Podcasts about assemblies

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Best podcasts about assemblies

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Latest podcast episodes about assemblies

Culture Proof with Wil and Meeke Addison
We must distance ourselves from fake assemblies

Culture Proof with Wil and Meeke Addison

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2025 67:08


Be sure to visit cultureproof.net Please consider supporting the Culture Proof Podcast. We aim to bring engaging content that will challenge and equip Christians to live according to the Straight Edge of Scripture. All gifts are tax deductible. Our Address is: S.E. Ministries PO Box 1269 Saltillo MS, 38866   Episode sponsors: BJUPress Homeschool We Heart Nutrition – Use the code CULTUREPROOF for 20% off Accountable2You – Try free for 10 days Culture Proof Listeners  THANKS!   Culture Proof Podcast Theme song "Believers" courtesy of Path of Revelation    

JOURNEY HOME
Susan Sucher - Former Pentecostal

JOURNEY HOME

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2025 60:00


Although raised Methodist, Susan Sucher began attending an Assemblies of God youth group in her teens, which is where her faith really took off. As she and her husband were discerning marriage, they were also processing together some of the inconsistencies they'd been noticing in Pentecostal theology, particularly when it came to the Lord's Supper. She decided to explore the Catholic Church, and was surprised to find that it answered many of her questions. While she initially objected to Church teaching on contraception and women's ordination, even those began to make sense to her, and she knew she had to become Catholic.

Influence Podcast
402. Young Adults' Religious Future

Influence Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2025 40:41


Which way are American young adults going when it comes to religion? Pew Research Center's Religious Landscape Survey reports that only 45% of Americans 18–29 years old identify as Christians, compared to 54% of those aged 30–49, 72% of 50–64, and 74% of 65+. Barna Group's State of the Church initiative reports that young adults are leading “a resurgence in church attendance.” Gen Z (born 1999–2015) and Millennials (born 1984–98) attend church 1.9 and 1.8 weekends a month, respectively. By contrast, Gen X (born 1965–83), Boomers (born 1946–64), and Elders (born pre-1946) attend 1.6, 1.4, and 1.4 weekends monthly, respectively. So are American young adults secularizing or experiencing a revival? It's impossible to say for sure. The only way for Christians to find out is to do the work of evangelism and discipleship. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Josh Wellborn about ministry to the next generation of adults. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Josh Wellborn is director of the Assemblies of God's Young Adults ministry and author of 30 Under 30. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of 30 Under 30. In 30 Under 30: Young Adults in Scripture Who Heard from God, you'll meet 30 young adults from the Bible who had their own defining moments. Heroes or cautionary tales—they all had a choice. This isn't just a history lesson. It's a call to action. God still speaks, and if you're willing to listen, He's got something to say to you. For more information about the 30 Under 30, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

New Books Network
Eva Meijer, "Multispecies Assemblies" (Vine Press, 2025)

New Books Network

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2025 64:56


Animals speak. Plants do too. Seas and mountains are not a mute background to human actions, but have interests and agency. Many more-than-human beings are political actors. All of us are part of a web of relations in which we affect others and are affected by them. To counter the current ecological destruction and find more just ways to co-exist, humans need new ways of doing politics with other earth beings. In Multispecies Assemblies (Vine Press, 2025), Dutch philosopher Eva Meijer develops such a new political model: the multispecies assembly. Multispecies assemblies are a form of direct democracy in which some beings speak for themselves and others are represented. Living differently as humans is possible, but we must begin to listen to others, and learn from them. Eva Meijer is a philosopher, visual artist, writer and singer-songwriter. They write novels, philosophical essays, academic texts, poems and columns, and their work has been translated into over twenty languages. Recurring themes are language including silence, madness, nonhuman animals, and politics. Meijer also works as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Amsterdam, writes essays and columns for Dutch newspapers, and is a member of the Multispecies Collective. Kyle Johannsen is Sessional Faculty Member in the Department of Philosophy at Trent University. His most recent authored book is Wild Animal Ethics: The Moral and Political Problem of Wild Animal Suffering (Routledge, 2021). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

New Books in Critical Theory
Eva Meijer, "Multispecies Assemblies" (Vine Press, 2025)

New Books in Critical Theory

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2025 64:56


Animals speak. Plants do too. Seas and mountains are not a mute background to human actions, but have interests and agency. Many more-than-human beings are political actors. All of us are part of a web of relations in which we affect others and are affected by them. To counter the current ecological destruction and find more just ways to co-exist, humans need new ways of doing politics with other earth beings. In Multispecies Assemblies (Vine Press, 2025), Dutch philosopher Eva Meijer develops such a new political model: the multispecies assembly. Multispecies assemblies are a form of direct democracy in which some beings speak for themselves and others are represented. Living differently as humans is possible, but we must begin to listen to others, and learn from them. Eva Meijer is a philosopher, visual artist, writer and singer-songwriter. They write novels, philosophical essays, academic texts, poems and columns, and their work has been translated into over twenty languages. Recurring themes are language including silence, madness, nonhuman animals, and politics. Meijer also works as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Amsterdam, writes essays and columns for Dutch newspapers, and is a member of the Multispecies Collective. Kyle Johannsen is Sessional Faculty Member in the Department of Philosophy at Trent University. His most recent authored book is Wild Animal Ethics: The Moral and Political Problem of Wild Animal Suffering (Routledge, 2021). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

New Books in Environmental Studies
Eva Meijer, "Multispecies Assemblies" (Vine Press, 2025)

New Books in Environmental Studies

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2025 64:56


Animals speak. Plants do too. Seas and mountains are not a mute background to human actions, but have interests and agency. Many more-than-human beings are political actors. All of us are part of a web of relations in which we affect others and are affected by them. To counter the current ecological destruction and find more just ways to co-exist, humans need new ways of doing politics with other earth beings. In Multispecies Assemblies (Vine Press, 2025), Dutch philosopher Eva Meijer develops such a new political model: the multispecies assembly. Multispecies assemblies are a form of direct democracy in which some beings speak for themselves and others are represented. Living differently as humans is possible, but we must begin to listen to others, and learn from them. Eva Meijer is a philosopher, visual artist, writer and singer-songwriter. They write novels, philosophical essays, academic texts, poems and columns, and their work has been translated into over twenty languages. Recurring themes are language including silence, madness, nonhuman animals, and politics. Meijer also works as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Amsterdam, writes essays and columns for Dutch newspapers, and is a member of the Multispecies Collective. Kyle Johannsen is Sessional Faculty Member in the Department of Philosophy at Trent University. His most recent authored book is Wild Animal Ethics: The Moral and Political Problem of Wild Animal Suffering (Routledge, 2021). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies

NBN Book of the Day
Eva Meijer, "Multispecies Assemblies" (Vine Press, 2025)

NBN Book of the Day

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2025 64:56


Animals speak. Plants do too. Seas and mountains are not a mute background to human actions, but have interests and agency. Many more-than-human beings are political actors. All of us are part of a web of relations in which we affect others and are affected by them. To counter the current ecological destruction and find more just ways to co-exist, humans need new ways of doing politics with other earth beings. In Multispecies Assemblies (Vine Press, 2025), Dutch philosopher Eva Meijer develops such a new political model: the multispecies assembly. Multispecies assemblies are a form of direct democracy in which some beings speak for themselves and others are represented. Living differently as humans is possible, but we must begin to listen to others, and learn from them. Eva Meijer is a philosopher, visual artist, writer and singer-songwriter. They write novels, philosophical essays, academic texts, poems and columns, and their work has been translated into over twenty languages. Recurring themes are language including silence, madness, nonhuman animals, and politics. Meijer also works as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Amsterdam, writes essays and columns for Dutch newspapers, and is a member of the Multispecies Collective. Kyle Johannsen is Sessional Faculty Member in the Department of Philosophy at Trent University. His most recent authored book is Wild Animal Ethics: The Moral and Political Problem of Wild Animal Suffering (Routledge, 2021). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/book-of-the-day

New Books in Animal Studies
Eva Meijer, "Multispecies Assemblies" (Vine Press, 2025)

New Books in Animal Studies

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2025 64:56


Animals speak. Plants do too. Seas and mountains are not a mute background to human actions, but have interests and agency. Many more-than-human beings are political actors. All of us are part of a web of relations in which we affect others and are affected by them. To counter the current ecological destruction and find more just ways to co-exist, humans need new ways of doing politics with other earth beings. In Multispecies Assemblies (Vine Press, 2025), Dutch philosopher Eva Meijer develops such a new political model: the multispecies assembly. Multispecies assemblies are a form of direct democracy in which some beings speak for themselves and others are represented. Living differently as humans is possible, but we must begin to listen to others, and learn from them. Eva Meijer is a philosopher, visual artist, writer and singer-songwriter. They write novels, philosophical essays, academic texts, poems and columns, and their work has been translated into over twenty languages. Recurring themes are language including silence, madness, nonhuman animals, and politics. Meijer also works as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Amsterdam, writes essays and columns for Dutch newspapers, and is a member of the Multispecies Collective. Kyle Johannsen is Sessional Faculty Member in the Department of Philosophy at Trent University. His most recent authored book is Wild Animal Ethics: The Moral and Political Problem of Wild Animal Suffering (Routledge, 2021). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/animal-studies

