Newsmakers

A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is fighting for its existence in its battle against a "genocidal" Hamas and that the nation won't back down from thwarting "pure evil." Tal Heinrich also told CBN News last week during an interview at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, why she believes Israel is resolute — and on proper footing — in its ongoing quest to fight Hamas in Gaza.

"Israel has faced and is still facing an existential, genocidal threat," Heinrich said. "Hamas — they chant it, they say it, they act on it. What more proof do we need to believe them?" The spokesperson said Oct. 7 proves the terrorists are intent on carrying out their murderous ideals, and said Israel will simply no longer agree to live alongside such evil. 

"We're no longer agreeing to life next to a terror enclave ruled by a terrorist organization that wants us all dead," Heinrich said. "And their sick ideology upon which they educate Palestinian children to dream to kill Jews, obliterate the Jewish state, to glorify martyrs. That's what Israel is dealing with, and we say, 'No more.'" Reports indicate there are about 130 hostages still being held by Hamas, with Heinrich demanding Israel's "stolen people" be brought back home. She also said Israel plans to ensure future security by taking steps now to thwart future incursions. 

"What we're doing now is to guarantee that Gaza will never, ever pose a terror threat to us again, because the year is 2024," she said. "Terrorism is unacceptable. And they have to understand that every time they choose terrorism, it will be a dead end for them." Hear her full response.

A Texas church is accusing streaming platform Hulu of rejecting an advertisement over the claim the spot violated policies surrounding "religious indoctrination." It's a designation Jeremy Dys, senior counsel for First Liberty, a religious liberty law firm, said is nowhere in Hulu's ad parameters. The purported rejection of Hulen Street Church's ad led Dys to issue a demand letter "urging the platform to change its policy toward religious advertising after," according to a statement. Dys spoke with CBN News to offer more context on the situation. 

"Hulu ... has a bunch of ads that they allow people to put on the platform if you're an approved advertiser," Dys said. "Hulen Street Church ... decided to open up a new [Thursday] service time for people ... who aren't able to get to Sunday services, and they wanted to advertise that locally like they've done in a lot of other places, and so they became it an approved advertiser. They submitted their ad and it was rejected. They submitted it again, and it was rejected again."

According to Dys, the 22-second spot encouraged people to learn about the extra church service, offering the time and location. After asking for a response from Hulu as to why it was precluded from rotation, the church was reportedly given a surprising answer.  "Hulu came back and said that advertisement violated their guidelines because it engaged in religious indoctrination, and so that's why they lost their ad," Dys said. "They couldn't post their ad because it engaged in religious indoctrination. Apparently, just telling people that you have a church service available to them at a certain time and day of the week is religious indoctrination to the people at Hulu."

First Liberty's letter comes as the U.S. Supreme Court heard argument this week surrounding laws in Texas and Florida that require Big Tech companies to publish user standards and implement them with fairness. The justices seemed skeptical of the Florida and Texas laws. "In its letter, First Liberty urges Hulu immediately allow Hulen Street Church’s ad and to adopt policies to conform with the Texas and Florida state laws currently under review by the Supreme Court, by making its religious advertising policy transparent and applying its policy fairly and equally," First Liberty said in a press release. Hear Dys explain.

One of the leaders of an organization working to spread the Gospel to Iranians reports that claims of Middle Easterners encountering Jesus in dreams are "quite common," with the Lord using these interactions to draw individuals closer to Him. "God is using [dreams] to speak to Iranians all the time," Lana Silk, U.S. director of Transform Iran, recently told CBN News. "He uses every method He can. ... The Iranians are open to dreams; they are dreamers. They enjoy talking about their dreams, and they're aware of their dreams, and God uses that to speak to them."

While reports of Jesus appearing in dreams to Middle Easterners are prevalent, the same can't be said for Americans more generally, as such anecdotal reports in the West seem far less rampant. Silk explained why she believes there's such a radical difference between the U.S. and Middle East. 

"I think we have become quite secular in the West, and we have wanted to rationalize and understand everything," she said. "And when you're in a place where it has to be within your frame of reference and something that you can explain away, then you end up taking away some of the exciting, creative ways in which God likes to speak." Silk continued, "So, there is a challenge to us here in the West to take off our need to be able to completely own the information and the process and fully grasp it, and just allow God to 'wow' us and do mysterious things."

As for Iran, specifically, Silk shared several powerful stories surrounding Jesus appearing in dreams. One Muslim woman who was forced into marriage at age 13 and faced extreme trauma told Transform Iran Jesus began appearing to her in her doorway and then in dreams. "[He would] hold out his hand to her and say, 'Come and trust me; come and follow me,'" Silk said. "And then she would go to sleep, and he would appear to her in her dreams, and he would speak to her ... it was a gentle call."

The woman, shocked and assuming she needed to cling closer to her Muslim faith to stop the apparitions, started saying her Islamic prayers more reverently. But when she went to say the name of Muhammad one day, something shocking happened: "The name 'Jesus' would come out of her mouth." She eventually gave her life to Christ and now serves as a pastor on the Transform Iran ministry team. Her story, of course, is just one of many. Hear Silk explain the dream dynamic and other stories like this one.

