Faith Facts

• A Muslim man in Pakistan threatened to kill a Christian woman unless she converted to Islam and married him
• Pakistani police arrested the suspect on Easter Sunday following reports from the victim’s family
• This incident highlights ongoing religious persecution faced by Christian minorities in Pakistan

In a stark reminder of the persecution Christians face around the world, a young Christian woman in Pakistan received a terrifying ultimatum from a Muslim man: convert to Islam and marry him, or face death. The threat underscores the ongoing dangers faced by religious minorities in the predominantly Muslim nation.

According to the victim’s family, the suspect issued the deadly threat, attempting to coerce the woman into abandoning her Christian faith. Such incidents reveal the vulnerability of Pakistan’s Christian community, which represents less than 2% of the country’s population and frequently endures discrimination, violence, and forced conversions.

Pakistani authorities took action on Easter Sunday, arresting the Muslim man accused of making the threat. The timing of the arrest on Christianity’s holiest day carries particular significance, as believers worldwide celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ while this young woman faced threats to her faith and her life.

This case exemplifies a disturbing pattern in Pakistan, where Christian women and girls are particularly vulnerable to abduction, forced conversion, and forced marriage. Human rights organizations have documented numerous similar cases, though many go unreported due to fear of retaliation or lack of legal recourse.

The Christian community in Pakistan regularly faces challenges in practicing their faith freely, with incidents ranging from blasphemy accusations to violent attacks on churches and Christian neighborhoods. Despite constitutional protections for religious minorities, enforcement remains inconsistent, and societal pressures often make life difficult for those who refuse to conform to the Islamic majority.

Religious freedom advocates continue to call for stronger protections for Pakistan’s vulnerable Christian population. The arrest in this case represents a small step toward justice, though much work remains to ensure all people can worship according to their conscience without fear of violence or coercion.

For American Christians, this incident serves as a sobering reminder of the blessings of religious liberty we enjoy and the responsibility to pray for and support our persecuted brothers and sisters around the globe. While we celebrate our freedom to worship openly, millions of believers worldwide risk their lives simply for professing faith in Jesus Christ.

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Faith Facts

• A 90-year-old Connecticut man suffered cardiac arrest during Easter Sunday services and was clinically dead before being revived by fellow church members.
• Walter Gay reports that during his near-death experience, Jesus told him it wasn’t his time and sent him back to Earth.
• Quick action by trained congregation members using CPR and an AED saved his life, demonstrating the importance of emergency preparedness in houses of worship.

Walter Gay never expected Easter Sunday 2025 to become the most significant day of his spiritual journey. The 90-year-old faithful member of First Congregational Church in Branford, Connecticut, collapsed during services after suffering what medical professionals described as a massive cardiac episode.

What happened next has strengthened the faith of an entire congregation. As Gay’s heart stopped beating, trained members of the church immediately began CPR while others retrieved the church’s automated external defibrillator (AED).

But Gay’s account of those critical moments goes beyond the physical realm. According to the nonagenarian, while his body lay motionless in the sanctuary, his spirit was elsewhere.

Jesus told me it wasn’t my time. He sent me back to Earth, Gay shared with fellow church members after his recovery.

The timing of the incident—Easter Sunday, the holiest day in the Christian calendar celebrating Christ’s resurrection—was not lost on the congregation. Many saw profound meaning in a man being brought back from the brink of death on the very day Christians worldwide celebrate victory over death itself.

The swift response of church members proved critical to Gay’s survival. Studies show that immediate CPR can double or triple survival rates from cardiac arrest, and every minute without intervention decreases survival chances by 10 percent.

Emergency medical services arrived within minutes and transported Gay to a local hospital, where doctors confirmed he had indeed suffered a major cardiac event. His survival and recovery have been described by medical staff as remarkable given his age and the severity of the episode.

First Congregational Church has long maintained emergency preparedness training for its members, including CPR certification and the presence of life-saving equipment like the AED. This preparation, combined with what many in the congregation believe was divine intervention, resulted in Gay’s miraculous survival.

The incident has sparked renewed interest in emergency preparedness among churches across Connecticut. Many congregations are now inquiring about CPR training and AED installation, recognizing that houses of worship often serve elderly populations who may be at higher risk for cardiac events.

For Gay and his church family, the experience has deepened their Easter faith. The day that celebrates Christ conquering death became personal testimony of God’s power over life and death.

Near-death experiences have been documented throughout Christian history, with many believers reporting encounters with Jesus or glimpses of heaven during moments when they were clinically dead. While skeptics offer naturalistic explanations, for people of faith, these accounts serve as powerful reminders of the reality of the spiritual realm.

Walter Gay’s testimony joins countless others who have reported divine encounters during medical emergencies. His story resonates particularly with Christians who believe in the power of prayer, the reality of Christ’s presence, and God’s sovereignty over the timing of our lives.

The 90-year-old has since returned to regular attendance at First Congregational Church, where his presence serves as a living reminder of both human preparedness and divine providence working together. His experience has encouraged others in the congregation to get trained in life-saving techniques while maintaining faith that God holds the ultimate authority over life and death.

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Faith Facts

• Rev. Jeremy Shoulta, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia, passed away at age 42 after a yearlong battle with cancer.
• Shoulta previously served as pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, where former President Jimmy Carter was a longtime member and Sunday School teacher.
• The faith community mourns the loss of a dedicated shepherd who impacted countless lives through his ministry and service to God’s people.

The Christian community is mourning the loss of Rev. Jeremy Shoulta, a faithful servant of God who devoted his life to pastoral ministry and touched countless lives through his service. The 42-year-old senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia, passed away following a courageous yearlong battle with cancer.

Shoulta’s pastoral journey included a notable tenure at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, the home church of former President Jimmy Carter. During his time there, he served alongside the former president, who was known for his dedication to teaching Sunday School and his active involvement in the church community.

The young pastor’s untimely death serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of faithful service in whatever time the Lord grants us. Despite facing a serious illness, Shoulta continued to shepherd his flock and remain committed to his calling.

At First Baptist Church in Gainesville, Shoulta led a congregation with dedication and biblical faithfulness. His legacy extends beyond the pulpit to the individual lives he influenced through counseling, teaching, and personal discipleship.

The loss of a pastor in the prime of his ministry is particularly difficult for church communities. Young pastors like Shoulta bring energy, vision, and a deep commitment to their congregations, making their passing all the more profound for those left behind.

As believers, we are reminded that God’s purposes often transcend our understanding. While Shoulta’s death at such a young age raises questions about timing and God’s plan, Christians trust in the sovereignty of a loving Father who works all things together for good.

The pastor’s battle with cancer, though ultimately ending in physical death, also testifies to the hope Christians have in eternal life. For those who follow Christ, death is not the end but rather a transition to glory in the presence of our Savior.

Churches across Georgia and beyond are lifting up Shoulta’s family in prayer during this difficult time. The pastoral community understands the unique challenges facing ministry families, especially when dealing with illness and loss in the public eye.

Shoulta’s ministry touched two significant Georgia congregations, leaving a lasting impact on both communities. His faithful service stands as an example to other pastors and church leaders of dedication to God’s calling regardless of personal circumstances.

The connection to President Carter’s church highlights Shoulta’s involvement in a historic Georgia congregation with deep roots in American Christian life. Maranatha Baptist Church has long been known for the former president’s commitment to biblical teaching and service.

As the body of Christ, we grieve those who have fallen asleep in Jesus, yet we do not grieve as those without hope. The promise of resurrection and eternal life with Christ sustains believers even in the darkest valleys of loss and sorrow.

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