Lancaster Connects
Restarting with Purpose: Ministry That Transforms Featuring Jaime Santiago - Episode 216

Lancaster Connects

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2025 62:08


In this episode, we sit down with Jaime Santiago, Executive Director and founder of Restart Training Center Ministry (RTCM), to explore how a life rooted in faith and purpose can transform individuals and communities. Jaime launched RTCM in 2015 after more than two decades of serving in addiction recovery ministries like Teen Challenge and Revelations of Freedom.With a master's degree in counseling from Liberty University and as an ordained Assemblies of God pastor, Jaime shares how RTCM equips men to break free from addiction through Christ-centered discipleship. He opens up about his own journey, the challenges of leadership, and the deep role family plays in his life and ministry.Join us for an inspiring conversation about second chances, spiritual transformation, and the power of restarting with purpose.???? Connect with Jaime Santiago: ✅ Website:https://restartministry.org/ ✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restart.ministry/ ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restartministryinc ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@restartministry Thank you for watching Lancaster Connects! This is the show about small business and small charity success in Lancaster county - we showcase the battle on Main Street, big vs. small David vs Goliath, and bring you the best of what makes Lancaster so great. ???? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://StreamYard.CastAhead.net ➡️ Get your FREE copy of Ben McClure and Jeff Giagnocavo's book - "Sleep Better" https://gardnersmattressandmore.com/sleep-betterLIVE SHOW PODCAST & REPLAYS: ???? Connect with Lancaster Connects:✅ Official: https://lancasterconnects.com/ ✅ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConnects ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-connects✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LancasterConnectsLancaster Connects is produced by Chris Stone at Cast Ahead:  https://CastAhead.net 

The Hartmann Report
The Direct Democracy of Civil Assemblies

The Hartmann Report

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2025 58:59


Healthy Democracy's Linn David joins guest host Jefferson Smith to discuss a more collaborative way for we the people to own public policy.Plus- Trump's amoral actions in contrast to the disturbing weaponization of Christianity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Narrative
Carrying Charlie Kirk's Torch with Allie Beth Stuckey and Pastor Luke Barnett

The Narrative

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2025 52:55


Though Charlie Kirk couldn’t join us at the Cleveland Celebration Gala last month, his mission—and the passion behind it—was at the center of our conversation. Charlie’s Phoenix pastor, Luke Barnett, and Allie Beth Stuckey joined CCV President Aaron Baer to reflect on advancing truth, protecting life, and strengthening families in a culture increasingly at odds with God’s design. On this special episode of The Narrative, they discuss how politics can be a way of loving our neighbors without being the only way, the shifting role of marriage in society, and the vital need for discipleship. They also explore Charlie’s real legacy and the reality behind the effort it's taking to carry it forward. Listen in for a candid, faith-filled discussion on what it truly takes to stand for truth in a world that often seeks to silence it. MORE ABOUT ALLIE BETH STUCKEY Allie Beth Stuckey is the host of the podcast, Relatable, where she breaks down the latest in culture, news, and politics from a Christian, conservative perspective. She is a frequent guest on Fox News, a writer, and the author of two books: You're Not Enough (& That's Okay) and Toxic Empathy. In 2015, Allie began speaking to college sororities about the importance of voting. What started as a hobby soon turned into a full-time career, with her blog, The Conservative Millennial, launching her into the political media sphere. Today, in addition to podcasting, writing, and making the occasional satirical video, Allie speaks to colleges and organizations about the importance of conservative values. MORE ABOUT PASTOR LUKE BARNETT Luke Barnett serves as the senior pastor of Dream City Church, one of the largest and most influential churches in Phoenix, Arizona, and within the Assemblies of God denomination nationally. Taking over leadership from his father, Tommy Barnett, in 2011, Pastor Luke stepped into a significant role with considerable expectations. He authored The Dream Centered Life in 2015, which is based on his foundational life message and teaches the reader how to have a God-sized Dream. He is a charismatic pastor, husband, father, author, international speaker, and visionary. Luke and his wife, Angel, have been married for over 25 years and have two daughters, Aubrey and Annalee. TALK TO US We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now.

Influence Podcast
401. Preaching the Statement of Fundamental Truths

Influence Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 38:30


The Preamble to the Assemblies of God “Statement of Fundamental Truth” says: “The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. This Statement of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us …. The phraseology employed in this statement is not inspired or contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full-gospel ministry. No claim is made that it contains all biblical truth, only that it covers our need as to these fundamental doctrines.” This Preamble serves as the epigraph of Mike Ivaska's new book, A Basis of Fellowship, which contains sermons he preached about the “Statement of Fundamental Truths” at Vachon Island Community Church in the Fall of 2024. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Ivaska about why and how he preached those sermons, and why and how AG ministers should do something similar. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Mike Ivaska is pastor of Vashon Island Community Church in Washington state and an ordained Assemblies of God minister. He wrote “Preaching Doctrine” in the Summer 2025 issue of Influence magazine and is author of A Basis of Fellowship, published by Resource Publications. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler. The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information about The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

Aberdeen First Assembly
Guest Speaker | Pastor Don Ross | Faith in the Furnace

Aberdeen First Assembly

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 44:28


Join us for an inspiring message called "Faith in the Furnace" from guest speaker Don Ross! Pastor Don leads the Northwest Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God, comprised of 350 churches and 1,400 ministers in Washington State and North Idaho.

Influence Podcast
400. Christian Citizenship in Pentecostal Perspective

Influence Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 44:56


“Christians are called to be ‘in the world' and ‘not of the world',” says a new Assemblies of God position paper, citing John 17:11–16. “We must embrace our identity as Christian citizens, as public witnesses, and as salt and light,” it continues, “Believers must also maintain their Christian character while engaging in politics. We prioritize our calling in Christ and do not condone the demonization of fellow citizens with whom we disagree. Such negative conduct can detract from the mission of Christ and the aligned Assemblies of God mission to evangelize, worship God, build disciples, and show compassion.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Allen Tennison about “Christians and Citizenship,” a new position paper adopted by the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God during its August 2025 meeting. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Allen Tennison is theological counsel of the General Council of the Assemblies of God and chair of its Commission on Doctrines and Practices. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of 13: Leadership is More Than Luck. As the thirteenth general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Doug Clay reflects on the powerful legacy of twelve spiritual pioneers who came before him. Through personal stories, timeless principles, and the Spirit-led wisdom of these men, 13: Leadership is More Than Luck invites readers into a heritage of leadership that has shaped a Movement and impacted the world. For more information about the 13: Leadership is More Than Luck, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

Past Present Future
Fixing Democracy: Citizens' Assemblies

Past Present Future

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2025 65:51


David talks to Claudia Chwalisz, founder and CEO of Democracy Next, about how citizens' assemblies could help fix what's wrong with democracy. Where does the idea of a jury of citizens chosen at random to answer political questions come from? What are the kinds of contemporary questions it could help to settle? How does it work? And what would encourage politicians to listen to citizens' assemblies rather than to their electorates? Out now on PPF+: The second half of David's conversation with Hannah White in which they discuss how we could get better decision-making at the heart of government. Why do politicians find it so hard to address the biggest challenges that they face? To get this and all our bonus episodes plus ad-free listening sign up to PPF+ today https://www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus The 2nd film in our autumn Films of Ideas season at the Regent Street cinema is coming up on Thursday 25th September: a screening of My Dinner with Andre, followed by a live recording of PPF with playwright and screenwriter Lee Hall, creator of Billy Elliot. Tickets are available now https://bit.ly/4fWDa7V Tickets are also now available for a special recording of PPF Live at the Cheltenham Literature Festival on Wednesday 15th October: Who Rules The World? Trump, Tech and the Fight for the Future. David will be talking to writer, philosopher and ex-politician Bruno Maçães – plus a special guest to be announced – about where the power really lies. Get your tickets now https://bit.ly/4m2pZno Next Up in Fixing Democracy: How To Stop Election Rigging Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Best of the Bible Answer Man Broadcast
Q&A: Spiritual Warfare Bible, Astrology, and Joseph the Father of Jesus

The Best of the Bible Answer Man Broadcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2025 28:01 Transcription Available


On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (09/19/25), Hank answers the following questions:What are your thoughts on the Spiritual Warfare Bible from Charisma Media? David - St. Louis, MO (1:05)How can I explain to my pastor that astrology is unbiblical? Which passages of Scripture teach against this? Ed - Jefferson City, MO (6:23)Was Jesus a Nazarite? Manga - San Francisco, CA (16:02)Is the Assemblies of God church legalistic? Manga - San Francisco, CA (18:38)If Joseph was not Jesus' biological father, how can they be related? Tonya - St. Louis, MO (21:02)

JOURNEY HOME
Joshua & Teresa Mangels - Former Assemblies of God Ministers

JOURNEY HOME

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2025 60:00


After beginning a personal relationship with Jesus as a teenager, Joshua Mangels felt a call to ministry and eventually became an Assemblies of God pastor. As he studied the Church Fathers, he discovered a sacramental worldview that was completely new to him, and he had to know more. Initially, he and his wife hesitated to dig deeper for fear of risking their ministry. However as Joshua began teaching about the Fathers to his congregation, more of his members became interested in Catholicism. They connected with the Byzantine Eparchy of Phoenix, and some of the Mangels' congregation entered the Catholic Church along with them.

