Bishop Harry Jackson Says the Chrurch ‘Is the Champion of Human Rights,’ Reveals 7 Bridges to Peace at Future Conference

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Bishop Harry Jackson Says the Chrurch ‘Is the Champion of Human Rights,’ Reveals 7 Bridges to Peace at Future Conference

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  • Virginia Beach(Photo: The Christian Post)
Bishop Harry Jackson of Hope Christian Church raises the Bible on stage as thousands of Christians rededicate the nation back to God on the 400th anniversary of the landing of the first English settlers in North America, April, 29, 2007.
  • Harry Jackson(Photo: The Christian Post/Sonny Hong)
    • Bishop Harry Jackson speaks to attendees at the Watchmen on the Wall National Briefing held at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. on Thursday, May 22, 20Christian Post Report – 14.
    Christian Post Report - 1426793747303-0-oop')})

    Bishop Harry Jackson, senior pastor of Hope Christian Church, warned those gathered at the Future Conference in La Mesa, California, that “forces of darkness” are trying to rip apart racial and church unity, but also offered hope for peace among believers.

    Jackson predicted that this summer Americans will see many more shootings and instances of racial unrest.

    “We are in a time where there is a desire by the forces of darkness to rip asunder our unity and dignity and cause there to be a challenge among us,” Jackson, who’s also the chairman of the High Impact Leadership Coalition, pointed to many acts of community development and racial reconciliation in churches across the U.S.

    The Maryland-based pastor emhasized that much of the violence in the world revolves around ethnic disputes, and cited the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine and the Boko Haram in Nigeria as just a few examples.

    Jackson said problems in America concerning race are not a white, black, or Latino problem, but an American problem.

    “We are in a place where only the Church can make a difference,” Jackson asserted.

    “In a divided society only the Church can model unity. Only the Church in her unified state can teach the prophetic Word of Jesus,” he continued, lamenting the lost battle in culture against the “aggressive humanistic mindset” where people can change their ethos on anything, including “their gender.”

    He emphasized that blame does not belong to anybody, including racial issues, but “We need to ask ourselves, is government going to be God or can we, as a people, enter into the sense of freedom for ourselves and for the Church.”

    Jackson outlined seven bridges to peace:

    1. Prayer and reconciliation events: “Our problem is not that we talk too much, but that we don’t listen,” Jackson declared.
    2. Education reform: Jackson emphasized that “if you are functionary illiterate there is a high chance you will go to prison.”
    3. Civic engagement.
    4. Community outreach and service: Jackson pointed to a church in Ferguson, Missouri, as just one example of outreach, by feeding over 4,000 individuals a month.
    5. Marriage and family.
    6. Criminal justice reform: “Our problem is that there are some good people that need to be brought back home. Once they served their time, they need an opportunity to redefine themselves. Jackson noted the larger problem that, according to him, there are 2 million people in the criminal justice system and “84 percent will be recycled through that system.” He further emphasized that some of the young people being shot in the street already have long criminal records that need to be addressed.
    7. Economic development: “We need to bring jobs back to the hood,” Jackson asserted.

    Jackson lifted up the church, saying it “has been the champion of human rights. From birth to death and ultimately the resurrection — God is concerned about human destiny.”

    Jackson closed by enthusiastically listing churches across the nation that are making a difference for the kingdom of God. He pointed to the work of Miles McPherson, who’s giving Christian Post Report – 100,000 hours of community service in a multiethnic setting, and Jack Graham at Prestonwood Baptist Church for forgiving the black murderer of his father. Graham “overcame all the feelings that they wanted to get revenge,” Jackson said. “Let the Church rise up and be the multiracial and multiethnic entity that it is,” he said.

    Jackson is senior pastor at Hope Christian Church, a 3,000 member congregation in Beltville, Maryland, near the nation’s capital. He’s also presiding bishop of the International Communion of Evangelical Churches, which oversees over Christian Post Report – 1,000 churches around the world.

