(light music)
- Good evening andthank you for joining us
for the special Christmas Eveepisode of "Faith Nation."
I'm John Jessup.
- And I'm Jenna Browder.
Well, this Christmas Christians
around the world will celebratethe birth of Jesus Christ.
- And as CBN's Chris Mitchell reports
in the place where itall began 2000 years ago,
things look much differentdue to the coronavirus.
- Normally at this time ofyear at Manger Square here
in the heart of Bethlehem
and next to the Church of the Nativity
would be filled with touristsand Christian pilgrims,
but in the town whereJesus Christ was born
it's much differentduring the year of COVID.
- Well, there's gonna be no celebrations,
there gonna be no 24th.
The the normal year thatyou have covered every year.
The parades and Boy Scouts
and music in the streets and everything.
- [Chris] Bethlehem this year
is a tourist town without tourists.
- Since COVID start in March,(speaking foreign language),
the tourists go out from Bethlehem.
Until now we don't see any other tourists.
The situation here is very sad.
No tourists at all.
People are sitting at homewaiting to open a new page
when this disaster would be finished.
- [Chris] Christian artisans here
in the Bethlehem Star Olive Wood Factory
have certainly felt the impact.
I am suffering here andalso in my factory you see
that I have here 14, 15people works at my factory.
I did not send any of my people home.
I left them here, all of themare working in the factory,
just at least to get someincome in the end of the week.
- [Chris] That's where Artza Box comes in.
A Jewish company designedto bring the Holy Land
to Christians in North America.
- Israel has such strongsignificance to so many people,
so many different faiths,
but about 95% of Christiansin North America,
for example, never actuallymake it over into Israel.
And we spend our liveslearning the Old Testament,
the New Testament, all thestories, and the people,
and the characters, andalso the life of Jesus.
You have no way to actuallybring these stories to life
- [Chris] An Artza Boxsubscription provides gifts
from the Holy Land four times a year,
made locally by folks like Jamil Hosh.
Last quarter featured Nazarethand this quarter Bethlehem
It's their way of bringingthe Bible to life.
- That coupled with COVIDwhich hit earlier this year
and all these smallbusinesses and art designers
are really suffering 'causethey really rely on tourism.
So, we decided to create Artzawhich delivers the experience
of Israel to your doorstep and takes you
on a journey through theland and at the same time
we help support all these small businesses
and artisans and theseincredibly talented people,
especially now whentourism isn't coming here.
- [Chris] That includes JamilHosh, his family, and factory.
- Artza, I make him two big orders
and now we are selling myproducts in United States.
They help me a lot.
Maybe I work about six or seven weeks
in summertime to Artza orders.
It was very helpful andit's still in the beginning.
I am expecting next year tobe more orders from Artza
and to work with more items
- [Chris] In Jerusalem, justa few miles from Bethlehem,
COVID also hit Christian businesses.
Many of these alleys wouldbe filled with tourists,
but now many of these shopsin the Christian Quarter
of the Old City are shuttered and closed
- Local business, it went down to zero.
Just like all at one day, boom.
It has been very difficult
and I have many people who also work
with me in this business
and it has been very difficult for them.
- [Chris] Zak Mishriky is
a third generation Christian shopkeeper
in Jerusalem's Old City.
- Since COVID startedit, I had a challenge,
you know, what is next?
And as soon as COVID started,I started investing online.
I sell many Christian itemsthat was produced here
in Jerusalem to bless the whole world
and make them closer to God.
- [Chris] From Olive wood nativity sets
to coins from the time ofJesus and anointing oil,
Mishriky offers a widerange of Christmas gifts.
He feels it's important forChristians around the world
to support their brothersand sisters in the Holy Land.
- Christians in theMiddle East and especially
in the Holy Land, now we'reonly 1% of the population here
and supporting them issupporting the Holy land.
Supporting them is supportingthe existence of Christ here.
- [Chris] Schimmel sees hisefforts through Artza Box
as a way to fulfill theJewish concept of Tikkun Olam,
healing the world.
