P-5 PEOPLE FILES
- Paul Prather - Chris Pratt - Richard Pratt - Natalie Prieb - Eetta Prince-Gibson - Ray Pritchard - Heidi Przybyla - Felipe Pulido -
==paul prather======
Once I heard a preacher named Dan Stone say God knew that not everybody would like oranges, so he also made bananas. But he knew not everybody would like bananas, so he made apples. And grapes. And pears. And figs.
His point was that God, in his love and grace, made something for everybody and everybody for something. St. Paul put it like this: There's one Spirit, but a variety of effects. Our differences remind us nobody has a corner on the truth, nobody has mastered everything there is to know about God. We've all got a little glimpse of who he is, but nobody sees the entirety. If nothing else, his church, his body, all of us who consider ourselves made in his image -- taken together reflect how big and creative and open-minded he must be. --Paul Prather; Kentucky pastor 5.14.19
His point was that God, in his love and grace, made something for everybody and everybody for something. St. Paul put it like this: There's one Spirit, but a variety of effects. Our differences remind us nobody has a corner on the truth, nobody has mastered everything there is to know about God. We've all got a little glimpse of who he is, but nobody sees the entirety. If nothing else, his church, his body, all of us who consider ourselves made in his image -- taken together reflect how big and creative and open-minded he must be. --Paul Prather; Kentucky pastor 5.14.19
==chris pratt======
Faith & Freedom Coalition disavows role in $4M plan to track, target Christians for pro-Israel digital ads
A detailed budget and planning strategy from Graystone Public Affairs — an organization based in Beaumont and registered under Schnitger’s name, according to California state records — describes a “grassroots organizing” strategy to boost Israel’s image among Evangelicals. This includes employing Christian staff in “high-density Christian areas” including Arizona, Nevada, California, and Colorado; “physical staff present” at Christian colleges, seminaries and churches; “‘Pastoral Resource Packages’ with Pro-lsrael support and educational materials sent to EVERY church in these regions”; and a “a top-of-the-line Mobile pro-lsrael display with October 7 themes” to be displayed at Christian events. The documents also outline a plan to approach high-profile Evangelical pastors and influencers as “possible Christian celebrity spokespeople,” including actors Chris Pratt and Jon Voight, former NFL player Tim Tebow, NBA All-Star Stephen Curry, and pastors Mark Driscoll and Rick Warren, who the document labels a “retired megachurch pastor with influence.” Pastor Greg Laurie, named as the “de facto leader of the Calvary Chapel Movement,” is also named.
(Christian Post 10/13/25) READMORE>>>>
A detailed budget and planning strategy from Graystone Public Affairs — an organization based in Beaumont and registered under Schnitger’s name, according to California state records — describes a “grassroots organizing” strategy to boost Israel’s image among Evangelicals. This includes employing Christian staff in “high-density Christian areas” including Arizona, Nevada, California, and Colorado; “physical staff present” at Christian colleges, seminaries and churches; “‘Pastoral Resource Packages’ with Pro-lsrael support and educational materials sent to EVERY church in these regions”; and a “a top-of-the-line Mobile pro-lsrael display with October 7 themes” to be displayed at Christian events. The documents also outline a plan to approach high-profile Evangelical pastors and influencers as “possible Christian celebrity spokespeople,” including actors Chris Pratt and Jon Voight, former NFL player Tim Tebow, NBA All-Star Stephen Curry, and pastors Mark Driscoll and Rick Warren, who the document labels a “retired megachurch pastor with influence.” Pastor Greg Laurie, named as the “de facto leader of the Calvary Chapel Movement,” is also named.
(Christian Post 10/13/25) READMORE>>>>
==richard pratt======
Richard Pratt
In recent decades, Christian television has spread what many call the “prosperity gospel” — the misguided belief that if we have enough faith, God will heal our diseases and provide us with great financial blessings. Of course, most people reading this article scoff at the thought that faith can yield such benefits. But don’t laugh too hard. We have our own prosperity gospel for our families. We simply replace having enough faith with having enough obedience. We believe that we can lift our families out of their brokenness if we conform to God’s commands.
You’ve probably encountered this outlook at one time or another. Teachers and pastors tell wives that they will enjoy wonderful relationships with their husbands and children if they will become “an excellent wife” (Prov. 31:10). After all, Proverbs 31:28 says: “Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her.” At men’s conferences, fathers recommit themselves for the sake of their children because “the righteous who walks in his integrity — blessed are his children after him!” (Prov. 20:7). In much the same way, young parents are led to believe that the eternal destinies of their children depend on strict and consistent training. You know the verse: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). Passages like these have been taken as indicating that Christian families experience blessings and loss from God, quid pro quo. We believe that God promises a wonderful family life to those who obey His commands.
