Author: Texas Gospel

2nd Chance Ministries Announces Tenor Singer Departure

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JEFF TURNER

2nd Chance Ministries has announced that Brian Alvey, the group’s tenor singer, is leaving the ministry. The announcement was posted to the group’s Facebook page. The change comes as Alvey feels called to pursue a different direction in his ministry work with his family.

Brian Alvey (Courtesy 2nd Chance Ministries)

Alvey has spent several years with the group, traveling and performing Gospel music while sharing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The group expressed gratitude for his contributions during his time with the ministry.

“We are so thankful for Brian and all he’s done for our ministry and express our love and support to Brian and his family. But also moving forward we are very positive and excited about what God has planned for us in this next season,” said Ricky Malloy of 2nd Chance Ministries.

The group has asked for prayers as Alvey and his family begin this new chapter. 2nd Chance Ministries stated they will maintain their friendship with Alvey and continue to keep him and his family in their prayers.

The ministry is now looking for a new tenor singer to join the group. Anyone interested in the position who has a heart for ministry should contact TenFiftySeven Media at mmc@tenfiftysevenmedia.com with their interest and contact information.

2nd Chance Ministries plans to maintain a busy touring schedule in the coming year. The group is dedicated to spreading the message of hope and salvation through music and continues its commitment to sharing the Gospel.

The ministry has requested prayers during this period of transition.

The True Meaning of Taking Up the Cross

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JEFF TURNER

In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says, “If anyone wants to follow me, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.” He was not telling people to carry an actual wooden cross. Instead, He was speaking about the cost of true discipleship.

Some today think of “a cross to bear” as a personal hardship or illness. While those can be difficult, Jesus’ words went much further. In His time, everyone knew the cross was an instrument of execution. It was not a symbol of beauty or decoration but a sign of death and suffering.

When Jesus told His followers to take up their cross, He meant that following Him could require their very lives. This was a warning that loyalty to Him could lead to rejection, persecution, or even death.

Discipleship is not about comfort but about full commitment, even when the path is hard.

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Luke 14:27

Living the Christian Life Through the Power of the Holy Spirit

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FLOYD ROGERS

Peter, James, and John spent three years with Jesus, watching His miracles and hearing His teaching, yet He told them they were still not ready for the work He had called them to do. They needed the Holy Spirit to fill them, guide them, and give them strength. Without that, they could not accomplish their mission.

The same truth applies today. Living the Christian life cannot be done in our own power. The Holy Spirit enables believers to face temptation, pain, and difficulties, as well as to serve in teaching, singing, and helping others. This requires a daily choice to trust and surrender to God’s Spirit, allowing Him to work in and through us.

I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him [a]bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

Officials investigate wave of anti-Christian incidents across India on Christmas week

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Multiple incidents targeting Christmas celebrations were reported across India on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to Christian organizations and local authorities. Known incidents occurred in Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Delhi.

The reports come amid findings by monitoring groups, including the United Christian Forum for Human Rights, which documented more than 700 anti-Christian incidents across India during 2025.

In what the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) described as a particularly shocking case, a Christmas programme in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, reportedly saw a visually impaired woman subjected to public verbal abuse and physical harassment. A video cited by the CBCI allegedly shows Anju Bhargava, identified as the BJP’s city vice-president, carrying out the harassment. The CBCI said it was “particularly shocked” by the video from Jabalpur and by the broader pattern of incidents targeting Christians, and demanded the immediate dismissal of Anju Bhargava from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citing “egregious and dehumanizing conduct.”

In Nalbari district, Assam, members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal allegedly entered St. Mary’s English School in Panigaon village on Wednesday, December 24. According to reports, they vandalized and burned Christmas banners, posters, and decorations while chanting slogans praising Hindu gods. The group also reportedly damaged or burned Christmas-related items at nearby shops, stating that they were protesting celebrations of festivals they described as being of “non-Indian origin.”

At Magneto Mall in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, a mob armed with sticks—described by sources as being linked to right-wing groups—stormed the premises and destroyed Christmas decorations and installations. The attack occurred during a statewide bandh called by some Hindu groups protesting alleged religious conversions in Kanker district. Videos shared online reportedly show chaos and slogan-chanting during the incident. Police later registered an FIR against unidentified individuals in connection with the attack.

In Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, protests and disruptions were reported outside churches during the Christmas period. In several locations across Madhya Pradesh, Christian prayer meetings were reportedly interrupted.

In Odisha, roadside vendors selling Santa caps were allegedly harassed and accused of selling “Christian items” in what the perpetrators described as a “Hindu country.” In Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, women wearing Santa caps were reportedly confronted by men described as being linked to a Hindu vigilante group and accused of attempting religious conversion. Vendors selling Christmas-related items were also reportedly threatened in multiple locations, although specific city names were not always provided.

Christian organizations and human rights groups urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure strict enforcement of law and order and to provide protection for Christian communities.

Mercy That Never Grows Old

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AMY TURNER

Lamentations tells us that the love of the Lord does not come to an end and that His mercy is renewed every morning. His faithfulness is steady and sure.

People often look for God to do something unusual or to give a brand-new experience. We imagine that He might reveal something never seen before. But God often works in a different way. He does not need to invent something new each day to show His power. Instead, He may give us what is familiar, and make it fresh.

Each sunrise brings with it the reminder of His mercy. It is not a new kind of mercy, but it never grows weak or worn out. What He gives today is as full and alive as it was yesterday.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8