- We're not just here to help Jews,
we're here to connectthem and help everyone
in the world, regardless of their faith.
That's a very Jewish valuewhich I think is very important.
And secondly, the Christiansupport for Israel
and their connection to Israel
is just overwhelming and incredible.
So, if there's a way on a personal level
to give back to that
then I think that'svery important as well.
- [Chris] Both Artza Boxand Zak's online store wants
to provide a meaningful Christmas.
- Buying gifts that has meanings
and are made by Christiansin the Holy Land
and it really supportfamilies in the land.
We want to bless them back.
- We really hope that it brings people
a lot of Christmas joy andto celebrate your Christmas
with Christmas ornamentsfrom Bethlehem made
from Olive wood as well
and from all these beautifulproducts from the area
which is the story of Christmas.
We think people really enjoy it
and we hope people really do.
- [Chris] Chris Mitchell, "CBN News,"
Manger Square, Bethlehem
- Beautiful scenes there in Israel.
Thank you so much, Chris.
Well, this time of theyear is often referred to
as the season of giving andgiving back is the purpose
of an aviation ministry called Judah 1.
- This fleet of small planestransports missionaries
and their cargo around the world,.
but its founder haseven bigger aspirations.
As Caitlin Burke reports,he wants Judah 1 to be
the world's first Christian airline.
- On.
Standby pump on.
APU door open.
- [Caitlin] At theShreveport Regional Airport
is an aviation ministry dedicated
to fulfilling the Great Commission.
- We give wings to missionaries.
The Great Commission tellsus we go to all of the world
and preach the gospel to every creature.
- Judah 1 has a hangerfull of small planes
and plans for a commercial fleet able
to transport missionaries andtheir cargo around the world.
- [Everett] We're able toget out in the mission field,
take smaller teams, 12 memberteams, 10 member teams,
such as that, taking themin the mission field.
But in the future, oncewe get our certification,
the 125 certification for the large plane
then we can carry the larger teams of 100
and up to 136 with our MB-83and 17,000 pounds of cargo.
And, of course, we cango anywhere with those.
- [Caitlyn] When HurricaneDorian hit The Bahamas,
Judah 1 made it possiblefor CBN's Operation Blessing
to reach and help storm victims.
- In the case of a natural disaster
like happened with Dorian,
we need to be in there quickly.
That was Operation Blessing.
They contacted us initially saying,
"Look, you know, how can you help us
to get our teams in quickly?"
And that's where the smalljets really come in handy.
A lot of times the majorairports are not open
where they can handle thelarger planes coming in.
- [Caitlyn] They not only transported
Operation Blessing staffto the hard hit islands,
but also moved pallets full of supplies,
including water purificationsystems, chlorine,
disaster recoverysupplies, and medical aid.
- [Paramedic] What doyou feel in your legs?
Mild pressure?
- [Patient] Yes.
- [Caitlyn] Judah 1started operations in 1994
after founder Everett Aaron says God spoke
a calling over his life.
- I see hundreds ofthese airplanes lined up
as far as you can see,they're full of food,
medical supplies, Bibles, theengines are running on them,
I can see the crew in the cockpit,
I can see the flightattendants inside the plane.
I mean, these planes are ready to go.
And I get super excited becauseI mean I knew in my spirit
these planes are missionary aircraft
and they're taking suppliesin the mission field.
- [Caitlyn] He saw missionaryteams lined up outside
the planes, but no one would board.
Aaron says he could feel agrieving of the Holy Spirit.
So, he asked God why no one was moving.
- And the Lord spoke and Hesaid, "None of these people,"
and when He said none of these people,
it wasn't just the missionaries.
I saw the pilots on theplanes, the flight attendants,
the mechanics that maintain the planes.
Everybody that's associatedwith doing this stuff.
He said, "None of these people can do
what they're called to dountil you get the airplanes.
This is my call on your life."
- [Caitlyn] Aaron hopesthat 2021 will be the year
that Judah 1 goes from aprivate nonprofit organization
to the world's first Christian airline.
- Becoming the world'sfirst Christian airline
is opening doors for usto be able to go anywhere
in the world and do anything.
