Traveling evangelist Benny Hinn's most recent "Miracle Healing Service" took place in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago over the weekend, and the Texas-based Christian minister reportedly asked the thousands in attendance to each give a $100 donation to help defray expenses for the two-day event, hosted by a local Pentecostal church.

According to local media reports, Hinn told an estimated 12,000 people at Saturday's meeting at Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain that he did not accept any gifts or take "even half a cent" in payment for the weekend evangelistic services. "I am doing this freely, because I love Trinidad," he reportedly said, adding that donations would not be for him "but for the kingdom [of God]."

Newsday Trinidad and Tobago reports that the 60-year-old prosperity preacher "urged believers to contribute US$100 or its local equivalent TT$600" to help cover expenses for the Saturday-Sunday events, which many attended in hopes of experiencing a miracle healing. The publication adds that Hinn described donating as "sowing a seed" and reportedly told worshippers that giving money would result in prosperity in their lives. more >>

Over the past two weeks, I have paid particular attention to four news stories.

First, United States District Judge Edward Korman rendered a decision pursuant to which the emergency contraceptive drug "Plan B" will now be made available over the counter to girls under the age of 18.

There was yet another tragic story about a teen suicide: Audrie Pott, a high school sophomore in California, who hung herself in September of last year following what appears to have been an unchaperoned party, excessive consumption of alcohol, alleged sexual assaults by multiple boys while Audrie was unconscious, all witnessed and captured on film, and then cruelly posted and commented on – online - by other classmates. more >>

Youth expert Ron Luce wore a classic cowboy getup and sat on the back of a horse at the BattleCry conference on Friday evening as he challenged more than 13,000 teens from across the greater New York City area and beyond to pursue the Lord, and not the "things" that lead to a life of emptiness.

Wearing boots, buckle, leather coat and a ten-gallon hat, Teen Mania founder Luce spoke on the Gold Rush of 1849, explaining how the men and women of the time sacrificed everything in hope of finding gold – and after that, happiness.

The mentality of that day is not too different from the consumerist, me-driven world of today, said Luce at BattleCry, a two-day youth rally that kicked off Friday. The thousands of teens, many of who traveled long distances to reach the IZOD Center in Rutherford, N.J., looked stirred as they applauded and cheered many times during the message. more >>

Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council, recently spoke on his radio show about President Barack Obama's approval of proposed background checks on commercial gun purchases, saying that he worries background checks could produce a "watch list" that would prevent evangelicals and Catholics from purchasing firearms.

In the Wednesday airing of his "Washington Watch" broadcast, Perkins affirmed that although his conservative nonprofit organization is more concerned with family policy, he also believes that "it's a family issue to be able to protect your family."

"I can't imagine living in a house without a gun," Perkins said. more >>

Note: This is part four of a four part series. The others can be read here: Pt. 1One Survivor's Story of Sex Abuse in Small-Town, Pt.2 Survivor Shares Story of Sex Abuse by Well-Respected Father, Pastor, Pt. 3 Dad Drugged and Sold Me to Other Men.

According to End Slavery Tennessee human trafficking is a $32 billion-a-year, international industry involving organized crime, corrupt governments officials, cultural expectations, orphans, poverty and more. It is as real in small town America as in a village in Cambodia or the underground of Russia.

Over the course of this week my friend Z has been sharing her story of surviving the sex trade. Trafficked by her father beginning in middle school his actions and control dominated her even as she went to college. Today is the final segment. A few observations will follow. more >>

[Editor's Note: Friday, April 12, 2013:

 Jeff Walton of the IRD submitted a statement to The Christian Post in defense of his coverage of Paul Alexander's remarks: "My coverage of Alexander's address to the society is based upon his orally delivered address, which I was personally present for. During this address, Alexander at times expanded upon and varied from his prepared statement. I stand behind the accuracy of the quotes."]

A recent report criticizing statements made regarding race and sexuality by the outgoing president of the largest Pentecostal academic society at a recent gathering threatens to overshadow the good the organization does, according to the society's executive director. more >>