Tricia Goyer
Uncommon Answers with Deanna Shrodes

Tricia Goyer

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2025 39:00


About Uncommon AnswersEvery believer on the planet has a heartfelt prayer request that has yet to be granted, and often the battle becomes fierce in the waiting. Having been in the trenches of desperate prayer in the face of seemingly impossible situations--and received astonishing answers--Dr. Deanna Shrodes offers fresh hope and faith for those weary for breakthrough. Sharing uplifting biblical truth, practical advice, and extraordinary stories of miraculous answers, she emboldens you to · reignite a tenacious fire of belief in the one who moves mountains· persevere in prayer with confidence and expectation· discern the voice of God to walk in radical surrender and obedience· discover life-changing lessons in the waiting· experience extraordinary answers to prayerSo reignite your hope, wait with expectancy, and rediscover the heart of an uncommon God who often asks us to do uncommon things--and whose uncommon answers astound us beyond our wildest expectations.Purchase a copy of Uncommon Answers here.Connect with Deanna ShrodesWebsite | Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTubeDr. Deanna Doss Shrodes is an ordained minister, author, speaker, musician, worship leader, and recording artist who has been featured in various media outlets, including CBS News, People Magazine, The New Yorker, Woman's World, God TV, and the Huffington Post. She holds a Master's in Ministerial Leadership and a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern University. Currently, she serves as the Women's Ministries Director for the Pen Florida District of the Assemblies of God and is the Director of the Stronger Leadership Network. Additionally, she is an adjunct professor at Southeastern University. Dr. Shrodes is the sole author of five books and a contributing writer to five others, with her next book, "Uncommon Answers," scheduled for release by Chosen Books in April 2025. She is married to her college sweetheart, Larry, and they have three grown children, four grandchildren, and one on the way. Dr. Shrodes is passionate about investing in leaders and helping individuals experience the extraordinary life that God has for them.

Influence Podcast
399. Cultivating Healthy Spiritual Leadership

Influence Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 48:56


“The Assemblies of God was founded as a cooperative fellowship that honors the calling and gifting of all Spirit-filled believers, not as a clerical hierarchy,” says a new Assemblies of God position paper. “As we seek to cultivate healthy spiritual leadership,” it continues, “we must resist any drift toward positional superiority and instead affirm diverse models of leadership found throughout the global church. To walk in step with the Spirit, we must honor the voices of those God has raised up from within, not just those with titles. The nature of spiritual leadership listens, learns, and leads in discernment within community.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Allen Tennison about “Misuse of Spiritual Leadership” (also in Spanish), a new position paper adopted by the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God during its August 2025 meeting. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Allen Tennison is theological counsel of the General Council of the Assemblies of God and chair of its Commission on Doctrines and Practices. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Fostering an Environment for Connection. Fostering an Environment for Connection will equip you with proven techniques to handle disruptions, develop positive relationships, and build a culture of structure, respect, and growth in your Kidmin classrooms. This resource will empower you to lead with confidence as a mentor—following the model of Jesus—while fostering an environment for connection. For more information about Fostering an Environment for Connection, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

Great Bible Truths with Dr David Petts
313 My Story Talk 26 Off-Campus Activities

