Crosstalk America

Pastor Ken Spilger was invited by some other pastors to fly with them to a Pastor's Conference. He was the sole survivor when it crashed just short of the runway. He tells of his near death experience of surviving a plane crash and what this did for his walk with the Lord

This week's news was highlighted by the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis where 2 children were killed. Jim provided additional related stories as well as the following: --On Wednesday, the FBI said they're investigating the Minneapolis church shooting as domestic terrorism and a hate crime and that the person said to be responsible (Robert (Robin) Westman) was a transgender person born a male but who self identified as a female. --The issue of transgender mental illness and violence has quickly moved front and center in the media and online. In fact, the term trending on X is "trans terror." --Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that there will be new studies launched into the effects of some anti-depressant drugs and their use by those who turn out to be killers. --Robert (Robin) Westman's mother is allegedly not cooperating with law enforcement. --Comments from the father of one of the two victims who died in the Minneapolis shooting. --Former Whi

In Erfurt's monastery, Luther sought salvation through strict vows and monastic rigor but found no peace—ultimately discovering only Christ's righteousness saves, echoing Hus' legacy and igniting a world-changing Reformation.

Fred Pry is Vice President of Administration for Child Evangelism Fellowship, an international, nonprofit, Christian ministry that is dedicated to see every child reached with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, discipled and established in a local church. Sadly, every 47 seconds, a child is abused or neglected. Also, every 3 hours and 33 minutes a child or teen ends their own life as suicide is the 8th leading cause of death among children ages 5-11. What is bringing such desperation to the lives of some children? Fred pointed to the loss of hope and the influences of the world that provide hollow answers that don't last. There's also the issue of social media. Fred indicated that 40% of children ages 8-12 use social media. This means that these children are impacted by peer pressure, the messages claiming they deserve certain things or that they should look or act in a certain way. Worse yet is the fact that social media can become an addiction and in the end, when the world doesn't deliver, anxiety and de

Our Christian Heritage goes "On Location" with Randy Melchert to a Princeton, NJ cemetery to find the grave of America's Founding Pastors: Jonathan Edwards, Samuel Davies, and John Witherspoon. Explore the intertwined histories of Princeton University and the prominent religious figures who shaped its early development. It highlights the legacies of Jonathan Edwards, Samuel Davies, and John Witherspoon, demonstrating how these influential ministers – pivotal figures in the Great Awakening and champions of religious freedom – also served as presidents of the institution and profoundly impacted the intellectual and spiritual landscape of America. The narrative underscores the original purpose of Princeton as a training ground for ministers dedicated to spreading the Gospel, and connects these academic leaders to the broader narrative of American patriotism and the founding of the nation.

William J. Federer is a nationally known speaker, historian, author, and president of Amerisearch, Inc. He is the speaker on "The American Minute" daily broadcast. Polls seem to show that Gen "Z" voters (age 18-29) are drawn to socialism and therefore it's this demographic that appears to be the source for the current popularity of candidates like Zohran Mamdani who is a New York State Assembly member running for mayor of New York. What's behind this appeal for socialism? William explained that there's two ways for people to give up their freedom: fear and free stuff. After WWII and the cold war, the communists couldn't defeat America from the outside so they tried doing it from the inside. It's the idea of making everyone dependent. He used the example of wild pigs. You put a post in the ground and throw some corn down. The pigs come and eat the corn and ignore the post. You keep adding posts and throwing down more and more corn. Eventually all you'll have left is a small opening for the pigs to enter the ci

Andrew Arthur is Resident Fellow in Law and Policy for the Center for Immigration Studies. He began his legal career as a clerk to an Administrative Law Judge at the United States Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review. Crosstalk receives daily updates from the Department of Homeland Security listing the arrests of what they call: The worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens. Jim listed a number of recent offenders originating from South Korea, Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Laos. Supporting such individuals are governors and mayors who are "digging in their heels" and who apparently would rather sacrifice the safety and security of their residents than remove those individuals who are here illegally. In addressing this issue, Jim had Andrew comment on a wide variety of concerns. For example: The legitimacy of asylum claims and whether this is overwhelming the judicial system. What we can learn from the news story of the illegal alien who made a U-turn that t

