(upbeat music)

- Welcome to Faith Nation,

I'm John Jessup.

- And I'm Jenna Browder.

Well ahead of 2020 all eyes are on Iowa

but for some pastors there their focus

is more on God than politics.

- And in the middle ofthe partisan divide,

one ministry in mid America aims

to bridge the gap by bringing pastors

to politicians as Abigail Robertson

explains how the prayer

and counsel they offer has brought

a new level of spiritualityto the state's capital.

- The Bible calls usto pray for our leaders

and that's exactly what agroup of pastors is doing

every day when lawmakers are in session

here at the Iowa Capitol.

- [Man] We pray for wisdom.

- Having a pastor at theCapitol is another day in Iowa.

Is just another day.

It's as common as a legislatorbeing in the capital.

- [Abigail] The group meetsat a nearby church to pray

and discuss what the lawmakers will

take up that week.

They then head over

and start meeting with elected officials

from both sides of the aisles.

- I do believe that the prayers that

the pastors have done for me has helped

the issues, settle some ofthe issues in my home life

and help me to carry those issues

as I continue to work for my constituents.

- Whether I get to see them personally

or if they're heremeeting with someone else,

it's always good to see that

moral support out there.

- [Abigail] And they're notjust on the state level.

- I pray that you wouldencourage him for the.

- [Abigail] US Senator Chuck Grassley

tell CBN News, he's happy to see

these pastors followingthe biblical calling.

- I say, read 1 Timothy2:1-2, where it says

to pray for people in government

and I welcome that.

- [Abigail] And he adds one specific

request for lawmakers.

- What Washington DC needs

and any public official at any level

of government needs is to pray for

public officials to have wisdom.

- [Abigail] This idea known as

The Church Ambassadorprogram, started taking shape

after the 2012 election,when Bob Vander Plaats,

President of the Family Leader felt

a deep change was needed.

- We really did a gut check,

we looked at ourselves in the mirror

and said, you know,what is this all about?

And that's when we said we need

to authentically engage the church,

we need to be aboutcultural transformation

and the only way we're gonna get

cultural transformation isif we lead with the gospel.

- [Abigail] And thatincludes bringing faith

and political leaders together.

While the pastors don'tbring a political agenda

into the capital, they're available

to add a faith basedperspective to issues.

Greg Baker, who leads the pastors

in each day has seen legislators change

their stance after prayer.

- We had a legislator that completely

turned 180 on a pretty controversial

issue last year in regards to abortion,

completely turned 180 byrelationships with pastors.

- [Abigail] Baker maintains the key

to success is remaining nonpartisan.

- Our end goal isn'tpolicy, is not favoring

one person or the other, our end goal

is the relationship.

- [Abigail] While hundreds of pastors

from around Iowa take part in the program,

they only take a small group into

the Capitol on a daily basis.

- One of the things we're seeing is that

the spiritual temperatureat the Iowa capital,

it's at an all time high.

- [Abigail] The Family Leaderis partnering with people

who will bring this toother states like Ohio.

- In some senses, it's the most

common sense thing, its relationship.

- [Abigail] The ambassador program is just

one part of the Family Leader's broader

Daniel initiative that aims to engage

more Christians inpolitics and government.

- When that trust gets built up,

we do believe that our voice then

does matter in elections, our voice

does matter in policies

and we want to see that happen

but it's not hijacking the church

for a political gain.

It's not hijacking thechurch for a candidate win.

- And since they'reseeing positive results,

they're already planning to expand

into states like Minnesota, Wisconsin,

New Hampshire and Florida.

The pastors are now regularfixtures in the capital

and during the four years they visited,

only five members have turned down

their offers to pray with them.

Reporting from Des Moines, Iowa,

Abigail Robertson, CBN News.

- Well, although it mayseem counter cultural,

some student athletes are part of

a powerful combo of God and sports.

- And it's happening, believe it or not

on public school groundsall across America.

So exactly what happens in the Huddle?

- Paul Strand takes us to the fields

of faith to find out.

- You might find this hard to believe,

but out here in thepublic schools of America,

there's a thriving network of Christians

meeting right here on thefields where they play.