    The Future Conference is a four day event from June Christian Post Report – 14 to June Christian Post Report – 17 at SkyLine Church in La Mesa, California, with the purpose of educating, emboldening, and activating pastors and Christian leaders to live out the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

    Source : Christian Post

    Widow of Slain Egyptian Christian Says She’s ‘Proud’ Her Husband Stood Firm in Faith as ISIS Beheaded Him

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    Widow of Slain Egyptian Christian Says She’s ‘Proud’ Her Husband Stood Firm in Faith as ISIS Beheaded Him

    21 coptic christians beheaded isis (Photo: Reuters/Muhammad Hamed)

    Christian Post Report – A girl holds up a poster with pictures of the 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians beheaded by Islamic State in Libya, as they gather in a gesture to show their solidarity, in front of the Egyptian embassy in Amman February 17, 2015.

    The 23-year-old widow of Malak Ibrahim, one of the 21 Egyptian Christians who were beheaded by Islamic State terrorists in Libya earlier this year, says she’s proud and comforted by the fact that her husband refused to deny Christ and was praying to Jesus when he and the others were killed.

    Mariam Farhat, who lives in Al Aour village, about 150 miles south of Cairo, told CBN News that she “was very proud” that Ibrahim “stood firm in his faith and that he didn’t deny Jesus.”

    “We were very sad for the first two days, but we hadn’t seen the video,” she said. “When we saw them in the video calling to Jesus we were very comforted.”

    In February, ISIS released a video showing its militants in Libya beheading the Egyptian Copts, who had all been made to wear orange jumpsuits. The video showed the Copts whispering the name of Jesus as their heads were being hacked off their bodies.

    Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, is an offshoot of al-Qaeda that wants to establish a caliphate in the Levant region and beyond. It has gained control over large swathes of territories in Syria and Iraq. Its main targets include religious minorities, including Christians.

    Bebawy Al Ham, a brother of another slain Egyptian, identified as Samuel, had a similar reaction.

    “We were always praying that God would make them steadfast in their faith,” Bebawy was quoted as saying. “We were very happy with what they said on the video: ‘Jesus Christ have mercy on us.’ When we found out they had been killed for being Christian, we were very comforted, because these were God’s children and he took them.”

    Samuel’s family has forgiven the killers, and even prays for ISIS. “I pray for them that God may open their hearts, and they may know the truth and know that what they do is wrong and then do the right thing,” Bebawy said. “Jesus told us to forgive every sin and we forgive them and we hope that they can come to know Jesus.”

    The Sunni terror group is known for its brutality. It has executed 2,618 people, including 1,511 civilians, since last June, when it declared its “Caliphate,” according to the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which documented at least 464 executions over the previous two months alone.

    The overall executions included those of 23 children and 32 women. The executions were carried out mostly by beheading, shooting or stoning. ISIS has also executed 139 of its own members for “exceeding the limits in religion and spying for foreign countries,” mostly after they were trying to go back to their homes.

    In the recent past, ISIS has released videos showing the beheading of several Western hostages — including British hostages David Haines and Alan Henning, and U.S. citizens James Foley, Steven Sotloff and Abdul-Rahman Kassig.

    In its English propaganda publication, ISIS earlier sought to justify its barbarity, saying it is “Islamic” to capture and forcibly make “infidel” women sexual slaves.

    “Before Shaytan [Satan] reveals his doubts to the weak-minded and weak hearted, one should remember that enslaving the families of the kuffar [infidels] and taking their women as concubines is a firmly established aspect of the Shari’ah that if one were to deny or mock, he would be denying or mocking the verses of the Qur’an and the narration of the prophet … and thereby apostatizing from Islam,” stated the ISIS’ propaganda magazine “Dabiq,” named after a site in Muslim apocalypse mythology.