A theologian who sparked an intense social media debate when he posited that the Noah's ark narrative was potentially speaking about a regional — and not a global — flood is now speaking out to offer further context on his theory. Gavin Ortlund, president of Truth Unites, told CBN News he made his argument in a recent social media video, detailing his belief the Genesis 6 narrative is "about a regional event that was in a huge area of the Earth, but not all over the globe."

"I just wanted to help people understand some of the arguments for that view — help people understand that there actually are differences within orthodox Christianity," Ortlund said. "Historically, a lot of people are not aware of that." The theologian said the issue of Noah's ark often poses problems for skeptics and those within the Christian community who are scientifically-minded. Ortlund said he's motivated to help people understand arguments for and against some of the more complex and debated issues.

As for Ortlund's own believes, he said he tends to lean toward believing the flood was "local or regional," noting, though, that he doesn't necessarily believe it was particularly small in scope despite potentially being confined, in his view, to one area or location. In the end, he said the debate boils down to how one interprets the story of Noah in Genesis. One of the factors, according to Ortlund, was the confined nature of humanity at that time.

"There really is a good case, actually, that, in its original meaning, the author and the original hearers wouldn't be thinking of ... all of the globe of planet Earth, so this is just a matter of interpreting Scripture," he said. "Humanity, at this point, appears to also have just been regional. This is before the dispersion of human beings that happens after the tower of Babel and Genesis 10 and 11, so all of human beings are in this one portion of the Earth at this point before they had dispersed throughout the world."

Ortlund said his initial video discussing the issue sparked a plethora of responses on YouTube and an overwhelmingly negative reaction on X, formerly known as Twitter. Despite the reaction, he said there have been some traditional Christians in the past who have made similar arguments. While admitting these notions constitute a collective minority view, he added his belief that some people today simply don't realize such claims have historically existed.

Ortlund also pushed back on the notion he's a theological liberal or somehow espousing beliefs not rooted in Scripture. Here's what he had to say.

We're re-airing one of our favorite "Newsmakers" podcast episodes: Actor and Comedian Rob Schneider recently offered a powerful -- and public -- message of forgiveness. He explains why he's now embracing faith, God, and forgiveness. Plus: hear about some of his new projects on this episode of the "Newsmakers Podcast" with Billy Hallowell.

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Welcome to "The Newsmakers Podcast," a show where we go behind the headlines each day to bring you interviews with pastors, entertainers, politicians, and other notable figures. Based on the "Newsmakers" show on the CBN News Channel, this daily podcast featuring CBN's Billy Hallowell provides full interviews with one newsworthy person every weekday.

A pastor in Northern Ireland is going viral for his video reaction to the He Gets Us Super Bowl commercial, with his powerful collection of Christian testimonies garnering nearly 2 million views. Jamie Bambrick, associate pastor of Hope Church Craigavon and a YouTube video creator, told CBN News he created an alternative commercial featuring an ex-porn star, former gang leader, an ex-drug addict and others after seeing the viral He Gets Us ad about feet-washing that has sparked debate. 

"I felt like the original advert was a missed opportunity of sorts," Bambrick said of the NFL spot. "I felt like it may have been well-intentioned ... there's a degree of truth there that Jesus loves and serves everybody." But he said he doesn't believe the message presented in the original video is the best and most effective message that could have been conveyed. "I think it missed some of the key points that we would want to get across," Bambrick said. "Essentially, what it came across as doing was putting a sort of Jesus-shaped stamp of approval on the ideas, the values, and the actions of our generation and that are common today, which, in many cases are not things of which Jesus is approving."

And he wasn't done there. "The Gospel message does not just leave sinners in despair," he said. "The Gospel message is a great message, and it's the message of salvation from our sin." Bambrick found himself praying after seeing the initial ad and decided to respond on his YouTube channel. In the end, he said his alternative commercial took just an hour to put together. He was surprised to see it go viral so quickly.

The preacher shared his video to YouTube and X Tuesday, explaining he believed his version is the "Christian Super Bowl ad they should have made." He added that the ad "failed to convey anything of the Gospel to the hundreds of millions who saw it." Listen to Bambrick explain the campaign.

War. Rumors of war. Chaos. Love of the self. Some might argue the signs of the end of days are all around us, with current events sparking plenty of questions about our proximity to the biblical end times. Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, is among those who have openly discussed eschatology and current events, carefully explaining what the Bible has to say about what's to come and how it pertains to what's unfolding before us.

During a recent interview with CBN News, Laurie — who's out with a new animated show for kids and families called — "The Adventures of Ben Born Again & YellowDog" — explored some of the eyebrow-raising happenings in the Middle East right now. "The Bible tells us in the end times that Israel would be isolated and ultimately she would be attacked from her neighbor to her north, identified as Magog," Laurie said, pointing to prophecies in the Old Testament book of Ezekiel. "Many scholars believe Magog is modern-day Russia; I would tend to agree with that."

