Pastor Greg Laurie opened his recent message with a confession: puzzles just aren’t his thing. “How many of you like puzzles? Raise your hand if you like puzzles. I am not one of you,” he said with a laugh, adding, “Seems like smart people like puzzles.”

But as he taught from Daniel chapter 9, Laurie made it clear that some puzzles—especially biblical ones—are worth solving. “Before us here in Daniel chapter 9 is a prophetic puzzle… and we don’t want to keep walking here. We want to see what this puzzle is all about.”

Laurie called the prophecy found in Daniel 9 “one of the most mind-blowing prophecies in all of the Bible,” because it contains something astonishing: a timeline that predicts the arrival of the Messiah.

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“The Bible actually predicted the very date that Christ would start his public ministry or when he would arrive on the scene,” Laurie said. “And you know when the Lord revealed this to Daniel? When he was praying.”

The prophecy lays out a timeline that begins “from the going forth of the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem” and ends with the Messiah’s appearance. This historical decree was given during the time of Nehemiah, who served as cupbearer to the Persian king.

Laurie explained how this timeline plays out in real terms: “Nehemiah 2:1 says, ‘It came to pass in the month of Nisan…’ From the moment that king gave the decree to rebuild the city, 173,880 days later, Jesus of Nazareth rode into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling Bible prophecy to a T.”

That exact fulfillment, he said, should give believers great confidence in the reliability of biblical prophecy.

But Laurie didn’t stop there. He took listeners through what he believes is the future prophetic timeline, which includes:

1. The Rapture of the Church – “The next event I think on the calendar would be the rapture of the church, where all Christians are caught up to meet the Lord in the air.”
2. The Rise of the Antichrist – Following the rapture, “the emergence of the Antichrist” begins the seven-year tribulation.
3. The Great Tribulation – A period marked by deception and destruction, culminating in:
4. The Battle of Armageddon – This is when Christ returns in His second coming.

“The second coming will happen seven years after the rapture,” Laurie said. “But we don’t know when the rapture is.”

In a football analogy, Laurie explained that after Jesus’ crucifixion, “the prophetic clock suddenly stops.” He likened it to a timeout in a tied game with just minutes left—everything pauses until the final play begins. The resumption of that prophetic clock, he said, is tied to the rise of the Antichrist and the rebuilding of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.

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Laurie described the Antichrist as “a man of peace… charismatic, brilliant—a satanic superman—but in reality, the devil’s son.” According to the prophecy, the Antichrist will help rebuild the temple and be welcomed by some as the Messiah. But halfway through the seven-year tribulation, he will betray that trust in what Daniel calls the “abomination of desolation.”

“The Antichrist will erect an image in the temple and command everyone to worship,” Laurie said. “This will mark the halfway point of the tribulation. And for the remaining three and a half years, Antichrist will make everyone take his mark and no one can buy or sell without it.”

Despite the dark warnings, Laurie offered a word of encouragement: “When you see these things begin to happen, look up, for your redemption is drawing near.”

The prophetic puzzle may not be one you can solve on a coffee table, but Laurie’s message makes it clear that with Scripture in hand, the picture is already coming together.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

“There’s only one country where God says when the end of the end comes, right before Jesus comes back, I’m going to save that whole nation. That’s Israel,” Joel Rosenberg told TBN’s Erick Stakelbeck in a recent interview. “Zechariah 12 and other prophecies say that God’s going to save every single Jew that survives through the tribulation.”

That kind of clarity — rare in today’s fractured discourse — cuts through the headlines like a sharp edge. Rosenberg, an Israeli-American dual citizen who lives in Jerusalem, isn’t just commenting from afar. He and his wife Lyn have boots on the ground, deeply involved with local pastors, ministry leaders and unbelievers in Israel. And what they’re seeing might surprise you.

“We’re seeing more Israelis talking about God, talking about the Bible and even willing to talk about Yeshua — Jesus. Is He? Isn’t He?” Rosenberg said. “More than ever in all of modern Israeli history.”

