Faith
Stand Firm: Gospel Above All in Dark Places
Faith Facts
- Evangelist Ben Jack urges Christians to take the Gospel boldly into challenging environments without compromising its truth.
- He emphasizes knowing the Gospel deeply so that believers can influence culture rather than be swayed by it.
- Jack calls believers to honor tradition but warns not to let it prevent reaching the lost in unexpected places.
Evangelist Ben Jack stresses the importance of bringing the message of Jesus into places that desperately need hope, reminding us to remain true to the Gospel without watering it down.
Jack’s experience as a missionary in UK nightclubs taught him that knowing and living the Gospel is essential for Christians working in environments that challenge their faith.
“If we don’t know the Gospel deeply, richly and above everything else, when we go into the world to engage culturally it is culture that will evangelise us, rather than we who will evangelise into the culture,” he said.
He warned that good intentions can be undermined when Christians change the Gospel in their efforts to fit cultural expectations, losing the core message people truly need.
Jack urged that meeting practical needs should never take precedence over sharing the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Before we know it, we do what Paul warned us against in Galatians and we either add something to the Gospel that shouldn’t be there or, more likely, we take something away from the Gospel and we turn it into no Gospel at all – and there is no point to no Gospel at all.”
Jack encouraged believers to trust that the Gospel is always enough, and to use culture wisely as a tool for outreach while being anchored in faith.
Tradition, while valuable, should not stop Christians from faithfully reaching the world’s most neglected corners.
“If we get too trapped into our traditional ways of doing things, we will never go into the nightclub spaces because we will think ‘no, no, we mustn’t do that, we can’t do that, our tradition dictates that that is not a place for us to go and be’.”
He concluded by challenging Christians to remain rooted in the Gospel above all.
He urged them to be willing to step beyond comfort to be a faithful light in dark places.
Stand strong in your faith, let God’s Word be your guide, and let the true message of Jesus Christ shine wherever you go.
Remain vigilant not to let anything take away from or add to the Gospel, trusting in its power to transform lives for God’s glory.
Faith Facts
- A missionary journey to France highlighted the faith and endurance required during unexpected challenges.
- Christian communities in France are reviving old monasteries and convents for ministry and education.
- Personal stories of perseverance underscored the importance of prayer, fellowship, and God’s provision.
Before dawn in Chartres, France, weary travelers navigated the medieval city’s sidewalk detours while seeking their rideshare to the airport. Street repairs and roadblocks made the journey difficult, but the sense of partnership and prayer offered encouragement.
“Hello, I am your driver,” the driver assured in a message, confirming arrival before a tense wait ended with successful pickup.
A friend’s suggestion led to this journey, focusing on churches restoring abandoned monasteries and spreading Christian outreach across France. Each visit testified to the persistence and hope within God’s family, despite language barriers and physical setbacks.
Acts of kindness from locals helped the travelers overcome obstacles, reminding them of how God provides through others. Personal challenges, such as illness and injury, were met with gratitude and faith that God opens doors and sustains His children during trials.
This trip showcased believers in France dedicating renewed spaces for ministry and learning. Even amidst the exhaustion of travel, the reassurance of God’s guidance brought comfort and strength.
“Please stay put,” the traveler requested, trusting language and intentions would be understood in a foreign land.
In every challenge, faith, prayer, and Christian fellowship reminded these travelers—and readers—how God works through perseverance and trust.
Read more about Christian journeys in France at Christian Chronicle.
Faith Facts
- Over 550 Christian leaders and parliamentarians gathered for the 28th European Parliament Prayer Breakfast in Brussels.
- The event emphasized prayer, fellowship, and unity, with each attendee praying the Lord’s Prayer in their native language.
- The European Evangelical Alliance facilitated sessions on Christian advocacy and biblical integrity, encouraging a courageous evangelical voice.
Christian parliamentarians and leaders from across Europe assembled in Brussels for the significant 28th European Parliament Prayer Breakfast, focusing on prayer, fellowship, and collaboration firmly rooted in biblical values. The event’s humble cafeteria setting brought believers together to seek God’s guidance for Europe amid today’s challenges.
“It was a wonderful experience to worship and pray with 550 Members of the European Parliament, Christian politicians from many other countries, and Christian leaders at the European Parliament Prayer Breakfast,” Janet Epp Buckingham shared.
The European Evangelical Alliance welcomed leaders from many countries, emphasizing unity in Christ and intentional networking for greater impact. Strategic discussions and prayer reinforced a shared commitment to strengthening Christian witness and encouraging action for the common good.
The Prayer Breakfast continues the vision of Europe’s founding Christian leaders, prioritizing relationships and sacrificial love modeled after Christ’s teachings. Let us remain steadfast, praying for leaders to act with courage and biblical conviction as they serve Europe in these pivotal times.
Faith Facts
- YouVersion named Isaiah 41:10 as its most engaged verse for the fourth time in six years.
- Global Bible Month in November drove record-breaking Bible engagement on the app.
- YouVersion’s Bible App family surpassed one billion installs, offering Scripture in more than 2,300 languages.
God’s Word is reaching hearts worldwide as millions turn to Scripture for comfort and guidance, especially amid anxious times. Isaiah 41:10’s enduring message of divine strength and presence continues to reassure believers across the globe.
“I think this verse keeps rising to the top because it addresses one of our deepest needs, the assurance that we’re not alone.”
Bobby Gruenewald, Founder and CEO of YouVersion.
YouVersion’s historic November marked the highest Bible engagement yet, with over 19 million people opening the app on a single day and a 19% increase in daily use compared to the previous year. The 30-Day Bible Challenge inspired enduring habits of daily reading, reflecting a growing hunger for spiritual truth.
On January 1, more than 3 million individuals subscribed to year-long Bible reading plans, while Holy Week sparked a surge in prayer creation and scripture sharing. Unusual patterns of increased weekly engagement from late August through November highlight a global movement of spiritual awakening.
“We’re witnessing a global movement.”
Bobby Gruenewald.
“People are hungry for what’s real and true… These numbers represent millions of changed lives.”
Bible engagement soared in every region, with remarkable rises in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and North America. Top search topics on the app included “love,” “anxiety,” and “peace.”
Each second this year, believers completed Bible Plan days and interacted with verse features in ways that reflect a thriving global Christian community. Anchored in faith, YouVersion continues to equip families to read God’s Word daily, promoting biblical values and unity across cultures.
Stay rooted in Scripture and help spread God’s truth by sharing this resource with your community.
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