B-3 PEOPLE FILES
- John Benefiel - David & Jason Benham - Leon Benjamin - Tom Berlin - David Berry - Alan Bevere - Thomas Bickerton - Mike Bickle - J Todd Billings - Michael F Bird - Richard Blackaby - Dan Blair -Leonardo Blair - Paul Blair - Marshall Blalock -
==john benefiel======
Dr. John Benefiel is the founder and Senior Pastor of Church on the Rock, Oklahoma City. He also founded and leads the Heartland Apostolic Prayer Network (HAPN) and the Global Apostolic Prayer Network (GAPN), with a leader and a network in each of the 50 states and 112 nations. The purpose of the networks is to impact the seven mountains of culture - Religion, Family, Education, Government, Media / Arts & Entertainment, Protect & Serve, and Economy - for God's Kingdom through our prayers and influence.
Pennsylvania’s Prayer Warrior: Abby Abildness And Her Dominionist Crusade In The Commonwealth
Apostle Abby Abildness is on a quest to claim the Keystone state for God. She’s a Pennsylvania-based leader in a worldwide network of neo-charismatic Christian leaders called the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), which promotes dominionism, the belief that Christians have a mandate from God to control all aspects of government and culture. NAR leaders advance a supposedly divine strategy for achieving dominion called the “Seven Mountains Mandate,” which divides society into seven categories, or “mountains”, and encourages Christians to pick a mountain and then head into their community to conquer it for God. In The Commonwealth We initially reported on the NAR in August last year. As stated in that report, some of the NAR’s most prominent leaders include: Cindy Jacobs , John Benefiel, Lance Wallnau, Abby Abildness, Dutch Sheets, Chuck Pierce, Ché Ahn, Lou Engle, Jim Garlow, Steve Strang (Charisma News), Steve Shultz (Elijah List).
(Heather Hahn/United Methodist Church 11/7/23)
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Apostle Abby Abildness is on a quest to claim the Keystone state for God. She’s a Pennsylvania-based leader in a worldwide network of neo-charismatic Christian leaders called the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), which promotes dominionism, the belief that Christians have a mandate from God to control all aspects of government and culture. NAR leaders advance a supposedly divine strategy for achieving dominion called the “Seven Mountains Mandate,” which divides society into seven categories, or “mountains”, and encourages Christians to pick a mountain and then head into their community to conquer it for God. In The Commonwealth We initially reported on the NAR in August last year. As stated in that report, some of the NAR’s most prominent leaders include: Cindy Jacobs , John Benefiel, Lance Wallnau, Abby Abildness, Dutch Sheets, Chuck Pierce, Ché Ahn, Lou Engle, Jim Garlow, Steve Strang (Charisma News), Steve Shultz (Elijah List).
(Heather Hahn/United Methodist Church 11/7/23)
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==David & Jason Benham======
“In the Ten Commandments, we were told to honor our father and mother. The difference between obedience and honor is that obedience needs a command. Obedience is doing what we’re commanded to do. Honor does what we’re supposed to do even without being commanded. David was known as a man after God’s own heart. Do you know one of the reasons why? Because he had it in his heart to build a temple for God. And God never commanded him to do that. God commanded Moses to erect the tabernacle. God never commanded David to do it. It came out of his heart. And God says, ‘That’s the kind of heart I like.” --Jason Benham; National Bible Bee; Dec 2023
==leon benjamin======
Leon Benjamin is the Senior Pastor and Bishop of New Life Harvest Church in Richmond, VA. Bishop Benjamin, a former Democrat and Gulf War veteran, is an emerging evangelical leader on the national front as a media spokesperson and conservative political activist. He operated as a surrogate for Trump on the presidential campaign trail and worked on the Faith-Based Initiative support team during the President-Elect’s transition to the White House.
Leon Benjamin is the Senior Pastor and Bishop of New Life Harvest Church in Richmond, VA. Bishop Benjamin, a former Democrat and Gulf War veteran, is an emerging evangelical leader on the national front as a media spokesperson and conservative political activist. He operated as a surrogate for Trump on the presidential campaign trail and worked on the Faith-Based Initiative support team during the President-Elect’s transition to the White House.
Feb 22, 2023: Washington Post: Virginia 4th District
Voters in Virginia’s 4th Congressional district are returning to the polls to elect a new representative after the death of Democratic Rep. Donald McEachin. McEachin passed away just weeks after winning reelection. Democratic state Sen. Jennifer McClellan and Republican Leon Benjamin are in the running for the seat. McClellan prevailed in a competitive December primary. Benjamin was McEachin’s Republican challenger in 2020 and 2022.
Voters in Virginia’s 4th Congressional district are returning to the polls to elect a new representative after the death of Democratic Rep. Donald McEachin. McEachin passed away just weeks after winning reelection. Democratic state Sen. Jennifer McClellan and Republican Leon Benjamin are in the running for the seat. McClellan prevailed in a competitive December primary. Benjamin was McEachin’s Republican challenger in 2020 and 2022.