Now, we need to be clear here. The proverbs commend certain paths to family members because they reflect the ways God ordinarily distributes His blessings. But ordinarily does not mean necessarily. Excellent wives have good reason to expect honor from their husbands and children. Fathers with integrity often enjoy seeing God’s blessings on their children. Parents who train their children in the fear of the Lord follow the path that frequently brings children to saving faith. But excellent wives, faithful husbands, and conscientious parents often endure terrible hardship in their homes because proverbs are not promises. They are adages that direct us toward general principles that must be applied carefully in a fallen world where life is always somewhat out of kilter. As the books of Job and Ecclesiastes illustrate so vividly, we misconstrue the Word of God when we treat proverbs as if they were divine promises. --Richard Pratt; Key Life; Broken Homes in the Bible 12.5.19
You’ve probably encountered this outlook at one time or another. Teachers and pastors tell wives that they will enjoy wonderful relationships with their husbands and children if they will become “an excellent wife” (Prov. 31:10). After all, Proverbs 31:28 says: “Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her.” At men’s conferences, fathers recommit themselves for the sake of their children because “the righteous who walks in his integrity — blessed are his children after him!” (Prov. 20:7). In much the same way, young parents are led to believe that the eternal destinies of their children depend on strict and consistent training. You know the verse: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). Passages like these have been taken as indicating that Christian families experience blessings and loss from God, quid pro quo. We believe that God promises a wonderful family life to those who obey His commands.
Now, we need to be clear here. The proverbs commend certain paths to family members because they reflect the ways God ordinarily distributes His blessings. But ordinarily does not mean necessarily. Excellent wives have good reason to expect honor from their husbands and children. Fathers with integrity often enjoy seeing God’s blessings on their children. Parents who train their children in the fear of the Lord follow the path that frequently brings children to saving faith. But excellent wives, faithful husbands, and conscientious parents often endure terrible hardship in their homes because proverbs are not promises. They are adages that direct us toward general principles that must be applied carefully in a fallen world where life is always somewhat out of kilter. As the books of Job and Ecclesiastes illustrate so vividly, we misconstrue the Word of God when we treat proverbs as if they were divine promises. --Richard Pratt; Key Life; Broken Homes in the Bible 12.5.19
==natalie prieb======
==eetta PRINCE-GIBSON======
Oct 21, 2022: Religion News: Best In Religion Journalism: Religion News Association Presents Its Annual Awards
Among the highlights:
Still more winners: Erika Lantz for Excellence in Enterprise Religion Reporting for the podcast “The Turning: The Sisters Who Left,” Eetta Prince-Gibson of Moment magazine for Excellence in Magazine and Non-daily Newspaper Religion Reporting, and Jodi Rudoren of The Forward for Excellence in Religion Commentary.
Among the highlights:
Still more winners: Erika Lantz for Excellence in Enterprise Religion Reporting for the podcast “The Turning: The Sisters Who Left,” Eetta Prince-Gibson of Moment magazine for Excellence in Magazine and Non-daily Newspaper Religion Reporting, and Jodi Rudoren of The Forward for Excellence in Religion Commentary.
==ray pritchard======
Dr. Ray Pritchard serves as president of Keep Believing Ministries. He has ministered extensively overseas in China, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, Belize, Haiti, Nigeria, Switzerland, Russia, India, Nepal, and South Korea. He is a frequent conference speaker and guest on Christian radio and television talk shows. He has written 31 books, including Stealth Attack, The ABCs of Christmas, The Healing Power of Forgiveness, An Anchor for the Soul, The Incredible Journey of Faith, The ABCs of Wisdom, Leadership Lessons of Jesus (with Bob Briner), Why Did This Happen to Me?, and Credo: Believing in Something to Die For.
Ray Pritchard
Judas is in hell today. He has been there for 2,000 years and he will be there forever. He has paid the ultimate price for the crime of betraying the Son of God. If someone asks, “Did Judas lose his salvation?” the answer is No. He didn’t lose his salvation because he never had it. Whatever else you can say about him, he was never a follower of Jesus Christ in the same sense as the other apostles. He was not saved and then lost. He was lost because he was never saved in the first place. But someone else may ask, “Did Judas go to hell because he committed suicide?” Good question, and the answer is once again No. Suicide is a sin, but it is not why Judas went to hell. Judas went to hell because he never truly committed himself to Jesus Christ. His betrayal proved that fact; his suicide merely sealed his fate. “Doesn’t the Bible say that Judas ‘repented?’” The older translations do indeed use that word in Matthew 27:3. A more accurate rendering is “seized with remorse.” Although Judas was gripped with the wrongness of what he had done, he never asked for forgiveness. There is a world of difference between those two things. Many people who truly feel sorry for their sins never come to God and ask for forgiveness. Judas tried to undo his betrayal, but it was too late. I do not doubt that he wept bitter tears as he threw the money back into the temple. But his remorse (as sincere as it was) was not true repentance and it did not lead to forgiveness. It led instead to suicide, the ultimate proof that Judas died an unforgiven man. --Ray Pritchard; Crossswalk; Did Judas Go to Heaven or Hell?
