Two businessmen’s unusual conversion in 1700s South Carolina led them to liberate the people they put in bondage.
At first glance, William Turpin and his business partner, Thomas Wadsworth, appeared to be like most other prestigious and powerful white men in late 18th-century South Carolina. They were successful Charleston merchants, had business interests across the state, got involved in state politics, and enslaved numerous human beings. Nothing about them seemed out of the ordinary.
But, quietly, these two men changed their minds about slavery. They became committed abolitionists and worked to free dozens of enslaved people across South Carolina. When most wealthy, white Carolinians were increasingly committed to slavery and defending it as a Christian institution, Turpin and Wadsworth were compelled by their convictions to break the shackles they had placed on dozens of men and women.
In an era when the Bible was edited so that enslaved people wouldn’t get the idea that God cared about their freedom, Turpin left a secret record of emancipation in a copy of the Scriptures, which is now in the South Carolina State Museum.
Perhaps it’s not surprising that this story of faith and freedom is mostly unknown. The two men were, after all, working not to attract attention.
Neither had deep roots in Charleston or close familial ties to its storied white “planter” dynasties. Turpin’s family was originally from Rhode Island, and Wadsworth was a native of Massachusetts who moved to South Carolina only shortly after the American Revolution. Both had public careers and served in the South Carolina Legislature, but their political profiles were not particularly high. Neither of them appeared to give any of their legislative colleagues the sense that they were developing strong, countercultural opinions on one of the most …
This holiday season, get ready for an action-packed, all-star, rainbow-colored family reunion like no other as Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake return for the new chapter in DreamWorks Animation’s blockbuster musical franchise:Trolls Band Together.
This film highlights themes of awesome music, friendship, family, and the importance of believing in oneself.
As some Christian advocates fight for age verification, others say it’s parents’ responsibility to monitor.
When parents ask Chris McKenna at what age they should give their kid a smartphone, he has a stock answer: “the age you want them to see porn.”
The former youth pastor started Protect Young Eyes, a nonprofit that teaches tech safety to schools, businesses, churches, and parents, in 2015 after he became concerned about the dissolving barriers between pornography and young people.
“I was watching for the first time in human history as we were putting the internet in the pockets of kids,” he said, “and that terrified me.”
In the years since, the average age at which kids are first exposed to pornography has trended younger. Researchers estimated in 2021 it was somewhere around 11.
As data continues to show the harms of viewing porn, particularly for children, support for stricter legal limits on pornographers has grown. McKenna’s job description as head of Protect Young Eyes has grown too—it now includes political advocacy.
In 2019, McKenna testified before the US Senate Judiciary Committee, recommending lawmakers hold tech companies responsible for making safety filters and parental controls on their devices easier to use.
This year, McKenna consulted with lawmakers and testified before legislators in several states in support of new age-verification laws, which require porn websites to verify their users are 18 or older. Seven states—Texas, Louisiana, Utah, Mississippi, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Virginia—passed age-verification laws this year.
In Texas, McKenna helped lawmakers draft what became House Bill 1181, which Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law over the summer. The measure was immediately challenged on First Amendment grounds, and a district court judge struck …
Inspired by true events, when a handshake deal goes sour, funeral homeowner Jeremiah O’Keefe (Academy Award winner Tommy Lee Jones) enlists charismatic, smooth-talking attorney Willie E. Gary (Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx) to save his family business. Tempers flare and laughter ensues as the unlikely pair bond while exposing corporate corruption and racial injustice in this inspirational, triumphant story.
In theaters October 6 and coming to Prime Video on October 13, 2023.
Directed by Maggie Betts
Written by Doug Wright, Screenplay by Doug Wright and Maggie Betts Based on the New Yorker article by Jonathan Harr
Cast
Tommy Lee Jones, Jamie Foxx, Jurnee Smollett, Mamoudou Athie, Pamela Reed, with Bill Camp, and Alan Ruck
Even in states where regulations were severe, most congregations moved on quickly.
Jeff Schoch was ready to be done with COVID-19 health safety regulations.
Like most ministers in the US, the pastor of Crossroads Bible Church in San Jose, California, did his best to comply with the many pandemic rules imposed by state and local governments. But as soon as they were lifted, he wanted to put them all behind him. He quickly tore down the state-mandated signs about social distancing, hand washing, and masks.
“I got rid of every visual reminder in the church,” Schoch told CT. “I was anxious, personally, to make that a memory.”
