FRANKLIN, Tenn. (BP) – Contemporary Christian artist Matthew West’s new album “Brand New” explores themes of new life, insecurity, hope and grace while melding together musical styles ranging from pop ballads to guitar-led, Springsteen-like tunes. Released Feb. 14, this is the first project West has released under a recently-signed deal with Provident Label group and Sony Music. Brand New represents a refocus and a rekindled vision in his music, career and life, West told Baptist … [Read more...]

COLUMBIA – A packed house needed to bring in chairs at Open Heart Baptist Church here during a discussion of gender and sexuality issues, hosted by the Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) Christian Life Commission (CLC). Bill Victor, MBC scholar-in-residence joined Desert Streams / Living Waters Ministries’ Dean Greer and Amanda Smith – both of whom have come out of homosexual lifestyles – to lead the conversation. Bill Victor Victor approached the evening from the perspective of a … [Read more...]

KANSAS CITY (LifeSiteNews) – “LIV-ing in Victory,” a reference to Super Bowl LIV, was the theme of Kansans for Life annual Valentine’s Day banquet held at the Overland Park Convention Center on Feb. 11. Nearly 1,200 people attended the event. The highlight of the evening for many was the keynote address by Tim Tebow, former quarterback for the Denver Broncos. “It is such an honor to be here,” Tebow said as he thanked the archbishop, politicians, and Culp for work on behalf of the … [Read more...]

NASHVILLE (BP) – Jeremy Camp was driving down California’s Big Bear Mountain, fasting and praying for a breakthrough from pain and grief. Melissa had died only three months after their wedding. Camp sought solace in the mountains, he recalled in an interview with Baptist Jan. 21, nearly 20 years later. It was his song “Walk by Faith,” still on a demo that day in 2001, that helped him heal. “I remember saying, ‘I will walk by faith, even when I cannot see, because this broken road prepares … [Read more...]

HOLLYWOOD – “Harriet” isn’t a “Christian” movie, but that doesn’t mean this biopic about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad isn’t a movie full of Christian themes and content. Does your family need to get out of the house and get a breath of fresh air over Thanksgiving? You could do a lot worse than heading to the theater to see this uplifting and inspiring movie. It seems odd to say a movie about slavery is inspiring, but it’s true. Harriet begins with Minty, a slave woman … [Read more...]

NASHVILLE (BP) – The new psychological thriller "Joker" is a "dangerous" movie that glorifies violence and could spark copycats, even if it does raise important questions about mental illness and society's downtrodden, say faith-based reviewers who screened the film. The Warner Bros/DC Films movie opens in theaters this weekend, revealing the backstory to the villain best-known as Batman's nemesis. "Joker," though, is not categorized as a superhero film. It's rated R for "strong … [Read more...]

The new theatrical release “Downton Abbey” is the cinematic finale to six seasons of the British TV series of the same name. If you enjoyed the show, by all means, see the movie. This big screen chapter has all the same thematic strengths as the television series (and weaknesses... you’ll be disappointed if you had your fingers crossed Thomas Barrow’s journey was going to have a God-honoring conclusion). I’m late to the Downton party, or I suppose, Downton ball. I binge-watched all six … [Read more...]