Jan 23, 2023: New Republic: The Rise of Spirit Warriors on the Christian Right
A final point on the politics of Spirit Warrior Christianity: It is an easy fit for those who wish to dismantle democracy and entrench minority rule. Election denialism and other conspiracies find a comfortable home in the paranoid mindset of spiritual warfare in a demon-haunted world. An organizer of the Jericho March that preceded the attack on the Capitol of January 6, Robert Weaver, stated that God wanted Americans to march around “the spiritual walls of this country.” The Reverend Kevin Jessup, who spoke at the event, said, “This battle cry is a Christian call to all Christian men … as we prepare for a strategic gathering of men in this hour to dispel the Kingdom of Darkness.” Father Greg Bramlage, who conducted an exorcism on stage, told the crowd, “We are in a spiritual battle, this cannot be solved by human means” and prayed that “no demonic bondage, door, entity, portal, astral projection, or disembodied spirit may enter this space.” Bishop Leon Benjamin, senior pastor of Richmond, Virginia’s New Life Harvest Church, said, “The demons we kill now, our children will not have to fight these devils. These are our devils, and we will kill them now.” NAR leadership networks served as key mobilizers.
A final point on the politics of Spirit Warrior Christianity: It is an easy fit for those who wish to dismantle democracy and entrench minority rule. Election denialism and other conspiracies find a comfortable home in the paranoid mindset of spiritual warfare in a demon-haunted world. An organizer of the Jericho March that preceded the attack on the Capitol of January 6, Robert Weaver, stated that God wanted Americans to march around “the spiritual walls of this country.” The Reverend Kevin Jessup, who spoke at the event, said, “This battle cry is a Christian call to all Christian men … as we prepare for a strategic gathering of men in this hour to dispel the Kingdom of Darkness.” Father Greg Bramlage, who conducted an exorcism on stage, told the crowd, “We are in a spiritual battle, this cannot be solved by human means” and prayed that “no demonic bondage, door, entity, portal, astral projection, or disembodied spirit may enter this space.” Bishop Leon Benjamin, senior pastor of Richmond, Virginia’s New Life Harvest Church, said, “The demons we kill now, our children will not have to fight these devils. These are our devils, and we will kill them now.” NAR leadership networks served as key mobilizers.
==tom berlin======
‘Like a revival’: UMC bishops talk of ‘a future with hope’ after over 6K churches depart
Moderated by Hamilton, the panel included East Ohio Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, Florida Bishop Tom Berlin and Bishop Mande Muyombo of the Congo Central Conference. The event comes as thousands of UMC congregations have disaffiliated in the past couple of years amid the ongoing debate within the denomination over whether to change its rules to allow for the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. Although efforts to change the UMC Book of Discipline's stance on these issues have failed, many theological liberal leaders in the denomination have either refused to follow or enforce the denomination's rules.
(Michael Gryboski/Christian Post 10/12/23)
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Moderated by Hamilton, the panel included East Ohio Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, Florida Bishop Tom Berlin and Bishop Mande Muyombo of the Congo Central Conference. The event comes as thousands of UMC congregations have disaffiliated in the past couple of years amid the ongoing debate within the denomination over whether to change its rules to allow for the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. Although efforts to change the UMC Book of Discipline's stance on these issues have failed, many theological liberal leaders in the denomination have either refused to follow or enforce the denomination's rules.
(Michael Gryboski/Christian Post 10/12/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
==david berry======
Abigail Kessler
After hearing over three hours of public comment on the topic, Flagstaff City Council approved a resolution supporting abortion access in the city at its meeting Tuesday...........Many commenters who spoke against the resolution cited religion, specifically Christianity, as their reason for opposing abortion, quoting Bible verses and prayers and using religious language.
The group included a few local pastors: Joshua Walker, teaching elder of Church of the Resurrection (though he said he was here as a “concerned citizen” rather than a pastor), David Berry, senior pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship, Barbara Swee, associate pastor of Northland Christian Assembly, and Jim Dorman, founding pastor (now retired) of Christ’s Church of Flagstaff. “I’m here today on behalf of myself and the nearly 300 people of my church,” Berry said. “ ... Together we are all in vehement opposition to the proposed resolution 2023-12. The mission of Flagstaff as we’ve been reminded is to protect and enhance the quality of life for all. That certainly includes the most vulnerable among us who cannot defend and speak for themselves, people in the womb.”
Some of those who supported the resolution mentioned the separation of church and state in their comments, saying that to act based on the religious beliefs of other commenters would go against it.
Northern Arizona University professor of comparative cultural studies Diana Coleman also noted that these beliefs were from a subset of one religion.
“We have not heard the religious side, as I’ve heard people say; we’ve heard from a thin, select fringe of conservative Christianity that doesn’t represent all of Christianity,” she said. “ ... We do have separation of church and state, we have the establishment clause. This religious-inflected dialogue is inappropriate to be forced on and also very disingenuous.”..........Matthews said the religious views should be heard, however, as they were community members’ perspectives.
“I don’t think that it was about well, this is a religious thing or a God thing, so you need to be shamed into making a decision,” she said. “ ... This is their belief and they are part of the community.”
In his part of the discussion, McCarthy said the question was about who was making decisions.