Great Bible Truths with Dr David Petts

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 20:52


My Story   Talk 26  Off-campus Activities Most of what I have said about our years at Mattersey so far has related to what happened on the campus, and that was certainly where we spent most of our time. But our ministry was by no means confined to the campus. It was becoming increasingly international and interdenominational. So in this talk I'll begin by describing some of my activities within Britain which took place beyond the College campus before proceeding to our travels in Europe and further afield.   Activities within Britain Apart from my regular preaching in local churches around the country my main activities in Britain during this centred around:   The AoG Executive Council My relationships with the charismatic renewal and expanding my writing ministry.   The AoG Executive Council I have already mentioned some of the positions I had held within AoG before becoming Principal of the Bible College, but in 1984 I was elected to the Executive Council. This was important because it meant that the College had a voice at national level and that I could ensure that the interests of the College were always taken into consideration. And it became even more relevant when in 1987 I became its chairman, a position I held until 2007 when the structure of AoG was radically changed and about which I shall say more in a later talk.   Since its inception in 1924 the final authority in AoG was the General Council which met annually at the General Conference. The role of the Executive was to take responsibility between conferences for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the Fellowship. It was a great privilege for me to serve alongside respected older brothers like Veyne Austin, Herbert Harrison, Aaron Linford, Keith Monument, Aeron Morgan, Keith Munday, John Phillips, Douglas Quy, and Colin Whittaker, as well as younger men like Paul Newberry, Warwick Shenton, and Paul Weaver, who were all newly appointed at the same time as me.   Each year the Executive Council elected its own chairman to serve for a year and in 1987 I was appointed. These elections were always held by secret ballot, and I was surprised to be reappointed year after year for the next 20 years. This obviously gave me added responsibility especially when it was decided in 1993 to form AoG Inc., which made Executive Council members the sole members of a new charitable company, Assemblies of God Incorporated.   The purpose of the company was to protect AoG churches and ministers from any personal liability for actions taken by AoG. This was felt necessary to avoid any crises like the vast debt that had been incurred by the Overseas Missions Council over a situation that had arisen in Paderborn, the details of which I do not need to go into here. The Board of Directors of this new company was comprised of all members of the Executive Council. As directors we were given financial responsibility for the affairs of the Fellowship with the safeguard that each director was only personally liable up to the value of £1. It also gave us legal power over all the assets of the Fellowship without reference to the Conference. However, as we were appointed by the General Council by being elected to the Executive Council at the General Conference, we were always aware of our responsibility to abide by the wishes of the Fellowship as a whole. Despite the legal authority we had been given, as a matter of integrity we would never have taken independent action on any major matter without bringing it to Conference. This, as we will see later, was to change in 2007.   My relationship with the Charismatic Renewal But my ministry in Britain was by no means confined to AoG. I had not grown up in AoG and ever since I heard about the baptism in the Spirit my heart has always been for Christians of other denominations to come into the experience. That had been a major part of my ministry when I had travelled round the universities in the sixties, preaching and laying hands on people to receive the Spirit. Those were the days when the charismatic renewal was getting under way, and in the seventies, while we were at Basingstoke, I had good fellowship with Barney Coombs, the Spirit-filled pastor of the Baptist Church, who was holding regular ministers' breakfasts and monthly All Saints Nights for Christians of all denominations to hear about the things of the Spirit.   So when, early in my time at Mattersey I received an invitation from Michael Harper to attend something called the Charismatic Leaders' Conference at Whirlow Grange near Sheffield, I was pleased to accept. It was at these conferences that I met people like Roger and Faith Forster, David Pawson, Terry Virgo, Colin Urquhart, Gerald Coates and other charismatic leaders.   For several years I was part of the planning committee that organised these conferences some of which were held at Mattersey. I was also a member of committee that planned the International Charismatic Consultation on Worldwide Evangelisation (ICCOWE) held in Brighton in June 1991.   I continued to participate in the conferences throughout and beyond my time at Mattersey, and in fact at the time of writing this I am expecting to attend one this year. I have learnt that, although Pentecostals in Britain have been considerably influenced by charismatics, there is still very much that they can learn from us. For example, I am told by friends and family members that even in flourishing charismatic churches there is still little clear teaching on the baptism in the Spirit and spiritual gifts. But sadly, the same could be said of many Pentecostal churches.   So it became my vision that Mattersey should become more than a college that prepared people to be AoG ministers and missionaries, and we advertised the college as having a distinctly charismatic emphasis. As a result several of our graduates are now doing a great job for God as Anglican, Baptist, or Methodist ministers. It also had the benefit of introducing AoG students at Mattersey to a wider cross-section of the Christian church than just their own denomination.   Expanding my writing ministry But whether it be in AoG or any other denomination, the fact is that people need teaching. Genuine spiritual experience comes from a correct understanding of biblical truth. That was surely the purpose of a Bible College! And as it is not possible for everyone to come to Bible College, I was determined to make our teaching more readily available to a wider audience. I was able to do this in some measure through articles I contributed to the AoG magazine and Renewal, but in 1998 I had a distinct impression that the Lord wanted me to write more books, using the teaching I was giving at Mattersey as a basis.   That expanding my writing ministry was the way the Lord was leading me was confirmed in a wonderful way by César Castellanos who in 1998 was the guest preacher at our AoG conference in Prestatyn. At the end of a late-night meeting where César had been speaking to the members of our Executive Council and their wives, he prayed for each one of us in turn. When he came to me, instead of praying, he prophesied. His prophecy included the following statement: This is what the Holy Spirit says: I will greatly anoint your pen and your writing will be a blessing to thousands and thousands of people. Now that prophecy was remarkable for at least three reasons. Firstly, César did not know me. He had only just met me that evening. Secondly, he knew I was a Christian leader, but he did not know that I was a writer! And thirdly, as I have said, in the weeks leading up to that conference I had been feeling that God wanted me to give more time to writing. César's prophecy came as a wonderful confirmation. Since that time I have written several more books, some of which have been translated into at least fifteen different languages. They have certainly reached thousands already. I'm so grateful to the Lord that even while we were still at Mattersey he was still using me to be a blessing beyond Mattersey, not only in the UK but much further afield. But that brings me to my ministry in Europe.   Activities in Europe In an earlier talk I explained how my ministry in Europe began in the seventies while pastoring the church in Basingstoke. This was as the result of contacts with Willy Droz in Switzerland and George and Warren Flattery, American missionaries working in Belgium. These relationships continued while we were at Mattersey. For several years Eileen and I led teams of students on missions to Switzerland and I had regular contact with the Flatterys through the work with I.C.I., Continental Bible College, and EPTA.   And indeed, most of my work in Europe was related to either: EPTA, the European Pentecostal Theological Association, or PEF, The Pentecostal European Fellowship   The European Pentecostal Theological Association EPTA was formed as a result of the Pentecostal European Conference held in The Hague in August 1978 at which I had been invited to preach. Apart from the main meetings held each morning and evening there were workshops each afternoon for various special interest groups including Bible Colleges. As the recently appointed Principal at Mattersey I was naturally interested to attend these and found them very helpful.   It was good to meet with faculty and staff from other Bible Colleges and share what we were doing and what our hopes for the future were. I found myself wondering if it would be possible for us to meet on an annual basis.  The PEC conferences were held every three years, so it was clear that something separate from PEC needed to be organised, and I suggested this while a few of us were chatting after one of the sessions.   As there seemed to be a general agreement about the matter, we decided to look for a suitable venue and dates for the following year. I knew already that the European Pentecostal Fellowship were holding a conference in Vienna in 1979 and suggested that this might be a good time to hold a planning meeting. (EPF and PEC were at that time separate bodies, but a few years later merged to form the Pentecostal European Fellowship, about which I will say more later).   So in 1979 Eileen and I, along with several other AoG personnel, attended the EPF conference in Vienna. The meeting with other Bible College people was not an official part of the conference but was tagged on at the end. However, during the conference itself I was unexpectedly asked by John Wildrianne to be the speaker at one of the sessions, as a brother from France who was scheduled to speak had been unable to come.   The subject was Spiritual Gifts and fortunately I already had plenty of material on that topic and was grateful for the opportunity to speak to leaders from across Europe on a subject that was close to my heart. The talk was well received and, together with my preaching in the Hague the previous year, proved to be the beginning of a much wider ministry in Europe than I had ever expected.   The meeting for Bible College leaders that we had arranged to take place after the conference lasted only a couple of hours but was a good starting point at which it was agreed to call ourselves EPTA, the European Pentecostal Theological Association. At the invitation of the brothers from ICI, we agreed to hold our first conference the following year in Brussels where, in addition to hearing papers on subjects of mutual interest, we would discuss a doctrinal statement for EPTA, conditions of membership and other related matters.   The meeting in Brussels was a great success and was the first of many annual gatherings of college personnel from all over Western Europe. And when Eastern Europe opened up after the destruction of the Berlin Wall in 1989, we were delighted to welcome delegates from those countries too. Over the years conferences were held in England, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, Poland, Slovakia, France, and Portugal.   They were times of great blessing. Despite the name, they were not just an opportunity for theological discussion. Their primary purpose was for colleges to help each other by sharing mutual concerns, many of which had little to do with theology! It was good to know that other colleges faced the same problems as you did – practical issues like student discipline, catering, timetable, finance, governance and, something which was a major topic for several years, accreditation.   In addition to all this there were great times of worship and prayer. Working in a Bible College often means facing stressful challenges and faculty and staff found EPTA conferences times of refreshing and spiritual renewal. And they were especially relaxing when we held them during the summer vacations when many combined them with a family holiday. The ones held at Mattersey were particularly popular.   Eileen and I formed great relationships with many of our EPTA friends and trips to EPTA helped forge stronger relationships with our own faculty members too. I well remember the fun we had when we travelled by minibus to Germany with Dave and Beryl Allen and Brian and Audrey Quar, spending a few days relaxing in Switzerland before staying with friends in Heidenheim enabling us to attend the PEF Conference near Stuttgart followed by an EPTA conference in Erzhausen. Much of the blessing we enjoyed at Mattersey sprang from the strength of those relationships.   For many years I served on the planning committee for these conferences. In the days before the internet this necessitated flying to various venues in Europe most of which I enjoyed immensely despite the occasional problem with flights, and the anxiety you experience when you don't speak the language and the person you're expecting to pick you up doesn't arrive! The American brother who was picking me up had mistaken my arrival time at Stuttgart, which was 14.40 as 4.30 in the afternoon! But we learn from these experiences – I know he did – and these trips also gave me opportunity to preach in one of the local churches on Sunday morning before flying back in time for work at Mattersey on Monday.   But possibly the most fruitful result of founding EPTA was the openings it gave me to teach and preach in several of its affiliated colleges. I have taught courses both at bachelors and masters level in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, and Ireland. I made several visits to Sweden where the system was rather different from the other countries I have mentioned. Because of the number of large Pentecostal churches there, there was no national college, but there were several colleges offering full-time courses based in the local church. The church at Gothenburg, for example, when I preached there had a Sunday morning congregation of over 2000 and had a large enough complex to house a full time Bible college.   Stig and Marianne Hedstrom, who led that college, had brought a party of young people to Mattersey and heard me teach on spiritual gifts, told me that they needed this teaching in Sweden and asked me if I would come. On two separate occasions they organised teaching tours for me, the first starting at Gothenburg on the west coast and travelling across to Stockholm on the east. En route I visited colleges in Jonkoping, Linkoping,  Mariannelund, and Brommaskolen and Kaggeholme,  both in Stockholm. On the second tour about two years later I visited the same places but in reverse order, this time travelling east to west.   Some of the other countries I mentioned, Belgium, Finland and Portugal for example, I also visited more frequently after my time at Mattersey and I will comment on them in a later talk. But what most of them had in common was the fact that my initial contact with each of them came through EPTA. So whether it was the annual conference, or the trips to help plan them, or teaching in some of its member colleges, EPTA was a source of personal enrichment for me, and I will always be grateful to God for the prompting he gave me to suggest it back in the PEC conference in 1978.   Next time – more about PEF and my involvement with the World Pentecostal Conference.

Center Point Assembly
What does Center Point Assembly Mean? - PDF

Center Point Assembly

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2025


Sunday, September 7, 2025 – Pastor Mike discusses the importance of a name in his message titled “What does Center Point Assembly Mean?” God often changes the names of some people in Scripture. Why does He do this? Probably because God sees something different in the person than the person sees in himself at that moment. Quite possibly, the new name carries a meaning that provides the encouragement and challenge needed to fulfill the larger purpose God has for them. A properly given name serves two main purposes: “A name IDENTIFIES externally and CHALLENGES internally.” We were challenged to change this church’s name from Charlevoix Assembly of God to Center Point Assembly of God. There was nothing wrong with our previous name, but it didn’t pose a challenge; it simply indicated that we were the Assemblies of God in Charlevoix. The purpose of the name Center Point Assembly is to identify that we are an Assemblies of God church, with a challenge of who’s at the Center Point of the church, as well as of the attenders and members of this church. Every time we read the name, it should prompt us to ask – Who is at the Center Point of my life? If we live with that identity and challenge, then we will pass God's tests in our lives—both here and, most importantly, in eternity when we stand before Jesus and give an account of who was at the center of our earthly lives. Worship and study with us.

Center Point Assembly
What does Center Point Assembly Mean? - Audio

Center Point Assembly

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2025 34:25


Sunday, September 7, 2025 – Pastor Mike discusses the importance of a name in his message titled “What does Center Point Assembly Mean?” God often changes the names of some people in Scripture. Why does He do this? Probably because God sees something different in the person than the person sees in himself at that moment. Quite possibly, the new name carries a meaning that provides the encouragement and challenge needed to fulfill the larger purpose God has for them. A properly given name serves two main purposes: “A name IDENTIFIES externally and CHALLENGES internally.” We were challenged to change this church’s name from Charlevoix Assembly of God to Center Point Assembly of God. There was nothing wrong with our previous name, but it didn’t pose a challenge; it simply indicated that we were the Assemblies of God in Charlevoix. The purpose of the name Center Point Assembly is to identify that we are an Assemblies of God church, with a challenge of who’s at the Center Point of the church, as well as of the attenders and members of this church. Every time we read the name, it should prompt us to ask – Who is at the Center Point of my life? If we live with that identity and challenge, then we will pass God's tests in our lives—both here and, most importantly, in eternity when we stand before Jesus and give an account of who was at the center of our earthly lives. Worship and study with us.

