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Finding light in the darkest valley: Hutch Jordan’s Journey from addiction to redemption

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JEFF TURNER

Addiction is an all too common affliction. Quite possibly, you or someone you love may be suffering an addiction right now. For Hutch Jordan of The Jordan Family Band, the struggle with addiction brought him to what he describes as “rock bottom” – but it was also where he found hope.

Hutch Jordan and family (Courtesy Daywind Records)

Jordan’s story is one of devastating lows and remarkable transformation. The multi-instrumentalist and producer, known for his talent across guitar, bass, drums, and vocals, had reached a breaking point that threatened everything he held dear.

“I hurt the people that I love the most. My wife, my daughter, my family,” Jordan recalls. “I lived in shame, guilt, complete lies, and in a darkness so deep that I couldn’t see a way out.”

On 4 August 2025, Jordan and his wife made the drive to Pikeville, Tennessee, to a facility called Our Master’s Camp. He arrived feeling “terrified, completely empty, and pretty sure that God had finally turned his back on me.”

But two weeks into his stay, something shifted. On 15 August, at what Jordan describes as “the bottom of rock bottom,” he experienced a profound moment of spiritual connection. “Jesus met me not with anger, not with resentment, not with rejection, but with a soft whisper in my spirit that said I’m here, trust me,” he explains. “And there in the lowest place that I had ever been, I surrendered to God fully and completely, and the peace of God that passes and defies all of my understanding washed over me.”

Jordan’s musical gifts emerged early in life. Born in 2000, he was playing multiple instruments and singing with his family by age nine. Now in his twenties, he has established himself as one of the industry’s premier multi-instrumentalists, handling stage sound, lead guitar, and acoustic guitar for the band’s live performances. His abilities have made him a highly sought-after session musician beyond his work with The Jordan Family Band.

In 2020, Jordan married his longtime sweetheart, Heather Sampson, who has since joined the family band. Through his darkest struggles, she remained by his side.

For those grappling with similar battles, Jordan offers a message born from his own experience: “If you’re listening and you feel hopeless, hear me out. There is forgiveness. There is freedom. And Jesus is enough.”

God’s Promise of a New Covenant

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AMY TURNER

The prophet Jeremiah spoke of a time when God would make a new covenant with His people, Israel and Judah. This was not a rejection of the covenant given at Mount Sinai but a continuation that would grow deeper. A good picture of this is when a husband and wife renew their vows. They are not saying the first vows were wrong. Instead, they are confirming them with more maturity and understanding, adding greater depth to what was first promised.

In the same way, God’s new covenant does not cancel His earlier one. Rather, it builds on it and opens a fuller way of life through Jesus. What began at Sinai is carried forward in Him, showing God’s steady plan and His faithfulness. God does not go back and forth or change direction. His promises grow stronger over time.

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

John 1:17

Southern Gospel legend Larry Ford passes away at 78

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JEFF TURNER

The southern gospel community is mourning the loss of Larry Ford, a beloved vocalist whose distinctive tenor voice touched hearts across the globe for decades. Mr. Ford, 78, passed away recently, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of faith and music.

Music video by Larry Ford performing Favorite Song Of All. (C) 2006 Spring House Music Group

Throughout his career, Mr. Ford became known for his exceptional vocal talent, which included notable stints with The Dixie Echoes and the James Blackwood Quartet. However, he will be most recognised for his work with The Gaither Homecoming Friends, where his Irish tenor voice became a cherished part of the beloved musical fellowship.

In his later years, Mr. Ford enjoyed a busy solo career that took him to more than 30 countries. The Grammy-winning former pastor made albums not just of hymns and praise music, but of patriotic American songs and Irish folk tunes as well. Larry had been a pilot, a pastor, and all of his life, a worshipper.

His passing was announced by his family on his Facebook page with a touching tribute:
“Our hero is Home — yes, that Home. The Home he sang about, longed for, and faithfully pointed others towards for nearly all his life. Larry led his family with quiet strength and tender grace. With his grand Irish tenor voice, he lived his faith with humility, carrying the Good News of the Gospel through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs all over the world. He believed that little is much when God is in it, labouring not for wealth or fame, but for the crown promised to those who go in Jesus’ name. And now, we know he has heard the words he sang and lived by: ‘You’ve been faithful, welcome home, My child, well done.’ We find comfort knowing that the voice who sang of Heaven and Home is now there. Thank you for the prayers, the love, and the support during this time. We are deeply grateful.”

Funeral services for Larry Ford will be held at the First Assembly of God Church in Fort Myers, Florida, on 27 December.