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The teaching that says "let go and let God" makes the exhortations and instructions in the epistles unnecessary and wrong. The teaching contradicts the military metaphors used in the Bible that tell us we have to fight and wrestle. We are soldiers in God's army fighting in the battle. The teaching is inconsistent with how Paul describes living the Christian life. Paul says he disciplines his body, runs the race, and fights the fight. He doesn't describe a life of passively letting God do everything. The teaching ultimately leaves everything up to us to maintain the position of surrender and abiding in Christ. If we fail, it is because we failed to abide, not because God failed us. The teaching denies the doctrine of the new birth by implying we have no new power or ability in us. It says we remain utterly hopeless without Christ's strength. But the Bible says we become new creatures with a new power and ability. The teaching is too passive and mechanical. The Bible calls us to active discipline, growth, and obedience. The Christian life is not simple or mechanical. The teaching claims to be a "shortcut" to victory but there are no shortcuts in the spiritual life. All cults claim to provide a simple shortcut to spirituality. The argument that "it works" is not sufficient. All false teachings can produce temporary results and experiences. We must test teachings by Scripture, not results alone. We must reject teachings that claim the Christian life is quite simple. We wrestle against spiritual forces of evil, so we must fight the good fight and put on the whole armor of God. --Ray Pritchard
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Here are four facts about our satanic opponents:
1. They are numerous. Note the various expressions in verse 12. They are principalities and powers. They are rulers. They are authorities. These different expressions describe the many different ranks and categories of evil spirit beings. 2. They are powerful. Don’t think of Casper the Friendly Ghost or of some nice spirit beings who like to play tricks on you. The demons are real and they aren’t on your side. J. B. Phillips calls them “spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil.” 3. They are wicked. They follow no moral code. They live only to do the devil’s bidding. They are opposed to all that is good and holy and right. 4. They are clever. Paul speaks of schemes and diabolical plans. Do not be deceived into thinking the demons are stupid. They are morally corrupt but as spirit beings, they possess enormous intelligence. Like spies working for some lethal enemy, the demons know the weak spots in our armor. They lie in wait, looking for a chance to pounce..... We do not struggle against flesh and blood. Sometimes we focus on the abortionists, the pornographers, the godless politicians, the corrupt business leaders, the drug dealers, and the purveyors of filth, as if they were the source of our problems. Yet those people are unwitting dupes of powerful spiritual forces that they know nothing about. They are morally culpable for their choices, yet they are also in the service of evil beings that influence them in ways they do not realize. Or we could make it more personal. When someone has hurt us deeply, it’s easy to say, “That person is the source of all my problems.” But our struggle is not with flesh and blood-even though it seems that way most of the time. Our struggle is not with flesh and blood even though it seems that way most of the time. -Ray Pritchard |
Ray Pritchard
Then Haggai said, “‘So it is with this people and this nation in my sight,’ declares the LORD. ‘Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled.
Here is the application of those strange questions. The key is the word “whatever.” When your heart isn’t right with God, whatever you do will be wrong. You see, God wanted more than a temple built. He wanted the hearts of the people to be fully devoted to him. God didn’t want a big house filled with empty hearts. He didn’t want animal sacrifice unless it was accompanied by a living sacrifice of the people.
Write it down big and plain. You can’t fool God. He isn’t impressed by religious ritual unless it is accompanied by a humble heart.
We may summarize this truth in two crucial sentences:
Holiness is not transferable. Holiness begins in the heart.
That’s the whole point. God wants your heart because if he has your heart, he’ll soon have every other part of your life. That’s why Proverbs 4:23 says “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” There’s an old gospel song that says, “How about your heart, is it right with God? That’s the thing that counts today.”
So how about your heart? Many of us are concerned about heart disease—and rightly so– but what about spiritual heart disease that is just as insidious? During a heated battle one of Napoleon’s soldiers was shot just above a heart. In those days surgery was done without anesthesia. While the doctor was removing the bullet, the soldier declared, “One inch lower you will find the emperor.” What would we find if we opened your heart today? Would we find Jesus Christ enshrined in your heart? --Ray Pritchard; Keep Believing; The Blessings of Obedience Hagaai 2:10-19
Here is the application of those strange questions. The key is the word “whatever.” When your heart isn’t right with God, whatever you do will be wrong. You see, God wanted more than a temple built. He wanted the hearts of the people to be fully devoted to him. God didn’t want a big house filled with empty hearts. He didn’t want animal sacrifice unless it was accompanied by a living sacrifice of the people.