Praise Assembly - Recorded Messages
The Role & Ministry of The Pastor

Praise Assembly - Recorded Messages

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2025 94:00


Today was a historic day at Praise Assembly as Rev. Robert Wise installed Pastor Hans as our new lead pastor. Rev. Wise has served the church faithfully for over 40 years, pastoring in New Jersey and Massachusetts and later leading nearly 200 churches as Superintendent of the Southern New England District of the Assemblies of God. His wisdom, experience, and heart for the church were evident as he ministered on The Role and Ministry of the Pastor. This service wasn't just about titles or positions, it was about God's calling, the shepherding of His people, and the future He is unfolding for our church family.

MinistryWatch Podcast
Ep. 505: Assemblies of God, American Bible Society, America's Largest Christian Colleges and Universities

MinistryWatch Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2025 32:20


On today's program, the Assemblies of God South Texas Ministry Network has discovered financial misconduct among its ranks. This is the same Assemblies of God network plagued by Chi Alpha sexual abuse scandals. We'll have details. And, a ministry helping Christians escape ‘high control' churches…the group encourages believers to rebuild—not deconstruct—their faith. Plus, the American Bible Society is issuing thousands of dollars in grants to Christian colleges to fund the development of an A-I assistant and YouTube shows—all to boost Gen Z engagement with the Bible. But first, a Christian school in Tennessee has demoted its newly hired principal after parents discovered he had left his former school for hiring a convicted sex offender to work on school grounds. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Stacey Horton, Kim Roberts, Daniel Ritchie, Jessica Eturralde, Tony Mator, Bob Smietana, Isaac Wood, and Adelle Banks. Until next time, may God bless you.

Revival Center
Revival Talks Ep. 238 Interview With Melinda Henderson

Revival Center

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2025 33:54


In this episode, Associate Pastor Jason White sits down and interviews Melinda Henderson. Melinda was the guest speaker at this year's Women's Conference at the Revival Center. Melinda serves alongside her husband as Regional Directors in Europe for the Assemblies of God World Missions. We hope you are encouraged and blessed!Revival Talks is a series of discussions where staff from our church and members of our community sit down and talk about various topics in light of what is going on in our church, our community, and our world.For more information about our church visit us on our website, our Facebook page, and our YouTube.Support the show

Ending Human Trafficking Podcast
353 – Grooming in Trusted Spaces: A Conversation with Dr. Beth Lorance

Ending Human Trafficking Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2025 34:51


Dr. Beth Lorance joins Dr. Sandie Morgan as they discover how a high school coach gave one of his players expensive gifts, things her mother had refused to buy, with the mom posting online asking what to do, not realizing she was witnessing grooming behavior that creates the same vulnerabilities traffickers exploit in trusted spaces throughout our communities. Dr. Beth Lorance Dr. Beth Lorance is an adjunct professor at Vanguard University, where she teaches Family Violence and has also taught Introduction to Psychology and Psychology of the Family. She earned her PsyD in Clinical Psychology and previously served as the director of Vanguard's counseling center. In addition to her academic background, Beth is a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God, which allows her to bring both psychological expertise and theological insight into conversations about abuse, trauma, and healing. Her passion is deeply personal, rooted in her own family history of child sexual abuse, and she is committed to equipping others to use their voices to prevent abuse, protect the vulnerable, and walk alongside survivors. Beth also works to bring awareness into the church, encouraging faith communities to reflect Jesus' response to victims and to take seriously the call to protect those who are most vulnerable. Key Points Family violence creates deep vulnerabilities by teaching children harmful lessons that love is transactional, they're not enough, and there's something wrong with them that they can't overcome - wounds that become embedded in their brain chemistry when trauma happens at a young age. Traffickers don't create vulnerabilities but rather exploit existing wounds from family abuse, stepping into unmet needs and exploiting lessons already learned about intimacy being tied to exploitation. Statistics reveal that 90% of abusers are known to their victims with only 10% being strangers, and 31% of traffickers are actually family members of the victim, making "stranger danger" education insufficient. Grooming is a process of control and manipulation that builds trust, chips away boundaries, and creates dependency so victims willingly comply when lines are crossed into inappropriate behavior because they've been normalized to the perpetrator's actions. Training is essential for leaders, staff, pastors, volunteers, and teachers to recognize grooming signs like expensive gift-giving, requests for secrecy, and isolating language such as "your parents don't understand you, but I do." Clear boundaries and policies are crucial, including no one-on-one supervision between adults and children, with swift consequences when policies aren't followed to prevent grooming opportunities. Children need to be empowered to say no even to trusted adults, with parents and leaders respecting their boundaries and teaching them about "tricky people" rather than just strangers. Trauma-informed communities must stop asking "what's wrong with you?" and instead listen without judgment, sitting with broken people without requiring them to change or behave in prescribed ways to receive care. Parents should be vigilant about adults in their children's lives, knowing what interactions look like and requiring that any adult who wants to be friends with their child must be friends with the parent first. Breaking the cycle requires communities that believe victims, provide someone to stand up for those who can't yet stand up for themselves, and create new family structures when biological families fail to protect. Resources 204 – Is Your Organization Trauma Informed and Why Should It Be? 124 – Prevention: Trauma Informed and Transformational Schools Transcript [00:00:00] Sandie Morgan: Welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking Podcast here at Vanguard University's Global Center for Women and Justice in Orange County, California. I'm Dr. Sandy Morgan, and this is the show where we empower you to study the issues, be a voice,

Crossroads Christian Center
Special Guest Speakers - Jose and Ashley Talavera - 8-31-25

Crossroads Christian Center

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2025 113:36


Jose and Ashley Talavera spent the last 11 years as Assemblies of God World Missionaries to the country of Spain. They helped plant churches in the cities of both Granada and Málaga. In Granada their first term they started a multi-generational family ministry for both inside the church and outside reaching out to the community. In Málaga, they began a non-profit organization that reached out to the community primarily through English-learning, to build relationships and share the love and hope of Jesus.

Influence Podcast
397. The Attitude of a Bivocational Minister

Influence Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2025 32:29


“Christian ministry includes fully supported church workers, those bivocational only out of financial necessity, and those who have chosen to serve covocationally. All should be honored, but one's attitude makes a difference.”  So writes Richard D. Oliver in his new book,  A Covocational Attitude: Sharing the Motivational Convictions of the Apostle Paul. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Oliver regarding the apostle Paul's attitude to receiving financial support, and how the apostle's attitude should influence our own. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influencemagazine and your host. Richard D. Oliver is an ordained Assemblies of God minister with five decades of experience as a bivocational pastor in Michigan, Indiana, and Missouri. A Covocational Attitude draws on research from his Doctor of Ministry project at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of 30 Under 30. In 30 Under 30: Young Adults in Scripture Who Heard from God, you'll meet 30 young adults from the Bible who had their own defining moments. Heroes or cautionary tales—they all had a choice. This isn't just a history lesson. It's a call to action. God still speaks, and if you're willing to listen, He's got something to say to you. For more information about 30 Under 30, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

Real Men Connect with Dr. Joe Martin - Christian Men Podcast
Standing Together When Tragedy Strikes (EP:989)

Real Men Connect with Dr. Joe Martin - Christian Men Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025 61:39


Carlos Evans is the founder of C.R. Evans Ministries. Carlos was born in Puerto Rico, where he was an avid athlete throughout his high school and college years. At the university level, Carlos studied Theology and was very active in his church. It was during that time that the tragic events of September 11th occurred, and he felt compelled to join the family legacy of service in the United States Marine Corps -- and originally planned to join as a Chaplain.    Carlos served three tours of duty in Iraq and was assigned to Afghanistan for his fourth deployment. In May 2010, he was the squad leader on foot patrol when he stepped on an improvised explosive device.   The blast took both of his legs and his left hand. Medically discharged after his rehab at Walter Reed, Carlos served in the Marine Corps for eight years.  Carlos is now a minister with the Assemblies of God USA, a Wounded Warrior Spokesman, and a motivational speaker.   He and his wife, Rosemarie co-authored a book called Standing Together, an inspirational story of a wounded warrior and an enduring love.  They reside in Orlando, Florida, and they have two beautiful daughters.   If you'd like to contact Carlos or get a copy of his book, just go to his website at http://www.crevans.org    ----------------------     If you want to help us transform the lives of even MORE MEN for God's glory, please take a minute to leave us a helpful REVIEW on iTunes: http://www.rmcpodcast.com and SHARE this podcast with any young man (or men) you're mentoring or discipling.   Talk with Dr. Joe 1-on-1: Are you tired and stuck? Want to go to get your faith, marriage, family, career and finances back on track?  Then maybe it's time you got a coach. Every CHAMPION has one. Schedule an appointment to chat with Dr. Joe. He takes on only a few Breakthrough Calls each week.  The call is FREE, but slots are limited to ONE call only.  NO RESCHEDULES.  Just click on the link below and select the BREAKTHROUGH CALL option to set up an appointment: http://TalkwithDrJoe.com  If no slots are available, please check back in a week.   Also join us on: Online Podcast Community (on Station):  https://station.page/realmen Facebook: @realdrjoemartin YouTube: http://www.RealMenTraining.com Instagram: @realdrjoemartin Twitter: @professormartin Website: https://RealMenConnect.com