But it also is opening doors for us
because part of our heart isnot just in being an airline.
It's not just transportingthe missionaries,
but by getting into thatworld of becoming an airline,
we wanna open up our own flight school.
We wanna be able totrain missionary pilots.
It opens doors for usto do so many things.
- The Judah 1 motto is "Yourhands, God's love, our wings."
So, when you're ready toanswer the call to go,
they're ready to take you.
Caitlin Burke, "CBNNews," Dennison, Texas.
- [John] Thank you, Caitlyn.
Emmanuel in Iran,
the growing response toChrist in the Islamic Republic
when we come back
- [Commentator] On October 1st, 1961,
history was made when a tinystation began transmitting
the first signals of theChristian Broadcasting Network.
- [Commentator] CBN, theChristian Broadcasting Network.
- [Commentator] Andnow a new era has begun
with the all new "CBN News Channel."
- Just moments ago theIron Dome intercepted
an incoming rocket righton the Gaza border.
- And ministering in this area,
spiritual warfare is definitely involved.
- [Commentator] A 24/7 news network,
bringing you the news you wantfrom a source you can trust.
- In Kenya, 40% of the medical services
are actually provided bythese Christian hospitals.
- Let's talk about the economy.
- Believers here are joining together
to win people to Jesus Christ.
- [Commentator] All yourfavorite shows now in one place.
Go to CBNnewschannel.com to find out
how to get the "CBN News Channel"
on your TV all day, every day.
"CBN News."
(man yawning)(cereal splattering)
(juice splashing)
- [Commentator] Life isbetter a good night's sleep.
Get your free DVD or bookletof "Protect Your Sleep!" today.
- [Commentator] Life, it'smeant to be lived fully.
Jesus said it, "I came to give you life."
Life to the fullest.
Life in your family.
Life in your finances.
Life in your body, mind, and spirit.
Life in your every day.
At cbn.com we're takingwhat Jesus said seriously.
We're here to help you discover life.
Life, live it fully, cbn.com.
- Well it's during the Christmas season
we most often see theuse of the name Emmanuel,
God with us.
And in Iran today, agrowing number of people
are turning to Christ evenin the face of persecution.
- That's right, Jenna.
A new survey uncovers a seismicshift in the Islamic nation.
Here's CBNs George Thomas.
- For 14 days in June twoDutch professors interviewed
more than 50,000 Iranians online
for an unprecedentedsurvey covering topics
from faith to politics to religious life.
The authors say theydiscovered a huge shift
that should fundamentally changehow we look at Iran today.
One major standout fromprofessors Pooyan Tamimi Arab
and Ammar Maleki is thatdespite Iran census claims
that 99.5% of thepopulation is Shiite Islam,
only 32% of their respondentsidentified as such.
The next largest group are the nons at 22%
which led the authors to conclude
that Iranians are abandoningreligion for secularism.
- Broadly speaking,this survey is important
because it puts data behind
the largely non-imperical argument
that analysts have beenforced to deal with
which is that Iraniansociety is less religious.
This survey, this data,proves that Iranian society
is exceptionally less religious.
- [George] Approximately half of
the population reportedlosing their religion.
60% said they do not pray any more.
Younger people reported higher levels
of dissatisfaction with religion
and an overwhelming numberof respondents were critical
of authorities using strict Islamic laws
to govern daily life.
For example, 72% of those surveyed opposed
the law mandating allwomen to wear a hijab,
the Islamic veil covering.
And when the authors dug a little deeper
on questions central to that faith,
even less numbers believedin the core tenants
of Shia Islam.
Only 37% believed in life after death.
30% believed in heaven and hell
and even a lower number,25%, believed in the coming
of their Islamic savior knownas the Mahdi or 12th Imam.
- All of these trends,the pushback on the hijab,
the lack of belief inthe coming of the Mahdi,
the lack of a willingnessto identify with Shi'ism,
the willingness toidentify with other faiths,
are all a result of politicsin the past 40 years
of the Iranian government
and as the Islamic Republic has tried
to shove religion down the throat
of Iranians to mask theirauthoritarian grasp on power,
you've seen Iranians contesttheir authoritarianism
by contesting faith itself.
