Newsmakers

Popular rock band Skillet is setting the Internet on fire with the release of their first Christmas song, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," with the rendition sparking plenty of praise and some furor. Lead singer John Cooper told CBN News why he disagrees with some claims the song sounds "demonic" or is somehow anti-Christian, noting it's been popular among fans. "The reception for the song has been absolutely overwhelming," he said. "People seem to really love it." Cooper also explained the heart behind the rock rendition.

Author Randy Kay says he’s seen heaven — and it’s an experience he still gets emotional recounting. It all happened years ago when Kay experienced a medical emergency. He recalled waking up in the middle of the night with a swollen calf after a business trip — something he initially ignored.

“I could barely walk, went for a bike ride of all things, which I should not have done because that exacerbated the problem,” he told Billy Hallowell and Jen Lilley on their “Into the Supernatural” podcast. “I went up the coast of San Diego ... on the bicycle and could barely breathe. My calf was about one and a half times its size.”

“Immediately, my body went still, and, initially, it felt like a tugging at my hospital gown,” he said. “And, later, I would come to realize that that was my spirit leaving my body, and then I became a third party to my body. So, I was looking down this still body I knew that was my body, but that wasn't me.”

On this week’s Newsmakers, we spotlight courage, compassion, and spiritual truth. Social media star Jimmy Darts reveals the faith that fuels his viral acts of generosity and his new book Undercover Kindness.

Then, Sophia Shumaker, a high school student, and First Liberty attorney Keisha Russell share Sophia’s inspiring free speech victory after standing firm in her faith. Finally, Billy Hallowell and Dan Andros unpack Acts 16, exploring the power of deliverance and the dangers of the occult.

Apologist and author Frank Turek has kept a level-headed, faith-driven approach to grappling with the unthinkable. Turek, a close ally of the late conservative and Christian commentator Charlie Kirk, was on site at Utah Valley University when Kirk was assassinated Sept. 10, 2025. When asked how he made sense of all that transpired before his eyes, Turek was candid. "I made sense of it by knowing that what happened was evil," he said. "And the only way I know that that was evil was because I know what is good — and the only reason I know what was good is because there's a standard of good outside myself, and that's God's nature." Turek continued, "As soon as we see something evil, we know it's evil."

Apologist and author Frank Turek has kept a level-headed, faith-driven approach to grappling with the unthinkable. Turek, a close ally of the late conservative and Christian commentator Charlie Kirk, was on site at Utah Valley University when Kirk was assassinated Sept. 10, 2025. When asked how he made sense of all that transpired before his eyes, Turek was candid. "I made sense of it by knowing that what happened was evil," he said. "And the only way I know that that was evil was because I know what is good — and the only reason I know what was good is because there's a standard of good outside myself, and that's God's nature." Turek continued, "As soon as we see something evil, we know it's evil."

A woman is making headlines for unleashing inside a gym after purportedly encountering a biological man in the locker room. She can be seen on video yelling about the encounter and claiming she was being kicked out for speaking up for women's safety. CBN's Billy Hallowell and Tré Goins-Phillips break down the story.

Tasha Layton is known for her Gospel-themed music, but the Christian singer's journey to faith-based music took some truly unique twists and turns. Layton, 41, told CBN News that her journey from singing backup for Katy Perry to embarking on her own quest into Christian music taught her a major lesson: the importance of "trusting God with every step." "Before I entered music to do my own music, there were a lot of years that I wasn't sure how God was going to work it out," she said. "I didn't understand why I was taking this path, or going in this direction, or how He was going to work it all together for His good."

But Layton said she now knows the Lord was weaving together a beautiful story — something she didn't understand at the time. Now, she's encouraging others to trust the Lord and know, "He's got it, and He is essentially carving the way if you are surrendering to Him." Layton said she continues leaning into trusting God to navigate Christian music, an industry that offers some unique challenges. "It's easy to get burned out," she said. "It's easy to let someone else try to tell you who you are. ... So, it's that continual lesson of trust."

And that lesson in trust came after Layton spent years touring the world with Perry. Layton had the chance to embark on a secular music career after but felt called to do something else entirely. "I was offered a deal on ... the secular side, and I felt so firmly that it wasn't what I was called to do," she said. "And there were compromises in that world. ... I wanted to connect people to God with my music, with my actions, with my team, with my integrity — and I didn't feel like I could fully do that with freedom, going that route."

Layton said it was an "easy decision" to turn down that offer and pursue Christian music instead — something she had prayed and dreamed about as a teenager.

"The cool famous venues, the cool private plane thing — I'd already done all that," Layton said. "And there's a reason Paul says, 'You can gain the world and lose your soul.'" Full-time ministry was always Layton's goal, so, while it might have seemed tough to say, "No" to potential fame and fortune in the secular space, doing so ushered her into what she believes is God's will for her life. "I'm so fulfilled," she said. "I'm standing in the fulfillment of prayers."

On this week’s Newsmakers, we explore faith’s enduring power and the Shroud of Turin. Dr. Jeremiah J. Johnston reveals how he went from skeptic to believer on the Shroud of Turin and what new evidence points to its authenticity.

Todd Nettleton from Voice of the Martyrs breaks down the global persecution crisis and why prayer is vital as the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church approaches.

And activist and author Alveda King joins to share her take on revival and the growing spiritual hunger she sees across America.

Joe Rogan, the most influential podcaster on planet Earth, is doubling down on his fascination with Jesus of Nazareth. CBN's Raj Nair and Billy Hallowell have the story.

On today's Newsmakers: an actress finds Jesus, Steve Deace, and real-life miracles.