“Someone [tonight] said there are differing opinions on the issue. Well, that’s obvious. But one side, who would say ‘pro-choice,’ they’re saying, ‘I’m not going to make that decision for you.’ The other side is saying, ‘I want to make that decision for you.’” --Abigail Kessler; Arizona Daily Sun; Flagstaff City Council adopts resolution supporting abortion access 3.11.23
The group included a few local pastors: Joshua Walker, teaching elder of Church of the Resurrection (though he said he was here as a “concerned citizen” rather than a pastor), David Berry, senior pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship, Barbara Swee, associate pastor of Northland Christian Assembly, and Jim Dorman, founding pastor (now retired) of Christ’s Church of Flagstaff. “I’m here today on behalf of myself and the nearly 300 people of my church,” Berry said. “ ... Together we are all in vehement opposition to the proposed resolution 2023-12. The mission of Flagstaff as we’ve been reminded is to protect and enhance the quality of life for all. That certainly includes the most vulnerable among us who cannot defend and speak for themselves, people in the womb.”
Some of those who supported the resolution mentioned the separation of church and state in their comments, saying that to act based on the religious beliefs of other commenters would go against it.
Northern Arizona University professor of comparative cultural studies Diana Coleman also noted that these beliefs were from a subset of one religion.
“We have not heard the religious side, as I’ve heard people say; we’ve heard from a thin, select fringe of conservative Christianity that doesn’t represent all of Christianity,” she said. “ ... We do have separation of church and state, we have the establishment clause. This religious-inflected dialogue is inappropriate to be forced on and also very disingenuous.”..........Matthews said the religious views should be heard, however, as they were community members’ perspectives.
“I don’t think that it was about well, this is a religious thing or a God thing, so you need to be shamed into making a decision,” she said. “ ... This is their belief and they are part of the community.”
In his part of the discussion, McCarthy said the question was about who was making decisions.
“Someone [tonight] said there are differing opinions on the issue. Well, that’s obvious. But one side, who would say ‘pro-choice,’ they’re saying, ‘I’m not going to make that decision for you.’ The other side is saying, ‘I want to make that decision for you.’” --Abigail Kessler; Arizona Daily Sun; Flagstaff City Council adopts resolution supporting abortion access 3.11.23
==alan bevere======
Allan R. Bevere (Ph.D. University of Durham, U.K.) is a retired United Methodist pastor. He is a Professional Fellow in Theology at Ashland Theological Seminary also in Ashland. He has also served as a police chaplain. Bevere is an ordained Elder in the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church and has served the Conference in several different capacities over the years. Throughout his ministry Dr. Bevere has been actively involved in short-term mission work in Haiti and Puerto Rico. He regularly travels to Cuba to teach theology, biblical studies, and ministerial studies to the pastors serving in the Methodist Church there. He also teaches intensive courses at Africa University in Zimbabwe.
Alan R Bevere
I hate death, God hates death, and Jesus hates death... that’s why Jesus walked out of the tomb on Easter Sunday morning. Indeed, I understand that we can in our pain and grief welcome death. We cannot fathom the pain from the cancer that slowly eats away at our loved one's body. We no longer wish to witness the loss of our mother’s or father’s identity as Alzheimer’s ravages their brain. Death becomes a sigh of relief for us, a sad but reluctantly welcomed arrival. That is indeed the tragedy of life this side of perfection—the enemy of death itself is welcomed because we no longer wish to see the enemy do its dirty work on those whom we care about so deeply and dearly. So we welcome into our midst the very force that leads to our demise in the first place. It seems that death has us trapped. But death does not have the last word, “...in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ” (I Cor 15:20-22). -Alan R Bevere; Death Is the Enemy 4/17/22
Alan Bevere
Ananias is told that he must encounter this Saul and bring him into the faith through baptism. It is understandable that Ananias would be quite skeptical over Saul’s conversion. After all, Ananias has heard of Saul and what he had done to the church in Jerusalem. What if this is a ruse; a trick of Saul's to infiltrate the church in Damascus in order to arrest the leadership and bring them back to Jerusalem? Just as Saul, Ananias is awakened from the routine of his life and called upon to be part of something larger, something that will change the course of Christianity. Most commentators focus on Saul in Acts chapter nine, which is understandable. He is by far the most famous and most influential of the two men in our story. But it is unfortunate that often Ananias in neglected. He is a critical part of Saul’s conversion. He not only initiates Saul into the Christian faith, but it will become his job to convince the Christians in Damascus that Paul’s conversion is indeed real and that this former persecutor and now be trusted as a fellow disciple.
-Alan R Bevere; Faith Seeking Understanding; A Tale of Two Men... and of Us 4.30.22
-Alan R Bevere; Faith Seeking Understanding; A Tale of Two Men... and of Us 4.30.22
==thomas bickerton======
Bishops urged to turn page on painful chapter
United Methodist Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton urged his fellow bishops to use their woundedness to help bring healing. He preached at opening worship of the Council of Bishops fall meeting, where episcopal leaders will discuss the future of the church after a season that has seen thousands of U.S. churches exit. The meeting also will include strategizing for the coming General Conference, the denomination’s top lawmaking body at which bishops preside. (Heather Hahn/United Methodist Church 11/7/23)
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United Methodist Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton urged his fellow bishops to use their woundedness to help bring healing. He preached at opening worship of the Council of Bishops fall meeting, where episcopal leaders will discuss the future of the church after a season that has seen thousands of U.S. churches exit. The meeting also will include strategizing for the coming General Conference, the denomination’s top lawmaking body at which bishops preside. (Heather Hahn/United Methodist Church 11/7/23)
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United Methodist bishops meet, look to pivot after 2,400+ churches disaffiliate
CHICAGO (RNS) — About 100 active and retired United Methodist bishops from across the globe are meeting this week in Chicago for the first time in person since the COVID-19 pandemic and since the launch one year ago of the Global Methodist Church, a conservative denomination formed for United Methodist churches looking to disaffiliate over LGBTQ ordination and marriage. Bishop Thomas Bickerton told the United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops it was time to pivot, as the denomination has been losing churches since a 2019 special session of its General Conference approved a disaffiliation plan for congregations wishing to leave for “reasons of conscience” related to their beliefs about sexuality. The United Methodist Church has been stuck in disagreement over the ordination and marriage of its LGBTQ members for decades.