- [George] The survey also revealed
that as Islam diminishes,Christianity is growing.
1.5% of those surveyed identifiedthemselves as Christian.
- And that is comparedto about 30 years ago
being less than 1%.
That less than 1%, everyonethought it was less than 0.5%.
- [George] Mike Ansari of Mohabat TV,
a ministry that broadcastthe gospel into Iran,
tells "CBN News" the survey is significant
because it lends credence
to what mission groupshave been saying for years.
- This data is important becauseit's indicative of the fact
that in the country of Iranin the midst of persecution
and Islamic rule, Iraniansare turning their back
to their faith, to theirinstitutional faith,
and receiving Christianity as a new faith.
(crowd clapping)
- [George] Iran is one ofthe most dangerous places
for Christians and otherminority faith groups.
Non-Muslims are oftenarrested or severely tortured
for sharing or practicing their faith.
Yet, in a sign of changingtimes, the survey found that 41%
of respondents believed all religions
should have the rightto public proselytizing
and around 54% said it was a good idea
for their children to learnabout other faiths in school.
George Thomas, "CBN News."
All right, thank you, George.
Well, meanwhile in Israel,anew discovery reveals more
about how people livedduring the time of Jesus.
- It involves anunderground system located
in an unusual place.
Here once again, Chris Mitchell.
- Even though the western wall remains
under COVID-19 restrictions,
archeologists are still at work.
This latest dig, deepunderneath the entrance
to the Western Wall Tunnels,
uncovered a unique treasure dating back
to the time of Jesus.
From the outside,
this might look likeany modern white door,
but open it up and it'sa gateway into history.
Like much of Jerusalem,
one civilization is built on another.
It's even carved into the bedrock.
- Most of the buildings that we know
from this time period wherestone built, you know,
were on the street level.
And in here, we're findingthis really impressive
and unique rock cut system.
- [Chris] The rock cut systemfrom Second Temple times
was completely covered by aByzantine era mosaic floor.
It was part of a monumentalpublic structure built
about 1400 years ago.
It was renovated about 150 years later.
- Last January we started to excavate
and we started todismantle the mosaic itself
in order to find the earlierremains to this building.
- [Chris] Dr. Barak Monnickendam-Givon,
the site's co-director,says archeologists noticed
a great attention to detailin the subterranean structure.
- And those details showedus that this system was used
on a daily basis, it mayhave been used as a pantry.
So, people stored theirgrocery, or olive oil,
or wheat and barley, orwhat is more possible
that it was used for daily life,
people actually lived here.
- [Chris] The site is locatedabout half a football field
from the Temple Mount and only40 feet from the huge bridge
that connected ancient uptownJerusalem to the Temple Mount.
- Basically what we have here is a window
to the way the women, men, andchildren of ancient Jerusalem
during the time of the Temple lived.
And we're finding here a very unique way
of living that was not really familiar
to archeologists workingon this time period
or in this area.
- [Chris] Artifactsfrom the dig also attest
to the Jewish historyhere like this chalk cup.
Other finds include therim of a huge expensive pot
like the one at the wedding in Cana
when Jesus turned the water into wine.
The revelation came on the eve
of the Jerusalem Day anniversary
when Israel reunited the city
and regained control over the Temple Mount
just 53 years ago.
Chris Mitchell, "CBN News,"
underground near theWestern Wall, Jerusalem.
- [John] The pandemic and the gospel,
a look at how technology
is helping smaller churchesspread the good news,
not only this Christmas season,
but since the outbreak began.
When "Faith Nation" returns.
(woman yawning)
(buttons beeping)
(paper ripping)
- [Commentator] Life is betterwith a good night's sleep.
Get your free DVD or bookletof "Protect Your Sleep!" today.
- [Efrem] I'm Efrem Grahamand this is "Studio 5."
Cruise with me as I discoverthe good things happening
in the world of music, sports,television, and movies.