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That’s a bold claim, but it’s backed by research. “In 1967, there were only 2,000 Jewish people on planet Earth who believed that Jesus is the Messiah,” Rosenberg said. “Today we’re at about a million.”

That million is spread across the world, with the majority in the United States, but about 30,000 in Israel itself. Still, that’s a jump from just 23 Jewish followers of Jesus in Israel in 1948, the year the modern state of Israel was reborn.

The recent horrors of October 7, when Hamas launched its brutal terror attack, have only deepened the spiritual reckoning inside the country.

“I don’t believe that God sent this horrible October 7th war,” Rosenberg said. “This is satanic. Satan is trying to rob, kill and destroy. God sovereignly has let it happen… but we are being shaken.”

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He believes Israel is living through the moment described in Amos 9:9, where God declares He will shake the house of Israel among all nations. This shaking is not just political or military, but spiritual.

“Everybody wants to talk about God. Everyone wants to talk about the Scriptures. And many, not all, want to talk about Yeshua,” Rosenberg explained, especially near the frontlines in Gaza and Lebanon. “Almost everyone in the army is reading Psalms. They’re singing worship songs before they go into battle.”

But not everyone is on board just yet. In Israel’s more secular regions, like Tel Aviv and the high-tech corridor Rosenberg jokingly called the “Silicon Wadi,” interest is less pronounced. Still, change is bubbling up, even among the most unexpected places.

“I’ve met people from the Nova Music Festival — this one woman said to me, ‘I was a secularist. I didn’t care about God. I never picked up a Bible a day in my life. Now I’m reading the Psalms. Now I’m searching. I need God. I need to find Him. I don’t know how to find Him.’”

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Rosenberg said the church must be ready for this. And more than ready — willing. Too many Christian leaders, he warns, are missing the moment.

“To say, ‘I’m standing with Israel, but don’t worry, I won’t share Jesus and the Gospel and the Good News with God’s chosen people’ — that’s not only not good, but I wouldn’t want to have that conversation with the Jewish Messiah face to face in heaven one day,” he said.

This is where the rubber meets the road. Rosenberg isn’t speaking in theories — he’s seeing transformation in real time.

“What is really happening? God, under the darkness — and there’s a lot of darkness — God is moving. The light of Christ, the Messiah, is actually starting to shine. And it’s a really interesting time — challenging, exhausting, but actually kind of exciting.”

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

In Episode 27 of Through the Lens, Curt Reed, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Harvest Life in Las Vegas, tackled one of the Bible’s most mysterious and debated topics: the Nephilim.

Pulling straight from the pages of Genesis 6, Reed zeroed in on the biblical account of giants walking the earth before the flood — beings born from a forbidden union between fallen angels and human women.

“There were giants on the earth in those days and also afterward when the sons of God came into the daughters of men and they bore children to them,” Reed read directly from Scripture, highlighting the often overlooked and controversial passage. “Those were the mighty men of old, men of renown.”

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This isn’t just ancient mythology, according to Reed. He believes the Nephilim were real and that their presence on earth had catastrophic consequences, both then and now.

“When many look at the world around us and they see chaos, I see something different,” Reed said. “I see God warning the people of this world that his judgment is coming soon.”

Reed cited the book of Jude as further evidence: “In Jude verse 6 it speaks of those angels that did not keep their proper domain, but left their own habitation.” To him, these fallen angels are at the heart of the Nephilim origin story.

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Throughout the episode, Reed maintained that these biblical giants weren’t just mythic tales, but physical beings who left behind a disturbing legacy. From massive skeletal remains to oral traditions from Native American tribes, he argued the evidence is more than compelling. “We find these in Nevada, we find these throughout the world — Catalina Island, the Middle East. Throughout the world we find these.”

He also connected the Nephilim to familiar biblical characters, reminding viewers that this isn’t fringe material but embedded in the faith’s foundation. “Remember Joshua and Caleb, they said there are giants in the land, we’re like grasshoppers to them. Remember David with Goliath.”

