Faith Facts

• A provision in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act could eliminate tax benefits for seminary and ministry students pursuing religious education
• Christian college and seminary presidents are warning the measure will create financial hardship for those answering the call to ministry
• The legislation represents the Trump administration’s most significant domestic policy push but has drawn concern from faith-based education leaders

Christian college and seminary presidents are raising concerns about a provision buried within President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy legislation that could significantly impact students preparing for ministry and religious vocations.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which represents the Trump administration’s flagship domestic agenda, contains language that faith-based education leaders say will create new financial burdens for those pursuing degrees in ministry and religious studies.

Leaders of Christian institutions are now speaking publicly about the unintended consequences this provision may have on the next generation of pastors, missionaries, and religious educators. The measure could eliminate certain tax benefits currently available to students enrolled in seminary and ministry training programs.

While the broader legislation aims to advance conservative policy priorities, this particular provision has created an unusual split between the administration and some of its strongest supporters in the faith community. Christian educators are urging lawmakers to reconsider the language before final passage.

The concerns highlight the complex challenges facing religious education in America, where rising costs already make seminary training increasingly difficult for many called to ministry. Faith leaders worry that additional financial obstacles could discourage young Christians from pursuing full-time religious vocations.

As the legislation moves through Congress, Christian college presidents are mobilizing their communities to contact representatives and request amendments that would protect students in ministry training programs. They emphasize their support for the president’s broader agenda while seeking relief on this specific issue.

The situation underscores the importance of careful legislative review, particularly when major policy packages could affect faith-based institutions that serve as the training ground for America’s religious leaders. Christian educators are hopeful that engagement with lawmakers will lead to a solution that preserves support for those preparing for ministry.

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

Faith Facts

• Fresh Life Church co-pastor Jennie Lusko is releasing a new devotional titled ‘Fresh Mercies Every Day’ on June 2
• Lusko has openly shared her journey of grief following the death of her 5-year-old daughter
• Her upcoming book focuses on finding God’s faithfulness through suffering, grief, and the need for rest

As Mother’s Day approaches, Jennie Lusko, co-pastor of Fresh Life Church, is opening her heart about one of life’s most devastating experiences: losing a child. Her upcoming devotional, “Fresh Mercies Every Day,” set to release June 2, draws from her deeply personal journey through grief and her discovery of God’s unwavering presence in the darkest valleys.

Lusko’s story resonates with countless mothers who have faced unimaginable loss. The death of her 5-year-old daughter became a watershed moment that tested her faith to its core. Yet rather than turning away from God in anger or despair, she found herself drawn closer to the only source of true comfort and hope.

The forthcoming devotional addresses themes that many Christians grapple with but few discuss openly: the reality of grief in the life of a believer, the biblical necessity of rest, and God’s faithfulness even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises. These aren’t abstract theological concepts for Lusko—they represent hard-won truths forged in the furnace of personal tragedy.

Her willingness to share her story provides a powerful testimony to other believers walking through their own seasons of suffering. In a culture that often demands we present a polished, pain-free image to the world, Lusko’s authenticity offers a refreshing alternative rooted in biblical honesty about the human condition.

The timing of her book’s release, just after Mother’s Day, acknowledges the complex emotions many women experience during this holiday. For mothers who have lost children, Mother’s Day can bring a fresh wave of grief alongside precious memories. Lusko’s ministry to these hurting hearts demonstrates the body of Christ at its best—bearing one another’s burdens and pointing toward eternal hope.

Her message emphasizes that God’s mercies are indeed new every morning, even when mornings feel unbearable. This biblical truth from Lamentations 3:22-23 takes on profound meaning when processed through the lens of profound loss. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, and His mercies never come to an end—they are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness.

As co-pastor alongside her husband at Fresh Life Church, Jennie Lusko has built a ministry characterized by transparency and reliance on Scripture. Her upcoming devotional promises to continue this pattern, offering daily encouragement grounded in God’s Word rather than empty platitudes or superficial positivity.

For Christians navigating their own grief, whether from loss of a loved one, broken dreams, or other trials, “Fresh Mercies Every Day” offers the hope that healing is possible without denying the reality of pain. It’s a message the American church needs—one that acknowledges suffering while pointing steadfastly toward the God who redeems all things.

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

Faith Facts

• Greg Locke, pastor of Global Vision Bible Church in Lebanon, Tennessee, announced the death of his 20-year-old son, Evan Roberts Locke
• The young man died from a drug overdose, highlighting the ongoing epidemic affecting families across America
• Pastor Locke has been transparent about his family’s struggles, using this tragedy to minister to others facing similar battles

Greg Locke, the outspoken pastor of Global Vision Bible Church in Lebanon, Tennessee, shared devastating news with his congregation and followers on Friday. His son, Evan Roberts Locke, just 20 years old, has passed away from a drug overdose.

The tragedy serves as a sobering reminder that the drug crisis in America spares no family, regardless of faith, position, or social standing. Even pastors and ministry leaders face the heartbreak of addiction’s grip on their loved ones.

Pastor Locke has built a reputation for bold, uncompromising preaching and advocacy for Christian values in the public square. Now, he faces one of the most painful trials a parent can endure—the loss of a child.

The opioid and drug epidemic continues to devastate communities across our nation, claiming tens of thousands of lives each year. Christian families are not immune to this scourge, and many in the faith community are calling for both spiritual revival and practical solutions to address the crisis.

This heartbreaking loss reminds us of the importance of prayer, community support, and the desperate need for effective intervention in the lives of those struggling with addiction. It also underscores the reality that behind every statistic is a real family experiencing unimaginable grief.

As the body of Christ, we are called to bear one another’s burdens and support families walking through the valley of the shadow of death. The Locke family will undoubtedly need the prayers and support of believers across the country during this incredibly difficult time.

This tragedy also highlights the need for churches to address addiction openly and compassionately, providing resources and support for families battling this epidemic within their own homes.

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