    Source : Christian Post

    SBC President Ronnie Floyd Leads National Call to Prayer for the Next Great Awakening

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    SBC President Ronnie Floyd Leads National Call to Prayer for the Next Great Awakening

    Ronnie floyd (Photo: The Christian Post/Sonny Hong)

    Christian Post Report – Ronnie Floyd, senior pastor of Cross Church in northwest Arkansas, speaks on the opening night of 2014 SBC Pastors’ Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, on Sunday, June 8, 2014.

    SBC President Ronnie Floyd led prayers for the next spiritual awakening during the denomination’s annual meeting on Tuesday night in Columbus, Ohio.

    The night started with a worship prelude led by SBC music director and global worship pastor Julio Arriola. Leading the prayer, Floyd asserted the need for a spiritual revival in the U.S.

    “The only thing that can reshape America is the next spiritual awakening and the next move of God,” said the senior pastor at Cross Church in Springdale, Arkansas. “When you look at it historically, there is no great movement of God that is not first exceeded by the extraordinary prayer of God’s people.

    Floyd added: “What is extraordinary prayer? It is praying beyond the ordinary. When was the last time you gathered with thousands on a Tuesday in the summer and prayed for spiritual awakening in the U.S.?”

    The pastor also asked the audience to consider the phrase, “What if God,” which Paul said in Romans Chapter 9.

    “We have full confidence in God and God alone,” said Floyd. “God can do more in a moment than you can ever do in a lifetime. Its not coincidental we are here, with God, all things are possible.”

    The event lasted almost two hours with thousands of people praying for the next great awakening as well as for church growth, acceleration of the Gospel, and the unity of all people in the Gospel, among many other issues. Prayers of repentance for mistrust and pride in the church, prayerlessness, sexual depravity, abortion and the lack of cooperation amongst churches were also offered.

    In a call to prayer specifically for racial reconciliation, pastors of differing races came together for a hug onstage. Floyd led a prayer for repentance from the sin of racism and prejudice and prayed for the commitment to come together in the unity of the Gospel.

    “Pray for America, a country that is broken, fragile, divided, where racism and prejudice is ruling,” said the pastor. “We will lead the way, modeling true unity that’s really only found in the redemption of Jesus Christ. Let’s pray for our country to come together to seesaw the division caused by racism and prejudice.

    “Lord, hear our prayer for our country tonight, in the name of Jesus hear our prayer for our nation — that our nation will come together and we, as the church of Jesus, will be the hope for cities, towns, and relationships. It is only possible because of your redemptive work. It’s only found in Christ.”

    Speakers during the call for prayer included Ken Whitten of Idlewild Baptist church in Lutz, Florida; Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas; and K. Marshall Williams of Nazarene Baptist Church in Philadelphia.

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    Source : Christian Post

    Christian Company Turning Unclaimed Baggage Into a ‘Blessing’ for Those Who Need It Most

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    Christian Company Turning Unclaimed Baggage Into a ‘Blessing’ for Those Who Need It Most

    Unclaimed Baggage Center (Photo: Courtesy of Unclaimed Baggage Center)

    Christian Post Report – Alabama-based company Unclaimed Baggage Center runs a program called buys and sells unclaimed baggage from airlines.

    Unclaimed Baggage Center, a Christian company and store founded 45 years ago that buys and sells unclaimed baggage from airline carriers, has been instrumental in providing specific goods for Christian ministries, including Samaritan’s Purse and a prison ministry run by author and quadriplegic Joni Eareckson Tada.

    The Alabama-based business offers merchandise left on airlines by flyers who failed to claim it within the 90-day industry standard deadline and has become one of the state’s biggest tourist attractions for its wide variety of products that can be purchased at much cheaper prices than their market value.

    Business, however, is not the only driving force for Unclaimed Baggage, as the store donates a significant amount of its inventory to its Mission Aid Division that works with Christian missionaries throughout the world.

    Unclaimed Baggage Center (Photo: Courtesy of Unclaimed Baggage Center)

    Alabama-based company Unclaimed Baggage Center runs a program called Reclaimed for Good that donates unclaimed baggage to people in poorer areas where some of these goods aren’t available.

