Podcast appearances and mentions of mindy belz

A deportation showdown, Pete Hegseth's cleanup of the Naval Academy library, and the impact of USAID cuts in war-weary Sudan. Find us on YouTube. This week, the Trump administration continues its deportation plan despite court orders, defense secretary Pete Hegseth cleans out the Naval Academy library, and war-weary Sudan experiences the tragic consequences of USAID cuts. The Bulletin is joined by Elizabeth Neumann, Karen Swallow Prior, and CT contributor Mindy Belz to discuss these headlines and why they matter to you.  GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Join the conversation at our Substack.  Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in Apple Podcasts. ABOUT THE GUESTS:  Elizabeth Neumann is a national security expert who has served across three presidential administrations—on the inaugural staff of the White House Homeland Security Council under President George W. Bush, as an advisor to the office of the director of national intelligence during the Obama Administration, and as the Department of Homeland Security's deputy chief of staff and assistant secretary for counterterrorism and threat prevention in the Trump administration. Neumann is also a national security contributor for ABC News, board chair for the National Immigration Forum, a fellow of the fourth class of the Civil Society Fellowship of The Aspen Institute, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Karen Swallow Prior is a reader, writer, and professor. She is the author of The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis; On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life Through Great Books; Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist; and Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me. She has a monthly column for Religion News Service. Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, First Things, Vox, Think Christian, The Gospel Coalition, and various other places.  Mindy Belz is a journalist who has covered wars and victims of conflict in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Sudan, and the Balkans. She recounts some of her experiences in a 2016 award-winning book, They Say We Are Infidels. David Brooks with The New York Times calls her “one of the bravest and best foreign correspondents in the country.” She is the former senior editor at World magazine and has done writing and editing for Christianity Today. ABOUT THE BULLETIN: The Bulletin is a weekly (and sometimes more!) current events show from Christianity Today hosted and moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today's editor in chief) and Mike Cosper (director, CT Media). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. The Bulletin listeners get 25 percent off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today Producer: Clarissa Moll Associate Producer: Alexa Burke Editing and Mix: TJ Hester Music: Dan Phelps Executive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“If a person is entrusted to care for a building and decides to tear it down, there's a moral imperative to disclose whether there are people inside. There are 20.6 million people and 566,000 children living inside PEPFAR.” PEPFAR is the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. And as of March 25, 2025, its congressional reauthorization has expired. For more than two decades, its website states, “the U.S. government has invested over $110 billion in the global HIV/AIDS response, the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history—saving 26 million lives, preventing millions of HIV infections, and accelerating progress toward controlling the global HIV/AIDS pandemic in more than 50 countries.” Now, some estimate that over 20 million people will lose access to antiretroviral drugs, which may result in up to 1,650,000 deaths over the coming year. In this episode, Mark Labberton speaks with Mindy Belz, an award-winning journalist and longtime war correspondent, to explore the urgent moral and humanitarian implications of PEPFAR's uncertain future. Drawing on Belz's deep reporting experience in conflict zones and her time covering global health efforts, their conversation traces the remarkable legacy of the U.S. government's investment in HIV/AIDS relief, the stakes of congressional inaction, and the broader questions this crisis raises about American moral leadership, Christian charity, and global responsibility. Together they discuss: Mindy Belz's background as a journalist and war correspondent The significance of PEPFAR in the global battle against HIV/AIDS The pivotal leadership role the U.S. government has played in supporting AIDS relief efforts for the past two decades The devastating impact that losing PEPFAR would have on human life around the world, particularly in Africa And, perspectives on charity, moral conscience, and faith in American Christianity Helpful Links mindybelz.com Mindy's Article about PEPFAR: “1,650,000: How killing a global program to fight HIV/AIDS kills”: “PEPFAR contracts ended under Trump mean 20 million people on treatment now face HIV disease again. Without more reinstatements that could lead to a death toll of 1.6 million in a year's time.” About PEPFAR, the “President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief”: Through PEPFAR, the U.S. government has invested over $110 billion in the global HIV/AIDS response, the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history – saving 26 million lives, preventing millions of HIV infections, and accelerating progress toward controlling the global HIV/AIDS pandemic in more