Faith Driven Investor
Episode 204 - Pastor to President: Investing in Africa's Future | President Chakwera

Faith Driven Investor

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 38:56


Join us for an extraordinary conversation as Faith Driven Investor shares a special crossover episode from the Faith Driven Entrepreneur podcast, where host Justin Forman sits down with President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi at his lakeside residence. President Chakwera brings a unique perspective as both a former pastor who led the Assemblies of God for 24 years and now as the leader of a nation, sharing profound insights on the intersection of faith, investment, and nation-building.In this powerful discussion, President Chakwera reveals how God called him from the pulpit to the presidency, his vision for transforming Malawi from an aid-dependent nation to an investment-driven economy, and the critical role faith-driven investors can play in Africa's development. He shares candidly about the importance of shifting from poverty alleviation to wealth creation, the untapped potential in Malawi's agriculture, tourism, and mining sectors, and why partnership—not paternalism—is the key to unlocking Africa's vast resources.Key Investment Topics Discussed: • The transition from aid to investment: Creating sustainable economic growth through strategic partnerships • Malawi's ATM strategy: Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining as key investment sectors with massive potential • Infrastructure development as the critical enabler: From 11% to 75% electricity access by 2030 • The $1 trillion+ opportunity in rare earth minerals, including the world's largest rutile deposits • Why Africa's youth demographic (average age 18 in Malawi) represents an unprecedented investment opportunityPowerful Quotes from President Chakwera:"Investing for me is using what God has given me in order that I might be a blessing to other people.""We need to re-engineer ourselves and how we look at all these resources and say, how do we now become a productive oriented community, rather than a consumption oriented one?""A faith-based investor recognizes that we've got to build on the trust we have, and then our dealings will not be based on any corrupt practices."President Chakwera's journey from pastoral ministry to presidential leadership offers unique insights for investors seeking both financial returns and Kingdom impact. His vision for Malawi to become "an inclusively wealthy, self-reliant, upper middle income economy" by 2063 presents compelling opportunities for faith-driven capital to make a transformative difference in one of Africa's most beautiful and resource-rich nations.

Henderson Blvd church of Christ
Worship and Assemblies

Henderson Blvd church of Christ

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2025 32:46


Series: Bible Class 2025 - AuthorityService: Bible Study - SundayType: Bible ClassSpeaker: Ralph Walker

Henderson Blvd church of Christ
Worship and Assemblies 2

Henderson Blvd church of Christ

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2025 32:46


Series: Bible Class 2025 - AuthorityService: Bible Study - SundayType: Bible ClassSpeaker: Ralph Walker

Center Point Assembly
The Assemblies of God - Fundamental Truth 16 - PDF

Center Point Assembly

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2025


Sunday, August 24, 2025 – This sermon serves as a fitting conclusion to our exploration of the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God. We will examine one of the most inspiring promises in Scripture: “The New Heavens and New Earth.” Together, we will consider God’s ultimate victory—when all sin and corruption are eradicated, and believers are given eternal, glorified bodies. A holy city. A completely new creation. And God's everlasting presence dwelling with His perfected saints. John’s Revelation offers us glimpses of this magnificent future, though even our most vivid imaginations cannot fully grasp the splendor of what God has prepared for those who love Him. Join us as we worship, study, and look forward to the glory to come—living faithfully and sharing the Gospel while awaiting His return.

Center Point Assembly
The Assemblies of God - Fundamental Truth 16 - Audio

Center Point Assembly

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2025 50:30


Sunday, August 24, 2025 – This sermon serves as a fitting conclusion to our exploration of the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God. We will examine one of the most inspiring promises in Scripture: “The New Heavens and New Earth.” Together, we will consider God’s ultimate victory—when all sin and corruption are eradicated, and believers are given eternal, glorified bodies. A holy city. A completely new creation. And God's everlasting presence dwelling with His perfected saints. John’s Revelation offers us glimpses of this magnificent future, though even our most vivid imaginations cannot fully grasp the splendor of what God has prepared for those who love Him. Join us as we worship, study, and look forward to the glory to come—living faithfully and sharing the Gospel while awaiting His return.

Faith Driven Entrepreneur
Episode 340 - God Said "Pastor the Nation" And He Listened | President Chakwera

Faith Driven Entrepreneur

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2025 38:54


From Pastor to President: Transforming Africa Through Faith-Driven InvestmentJoin host Justin Forman from a stunning lakeside location in Malawi as he sits down with President Lazarus Chakwera, one of the rare world leaders who transitioned from pastoral ministry to the presidency. In this remarkable conversation, President Chakwera shares his extraordinary journey from leading the Assemblies of God for over 30 years to answering God's call to "pastor the nation."This episode explores the critical shift happening across Africa—from aid dependence to investment partnerships—and reveals why Malawi's vision for becoming an "inclusively wealthy, self-reliant economy" represents a blueprint for continental transformation. President Chakwera offers profound insights on how faith-driven investors can partner with African nations to create lasting impact while maintaining dignity and mutual respect.Key Topics:The miraculous journey from 30+ years of pastoral ministry to the presidencyWhy Africa is shifting from aid to investment—and why this matters globallyMalawi's ATM strategy: Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining as pathways to prosperityHow faith-driven investors can avoid exploitation and build trust-based partnershipsThe power of synergy: When pastors, entrepreneurs, and government leaders uniteNotable Quotes:"I didn't leave ministry. This is ministry." - President Chakwera"You cannot reap without sowing... we can prosper together, just like God can prosper everyone without him running out of stuff." - President Chakwera"Investing for me is using what God has given me in order that I might be a blessing to other people." - President Chakwera

Center Point Assembly
The Assemblies of God - Fundamental Truth 15 - Audio

Center Point Assembly

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2025 44:11


Sunday, August 17, 2025 – We continue our study of the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God, focusing on Truth 15 – The Final Judgment. The last four truths are prophetic, and all but this one are very encouraging and exciting to discuss. Judgment is a crucial truth to speak about, even if it can be a difficult topic. The reality is that every person, righteous and unrighteous, will have their moment before a righteous and just God. All will give an account of the lives they have lived. For the righteous, this occurs at the “Bema Seat of Christ," where Jesus will reward each person for the good works they have done. Although we are saved by grace alone, our works after salvation will be evaluated, so believers should work diligently and look forward to rewards in heaven. For the unrighteous, their time before a holy and just God will happen at the end of the Millennium during the Great White Throne Judgment, which is the final judgment. Every unbelieving person, whether great or small, who has ever lived will be resurrected into an eternal body and stand before God to receive their just punishment. This is a time of judgment that is horrifying. But here’s the good news: we all have the freedom to choose which judgment we will face. While we mentioned three judgments, there is actually a fourth judgment that occurs at the moment of death, determining whether we will stand before the “Bema Seat of Christ” or the “Great White Throne”. It’s a free choice that each person makes now—whether to accept Jesus as their Savior and live for Him as Lord of their life. Join us for worship and study to learn more.

Center Point Assembly
The Assemblies of God - Fundamental Truth 15 - PDF

Center Point Assembly

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2025


Sunday, August 17, 2025 – We continue our study of the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God, focusing on Truth 15 – The Final Judgment. The last four truths are prophetic, and all but this one are very encouraging and exciting to discuss. Judgment is a crucial truth to speak about, even if it can be a difficult topic. The reality is that every person, righteous and unrighteous, will have their moment before a righteous and just God. All will give an account of the lives they have lived. For the righteous, this occurs at the “Bema Seat of Christ," where Jesus will reward each person for the good works they have done. Although we are saved by grace alone, our works after salvation will be evaluated, so believers should work diligently and look forward to rewards in heaven. For the unrighteous, their time before a holy and just God will happen at the end of the Millennium during the Great White Throne Judgment, which is the final judgment. Every unbelieving person, whether great or small, who has ever lived will be resurrected into an eternal body and stand before God to receive their just punishment. This is a time of judgment that is horrifying. But here’s the good news: we all have the freedom to choose which judgment we will face. While we mentioned three judgments, there is actually a fourth judgment that occurs at the moment of death, determining whether we will stand before the “Bema Seat of Christ” or the “Great White Throne”. It’s a free choice that each person makes now—whether to accept Jesus as their Savior and live for Him as Lord of their life. Join us for worship and study to learn more.

