North Carolina

The hotly debated movie that drew protest from conservative critics for its inclusion of a child rape scene will hit 22 theaters nationwide this weekend after a two-month delay.

Hounddog, starring child actress Dakota Fanning, was originally set for a July 18 release in 500 theaters but was later pushed back to Sept. 5 and scaled down to around 100 before its latest change.

Despite the dramatic drop, some conservatives have continued to rally against the movie, calling on concerned citizens to take action to stop the film’s distribution. more >>

While the upcoming movie based on the life of Billy Graham has been rallying supporters months ahead of its Oct. 10 release, it has also garnered some critics – the most prominent of which is the renowned evangelist’s son.

“The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has not collaborated with nor does it endorse the movie, 'Billy: The Early Years,'” expressed Franklin Graham in a written response as the organization’s CEO last week.

“While the move covers many aspects of my father’s early years, it depicts events that never happened or are greatly embellished,” he added. more >>

Thousands of students from the Assemblies of God are in Charlotte, N.C., this week for a major youth convention, hoping to be "led by fire" and to go back to their homes without extinguishing that flame.

"This week we're on fire for God ... God's doing incredible things. Last month or the month before we were at youth camp. God impacted our lives ... but what about in between? Were you still led by fire or were you led back to sin?" Steve Pulis, national student outreach director for the Assemblies of God, posed to students Monday night.

"When the tough times come, too often it's hard for us to live out the commitment of being led by fire." more >>

There is a tremendous hunger among young people for the message Exodus International preaches – that freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ is possible, according to the ministry's head.

Exodus International, which claims to be the world's largest Christian referral and information network dealing with homosexual issues, is holding its annual Freedom Conference in Asheville, N.C., beginning Tuesday. For 33 years, Exodus has seen thousands of people seek answers at its conference as they, or loved ones, struggle with same-sex feelings.

Over 700 people, including many from outside the United States, are expected to attend this year's Freedom event. Part of this year's speaker line-up is evangelist Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham. more >>

Mourners who attended a viewing of former North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms on Monday remembered the conservative champion as the last politician of his kind.

Helms, who died Friday after years of failing health, lay in a closed casket covered with a U.S. flag and flanked by state troopers at Hayes-Barton Baptist Church.

The Republican, who served in the Senate from 1973 to 2003, worshipped there for decades and served as a deacon. more >>