than 50 countries. From ThinkGlobalHealth: “PEPFAR Misses Reauthorization Deadline: What's Next for Global HIV Fight?” Mindy's book They Say We Are Infidels: On the Run from ISIS with Persecuted Christians in the Middle East Follow Mindy on X @mindybelz Follow Mindy on Substack: Globe Trot About Mindy Belz Mindy Belz is an award-winning American journalist. For over two decades, she has covered wars and victims of conflict in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Sudan and the Balkans. She recounts some of her experiences in a 2016 award-winning book, They Say We Are Infidels. Her work appears in The Wall Street Journal, Plough Quarterly, and other publications. The New York Times calls her “one of the bravest and best foreign correspondents in the country.” Mindy currently is editor of the 2024 Christianity Today Globe project. Her news roundup, Globe Trot, is read by thousands each week and available on Substack. She speaks internationally and has taught journalism courses in Uganda, India, Hungary, and the United States. She is the former senior editor at World Magazine. A mother of four and grandmother of three, Mindy was married for 40 years to Nat Belz, who died in 2023. She lives in North Carolina. Show Notes Mindy Belz: A Journalist in the Trenches Mindy Belz and her career at World Magazine Mindy's coverage of the AIDS pandemic in East Africa and the war in Sudan The rise of Islamic extremism, Al-Quaeda, and crossing the Tigris into Iraq Her early experiences in journalism and what drew her to war reporting How she came to report from the Middle East and other conflict zones The challenges Mindy faced as a woman journalist “We've all experienced some of the conflict in the world. We've all experienced some terrorism and violence … this is a part of life in a broken and fallen world, and so learning from women, from men, from children incredible resilience in the face of terrible breakdowns is that I just consider a real privilege of my work.” Working with a Sudanese NGO—finding starving people, barely surviving “For Americans, we always get to walk away. I'm really aware in whatever hard situation I'm in, there's little voice at the back of my brain that's saying, ‘Don't forget you get to go home.'” What is PEPFAR? “ President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief,” developed by George W. Bush in 2003 Trendsetting program to battle HIV/AIDS Anti-viral drug program to prevent the spread (but not cure) the disease “We still don't have a real cure for HIV.” “You have 20 million people who are currently taking antiretroviral drugs that are funded under PEPFAR and most of those people just suddenly could not have access to their medicine and, and that means that we are watching even now the disease grow.” “The Trump administration has basically shuttered the program and they have done so without the oversight of Congress.” Nicholas Kristof's NYT March 15 article estimates that 1.6 million people could die over the next year. Link: “Musk Said No One Has Died Since Aid Was Cut. That Isn't True.” “The scale of the devastation is mind-bending.” What can we do? “Congress is not exercising its oversight responsibilities right now.” “If a person is entrusted to care for a building and decides to tear it down, there's a moral imperative to disclose whether there are people inside. There are 20.6 million people and 566,000 children living inside PEPFAR.” What is the role of our government? “I've also seen PEPFAR working and working incredibly. I routinely and in lifesaving ways.” Understanding moral conscience “We are needing to call our nation not to a Christian identity, which I think is the, the false attempt of Christian nationalism, but to a moral identity. That people of faith, little faith, no faith, other faiths, can enter into and share. And I think some element of that has been operational in the United States for a very long time. And now all of that is being dismantled and being labeled, as you say, by a really cheap word like charity, as though there's no wider frame than simply compassionate sentimentality, as opposed to something that's really taking the moral realities of the world and all of their urgency seriously. And not pretending that we need to be (as we've sometimes tried to be as a nation) the healer of the nations, but to say that we should actually be a force for taking these issues with great national seriousness, and not just repudiating it because it's not inside the boundaries of our own country.” “Use the influence and the economic force of the United States to fund local programs.” “ We have the resources to go and make a difference in this situation. And by doing that we set an example for others to do it.” “We  have adopted an attitude of scarcity.” The impact and efficacy of antiretroviral drugs to improve the lives of people with HIV/AIDS—”To suddenly cut them off is an act of cruelty.” “This is a system, not just medication.” “If we're suddenly saving $5 billion a year, what is that going to be used for?” ”If these things are all happening by executive decision, and Congress does not have a meaningful role, then essentially the people are cut out of the conversation.” “People who become sicker with HIV will become more likely to have tuberculosis, more likely to be suffering from other diseases than side effects of the virus itself.” Where Is God in All of This? “It's a dangerous world. Go anyway.” “We have to trust that the hand of God is there and that it will meet us in the midst of those hard situations.” Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment Magazine and Fuller Seminary.

