Author: Texas Gospel

Old Time Preachers Quartet Announces Final Performance

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AMY TURNER

The Old Time Preachers Quartet, based in Nashville, Tennessee, has announced their retirement after a decade-long run. The group, founded in 2016, will conclude with a final performance in 2026.

Les Butler, owner of the quartet, stated that the group’s mission was to combine preaching and singing in the traditional style.

“God had a plan and a time,” Butler said. “We have tried our best to execute on that plan.”

The decision to retire comes as two members of the group, Tim Owens and Lee McNeill, have taken on pastoral roles, making Sunday travel unfeasible. Adam Borden, another member, is now engaged in full-time evangelism with a busy schedule. Butler himself cited the growing success of his other ventures, including Butler Music Group, Family Music Group, and REAL Southern Gospel Radio, as factors in the decision. He emphasized the broader reach and impact of these ministries compared to the quartet’s travels.

Reflecting on the group’s legacy, Butler expressed gratitude to all past and present members, including Mike Holcomb, Jeremy Ballinger, Bob Sellers, and Isaac Moore. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by their families and thanked the pastors and promoters who supported their ministry.

The Old Time Preachers Quartet will honour most of their scheduled performances for 2025 and early 2026. Their final dates include appearances at the Spring Jubilee in Ringgold, Georgia, and Hullender Farms in Apison, Tennessee, in 2025, with their last scheduled performance at Teays Valley Baptist Church in West Virginia in January 2026.

Fans can continue to purchase the group’s CDs and USBs through their website after the retirement.

Is Fasting Mandatory for Believers?

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JEFF TURNER

Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 about fasting have sparked debate among Christians. While He said “When you fast” rather than “If you fast,” this doesn’t necessarily mean fasting is mandatory for believers. Historically, Judaism only required one fast, with all others being voluntary. The New Testament maintains this perspective, presenting fasting as a choice for believers rather than a command.

Fasting is closely linked with prayer, particularly intense, passionate prayer. When believers are deeply concerned about a spiritual issue, fasting often naturally accompanies their fervent petitions to God. The lack of fasting among many Christians today may reflect a lack of engagement with significant spiritual struggles.

Scripture supports this view of fasting as a voluntary spiritual practice. In Matthew 9:15, Jesus says, “The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

Ultimately, fasting remains a personal choice for believers, one that often arises from a deep spiritual need or desire to focus intently on prayer. Its absence in our lives may prompt us to examine our level of spiritual engagement and the intensity of our prayer lives.

Syrian Rebel Victory Raises Questions for Christian Minority

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

The recent capture of Damascus by rebel forces has ended 53 years of Assad family rule in Syria, prompting both hope and uncertainty for the country’s Christian minority.

Fr Bajhat Karakach, a Franciscan friar serving as Aleppo’s Latin-rite parish priest, explained that many Christians welcomed the regime change according to Vatican News Service. He stated that Syrians, including Christians, had grown weary of living under a government that offered little economic growth or development.

Over the past few years, rebel groups have shown increasing tolerance towards Christians, including returning previously confiscated property. After taking control of Aleppo, the rebels sent messages of tolerance to all minority groups, including Christians.

However, concerns remain about the future of Syria’s Christian community. Before the war, Christians made up about 10% of Syria’s population. Due to persecution by extremist groups and the impact of the civil war, their numbers have fallen from 1.5 million in 2011 to approximately 300,000 in 2022.

The international community’s role in stabilizing Syria and helping develop a new constitution that respects the rights of all citizens has been emphasized by religious leaders. Christians in Syria have faced challenges in recent years, including violence and discrimination. In Aleppo, the proportion of Christian residents decreased from 12% before the war to 1.4% in 2023. More than 20 churches were damaged during the conflict.

As Syria enters a new era, the fate of its Christian community remains uncertain. While some religious leaders express cautious optimism, others stress the need for continued vigilance and international support to ensure the protection of minority rights in the country’s future

Pakistan Court Sentences Two for Blasphemy on WhatsApp

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

A court in Gujranwala, Pakistan, has issued severe punishments in a blasphemy case involving social media messages. A 22-year-old student received a death sentence, while a 17-year-old was given life imprisonment for sharing content deemed blasphemous through WhatsApp. The sentences were announced this week.

The case began when the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) filed charges in Lahore based on a complaint. The plaintiff stated that he had received offensive videos and photos from three different mobile numbers. After examining the plaintiff’s phone, the FIA concluded that “obscene material” had been sent.

Initially handled by the Lahore High Court, the case was later transferred to a local court in Gujranwala for trial. An additional district and sessions judge delivered the verdicts. Defence lawyers contend that the accused students were “trapped in a false case”. However, details about the specific nature of the shared content or the defence’s evidence were not provided in the available information.

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are among the strictest globally. They mandate capital punishment or life imprisonment for individuals found guilty of insulting Islam or the Prophet Mohammad. This applies to offences committed through spoken or written words, visual representations, or indirect insinuations.

It is worth noting that many blasphemy convictions in Pakistan are overturned on appeal in higher courts. However, the accused often face significant dangers even before their cases go to trial. There have been numerous instances of mob violence against individuals accused of blasphemy, with some being lynched before formal legal proceedings could take place.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about the application of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, particularly in relation to social media content. Human rights organizations have expressed worry about the potential for these laws to be misused or to infringe on freedom of expression. As this case progresses, it is likely to draw attention from both domestic and international observers, given the severity of the sentences and the young age of the accused.

Igniting Your Spiritual Fire: The Role of the Holy Spirit

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JEFF TURNER

Today’s distractions make it easy to lose sight of what truly matters in our spiritual lives. Yet, as we reflect on the words of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11, we’re reminded of a powerful truth: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.”

This fire of the Holy Spirit is not just a distant concept, but a living reality that should burn within the hearts of believers. Just as we find comfort in the warmth of a fireplace on a cold night, God desires His people to be spiritual fireplaces, radiating His divine presence and power.

A church that’s truly on fire for God is far from a drowsy, lethargic organization. Instead, it’s full of life with the Spirit’s energy. This fire consumes what’s unnecessary in our lives, purifies us, prepares us for service, cheers us in times of despair, softens hearts, unites believers, and empowers us for God’s work.

When a church is ablaze with God’s fire, it naturally turns to fasting and prayer. These spiritual disciplines become not just occasional practices, but essential parts of seeking God wholeheartedly. The Bible promises rewards for those who fast in secret, and history is filled with examples of great spiritual breakthroughs that came through prayer and fasting.

A church on fire also finds itself uncomfortable with worldly pursuits. The love for God burns so brightly that it naturally diminishes the attraction of worldly things. As 1 John 2:15 warns us, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Perhaps one of the most visible signs of a church on fire is its deep care for souls. Just as Jesus wept over Jerusalem, a Spirit-filled church is moved with compassion for the lost. This compassion isn’t passive; it spurs believers to action, leading them to share the gospel wherever they go.

Being a church on fire means allowing the Holy Spirit to work freely among us, transforming us from the inside out, and using us as instruments of God’s love and power in the world. It’s a challenging call, but one that promises an adventure of faith like no other.