Talking Church
Dr. Chris Palmer | Theology, Spiritual Visions, & Suffering

Talking Church

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2025 60:49


Live from the Assemblies of God General Council in Orlando, Pastor Logan sits down with Dr. Chris Palmer for a rich conversation on theology, suffering, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Palmer shares his journey from pastoral ministry to deep theological study, emphasizing that true theology should humble us and lead us to worship. They discuss the importance of testimony, the role of suffering in knowing Christ deeply, and how the Spirit shapes our understanding of Scripture. This episode is a profound reminder that theology is not just about being right—but about becoming more like Jesus.

Renaissance Church
Standalone Sermons: Holding Fast to Hope as a Church Family

Renaissance Church

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2025 49:36


Looking at Hebrews 10:19–25, guest speaker Nick Fatato reminds us that because of Jesus' sacrifice, we have full access to God's presence—not by anything we've done, but by His blood. This truth calls us to live with intention: to draw near to God, hold firmly to our hope in Christ, spur one another on toward love and good deeds, stay rooted in the church community, and offer daily encouragement to others. In a world that often pulls us toward selfishness or despair, the resurrection makes us “prisoners of hope,” confident that every trial is temporary and our eternity with Christ is secure. Nick Fatato serves as superintendent of the Assemblies of God ministry network in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and works globally with Live Dead—a missionary movement focused on planting churches among unreached people groups in challenging and often dangerous regions. He and his wife, Gina, have also been long-time mentors to Pastor Scott and Tiffany.

Center Point Assembly
The Assemblies of God - Fundamental Truth 14 - PDF

Center Point Assembly

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2025


Sunday, August 10, 2025 – We’re continuing our study of the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God, and today we’re speaking on the 14th truth – The Millennial Reign. If you ask many people in the church how much they know about this period, or if they believe the Bible says much about it, most would say they weren’t taught much about the millennium because they don’t think the Bible has much to say on the subject. However, the Bible reveals that over 27% of its content is prophetic, meaning that one in four verses discusses future prophetic events, including the 1,000-year reign of Christ. Why is it essential for us to understand this coming period? It helps us see what God’s plan is for the world in the future. Understanding this also highlights the importance of living as true believers in Christ and doing everything we can to share the gospel with others. We have a promised hope and destination to live for, knowing we will be rewarded as we stay faithful today. Please join us in worship and study as we explore what the 1000-year reign of Christ entails and our roles within it.

Center Point Assembly
The Assemblies of God - Fundamental Truth 14 - Audio

Center Point Assembly

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2025 47:51


Sunday, August 10, 2025 – We’re continuing our study of the 16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God, and today we’re speaking on the 14th truth – The Millennial Reign. If you ask many people in the church how much they know about this period, or if they believe the Bible says much about it, most would say they weren’t taught much about the millennium because they don’t think the Bible has much to say on the subject. However, the Bible reveals that over 27% of its content is prophetic, meaning that one in four verses discusses future prophetic events, including the 1,000-year reign of Christ. Why is it essential for us to understand this coming period? It helps us see what God’s plan is for the world in the future. Understanding this also highlights the importance of living as true believers in Christ and doing everything we can to share the gospel with others. We have a promised hope and destination to live for, knowing we will be rewarded as we stay faithful today. Please join us in worship and study as we explore what the 1000-year reign of Christ entails and our roles within it.

Movement Memos
Public Assemblies Strengthen Community Resistance to Rising Authoritarianism

Movement Memos

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2025 60:28


“The People's Movement Assembly process provides a unique opportunity for people to build a democracy that has yet to be born,” says Denzel Caldwell. In this episode, Kelly and Denzel discuss the power and potential of People's Movement Assemblies, and how the practice of direct democracy can help us fight fascism. Music: Son Monarcas and David Celeste You can find a transcript and show notes (including links to resources) here: truthout.org/series/movement-memos/ If you would like to support the show, you can donate here: bit.ly/TODonate If you would like to receive Truthout's newsletter, please sign up: bit.ly/TOnewsletter

Influence Podcast
395. Learning from Those Who Came Before Us

Influence Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2025 32:23


Doug Clay is the 13th general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, which explains the title of his most recent book —13: Leadership Is More than Luck. The book explores leadership principles and stories from Clay's predecessors in that office. “As I studied the lives of our past general superintendents, I was inspired by their timeless insights and timely sensitivity to the Lord. Though each faced his own set of challenges, placing hope and trust in the Lord was a hallmark of each former leader,” Clay writes. “We have been called by God for this moment. If we will have the humility to learn from our history and the faith to press ahead, we will see the Lord's favor and anointing upon our Fellowship for decades, until he comes,” Clay concludes In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Clay about leadership principles and stories from his book, but also about the state of the Assemblies of God. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler. The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information about The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

Center Point Assembly
The Assemblies of God - Fundamental Truth 13 - PDF

Center Point Assembly

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2025


Sunday, August 3, 2025 – Pastor Mike continues the study of the Assemblies of God 16 Fundamental Truths, focusing on Truth 13 – “The Blessed Hope.” The last four Tenets of the Assemblies' 16 Fundamentals all deal with future events yet to come and are the most exciting to discuss. Today, we’re talking about “The Blessed Hope,” which is the next major event on God’s prophetic timetable: the “Rapture of the Church.” The rapture is called the blessed hope, not because we are wishful that it will happen, but because it is a guaranteed promise based on the Bible’s words. The blessed hope is when Jesus returns in the clouds to take His Bride, the Church, back to His Father’s house in Heaven. That’s what we’ll explore in more detail. Worship and study with us, and you’ll be encouraged, knowing we can be confident in experiencing all that God has prepared. Watch until the very end, as Pastor Mike has a special announcement he shared with the congregation this morning regarding his future tenure at Center Point.

Center Point Assembly
The Assemblies of God - Fundamental Truth 13 - Audio

Center Point Assembly

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2025 55:27


Sunday, August 3, 2025 – Pastor Mike continues the study of the Assemblies of God 16 Fundamental Truths, focusing on Truth 13 – “The Blessed Hope.” The last four Tenets of the Assemblies' 16 Fundamentals all deal with future events yet to come and are the most exciting to discuss. Today, we’re talking about “The Blessed Hope,” which is the next major event on God’s prophetic timetable: the “Rapture of the Church.” The rapture is called the blessed hope, not because we are wishful that it will happen, but because it is a guaranteed promise based on the Bible’s words. The blessed hope is when Jesus returns in the clouds to take His Bride, the Church, back to His Father’s house in Heaven. That’s what we’ll explore in more detail. Worship and study with us, and you’ll be encouraged, knowing we can be confident in experiencing all that God has prepared. Watch until the very end, as Pastor Mike has a special announcement he shared with the congregation this morning regarding his future tenure at Center Point.

The Christian Post Daily
ERLC Head Brent Leatherwood Resigns, AG Faces New Lawsuit, VCU Children's Hospital Halts Sex Change Surgeries

The Christian Post Daily

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2025 7:06


Top headlines for Friday, August 1, 2025In this episode, we explore the troubling lawsuit against a Florida church and a regional Assemblies of God body, accused of failing to protect children from abuse at a camp. Next, we turn our attention to the Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University's decision to halt body-altering gender surgeries and puberty blockers, highlighting the ongoing debate over gender-affirming care. Plus, we examine the call from 40 Southern Baptist leaders urging the Trump administration to prevent the mailing of abortion pills to pro-life states, a move that intensifies the complex discourse on reproductive rights. 00:11 ERLC head Brent Leatherwood resigns; acting president named01:00 AOG church faces new lawsuit claiming it failed to protect kids01:54 Man sues girlfriend's husband, doctor who mailed abortion pills02:50 VCU Children's Hospital halts sex-change operations for minors03:39 40 SBC pastors urge Trump to ban mailing abortion pills04:35 FBI launches probe into brutal attack at Ohio music festival05:24 Brandon Lake, CeCe Winans, Forrest Frank nominated for Dove AwardSubscribe to this PodcastApple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOvercastFollow Us on Social Media@ChristianPost on TwitterChristian Post on Facebook@ChristianPostIntl on InstagramSubscribe on YouTubeGet the Edifi AppDownload for iPhoneDownload for AndroidSubscribe to Our NewsletterSubscribe to the Freedom Post, delivered every Monday and ThursdayClick here to get the top headlines delivered to your inbox every morning!Links to the NewsERLC head Brent Leatherwood resigns; acting president named | Church & MinistriesAOG church faces new lawsuit claiming it failed to protect kids | U.S.Man sues girlfriend's husband, doctor who mailed abortion pills | U.S.VCU Children's Hospital halts sex-change operations for minors | U.S.40 SBC pastors urge Trump to ban mailing abortion pills | PoliticsFBI launches probe into brutal attack at Ohio music festival | U.S.Brandon Lake, CeCe Winans, Forrest Frank nominated for Dove Award | Entertainment

