North Carolina

A megachurch in Charlotte, N.C., is kicking off a 12-day “Holy Ghost, old-school revival” on Wednesday in hopes of seeing God move in a big way this new year.

Elevation Church is bringing in “world-class” speakers – including LifeChurch.tv founder Craig Groeshel, Pastor T. D. Jakes of The Potter’s House, and Christine Caine of Equip & Empower Ministries – for what it is calling the “Code Orange” Revival.

Code Orange is meant to imply a heightened sense of urgency. The website states: “Probably the most fitting example that relates to our revival is the description for the Code Orange stage of a volcano: Exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption, timeframe uncertain.” more >>

The newly-minted president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, the Rev. Mark Harris, is one of the local church leaders supporting the “Marriage Amendment” that is to explicitly ban gay marriage in the state constitution if passed on May 8. Although expected to be hit with a lot of criticism, the minister is hoping for a civil debate.

North Carolina is the last southeastern state without such a ban. But that may soon change, as a vote to pass a new amendment that would affirm marriage as between a man and a woman in the state constitution is due to take place during the May primaries. The state senate voted in favor of letting North Carolinians decide on the measure in September.

A North Carolina statute currently defines marriage as “A valid and sufficient marriage is created by the consent of a male and female person who may lawfully marry (…),” therefore already making same-sex marriage illegal. But an additional affirmation of the definition of marriage is necessary, Harris told The Christian Post Wednesday. more >>

A Pagan mother in North Carolina is upset that her son received a Bible while at school, claiming the school has no right to give her son religious texts – Christian, Pagan, or otherwise.

Ginger Strivelli, a practicing Pagan, was upset when her son brought home a Bible he received at his public middle school, North Windy Ridge in the city of Weaverville. But what made her more upset was that school officials refused to apologize, reported the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Jackie Byerly, principal at the school, said the Bibles were not “handed out,” but were simply made available for students to take one if they wished. The Bibles were brought to the school by Gideons International, who left an open box of Bibles in the school's front office. more >>

Popular evangelist Billy Graham, who was hospitalized on Nov. 30 after having been diagnosed with pneumonia, was released Tuesday from the North Carolina hospital where he was admitted and plans to spend the Christmas holidays at home.

Graham returned to his Montreat, N.C, home in the afternoon after a six-day stay at nearby Mission Hospital in Asheville.

“I am grateful for the many thoughts and prayers expressed by individuals across the country and around the world during my stay at Mission Hospital,” he said in a statement upon discharge. “I also appreciated the wonderful treatment I received here from such caring doctors and nurses, and feel I have made some new friends. But I am especially looking forward to seeing my home decorated for Christmas and spending the holidays with members of my family.” more >>

One church in North Carolina is bringing Jesus to the malls this Christmas season, offering worship and gift-wrapping services to holiday shoppers.

Westside Fellowship Church in Alamance County, for the second consecutive year, is renting out two spaces at Holy Hill Mall, hoping to remind people of the true meaning of Christmas.

“Our goal is to take Jesus to the people,” Kurt Ward, executive pastor of Westside Fellowship, told The Christian Post. “Everyone goes to the mall at Christmastime. Christmas has become so commercialized –for many Christmas is just about the shopping and the gifts. Through this outreach, we want to remind people of the true meaning of Christmas.” more >>

Evangelist Billy Graham was admitted to Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., today for evaluation and treatment on his lungs. As news of "America's evangelist" being hospitalized emerged Wednesday, supporters from around the nation offered prayers and well-wishes.

"Upon admittance, he was alert, smiling and waving at hospital staff," read a press release from the hospital regarding Graham's admittance, which was also published on the Billy Graham Evangelical Association's website.

According to the North Carolina preacher's personal physician, Dr. Lucian Rice, Graham's condition is stable and was being treated for pneumonia by Dr. Mark Hellreich. more >>