Breaking Christian News on The Gospel Herald

Kevin Labby, senior pastor at Willow Creek Church in Florida this week proclaimed disgraced pastor and grandson of evangelist Billy Graham, Tullian Tchivijian, should not be in ministry. Tchivijian used to minister at Willow Creek with Labby, who released a statement on Thursday stating Tchivijian needs to "pursue healing and renewal" before any return to ministry. Tchividjian's sordid sexual sins wrecked his marriage and ministry after they were publicly exposed in the summer of 2015.

Dolly Parton reunited with fellow cast members on red carpet at Dollywood last week to celebrate the premiere of "Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love." The movie airs Nov. 30 on NBC at 8 p.m. CST, and focuses on a Christmas miracle. Christian attitude is the backbone of the new film. "Hi, Lord, it's Dolly-I'm back!" says Alyvia Alyn Lind who plays a nine-year-old Parton living in Tennessee in the 1950s.

"The only explanation for everything God has done at NCC over the past 20 years is five words that Jesus declared 2,000 years ago - I will build my church," declared Mark Batterson, lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C., as congregants celebrate two decades of existence this year. NCC, referred to as "the theater church, is one creative church in eight unique locations in the DC metro area; it started from three people on the first Sunday service in 1996 to now a large group of Christians who supported 34 mission trips this year.

Recently, 3,000 religious leaders and emerging leaders from 95 countries came together at NYC's Jacob Javits Convention Center for Movement Day Global Cities (MDGC), modeling a commitment to visible unity in the body of Christ while drawing attention to social issues across the globe, especially in Syria, India and China.

Evangelist Franklin Graham, who headed the 2016 Decision America Tour across the 50 U.S. state capitols, stated on Facebook today that many U.S. citizens didn't understand "the God-factor" in this year's presidential election.

Inspired by the true story of an elderly man, who in his youth witnessed the horrors of the Jewish Holocaust from the pews of his Church, the short movie "Sing a Little Louder" provides stunning messages and revelations of genocides that continue to exist.

Two high-profile legal briefs were filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals on Monday evening on behalf of Coach Joe Kennedy, a Bremerton High School football coach who was fired for taking a knee at the 50-yard line and offering a brief, private prayer after high school football games.

"America's pastor," Rev. Billy Graham turns 98 years old today (Nov. 7). His family said he would appreciate everyone's prayers. The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C., will hold a celebration in his honor Monday, which is free to the public with cake and a banner signing.

This week, over 3,000 Christian leaders and emerging leaders from 86 countries are gathering in New York City for the 6th annual "Movement Day Global Cities" (MDGC) to discuss how to collaboratively impact their respective cities through the gospel.

Congregants of a suburban Chicago megachurch initiated a "love" campaign to counter ugly presidential campaign rhetoric as well as concerning cultural developments. Pastor Steve Carter of the Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., said the initiative also in response to racism and recent world events, including wars in the Middle East.

Kirk Cameron believes that during this pivotal moment in America's history, our nation needs divine intervention and a spiritual revival more than ever before.

The youngest contestant in the history of CBS reality TV show "Survivor" brought a Bible with him into the competition, and aspires to be a pastor in real life. Will Wahl, 18, recently debuted on the show's new season premiere; he hails from Trinity United Methodist Church in Hackettstown, N.J. His fellow congregants are delighted he is using this national platform to bear witness to his faith.

World Communion Sunday is celebrated by several Christian denominations with an offering during the first Sunday of October each year. It is a time about being in communion with Christians all over the world, who are pressing toward the goal of serving God in life-changing ministries.

For the last 25 years, an annual prayer event entitled "See You at the Pole" encouraged students to unite to ask God to intercede for their generation. This year's global prayer observation kicks off Sept. 28 at 7 a.m. local times. "We Cry Out" is the 2016 theme.

Some of today's biggest social challenges will be the subject of a massive conference at NYC's Jacob Javits Center on October 25-27, when an expected 3,000 Christian leaders and emerging leaders from 86 countries gather for "Movement Day Global Cities" (MDGC).

Husband-and-wife singing duo Joey+Rory believed God would give them a great story, and He did. Fans are still mourning Joey Feek's death to cervical cancer at only age 40, but now can attend a special movie event about this couple's life of love and hope in select theaters on one of two nights: Sept. 20 and Oct. 6. Click here to explore which theaters will show the movie.

"The Dalit (revolt) issue is the single most significant civil rights issue in the world, and maybe in world history," said the Most Rev. Dr. Joseph D'Souza on Friday after India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the caste system that has disenfranchised hundred-of-millions of Indians for centuries. The Dalit Uprising began in the Indian state of Gujarat in July.

When employment circumstances are not ideal, it may be easy to forget God truly sees earnest efforts and that Bible verses promise that labor will be rewarded. Following are some uplifting and encouraging Bible verses in observation of 2016 Labor Day weekend.

Shaunae Miller, an Olympic sprinter from the Bahamas, won gold in the women's 400-meter race Tuesday night, and she gave God the glory for the victory. "I could not have done it without Him. I am so happy and so grateful," she said.

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt is known for making the sign of the cross before racing competitively. He's now also known as the first sprinter to ever win three consecutive gold medals in the 100-meter OIympic races. Part of his public reaction was to post on his Facebook page late Sunday: "Thanks for all the support my peeps ‪#‎blessed"

Team USA's 554 athletes at the 2016 Olympics are a cross-section of the nation they represent, with Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist and Muslim members, among others. With many of the winning medalists so far in Rio de Janerio immediately attributing gratefulness to God, Christians are discussing the possible extra benefits athletes get from their faith connections.

Lucy Chelton, a nine-year-old United Methodist Church cook from Sellersville, Pa., won Food Network's "Chopped Junior" children's television cooking show with an appetizer called rattlesnake nuggets with sweet-lime Hollandaise sauce, along with preparing a few other dishes. Chelton's parents are on the ministry staff of Christ UMC in Lansdale, Pa. She shared part of her $10,000 prize with FISH (Fellowship in Serving Humanity), a Pennridge area program that provides food, clothing, school supplies and other needs to low-income families with children.

Eight months after Paulette Leaphart's double mastectomy, she said God spoke to her and told her to remove her shirt. She was at the beach over Labor Day weekend at the time, and as strangers saw her scars, they started to cry but also applauded. Those unplanned minutes launched Leaphart's new personal purpose to help other survivors find beauty in their bodies - to free them.

Diverse spiritual needs for the world's athletes competing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are being met through a new "interreligious center" at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Village between now and Sept. 21. Representatives from a variety of faiths offer Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism.

For the last 25 years, an annual prayer event entitled "See You at the Pole" encouraged students to unite to ask God to intercede for their generation. This year's global prayer observation will be Sept. 28 at 7 a.m. local times. "We Cry Out" is the 2016 theme.