Across the country, Protestant congregations are dealing with the long-term impacts of the pandemic. A new, extensive study by Arbor Research Group and ChurchSalary, a ministry of Christianity Today, found that a lot of pastors are still in crisis. Some furloughed staff members haven’t gone back to work. And even when attendance numbers have rebounded, there are still people missing from many congregations. Christian leaders will likely be grappling with the fallout from COVID-19 for years to come.
But, surprisingly, state-level pandemic restrictions had no measurable, lasting impact on American churches. Even in places like San Jose—where the county government imposed some of the strictest rules in the country, the restrictions changedfrequently, and authorities aggressivelywentafter churches they said failed to comply—pastors like Schoch were able to just move on. The data doesn’t show any adverse effects from the government regulations.
Eric Shieh, a research consultant for Arbor Research, said that surprised him.
“You would think that the restrictions made things tougher for churches. They didn’t meet as much, and so you’d …
Team, get ready to witness what faith and determination can do for your wildest dreams, coming to Prime Video on September 15th, 2023!
About
Inspired by the real-life story of NASA flight engineer José Hernández, A Million Miles Away follows him and his devoted family of proud migrant farm worker on a decades-long journey, from a rural village in Michoacán, Mexico, to the fields of the San Joaquin Valley, to more than 200 miles above the Earth in the International Space Station. With the unwavering support of his hard-working parents, relatives, and teachers, José’s unrelenting drive & determination culminates in the opportunity to achieve his seemingly impossible goal. Acclaimed writer and director Alejandra Márquez Abella has created a dazzling tribute to the loyalty and tenacity of the entire Hernández family, as well as anyone who dares to dream.
Directed by Alejandra Márquez Abella
Screenplay by Bettina Gilois, Hernán Jiménez, Alejandra Márquez Abella
Produced by Mark Ciardi, Campbell McInnes
Starring Michael Peña, Rosa Salazar, Bobby Soto, Sarayu Blue, Veronica Falcón, Julio César Cedillo, Garret Dillahunt and Eric Johnson
(from left) Romeo Travis (Scoot Henderson), Lil Dru Joyce III (Caleb McLaughlin), LeBron James (Marquis “Mookie” Cook), Willie McGee (Avery S. Wills, Jr.) and Sian Cotton (Khalil Everage) in Shooting Stars, directed by Chris Robinson.
The adults in the room try to tell us when we’re young – you are a reflection of your closest friends. It matters who you have in your circle, your crew. They will bring joy, pain, mold and shape you.
Who are the ones privileged to be seated in the front row of your life’s story? For NBA superstar, Lebron James, it doesn’t get any better than Lil Dru, Willie, Sian, and Romeo. And, Shooting Stars gives us a glimpse of their collective journey.
How did five young friends from Akron, OH become the #1 high school team in the country, and launch James’ breathtaking career as a four-time NBA Champion, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer? Literally, together.
The inseparable “Fab Four” – Lebron, Lil Dru, Willie, and Sian (Romeo joined the crew in high school, making it the “Fab Five”) were known to eat, sleep, and drink basketball since their elementary school days as players on the “Shooting Stars”. Vowing to always play together, the talented players faced their first major adversity when the top basketball school in their district threatened to put Lil Dru on junior varsity. With some coercion, renegotiating, and vision, the Fab Four decided to stick together and ultimately switched to the predominantly white Catholic school, where the new head basketball coach had fallen from NCAA graces, and needed a new start of his own.
The film’s depiction of the Fab Five’s bond and their collective learning curve on the importance of unity under pressure shines bright from beginning to end, as does the impact of consistent familial support. The families of these young men were not wealthy, but rich in love, loyalty, and knit together for the unified purpose of seeing the young men go as far as they dreamed. And, each one of the Fab Five deeply felt this truth.
While their skills and talents were undeniable, the real-life Dru Joyce III of the Fab Five said it best:
“I know we were bound tight, but the families, they had our backs. It was a lot of people even just praying for us. We always talk about how we come from good stock, and that’s definitely true.”
Basketball fans and everyday viewers will enjoy this coming-of-age story. The “shooting” and slam dunks in Shooting Stars will have viewers cheering from their sofas, and beaming with pride during the “where are they now?” segment. As anyone can predict without a spoiler alert: The Fab Five successfully managed the pressure of hard lessons and disappointments, and their brotherhood continues strong to this day.
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It’s not how you start the game. It’s how you finish.
ShootingStars – Streaming only on Peacock starting June 2nd!