Since 1954, the Fellowshipof Christian Athletes

or FCA has been a force helping

about 2 million coachesand student athletes

each year combine their love of sports

with their desire to know God better.

Now their competitiveness

and teamwork is on display across America.

FCA recently took itsfields of faith initiative,

to Loudoun County Virginia.

- On a public school field we get to hear

the gospel presented

and that's powerful.

- [Paul] Athletes likeWashington Redskins Center,

Chase Roullier compareda life with Jesus Christ

to one without him.

- Going out and partying and you know,

chasing things you shouldn't be

you're gonna be verylonely, but if you have

a relationship with with God, you know,

you're gonna be very full, your heart

is gonna be full of him.

- [Paul] Local youth pastor

and sports fanatic Lee Banton.

- There's a lot of people that say

they think they have it figured out

but they're still searching, but those

that have found Christ, they're like,

I'm not searching anymore,I've found the truth.

- [Paul] Defensive safety Connor McCarthy

spoke of a sports injury that would have

crushed him had it happened before

he came to trust in a good God.

- He has a plan for everyone that

you have to, if you trust His plan

and really accept His grace and His love,

that you know, things in life will

just start turning around

and you'll start viewing the hardships

and start viewing them asopportunities to get better

and closer to God.

- [Paul] They testified those who find

Christ find hope.

- When they figure that hope out

that changes their entire life.

- I would not be as atpeace as I am right now.

- It's just in my own life, man,

I've seen it be real and change me.

- [Paul] Football player Max Skirkanich

testified how the God of peace coming

into his life drainedhim of a furious anger.

- I'll get at least probably like two

to three unnecessary roughness penalties

a game just because I would get angry

and then I would like usethat as like my motivation.

I truly gave my life to Christ when

going into 10th grade year

and so then I really started realizing

that like playing for the Lord,

I didn't need to get as angry so I went

from being a hard hittinglinebacker to a kicker.

- [Paul] Cross countryrunner Christina Gay

finds God in her sporttake her to a higher level.

- Running is a way for meto just worship the Lord

and it's I use it as an act of worship

and I use it to pray

and just be at peace.

- And having him inthe center of your life

can really have a huge effect on you.

- [Paul] FCA's Virginia director

celebrated this night of testimony

and worship on this one field.

- We've got 16 schoolsrepresented, public high schools

and they're all coming together tonight

to celebrate what God'sdoing on their campuses.

- Everybody loves sports,no matter you know,

it's just in our culture.

Why do we focus on coaches and athletes?

Because they'reinfluencers in our society.

- And I think students are the one

that are changing the world.

They're the next ones to change the world,

why would I not wannaimpact them for Christ?

- [Paul] That impact goes on at schools

during weekly FCAgatherings called Huddles.

- A time of fun and fellowship,

read God's word, somebody will lead

a devotional or a thought

and there's some discussion.

The goal is to be challenged spiritually

but also just be encouraged knowing that

you're with other men orwomen or boys and girls

that share the same faith as you.

- [Paul] Huddles are wide open to everyone

especially non believers.

- However they come we know that

when they do come, the Holy Spirit

is gonna work on their heartthrough the word of God.

- [Paul] Such gatherings played

a big role in Roulliers life.

- Coming to events like this

and hearing people speak was a big part

of my testimony and growing in my faith.

- [Paul] The effects of these

get togethers can be thrilling,

like what Diener told us is happening

at one Loudoun county school.

- On any given week, they could have

between 80 and 120 students attending

which is close to 20% of the student body.

During the week they're praying

for friends that aregoing through struggles,

so they're actually taking it from

meeting once a week to actually having

an impact on the entire school.

- What The Fellowshipof Christian Athletes

gives these students is not just

a love of the gamesthey play, but all those

that play the games andall their fellow students.

It teaches them to act like leaders

but also to think likeservants of Jesus Christ.

Paul Strand, CBN News, reporting from

the fields of faith in Ashburn, Virginia.

- [Jenna] He is a popularconservative columnist

inside the pages of the New York Times.

