Episode 013
New Skillet Album, Ken Sparks Movie, & Praying for Pastors
Christian band Skillet released a new album that lead singer John Cooper said represents a “positive rebellion,” against forces influencing Christians to live in fear. “Sparks – The Ken Sparks Story” continues in theaters a week after its debut, telling of the longtime Carson-Newman University coach who died in 2017. Finally, one of the most important things you can do is to pray for your pastor.
Transcript
Christian band Skillet released a new album that lead singer John Cooper said represents a “positive rebellion,” against forces influencing Christians to live in fear.
The album, titled “Dominion,” is the 11th studio release for the highly successful rock band. It was written during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to music, another of Cooper’s passions has come to the forefront the past few years – standing up and speaking out about the truth of the Bible and the Gospel. For a variety of reasons, Cooper has become more vocal about Jesus and Christian values.
He said a Hollywood agent asked the group to consider to speak less about Jesus so they would become more of a mainstream band.
Cooper says that isn’t going to happen for the group as they are committed to talk about Jesus in everything they do.
He says the songs for the new album were written over Zoom and each band member would record their parts from their homes and then send them to a producer who put the songs together.
Skillet is one of the bands on the popular Winter Jam tour making its way across America this winter.
For 40 years, Ken Sparks coached and led thousands of young men on football fields in east Tennessee. Over that time his impact led to wins and championships, but also innumerable lives changed for the Gospel through the man referred to as “the Billy Graham of coaches.”
“Sparks – The Ken Sparks Story” continues in theaters a week after its debut, telling of the longtime Carson-Newman University coach who died in 2017. For 37 years, Sparks led the Eagles to five national championships and a 338-99-2 record, retiring fifth in all-time NCAA wins. In that time, he was also highly involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and an active member of Manley Baptist Church in Morristown.
When we come back we’ll tell you one of the most important things you can do for your pastor.
Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.
Texas Baptist leader Matt Henslee recently shared a few ways church members can pray for their pastor.
He asks them to:
- Pray for your pastor’s family
- Pray for your pastor’s schedule
- Pray for your pastor’s sermon preparation
- Pray for your pastor’s preaching
- Pray for your pastor’s walk with God
You can read Henslee’s full article at Baptist Press.
More stories are available now at BaptistPress.com. Please subscribe to this podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.
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