Blog Archives - LHF Ministries

After Years of Decline, Catholics See Rise in Number of Future Priests

9/30/2013

After decades of glum trends—fewer priests, fewer parishes—the Catholic Church in the United States has a new statistic to cheer: More men are now enrolled in graduate-level seminaries, the main pipeline to the priesthood, than in nearly two decades.

This year’s tally of 3,694 graduate theology students represents a 16 percent increase since 1995 and a 10 percent jump since 2005, according to Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA).

Boko Harem Attacks Escalate Ahead of Independence Day

9/30/2013

Islamist sect Boko Haram has attacked a college, Christian settlement and a number of villages in the last fortnight, in an apparent escalation of attacks on civilian targets in the run-up to Nigeria’s Independence Day on 1 October.

Over 40 students reportedly died when suspected Boko Haram gunmen attacked male hostels at the College of Agriculture in Gujba, a rural area approximately 50 km south of the Yobe State capital, Damaturu in north eastern Nigeria, during the early hours of 30 September. Survivors report that the gunmen, some of whom were dressed in military fatigues, killed several students in their beds, while others were forced outside, divided into groups, and then executed group by group. Those attempting to flee were also shot, and several classrooms were set ablaze. The overwhelming majority of victims were Muslims.

Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree Partners with K-LOVE Radio

9/30/2013

Angel Tree, a program of Prison Fellowship Ministries, has recently announced a special partnership with K-LOVE radio during its Fall Pledge Drive.

For each new $40 per month commitment to K-LOVE, Prison Fellowship will help make sure that one Angel Tree child receives a Christmas gift, the Gospel, and a message of love from their parent who is in prison.

Executive Leaves Company to Live All In for God

9/26/2013

Michael Phillips, minority owner and one of the original architects of the award-winning Louisiana IT firm Sparkhound, has announced he is leaving one of the fastest growing IT firms in the country to form a new organization dedicated to promoting his Christian faith. The organization is called All In, and was created to address the common fears, misconceptions and stereotypes that people have about Christianity.

The inspiration for the ALL IN Movement started last summer when Phillips gave his truck to a complete stranger in a store parking lot.

'America's Got Talent' Showcased His Smile

9/26/2013

It was meteoric, the way Sean Panikkar's summer unfolded.

One minute he was teaching a biblical worldview class for the youth at his church, Fellowship Baptist in Saline, Mich., and the next he was competing in the finals of the hit TV show "America's Got Talent."

The tenor opera trio Forte -- of Panikkar, Josh Page and Fernando Varela -- came in fourth in the competition, which ended Sept. 18. They finished their run on America's Got Talent with a finals night performance alongside pop-opera star Josh Groban, who said the group has a "bright future."

David Vigil: The Decapitated Church

9/26/2013

When studying church history, some of the most fascinating individuals we meet are the martyrs. These are the untold multitudes who, when given a simple opportunity to deny Christ, found it easier to stand for their faith and die rather than disavow the One who was sacrificed in their stead.

They faced agony and torture of a magnitude that so few of us can comprehend. They were flogged, impaled, crucified, eaten by lions, forced to fight to the death in coliseums and decapitated.

Were they not like us? Would they not have loved to live lives of peace and prosperity in the name of Christ instead? Would they not have loved to sit in our beautiful air-conditioned edifices with state-of-the-art sound, lights and videography?

Connie's Insights 'Adopts' New Article

9/26/2013

Click on the picture above to go directly to this article

I have been a christian for 32 years and only in the last few months have I really begun to understand what it meant for God at that moment. He loved me long before I chose Him, yet He adopted me into His family with open arms. I have been angry with Him, I have had times when I have pushed Him away, I have run and I have drawn closer to Him. Not once has He ever left me or thought of tossing me out of His family.

Cuban Church Leaders Publish Joint Declaration on Religious Freedom

9/25/2013

Cuban religious leaders finished a visit to Washington, DC last week by publishing a joint declaration called “Thirty Questions for the Cuban Government”. Reverend Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso, Missionary Yoaxis Marcheco Suarez and Apostle Omar Gude Perez drafted the statement and questions which they say show that freedom of religion or belief is not respected in Cuba.

The members of the group, who represent both a legally recognized, historic religious organization and a newer religious movement considered by the Cuban government to be illegal, spent a week in Washington, DC in a visit facilitated by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). They met with policy makers and NGOs to brief them on continued violations of freedom of religion or belief in Cuba.

Addiction Does Not Discriminate: Women and Porn

9/25/2013

While it may come as a shock to some that women are in danger of the personal harms of pornography, the porn industry isn’t since it has been prospering from it. Many women today are consuming porn at a competitive rate. Porn addiction can sometimes be seen as a male problem, which is understandable as men are 543% more likely to look at porn than women. However, there are plenty of women who choose to view it. About one third of the people viewing pornography regularly are women and 17% of women say they are addicted.

Women are at particular risk because this issue is talked about so seldom. If a man admits to an addiction to porn, he is lauded for his bravery to work through it. If a woman admits it, she is shameful and shocking. This needs to change. Churches, communities, and resource networks need to have an open-door policy that eradicates this double standard and makes it safe for women to seek the help they need.

Pope Francis—Striking Out or Hitting a Home Run?

9/25/2013

Cardinal Timothy Dolan is certainly right when he says that Pope Francis “wants to shake us [Catholics] up.” But is he doing more harm than good?

Among his most quoted recent statements are:

“I see the church as a field hospital after battle. It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol and about the level of his blood sugars. You have to heal his wounds. Then we can talk about everything else.”

And, “The most important thing is the first proclamation: Jesus Christ has saved you. And the ministers of the Church must be ministers of mercy above all.”