Journalist Mindy Belz helps us better understand the hidden war in the Congo along the Rwanda border, talking about the devastation, but also how Christians are seeking to bring healing.  Rebecca Taguma of the American Bible Society's Trauma Healing Institute, offer help for those hit by traumas of any kind, including the recent California wildfires.  The Bible has a lot to say about trauma.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

The Bulletin discusses Trump's Gaza announcement, the fate of USAID, and Elon Musk's influence on Capitol Hill. Find us on Youtube. Today, Clarissa, Mike, and Russell talk with Noah Rothman of National Review about President Trump's announcement of an American takeover of Gaza. Then, veteran journalist Mindy Belz joins to discuss the shuttering of USAID. Finally, political analyst and journalist Yuval Levin stops by to talk about Elon Musk, the dismantling of the US government, and the compelling hope of what he calls “the Nehemiah Option.”    GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: We want to hear your COVID-19 reflection. Send a written response or voice memo here. Grab some Bulletin merch! Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. ABOUT THE BULLETIN: The Bulletin is a weekly (and sometimes more!) current events show from Christianity Today hosted and moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today's editor in chief) and Mike Cosper (director, CT Media). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. ABOUT THE GUESTS: Noah Rothman is a senior writer with National Review and a contributor to MSNBC. He is the author of Unjust: Social Justice and the Unmaking of America and The Rise of the New Puritans: Fighting Back Against Progressives' War on Fun.  Mindy Belz has covered wars and victims of conflict in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Sudan, and the Balkans. She recounts some of her experiences in a 2016 award-winning book, They Say We Are Infidels. David Brooks with The New York Times calls her “one of the bravest and best foreign correspondents in the country.” She is the former senior editor at World magazine. Yuval Levin is the director of social, cultural, and constitutional studies at the American Enterprise Institute, where he also holds the Beth and Ravenel Curry Chair in Public Policy. The founder and editor of National Affairs, he is also a senior editor at The New Atlantis, a contributing editor at National Review, and a contributing opinion writer at The New York Times.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mindy Belz of Globe Trot talks about the determination of Ukraine being severely tested in the next phase of the war and the deeper issues between the U.S. and China that extend far beyond the shooting down of a balloon. Collin Hansen, author of “Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation," outlines the pursuit of pointing to Jesus above all else. Click here for today's show notes Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Mindy Belz of Globe Trot shares why Christians who remain in Afghanistan have gone into deep hiding and how the church has been made a spokesperson during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Amy Julia Becker, author of “To Be Made Well,” talks about the healing act of hospitality and what happens when we invite the Spirit into our moments of genuine struggle. Click here for today's show notes Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Mindy Belz of Globe Trot talks about why it's important to understand the complexities of the border crisis and how Americans have benefited from our immigrant past. Hannah Nation, editor of "Faithful Disobedience: Writings on Church and State from a Chinese House Church Movement," shares the reminder that suffering for the advancement of the Kingdom is worth it. Click here for today's show notes Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Mindy Belz of Globe Trot outlines why nothing is stopping the protesting movement in Iran that has continued to persist over the last three months and the continuing power of gangs present in Haiti. Collin Hansen of The Gospel Coalition shares about the Top 10 Theology Stories of 2022 and the need to look for what God's doing in all corners of the world. Click here for today's show notes Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Mindy Belz of Globe Trot compares the rare protests in China to the continued anti-regime protests taking place in Iran and outlines what can happen when we let our guard down on terrorist activities. Trevin Wax, author of “The Thrill of Orthodoxy: Rediscovering the Adventure of Christian Faith," unpacks how all the good things we do flow from the Gospel itself. Click here for today's show notes Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Mindy Belz of Globe Trot unpacks why even in the midst of struggle all around, we still remain in wait and how Russian soldiers are continuing to seize church property in Ukraine. Tori Hope Peterson, author of “Fostered: One Woman's Powerful Story of Finding Faith and Family through Foster Care," shares about the broken, yet beautiful stories. Click here for today's show notes

Mindy Belz of Globe Trot talks about why Putin is moving to more drastic measures and the very real life and death situation Haitians are facing right now. Gem Fadling, author of "Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads," shares the need for us to give God His rightful place and take every thought captive to Christ. Click here for today's show notes

Mindy Belz of Globe Trot talks about why Putin is moving to more drastic measures and the very real life and death situation Haitians are facing right now. Kathy Koch, author of "Resilient Kids: Raising Them to Embrace Life with Confidence," shares how kids can learn to bounce back and when parents should rescue their child from a hard situation. Click here for today's show notes

The Kurds are among the largest stateless people in the world, spread out primarily among Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey. Currently, they are central to the mass protests in Iran, under Iranian attack in Iraq, under Assad's attack in Syria, and under Erdoğan's repression in Türkiye. Where are these crises heading? What are U.S. relations with the Kurds in these four countries?

Mindy Belz of Globe Trot unpacks Britain moving forward into a future without Her Majesty leading the way and the success of Ukrainian forces fighting back, while in the midst of more alleged war crimes. Fernando Arroyo, author of "The Shadow of Death: From My Battles in Fallujah to the Battle for My Soul," shares how Jesus stepped in when he needed Him most. Click here for today's show notes

Mindy Belz reports on Syrian refugees after the war with ISIS, who returned home to start over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen to Sarah and Erin reflect on their conversation with Carrie Severino.    Carrie Severino Reflection Show Notes  Take the Strong Women Survey Judicial Crisis Network  Justice on Trial: The Kavanaugh Confirmation and the Future of the Supreme Court by Carrie Severino and Mollie Hemingway  Carrie's Twitter  Carrie's articles on National Review  Judicial Crisis Network Twitter  The Federalist Papers  Justice Alito's Leak Opinion Dismantles Roe v. Wade featuring Erin Hawley on Breakpoint  Alliance Defending Freedom  Breakpoint  Morning Wire Podcast  The Strong Women Podcast 4. Shaped by the Church with Mollie Hemingway  The Strong Women Podcast 70. The Women of Afghanistan with Mindy Belz  Join Strong Women on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/strongwomencc   Erin and her husband, Brett, run Maven which “exists to help the next generation know truth, pursue goodness, and create beauty, all for the cause of Christ.” Check out more about Maven here: https://maventruth.com/    The Strong Women Podcast is a product of the Colson Center which equips Christians to live out their faith with clarity, confidence, and courage in this cultural moment. Through commentaries, podcasts, videos, and more, we help Christians better understand what's happening in the world, and champion what is true and good wherever God has called them.  Learn more about the Colson Center here: https://www.colsoncenter.org/    Visit our website and sign up for our email list so that you can stay up to date on what we are doing here and also receive our monthly book list: https://www.colsoncenter.org/strong-women   

Mindy Belz of Globe Trot talks about China's advancing preparations for potentially invading Taiwan and what we've learned a year removed from the U.S.'s withdrawal from Afghanistan. Peter Greer, author of “The Gift of Disillusionment," shares the need for us to root ourselves in a preserving hope perspective. Click here for today's show notes