Starring: Marquis “Mookie” Cook, Wood Harris, Caleb McLaughlin, Khalil Everage, Avery S. Willis, Jr., Sterling “Scoot” Henderson, Dermot Mulroney, Natalie Paul, Diane Howard, Algee Smith, Katlyn Nichol Director: Chris Robinson Executive Producer: Gretel Twombly Producers: Rachel Winter, p.g.a., Spencer Beighley p.g.a, LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, Terence Winter Screenplay by: Frank E. Flowers and Tony Rettenmaier & Juel Taylor, based on the book by LeBron James & Buzz Bissinger
You may think that, given the choice of entering the ring to fight Michael B. Jordan, Jonathan Majors, or your Past, the Past would be the safest and wisest choice. Truth is, very few things in life hit harder and fight dirtier than your Past.
It creeps up behind you out of nowhere, carrying with it every ill intention imaginable – or, in Adonis Creed’s (Michael B. Jordan) case, the Past shows up on an ordinary day in beautiful, sunny California. It’s leaning against your SUV in the form of a troubled childhood friend, Dame (Jonathan Majors), just released from prison with nowhere else to go.
In theaters everywhere March 3rd, this scene in CREED III is the genesis. With exceptional directorial debut swag, Michael B. Jordan opens the portal down the rabbit hole that is Adonis & Dame. It’s the moment when viewers realize this is not just another installment of “Rocky’s boxing movie” anymore. The sordid history between Adonis and Dame is too complicated to ignore, as is the air too thick with their unfinished business.
The Past Emerges When You Least Expect It.
Enjoying the fruits of their labor, Adonis and Bianca (Tessa Thompson) are living the dream, with skyline views from their mansion and personal chefs to Bianca’s rise as a chart-topping music producer and pop singer. They cry no more for their newborn baby girl who was born deaf. Young Amara (Mila Davis-Kent) is the joy of the home, where even Adonis is fluent in sign language and tea time as a Girl Dad.
The re-emergence of Damian Anderson after a long prison sentence couldn’t have come at a better time in Adonis’ life. However, being in a better place to help a friend can easily and swiftly translate into having more to lose.
As Dame’s story unfolds, CREED III straps viewers into a rollercoaster of emotions, from leaning towards empathy for Dame’s rough life to booing him in the ring as he pounds Adonis for the heavyweight title. While boxing fans will enjoy watching these two gladiators battle in the first sports film in history shot on IMAX cameras, writers Ryan Coogler, Keenan Coogler, and Zach Baylin flip the script to also reveal their deep vulnerabilities.
Hidden in plain sight amongst the beads of sweat flying in the air, chiseled abs, and sculpted biceps, viewers will find the seeds of trauma in the lives of Adonis and Dame. CREED III gives these two, strong men permission to feel, express emotions, all while showing how painstakingly hard it is for men to do so.
How are family members, wives, children impacted by generations of men who bury their trauma out of perceived necessity? As viewers watch the reactions of Bianca and Amara, the message will hit close to home of how important it is for men to have a safe space to feel and heal.
Director’s Notes for Viewers: Micheal B. Jordan’s Two-Word Sermon
CREED III Director, Michael B. Jordan, at the Atlanta HBCU Screening / Photo credit: Phil Salter
Viewers will literally watch Michael B. Jordan direct himself on screen, fighting his Past through the character, Dame. Given this extreme outlook as both director and actor, we asked the NAACP Image Awards winner this question:
What are your director’s notes to viewers when their “Dame” comes back to haunt them?
After a comical, yet pensive, “Ooooooh”, the Screen Actors Guild Awards winner began his response with 2 simple words for us all to remember: Dig deep.
Team Jesus Magazine readers, especially, will appreciate this short, simple sermon – why? Because it’s a play call taken straight out of our playbook in Matthew 13:5-6 (para):
5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil wasn’t deep.6 But the plants were soon scorched under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.
We all have a Past that we can’t outrun. One day, we’ll have to face it.
So, when the scorching hot Past haunts us and hits us with its best shot, let’s train like Adonis Creed and dig deep. Brace for impact. It may hurt a little or a lot, and knock the wind out of our lungs.
But, teammates, trust that when it’s all over, you’ll still be standing strong. Not in your own strength, but on the Solid Rock.
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“Let Go of Whatever Was, and Walk Into What Is.”
Team, get your tickets now for Creed III, coming March 3rd to a theater and IMAX near you.