- The fact that Ryan Coogler
was gonna be directing the film,
I knew that somethingspecial was gonna happen.
- [Efrem] We'll chat withartists at the forefront
of entertainment andexplore the connection
between popular culture and faith.
- I asked my pastor, I said,
"Does that mean I'msupposed to be a preacher?"
He says, "Well, no, youalready have a pulpit."
- [Commentator] Watch "Studio5," wednesday night at 9:30.
- [Terry] Remember for amoment what it was like
to be a child.
You believed every story you were told.
You saw a world full ofendless possibilities.
What stories will the world's orphaned
and at-risk children believe?
We believe the Bible tells
the only story truly worth believing.
We believe that every child should have
the opportunity to dream.
The chance to take challenges
and turn them into possibilities.
The chance to stand onthe promises of God.
To recognize their place
in the greatest story ever told.
They have their whole lives ahead of them.
There's is a world ofendless possibilities.
They are looking for a story to believe.
We will tell them that story.
Will you join us?
- [Narrator] Tikkun Olam.
- [Woman] This is our nature as a country.
- [Narrator] To make theworld a better place.
- Literally, we felt the earth shaking.
- [Narrator] The ChristianBroadcasting Network presents,
"To Life How Israeli Volunteersare Changing the World."
- This film needs to be seen by everyone.
- I was in tears.
- [Narrator] Now you can ownthe inspiring documentary,
"To Life" on DVD.
- There is blood on our hands if we know
and we walk away.
- I'm so grateful that this film was made.
- [Narrator] "To Life" can be yours
for a gift of $10 or more.
Call 1-800-700-7000 or log on to cbn.com.
- [Man] We know that everyminute counts to save life.
- It'll bless Israel.
It'll also bless allthe friends of Israel.
- [Narrator] Discover the untold story
of how Israeli volunteers
are making the world a better place.
Call 1-800-700-7000 or log on to cbn.com
to get your copy today.
- Well, welcome back.
When the coronaviruspandemic forced churches
to close last spring, it made the internet
the go-to place for peopleto still worship together.
- It also opened up the potential
for worldwide exposure forsome smaller local ministries.
And as Paul Strand reports,
it could be laying thegroundwork for a global revival.
- Don't freak out seeing all
these people jammed together,
this was before mandatedsocial distancing began.
These worshipers gatheredhere in Toronto to pray
for a global revival thatwould have greater impact
than all that have come before.
But how?
Revivals of the past haveoften been constrained
by limits that the next bigone may not have to suffer.
When revivals meeting in onelocation explode into bigger
and longer events, they canoften burn out the staff.
As we see in this pandemic,ministries meeting online
aren't confined to church walls.
And as the name says,
the worldwide web means asingle revival could go global.
- And now we're in a whole different world
where literally millions of people
can watch this happening live online.
- [Paul] Daniel Kolenda'sministry has led tens
of millions to the Lord.
- You know, I remember reading as a kid
in the Bible where it says that
when Jesus returns every eye will see him.
I thought, how is that possible?
And now it's a very easything to understand.
- [Paul] John Kilpatrick was at the center
of the Brownsville revival.
- Today with the instant media,
there's no telling what God can do
in real time all around the world.
- [Paul] Even where powerfulgovernments censor the internet
the digital age lets ministries work
around authoritarian regimes.
- Even the poorest people in the planet,
they're starting to get cell phones.
- [Paul] Computer chipsallow amazing miniaturization
like of the Bible.
- We used to have tosmuggle in paper Bibles.
Now we've got chips.
If you get caught, you can eat them.
And His word now can get toevery tongue, tribe, and nation.
- Another factor,unprecedented unity now forming
allows ministries big andsmall to all work together.
What the world's rarely seen
is Christians getting past their divisions
and denominationaldifferences to act in unity.
- There's a joining and a linking together
of different ministries,of different movements,
and even denominations.
It's a God thing.
- I don't understand why thestreams were ever not together.
We all have the samefocus, the same passion.
- [Paul] John Arnott sawdenominational lines fall
in the 1990s revival knownas the Toronto Blessing.
