Faith Facts

• Inner-city New Orleans congregations demonstrate authentic Christian fellowship through warm hospitality and soul-stirring worship that transcends denominational backgrounds
• Ministers preach powerful biblical messages about overcoming sin’s separation from God and building strong spiritual foundations in the community
• Long-married couples and multigenerational families testify to God’s transforming power in their lives and neighborhoods

NEW ORLEANS — It wasn’t one of those side hugs, a “Hi, nice to meet you” hug. When I walked into the Hollygrove Church of Christ for Sunday worship, Willie Marsalis gave me a rib-crushing hug as if he were reuniting with a long-lost brother.

And I’d never met the guy. I did, however, feel like I knew the family, especially Willie’s brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Angela Marsalis, and their son, also named Willie.

The family’s incredible journey spans more than two decades — from surviving Hurricane Katrina to planting the Hollygrove church in the inner-city neighborhood where they grew up. So, when my wife, a pediatric endocrinologist, told me that this year’s American Diabetes Association conference was in The Big Easy, I burned a few sky miles to join her.

Hollygrove, I learned, has brought in several souls who don’t hail from our fellowship. One of them, Kim King, told me she was just “driving around” when she found the church, and she hasn’t left since.

Shirley Reeder moved here from Savannah, Georgia, and a friend invited her to church. There were only about 20 of us there for Sunday worship, but it sounded like 200. They sing like the redeemed.

My favorite was a hymn I’d never heard before, “Two Wings,” taken from the description of the seraphim in Isaiah 6:2.

“Two wings to veil my feet. Two wings to veil my face. Two wings to fly away. And the world can’t do me no harm.”

Charles Marsalis preached from later in Isaiah, chapter 59 and verse 2: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”

“What is blocking you from your blessing?”

Charles asked. “I can’t receive God’s blessing when I’m weighed down with sin.”

He demonstrated this by having Willie stand on stage representing God. The church’s assistant minister, Andrew Thomas, played the devil, and he physically blocked Charles from getting to his brother.

“If we don’t learn the lessons, we won’t get to the blessings.”

But we’re not in this struggle alone, he added.

“If we learn how to hold on to each other in here, we can do it out there.”

Thomas, after relinquishing the role of the devil, echoed Charles’ sentiments in his closing prayer.

“This is the foundation. Let’s learn how to build the foundation in here so we can build homes out there.”

On Sunday night I visited the Louisa Street Church of Christ, a long-established congregation that meets in part of New Orleans known as Desire. Once again, I was welcomed like an old friend by people I met for the first time, including Malachi Hull, a police officer and Bible class teacher.

I also met a gentleman who introduced himself as brother Branch Sr. I noticed that his shirt pocket was stuffed with what looked like old-time gospel tracts.

He said he keeps them at the ready to hand out. It reminded me of 1 Peter 3:15: “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

Preston Olive, the church’s pulpit minister since 2008, spoke on Psalm 131, a three-verse hymn about putting aside pride and distractions and finding humble contentment in God.

“O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, both now and forevermore.”

The minister said, quoting the psalm’s final verse. That means “hope in God until we die,” he said.

“We don’t have time to make a pit stop. Death might find you if you make a pit stop. The devil is after our hope in God. When others are sinking in doubt and you’re standing tall, it’s because they’re standing on the wrong foundation. Make sure we’re standing on the rock.”

He concluded:

“Leave here tonight continuing to be humble, no matter where you are. Leave here tonight leaning on God. Leave here tonight remembering this hymn: ‘My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ love and righteousness.'”

One of the church’s elders, Frank Harden, and his wife Anna were kind enough to give me a ride back to the hotel. They’ve been married for 55 years.

Frank got baptized in 1987. Anna, who grew up Methodist, took a little longer to persuade. She was baptized in 1991.

“God changed us all.”

The next morning I went back to Hollygrove to see some of the first-day activities at Camp Water Tower Academy, a summer program for kids overseen by Willie Marsalis (the younger one). Charles bought me the best shrimp po boy I’ve had in my life from a place called Manos.

That evening, I headed back to Oklahoma — and saw Andrew Thomas yet again. When he’s not ministering at Hollygrove (or pretending to be the devil), he works curbside check-in for United Airlines.

I took a selfie with brother Thomas and sent it to the Marsalises. “Ran into the devil at the airport,” I texted, “and I told him to STOP BLOCKING ME FROM MY BLESSING!”

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Faith Facts

• Archbishop Sarah Mullally of London undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy Land that included visiting Palestinian communities
• The visit sparked criticism from some who accused her of taking sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• Supporters argue that Christian leaders must show compassion to all people suffering in the region while maintaining balanced perspectives

A senior Anglican Church leader is facing intense scrutiny following her recent journey to the Holy Land, where she met with Palestinian communities experiencing hardship. Archbishop Sarah Mullally’s pilgrimage has ignited debate about the proper role of Christian leaders in addressing one of the world’s most complex conflicts.

