Faith
From Addiction to Faith-Led Boxing Redemption
Faith Facts
- Ben Cookson overcame homelessness and addiction by embracing Christian faith.
- He now leads “Fitter for Faith,” a boxing ministry at St David’s Church, Exeter.
- The programme offers a supportive, faith-centered community for people facing personal struggles.
Once at his lowest, Ben Cookson saw his life transformed by accepting Christ and finding fellowship in the church.
Now, he inspires others through a unique boxing outreach grounded in prayer and discipleship.
“Since the day I came to church, I’ve never touched drugs or alcohol – that’s four years.”
Using his own story, Cookson helps those battling addiction and adversity discover hope in Christ, demonstrating the unity of faith, fitness, and community support.
Reverend Mike Clark, vicar at St David’s, commends Ben’s ministry for bringing together people from all walks of life under the church’s roof.
“I just think it’s amazing what Ben is doing bringing in such a variety of people.”
The initiative provides a safe, pressure-free space for exploring both physical health and spiritual growth through Christian companionship.
Moira Dale, 74, has also been uplifted through these sessions, recognizing how faith-based discipline shapes lives across generations.
“It’s teaching them discipline, control, and everything else like that. It’s just the best thing.”
Ben’s story reminds us that, through God’s grace, even the most broken journeys can become testimonies to His redeeming love.
If you want to witness how faith, fellowship, and Scripture inspire hope and victory over life’s trials, explore more about Ben’s story.
Faith Facts
- Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell slams BBC’s “appalling lack of religious literacy” at Religion Media Centre briefing.
- Former BBC Head of Religion Michael Wakelin agrees remedy lies in embedding religious understanding across all BBC output, not more faith programs.
- Religion remains vital for millions’ belonging, values, purpose, and identity in Britain, demanding media accountability.
The Archbishop of York courageously highlighted the BBC’s failure to grasp faith’s role in society, echoing Biblical calls to proclaim truth boldly. As a former BBC religion leader, Wakelin affirms strong specialist programs persist but broader institutional ignorance undermines them.
From news to dramas, BBC must reflect religion’s global influence and moral goods, honoring Christian heritage that shaped Britain’s freedoms. This literacy fosters workplaces accommodating believers and combats misinformation’s spiritual void.
“religion is still a huge influence in the world”
“The BBC doesn’t need a larger religious broadcasting department. It needs greater religious literacy across the corporation”
“religion is a vital part of how millions and millions of people in Britain today get their belonging, their values, their purpose, their identity.”
Stand firm for faith in media—pray for BBC renewal and support outlets upholding Biblical truth.
Faith Facts
- British court denies Ukraine’s extradition of UOC supporter Artem Dmytruk, accused of torture by SBU.
- Dmytruk, Ukrainian MP and UOC subdeacon, opposed 2024 law banning UOC over alleged ROC ties.
- UOC declared independence from ROC in 2022, rejecting Russia’s military actions amid government crackdown.
A British court upheld religious liberty by rejecting Ukraine’s request to extradite Artem Dmytruk, a defender of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church facing trumped-up charges.
Dmytruk, the sole parliamentary voice against banning the UOC, lost his security and fled after SBU threats, echoing biblical calls to protect the faithful from oppression.
Despite forming a defense unit against Russia, President Zelensky’s regime pursues him, highlighting assaults on Christian autonomy.
SBU faces accusations of assassinating dissidents, mirroring FSB tactics while denying involvement.
Robert Amsterdam, representing Dmytruk and UOC, stated: “This ruling is a decisive win that recognises the lengths to which the Ukrainian government will go to silence political opposition, particularly as it relates to its violations of religious freedom.”
Amsterdam added: “Mr Dmytruk has not only condemned the Russian invasion, but actively took up arms in March 2022 when he formed a territorial defence unit in defence of his city against Russia. This has not stopped the administration of President Zelensky from seeking to forcibly return Mr Dmytruk over what are clearly trumped-up charges.”
Defend faith and freedom: Pray for persecuted believers and support champions of religious liberty worldwide.
Faith Facts
- The BBC’s Royal Charter expires in 2027, prompting a consultation on enhancing religious content across dramas and discussions.
- Religion supplies vital purpose, identity, and values for millions of Britons, demanding robust public broadcasting.
- Faith-based media acts as a bulwark against polarization, prejudice, and societal chaos, promoting cohesion.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, acting leader of the Church of England, condemns the BBC’s appalling lack of religious literacy.
He calls for faith to permeate the broadcaster’s entire output, not just token programs like Songs of Praise.
This call comes amid a government review of its future.
“My concern is much more about the place of religion across the whole output of the BBC, rather than simply seeing it as religious broadcasting in that rather more narrow definition. So I note with sadness and some distress the sometimes appalling lack of religious literacy in so much of the BBC.”
“I know it’s a hard thing to fight for – religious broadcasting and public service broadcasting – but I believe it is a precious bulwark against polarisation, intolerance, prejudice, chaos. The fact is that religion is a vital part of how millions and millions of people in Britain today get their belonging, their values, their purpose, their identity.”
“Religious broadcasting increasingly becomes the poor and underfunded relative in a BBC which I believe needs to be reminded of its core business.”
As patriots grounded in biblical truth, urge leaders to restore faith-honoring media, safeguarding our Christian heritage and freedoms.
-
Self-Reliance11 months agoTrump’s Bold Move Uncovers Massive Social Security Fraud
-
News12 months agoGovernor Walz’s Rhetoric Sparks National Controversy
-
Faith11 months agoNew Clues Emerge in Noah’s Ark Mystery
-
Family12 months agoTexas Lawmaker Targets Furries in Schools
-
News11 months agoMel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ’ Sequel Title Announced
-
Freedom12 months agoMaine Lawmaker Challenges Sports Fairness Controversy
-
Family10 months agoCanada’s Controversial Policy Sparks Ethical Debate
-
Faith3 months ago
Congress Hears Pleas for Nigerian Christians