(Emily Miller/Religion News Service 5/1/23)
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CHICAGO (RNS) — About 100 active and retired United Methodist bishops from across the globe are meeting this week in Chicago for the first time in person since the COVID-19 pandemic and since the launch one year ago of the Global Methodist Church, a conservative denomination formed for United Methodist churches looking to disaffiliate over LGBTQ ordination and marriage. Bishop Thomas Bickerton told the United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops it was time to pivot, as the denomination has been losing churches since a 2019 special session of its General Conference approved a disaffiliation plan for congregations wishing to leave for “reasons of conscience” related to their beliefs about sexuality. The United Methodist Church has been stuck in disagreement over the ordination and marriage of its LGBTQ members for decades.
(Emily Miller/Religion News Service 5/1/23)
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==mike bickle======
Michael Leroy Bickle (born July 17, 1955) is a former American evangelical leader and founder of the International House of Prayer (IHOPKC). Once the leader of IHOPKC, Bickle oversaw several ministries and a Bible school until his dismissal in December 2023 after confessing to sexual misconduct. Bickle has written books and served as the pastor of several churches.
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Mike Bickle Ousted From IHOP Links between the new Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, and key Christian nationalist leaders have sparked fears the devout Louisiana congressman might seek to erode elements of the first amendment, which protects key US civil liberties including freedom of religion and the separation of church and state. Long before the evangelical conservative Johnson became speaker, he had forged close ties with Christian nationalists like David Barton, whose writings claiming the country’s founders intended to create a Christian nation have been widely debunked by religion scholars. (Ray Fava/Evangelical Dark Web 12/23/23) READ MORE>>>>> |
December 23, 2023: After Bickle's confession and more allegations coming to light, IHOPKC cut all ties with Bickle. |
IHOPKC Report Discounts Mike Bickle Abuse Allegations; Whistleblower Fires BackThe International House of Prayer Kansas City (IHOPKC) has just released a report on initial findings, discounting some of the recent clergy sexual abuse allegations made against its founder Mike Bickle. The report also questions the “true objectives” of the “Complaint Group,” which presented the allegations to IHOPKC leadership in October. This group, comprised of former IHOPKC leaders, published a statement Oct. 28, saying it had become aware of numerous allegations of sexual abuse against Bickle from “credible” women, “spanning several decades.”
(Julie Roys & Rebecca Hopkins/The Roys Report 11/16/23)
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(Julie Roys & Rebecca Hopkins/The Roys Report 11/16/23)
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Mike Bickle, Leader of IHOP Movement, Accused of Sexual Abuse
Mike Bickle, the longtime leader of the Kansas City-based International House of Prayer, which in the late 1990s launched a global round-the-clock prayer meeting, has been accused of clergy sexual abuse by former leaders in the movement. “A few days ago, we made the leadership team of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOPKC) aware of serious allegations spanning several decades concerning its founder, Mike Bickle,” said former IHOP leader Dwayne Roberts and Brian Kim, along with Wes Martin, the former pastor of Forerunner Christian Fellowship, which has close ties to IHOP, in a statement released Saturday (Oct. 28).
(Bob Smeitana/Word&Way 10/30/23)
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Mike Bickle, the longtime leader of the Kansas City-based International House of Prayer, which in the late 1990s launched a global round-the-clock prayer meeting, has been accused of clergy sexual abuse by former leaders in the movement. “A few days ago, we made the leadership team of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOPKC) aware of serious allegations spanning several decades concerning its founder, Mike Bickle,” said former IHOP leader Dwayne Roberts and Brian Kim, along with Wes Martin, the former pastor of Forerunner Christian Fellowship, which has close ties to IHOP, in a statement released Saturday (Oct. 28).
(Bob Smeitana/Word&Way 10/30/23)
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Kansas City Prophet Calls for 21-Day Fast and Prayer for ‘Salvation of Israel’
An independent charismatic ministry has launched a 21-day prayer and fast for Israel, which its leaders believe will hasten Jesus’s return as part of the Second Coming. The Isaiah 62 Global 21-Days of Prayer and Fasting, organized by the International House of Prayer Kansas City and its leader, Mike Bickle, is being billed as a historic gathering that will bring together as many as 1 million “intercessors” who will take turns praying an hour a day for what they call “the salvation of Israel.” (Yonat Shimron/Word&Way 5/9/23)
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An independent charismatic ministry has launched a 21-day prayer and fast for Israel, which its leaders believe will hasten Jesus’s return as part of the Second Coming. The Isaiah 62 Global 21-Days of Prayer and Fasting, organized by the International House of Prayer Kansas City and its leader, Mike Bickle, is being billed as a historic gathering that will bring together as many as 1 million “intercessors” who will take turns praying an hour a day for what they call “the salvation of Israel.” (Yonat Shimron/Word&Way 5/9/23)
Read More>>>>
The New Apostolic Reformation drove the January 6 riots, so why was it overlooked by the House Select Committee?
