dick was the speaker. He gave all of us a prayer map. Oh, how it blessed me to know that I could pray for the whole world instead of only my little corner of the world. Thank you, Dick Eastman! I pray for your ministry.

Daisy Collins,
Linn Creek, Mont.

Will the Real Worshippers Please Speak Up? 

The look and sound of worship in churches today is a far cry from what it was in past generations. We have great sound, tech-savvy video directors, lights and well-trained musicians that lead us into worship during our services. So why is there so much discussion about getting back to the heart of worship? 

We’ve compiled the thoughts of seasoned and new worship artists at  to help answer that. They share why it’s important that everyone, from worship leaders to tone-deaf Christians, discover God’s true intent for worship.

Check Out What’s New This Month at 

 is loaded with news, commentary, videos, photo galleries and other resources to help you radically change your world. You won’t find another place to get “all things” Christ and charismatic. Don’t miss out—visit  now.

Go to  to find out what these and other respected worship leaders have to say about .

Worship Under Pressure

Former Hillsong Church worship pastor Darlene Zschech candidly shares her struggles as a worship leader. She also discusses how understanding the anointing of God, already on the inside of us, will ease the pressure many worship leaders feel. 

Praise vs. Performance

Recording artist and song writer Paul Baloche, known for writing songs commonly sung on Sunday mornings such as “Above All,” “Open the Eyes of My Heart” and “Your Name,” examines the difference between praise and performance.

Why I’m NOT a Musician

Matt Redman has been leading worship full time since he was 20 years old, singing and playing instruments. But Redman doesn’t call himself a musician; instead he says he’s a worship leader. He says there’s a big difference. Check out why.

Shaking Up the Routine

Veteran worship leader Don Moen, who released his first album in the early 1990s, tells of his journey as the music industry changed over the years and how he overcame redundancy and stagnation. His story will be an encouragement to seasoned worship leaders.

Facing Fear

Jesus Culture’s Kim Walker-Smith shares how worship leaders can overcome fear and timidity. She knows all about the topic: Though she now sings before thousands, she ran offstage crying the first time she led a song.

If you’ve got an appetite for a free App …

With the Charisma Mobile app news, reviews, commentary and more will be sent to your Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Palm webOS or Nokia phone. Download the free app by texting “Charisma” to 46275 or by going to .

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Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? … Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. —Isaiah 58:6, 8

First, fasting must be secret (Matt. 6:16-18). When we are fasting we must not let the slightest hint of it leak out. Only God needs to know.

The second thing is that fasting must be special. I question if it ought to be done regularly. I don’t see fasting as something to be done whether you really need to or not, for example, making a commitment to fast every Friday. I think if it is used that way it will lose its significance.

Third, as we have seen, fasting must have a purpose. We must know what we want to achieve. It’s not like taking vitamins in the general hope that they will do us good.

The fourth point is that fasting must be sensible. Some people cannot fast for medical reasons. For example, if you are a diabetic, then that ought to disqualify you. And we must never fast without drinking plenty of liquids. There are various degrees of fasting. You can cut out one meal or two meals, or fast for a whole day or a number of days. However, anyone seeking to fast for more than two or three days should first seek the advice from an experienced Christian minister or counselor.

A fifth thing is that fasting must be spontaneous: that is, voluntary and from the heart. In my opinion, there could be danger in corporate fasting, for some may be acting reluctantly and under pressure.

The next thing I need to say is that fasting must be sacrificial. Isaiah 58 describes people who fasted but who loved it.

Finally, we must be quite clear about our motives, and we must have no mixed motives.

Fasting by itself is no magic answer to our problems. It is only effective when it symbolizes a deep longing for spiritual reality, and it demands a life of holiness and obedience to God. “Then,” says God in Isaiah 58:8, “shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily” (KJV).

Excerpted from Worshipping God (Hodder & Stoughton, 2004).

Lisa Bevere shares her testimony of how God took her out of her comfort zone so she would be equipped to bring other women comfort. She discusses how facing our fears can make us stronger, godly women.

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