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In this episode, Bob and Mary Shaffer, of the Old Rugged Cross Church and Museum, invite us into the restored, 1913 church building where the beloved hymn was first sung. They talk about how they took a collapsing barn and turned it back into a church, some of the other sites that claim "The Old Rugged Cross," George Bennard, and more!

Kelsey Pritchard is political affairs communications director for Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Pro-Life America. When Planned Parenthood released their annual report for 2023-2024, we learned that during that fiscal year, 402,230 baby boys and girls were slaughtered in the womb through their actions. That's over 1,100 babies coming to their death every single day. If that's not shocking enough, consider the fact that you paid for this! Planned Parenthood took in over 792 million dollars in taxpayer funds through reimbursements and grants. How many of these children would have been part of our lives in some way as co-workers, classmates or family members? It's because of Planned Parenthood's efforts, fueled by the 2 million in daily taxpayer funding they've received, that these individuals were never able to be part of our world. Kelsey warns women not to be fooled by the marketing efforts of Planned Parenthood because behind the attempts to look like a friend of women, their primary focus is to take the lives of the most vulnerable among us. Interestingly, both NPR and the New York Times have recognized the harm that Planned Parenthood can do. Kelsey cited a New York Times report that came out in February detailing the atrocious conditions and experiences that women have had. This is just some of the information you'll hear discussed during the first quarter hour of this broadcast. Listen to the rest of the program and you'll want to express your views to your members of Congress (number below) so that your voice is heard concerning future taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood.

There is a growing clash in our society today between biblical Christianity and secular culture. These worldviews stand in opposition to one another. Many in our secular world system will be very vocal and forceful in their views. As such, many believers will step back and not want to make waves or do not respond due to a lack of confidence that they can provide a solid defense of the faith. And yet we read in Scripture as found in I Peter 3:15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." Perhaps you already know you need help in this area. If so, we have some good news as a powerful tool has recently been published to equip you in defending the faith. Joining Crosstalk to tell us about this new tool was Sarah Enterline. Sarah is an author, apologist, pastor's wife, mother, teacher and women's ministry leader. She has taught apologetics, biblical studies, philosophy, and history at both the secondary and college levels. Apologetics comes from the Greek word: apologia. Sarah said it's like a defense lawyer in an ancient courtroom presenting a defense, showing that their arguments are true. It can be applied to any discipline and in the case of biblical apologetics, it involves presenting a robust case, building evidence to show why the Bible and biblical Christianity are part of the one true faith. What are some of the obstacles that may cause Christians to not defend their faith? What are the 5 ways to show that God exists? What evidence exists of things and people mentioned in the Bible?

In this sermon, Dr. Bob Shelton expounds Psalm 34, emphasizing that God alone saves, keeps, and satisfies His people. He reminds believers that salvation comes through Christ alone, that angels protect the faithful, and that no matter the troubles or dangers, God's promises remain sure and steadfast.

If you're seeking news not covered by the legacy media, you've come to the right place. It's Crosstalk and our Friday News Round-Up & Comment broadcast. Here's a sample of content from the program: --Former FBI Director James Comey is facing a federal investigation after he posted an image that U.S. officials say appeared to call for the assassination of President Trump. --It was another record year for Planned Parenthood. Although they bill themselves as a women's health organization, in their annual report they indicate they aborted a record 402,230 babies in the past year while generating over 2 billion dollars in revenue. --A Louisiana woman killed her 20 week unborn child via an abortion pill and then threw the baby in a garbage can. --A Michigan judge has struck down several pro-life laws designed to protect unborn babies and ensure women's safety, ruling them unconstitutional under the state's 2022 pro-abortion amendment. --The South Carolina Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection Act that protects the lives of unborn children when a heartbeat is detected, usually by six weeks gestational age. --New York is on track to become the 11th state to legalize assisted suicide. --During his trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump told the world who is in charge and it's not human authority. Jim provided audio from the president. --President Trump launched his Middle East visit by saying Iran needed to "make the right decision" about its nuclear program "because something's going to happen one way or the other." He also said, "So we'll either do it friendly or we'll do it very unfriendly."

Usama Dakdok is the founder of the Straight Way of Grace Ministry. He is the speaker on the daily radio broadcast, Revealing the Truth About Islam. Born and raised in Egypt, Usama learned about Islam just as every other student does in a Muslim country. He also studied for a university degree in Egypt which included the study of Sharia, which is Islamic law. He first came to America in 1992. President Donald Trump is in the Middle East working out numerous agreements. Some of the actions he's taken are concerning to a number of individuals. This includes the lifting of sanctions against Syria, the signing of a $142 billion dollar arms deal with Saudi Arabia, a $1.2 trillion dollar economic commitment with Qatar and the offered gift from Qatar to provide a jumbo jet to serve as Air Force One. Meanwhile, this morning the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on nationwide injunctions including the injunction on ending what is known as "birthright citizenship." It's a move that the Council on American Islamic Relations calls, "dangerous and unconstitutional." The issue of birthright citizenship and its implications for Islam in the U.S. is just the beginning as Usama also turned his attention to the Abraham Accords, the EU providing 11 million dollars to highlight the contributions of the Qur'an and Islam to European civilization, a Canadian Islamic scholar who praised children who die for Islam (Jim provided audio), the latest concerning the exclusive Islamic city taking shape near Dallas and special news for listeners in Pennsylvania and Florida.