- People came and theydidn't care and nor did we
whether they werePentecostal, or Catholic,
or Methodist, or Baptist.
- [Paul] This will allowwhat Arnott and Heidi Baker
have both prophesied, arevival that'll rush over
the planet like a global tsunami.
- It's really all of the streams,
all of the rivers of theradical lovers of God
from all over the planetjust coming, coming together.
And as we come together
the wave just gets bigger and bigger.
- The last great move of Godis going to be God moving.
Where we're not justfollowing a new teaching,
or a doctrine, or a mission,
we're really following the Lord.
- [Paul] In other words, RickJoyner believes it'll be led
by God himself andcentered on His son, Jesus.
- And I think our heartsare gonna be caught up
and captured by Jesus.
All things are gonnabe summed up in Christ.
- [Paul] The presence of Godwill descend in a mighty way.
- There's nothing in the world like it
when the presence of God comes in.
- [Paul] Kilpatrick believesit's what all mankind's
been searching for to filltheir hearts and souls.
- But that presence, thatglory, is what we're made for.
God genetically made us for the glory.
- [Paul] Lila Tarhune hasled intercessors for decades,
believing as the world grows darker,
great light and revivalwill arise to counter it.
- For the church, ourassignment is to push back
the darkness so thatHis presence could come
and the glory of theLord can cover the earth
as the waters cover the sea.
- [Paul] Linda believes thisGod revival will be bigger
and better than the world's ever seen.
- Nothing diminishes in God.
Something about God's character,
He always outdoes Himself.
The latter is alwaysbetter than the former.
- [Paul] Paul Strand, "CBN News."
- If you're tired and exhausted all day,
you can't think clearly, andyou really just need a cup
or even a pot of coffeeto get through your day.
Then join me, Dr. JoshAx, for this new series
where I'm gonna teach youhow to transform your diet
and use essential oils and supplements
to get a better night's sleep.
- [Commentator] Wake up to your best life.
Call 1-800-700-7000 to get your free DVD
or booklet of "Protect Your Sleep" today.
- [Shawn] It's about the competition.
- I kind of put that pressure on myself
and I think people had expectations.
- [Shawn] It's about overcoming.
- We use this phrase all the time,
"keep chopping," keep practicing hard.
- [Shawn] It's about going the distance.
- I think as a father it's my job to lead,
just be the best husbandand father I can be.
- [Shawn} Watch "Going TheDistance" with Shawn Brown,
Saturday night at 7:30on the "CBN News Channel"
- Orphans Promise is committed to loving
and serving at-risk children,
to helping keep families together,
and to creating opportunities
for strong and sustainablecommunities around the world.
We're working in over 60countries around the world
and with your help, we can do even more.
There's an old Africanproverb I love that says,
"If you wanna run fast, run alone.
But if you wanna run far, run together."
At Orphans Promise we want to run far
so we can touch thelives of as many orphaned
and vulnerable children as possible,
but we don't wanna go alone.
We're out to change theworld, one child, one family,
one community at a time.
Will you join us?
- Well, if you feel like there'smore Christmas decorations
than usual this year, you're right.
More people are decorating
during the time of COVID,
including one of the most famous addresses
right here in Washington.
This year's theme at1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
is America the beautiful selected
by First Lady Melania Trump.
The White House decorations
with more than 60 Christmas trees,
3,200 lights, and 1,200 feet of garland
were designed to serve as a reminder
of the true American spirit.
Just beautiful.
Well, also gearing up for the holidays
is Vice President MikePence and his family.
The second family unveilingChristmas decorations
at the Naval Observatory where they live
here in the nation's capital.
Among the marvels
of this year's oldfashioned Christmas theme,
35 wreaths, vintage toys, andmore than 1,000 ornaments.
It also includes anativity scene depicting
the birth of Christ.
- Jenna, you think theywere competing there?
- Maybe a little bit, yeah.
- A little White House competition.
- Both are just beautiful, yeah.
- Have a Merry Christmas,we'll see you tomorrow.
- Merry Christmas.