Jeremy Beller's father, the late James Beller, is the author of America in Crimson Red, a study in early American Baptist History The interview explores the enduring legacy of Baptist Christians who, throughout history, prioritized faith over personal safety and comfort, exemplified by figures like Patrick of Ireland and Shubal Starnes. It emphasizes that persecution and sacrifice are inherent aspects of a life devoted to Christ, and that these individuals, rather than seeking recognition, lived out their faith, leaving behind a powerful testimony of resilience and commitment. The narrative underscores the importance of defending biblical doctrine, championing the right model for the church, and upholding principles of religious liberty, ultimately revealing that Baptist history is a story of unwavering devotion to Christ and a courageous defense of faith in the face of adversity.

So many of us have not only one copy of the Bible, but several, with some of those often doing little more than collecting dust. We go to church and most everyone has a copy or one is available. Bookstores regularly have them as well. We take this for granted yet in other parts of the world, many people long to have their own copy of the Scriptures. In such places, sometimes their pastor doesn't even have a copy! Jason Woolford is out to change that. He returned to Crosstalk to reacquaint listeners with information about Mission Cry where he's president. It all began about 70 years ago when a junk dealer found a Bible in the garbage and didn't want to throw it out. He kept collecting used Bibles and before long he had a box full which he sent to India. All these years later, Mission Cry has sent nearly 500 million dollars worth of donated Bibles and Christian books to over 180 nations around the world. You may be wondering what good could possibly come from sending used English Bibles to a foreign nation? Wh

Pastor Erwin Lutzer takes us to the Johann Sebastian Bach Statue in Leipzig, Germany. "Two hundred years after the Reformation, Johann Sebastian Bach was at this church. All of us not only know him by name, but we've enjoyed his music. I think, for example, of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." You have to understand that because of the Reformation, there was this belief that music can be sacred and can be God-honoring. Bach actually believed that when he wrote music, he was, in a sense, mirroring the Trinity, because the Trinity was unified. It was in harmony."

Controversial author, drug addict, broken marriages, and a Presidential Medal of Honor recipient. Yet at the end of his life - he found Jesus! The highlight reflects on the life and late-life spiritual transformation of a prominent media figure, highlighting the profound realization that eternal significance outweighs worldly achievements. Drawing from the figure's own testimony, it emphasizes the importance of embracing each day with gratitude and trusting in God's timing, particularly in the face of mortality. The message underscores the universal truth that all individuals confront the certainty of death and the crucial decision regarding their eternal destiny, ultimately finding solace and strength through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It serves as a poignant reminder to prioritize faith and focus on what truly matters in the grand scheme of life.

In today's internet and media focused world, the news cycle can come at us like a flood. This is why it's important that we sift through it all from a Christian perspective. Jim does that each week on these News Round-Up broadcasts. Here are several examples featured from the first quarter hour: --Jim began with a number of audio clips. The first dealt with an individual openly admitting that Muslims must destroy empires such as the U.S. Next, an Islamic scholar spoke on why he believes that no sane person can love the U.S. A third came from a Muslim civil rights attorney and former director for the Florida chapter of the Council on American/Islamic Relations who discussed the role of Muslims in America on the issue of dawah. This involves converting people to Islam. --Top Trump administrative officials are drafting plans to restrict both temporary visit and legal immigration by Muslims affiliated with the revolutionary Muslim Brotherhood and other extremist groups. --President Trump said that Ukraine would h

Karen England is the Executive Director of the Capitol Resource Institute. They educate and strengthen families and engage in public policy. There have been numerous attempts to usurp parental authority here in the U.S. through the years and Crosstalk has kept listeners informed regarding such efforts. This Crosstalk looked at another such threat that's coming from the state of California. The concern deals with an act proposed by the California Assembly. It's AB495, the so-called Family Preparedness Plan Act. Karen describes it as the "Pedophile Protection Act," something that redefines the family by, for example, expanding the definition of what a relative is. This legislation is being sold as a way to help immigrant children. However, Karen described how it would allow anyone to print off a caregiver's authorization (including the child's name), sign it, check a box indicating you weren't able to get a hold of the child's parents and that you assert all medical, mental and schooling authority over that chi

Travel the museums of the world from America to London to Paris to Berlin to Israel as we search for evidence for the Bible in secular museums! Highlights include the British Museum, the Louvre, the University of Chicago, and even the Cleveland Public Library!