Mindy Belz of Globe Trot outlines how the surging migration rates are impacting the southern U.S. border and what the ongoing tensions in Turkey are leading to. Nick Hall, founder and president of Pulse, shares about carrying out the mission to bring evangelism back and the goal of the Together '22 gathering. Click here for today's show notes

Mindy Belz of Globe Trot outlines how the surging migration rates are impacting the southern U.S. border and what the ongoing tensions in Turkey are leading to. Nick Hall, founder and president of Pulse, shares about carrying out the mission to bring evangelism back and the goal of the Together '22 gathering. Click here for today's show notes

World Magazine's global editor Mindy Belz talks about the targeting of church leaders who are speaking out against the war and the courage of China's house church pastors.  Melissa Kruger, author of "His Grace Is Enough," shares how parents can explain to their children that God allows us to more forward and the need to remember what our identity is rooted in.

World Magazine's global editor Mindy Belz talks about the targeting of church leaders who are speaking out against the war and the courage of China's house church pastors.  Melissa Kruger, author of "His Grace Is Enough," shares how parents can explain to their children that God allows us to more forward and the need to remember what our identity is rooted in.

Mindy Belz has many years experience in covering world events, and this is what she brings to the Shepherd today. An expert correspondent, Mindy offers informed thoughts on how the people of Ukraine are handling this brutal war. Also, helpful information and an educated viewpoint into the insurance world from Don Kirkendall, a Central Florida insurance agency owner.

World Magazine's Mindy Belz looks at the problems of the global supply chain due to COVID and geo-political issues, as well as China's increasing aggressive conduct toward Taiwan.  Derwin Gray, author of "God, Do You Hear Me?" looks at the Kingdom invitation that the Lord's Prayer calls us into.

World Magazine's Mindy Belz looks at the problems of the global supply chain due to COVID and geo-political issues, as well as China's increasing aggressive conduct toward Taiwan.  Derwin Gray, author of "God, Do You Hear Me?" looks at the Kingdom invitation that the Lord's Prayer calls us into.

In this episode, Lindsay and Brent discuss the SBC Executive Committee extending task for negotiations, the CDC urging pregnant women to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Youtube cracking down on anti-vaccine misinformation videos, COVID cases falling by 25%, and the Senate reaching a last-minute deal to avoid a government shutdown. They also give a rundown of this week's ERLC content including Jason Thacker with "Is Facebook discipling your church members? How technology is shaping the church and altering our worldview;" Catherine Parks with "What is the state of abortion around the world? An international round-up of recent legislative efforts regarding abortion;" and Jill Waggoner with "Mindy Belz helps Christians think about the Middle East: 9/11, suffering, and the hope we have in Jesus."ERLC ContentJason Thacker with Is Facebook discipling your church members? How technology is shaping the church and altering our worldviewCatherine Parks with What is the state of abortion around the world? An international round-up of recent legislative efforts regarding abortionJill Waggoner with Mindy Belz helps Christians think about the Middle East: 9/11, suffering, and the hope we have in JesusCultureSBC EC extends task force negotiationsCDC to pregnant women: Get vaccinatedYoutube cracks down on anti-vaccine videosCOVID cases fall by 25%Senate reaches last-minute deal to avoid shutdownLunchroomBrent: Cracker Barrel rocking chair Lindsay: For King and Country new songConnect with us on Twitter@ERLC@LeatherwoodTN@LindsNicoletSponsorsMere Evangelism by Randy Newman | | C.S. Lewis was used by God in the conversions of countless people, but evangelism is an extraordinary task to most people. You may feel inadequate, but in this book evangelist Randy Newman skillfully helps us to apply some of the famous methods Lewis used in our own conversations with unbelievers, whatever their attitude towards the Christian faith. Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer by Laura Wifler, co-founder of Risen Motherhood | | This beautifully illustrated Bible storybook takes children on a journey from the start of the Bible story to the end. Children will learn a biblical understanding of prayer, why it's amazing, and that they can enjoy talking with God about anything, anytime, anywhere.

World Magazine's global editor Mindy Belz looks the plight of those still trying to get out of Afghanistan, as well as turmoil caused by China's Communist government.  Parenting Today's Teens' Mark Gregston talks about his new book "Grandparenting Teens: Leaving a Legacy of Hope."

World Magazine's global editor Mindy Belz looks the plight of those still trying to get out of Afghanistan, as well as turmoil caused by China's Communist government.  Parenting Today's Teens' Mark Gregston talks about his new book "Grandparenting Teens: Leaving a Legacy of Hope."

World Magazine's Mindy Belz talks about the chaos in Afghanistan around the US pull-out, as well as the situation in Haiti after their latest earthquake.  Kevin Butcher, former pastor and author of "Free," talks about overcoming shame and isolation through getting to know and experience God's love.

World Magazine's Mindy Belz talks about the chaos in Afghanistan around the US pull-out, as well as the situation in Haiti after their latest earthquake.  Kevin Butcher, former pastor and author of "Free," talks about overcoming shame and isolation through getting to know and experience God's love.