Regardless of Magog's identity, though, Laurie said Magog is a "large force" that will attack Israel — but to no avail. Prophetic verses claim God will intervene on Israel's behalf. Such prophecies have long been discussed in Christian circles but have received newfound attention after Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attack. "I would say the rise of anti-Semitism is a real sign of the times," he said. "And I have to admit .... even I have been shocked by the extreme anti-Semitism we've seen recently ... when Israel was attacked on Oct. 7 by this horrible terrorist organization, Hamas."

In addition to the terror attack that killed more than 1,200 Israelis, Laurie said the anti-Jewish sentiment and protests around the world have been deeply startling. "What has been as shocking, perhaps, is ... some protests around the world, largely among young people in favor of Hamas," Laurie said. "Who would have ever thought in the modern-day, in 2024, we would hear people chant phrases like, 'Gas the Jews.' ... The Holocaust was not that long ago." Listen for the full story.

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"The Newsmakers Podcast" is a daily podcast based on "Newsmakers," a weekly TV show hosted by Billy Hallowell on The CBN News Channel and the CBN News YouTube Channel. You can watch "Newsmakers" on Thursday evenings to see three actors, pastors, authors, politicians, and other notable figures discussing issues of the day. On the podcast, we focus on one special interview each day. Be sure to subscribe today on your favorite podcast platforms.

A Missouri pastor is crediting a miraculous prompting from God for saving him and his family from potential carnage during Monday's shooting at the Kansas City Chief's Super Bowl victory celebration. Timmy Hensel, pastor of River Church Family in Raytown, Missouri, and the Central Southeast Regional Pastor for the Foursquare Church, told CBN News he and his family were on the parade route before deciding to go to the rally at Union Station.

"We were sitting there and listening to the rally go on [and were] super excited to be celebrating, feeling just this community, camaraderie, and joy," he said. But then something surprising happened: Hensel felt God telling him it was time to leave — a message that came just moments before bullets rang out, killing one woman and injuring more than 20 children and adults.

"We just get this prompting that it's time to leave before ... our favorite players are about to speak," he said, getting emotional as he recalled the moment. Both he and his wife, Tisha, experienced the same feeling, with his wife questioning if the family should leave before the exciting parts of the festivities took form. "[We] just felt that sense to go and so we started walking back," Hensel said. "And, all of a sudden, in a little bit, we're getting texts, 'Are you OK?'" 

Just moments after the couple and their two children left, the shooting unfolded in the exact spot where they were sitting. Hensel said he later looked at aerial shots and saw blood on the ground in that very location. The preacher said he's grateful for the "promptings of the Holy Spirit" and the ability to "recognize His voice and tone." 

In addition to his gratitude, though, he is also feeling pain as he continues to process what unfolded during the Kansas City shooting on Feb. 14. 

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"The Newsmakers Podcast" is a daily podcast based on "Newsmakers," a weekly TV show hosted by Billy Hallowell on The CBN News Channel and the CBN News YouTube Channel. You can watch "Newsmakers" on Thursday evenings to see three actors, pastors, authors, politicians, and other notable figures discussing issues of the day. On the podcast, we focus on one special interview each day. Be sure to subscribe today on your favorite podcast platforms.

Historian William J. Federer joins CBN News to explain the real-life Christian history of Valentine's Day, explaining how February 14 came to be a day of romance and love.

Federer explained how Valentine, a religious leader, was executed in A.D. 270, and gave details on at least one of the miracles that reportedly unfolded before his death.

From tracing the Christian roots of "XOXO" to unveiling the roots of Valentine's Day as we now celebrate, Federer delivers a fascinating history lesson. 

Josh Newell, executive director of the Jesus Film Project, recently announced an effort to further spread the Gospel through a powerful animated movie about Christ's life and ministry. The feature film is set to premiere in theaters in 2025. "It flows out of the heart of our mission, which is to reach everyone, everywhere, no matter what language they speak or where they live," Newell told CBN Digital. "And lifting up the story of Jesus is something we've been doing for close to 44 and a half years at this point ... it's really in our DNA."

The nonprofit leader said the choice to tell Jesus' story in animated form is important to reaching the next generation in "compelling and relevant ways." The original "Jesus" film, which was released in 1979, has, for decades, been brought to communities across the globe, delivering the Gospel in more than 2,100 languages. The movie is many times the pathway through which people discover the Lord and begin a spiritual journey with Him. 

With so many millions impacted by the movie over the years, Newell said he believes the secret to its success is rooted in the film's reliance on God's Word. "It's not just a movie," Newell said. "That's really the bottom line; it's a movement. It's based off of the Word of God in the Gospel of Luke. So, the script is taken from that." He said the "Jesus" film's inclusion of so many languages also enables people to seamlessly hear the Gospel. With that in mind, the eternal meaning behind Christ's words resonates.

"To hear Jesus say, 'I love you' in their own language ... that's really powerful," Newell said. The "Jesus" film has been viewed by an estimated 10 billion people over the past four decades, with 633 million people indicating a decision to follow Jesus. Listen to him explain.