While the episode included related subjects like the location of Noah’s Ark and fossil evidence for a global flood, it always circled back to the question of the Nephilim and their connection to a world spiraling toward judgment.

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“This is Jesus speaking,” Reed emphasized while reading from Matthew 24:37. “‘But as the days of Noah were, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man.’ So hey, if you believe in Jesus, you believe in Noah. You believe in the flood of Noah and in the ark.”

To Reed, understanding the past — including these giants of old — is key to preparing for the future.

“All of these things, guys, we’ve unpacked a lot here … just to give you a general overview,” he said toward the end of the episode. “Here’s the key: He talks about what He has done in the past as something for us to learn from because of what He will bring upon a Christ-rejecting world.”

The Nephilim aren’t just a footnote in biblical history. They’re part of a larger prophetic picture that still speaks to our world today.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

Sometimes the parables that Jesus spoke almost came off a bit harsh. So, why would a good, loving and kind God use language that would shock us?

In a recent TikTok video, Kelly K looked at the parable of the wedding feast to uncover just exactly why God would use the kind of stark warning that He did in this story.

In Matthew 22, Jesus shares a powerful parable about a king who hosts a wedding feast for his son. The king sends invitations to a select group of guests, but many decline, too busy with their own lives. Frustrated, the king opens the invitation to everyone—good, bad, Jew, Gentile—hoping that anyone willing to come will join the celebration.

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However, when one guest arrives without the proper wedding clothes, the king orders him to be thrown out into outer darkness. The question arises: why such a harsh response to something as seemingly trivial as attire?

Kelly K addresses this question by emphasizing that the parable isn’t about a “dress code” to heaven. The key to understanding this lies in the symbolism behind the wedding clothes. In ancient times, a king hosting such a grand feast wouldn’t expect guests to bring their own attire. The king would provide the necessary garments.

K explains that the king wasn’t asking the man why he didn’t bring clothes from his own closet, but rather, “Where’s the clothes I gave you?” The man’s failure to wear the clothes provided by the king represents rejecting the king’s offer—just as rejecting Jesus’ righteousness is akin to rejecting God’s invitation.

This truth is rooted in Isaiah 61:10, which says, “For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation, and he draped me in the robe of righteousness.” K points out that “the clothes you needed to come to this party that were bought and paid for for you” were already provided, but the man chose not to wear them.

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The righteousness offered by Jesus is not something we can earn; it’s a gift given to us through His sacrifice. Christians must quit relying on their own efforts to earn favor with God. As K explains, “You and I, who had no right standing with God, get to be in right standing with God because Jesus, who knew no sin, traded us His righteousness for our sin.”

Righteousness isn’t something we can achieve on our own. It’s a gift from God. The only thing we need to do is put it on, acknowledging that we are made right with God not by our actions, but by the righteousness of Jesus. As K puts it, “The only thing you need to get into the greatest party of all time—eternity with the creator of the universe—you just gotta put on the right clothes.”

Many are called to God’s kingdom, but only those who accept His gift of righteousness—who “put on the right clothes”—are chosen. The question is: will you choose to put on the robe of righteousness Jesus is offering you today?

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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.

In a powerful message at Jenny and Stephen Weaver’s Core Revival Center in Tampa, Florida, Pastor Mike Signorelli urged believers to rise above the confusion and compromise of this world, reclaiming their identity and strength in Christ. The Core Revival Center, where worship and the presence of God continue to break out, was the perfect backdrop for this powerful call to spiritual boldness.

As the atmosphere was filled with the Holy Spirit, Signorelli challenged believers to understand the spiritual battle unfolding between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of God. He reminded us, “There’s only two teams: the prophets of Baal and then there’s Elijah,” adding, “But I got good news, if you can see in the spirit, there are more for us than against us.”

To order Jenny Weaver’s new book, The Wicked World of Witchcraft, visit .

In a world filled with distractions and idols, Signorelli emphasized that God is alive, active and ready to respond to our cries. “My God is alive. My God is not an idol. My God has ears to hear my voice, and when I cry to heaven, He sends a dispatch for me.” He called believers to stand firm in their faith, knowing that, unlike the false gods of this world, our God is living and powerful.