World Magazine's Mindy Belz updates us on the onslaught of the Taliban in Afghanistan as the US withdraws troops, plus a look at Lebanon a year after the massive Beirut port explosion.  American Bible Society's Phil Monroe talks about the Trauma Healing Institute.

World Magazine's Mindy Belz updates us on the onslaught of the Taliban in Afghanistan as the US withdraws troops, plus a look at Lebanon a year after the massive Beirut port explosion.  American Bible Society's Phil Monroe talks about the Trauma Healing Institute.

World Magazine's global editor Mindy Belz looks at the protests in Cuba, as well at how the rulers in Myanmar are using COVID to attack the opposition.  Philip Yancey talks about his latest book "The Scandal of Forgiveness."

World Magazine's global editor Mindy Belz looks at the protests in Cuba, as well at how the rulers in Myanmar are using COVID to attack the opposition.  Philip Yancey talks about his latest book "The Scandal of Forgiveness."

World Magazine's senior international editor Mindy Belz outlines the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, the shift in Israeli government, and what we can learn from vice president Kamala Harris' recent trip. Then Justin McRoberts challenges us, from his book "It Is What You Make of It: Creating Something Great from What You've Been Given," to embrace a new mindset and partner with God in all our endeavors.

World Magazine's senior international editor Mindy Belz outlines the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, the shift in Israeli government, and what we can learn from vice president Kamala Harris' recent trip. Then Justin McRoberts challenges us, from his book "It Is What You Make of It: Creating Something Great from What You've Been Given," to embrace a new mindset and partner with God in all our endeavors.

Political scientist Mark Caleb Smith looks at how Democrats and Republicans seem to be switching sides on the tension between science and faith.  World Magazine's senior international editor Mindy Belz talks about the continued violence in Tigray region of Ethiopia, as well as other news from around the globe.

Political scientist Mark Caleb Smith looks at how Democrats and Republicans seem to be switching sides on the tension between science and faith.  World Magazine's senior international editor Mindy Belz talks about the continued violence in Tigray region of Ethiopia, as well as other news from around the globe.

Investigative reporter Julie Roys talks about an story out of Africa where an business leader lives out the Gospel, plus the concerning happenings at a QAnon-oriented conference.  World Magazine's Mindy Belz looks are aggresssive and manipulative practices of Russia and China, as well a Biden's planned regarding the Armenian genocide.

Investigative reporter Julie Roys talks about an story out of Africa where an business leader lives out the Gospel, plus the concerning happenings at a QAnon-oriented conference.  World Magazine's Mindy Belz looks are aggresssive and manipulative practices of Russia and China, as well a Biden's planned regarding the Armenian genocide.

Today, I'm pleased to have back on the program Michael Reneau.  Michael is the Editor of WORLD Magazine.  He came to WORLD after a successful tenure as an award-winning editor at The Greeneville Sun, a daily newspaper serving East Tennessee.  We discuss Sophia Lee's WORLD cover story on the border crisis, and how Christian ministries are responding.  We also discuss how WORLD and MinistryWatch cover the COVID crisis as well as the immigration crisis. Here at MinistryWatch we bring you news about Christian ministries, as well as the latest in charity and philanthropy, all designed to help us become better stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us. Regular listeners to the program know that last week we began these “MinistryWatch Extra” episodes.  We will continue our regular Friday weekly roundup episodes.  Those are episodes I co-host with Natasha Smith.  But these MinistryWatch Extra episodes are a chance for us to “go deep,” you might say, with one of our editorial partners. To find out more about WORLD Magazine and the stories we discussed today, go to the website of World News Group, wng.org To find out more about MinistryWatch, go to MinistryWatch.com One final note before we go:  MinistryWatch is offering Marvin Olasky's classic book “Prodigal Press” as our gift to donors this month.  The book was originally published in 1988, and I had the privilege of helping Marvin revise it in 2013, on its 25th anniversary.  Just go to MinistryWatch.com and hit the donate button at the top of the page.  We'll send you the book, for a gift of any amount, though – of course – we'll hope you'll be generous. Also, I want to let you know that even if you don't want to or can't make a donation, there's still something easy and FREE you can do to help.  Just rate us on your podcast app.  The more ratings we get, the better the program performs with search engines.  A rating doesn't cost you a dime, and it really is a big help. The producers for today's program are Rich Roszel and Steve Gandy.  We get database, technical, and editorial support from Cathy Goddard, Stephen DuBarry, Christina Darnell, and Casey Sudduth.  Thanks to Sophia Lee, Jamie Dean, Leah Hickman, and Mindy Belz of WORLD for providing material for our conversation today. Until next time, may God bless you.

And Campaign's Justin Giboney outlines why some anniversaries get marked by some but missed by others and the complexities involved in the trial of Derek Chauvin. Then World Magazine's Mindy Belz looks at global issues, including the Pope's visit to Iraq and the question of death in Portugal.