Christians denied burial in native villages after conversion in India

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ANTHONY ANDERSON

Christian families in India’s Chhattisgarh state have been denied burial grounds in their native villages in two separate incidents, with authorities unable to secure relief despite intervention.

Manoj Nishad, 25, died Nov. 5 during treatment in Raipur, the state capital, local media reports. When his family attempted to bury him in Kodekurse village in Kanker district, residents refused permission, citing his conversion to Christianity months earlier. Villagers barred burial even on private land owned by the Nishad family, saying they would permit last rites only if the family renounced their faith. Christian community members protested at the local police station over the denial.

Days later, residents of Jewartala village, located approximately 90 kilometres from Raipur, blocked the burial of Raman Sahu, who had converted to Christianity with his family several years ago. Persecution.org reports Sahu died of illness at a private hospital in Raipur. Eyewitnesses said villagers physically obstructed the body from entering the village and demanded last rites be performed according to traditional village rituals only.

Police were deployed to Jewartala amid rising tensions. The family ultimately buried Sahu’s body Sunday at Sankra burial ground, away from the village. Balod district police chief Yogesh Patel confirmed the denial.

District authorities attempted to intervene in both cases but failed to convince villagers to resolve the disputes. With residents remaining firm in their opposition, officials kept Nishad’s body in a mortuary while continuing efforts to arrange for last rites.

Arun Pannalal, president of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, said Christians are being blatantly denied their constitutional right to dignified burial, according to The New Indian Express. He stated the law indicates the area is already designated for burial purposes.

In both instances, villagers cited only the deceased persons’ conversion to Christianity as justification for refusing burial space. Administration officials reported they were unable to secure any substantial relief for the affected families despite their efforts.

The incidents have sparked controversy in the region, with Christian groups arguing the denials represent religious discrimination and violation of fundamental rights. The tensions highlight ongoing friction over religious conversion in parts of rural India, where traditional beliefs and practices often clash with constitutional protections for religious freedom.

Authorities have not announced further action to address the families’ grievances or prevent similar incidents.

God with us through the virgin birth

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WILLIAM KILLIAN

There are people today who plan to celebrate Christmas without any understanding of the events surrounding the holiday. There are those who have heard that Christ’s birth is the “reason for the season,” but lack understanding of its importance. Without the birth of the Christ child, Christmas has no meaning.

The Christmas story tells of God becoming an infant. The baby born to Mary was the Son of God who took on human flesh. This reality becomes even more remarkable when we learn the Bible predicted this birth more than 700 years before it occurred through the prophet Isaiah.

IRS Images, 2025

During Isaiah’s time, King Ahaz ruled Judah while facing military threats. God sent Isaiah to comfort the king and invited him to ask for any sign as proof of divine protection. When Ahaz refused using pious-sounding language, Isaiah delivered this prophecy: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.” Matthew’s Gospel confirms this prophecy refers to Jesus, explaining that Emmanuel means God with us. Let’s look at three things this says about Christ’s birth.

First, Jesus was born as a real human to a real virgin. Though supernaturally conceived, He experienced normal childbirth. Jesus became human because our Saviour had to be a man. Since Adam’s first sin, humanity has needed a saviour because sin separates us from God. We cannot meet God’s requirements on our own. Jesus shared in our flesh and blood to make payment for human sin. Because He was born of a virgin, He did not inherit our sin or guilt, qualifying Him to represent His people. His life and death were not for Himself but for us.

Second, Jesus was born as true God. The virgin would call His name Emmanuel, meaning God with us. Isaiah also prophesied the child would be called “Mighty God.” This belief that Jesus Christ is God in flesh forms a foundation of Christianity. God became man. The divine Son became a helpless human baby. This was no illusion. The more you consider it, the more remarkable it becomes.

O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

Third, Jesus was born as God with us. Throughout the Old Testament, God was with His people. But through Christ’s birth, God is with His people in an unprecedented way. The birth of Jesus is the birth of God in flesh with us forever. Jesus entered our experience by becoming one of us. He experienced hunger, pain, joy, heartache, and temptation. As God in flesh, Jesus brought God fully into our experience.

Hebrews declares, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin.” Put your faith in the Son of God who became a man, and God will be with you and for you.

We should be encouraged by Christ’s gentleness. He came as a helpless baby with humility so we might be reconciled to God through Him. If you have never trusted Christ, take God at His word and trust Christ as your Lord. God gave up His Son, who became one of us to live, die, and rise for us so He will forever be with us. In Jesus Christ, you have been rescued forever. God is with you forever.