Street preacher Paul Shoro was asked to remove his "Jesus Saves" T-shirt or leave the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. Video recorded and shared on Facebook shows a mall security guard telling the preacher that "Jesus is associated with religion and it's offending people." The shirt also stated "Jesus is the only way" with the term "co-exist" crossed out. When Shoro tried to explain to the security guard that his T-shirt wasn't about religion but eternal life, the guard told him it was the same thing and said, "All we are asking you to do is take your shirt off." Shoro insisted he "didn't speak" or "say anything" to anyone, but the security guard pushed back, saying, "If you want to shop here, you need to take that shirt off ... it is religious soliciting, there is no soliciting on property that is private property." An officer eventually intervened, and Shoro was ultimately told that he was "good to go" in the mall with his shirt intact. The preacher previously received a 24-hour suspension for handing out tracts at the mall. Read more.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin criticized Fairfax County Public Schools for spending $450,000 on an "equity" coach as district officials neglected to inform students of the national merit recognition in time for them to apply for scholarships. In an interview with local news outlet WJLA-TV, Youngkin called out administrators who "decided that they were going to systematically withhold accolades and a path to college admission and scholarships for high-performing students," adding, "We have a superintendent in Fairfax Schools who has explicitly stated that her top objective is equal outcomes for all students regardless of the price. Now, we know the price includes paying $450,000 to a liberal consultant to come in and teach the administrators in Fairfax County how to do this." Youngkin's comments come less than two weeks after he ordered Virginia's Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares to investigate whether or not "information about National Merit Awards, as determined by student PSAT scores, was withheld from students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology until after important deadlines for college scholarships had passed." The school district pointed to "human error" as a likely culprit, however, Miyares has subsequently identified two additional schools that may have also withheld National Merit Recognition from students. WJLA-TV on Friday reported that at least seven Fairfax County schools, four schools in neighboring Loudoun County and two high schools in Prince William County didn't inform students of the recognition. Read more.

Is Congress Christian? A recent Pew Research Center study explores the religious composition of the 118th Congress—and the findings are pretty stunning. In this episode of "The Inside Story," CP reporter Ian M. Giatti joins the show to explain why the House and Senate are way more Christian "on paper" than the general public, and why it matters. Giatti notes that, while it is an interesting find, there is a disconnect between the religious designation and what Congress tends to legislatively pass. He believes these religious identifications could have much to do with "how lawmakers view the identification of 'Christian' as a way to further their own self-interest." Listen now.

In this editorial, Wallace B. Henley writes about why churches must focus on developing a "Jesus church" instead of being motivated by growth and popularity. Henley reflects on Jesus' daily routines as He prepared to minister to the crowds and equip His disciples, explaining that Jesus worshipped, interceded, proclaimed the Gospel, made disciples, and served human need in the name of His Father. Read more.

Dr. G. Richard Olds, president of St. George's University, discusses the shortage of doctors in rural America and how internationally trained medical professionals—many of whom are U.S. citizens that obtained their education abroad—are filling in the gaps in patient care in these communities. Olds outlines three ways the U.S. can combat an impending wave of retirements among primary care physicians over the next decade and strengthen the pipeline of rural doctors. Read the list here.

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The Open Doors US 2023 World Watch List report has named North Korea the world's worst persecutor of Christians. While Afghanistan took the top spot last year, North Korea reclaimed the position due in part to its "anti-reactionary thought law," which Open Doors US Interim CEO Lisa Pearce described as a "way to legitimize persecuting anybody who has any literature, anything of Western influence," including the Bible. Pearce told CP the law was "another reason" for North Korea's presence at the top of the list but acknowledged that "in practice, it’s difficult for things to be more brutal for the Church than they already were." Open Doors US also cited a comment from North Korean escapee Timothy Cho, who explained the Kim dynasty's "aim is to wipe out every Christian in the country. There can only be one god in North Korea, and that is the Kim family." Other countries on the top 10 list include Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Sudan. Read more.

Actor Brendan Fraser used his acceptance speech at the 28th Critics Choice Awards to encourage anyone struggling to find "the light in a dark place." Fraser, who made an impressive comeback with his performance in "The Whale," won Best Actor for his starring role as Charlie, a 600-pound man nearing the end of his life who tries to build a relationship with his estranged daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink). "If you, like a guy like Charlie, who I played in this movie, in any way, struggle with obesity, or you just feel like you’re in a dark sea, I want you to know that you, too, can have the strength to just get to your feet and go to the light, good things will happen," the star stated. Read more.

2023 Mardi Gras parade organizers have rescinded their invitation for Mel Gibson to be the parade's Grand Marshal after facing criticism from a coalition of Jewish and interfaith groups. The Krewe of Endymion, which runs the largest Mardis Gras parade in New Orleans, La., initially named Gibson the co-grand marshal in early January. However, Krewe of Endymion President Dan Kelly told a local CBS affiliate Gibson was dropped from their plans, stating, "The Krewe of Endymion has received significant feedback about our grand marshal announcement yesterday evening. Some of this commentary included threats that cause us great concern. In the best interest of the safety of our riders, special guests and everyone that welcomes us on the streets, Mel Gibson will not ride as a Co-Grand Marshal for our 2023 parade." A joint statement from the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, the Greater New Orleans Clergy Council, and the Jewish Community Relations Council in response to Gibson's removal indicated the groups were "appalled" by Gibson's initial selection, calling it "completely insulting and shortsighted." Gibson nearly lost his Hollywood career in 2006 after an anti-Semitic rant that alleged Jews were to blame "for all the wars in the world." He later issued an apology. Read more.