Coming up what this bestselling author

says is more importantthan professional success.

- [Man] Introducing theCBN Bible from cbn.com.

Now an easier way to study the Bible

and grow in your faith.

Highlight your favorite verse,

read separate versions at a glance.

Click and read a commentary,or cross reference

your favorite verse usingthe Strong's Concordance.

All the right tools to study the Bible

all in one place.

The CBN Bible available at cbn.com/bible

or the iTunes App Store.

- [Narrator] This is CBN Newswatch.

- Thanks for joining us.

- [Narrator] Watch breaking news,

exclusive stories and programs,

credible news reporting.

- We show you what'shappening in the world

and how you can pray about.

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] This is CBN Newswatch

Because Truth Matters.

Weekdays at five on the CBN News Channel.

- Zoe.

- Yes right on time.

- [Narrator] From Superbook.

- Pepper's pizza palace is donating

pizza for everyone today.

- Wait, wait, wait, wait.

I have big plans today.

- [Narrator] Trust in Godeven when times are tough.

He has a plan for your life.

- Hey, we're gonna be latefor the grand opening.

- My parents want me to help with this

outreach thing, feeding the community.

What am I supposed to do here?

- Superbook.

- [Narrator] Join the Superbook club

and get Superbook the birth of Moses

plus two copies to share with others

all For your gift of only $25.

- Pharaoh ordered all newborn Hebrew boys

thrown into the Nile River

and I have a three month old brother.

- [Narrator] The birth of Moses,

yours for a gift of only $25.

- What will you do the next time

the soldiers come?

- I do not know, but I trust God

has a plan for all of us.

(suspense music)

- [Narrator] Superbook club members

free streaming four seasons one, two

and three is now available.

- Welcome back.

Well many people measure success

through their career hoping to find

happiness by getting ahead.

- Author and columnist David Brooks

climbed that mountain only to find

there's a second summit with what he says

are much greater rewards.

David Brody has the story.

- [David] On the outside conservative

commentator David Brooksseem to have it all.

New York Times columnist,TV political analyst

and best selling author.

Inside however something was missing

and 2013 after 30 years of marriage,

divorce rocked his world.

- One of the things I learned is

when you're in one of those hard moments,

you can either be brokenor you can be broken open.

- [David] For Brooks,it led to soul searching

and renewal that he writesabout in his new book,

"The Second Mountain, TheQuest For A Moral Life."

- And I think the first mountain

is the mountain of career, the one society

wants us to climb

and people find it unsatisfying.

I achieved way more career success

than I ever thought I would

but today, I have anall consuming purpose,

did I have a deep connection?

No, I didn't.

And so you go down the valley

and then when you're in the valley,

you find your bigger,larger self basically

and then you realize you'reready for a larger climb.

And if the first mountainis about acquisition,

how can I get stuff for me?

The second mountain is about contribution,

how can I love others?

- [David] As a child he had always heard

about God's love, Brooks is Jewish,

but also had major Christian influences.

- And so I had two stories running

through my head, the Jewish story,

which is an exodus story, you know,

we cross the wilderness,escape oppression,

come to the land of milk and honey

and then I heard the Jesus story

where went to chapel everymorning, sang in the choir

and I had those two stories in my head

through a lot of my early life.

- [David] After his divorce, an attempt

at self discovery led to a personal walk

with God in the most unusual place.

- I was walking around Penn Station

and it's like the ugliest place

on the face of the earth but I happened to

be in one of the subway tunnels

and it occurred to me that everybody

around me has a soul

and their soul is eithergetting sanctified

or it's getting degraded.

And so once I became awareof that hidden layer,

then I realized I'm afaithful person I'm not

and the way I want to describe it is

it wasn't like a binding revelation.

There was no moment oflike road to Damascus,

it was just.

- The epiphany.

- Yeah, there was no epiphany.

- And then reading the New Testament,

especially the book of Matthew,

changed his spiritual outlook.

What is that, I remember there was a quote

where you said, I cannot unread Matthew,

what did you mean by that exactly?