As Bernie Sanders surges ahead in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, John Stonestreet and Shane Morris discuss his appeal--and the appeal of socialism--among young voters especially; that is, among voters who did not grow up at a time when socialism and communism posed an existential threat to the West. They also discuss the horrific persecution faced by Christians in Nigeria and Burkina Faso and how freedom from violent persecution that Christians enjoy in the modern West is more the exception than the rule. Also on today's episode: Is the nuclear family in trouble? Will the Boy Scouts fold? John and Shane wrap up the program discussing the Colson Fellows and how you can become a part of this life- and faith-changing program. Resources: Learn more about the Colson Fellows! “The Nuclear Family Was a Mistake,” by David Brooks, The Atlantic Institute for Family Studies symposium in response to David Brooks's article on the nuclear family “Millennials and the False Gospel of Politics,” by John Stonestreet and Shane Morris, BreakPoint “Clarissa's Soviet Story,” by Rod Dreher, The American Conservative “A defining moment for Christian” by Mindy Belz, WORLD Magazine “Parenting Young Men after the Boy Scouts” by John Stonestreet and Shane Morris, BreakPoint  

In his book “When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi,” David Maraniss tells a story about how the legendary coach opened the Green Bay Packers' 1961 summer training camp. The year before, the favored Packers had surrendered a fourth-quarter lead to the Philadelphia Eagles to lose the championship, but rather than focus in on what had gone wrong then, Lombardi took his team back to the basics. “'Gentlemen,' Lombardi said, holding a pigskin in his right hand, ‘this is a football.'” I was reminded of this Lombardi story recently after a discussion at one of our regional Colson Fellow gatherings. The conversation was trying to get at the root of why younger Americans are increasingly attracted to socialism. One of the Colson Fellows, a member of the millennial generation, offered two reasons I found particularly insightful. First, the church has largely avoided a whole host of controversial issues, fearful of telling people what to think, but in the process failing to help them think through them at all. The vacuum has been filled by many other voices, including from media and education, telling them what to think. Second, the historical memory of millennials doesn't reach back to the Cold War and the existential struggle against communism. They came of age just before 2008 and the Great Recession. In their earliest economic and political memories, the bad guy was what was then called capitalism. Add to those two realities that the emerging generation was never taught history or civics or economics, and it shouldn't surprise anyone that socialism has re-emerged as a live option for younger Americans. Our best response to this, for all of the issues that lie at the intersection of faith and public life, will have to be Lombardi-like. When it comes to politics, to what it means to be a citizen shaped by Christian faith, to those issues that matter most right now, it's time to go back to the basics. This will include reflecting on what God intended for human governance, what we can and should expect from those who lead us, and what the limits of government should be. We'll need to relearn the pitfalls of what Jacque Ellul called “the political illusion,” the belief that all problems are political and therefore require only political solutions. Today, the political illusion is seen most clearly in those who think elected officials are either the sole source of our best hope or the sole source of our imminent doom. Ellul wrote about the political illusion more than fifty years ago. I can only imagine what he might make of our politics today in which people on both sides of the political spectrum, including Christians, treat political leaders with near-messianic deference. At the same time, political realities matter. Elections have consequences. The stakes in November's election seem higher than ever, and everywhere we turn, we're being told to pin all our hopes and fears on its outcome. So, what is a Christian to do?  Is there only one legitimate Christian view on all issues? What does the Bible say about the Christian's role in politics? What is Christian citizenship? To which ideas must we remain faithful no matter what?  Does God prefer one candidate over another, and how do we know? Our next Colson Center Short Course, which we are calling “Preparing for the 2020 Election,” will wrestle with these questions and more, and features an amazing lineup of instructors. Phoenix Seminary's Wayne Grudem will launch the course, discussing “Politics according to the Bible.” This is the “Gentlemen, this a football” session to open the course. Then Bruce Ashford, Provost of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, will talk about Christian citizenship. Mindy Belz will walk through the most critical policy issues right now, both domestic and international, and Dr. Jay Richards, of the Catholic University of America, will critique socialism in all of its modern forms. This Colson Center short course begins February 4 and is held for four consecutive Tuesdays. Each session begins at 8 PM Eastern and includes a half-hour Q&A session with the instructors. Each session is also recorded and provided to anyone who signs up, so don't worry if you can't make a live session. Register at BreakPoint.org Most of our Colson Center Short Courses sell-out, so please sign up soon.