Signorelli also challenged the church to recognize the importance of sanctification. Using the metaphor of a brace, he explained, “This brace is not punishment, it’s protection until I learn proper form.” Just as a brace helps protect an injured body, spiritual boundaries—like purity and wise stewardship—are God’s protection for us, helping us grow in maturity and strength. “The brace is sanctification,” he says. “It’s holiness. It’s God’s way of helping you grow until you’re strong enough to handle the weight of His calling.”

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He then addresses the issue of generational sin and iniquity. “Sin is what you sometimes do. Iniquity is a repeated sin that becomes identity,” Signorelli explains. He calls on believers to break free from destructive patterns passed down through generations, declaring that “the iniquity of the fathers… became the injury that you inherited.” It’s time for the cycle of sin to end, and for believers to step into the freedom Christ offers.

Lastly, Signorelli brings the good news of Christ’s redemptive work: “Jesus hung on a tree so that He became a curse to break a curse.” Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are grafted into the lineage of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, receiving their promises as our own and breaking free from the chains of generational curses.

With urgency and passion, Signorelli calls the church to embrace their new identity in Christ and break free from the spiritual cycles of this world. He encourages us to live as a set-apart people, ready to step into the higher calling God has for each of us.

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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.

In a powerful recent message delivered by Emma Stark and the Global Prophetic Alliance, the Christian leaders have issued a timely and urgent warning: the global economy is on the brink of a profound shaking. This prophetic insight points not only to financial instability but also to a deeper, spiritual crisis rooted in the moral and ethical decay of society. The financial turbulence we face is, in many ways, a reflection of the world’s rejection of God’s principles—greed, compromise and a self-centered disregard for the greater good have led nations down a dangerous path.

Emma Stark warns, “…if your nation is thinking about itself above everything else when it’s been trusted with wealth, we must learn together the consequences of our deception. [But] God is always redemptive.” This statement underscores both the gravity of the situation and the hope that even in the midst of judgment, there is room for redemption.

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Judgment and Opportunity: A Divine Reckoning

The prophetic word reveals that nations which have chosen greed, selfishness and compromise will experience divine judgment. As the old order crumbles, God is positioning His people to rise—not merely to survive but to thrive with influence and purpose.

Stark emphasizes that this is not a time for the church to retreat in fear or confusion. Instead, we are called to shift our focus from reaction to action—moving from a posture of anxiety to one of faith and readiness. This moment presents a divine invitation for believers to stand as lights in a dark world, exemplifying God’s love, integrity and wisdom as the foundations of true success.

The Call to Host God’s Glory: More Than Just Survival

At the heart of this message is a profound call to believers to become hosts of God’s glory. Instead of merely seeking financial stability or personal breakthroughs, the church is urged to create environments where God’s presence can dwell. Stark highlights that the greatest need of this hour is not just material provision, but a deep, sustained connection with God. In times of instability, it is God’s presence—His glory—that becomes our most vital resource.

The church must foster an atmosphere where God’s glory is welcomed and can manifest. When we invite God’s presence, He empowers us to lead with wisdom, grace, and supernatural insight, even in the face of financial collapse. As we focus on His glory, we are equipped to be His hands and feet in a hurting world.

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Worship That Transforms: Realigning Hearts with Heaven

Integral to hosting God’s glory is a transformative form of worship. Many believers have become emotionally stirred by worship, but true, life-changing worship goes beyond temporary inspiration. Prophetic worship calls us to realign our hearts with heaven, to surrender fully to God and to invite His presence to invade every part of our lives. This kind of worship is not just about personal experience; it becomes a conduit for divine intervention in every area, including our finances and relationships.

True worship empowers us to break free from the grip of fear and insecurity. It shifts our perspective, enabling us to see that God is at work even in times of scarcity and uncertainty. When we host God’s glory through worship, we position ourselves and our communities for transformation, both spiritually and practically.