     “We have a lot of medical mission teams that work through an organization that we donate all our medical supplies to,” said Brenda Cantrell, brand ambassador for Unclaimed Baggage Center to The Christian Post.

    Some of these supplies include wheelchairs, walkers, canes, nebulizers and other products unavailable in certain countries. Pallet loads of these products are sent to Samaritan’s Purse for international medical relief missions’ trips, according to Cantrell.

    Many of the wheelchairs are sent to a maximum security prison in Louisiana where quadriplegic Joni Eareckson Tada runs a program for prisoners with no chance of parole. The program gives them the chance to contribute to society by repairing the wheelchairs and sending them back out into the world to places where it’s hard to get these items.

    The company also donates many pairs of eyeglasses found on the airlines which Cantrell says make all the difference to people with bad eyesight.

    Unclaimed Baggage Center (Photo: Courtesy of Unclaimed Baggage Center)

    Alabama-based company Unclaimed Baggage Center runs a program called Reclaimed for Good that donates unclaimed baggage to people in poorer areas where some of these goods aren’t available.

    “We hear stories of a kid who can’t see beyond his feet, or an 80/90-year-old man who never knew what the shape of leaves on a tree were until he got these glasses. And so you lose a pair, [it’s] no big deal [to you] but its life changing for somebody else,” said Cantrell.

    Unclaimed Baggage Center is the brainchild of Doyle Owens, an Alabama businessman who purchased his first load of unclaimed baggage for $300 in 1970. The investment eventually developed into a successful store over four decades.

    The company’s current owner, Doyle’s son, Brian Owens, starts all of the company’s meeting with a prayer and works with a well-known chaplain, Richard Buckley, who Cantrell described as a special person.

    “[Buckley] has just been a life changing instrument in our company. If my child is in the hospital [he comes to see him]. If my brother-in law’s nephew on the other side was struggling with drug addiction, if he was in the hospital, he might go see him,” explained Cantrell.

    Unclaimed Baggage Center also provides aid to the children of crystal methamphetamine addicts who’ve been taken from their parents through a program called Love Luggage. Many of these children usually leave all their possessions behind when they’re placed with new foster parents.

    Unclaimed Baggage Center (Photo: Courtesy of Unclaimed Baggage Center)

    Alabama-based company Unclaimed Baggage Center runs a program called Reclaimed for Good that donates unclaimed baggage to people in poorer areas where some of these goods aren’t available.

    “When there’s meth involved, the children have to leave with nothing,” said Cantrell. “They have the clothes on their back. They can’t take any belongings.”

    Through the program, Unclaimed Baggage donates suitcases filled with goods that have been painted with a “message of love” by kids at local public schools who also write letters of encouragement to these children.

    “It’s amazing the heartfelt thoughts and prayers that [these students] have for these children,” said Cantrell.

    She explained that Unclaimed Baggage Center also provides a common good to the public by allowing them to work and purchase name brand goods at reasonable prices.

    “There’s absolutely something in giving, but there’s also something about people having their dignity that do work for a living but can’t necessarily make all the ends meet. Being able to provide an opportunity for them where they’ll still be able to purchase things,” said Cantrell.

    Some 1 percent of travelers’ bags don’t meet their owners at the carousel. Within 24 hours, 80 to 90 percent of those bags are found by airlines. Some 95 to 98 percent of those bags are usually returned to their owners. The remaining bags are sold to Unclaimed Baggage Center by airlines that have agreements with the company.

    Unclaimed Baggage Center (Photo: Courtesy of Unclaimed Baggage Center)

    Christian Post Report – Alabama-based company Unclaimed Baggage Center runs a program called buys and sells unclaimed baggage from airlines.