Influence Podcast
394. Understanding Romans

Influence Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2025 68:01


“Few would argue against the proposition that Paul's letter to the Romans is his magnum opus,” writes Glen Menzies. “Romans is an exceedingly important book. The impact it has made is literally incalculable, for it is impossible to imagine how Christianity would have developed without it.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Menzies about how to interpret Romans. We start with introductory issues about the letter and its recipients before moving on to points of debate about Romans specifically and Pauline theology generally. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Glen Menzies is an ordained Assemblies of God minister. For 27 years, he served as professor of New Testament and Early Christianity and dean of the Institute for Biblical and Theological Studies at North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is now retired. He is author of A Pentecostal Commentary on Romans, published by Wipf & Stock. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler. The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information about The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

Excel Still More
I Corinthians 14 - Daily Bible Devotional

Excel Still More

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2025 4:35


Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comI Corinthians 14Paul refocuses on spiritual gifts, stressing the importance of using these abilities to strengthen the church. He points out that prophecy is superior to speaking in tongues because prophecy edifies, encourages, and comforts believers. Tongues, without interpretation, only benefit the speaker. The brethren are urged to prioritize the edification of the church, especially during worship gatherings. Assemblies should be orderly, with contributions like songs, teachings, or prophecies shared to promote understanding and unity. Gifts such as tongues should only be used if someone can interpret them, and in a proper sequence, to prevent confusion. The congregation is also encouraged to respect the limited role women are allowed in worship, even if they possess spiritual gifts. In all of this, orderliness aligned with God's will delights Him and strengthens the church. Applying this section is challenging since we do not possess the same spiritual gifts as those in the first-century church. However, we can gain valuable insights into the talents among God's people and how we utilize them. These talents may differ, with some potentially holding more significance than others in worship or specific situations. Regardless, we should always strive to act for the edification of God's people, employing whatever abilities He gives us. When gathered for worship, we must honor God's design of order, clarity, and respect for gender-based limitations. In every generation, God's design for the church remains valid. We sing, pray, study, and invest ourselves for the benefit of the whole, viewing these actions as the Lord's commandments. Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us to use the gifts You have given us to build up the body of believers. Grant us wisdom to recognize the abilities we already possess and the opportunities to serve that are placed right in front of us. Protect our hearts from pride and worldliness, which can blind us to our mission: to honor You and to be a valuable asset in helping Christians worship and serve You. Father, please bless our assemblies. We will focus on obeying Your commandments and worshiping You in a proper and orderly manner, for Your name's sake.  Thought Questions: -       Why does Paul emphasize the importance of prophecy over speaking in tongues, and how should that affect the way you use your abilities? -       If worship only benefits you, or is only about you, is that God's design? How do you make assemblies more about the group than yourself? -       Does God have the right to govern the design of church assemblies? Should we respect His teachings restricting women's lead

Influence Podcast
393. Training Students to Evangelize Their Peers

Influence Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2025 40:50


“According to research, approximately 61 percent of U.S. teenagers never read the Bible, and 74 percent don't attend church regularly. That means well over half of middle and high school students in our nation aren't disciples and likely haven't put their faith in God. As followers of Jesus, what are we going to do about this?” asks Lee Rogers. He goes on to say: “Today in our nation there are over thirty-three million students in over sixty-nine thousand middle and high schools. Only 23 percent of those schools are known to have a campus missionary or a gospel-sharing club present. That leaves over fifty-three thousand schools with no known gospel-sharing presence. As Spirit-empowered witnesses, what are we going to do about this? In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Rogers about how to train students to evangelize their peers. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Lee Rogers is director of Student Evangelism for Assemblies of God Youth Ministries and is general editor of The Campus Missionary Guidebook, published by Gospel Publishing House. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler. The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information about The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

The WorldView in 5 Minutes
Man's gold necklace cross deflected bullet; Jimmy Swaggart, known for his “I have sinned” confession, died at 90; Afraid of losing $175m, U of Penn agrees to stop transgender nonsense

The WorldView in 5 Minutes

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2025


It's Thursday, July 3rd, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus Russia's tight restrictions on missionary activity Individuals and religious groups across Russia continue to face charges of “unlawful missionary activity.” Forum 18 reports the country has conducted 34 such prosecutions this year, an increase compared to recent years. A dozen of these cases affected evangelical Christians. Pastors were fined simply for evangelizing or holding unauthorized church services. Russia enacted tight restrictions on sharing religious beliefs in 2016. The country also imposed “anti-missionary” legislation in occupied Ukrainian territories.  In Acts 5:29, the apostles said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Biologically accurate pronouns allowed despite Australia's wokeness Free speech advocates won a big case against Australia this week. At issue is a post on Elon Musk's social media platform X that used biologically accurate pronouns to identify a transgender individual. Australia's eSafety Commissioner ordered X to remove the post, but X challenged the order. On Tuesday, Australia's Administrative Review Tribunal sided with X in the case.  Paul Coleman with Alliance Defending Freedom International said, “In this case, the Australian government alarmingly censored the peaceful expression of a Canadian citizen on an American-owned platform, evidence of the expansive reach of censorial forces, even beyond national borders. Today, free speech has prevailed.” Elon Musk wants to found The American Party which will cut the deficit Speaking of Elon Musk, the tech billionaire called for a new political party in the U.S. On Monday, he posted on X, “If this insane spending bill passes, The America Party will be formed the next day. Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE.”  Musk openly opposes President Donald Trump's “One Big Beautiful Bill” for its deficit spending. Afraid of losing $175m, U of Penn agrees to stop transgender nonsense The University of Pennsylvania is backing down from its support for transgenderism. The Trump administration threatened to withhold $175 million in funding to the school for allowing men to compete in women's sports, reports CNN. UPenn came to an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education recently to protect women's sports. Notably, the school will strip a transgender swimmer of his medals. The male swimmer, Will Thomas, who now goes by the feminine name “Lia” Thomas, has been pretending to be a woman, enabling him to win medals by competing in women's sports. Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer, said, “It is my hope that today demonstrates to educational institutions that they will no longer be allowed to trample upon women's civil rights.” Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down 176-year-old abortion ban Wisconsin's Supreme Court struck down the state's 176-year-old abortion ban yesterday. The 1849 law made most abortions a felony. But the high court ruled 4-3 that more recent legislation superseded the law. Wisconsin only has a ban on late-term abortions now. Heather Weininger, Executive Director of Wisconsin Right to Life, told LifeNews, “The court did not point to a single state statute that specifically repeals [the law]. To assert that a repeal is implied is to legislate from the bench.” Jimmy Swaggart, known for his “I have sinned” confession, died at 90 Remember this?  JIMMY SWAGGART: “I have sinned against You, my Lord, and I would ask that Your precious blood would wash and cleanse every stain until it is in the seas of God's forgetfulness. Thank you. Thank you.” That was the tearful confession on February 21, 1988 of televangelist Jimmy Swaggart at the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana after it became public that he had an encounter with a lady of the evening in New Orleans.  He was defrocked by the Assemblies of God, reports The Christian Post. The Pentecostal preacher died on July 1st at the age of 90 after suffering a cardiac arrest recently. In the announcement from his official Facebook page on Tuesday, his family wrote, “Today, our hearts are heavy as we share that Brother Swaggart has finished his earthly race and entered into the presence of His Savior, Jesus Christ.” Swaggart's popularity peaked in the mid-1980s, reaching millions of households with his weekly telecasts. In his confession, the televangelist alluded to Micah 7:19. It says, “You [God] will again have compassion on us;   You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” Man's gold necklace cross deflected bullet And finally, a young man in Florida is thanking God for saving his life. Last month, 20-year-old Aiden Perry was shot in the chest, by accident, while visiting a friend's apartment.  The gun was only 10 feet away from him. The incident could have been much worse if it weren't for the gold cross necklace he was wearing. The necklace deflected the bullet from hitting major organs in his chest. Dr. Khafra Henry, who performed the surgery, explained to WESH-TV how Aiden's golden cross necklace was a blessing. HENRY:  “Of its metallic component, it actually shielded a lot of the force of the bullet, so the bullet ricocheted off the necklace and entered his chest wall. However, it was just in his fat tissues because it slowed down the trajectory of the bullet.” Dr. Henry noted what might have happened had Aiden not been wearing his golden cross. HENRY: “It could have been way worse, entering his chest wall itself, into the pleural space, which is the airspace around the lung, between the bones, and injuring his lung itself, or his heart.” Aiden said, “It's just kind of a reminder now – to never stop believing. Keep believing and God's definitely real.” In his comments to WESH-TV, he expressed gratitude to God. PERRY: “I think God played a big role in this. I think He's the reason I'm still here today.” In Matthew 10:29-31, Jesus asked, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, July 3rd, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.