Well, that escalated quickly, didn't it? 2020 just started and, within days, a U. S. drone strike at the Baghdad airport killed Iran's top military leader, Qasem Soleimani. Almost before Iran could sputter threats of revenge, notable American politicians tried to turn a momentous national security decision into domestic political opportunism. Depending on which news site you read, the President's action was either a reckless attempt to light the Middle East on fire and to distract Americans from impeachment, or it was a justifiable act of deterrence in response to Iran's increasing assaults on U. S. troops and interests. And while thousands of Iranians turned out to see Soleimani's casket as it tours the country, Western news media (like the Washington Post) reported that the drone strike has united the previously divided Iranian population behind its dictatorial religious leaders. Or maybe not. Yahoo News painted a different picture—of Iranians fearing what comes next and wishing their leaders hadn't steered the country into even more conflict. And that's just the first news story of the year. Of 2020, an election year. How can engaged, thoughtful Christians hope to sift through the spin and stay informed amidst this kind of news chaos? The Washington Post alone publishes an average of 500 news stories every single day. Thrown in the content-churning of The New York Times, The Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, FoxNews, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and a million content aggregators, and the noise is simply overwhelming. There is no way to keep up with this relentless tsunami of information. Even worse, countless stories we should know about are often buried, while stories more sensational and speculative than substantive dominate the headlines. Everyday on BreakPoint, we try to analyze and comment on the most important news events and cultural trends from a Christian worldview. It's part of the Colson Center's mission to equip believers to understand what's happening around us, so that we can live out our faith in the public square with clarity, courage, and conviction. And one of our critical partners in this task is WORLD magazine. WORLD is a source of news and thoughtful analysis like no other. I and the BreakPoint team turn to them frequently. For example, the reporting of WORLD's senior editor Mindy Belz has been our most reliable source in understanding the chaos in the Middle East, including these most recent developments in Iran. Back in early December, Belz reported that Iran was building up its supply of short-range missiles in Iraq—the very kind of missiles that struck a U. S. base and killed an American contractor, which in turn led to a U.S. airstrike, then led to the attack on the U. S. embassy in Baghdad, which ultimately led to the strike against Soleimani. When news broke that General Soleimani had been killed by a US drone strike, I immediately asked Mindy Belz to join me on the BreakPoint Podcast to explain the bigger picture, a picture largely ignored by an American media that's fixated on impeachment. WORLD exemplifies the best of journalism from a Christian worldview—without the click-bait or hype. Their print magazine, online articles, and WORLD's podcast “The World and Everything in It” (on which I am a weekly guest) includes not only clear reporting, but also features news about how God is working in the world through His people to restore all things. To begin this new year, in return for your gift to the ministry of BreakPoint and the Colson Center, WORLD magazine will give you a one-year subscription. I can think of no better way for you to both support our worldview ministry and at the same time, stay on top of the staggering variety of political, cultural, scientific, and religious news, all from a Christian worldview perspective. If you already subscribe to WORLD, you can actually gift the subscription to a friend or family member. Claim your one-year subscription to WORLD with your next gift to BreakPoint and the Colson Center here.

Today on a special episode of BreakPoint podcast, John Stonestreet interviews WORLD Magazine's Mindy Belz about the killing of Iranian General Hasem Soleimani and the situation in Iran. What prompted the U. S. take him out now?  What should the American public know about Soleimani and Iran's intentions in the Middle East? And what are the implications for the future of the region?  

WORLD Magazine's Mindy Belz joins John Stonestreet and Shane Morris to talk about the top stories of the year from 2019 . . . from impeachment, to Mayor Pete's Bible, to Chick Fil-A, the U. S. withdrawal from Syria, China's crackdown on faith, and much more.   Resources: Click here tohelp BreakPoint and the Colson Center meet our year-end financial goal. Thank you!

John Stonestreet and Warren Smith are together at the Touchstone magazine conference: "Fight or Flight: The Benedict & Other Options for Facing the World, the Flesh & the Devil." If we truly believe, along with theologian Abraham Kuyper, that every square inch of creation belongs to Christ, then how do we live faithfully in a culture that is growing increasingly hostile to Christianity? John and Warren also discuss the consequences of the sudden U. S. withdrawal from Syria, the NBA's cowardly response to Communist China going nuts over a tweet supporting Hong Kong, and Ellen DeGeneres's response to folks angry at her because she's friends with George W. Bush. Resources The U. S. Withdrawal from Syria John Stonestreet and Mindy Belz, The BreakPoint Podcast,October 9, 2011   Abraham Kuyper: A Short and Personal Introduction Richard Mouw, Eerdman's, 2011   Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretic Ross Douthat, Free Press, 2013   The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation Rod Dreher, Sentinel, 2018

On Sunday, President Trump announced that some 1,000 U. S. troops would be withdrawn from Kurdish-controlled regions of Syria.          Lawmakers, policy experts, and the media—liberal and conservative, Democrat and Republican—immediately reacted, condemning the announcement as unwise. While the President sees the move as fulfilling a campaign promise of getting us out of what he called “ridiculous, endless wars,” most others see it as a cruel and dangerous betrayal of the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces and their Christian and Yazidis allies. The Kurds will now have to defend themselves against NATO-member Turkey, which views them as terrorists and wants them out of Syria. In fact, the President announced that Turkish forces would be “moving forward” into the region.          So, who exactly are the Kurds? They are a minority ethnic and mostly Islamic group in portions of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. They have been loyal and effective allies to the U. S. in the fight against ISIS. The areas they control in Syria have become last-resort havens for persecuted Yazidis and Christians.            With U. S. troops out of northeastern Syria, the Kurds—and the Yazidis and Christians they protect—will be fully exposed, and therefore in grave peril. They will be forced to turn their attention and their fighters away from ISIS to confront the existential threat from Turkey. The resulting vacuum could lead to a resurgent and emboldened ISIS, much as President Obama's unwise and impulsive withdraw from Iraq led to a re-organizing of our enemies there.   And there's an additional problem: The Kurds currently hold thousands of ISIS prisoners. The Administration assumes that Turkey will take control of them, but it's far from certain if and how that would happen if Turkey launches an all-out assault on the Kurds.          Some 11,000 Kurds have given their lives in the fight against ISIS already. They need and deserve U. S. support. To withdraw that support now sends a message around the world about the U.S.'s reliability as an ally.          The President has responded to criticism of the withdrawal by tweeting he would “totally destroy and obliterate the Turkish economy” if it does something the President considers off-limits. As Mindy Belz pointed out on the BreakPoint podcast today, his threat points to the success U.S. sanctions had on Turkey in securing the release of Pastor Andrew Brunson last year. It's not clear such sanctions would be as successful today. For their part, Turkey has rebuffed the President's threat and is prepared to strike the Kurds. For all the reasons Evangelicals have had to applaud the Trump Administration over the past two years, from nominating conservative federal judges and Supreme Court justices to defending religious liberty to protecting the unborn, I have to say this decision is not one of them. Evangelical Christians, who are key to the President's reelection prospects, must make it clear that we expect the Administration to do all it can to protect persecuted Christians wherever it can. The largest towns in the region, Qamishli and Hasakha, are mainly Christian.  Working in conjunction with Kurdish forces while protecting the world's most ancient Christian communities is something the U. S. must continue to do. Pulling U.S. troops out of northeastern Syria puts the lives our brothers and sisters in Christ at risk, not only at the hands of a potentially resurgent ISIS but also at the hands of our ostensible ally in Turkey. Christians must let the Administration know. Come to BreakPoint.org. We tell you how you can contact the White House, Secretary of State Pompeo's office, as well as your representative and senators in Congress. And today, on the BreakPoint podcast, Mindy Belz of WORLD Magazine fills out the complete picture about the region and why the President's announcement stunned so many. Again, come to BreakPoint.org or download the Breakpoint Podcast to listen to this important interview with Mindy Belz. And please, pray for our brothers and sisters in Syria and throughout the Middle East.

