Faith Facts

• Ryan Blackwell, executive and teaching pastor at Cross Church in Arkansas, has been elected as the 11th president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources
• Lifeway Christian Resources is the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, one of America’s largest Christian denominations
• Blackwell will lead the organization responsible for producing Christian books, curricula, and resources for churches nationwide

A prominent Arkansas megachurch pastor is stepping into a new role with national implications for Christian education and publishing. Ryan Blackwell, who has served as executive and teaching pastor at the multi-campus Cross Church in Arkansas, has been elected to lead Lifeway Christian Resources.

Blackwell becomes the 11th president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention’s publishing division. The organization plays a vital role in equipping churches across America with Bible studies, Sunday school materials, and theological resources grounded in biblical truth.

This leadership transition comes at a critical time for Christian publishing and education. As families and churches navigate an increasingly secular culture, the demand for sound, doctrinally faithful resources has never been greater.

Cross Church, under the leadership of Senior Pastor Nick Floyd, has grown into one of Arkansas’s most influential congregations. The church’s multi-campus model has reached thousands with the Gospel message throughout the region.

Lifeway Christian Resources has long been a cornerstone institution for evangelical churches seeking trustworthy materials. The organization’s commitment to biblical authority and practical application has made it a go-to source for pastors and ministry leaders.

Blackwell’s election signals continuity in that mission. His pastoral experience at a thriving megachurch brings real-world insight into what churches need to disciple believers and reach the lost effectively.

The Southern Baptist Convention remains America’s largest Protestant denomination. Its publishing arm serves not only SBC churches but countless independent and denominational congregations that value conservative, Bible-centered teaching.

As cultural pressures mount against traditional Christian beliefs, leadership appointments like this one take on added significance. The resources produced under Blackwell’s direction will shape how millions of Christians understand Scripture and apply it to daily life.

His tenure begins as many churches are reassessing their educational ministries post-pandemic. Sunday schools and small groups are rebuilding, and the need for engaging, theologically sound curriculum is pressing.

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Faith Facts

• Podcast host Theo Von publicly shared his prayer for God to give him ‘a new story’ during a recent episode of ‘This Past Weekend’
• The comedian opened up about personal struggles and expressed a genuine desire for transformation through faith
• Von’s candid moment of vulnerability highlights a growing trend of public figures turning to God during difficult times

Popular comedian and podcast host Theo Von is turning to God amid personal challenges, sharing an intimate prayer request with his audience. During a recent episode of his widely-followed podcast “This Past Weekend,” Von made a heartfelt plea for divine intervention in his life.

The comedian, known for his distinctive Southern humor and candid storytelling, stepped away from his usual comedic tone to share something deeply personal with his listeners. Von revealed that he’s been asking God for fundamental change in his life.

“Please help me,” Von said, expressing his desire for “a new story” as he navigates current struggles.

The moment of transparency from the entertainer resonates with many Americans who face their own battles and seek God’s guidance during difficult seasons. Von’s willingness to publicly acknowledge his need for spiritual help demonstrates a refreshing honesty often absent in entertainment culture.

This candid discussion about faith and personal struggle marks a departure from the typical celebrity narrative that often portrays public figures as having everything together. Instead, Von’s openness about turning to prayer reflects traditional American values of humility, faith, and the recognition that we all need God’s help.

Von has built a substantial following through his podcast, which regularly features long-form conversations on a variety of topics. His decision to share this vulnerable moment with his audience may encourage others who are struggling to similarly turn to faith for answers.

The comedian’s public prayer request also reflects a broader cultural moment where more Americans, particularly younger generations, are rediscovering the importance of faith during times of personal crisis. In an era of increasing uncertainty, many are finding that material success and fame don’t fulfill the deeper longings of the human heart.

Von’s honest admission that he needs God’s help to write “a new story” for his life speaks to the biblical truth that transformation comes through divine power, not human effort alone. His testimony may serve as an encouragement to others facing their own struggles to seek God’s guidance and healing.

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Faith Facts

• A Christian lawmaker in Pakistan filed a motion seeking answers on why courts ignore official age records in cases of kidnapped Christian girls
• The legal loophole allows abductors to claim underage girls are of legal marriage age despite birth certificates proving otherwise
• This ongoing crisis puts hundreds of vulnerable Christian girls at risk of forced conversion to Islam and forced marriage each year

Christian families in Pakistan are demanding justice as their daughters continue to be targeted in a disturbing pattern of kidnapping, forced conversion, and marriage. A courageous Christian lawmaker has taken action in the Punjab Assembly to confront a judicial system that appears to turn a blind eye to evidence.

On Tuesday, April 21, a Christian member of the Punjab Assembly filed a formal motion calling on the provincial government to explain why courts routinely disregard official birth certificates and age verification documents in cases involving abducted girls. These young women, many still children, are being stripped from their families and their faith.

The motion highlights a devastating reality for Pakistan’s Christian minority: when girls are kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam and marry their abductors, courts frequently accept the claims of the kidnappers regarding the girls’ ages, even when government-issued documents prove the victims are minors. This legal failure enables criminals to exploit vulnerable children with impunity.

For Christian families in Pakistan, this represents not just a failure of justice, but a direct assault on their ability to raise their children in the faith and protect them from predators. The practice has created a climate of fear among Christian communities, who see their daughters as perpetual targets with little recourse through the legal system.

The lawmaker’s motion represents a critical step toward accountability, demanding that the provincial government address why judicial officials continue to ignore documentary evidence that could protect these girls. The question strikes at the heart of whether religious minorities in Pakistan can expect equal protection under the law.

This legal challenge comes as Christian advocacy groups worldwide have raised alarms about the systematic targeting of Christian and Hindu girls in Pakistan. Estimates suggest hundreds of cases occur each year, with many families too intimidated or impoverished to pursue legal action.

The refusal of courts to accept official age records creates a perverse incentive for abductors, who know they can simply claim their victims are of legal age and have converted willingly, regardless of the evidence to the contrary. This undermines the rule of law and places Pakistan’s most vulnerable citizens at the mercy of criminals.

American Christians should pay attention to this crisis, as it reflects the broader persecution facing believers in many parts of the world. The struggle of Pakistani Christians to protect their children from forced conversion and marriage is a reminder of why religious freedom advocacy remains essential.

The Punjab Assembly motion may represent a turning point if provincial authorities take it seriously and implement reforms requiring courts to accept official government documents as evidence of age. Such a change could save countless girls from lives of forced religious conversion and captivity.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.