Crosstalk America

Martin and Katie Luther married in 1525, building a loving, faithful partnership. Katie managed home and finances, cared for children, and endured hardships, exemplifying devotion, humor, and mutual respect in life and faith.

Micah McCurry is an evangelist & director of Bible Tracts, Inc., a ministry with a faith-driven commitment to share the Gospel far and wide with excellence. He's host of the radio program, Bible Tract Echoes. This broadcast explores why sharing our faith seems so difficult, yet on the other hand, why you should be excited to do it. For example, there are various things you can incorporate that can help along the way beginning with your personal testimony—your story! Remember, no one can tell your story quite like you can. You'll also learn how you can respectfully take conversation from the natural to the supernatural. Then there's the issue of sharing Bible tracts. Does that seem rather old-fashioned? Micah understands that sentiment. However, as he noted, like seeds, tracts need to be planted and Bible Tracts, Inc., can help you do that by supplying various types of tracts, even some for law enforcement and EMS personnel. So supercharge your personal evangelism efforts by listening to this edition of Cross

Pastor Jim Scudder Jr. is senior pastor of Quentin Road Baptist Church in Lake Zurich, IL. He's an author and also is the speaker on the program InGrace which airs on WVCY Television, VCY.tv and on VCY America Radio. Pastor Scudder has a passion for souls and a desire to teach others about our Savior's love. He also has a special love for the nation of Israel and the Jewish people. For 738 days, people around the world had been praying for the release of the hostages, brutally taken by Hamas on October 7th, 2023. Then in Egypt yesterday, President Trump, along with world leaders from Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, signed the Gaza peace plan. This has resulted in 20 live hostages being returned along with the bodies of four deceased hostages, leaving another 24 behind. Listen and get details regarding the hostage release you won't get from mainstream media as Pastor Scudder, from Israel, discusses comments from the captors regarding President Trump and Kamala Harris, what he encountered at Hostage Square, the signi

Jim began the program with news out of Israel that all remaining live hostages taken by Hamas were returned to Israel amidst great joy and celebration. He also noted that as part of this, President Trump made an address before the Israeli Knesset. Be listening to Crosstalk tomorrow where we will have more on this story as details continue to unfold. While the celebration of Halloween in America goes back many years, it's become such a phenomenon that spending on this holiday is forecast to reach a record high of over 13 billion dollars, with the average person spending just over $114. Is this day and its various activities just innocent fun or is it something that glorifies Satan and the occult and therefore should be avoided? Returning to Crosstalk to answer that question was Dr. David Brown, Pastor Emeritus of the First Baptist Church in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Dr. Brown began the discussion regarding Halloween with a Bible verse that should put to rest any controversy surrounding this issue. That verse is 1

Jim presented news items from many parts of the world with initial emphasis on Middle East peace, China and the government shutdown. Here's a sample of stories that were highlighted: --After more than six hours of debate, the Israeli government voted to approve the first stage of a U.S. brokered plan to end the war in Gaza and return the hostages. --Yesterday, the Trump administration announced that the U.S. is sending approximately 200 troops to Israel in order to monitor the peace deal in Gaza. --Yesterday President Trump confirmed that he will visit Israel to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and deliver a major address to Israel's parliament. --President Trump said that he would try to attend an official signing ceremony for the agreement in Egypt but said the exact timing for the meeting still needed to be determined. --In New York City, on October 7th, on the second anniversary of the terror attack on Israel, Muslims yelled out in protest. Jim provided audio. --The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded t

Dr. Jimmy DeYoung Jr. is a speaker, teacher, Mideast guide, videographer and speaker on Prophecy Today. He lived and worked in Jerusalem for many years before he returned to the States for continued ministry. He is a fully credentialed journalist and has led numerous tours to Israel. Yesterday the news broke. Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a peace deal that would free the remaining hostages, while Israel's troops would withdraw from Gaza. In addition, Israel will have to give back about 250 terrorist Palestinian prisoners who are serving life sentences, along with about 17 others who were arrested after the October 7th massacre. When will the remaining Israeli hostages be able to walk free? Will releasing 250 terrorist Palestinian prisoners merely reset the clock for the rebuilding of Hamas? Has the IDF stopped fighting in Gaza? What affect is all this having on the Israeli cabinet? These are just some of the questions that are answered on this edition of Crosstalk, as Jim and Dr. DeYoung discuss: O