Many believers in the United States are totally oblivious to religious persecution taking place around the world and really have little concept as to what is taking place. Most believers in the U.S. will get up in the morning, go through their daily activities: work, meals, appointments, leisure and go to bed at night without even a hint of a thought to believers in Christ that are being persecuted. Did you know religious persecution has been escalating in countries around the world? As a matter of fact, many are paying with their very lives on account of their faith. Executions alone in 2024 had a 32% increase compared to 2023. One of the leading persecutors is the CCP, the Chinese Communist Party. This Crosstalk seeks to increase your awareness as to what is going on with believers in China, but also in other countries around the world as well. Jeff King is president of International Christian Concern, an organization that has served the global persecuted church since 1995. Jeff is a leading expert on the matter of religious persecution. He's traveled to more than 70 countries thus gaining extensive knowledge of what is happening to religious freedom. He has a passion for the persecuted. He is author of Islam Uncensored and Last Words of the Martyrs. Concerning China, Jeff noted that leader Xi Jinping is currently in a crackdown phase. This phase includes knocking churches down, tearing down crosses, constant pressure to have churches come under state control, secret arrests, torture, abuse and murder. In spite of all this, the Marxist leaders there simply don't understand that the more you try to stamp out the church, the more it grows.

Last Thursday, white smoke came forth from the Sistine Chapel indicating a new pope had been selected. As the smoke rose, the throngs gathered in St. Peter's Square burst forth in cheers. Then the name was revealed. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, at age 69, had been named the new pope, the first pope to ever come from the United States. His official papal name: Pope Leo XIV. Crowds swelled as the first public appearance was named. So, who exactly is Pope Leo XIV? What is his belief system? Will he point individuals to Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation and Jesus as being the only mediator between God and man or will he be leading followers down the same pathway of deception just as his predecessors? Returning to Crosstalk to bring a biblical perspective concerning this new pope was Mike Gendron. Mike is founder and director of Proclaiming the Gospel Ministry. Mike noted that Pope Leo XIV appears to be very well qualified to run an international organization. He speaks 5 different languages and is well educated with advanced degrees in mathematics and theology. However, is he qualified to be the head of the church that Catholics believe was founded by Jesus Christ? Mike answers that and much more as he explains the following: The historic significance of this new pope's name. Leo XIV called himself a successor to Peter. Is he? Do the Scriptures tell us anywhere about walking with Mary as Pope Leo XIV has communicated? The blasphemous and unscriptural nature of calling a pope "holy." Was the pope biblically incorrect to say that, "...individuals are reborn in the waters of baptism"? Will this pope be conservative or liberal?

Dr. Michael Artigues is president of the American College of Pediatricians. Dr. Artigues received his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering from Tulane University in 1988 and medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical School in 1992 where he also completed his pediatric residency in 1995. He practices general pediatrics in McComb, Mississippi. He has served as a board member and president of the local crisis pregnancy and child advocacy centers and has been a member of the American College of Pediatricians Board since 2014. Children across America have been identifying as transgender in what some have called, "epidemic proportions." In fact, it's almost become a status symbol to be viewed as transgender. Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services released a ground-breaking report which confirms the lack of evidence supporting both the safety and efficacy of transgender interventions both in children and adolescents. This goes against the mantra that's been coming out from many public school systems, as well as the practices of Planned Parenthood and what we've been seeing from Hollywood. This is a many faceted issue that involves aspects such as gender dysphoria, gender affirming care, preferred pronouns, puberty blockers, emotional instability, the suicide factor and more. Review this broadcast and you'll hear these things discussed while listeners called with their opinions both pro and con.

Ed Petrus, of the Lawrence County Historical Society, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, tells the story of the hometown hero hymnwriter Ira Sankey, and the inspiration for his song, "The Ninety and Nine." In addition Petrus plays the song on one of Sankey's organs! The interview recounts the life of Ira Sankey, a local figure from Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, who rose to international fame as a song leader and musician alongside Dwight Moody. Initially dismissed by his father, Sankey's passion for music and ministry led him to travel extensively, ultimately revolutionizing religious gatherings with his innovative use of music and his ability to connect with audiences. The narrative highlights Sankey's humble beginnings, his involvement in local institutions like the YMCA, and his enduring legacy, particularly his creation and popularization of hymns like "Ninety and Nine," demonstrating a commitment to spreading faith and inspiring devotion through accessible and emotionally resonant music.