Other self-proclaimed modern-day apostles include Bill Johnson of Bethel Church, Mike Bickle of the International House of Prayer, Dutch Sheets, Cindy Jacobs, Che Ahn and Don Finto. Independent charismatic prophets are those who say they experience dreams and visions that allow them to tell what God wants to say for a certain moment. They often believe they can discern where certain demonic spirits are so that the apostles can lead the charge against them. (Rick Pidcock/Baptist News Global 1/10/23)
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Other self-proclaimed modern-day apostles include Bill Johnson of Bethel Church, Mike Bickle of the International House of Prayer, Dutch Sheets, Cindy Jacobs, Che Ahn and Don Finto. Independent charismatic prophets are those who say they experience dreams and visions that allow them to tell what God wants to say for a certain moment. They often believe they can discern where certain demonic spirits are so that the apostles can lead the charge against them. (Rick Pidcock/Baptist News Global 1/10/23)
Read More>>>>
Sept 7, 2021: Baptist News Global: Angels from Africa: Reckoning with the New Apostolic Reformation
Prominent figures within the apostolic movement like Mike Bickle of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City or Bill Johnson with Bethel Church in Redding, Calif., claim NAR is a pejorative category invented by their critics. This is a straw man argument. No one claims the NAR is a denomination or a formalized group; but it is a movement defined by an identifiable constellation of beliefs.
Prominent figures within the apostolic movement like Mike Bickle of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City or Bill Johnson with Bethel Church in Redding, Calif., claim NAR is a pejorative category invented by their critics. This is a straw man argument. No one claims the NAR is a denomination or a formalized group; but it is a movement defined by an identifiable constellation of beliefs.
Sept 19, 2021: The Guardian: Nurturing the seed of greatness – Part 1
Mike Bickle in his book, THE SEVEN LONGINGS OF THE HEART says, “the longing for greatness is one of the in-born desires of man. It is not bad to desire to be great, but how we go about it is what matters.”
Mike Bickle in his book, THE SEVEN LONGINGS OF THE HEART says, “the longing for greatness is one of the in-born desires of man. It is not bad to desire to be great, but how we go about it is what matters.”
==j todd billings======
September Grief and Children
They say ‘the body keeps the score,’ and I’ve noticed that each mid-September since 2019 I feel the urge to drive. As the days grow shorter and the evenings cool, I look westward, expecting a phone call that will pull me from my routines and drop me into the chaotic quiet of grief, the space where the shock of death brings stillness and an urgent openness to explore life’s biggest questions. This (admittedly depressing) headspace is also due, in part, to the fact that I just spent three days launching a new initiative with J. Todd Billings at Western Theological Seminary called the Faith and Illness Initiative. We’re diving deep into theological questions of creaturely limits, suffering, vocation, and virtue for Christians living with chronic illness. As we’ve gathered with theologians, philosophers, doctors and mental health clinicians, pastors, and people living with serious chronic illness, so many questions have been raised (many more questions than answers, by the way). (Kathryn Devries/Reformed Journal 9/24/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
They say ‘the body keeps the score,’ and I’ve noticed that each mid-September since 2019 I feel the urge to drive. As the days grow shorter and the evenings cool, I look westward, expecting a phone call that will pull me from my routines and drop me into the chaotic quiet of grief, the space where the shock of death brings stillness and an urgent openness to explore life’s biggest questions. This (admittedly depressing) headspace is also due, in part, to the fact that I just spent three days launching a new initiative with J. Todd Billings at Western Theological Seminary called the Faith and Illness Initiative. We’re diving deep into theological questions of creaturely limits, suffering, vocation, and virtue for Christians living with chronic illness. As we’ve gathered with theologians, philosophers, doctors and mental health clinicians, pastors, and people living with serious chronic illness, so many questions have been raised (many more questions than answers, by the way). (Kathryn Devries/Reformed Journal 9/24/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
April 20, 2023: Christianity Today: Evangelical End Times Thinking Has a Baby-and-Bathwater Issue
Chris Davis, pastor of Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, was among those who avoid the topic of the Second Coming, out of embarrassment at the wild speculations and contentious debates that eschatology sometimes inspires. But in a season when hope was running thin, he returned to the theme and discovered afresh how it focuses our hopes and desires upon Jesus. This journey of rediscovery culminated in a new book, Bright Hope for Tomorrow: How Anticipating Jesus’ Return Gives Strength for Today. J. Todd Billings, author of The End of the Christian Life and professor of theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, spoke with Davis about his book.
Chris Davis, pastor of Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, was among those who avoid the topic of the Second Coming, out of embarrassment at the wild speculations and contentious debates that eschatology sometimes inspires. But in a season when hope was running thin, he returned to the theme and discovered afresh how it focuses our hopes and desires upon Jesus. This journey of rediscovery culminated in a new book, Bright Hope for Tomorrow: How Anticipating Jesus’ Return Gives Strength for Today. J. Todd Billings, author of The End of the Christian Life and professor of theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, spoke with Davis about his book.
