| | | Good afternoon! It's Friday, March 18, and today's headlines include an update on the human trafficking operation in Florida, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom's concerns for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and former NFL star Tim Tebow's latest book release. | A six-day undercover human trafficking operation in Florida ended with the arrests of 108 people, including a Disney resort lifeguard, three other Disney employees, and a retired judge. Detectives identified prostitutes who posted online advertisements, individuals seeking out the prostitutes, and adults who engaged in online sexually charged communications with those they believed were children, the sheriff’s office said. Undercover detectives then communicated online with the suspects before meeting them in person and arresting them. Anti-trafficking organizations also participated in the operation, speaking with prostitutes and offering them counseling and services. In response to the arrests, Disney told CBS News that three of the workers have been placed on unpaid leave, while the fourth is not currently an employee of the company. Continue reading.In Case You Missed It ... | |
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| The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the top religious freedom watchdog panel in the United States, has warned that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church could be in “jeopardy” if Russia expands control over Ukraine. The panel, which advises Congress and the federal government on religious freedom matters, announced Tuesday there could be egregious religious freedom violations should Russia be successful in taking over Ukraine. USCIRF Commissioner James W. Carr stated Wednesday, "There is a direct relationship between religious freedom violations and the dismantling of civil society in and by Russia." Continue reading. | Also of Interest... | | | Citigroup, one of the largest banks in the United States, has announced its intention to pay for employees’ abortions in a definitive proxy statement submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ahead of its annual shareholder meeting, which is for scheduled for April 26. “In response to changes in reproductive healthcare laws in certain states in the U.S., beginning in 2022, we provide travel benefits to facilitate access to adequate resources,” the statement reads. Continue reading. |
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| Christian Post Executive Editor Richard D. Land discusses the findings from a recent Quinnipiac University Poll, which revealed that only 55% of Americans would stay and fight if they were in the same position as Ukrainians are now. Land deep dives into key insights provided through the research, noting how society's drive to accept humanism's notion that there are no absolutes and morality is relative has set America on the wrong path. "If we, as the Poll suggests, may not have enough men willing to stand up and fight, we cannot say we haven’t been warned," Land cautions. Continue reading. | | George Barna, Senior Research Fellow for the Center for Biblical Worldview at Family Research Council and the Executive Director of the American Culture and Faith Institute, discusses "bridgers"—younger Millennials that sit as a bridge at the tail end of millennials on the cusp of Gen Z—and how understanding this segment can better help people grasp what is to come with the rise of Gen Z. In this op-ed, Barna looks at the segment's approach toward basic Christianity, applied biblical principles, and life metrics, and discusses how people can reach this generation and bless them with God-given insights. Continue reading. | Also of Interest... | |
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| You want to help end global poverty? Well, here’s a new way you can start. | You see, poverty steals choices, especially from kids. It’s time to give those choices back. Instead of you searching through photos of kids you want to help, we’re flipping it all around. Now, a child can choose you as their sponsor. | Your sponsorship will empower a child with opportunities for education, food, clean water, healthcare, and the chance to create lasting change—just like you are doing. They can learn to speak up for their rights, be a leader, and help shape their community. | Miracles can unfold, both now and for generations to come. | | |
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| Stovall Weems and his wife Kerri, the founders of the 12,000-member Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Fla., have filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction that would force the megachurch to recognize Weems as their chief executive officer and settle dueling claims of financial fraud involving hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the suit, Weems says he was illegally ousted from his role as senior pastor by the church's board of trustees earlier this year when he attempted to address financial abuse involving one of the trustees. The church, meanwhile, has accused Weems and his wife of financial impropriety and banned them from church property. Continue reading. |
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| In his newly-released book, Mission Possible: Go Create a Life that Counts, Tim Tebow discusses his marriage to Demi-Leigh Tebow and how the duo have learned to compromise and work together. In an interview with PEOPLE, the former NFL star—a Christian who decided to stay pure until marriage—talks about getting to "learn and grow" with his wife, saying, "We've gotten to find the things we have in common, but also to find where we're different. We've served together, which is the most fulfilling thing. A lot of that has been through my foundation." Mission Possible is available wherever books are sold. Read more. | | Also of Interest... | | | | Thank you for spending part of your day with us. We look forward to seeing you again on Monday! -- CP Editors |
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