Ralph Sutera is an evangelist who saw revival in Saskatchewan, Canada Revival is not a periodic event or emotional spectacle, but a profound spiritual reawakening rooted in genuine repentance, personal surrender, and a transformed worldview that places God at the center of life. It arises when believers humble themselves, seek God's face, turn from sin, and allow Him to restore what has been lost—joy, divine consciousness, and a sense of royal identity as children of God. The sermon emphasizes that true revival is marked by a shift from self-centered religious performance to a life of worship, intimacy with God, and holy living, where the Holy Spirit fills those who have died to self. It is illustrated through personal testimonies of transformation, including restored marriages, renewed pastors, and aging saints who surrendered their wills to God, demonstrating that revival is not about programs or schedules, but about God taking control of hearts and lives. Ultimately, revival is a divine call to authenticit

We continuously hear of the atrocities happening in Central Asia. Then there's the devastation of Russia's war with Ukraine with thousands of lives lost. There's the Taliban's control of Afghanistan with those living there having to flee to other nations. As devastating as these issues are, what must not be ignored is the fact that the persecution of believers continues. In spite of this, the Gospel is flourishing. People are coming to Christ and churches are being planted. The burden of the laborers is heavy. They need help to take care of physical needs to grant relief to many who are hurting or suffering. That opens the door to Gospel ministry. Are you willing to help? Appearing on Crosstalk to tell us more was "Timlar Kovalchuk" (Koh-vul-chook) (a pseudonym used to protect him and others). Timlar has been actively involved as a missionary in evangelism for nearly 28 years, the last 15 in outreach to Muslims in Central Asia. Beginning with Ukraine, Timlar noted how it's getting increasingly worse aroun

Some days will forever live in infamy. In America, the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and the Islamic attack on New York on September 11th of 2001, are two such instances. Another such day is October 7th, 2023, when Islamic terrorism struck America's greatest Mideast ally, Israel, in a horrendous and barbaric attack. Afterward, many nations, media sources and even politicians flipped their narrative and have actually blamed Israel, accusing them of genocide. Returning to Crosstalk to look back at this day in Israel's history was Dr. Richard Schmidt. Dr. Schmidt is pastor of Union Grove Baptist Church, and founder of Prophecy Focus Ministries. He is the speaker on the weekly TV program, Prophecy Focus and the radio broadcast, Prophecy Unfolding. He spent 32 years in law enforcement until his retirement in which he was acting sheriff of Milwaukee County. He has authored several books including: Are You Going to a Better Place?, Daniel's Gap Paul's Mystery, Tribulation to Triumph: The Olivet Disc

How old is the earth? According to The Planetary Society it's 4.54 billion years old and we're told that the evidence for that age is overwhelming. On the other hand, creationists that hold to the literal teachings of the Bible believe that the earth is roughly 6,000 years old. They, too, will say that the evidence is overwhelming for their position. What is the reason for this massive discrepancy and what exactly does the evidence show? Joining Jim to answer that question was Dr. Terry Mortenson. Dr. Mortenson has a PhD in history of geology from Coventry University in England. He is a speaker, writer, and researcher with Answers in Genesis. How could there be such a drastic difference in opinions regarding the age of the earth? Are both sides looking at the same evidence? Dr. Mortenson noted that both sides are looking at the same rocks and fossils, the same radioactive isotopes, the same erosional features and more. The problem is that each side is interpreting the evidence through two different sets of a

The Old Rugged Cross is one of the most beloved - and most claimed hymns! Our Christian Heritage has been to the Old Rugged Cross church on Pokagon, MI where it was first performed in its entirety and we've interviewed the couple that restored the church. We've also been to Sturgeon Bay, WI where the Friends Church is that it was first partially performed. But on this stop we're at the site where it was written - in an apartment of a professor of Albion College that became a fraternity house before it was demolished in the 60s. This marker was recently restored after the previous was destroyed in a car crash in 2020.

As Dalton sat in for Jim Schneider, here's a selection of stories he presented for the first half of the broadcast: --Last Sunday at least 4 victims died and multiple people were injured during a shooting at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Michigan. The assailant drove their vehicle through the front doors of the building, then got out and proceeded to shoot people. That suspect was later killed in a firefight with police. --A synagogue attack on Yom Kippur killed 2 in Manchester, England. --The U.N. added 68 companies to a blacklist they maintain are firms that do business with Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. --Dalton read 9 signs that the world is preparing for war from Charisma Magazine. --Vladimir Putin has ordered the conscription of over 135,000 men by the end of 2025. --The FDA approved a new generic version of the abortion drug Mifepristone. --Planned Parenthood announced that their facility in Houston, Texas, the largest abortion facility in North America, is closing down.