Today on the BreakPoint podcast, John Stonestreet interviews WORLD Magazine's Mindy Belz about President Trump's alarming announcement that he is pulling U. S. troops out of northern Syria—one that clears the way for a Turkish invasion of Syria and imperils  our Kurdish allies and Syria's remaining Christian population. Mindy Belz is a senior editor at WORLD Magazine and author of They Say We Are Infidels: On the Run from ISIS with Persecuted Christians in the Middle East.

Over the past week, Senior Colson Fellow Glenn Sunshine has taken to Facebook to do something that much of the mainstream media—to its discredit—has neglected to do: alerting people to what is happening to Christians in places like Nigeria. Last summer on BreakPoint, I talked about the violence targeting Christians in what's known as the “middle belt” of Nigeria. The population of Nigeria is almost evenly divided between Muslims and Christians. That religious split largely follows geographic lines: The northern part of the country is predominantly Muslim, the eastern and southern parts of the country heavily Christian. The “Middle Belt” is, as you probably guessed, ethnically and religiously diverse. In this part of the country, Christians have been on the receiving end of a campaign that Open Doors calls “religious cleansing,” that is, an attempt “to eradicate Christianity” from the region. One of the most notorious Islamist groups in the world, Boko Haram, is responsible for killing thousands of Christians and displacing countless more in northern Nigeria. But Boko Haram isn't the only group targeting Christians there. In late June, Christian leaders claimed that “over 6,000 persons—mostly children, women and the aged—have been maimed and killed in night raids by armed Fulani herdsmen.” The Fulani are an ethnic group that are overwhelmingly Muslim, and for the record, their raids are not always at night. In their statement, Nigerian Christian leaders also complained about the “continuous abduction of under-aged Christian girls by Muslim youths…” These girls “are forcefully converted to Islam and taken in for marriage without the consent of their parents.” While Open Doors calls what is happening in the Middle Belt “religious cleansing,” Nigerian Christian leaders have called it genocide, and not without good reason. Under the International Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, genocide consists of action intended to destroy in whole or in part, “a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.” The actions can include “killing members of the group,” “causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group,” and “forcibly transferring children of the group to another group,” among other things. All three of these things are happening in Nigeria right now. Where is the Nigerian government in all of this? At best, nowhere to be found. Officials are downplaying, if not outright denying, any religious dimension of what's happening. Instead, they're calling this a conflict over resources, in this case, over land. This denial conveniently glosses over the one-sided nature of the violence in the region: The Fulani and Boko Haram are the hammers and the Christians are the nails. Did I mention that the president of Nigeria is the son of a Fulani chief? Since I told you about this campaign of extermination last summer, the violence against Christians has continued unabated. Since February alone, according to the Baptist Press and the Barnabas Fund, nearly 300 Christians have been killed and thousands more displaced. Yet, the mainstream media here in the States remains mum. Which is why Glenn is using his Facebook to bring this to people's attention. As tempting as it is to speculate why we aren't hearing about it, that won't do our Nigerian brethren a bit of good. It won't put pressure on our government to speak up, or on the Nigerian government to do its basic duty and protect all of its citizens. What will help is emulating what people like Glenn Sunshine and Mindy Belz of WORLD Magazine are doing–using the channels and forums available to them to spread the word. What will help is becoming knowledgeable about what is happening to Christians in Nigeria and around the word. We are living in a new age of religious persecution and even martyrdom. This kind of intentional and thoughtful engagement—along with, of course, our most important efforts of consistent and concerted prayer—is our brethren's best chance at relief. It's a task we all must embrace.   http://www.breakpoint.org/2019/03/breakpoint-christians-die-media-mum/