    Contact: [email protected]; follow me on Twitter @vinfunaro

    Source : Christian Post

    Marvin Sapp ‘Honored’ After First Album in Four Years Reaches #1

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    Marvin Sapp ‘Honored’ After First Album in Four Years Reaches #1
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      (Photo:Facebook/ The Offical Marvin Sapp Page)
      Marvin Sapp, pastor of Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. and contemporary gospel artist

    Christian Post Report – Gospel singer Marvin Sapp managed to garner another number one debut album on the Gospel and Christian Sales Chart, with his latest offering “You Shall Live”.

    It has been four years since Sapp, 48, who also serves as a pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, released an album and he is humbled that his 10th has been such a success on music charts.

    “I am humbled that so many still believe in the practical musical message that my team and I have shared over the years,” said Sapp in a statement to The Christian Post. “It’s been four years since my last album and the response has been great. Words can’t express the appreciation that I feel!”

    The album, released on June 2 is his fourth consecutive record that entered at number one on the Gospel and Christian Sales Chart. Sapp made history in 2010, when he became the all-time highest charting gospel artist in Billboard‍ ’s historywith the release of “Here I Am”.

    Sapp has also garnered 22 Stellar Awards and multiple Grammy nominations. Still, his latest offering was about something more than just garnering accolades.

    Sapp told CP that it was important for him to encourage people. He said he wanted to keep the record “churchy but funky,” which is a formula he has mastered throughout the years.

    “I found myself going through the last four years of my life literally having to speak and declare and decree things over my life to keep me consistently encouraged. That’s what the record is really about,” he previously told CP. “It’s really about affirmation, declaration and us as individuals really just reciting that living is the only option and anything else outside of that isn’t an option at all.”

    Sapp is expected to speak at the Essence Empowerment Experience on Friday July 3.

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    Source : Christian Post

    Shark Attack Survivor and ‘Soul Surfer’ Bethany Hamilton Welcomes Baby Tobias, Named After ‘The Goodness of God’

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    Shark Attack Survivor and ‘Soul Surfer’ Bethany Hamilton Welcomes Baby Tobias, Named After ‘The Goodness of God’

    Bethany Hamilton (Photo: Instagram/Bethany Hamilton)

    Christian Post Report – Bethany Hamilton and her husband Adam Dirks welcomed their first child on June 1, 2015.

    Christian surfer and shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton announced that she and her husband Adam Dirks were “blessed” with their first child, Tobias, named after “the goodness of God” on Monday.

    “Blessed to welcome our son, Tobias, into the world,” Hamilton shared via Instagram. “Born June 1st, 7.9 lbs and 21″ long. He is named after his great grandpa Tobias meaning ‘The goodness of God.’ Adam and I [are] so in love with our lil guy and are stoked to share life with him! #stokedmomma Photo: @TimmyHamilton.”

    Twelve years ago, the new mother lost her left arm after a shark attack off the island of Kauai. The stoic Hamilton however returned to surfing just three weeks later. The 25-year-old shared her story in the book Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family and Fighting to Get Back on the Board, which inspired the 2011 film “Soul Surfer.”

    The brand new parents, who were married in August 2013, first announced that they were expecting a baby boy in February.

    “We have a little surprise for you… Baby on board,” said Hamilton during a video posted on her website.

    Hamilton also openly shared her preparation for motherhood with her more than 200,000 followers, including a quote from the Bible just before baby Tobias was born.

    “Wife first, mom second (tho baby boy is not out yet) and the rest follows… I love all my roles,” the surfer posted. “With each role, I am thankful to have the Word of God to secure me and guide me to love those around me in this life. Isaiah 40:8.”

    Following news of Tobias’ birth, countless fans congratulated Hamilton and her husband, including Instagram user Imdelduca who wrote: “Congrats, he is a beautiful blessing!!!”

    Pro-life advocate Liberty Pike of Oregon right to Life released a statement saying, “Bethany rose to fame after she was injured in a shark attack in Hawaii in 2003. She lost her left arm in the incident. That didn’t stop Bethany from continuing to surf. She has traveled the world sharing her testimony of faith in the face of hardship.”