Pastor Dave Barba has been engaged in full time ministry since 1974. He's ministered in at least 450 different churches and has been an avid church planter. He leads Press On Ministries and is speaker on the broadcast Pressing On! He is the author of Press On! You Can and Draw Swords: Daily Devotions to Suit Up for the Battle. This month is Pastor Appreciation Month so this edition of Crosstalk sought to inform listeners about the role and ministry of pastors and how you can be engaged as a special encourager of your pastor, not just in October, but throughout the year. This was highlighted as the following questions were answered: What motivates Pastor Barba to continue in vocational ministry? Does the average church-goer really understand the pastor's trials, challenges and ministry? Pastors are said to live in a "fish bowl." What does that mean? What impact has the cell phone had on pastors? Is the call of a pastor really just another job choice? How can you pamper your pastor? There's much more to hear

This edition of Crosstalk began with news concerning the government shutdown or more specifically, the "Schumer Shutdown." The House GOP passed what's called a clean, continuing resolution to keep the government open and operating. "Clean" simply means to keep funding the government with items neither added nor taken away. 3 times this has failed. The Senate requires 60 votes but the Republicans don't have a 60 vote majority in the Senate. While a few Democrats have joined the Republicans, this still falls short of that needed for a majority. Senator Schumer and his party are holding out as they want to restore funding for PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, as well as restore health care dollars previously pulled out from the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill" including that which gives benefits to illegal aliens. Those wishing to communicate with their senators can call the Senate Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or go to senate.gov. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth summoned about 730 U.S. military generals,

Chris Katulka is vice president of North American Ministries at The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry and host of The Friends of Israel Today radio program. He is a Bible teacher and writer for Israel My Glory magazine and is author of the book, Israel Always. Jim opened the program with news that unless 7 Democrats join Republicans, there's going to be a government shut-down at midnight tonight. Yesterday at the White House, President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the multi-point Gaza peace plan. As you can imagine, there's mixed reaction. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previously said that this plan would leave both sides unhappy. Israel National News reported that hundreds of wounded IDF soldiers wrote to Netanyahu and told him not to adopt any plan that would lead to ending the fighting without a decisive defeat of Hamas. Jim had Chris break down this peace plan, look at the reactions to it, find out what the next step is, discuss whether Israel will be allowe

At St. Thomas Church, Leipzig, Luther debated authority versus Scripture, embraced Hus's teachings, while Bach's grave and pastor memorials remind us of faith, legacy, and life's fleeting nature.

This Crosstalk aired something many governments of the world don't want the public to hear. What we're referring to is the content of a speech given at the U.N. this past Friday by Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. When the prime minister was to give his speech, many countries didn't show up. Then when his name was announced, representatives from other nations that were there, stood up and walked out in protest. In fact, Jim referenced a story from Ynetglobal indicating that according to Israeli officials, 77 delegations were either absent or walked out as Netanyahu was announced. Also, rather than talk about the content of his speech, the media instead focused on the delegations that left the room. That's why, via this edition of Crosstalk, you'll have an opportunity to hear what Benjamin Netanyahu had to say so you can form your own opinion.

Our Christian Heritage goes "On Location" with Randy Melchert to the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, TN. Today most people don't know the man considered the most powerful president of the first half of the nineteenth century, or the religious questions he faced during his life. Join us in Nashville as we examine President James K. Polk's life.

News headlines from around the nation and around the globe. It's the Friday News Round-Up & Comment broadcast. Here's a sample of stories presented during the first quarter hour: --President Trump communicated that he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. --Delegates at the U.N General Assembly stormed out as Netanyahu took the stage to speak. --President Trump's 21 point plan is a framework envisioning a multi-week cease-fire during which all 48 remaining hostages would be released, followed by a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. --Iran has likely carried out an undeclared missile test at its Imam Khomeini Spaceport according to satellite photos analyzed by the Associated Press. --Israeli police arrested a man for threatening to assassinate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. --Israeli Defense Forces have completed the encirclement of Gaza City. --Hamas declared the UK's decision on Sunday to recognize a Palestinian state was a victory and justice for their cause. --The Egyptian government sympath

Jeff Miller is pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, Pittsburgh North. He is author of Forgiven People Forgive: A Biblical Response to Forgiveness. On Sunday, September 21st, a memorial service was held for Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA, who was killed by an assassin's bullet on September 10th. In addition to President Trump and other dignitaries, also taking the platform during the memorial service was Charlie's widow, Erika. In reference to the assassin, she said, "I forgive him." She went on to note that this is what Christ did, what Charlie would do and that the answer to hate is not hate. What is forgiveness? Do we need to tolerate sinful behavior just because we forgive someone? Jeff answers these and numerous other questions while also providing insight on key elements in his book. For example, there are those who feel they have good reason for not forgiving, so they may say: I just can't respond to the person. The other person doesn't want to reconcile. (Does that take us "off the hook"?) Well, they'l