Preparing for What’s Ahead: Leading with Wisdom

This prophetic message calls the church to stand firm in faith, equipped with wisdom and discernment. We must steward our resources with integrity, manage our finances responsibly and be ready to offer hope in a world overwhelmed by chaos.

This is a time to lead—by demonstrating God’s kingdom values in every sphere of life. The greatest resource the church can offer to the world in these uncertain times is not merely material wealth, but the manifest presence of God. As we invite His presence to dwell among us, we become beacons of hope, wisdom and strength. The world may face economic upheaval, but God’s people are called to rise, to shine, and to lead with His glory as our guiding light.

As we prepare for what’s ahead, the invitation is clear: don’t just survive the shaking—thrive in it, empowered by God’s presence and purpose.

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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.

It is the power of God’s anointing that destroys the yoke of Satan’s works.

Kathryn Krick is calling the body of Christ to walk in the power of God through surrender and the anointing. In a recent conversation with Charisma Media, she outlined how believers can grow in the anointing and partner with God to bring deliverance and freedom.

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“The yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing,” Krick says, quoting Isaiah 10:27. “The anointing is the power of God that God puts in a vessel that He then works through to heal and deliver others and to do miracles for others, and also to speak, to preach, to teach the Word of God, carrying His power.”

She makes it clear that every believer is called to walk in this power: “It says in the Bible that these signs shall follow all who believe. And some of these signs are they shall cast out demons, they shall lay hands on the sick and be healed.”

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A key point that Krick highlights is the necessity of surrender in the life of a believer, “God wants all believers to carry anointing and to grow in the anointing…[it’s] based on your surrender and your obedience.”

To purchase your copy of Kathryn Krick’s new book, Unlock Your Deliverance, visit .

This surrender involves not just outward acts of obedience but an inward yielding to God’s will, even when it requires personal sacrifice or discomfort. Krick notes that this kind of surrender is not easy, but it is essential for those who desire to walk in the fullness of God’s power.

“God doesn’t distribute the anointing to everybody. He distributes it to the chosen. Many are called. Few are chosen. Who are the chosen ones? Those who choose to be chosen by surrendering everything to Jesus, surrendering their plans, their will, their dream, their personal ambitions and truly living a life of obedience and purity,” she says. “When God sees that, when He sees you pass these tests of surrender and obedience and humility, He will then start to pour the anointing upon you.”

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However, Krick also highlights that God does not leave us in this process alone. She speaks of the power of God’s grace in helping believers through these tests. Part of walking a victorious life is to maintain the deliverance Christ died for you to have; instead of giving into the lies and attacks of the enemy, it is our job to walk in spiritual submission to the Holy Spirit, keeping our eyes locked on Jesus at all times.

“What’s so important is for people to realize you have to do your part and be diligent to reject the devil’s lies,” Krick says. “The devil comes with a thought. The devil comes with a lie that’s trying to mimic when you had a demon. He’s a liar. You don’t have a demon anymore. You need to reject him, and he must flee…”

Krick’s message serves as a powerful reminder that God’s anointing flows to those who are willing to surrender, obey and walk in humility. It’s a process of inner transformation where believers must remain faithful, trusting that as they pass these tests, God will pour out His power in their lives.

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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is enacting sweeping restrictions on Christian missionary work, effectively banning most foreign-led religious activity. New regulations set to take effect on May 1 will prohibit foreigners from preaching, sharing their faith, or establishing religious organizations without prior government approval.

The rules, announced through official state channels, reflect the CCP’s longstanding hostility toward independent religious expression. The regime justifies the move as a matter of “national security” and claims it will protect “normal religious activities,” referring to tightly controlled events held within state-approved institutions.

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The Chinese government views independent Christianity as a threat to its ideological dominance. According to , the revised laws will strengthen the CCP’s ability to criminalize unsanctioned worship, label non-state-aligned religious groups as “cults,” and impose harsh penalties on violators. Any allegiance outside the Communist Party is framed as a threat to national unity.

