Prayer & Worship

Gospel singer and pastor Marvin Sapp is defending himself after a viral video sparked backlash for allegedly “holding” his congregation until $40,000 was raised, insisting the clip was taken out of context and his call to give was rooted in biblical stewardship, not manipulation. Sapp explained the directive to close the doors was meant to maintain focus and safety during a sacred moment of giving, not to pressure attendees.

Mel Gibson’s long-anticipated sequel The Resurrection of the Christ is set to begin filming in August at Italy’s Cinecittà Studios, with a non-linear storyline exploring the cosmic battle between good and evil surrounding Jesus’ resurrection. Slated for a 2026 release, the film promises a deeper dive into spiritual realms and gospel events, expanding on the brief resurrection moment depicted in The Passion of the Christ.

T.D. Jakes revealed that a “slight health incident” he experienced on stage in November 2024 was actually a massive heart attack that nearly claimed his life, describing a peaceful near-death encounter and miraculous recovery. His emotional testimony comes amid ongoing legal battles, including a defamation lawsuit tied to sexual misconduct allegations, which he firmly denies.

Shahar Isaac, Israeli actor and former IDF veteran known for portraying Simon Peter in The Chosen, has called on the United States to apply pressure on Hamas for the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Speaking passionately at a press event, Isaac emphasized the urgency of action, describing the hostages’ inhumane conditions and expressing deep solidarity with the victims and their families.

It’s largely believed by mainstream media that COVID-19 eroded the trust of the American public regarding vaccines in general. There are multiple reasons that this distrust occurred. The American Academy of Family Physicians reported on an informal poll conducted by BMJ Journal, which sought to gain insights into this. A series of open-ended questions were asked of those specifically in the Black and Latino communities. Five common reasons were found:The safety of the vaccines, including vaccine ingredients and a belief that the vaccines were the direct cause of some deaths.Doubts about the effectiveness of the vaccines, especially because of news stories about new variants, instances of vaccinated people who still contracted COVID-19, and reports of those who were vaccinated still passing the virus along to others.A belief that the risk of taking the vaccine (which was fast-tracked through normal FDA procedures) was greater than contracting the actual illness.Their lack of trust in institutions such as physicians, the government, and public health authorities.Concerns that outcomes differed by race or ethnicity.One other reason that isn’t uncommon is religious reasons. The National Library of Medicine notes a poll that found that about 15.4 percent of respondents worldwide chose to refuse vaccines because vaccines conflict with their religious beliefs. Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/LightFieldStudios