==michael f bird======
Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies
N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird have written a concise primer on Christian political engagement. This is a worthwhile book for any Christian concerned with a proper Christian political witness. The overall message for readers is that they should reaffirm the tradition of liberal democracy as the most plausible political option for our times. Wright and Bird state that “Jesus and the Powers has one objective: to say that, in an age of ascending autocracies, in a time of fear and fragmentation, amid carnage and crises, Jesus is King, and Jesus’ kingdom remains the object of the Church’s witness and work….Such a conviction means that the Church needs to understand how it relates to empires biblical and burgeoning, how to build for the kingdom in our cities and suburbs; to understand the time for obedience to the State and the time for disobedience to the State” (xiii-xiv). (Reformed Journal 12/23/24) READMORE>>>>>
N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird have written a concise primer on Christian political engagement. This is a worthwhile book for any Christian concerned with a proper Christian political witness. The overall message for readers is that they should reaffirm the tradition of liberal democracy as the most plausible political option for our times. Wright and Bird state that “Jesus and the Powers has one objective: to say that, in an age of ascending autocracies, in a time of fear and fragmentation, amid carnage and crises, Jesus is King, and Jesus’ kingdom remains the object of the Church’s witness and work….Such a conviction means that the Church needs to understand how it relates to empires biblical and burgeoning, how to build for the kingdom in our cities and suburbs; to understand the time for obedience to the State and the time for disobedience to the State” (xiii-xiv). (Reformed Journal 12/23/24) READMORE>>>>>
==zahra billoo======
CAIR-SFBA Condemns Repeated Vandalism Targeting San Francisco Mosque During Ramadan
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo said: “CAIR-SFBA is very concerned about these reported, repeat incidents targeting a San Francisco mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. We thank the local leaders and law enforcement for being responsive to the community. During this period of heightened, unprecedented Islamophobia, we urge mosque leaders to take extra precautions to protect their attendees and elected officials and civic leaders to take heed of how the Israeli violence in Palestine is having an impact here at home.” (CAIR; 4/10/24) READ MORE>>>>>
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo said: “CAIR-SFBA is very concerned about these reported, repeat incidents targeting a San Francisco mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. We thank the local leaders and law enforcement for being responsive to the community. During this period of heightened, unprecedented Islamophobia, we urge mosque leaders to take extra precautions to protect their attendees and elected officials and civic leaders to take heed of how the Israeli violence in Palestine is having an impact here at home.” (CAIR; 4/10/24) READ MORE>>>>>
==Richard blackaby======
Book review: Living Fearless, by Jamie Winship
Jamie Winship, Living Fearless: Exchanging the Lies of the World for the liberating Truth of God. Grand Rapids: Revell, 2022. 170 pages.
Jamia Winship was a police officer in Washington, D.C., and was then recruited to work for thirty years in the Muslim world.He has some amazing stories to tell about working with Muslims who experienced the truth of Christ. This book is built on the simple, fundamental tenet that people's basic problem is that we have believed lies about who we are, and understanding our true identity in Christ can set us free. Winship begins the book by describing what it was like to be trained by the toughest cop there was: the Troll. The Troll was rough, crude, and insulting. He made it as difficult as possible for people to complete their training. Winship survived and learned many lessons in the process about himself and God. At the end of every shift, the Troll would say, "Since I don't think you're going to make it, do you want to resign now?" Through that difficult experience, Winship learned what it meant to "abide" (Richard Blackaby/Biblical Leadership 11/16/23)
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Jamie Winship, Living Fearless: Exchanging the Lies of the World for the liberating Truth of God. Grand Rapids: Revell, 2022. 170 pages.
Jamia Winship was a police officer in Washington, D.C., and was then recruited to work for thirty years in the Muslim world.He has some amazing stories to tell about working with Muslims who experienced the truth of Christ. This book is built on the simple, fundamental tenet that people's basic problem is that we have believed lies about who we are, and understanding our true identity in Christ can set us free. Winship begins the book by describing what it was like to be trained by the toughest cop there was: the Troll. The Troll was rough, crude, and insulting. He made it as difficult as possible for people to complete their training. Winship survived and learned many lessons in the process about himself and God. At the end of every shift, the Troll would say, "Since I don't think you're going to make it, do you want to resign now?" Through that difficult experience, Winship learned what it meant to "abide" (Richard Blackaby/Biblical Leadership 11/16/23)
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June 28, 2021: Biblical Recorder: Jordon Willard recommended to serve as 2023 N.C. Pastors’ Conference president
Willard served as director of discipleship at the North Roanoke Baptist Association from 2013-16 and as a member of the church strengthening team at the South Roanoke Baptist Association in 2018. He helped organize church strengthening and revitalization conferences in 2018 and 2019, featuring speakers such as well-known author and speaker Richard Blackaby, seminary president Danny Akin and preaching professor Jim Shaddix.
Willard served as director of discipleship at the North Roanoke Baptist Association from 2013-16 and as a member of the church strengthening team at the South Roanoke Baptist Association in 2018. He helped organize church strengthening and revitalization conferences in 2018 and 2019, featuring speakers such as well-known author and speaker Richard Blackaby, seminary president Danny Akin and preaching professor Jim Shaddix.
Richard Blackaby Files
“If a revival came to the business world, it would quickly cross all denomination lines and spread around the world. If revival comes to America, it will come through the market place.” ”
-Richard Blackaby: president of Blackaby Ministries International; March 20, 2018
==dan blair======
Dan Blair is pastor at the First United Methodist Church, Hamlet. He is a native North Carolinian. He was appointed to FUMC church in the summer of 2019 after having served three other appointments in South Carolina and North Carolina. His passions are preaching, leading worship, and teaching. Blair graduated from Erskine Theological Seminary in 2005, but before that had earned B.A and M.A degrees in History from the University of North Carolina in 1989 and then East Carolina University in 1999.