The controversy centers on whether church officials should engage with communities on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian divide. Critics have accused the Archbishop of showing favoritism, while defenders maintain that Christian ministry requires acknowledging suffering wherever it exists.

Those supporting the Archbishop’s decision point to the Biblical mandate for believers to care for the oppressed and vulnerable. They argue that visiting Palestinian communities does not diminish concern for Israeli security or Jewish historical trauma, but rather reflects Christ’s call to minister to all people.

The debate highlights the challenging position Christian leaders face when addressing geopolitical conflicts with deep religious, historical, and humanitarian dimensions. Many American Christians maintain strong support for Israel based on Biblical prophecy and shared democratic values, while also recognizing the humanitarian concerns affecting civilian populations throughout the region.

Church officials who engage with Middle Eastern communities often emphasize the importance of bearing witness to Christian minorities and suffering populations while maintaining relationships with all parties. This approach seeks to follow Christ’s example of ministering across social and political boundaries.

The controversy underscores ongoing tensions within Christianity about how to respond faithfully to complex international conflicts where people of different faiths and backgrounds face genuine security threats and humanitarian challenges.

For American Christians who value both Israel’s security and humanitarian compassion, such situations present difficult questions about how to apply Biblical principles to contemporary geopolitics. Many believe that supporting Israel’s right to exist and defend itself can coexist with concern for innocent civilians affected by regional conflicts.

The Archbishop’s supporters maintain that Christian witness requires presence among suffering communities, regardless of political sensitivities. They argue that showing compassion to Palestinians does not constitute taking sides against Israel, but rather fulfills the Gospel’s call to love neighbors and care for the vulnerable.

Critics counter that church leaders must be sensitive to how their actions may be perceived and potentially weaponized for political purposes. They emphasize Israel’s unique position as a democratic ally facing existential threats from hostile neighbors and terrorist organizations.

This tension reflects broader challenges facing Christian leaders who seek to apply faith principles to politically charged situations. The question of how to minister with both truth and grace in conflict zones remains a defining challenge for contemporary Christianity.

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Faith Facts

• The St Andrews Book Festival in Scotland features renowned Christian intellectuals like Dr. John Lennox and brings quality faith-based literature to new audiences
• This Christian literary event is building vital connections between Christian authors and readers while expanding the reach of biblical worldview content
• The festival demonstrates the growing hunger for intellectually robust Christian content that addresses contemporary cultural challenges

In an era when Christian voices are increasingly marginalized in mainstream culture, one literary festival in Scotland is proving that faith-based content still draws passionate crowds. The St Andrews Book Festival has quietly become a powerful gathering place for believers seeking intellectually rigorous content rooted in biblical truth.

Comedian and writer Andy Kind recently shared his experience interviewing renowned Christian apologist Dr. John Lennox at the festival, describing it as an “unforgettable moment.” The event showcases how Christian literature continues to resonate with audiences hungry for content that addresses life’s deepest questions from a faith perspective.

“The impact of this event goes far beyond star speakers,” Kind emphasized, highlighting the festival’s broader mission of connecting Christian authors with readers who might not otherwise encounter their work.

The St Andrews Book Festival represents something increasingly rare in today’s cultural landscape: a space where Christian thought is not only welcomed but celebrated. Unlike secular literary festivals that often exclude or sideline faith-based perspectives, this gathering places biblical worldviews at the center of intellectual discourse.

Dr. John Lennox, a mathematician and philosopher of science who has debated prominent atheists including Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, exemplifies the caliber of Christian thinkers the festival attracts. His presence demonstrates that robust Christian apologetics continues to draw significant interest from those seeking truth in an age of confusion.

The festival’s approach bridges the gap between academic Christian scholarship and everyday believers. By bringing together authors, readers, and thought leaders in an accessible format, it creates opportunities for spiritual and intellectual growth that many Christians crave but struggle to find in their local communities.

For Christian families concerned about the erosion of biblical values in public spaces, events like the St Andrews Book Festival offer encouragement. They prove that quality Christian content can compete in the marketplace of ideas when given proper platforms and support.

The festival also serves an important evangelistic function, introducing Christian literature to audiences who might be skeptical or unfamiliar with faith-based perspectives. In this way, it functions as both a strengthening tool for believers and a bridge to those still seeking truth.

As Christian conservatives work to preserve and promote traditional values in an increasingly secular culture, supporting events that champion biblical worldviews becomes essential. Literary festivals like St Andrews demonstrate that there remains a substantial audience for content grounded in faith, reason, and timeless truth.

The success of this festival should inspire similar initiatives across America, where Christians often feel their voices are excluded from cultural conversations. Building spaces where faith-based literature and thought can flourish represents an important step in cultural renewal.

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