Directed by: Michael B. Jordan
Screenplay by: Keenan Coogler & Zach Baylin
Story by: Ryan Coogler and Keenan Coogler & Zach Baylin
Produced by: Irwin Winkler, p.g.a., Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Ryan Coogler, p.g.a., Michael B. Jordan, p.g.a., Elizabeth Raposo, p.g.a., Jonathan Glickman, Sylvester Stallone
Executive Producers: Sev Ohanian, Zinzi Coogler, Nicolas Stern, Adam Rosenberg
Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Jonathan Majors, Wood Harris, Mila Davis-Kent, Florian Munteanu, and Phylicia Rashad
Genre: Drama
CREED is a trademark of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Honor your father and mother? Filial piety has damaged many parent-child relationships. But Christian families can learn where Confucian culture ends and Paul’s parenting practices begin.
Recently, a primary school in Hong Kong asked its students to kneel and serve tea to their mothers and fathers as a gesture of filial piety, a Confucian-inspired attitude of respect and service toward parents. While tea ceremonies are often performed by Chinese brides for their future in-laws, the school’s instructions suggested this might also be a worthy practice for children to direct toward their own parents.
The school’s decision drew significant attention and pushback from Hong Kongers, many of whom perceived the exercise as a way to compel their children to unconditionally follow authority. Since Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997, numerous parents have consciously tried to avoid raising their children to blindly follow authority—something they believe the Chinese government would desire. Others argued that forcing students into a subservient position was a sign that the administration was trying to encourage unconditional obedience from its students.
The school’s principal, who is Catholic, defended her public institution’s instruction apologetically, claiming that the practice was in line with the fifth commandment to “Honor your father and mother.”
Many Christian schools and churches in Hong Kong, where I was born and raised, have long used Scripture to justify Confucian teaching—even when these teachings have led to heretical conclusions. Few examine the difference between Christian instruction to honor parents and traditional Chinese filial piety.
But does the Chinese understanding of filial piety really mean exactly the same as the biblical description of honoring parents? And can an emphasis on obeying the fifth commandment overlook or even rationalize parent-child …
In a Business Week poll, employees were asked “Are you one of the top 10 percent of performers in your company?” A whopping 90 percent of all employees said yes, including 97 percent of the executives! But the math does not compute. Ninety percent of us can’t be in the top 10 percent. So, what is going on?
We often think we are the hardest workers and others are the slackers, partly because we judge ourselves based on our intentions and others based on their actions. We don’t think other people are as committed as we are – that they avoid their responsibilities, are always late, and make excuses.
But, of course, that’s not us. We are hard-core competitors. Our friends, family members, teammates, co-workers, and maybe even our bosses are slackers, but we are not!
Reality check: We all suffer from the slacker disease in one way or another.
Pastor, author, and speaker Chip Ingram defines discipline as “simply doing the right thing at the right time.” Slackers struggle with discipline and often just don’t do the right thing at the right time. But according to the Bible, discipline is not about perfection, but consistency. It’s about the pursuit and the resolve.
One of our main responsibilities is to abide in Christ, and avoiding that commitment is deadly. We meet so many people who say they love God but who rarely show it. Generally, when a person really loves something or someone, there’s proof, like when someone really loves a certain sports team. They wear the jerseys, go to the games, keep up on the stats and fly the flags. And, they talk about it all the time!
When we say we love God, is there any evidence to back it up? Are we consumed with Him? Does our schedule reflect it? Are we pursuing God-opportunities?
God Intentions are the Cure for Christian Slacking
Theologian E.M. Bounds cut to the quick when he said, “Our laziness after God is our crying sin.” We have good intentions, but good intentions without consistent actions are worthless. Instead of good intentions, we should have “God intentions.” God intentions stick! Good intentions are centered on our plans, but God intentions are based on what God wants to do in and through us.
Today, let’s make the decision to become a generation of Christians who seek God first and with all our hearts, giving our passions and desires to Him. In return, the anointing and power of God will consume us and transform us, and our hunger after God will define us! Think about it.
So, What’s The Play Call?
Evaluate: How is your daily worship? What needs to change? Does God get your first and best time of the day?
Plan: Figure out what works best for you. Can you give God the best part of the day? What time would that be?
Execute: Start today; not tomorrow. Carve out some time to meet with the God of the Universe. Ask someone to hold you accountable for 45 days.
About
About
Team, get ready to witness what faith and determination can do for your wildest dreams, coming to Prime Video on September 15th, 2023!
Team, get your tickets now for 
Pastor, author, and speaker 
Theologian E.M. Bounds cut to the quick when he said, “Our laziness after God is our crying sin.” We have good intentions, but good intentions without consistent actions are worthless. Instead of good intentions, we should have “God intentions.” God intentions stick! Good intentions are centered on our plans, but God intentions are based on what God wants to do in and through us.