PHOTOS: Hamlet kicks off Christmas season
HAMLET — Children of all ages had the opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Hamlet Depot Monday evening following the town’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The event, now in its 37th year, began in Main Street Park with a welcome from outgoing Mayor Bill Bayless and invocation from Pastor Dan Blair.
(William R Toler/Richmond Observer 11/27/23)
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HAMLET — Children of all ages had the opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Hamlet Depot Monday evening following the town’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The event, now in its 37th year, began in Main Street Park with a welcome from outgoing Mayor Bill Bayless and invocation from Pastor Dan Blair.
(William R Toler/Richmond Observer 11/27/23)
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April 28, 2023: Laurinburg Exchange: Methodist churches share thoughts on disaffiliation decisions
“[The sexuality issue] has come up at every general conference and the UMC has been debating about it for 50 years,” said Dan Blair, pastor for First United Methodist Church and Fellowship United Methodist Church in Hamlet. Primarily, the issue most pertinent to the church is the ordaining of practicing gay and lesbian preachers and permitting homosexual weddings. “But over the last ten years, the temperature has gone up on it some,” he added.
Blair said that the disaffiliation language from 2019 didn’t address the core concerns over the topic. Meetings of the General Conference have been continually delayed to 2024 due to COVID-19, postponing any sort of resolution to the issue. Disaffiliating churches, which requires 2/3’s of the church congregation to vote to leave, would lose the United Methodist banner and join the Global Methodist Church.
“Some of the churches decided that they’re just done with it, and decided to take advantage of that clause to disaffiliate,” Blair, who was ordained in 2009, said.
“[The sexuality issue] has come up at every general conference and the UMC has been debating about it for 50 years,” said Dan Blair, pastor for First United Methodist Church and Fellowship United Methodist Church in Hamlet. Primarily, the issue most pertinent to the church is the ordaining of practicing gay and lesbian preachers and permitting homosexual weddings. “But over the last ten years, the temperature has gone up on it some,” he added.
Blair said that the disaffiliation language from 2019 didn’t address the core concerns over the topic. Meetings of the General Conference have been continually delayed to 2024 due to COVID-19, postponing any sort of resolution to the issue. Disaffiliating churches, which requires 2/3’s of the church congregation to vote to leave, would lose the United Methodist banner and join the Global Methodist Church.
“Some of the churches decided that they’re just done with it, and decided to take advantage of that clause to disaffiliate,” Blair, who was ordained in 2009, said.
==leonardo blair====== |
- Christian Post -
|
Leonardo Blair is an award-winning investigative reporter and feature writer whose career spanned secular media in the Caribbean and New York City prior to joining The Christian Post in 2013. He is a 2007 alumnus of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, where he was an inaugural member of the Toni Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism. He lives with his wife and two sons in New York City.
What to know about Tony Evans' announcement that shocked the Christian world
Celebrated pastor and author Tony Evans shocked the Christian world when he recently announced he would step away from his pastoral duties to undergo a process of restoration due to an undisclosed "sin." Evans, who pastors the 11,000-member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship church in Dallas, Texas, has had enormous influence throughout modern Christendom. Christian Post senior reporter Leonardo Blair joins "The Inside Story" to discuss what we know, why it matters and what comes next. "While Evans, who has pastored the church for 48 years, did not provide specific details on why he was stepping away, he confessed in a written statement that though he did not commit any crimes, he fell short of the biblical standards espoused by his ministry, suggesting it was 'due to sin,'" Blair wrote in a recent article. (Christian Post 6.17.24) Read More>>>>
Celebrated pastor and author Tony Evans shocked the Christian world when he recently announced he would step away from his pastoral duties to undergo a process of restoration due to an undisclosed "sin." Evans, who pastors the 11,000-member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship church in Dallas, Texas, has had enormous influence throughout modern Christendom. Christian Post senior reporter Leonardo Blair joins "The Inside Story" to discuss what we know, why it matters and what comes next. "While Evans, who has pastored the church for 48 years, did not provide specific details on why he was stepping away, he confessed in a written statement that though he did not commit any crimes, he fell short of the biblical standards espoused by his ministry, suggesting it was 'due to sin,'" Blair wrote in a recent article. (Christian Post 6.17.24) Read More>>>>
Nov 28, 2023: Leonardo Blair: Christian Post: Pastor and wife hold on to faith as both are struck with deadly cancers
Nov 24, 2023: Leonardo Blair: Christian Post:Baptist pastor, Christian college president apologizes for allowing male speaker with long hair
Leonardo Blair
The more than 10,000-member Elevation Church in North Carolina, led by celebrity preacher Steven Furtick, has withdrawn its affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention after more than 20 years of cooperation with the nation's largest Protestant denomination.
While Elevation Church did not appear to make the decision public, a copy of a letter published online dated June 26 shows that the church informed the SBC Executive Committee that its withdrawal from the denomination was "effective immediately."