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Earlier this year, the CCP admitted to intensifying efforts to suppress religious groups not aligned with the state. “China’s public security authorities intensified efforts to dismantle cult organizations in 2024,” reported the Global Times, a government-controlled media outlet. The regime boasted of expanding its surveillance infrastructure to track Christian house churches and individual believers.

China officially recognizes five religions—Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Islam—but only within government-run institutions. These state-controlled churches often replace traditional doctrine with state propaganda, demanding loyalty to President Xi Jinping and Communist ideology.

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According to Breitbart News, Christian families in China face mounting persecution. House churches are raided, children are taken from Christian homes, and citizens are monitored for signs of religious behavior. The state has publicly declared its intent to “root out every pocket of independent religious thought.”

China remains one of the most hostile nations for Christians. Despite being home to one of the largest Christian populations in the world, believers are forced to choose between compromising their faith or facing repression. The CCP’s efforts to extinguish independent Christianity are part of a broader campaign to eliminate all loyalties not centered on the party.

This article originally appeared on American Faith, and is reposted with permission.

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It was a powerful moment of faith and music on American Idol Monday night — one that moved Carrie Underwood to tears and reminded millions of the importance of staying boldly Christian in the public square.

Contestants Breanna Nix and Rylie O’Neill performed a stirring duet of worship artist Brandon Lake’s hit song “Gratitude” — a performance that didn’t just strike a chord musically, but spiritually as well.

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Carrie Underwood, a longtime advocate for faith in the mainstream, held back tears as she shared how much the moment meant to her. “This is why I’m here,” she said, her voice trembling. “I know what it’s like to stand up and sing about your faith.”

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What the young women didn’t know was that Brandon Lake himself was watching. Fellow judge Jelly Roll interrupted the panel to bring Lake in via FaceTime, surprising the contestants. “That was the most gorgeous version of ‘Gratitude’ I’ve ever heard,” he said.

The song, which dominated Christian music charts by spending 28 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs, clearly resonated with the audience and the judges — proving once again that faith-filled content still has a place in American culture.

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Though only one spot remained in the Top 24, and it ultimately went to Breanna, the moment stood as a testament to how powerful and uplifting Christian music can be in the most secular of settings.

Breanna — a 25-year-old stay-at-home mom — collapsed to the floor in tears as Underwood, visibly emotional herself, gave her the life-changing news.

The moment comes just as the Pew Research Center reveals that 62% of American adults still identify as Christian— a strong reminder that, despite the cultural noise, faith remains a cornerstone for millions across the nation.

With more worship and gospel songs reportedly on the way this season, American Idol may continue to be an unexpected stage for faith, grace, and unapologetic expressions of Christian belief.

This article originally appeared on American Faith, and is reposted with permission.

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True stories of tragedy ending redemptively bring encouragement. This is one such story, happiness to heartbreak to hope.

The challenge of covering almost 50 years succinctly is a daunting task so let’s try a trilogy: “Getting Started,” “Going Astray” and “God’s Supernatural Intervention.”

There are three lessons to learn and a legacy to leave for generations.

Getting Started

Birthed in the Jesus Movement, then launching churches, conferences, inspirational music, a school of ministry and a national magazine, People of Destiny started strong. Passing decades brought significant changes. Its current leader recently said, “When I took over, I seriously wondered if we would survive!”

People ask similar questions about Daystar TV, IHOPKC and megachurch Gateway (losing over 20,000). Our story is essential reading that provides valuable lessons.

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Dr. Che Ahn, who had been present from the beginning, believes sharing our history is part of God’s church cleansing today. It’s painful but necessary.  He added that scores in the “Shepherding Movement” had good intentions but drifted into “heavy handedness” harming many precious saints and PDI/SGM was not exempt.

As a cofounder, I’ll do my best to walk a tightrope to tell our story honestly. Sharing flaws (without names) isn’t personal but historical so others avoid mistakes we made. I contributed through pride, bitterness and “fear of man.” I’m ever grateful for His mercy and grace.

“Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction” (1 Cor. 10:11). Midway through our pilgrimage, I left as did many others. I identified with Ronald Reagan who said, “I didn’t leave the Democrat Party, the Democrat Party left me.” I say this with no malice but simply stating truth as I remember it.

Remembering the Jesus People

Pinpointing the exact date when People of Destiny/Sovereign Grace Ministry (now “churches”) began is challenging but God birthed it in a season when hearts of young Christians were passionate for authentic New Testament Christianity.

At that time, I awoke to the “still small voice of God” impressing these words upon my heart: “Let it never be said of me that I presented the world a caricature of Christ.” I believe something similar happened to many in The Jesus Movement.

In a turbulent time God revealed to scores of youths the transformative message of the gospel and a real Jesus who wasn’t sad or mad but genuinely glad! He called us to discipleship (not mere church attendance) and a lifestyle as in the book of Acts with a countercultural message, mentality and manner of life (Acts 2:36-47).

Vision for authentic Christianity came through shared leadership (plurality vs “celebrity” model); leaders were “friends first and leaders second.” We meditated on 1 Corinthians 13 so we’d be “living in the love realm” as we practiced the 30 “one anothers” in Scripture. Agape love, unity and faith permeated those exciting days!

Our core values were Scriptural and practical: humility, unity, community, destiny, expectancy, generosity, victory, purity, modesty, integrity, hospitality, loyalty and the sanctity of life and marriage.

We declared regularly that “the church is not built on meetings but relationships” and “Christianity is not a meeting to attend but a life to be lived.” Lifestyle evangelism was our passion to “hasten the return” of our King (2 Pet. 3:12).

Starting Strong

Approaching a 50-year milestone is a time for reflection and celebration. (Next year my wife and I commemorate God’s faithfulness in our golden wedding anniversary.) It’s also time to recognize life lessons. “… it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you…” (Luke 1:3).

In 1970 I was recently converted and relocated from Cleveland for a position in D.C. A Christian woman had just returned from California where she’d experienced the Jesus Movement and prayed for its emergence in our locality.

I met Lydia Little and she asked me to join a group of youth in her home. After we moved to a “rec” center she asked me to prepare weekly sermons and “take under my wing” a newly saved “Jesus freak” and take him with me to a Charismatic conference at Notre Dame.

This launched us into a friendship that evolved into us sharing in complementary team ministry, alternating teaching for young people 10 minutes from the White House that grew to 2,000 in a few years! Scores came to the . “Take And Give” meetings, including the son of a Supreme Court Justice, evangelist Sid Roth and Calvary Chapel’s Lonnie Frisbee.

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We discipled young converts like former “druggie” Che Ahn who eventually departed (he disputed one leader’s claim that the Great Commission didn’t apply to all believers. He confided in me then that we’d start losing our call to reach the lost and also faith for the supernatural, healings, miracles and gifts of the Spirit. Che had faithfully prayed for the sick for years after every meeting and saw scores of healings! Dr. Ahn today leads a ministry serving scores of churches worldwide and just defeated Gov. Newsom in the Supreme Court!

Along the way others left like prophetic leader, Lou Engle, who for decades has been a catalyst, filling stadiums for massive prayer events and our call to repentance, revival and reformation. Some of our leaders viewed him as a “loose cannon” and said “he needed to go get a job.”

In the mid-70’s 20 “trailblazers” met in our apartment to begin transitioning the . gathering into a Saturday evening church. Later, following the biblical pattern of multiplication, I entrusted our young church to my “yokefellow” and took our first pioneering church planting team to Cleveland.

After starting the new church, I asked one of the men I discipled to remain as leader and returned to our church home. Over time we recognized an “apostolic team” of leaders, planted and adopted churches throughout America, hosted conferences and launched a school for pastors and a national magazine.

There came a seminal moment when I returned from my year in Cleveland. I experienced an unexpected soft explosion for which I was totally unprepared.

Lesson #1 Watch out for the subtle sins of comparison and competition.

Look for Part 2 soon!

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