- I feel more Jewishthan I ever felt before

'cause I used to be, justwas culturally Jewish,

but now I think the covenant is real.

But then I've grown upwith this other story

and as I wrote, I cannot unread Matthew

and to me, the Beatitudes are,

as one person I quote in the book is

where celestial grandeur breaks through

and this person said that the Beatitudes,

the Sermon on the Mount, it's not just

a bunch of wise sayings, it's a completely

remarkable miracle of Divine Presence.

- [David] Since publishing his book,

headline writers have wondered,

what religion is David Brooks anyway?

- Yeah, a vital jokeis I'm a wandering Jew

and a confused Christian.

But I think you know, so I have

both the stories in my head, but I think

my Jewish friends wouldsay I'm a Christian

and they say you can't believe in Matthew

and not and you're still Jewish,

you sort of crossed the line.

So I guess that's fair but I always say

if they wanna get me out of Judaism,

they're gonna kick me, have to kick me out

'cause I still very feelvery devoted to those stories

and those characters and to that culture.

- [David] Despite a spiritual awakening,

don't put Brooks in theevangelicals for Trump camp.

Just look at one of his recent columns

titled "Donald Trump Hates America."

- I'm not a big fan of Donald Trump.

- [David] I've heard.

- I'm pretty, definitely not

for his own characterand behavior reasons.

And so I don't think he exemplifies

what I perceive to be the Christian values

but, you know, I admit I'm new to this so.

- [David] He believes in today's culture,

evangelicals have a greater purpose

than just backing Trump.

- I will say you shouldn't feel besieged

if you have what the country wants.

The country is spiritually hungry.

- [David] And so was David Brooks

starving for connection with God

and with others.

- Only 8% of Americans say they

have important conversationwith their neighbors.

35% of Americans are chronically lonely.

The teenage suicide rate has risen by 70%

in the last decade or so

and that's just people beingcut off from one another.

- [David] It's a heavy undertaking,

no small task climbingthat second mountain.

Where are you in that restoration process?

- I'm in the foothills maybe, I mean

I meet some people who radiate joy

and I'm not quite there yet.

- [David] After all, all ofus are a work in progress.

David Brody, CBN News, Washington.

- [John] Coming up, a tasty new trend

in food service, an ice cream shop with

some special workers

and what makes it such a huge success.

(upbeat music)

- When I came to Regent University

it's like the world opened up.

I felt like I needed to advance my career

and go back to school.

Regent was a perfect fit for me.

The Regent professors are world class.

You are equipped.

The focus of the faculty ison each individual student

whether it's online or in person,

you become a part of Regent's family.

You carry with you not just the content

and the knowledge but the confidence

to understand that we canbe significant in the world.

- [Woman] Regent University,Follow Your Path.

- [Woman] Nigerian Christians are being

slobbered every day.

- [Man] Christians in Iranare routinely arrested.

- [Woman] Nepali Christianscontinue to suffer.

- [Narrator] In times of trial

and affliction, youneed to know the truth.

- One of the fastest growing Christian

populations in the world.

- [Narrator] Join Wendy Griffith

and George Thomas forChristian World News.

- [Woman] Young people are the ones

who are open to the gospel.

- [Narrator] Powerful stories of suffering

and hope that affect all Christians.

Watch Christian WorldNews, Saturday at 5 p.m.

Get "Protect Your Sleep"

and discover how to improvethe quality of your life.

A free DVD or booklet from the Christian

Broadcasting Network.

- If you're not a greatsleeper, you can do

things to make yourself a great sleeper.

If you're already a pretty good sleeper,

you can enhance yoursleep and be even better.

- [Narrator] Five leadingexperts help remove

the obstacles between you

and restorative sleep.

- When you don't get arestful night's sleep,

you wake up with anaccumulation of stress.

- [Narrator] Call 1-800-700-7000 or go

to cbn.com to get yourfree DVD or booklet today.

- Everything you do, you do better

with a good night's sleep.

- [Narrator] You'll discover how food

affects your sleep, howto put insomnia to rest,

explore effective remedies for sleep apnea

and much more in "Protect Your Sleep."

