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Salvation Army Urges Scotland to Address Homelessness

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Faith Facts

  • The Salvation Army in Scotland is urging political leaders to make homelessness prevention a top priority ahead of next May’s parliamentary election.
  • Half of the people seeking help from their Homelessness Service struggle with mental health issues, and over 30% arrive without a GP registration.
  • The charity highlights the need for deeper solutions, including addiction support, expanded mental health care, and more affordable housing built on Christian compassion.

As Scotland approaches a critical election, faith-driven voices are calling for action with hope rooted in Biblical care for the vulnerable. The Salvation Army’s appeal spotlights the moral responsibility to provide not only shelter but holistic support addressing the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of every individual.

Helen Murdoch, Assistant Territorial Director for Strategic Operations & Development, warned,

“Scotland will never beat homelessness unless we are able to tackle the reasons people become homeless in the first place. Underlying issues such as poverty, trauma, abuse, addiction and mental health issues all increase the risk.”

She urged,

“That is why we are calling on all political parties at Holyrood to make homelessness prevention and wrap around support a priority going into next year’s election.”

Recent data from the charity shows an 87% rise over the past decade in homeless households facing both mental health and substance dependency challenges. This alarming trend underscores the importance of Christian charity, unity, and practical action.

Ms Murdoch explained,

“The Scottish Government, councils, health providers and charities working together, with proper funding, can prevent homelessness before it starts and save lives this winter.”

James, once homeless and now working with the Salvation Army, shared,

“I’m actively trying to get a permanent home after bouts of homelessness throughout my life.”

He continued,

“An integrated approach is needed and a whole load of support measures put in place to help people tackle trauma, criminal justice issues, addiction and mental health challenges like anxiety. All this ought to be addressed together, with the person at the centre.”

He reflected,

“When you’re homeless you don’t have security and it’s hard to project into the future when you’re cold, lonely, hungry and tired – who wouldn’t be anxious, no one wants to live like that.”

The Salvation Army runs Lifehouses and outreach services, offering practical support from emergency shelter to job training, all reflecting Christian love and a commitment to restoring dignity through faith-based service. The rise in average accommodation stay to 338 days and long wait times for permanent homes reflect Scotland’s pressing housing needs.

Ms Murdoch concluded,

“We all know what needs to be done. The next parliament must prioritise addiction support in the evenings and at weekends; improved mental health services in communities; plus increase the availability of affordable homes to give vulnerable people stability, accessible local healthcare and – above all – hope for the future.”

The Salvation Army encourages anyone at risk of homelessness to seek support or contact their local council, standing firm in the call to love and serve our neighbors in need.

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Faith

Can Disciple-Making Movements Revive the Western Church

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Faith Facts

  • Disciple-making movements emphasize serious commitment to following Christ and making other disciples
  • Traditional churches and new movements both have valid concerns about how the other approaches ministry
  • Church planting movement principles have shown limited growth in Western contexts compared to other parts of the world

Disciple-making movements have raised important questions about how churches in the West are making followers of Jesus. These movements point to a genuine desire for deeper commitment to the Great Commission. Their critique of traditional structures comes from a concern that many established churches have lost focus on personal discipleship.

At the same time, traditional churches have raised concerns about the sustainability and doctrinal depth of newer movements. Both perspectives reflect a shared burden for reaching people with the gospel. The tension between these approaches reveals a broader question facing American Christianity.

Church planting movement principles that have seen dramatic growth in other parts of the world have struggled to produce similar results in Western nations. Cultural differences, established religious traditions, and societal attitudes toward faith all play a role in this disparity. The challenges are complex and require thoughtful examination rather than quick solutions.

This reality challenges established churches to consider whether new approaches might be needed. The call is not to abandon biblical truth but to examine whether current methods are effectively making disciples. Many traditional congregations are beginning to ask hard questions about their own fruitfulness in fulfilling Christ’s command.

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

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Faith

Southern Baptist Seminary Sees Record Enrollment as Students Seek God’s Word

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Faith Facts

  • Gateway Seminary, a California-based Southern Baptist Convention theology school, reported record enrollment for the fall semester.
  • Leaders at the seminary say students are actively seeking deeper study of Scripture.
  • The growth reflects a renewed hunger among believers for sound biblical training and Christian service.

Gateway Seminary announced record enrollment numbers for its fall semester, continuing a trend of growth for the Southern Baptist-affiliated institution based in California.

The seminary’s leadership noted that students are expressing a strong desire to engage with the Bible and prepare for ministry roles across the nation.

“Students are hungry for God’s Word,” seminary officials stated.

The increase in enrollment comes at a time when many traditional seminaries are facing declining numbers, making Gateway’s growth stand out within the broader landscape of theological education.

School leaders attribute the surge to a growing interest in faithful biblical teaching and the desire among younger believers to serve local churches and communities with clarity and conviction.

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

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Dinesh D’Souza Unveils New Book Linking Biblical Archaeology to End Times Prophecy

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Faith Facts

  • Dinesh D’Souza has written a new book titled The Stones Cry Out examining biblical archaeology and end times prophecy.
  • The author asserts that archaeological evidence supports the historical accuracy of Scripture.
  • D’Souza connects these discoveries to biblical prophecies concerning the last days.

Author and filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza has joined Christian Post to discuss his latest work, The Stones Cry Out: Biblical Archaeology, Prophecy, and the Last Days.

The book examines how recent archaeological findings confirm the reliability of biblical accounts. D’Souza argues that these discoveries strengthen the case for the literal fulfillment of prophecy in our time.

“The Stones Cry Out is about how the ground itself testifies to the truth of Scripture and the nearness of the last days,”

he explained during the interview.

D’Souza highlights specific sites and artifacts that align with Scripture’s historical claims. He presents these findings as evidence that the Bible is not merely spiritual literature but a trustworthy historical record.

“When archaeology confirms what the prophets foretold, it becomes harder for skeptics to dismiss the Word of God,”

he stated.

The author also explores how current events appear to line up with prophetic patterns described in Scripture. He encourages believers to study both the physical evidence and the biblical text with renewed attention.

“God is not silent, and the stones continue to speak,”

D’Souza concluded.

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

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