Our Christian Heritage goes "On Location" with Tim Schmig in Boston, MA. What happened at Holton's Shoe Store? How did a Sunday School teacher change the life of D.L. Moody? Tim Schmig explains!

Frank Gaffney is president of the Institute for the American Future, President & CEO of Save the Persecuted Christians and Vice Chairman for Committee on the Present Danger: China. He's the speaker on the Secure Freedom Minute. Frank acted as an Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Reagan Pentagon. He is author of The Indictment: Prosecuting the Chinese Communist Party & Friends for Crimes Against America, China, and the World, Sharia: The Threat to America Abridged, Guilty Knowledge: What the US Government Knows about the Vulnerability of the Electric Grid, But Refuses to Fix and additional other titles. In just a few days we'll be at the three and one-half year mark since Russia invaded Ukraine. Last Friday, President Trump met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss ending this war. Then on Monday, Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, along with a delegation of leaders from Europe, in an attempt to bring about bilateral meetings between Putin and Zelenskyy in order to re

Pastor Artur Pawlowski is pastor of Street Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is a Canadian who was born in Poland and grew up under a Communist regime seeing soldiers with machine guns and tanks on the streets. People rose up in 1981 to fight for their freedoms. Soon after, he watched the end of communism. In 1995 he immigrated to Canada and went through depression, suicidal moods and heavy drinking. He lost all his money from his escapades in traveling through Europe. As he was married in 1997 his wife introduced him to Christianity. He later became known as a street advocate and started "Street Church Ministries" which took the Gospel into the middle of the worst places for drugs and prostitution in the city of Calgary. He became the recipient of many threats in his advocacy of getting people to leave the lifestyle of drugs and various individuals have sought to shut him down. He stood up during the time of the COVID lockdowns and has faced many trials for his stand for the Gospel and for human rights.

Shahram Hadian is the Founder of Truth in Love Ministry. He is a Christian pastor and a former Muslim. Shahram was born in Iran and came to America in 1978 to escape an oppressive Islamic regime. He committed his life to Jesus Christ in 1999. He has an extensive background not only as a pastor, but also as a former police officer, teacher, coach and servant leader in his community. This past Saturday pro-Islamic and anti-Israel protesters flooded Manhattan calling for "a global intifada." New York City is nearing an election in which an Islamist Zohran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed Democratic socialist, is perhaps on the verge of being the mayor of the largest city in the United States. Further just recently exposed are Islamic city councilmen out of Hamtramck, Michigan being accused of election fraud. Minneapolis may be electing a Muslim mayor. In Illinois there is body camera footage of an arrest of a Muslim woman for reportedly assaulting a man she claimed was "Islamophobic." She also indicated the police sho

Vickie Beller speaks on the story of her late husband's book America in Crimson Red. The program explores the life of James Beller, a Christian historian whose work, *America in Crimson Red*, highlights lesser-known figures who sacrificed for religious freedom. Through his personal story, the narrative traces a journey of faith sparked by a recurring pamphlet, leading to a lifelong pursuit of understanding Baptist history and a commitment to sharing it with others. The program emphasizes the importance of preserving Christian heritage, recognizing the sacrifices made to secure religious liberty, and the enduring power of faith in the face of adversity, culminating in a celebration of the legacy of those who championed freedom of conscience.

So you were too busy to listen to much news this past week? Crosstalk has you covered. Dalton had much to share and he'll get you caught up when you review this edition of the weekly News Round-Up! Here are some highlights from the first half of the broadcast: --As Dalton was getting started with the program, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin were about to meet, with the talks being held at the heavily guarded Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. --On Thursday, Vladimir Putin praised the Trump administration's energetic and sincere efforts to end the war in Ukraine, even suggesting that a nuclear arms control agreement could emerge from broader peace talks. --An Al Jazeera journalist who was killed by an Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip was in fact the leader of a Hamas terrorist cell. --Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted that cease-fire efforts in Gaza are now focused on a comprehensive deal that would release the remaining hostages all at once ra