Wake up to your best life

and get "Protect Your Sleep" today.

Call 1-800-700-7000 or go to cbn.com

to get your free DVD or booklet.

- The workers selling frozen treats

at one homemade ice creamshop in Dallas, Texas

are warming hearts.

- They certainly are.

Caitlin Burke explains how they're not

only seen as a gift by many but perhaps

the key to a hospitality revolution.

- [Caitlin] It's hard not to smile

when you walk into theHowdy Homemade ice cream

shop in Dallas, Texas.

- Howdy.

- [Caitlin] You may notice something

unique in the place but thenthe samples start coming

and you just get caughtup in the experience.

- How are you?

- [Woman] I'm well thankyou, how about you?

- Good thank you very much.

- In North Texas alonethere are over 240000

special needs adults looking for work.

Howdy Homemade ice cream shop is looking

to tackle that statistic as the first

for profit business to only hire

special needs workers.

- There isn't anything it's this warm

and fuzzy about this, this is saying

that we're a for profitbusiness, our employees

and the people that our employees

represent are a huge opportunityfor the restaurant industry

and other industries toreally start to hire.

- [Caitlin] Restaurant vet Tom Landis

sees special needs employees as a solution

to some of the industry'sbiggest problems.

- Employee turnover andpoor customer service.

And those are both solved, I think

by people with special needs that

they're friendly continuously over

and over again when theaverage employee just isn't.

And at Howdy we have a zero turnover rate,

our guys love it andthey wanna stay around.

- [Caitlin] When Landis first felt

this inspiration, he wantedto give these workers

the best shot at success.

He didn't feel like his chain of sandwich

shops would accomplish that.

- We wanted to look for a slower cadence,

one where friendliness wasmore important than speed

and the ice cream shop ideasort of rose to the top

and we filtered everything else out.

- [Caitlin] Coleman wasLandis's first employee.

- One of the big football teams

has its annual dinner atone of my other restaurants

and we were busy and Coleman was there

as I think team manager but he just

kind of started passing out food

and helping and, you know, I just

kind of noticed him, here's a kid that,

you know, he didn't need to serve others,

he was there but not only that,

he was so I mean, he's, you know,

I felt like by the end of the night

he had more friends inthat restaurant than I did.

And the you know, he's exactly what

the restaurant industry needs.

- I like to help makethe ice cream sometimes

but personally I also like to be friendly

and say hi to the customers, let's say

or even say howdy to the customers.

- [Caitlin] Landiswants others to not only

appreciate his businessmodel, but to replicate it.

- I think in five years, six years,

you can walk into anyMcDonald's, any fast food place

and someone with special needs

is gonna be working there

and they're, you know, they might remember

your exact order from a week before

or they might give youa hug, but it will be

better than what you're getting now.

- [Caitlin] And it'snot just the restaurant

industry he hopes to change.

- It takes some additionalupfront patience, love

but I think I mean, God made those

with down syndrome totruly be the very best

in the hospitality sense of the word

and then also that thoseon the autism spectrum

there's just an incredible opportunity

for those minds to be harnessed,

I think in the restaurant industry,

but also beyond.

- [Caitlin] As wordspreads, interest grows.

Landis says at least 50 people wanna

franchise Howdy Homemade, with new

offers coming in each day.

- It just seems like this is beautiful

economic intersection wherethe economy is strong,

there's a need for

bussers, people to work behind the counter

and there's such a you know,

a guy like Coleman, a guy like my crews

I mean, two and a half years ago,

no one was gonna hirethem, now I'm a little bit

worried about hey,someone's gonna poach them.

- [Caitlin] Each and every employee

not only exceeds theirbosses expectations,

but those of their parents, teachers

and even their own.

Caitlin Burke, CBN News, Dallas, Texas.

- [Jenna] Still ahead,how one Christian group

is working to combat America's homeless

epidemic in the nation's capital.

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] Christians around the world

are standing with the Israelis.

But why?

In CBN's free magazine,"Friends Of Israel,"

you'll discover why Christians are

supporting the Jewish state.