    “Bethany’s story, and that of Nick Vujicic (the man born without arms or legs), is a powerful reminder that people are greater than their disabilities, that they can live wonderful, fulfilling lives,” Pike added, according to LifeNews.com. “It is a tragedy that babies, diagnosed with disabilities in the womb, are being aborted at overwhelming rates because their parents fear their lives will be ‘too hard.’ Congratulations, Bethany and Adam! Enjoy your little man.”

    Watch the trailer for “Soul Surfer” here.

    follow me on Twitter @emmakoonse

    Source : Christian Post

    ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ Star Tamra Judge on Angry Viewers: ‘I Can’t Please Everyone’

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    ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ Star Tamra Judge on Angry Viewers: ‘I Can’t Please Everyone’

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    • Tamra(Photo: Instagram: @tamrajudge)
    “Real Housewives of Orange County” star Tamra Judge returns to the show in season Christian Post Report – 10 along with veteran housewife and fellow Christian, Vicki Gunvalson, as well as Heather Dubrow, Shannon Beador and newcomer Meghan King Edmonds.
  • Tamra(Photo: Instagram: @tamrajudge)
    • “Real Housewives of Orange County” star Tamra Judge was baptized and the ritual will air during the season Christian Post Report – 10 finale
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    “Real Housewives of Orange County” star Tamra Judge became one of the most condemned housewives in the show’s history last year, with viewers of the hit reality TV show growing tired of her constant clashes with others cast members, and she recently opened up about what she believes caused her to have “bad rap.”

    This season Judge, known for her sharp zingers and feisty attitude, is expected to turn over a new leaf and reveal her “softer side” with her storyline set to include her becoming a grandmother and getting baptized among other things. During a recent interview, the married mother of four reflected on season 9 and shared why she believes viewers failed to connect with her.

    “Well I think that last year was – I hate to blame it on the editing but I’m going to blame it on the editing big time,” Judge told The Christian Post. “Every year there’s somebody that has a really bad year and I think last year was my year. You’ll see this season there’s some light shed on that – you’re like ‘wow she didn’t do that, wow she didn’t say that’ … We filmed things that clarify certain situations.”

    Last year, Judge found herself at the center of drama with her co-stars at one point accusing her of backstabbing and gossiping and as a result, tensions were raised and friendships were tested. At one point, she was accused of betraying her best friend and veteran housewife Vicki Gunvalson.

    “I think that Vicki’s very good at collecting friends that support her relationship and poisoning them with things about me,” she said. “… Because I have never been accepting of [her boyfriend Brooks] she likes to gather the new girls up and say things to them that weren’t necessarily true.”

    She continued: “So you’ll see her and I talk about that this season … for me it was very difficult to film this year because of [my difficult year] last year and you know what? People will have an opinion about everything, I can’t please everyone. You have a good year, you have a bad year and that’s what I get for opening up my life to people. I do feel I got a bit of a bad rap last year.”

    This season, viewers will witness the Bravo TV star getting baptized as part of her quest for a fresh start and although critics have openly questioned her decision to accept Christ into her life, the born-again Christian insists that her Christian conversion is genuine.

    “I got baptized on the show and [Bravo] has been using that for all their commercials so I talked with my pastor about it and he said ‘listen, being on a reality show and showing this you’re probably going to get a lot of negative feedback,'” Judge recalled. “And I said ‘I know … I don’t know if I want to do it because there could be a lot of negative about it and people can say she’s just doing that because she had a bad year last year.'”

    The Cut Fitness gym owner said that since being baptized, her life has changed for the better and viewers will get to watch these changes.

    “I think in the past six months I’ve felt like a new person, but it’s just one of those things where I wanted to make it right with the Lord and I knew the journey I was on,” she said. “I’m not saying like, I’m perfect and I’m not saying I’m at church every single Sunday. I try to go every Sunday, I’m joining a Bible study … as you know, your mindset changes [after being baptized].”

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    Connect with me on Twitter: @MzBenge

    Source : Christian Post