"This letter is to inform you that Elevation Church is withdrawing its affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention effective immediately. You will find that our Statement of Beliefs on our website is very much in line with the Baptist Faith and Message — we have no intention of changing those core beliefs," Chunks Corbett, CFO of the North Carolina megachurch, wrote in the letter.
"We have no plans to make a public announcement on this decision — we have too much to do in reaching a world that needs the love of Jesus. Should your Credentials Committee decide to make this decision by Elevation public, we will only respond with a copy of this letter in anyone inquiring about the notification," Corbett added. --Leonardo Blair: Christian Post: Elevation Church withdraws affiliation with Southern Baptist Convention 6.30.23
While Elevation Church did not appear to make the decision public, a copy of a letter published online dated June 26 shows that the church informed the SBC Executive Committee that its withdrawal from the denomination was "effective immediately."
"This letter is to inform you that Elevation Church is withdrawing its affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention effective immediately. You will find that our Statement of Beliefs on our website is very much in line with the Baptist Faith and Message — we have no intention of changing those core beliefs," Chunks Corbett, CFO of the North Carolina megachurch, wrote in the letter.
"We have no plans to make a public announcement on this decision — we have too much to do in reaching a world that needs the love of Jesus. Should your Credentials Committee decide to make this decision by Elevation public, we will only respond with a copy of this letter in anyone inquiring about the notification," Corbett added. --Leonardo Blair: Christian Post: Elevation Church withdraws affiliation with Southern Baptist Convention 6.30.23
Feb 9, 2023: Leonardo Blair: Christian Post: Before shooting his teacher, 6-year-old allegedly threatened to kill student with gun at recess
==paul blair======
Feb 7, 2023: Baptist Press: Univ. cancels Ken Ham after LGBT group ‘put up a fuss’
Instead, Ham will speak March 5 at Fairview Baptist (Independent) Church near the university as a guest of pastor Paul Blair, whose church operates the UCO campus ministry Valid Worldview (VW)
Instead, Ham will speak March 5 at Fairview Baptist (Independent) Church near the university as a guest of pastor Paul Blair, whose church operates the UCO campus ministry Valid Worldview (VW)
Faith and firearms: Some Oklahoma religious leaders share their views on gun control
Some leaders, like Rabbi Vered Harris, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, said there are several measures that may be implemented to address gun violence while the Rev. Paul Blair said people and their morals are the issue and not guns. By contrast, Blair, senior pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Edmond, said inanimate objects like guns aren't the problem and shouldn't be the focus. "For some reason, my car is never guilty of driving drunk," he said. "Likewise, my firearms never go on shooting sprees. Clearly, the problem is not with the inanimate object. If so, no one could escape a gun show alive. The problem is with the morality of the people." Blair said Scripture is "consistent in the right to defend your life, family, and property with deadly force." He cited Exodus 22:2-3. "While the Bible is consistent with the command forbidding murder and abortion, man is allowed to kill trees for firewood or construction, animals for food and clothing, capitol punishment for first-degree murder, defensive warfare and killing in self-defense," he said.
(Carla Hinton/ The Oklahoman 6/5/22)
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Some leaders, like Rabbi Vered Harris, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, said there are several measures that may be implemented to address gun violence while the Rev. Paul Blair said people and their morals are the issue and not guns. By contrast, Blair, senior pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Edmond, said inanimate objects like guns aren't the problem and shouldn't be the focus. "For some reason, my car is never guilty of driving drunk," he said. "Likewise, my firearms never go on shooting sprees. Clearly, the problem is not with the inanimate object. If so, no one could escape a gun show alive. The problem is with the morality of the people." Blair said Scripture is "consistent in the right to defend your life, family, and property with deadly force." He cited Exodus 22:2-3. "While the Bible is consistent with the command forbidding murder and abortion, man is allowed to kill trees for firewood or construction, animals for food and clothing, capitol punishment for first-degree murder, defensive warfare and killing in self-defense," he said.
(Carla Hinton/ The Oklahoman 6/5/22)
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==MARsHALL BLALOCK======
Marshall Blalock serves as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Charleston. A native of Charleston, Marshall grew up in First Baptist Church. A graduate of Furman University (B.A. History), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and North Greenville University (D.Min.), he was ordained by First Baptist Church in August of 1981. He previously served as pastor of St. Helena Baptist Church in Beaufort, SC, and Sullivan’s Island Baptist Church in the Charleston area, returning to First Baptist Church as pastor in 1997. In the shadow of the Emanuel Nine murders on June 17, 2015, Marshall has been working for racial reconciliation to the city and beyond. He serves on the steering council for Unify, an initiative to bring reconciliation through churches across America. He has spoken at Mission Mississippi, the Southern Baptist Convention, and in universities across South Carolina. He has served as president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, chairman of the Abuse Reform Task Force for the Southern Baptist Convention, and currently serves as a trustee on the International Mission Board.
Jan 14, 2023: Sight Magazine: Southern Baptists: Dispute over abuse hotline reveals how far the SBC still has to go
South Carolina pastor Marshall Blalock, who chairs the taskforce charged with implementing abuse reforms approved last summer, said survivors and advocates have every right to ask questions in this process.
“When concerns are raised, it is important to hear them,” he said.
South Carolina pastor Marshall Blalock, who chairs the taskforce charged with implementing abuse reforms approved last summer, said survivors and advocates have every right to ask questions in this process.
“When concerns are raised, it is important to hear them,” he said.