How Israel is fulfilling prophecy

as a light to the nations

and ways you can prayfor the people of Israel.

Israel needs the supportof friends like you.

Call now or go to cbn.com to get

your free copy of "Friends Of Israel."

(upbeat music)

- Heavenly Father we do thank you

for the work of your Spirit Lord God

with this movement of getting the Bible.

- Yes.

- Lord into public school.

(upbeat music)

- [Narrator] Watch The Prayer Link

Tuesday nights at 6.30.

- If you're tired and exhausted all day,

you can't think clearly

and you really justneed a cup or even a pot

of coffee to get through your day,

then join me Dr. JoshAxe for this new series

where I'm gonna teach youhow to transform your diet

and use essential oils

and supplements to geta better night's sleep.

- [Woman] Get "Protect Your Sleep"

and live your best life with innovative

information from fiveleading sleep experts.

- If you're not a great sleeper,

you can do things to makeyourself a great sleeper.

If you're already a pretty good sleeper

you can enhance yoursleep and be even better.

- [Woman] Discover a sleep enhancing

bedtime routine how toput insomnia to rest.

Learn how to relieve pain, disturbed sleep

and much more in "Protect Your Sleep."

- Everything you do, you do better

with a good night's sleep.

- [Woman] Wake up to your best life.

Call 1-800-700-7000 to get your free DVD

or booklet of "Protect Your Sleep Today."

- Don't miss out on this brand new series.

- Homelessness is a major epidemic

in cities across America

and Washington DC is no exception.

- Close to 6000 peoplein the nation's capital

need a meal and a placeto sleep every night.

Amber Strong introducesus to one Christian group

working to answer that need.

- Beneath the shadows of DC's

treasured monuments passers by see

a striking contrast, aworld of homelessness.

On any given night herein DC about 6000 people

are in need of a place to sleep.

That puts about 600 on the street

and thousands more inshelters across the city.

At Central Union Mission 170 find rest,

not only for their bodiesbut for their souls as well.

- The Gospel's faithfully presented

here everyday not only in the shelter,

but a family ministry center

and the cause of Christ is meeting

the needs of the homelessand hurting in the city.

- [Amber] The staff here give the homeless

more than just a meal and a bed.

They provide folks with hope

and help for transitioningout of their situation.

- We have cognitive programming for those

that have addictions issues,we also have education

and workforce development opportunities.

- [Amber] According tothe Department of Housing

and Urban Development, veterans are among

those nationwide who experience

homelessness at higher rates.

The team here says caring for our nation's

veterans is in their history.

- You know what's significant is that

the mission was founded 135 years ago

and its principal purpose at that time

was to serve the homeless veterans

after the Civil War.

- [Deborah] So one of thethings that we have here

is a veteran suite where we have

it decked out for the veterans

and try to afford them a sense of dignity

while living in a shelter.

- [Amber] And then there's the food.

- Breaking bread with someone,

just having a meal withsomeone breaks down

a lot of barriers.

- [Amber] In the kitchenUnion Mission chefs

led by chef Mo work hard to provide

healthy meals three times a day

because here serving isabout more than just food.

Executive chef Rock Harper, winner of

Hell's Kitchen on Fox says each time

he helps in this kitchen,it's like winning

all over again.

- Bigger than the food,

we're acknowledging people,we're saying I see you,

I wanna be here for you

and if you're aware of that connection,

I think it makes you a better chef.

- [Amber] And some of the country's

best chefs come together each year

for heart and soul, amission sponsored event

raising money for 1 million meals.

From the kitchen to the board room,

the team here says theyfollow a central goal,

do all in the name of the Lord.

- You can give people a bed, you can

give them a shower food, clothing

but when you give them the hope

of Jesus Christ, thatcan turn a life around.

- [Amber] Because they say in the end

it's the food for thesoul that matters most.

Amber Strong, CBN News in Washington.

- And a great message

and something to definitely keep in mind.

- That's right.

Tremendous work.

- Yeah.

- With a tremendous need.

- Absolutely.

- All right, well that's gonna do it

for tonight's Faith Nation.

- Have a great evening.

(upbeat music)