Write it down big and plain. You can’t fool God. He isn’t impressed by religious ritual unless it is accompanied by a humble heart.
We may summarize this truth in two crucial sentences:
Holiness is not transferable. Holiness begins in the heart.
That’s the whole point. God wants your heart because if he has your heart, he’ll soon have every other part of your life. That’s why Proverbs 4:23 says “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” There’s an old gospel song that says, “How about your heart, is it right with God? That’s the thing that counts today.”
So how about your heart? Many of us are concerned about heart disease—and rightly so– but what about spiritual heart disease that is just as insidious? During a heated battle one of Napoleon’s soldiers was shot just above a heart. In those days surgery was done without anesthesia. While the doctor was removing the bullet, the soldier declared, “One inch lower you will find the emperor.” What would we find if we opened your heart today? Would we find Jesus Christ enshrined in your heart? --Ray Pritchard; Keep Believing; The Blessings of Obedience Hagaai 2:10-19
==heidi przybyla======
The rise and fall of Christian nationalism
Whitehead and Perry’s popular bookTaking Back America for God, measured support for Christian nationalism in terms of benign statements like “The federal government should allow the display of religious symbols in public places” or “The federal government should allow prayer in public schools.” Indeed, the term was defined so broadly that 38% of Democrats, 67% of Black Protestants, and 21% of Jews were supportive of Christian nationalism. Similarly, journalist Heidi Przybyla claimed that what unites Christian nationalists is the belief that “our rights as Americans, as all human beings, don’t come from any earthly authority [but] come from God.” While she later apologized for her remarks, they entailed that basic Christian beliefs (beliefs that are enshrined in the Declaration of Independence!) supposedly qualify as Christian nationalism.
(Christian Post; 12/8/25) READMORE>>>>>
Whitehead and Perry’s popular bookTaking Back America for God, measured support for Christian nationalism in terms of benign statements like “The federal government should allow the display of religious symbols in public places” or “The federal government should allow prayer in public schools.” Indeed, the term was defined so broadly that 38% of Democrats, 67% of Black Protestants, and 21% of Jews were supportive of Christian nationalism. Similarly, journalist Heidi Przybyla claimed that what unites Christian nationalists is the belief that “our rights as Americans, as all human beings, don’t come from any earthly authority [but] come from God.” While she later apologized for her remarks, they entailed that basic Christian beliefs (beliefs that are enshrined in the Declaration of Independence!) supposedly qualify as Christian nationalism.
(Christian Post; 12/8/25) READMORE>>>>>
===felipe pulido======
'There really is no escape': Faith leaders help immigrants face court as ICE arrests rise
San Diego Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido noticed the way a father held his young daughter and stood close to his wife and teenage daughter in the courtroom. The love and care they had for each other was palpable on Tuesday (Aug. 12), when Pulido accompanied the asylum-seeking family for an immigration court hearing.
“As an immigrant, I got emotional because of that connection I have with my own family — I put myself in his shoes,” said the Catholic bishop, who was born in the Mexican state of Michoacán before immigrating to Yakima Valley in Washington as a teenager. He finished high school there, worked picking produce and eventually was ordained a priest. Immigrants are facing court appointments with newly heightened levels of fear as the Trump administration has begun sending agents to detain migrants as they leave the courtroom. If immigration judges dismiss their cases, they can immediately face expedited removal proceedings without a chance to make their case for asylum. Previously, a 10-day response time to the dismissal was allowed.
(Religion News Service 8/15/25) READMORE>>>>>
San Diego Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido noticed the way a father held his young daughter and stood close to his wife and teenage daughter in the courtroom. The love and care they had for each other was palpable on Tuesday (Aug. 12), when Pulido accompanied the asylum-seeking family for an immigration court hearing.
“As an immigrant, I got emotional because of that connection I have with my own family — I put myself in his shoes,” said the Catholic bishop, who was born in the Mexican state of Michoacán before immigrating to Yakima Valley in Washington as a teenager. He finished high school there, worked picking produce and eventually was ordained a priest. Immigrants are facing court appointments with newly heightened levels of fear as the Trump administration has begun sending agents to detain migrants as they leave the courtroom. If immigration judges dismiss their cases, they can immediately face expedited removal proceedings without a chance to make their case for asylum. Previously, a 10-day response time to the dismissal was allowed.
(Religion News Service 8/15/25) READMORE>>>>>
