James Hensley's Story "417 Testimonies of Jesus Christ" Episode 10 With Host Preston & DennisJames Hensley's Testimony:Early Childhood and Trauma: James grew up in Ozark, Missouri. His parents divorced when he was 5 due to his biological father's alcoholism. His mother later remarried, but his stepfather was highly controlling and abusive, which led to a turbulent and traumatic home environment. The church served as a safe haven for him during these difficult years.Struggles with Mental Health and Addiction: Around the age of 15, after his family escaped the abusive household, James experienced a mental breakdown and struggled with self-harm and suicide attempts. Seeking acceptance, he began using meth, which resulted in a severe 20-to-25-year battle with addiction and spending nearly 20 years in and out of the Missouri prison system.A Turning Point in Jail: At around age 40, while incarcerated in the Stone County jail, a visiting pastor prayed over the inmates. James experienced a profound encounter with the Holy Spirit, weeping over his Bible, which marked the true beginning of his spiritual transformation.Recovery and Finding Purpose: Though he faced relapses along the way, James eventually found solid footing through the Adult Teen Challenge program at Hope Homes of the Ozarks.Life Today: James is now 47 and works as an inventory foreman for a company that intentionally hires felons and individuals in recovery. This role allows him to practice "loose discipleship," serving as a mentor and beacon of hope for his coworkers. He is also actively involved in a pastoral relief ministry, stepping in to preach at smaller churches to give long-time pastors a chance to rest

USA Independence Proclaimed 250 Years Today! Join ‘Changing Times' Hosts Mary Byrne & Lynn Morris July 8th 1776-2026This episode of Changing Times celebrates the 250th anniversary of the public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Hosts Lynn Morris and Dr. Mary Byrne use historical documents, videos, and literature to discuss the deep-rooted philosophical, spiritual, and structural foundations of early America.Key Points & Historical ThemesThe Public Reading Anniversary: The episode highlights the historic shift from being royal subjects to becoming self-governed citizens, noting the exact day 250 years ago when the Declaration was read aloud to the public.Thomas Jefferson’s Perspective: The hosts share a dramatic educational presentation featuring Thomas Jefferson. In it, "Jefferson" notes that he wished to be remembered for the concepts he authored—like the Declaration and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom—rather than the political offices he held.The Hidden Slavery Grievance: The video and subsequent discussion detail Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration, which included a direct paragraph condemning the British slave trade. This clause was entirely struck out by Congress to achieve consensus among southern colonies like Georgia and South Carolina.The Mayflower Compact (1620) as the True Start: Dr. Mary Byrne emphasizes that America’s ideological framework began long before 1776. She points to the Mayflower Compact as the true seminal document of the "American mind," establishing written self-governance rooted in a biblical worldview.A Virtuous Republic: Citing primary historical sources and scholarly books like The Hebrew Republic and Reading the Bible with the Founding Fathers, the hosts argue that the U.S. Constitution was written exclusively for a virtuous, self-governing people who answer to a higher moral authority.Education for Leadership vs. Workforce: The hosts critique the modern shift in public education toward basic "workforce development". They argue that early leaders like Jefferson intended public education to cultivate deep literacy in history, law, and civic values to properly sustain a republic.Regional Events & AnnouncementsSpringfield 250th Celebration: Mention of a local celebratory event organized by Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon at the Greene County Courthouse in Springfield, Missouri, featuring a reading of the Declaration and hymns sung by former Governor John Ashcroft and Judge Max Bacon.Upcoming Broadcasts: A preview of the next episode focusing on Missouri's upcoming August constitutional amendments, alongside an invitation to watch the 33rd annual ActsFest streaming on July 17th and 18th.

USA 250 Years Bob Dixon & Maj Susan Wilson Join ‘Changing Times' Hosts Mary Byrne & Lynn Morris.Part 1 of a two-part special celebrating America's upcoming 250th birthday (the semiquincentennial).Featured Guests & Key HighlightsPresiding Commissioner Bob Dixon (Greene County):Discussed an upcoming solemn, non-partisan 250th celebration taking place next Wednesday, July 8th, at 2:00 PM at the Historic Greene County Courthouse (940 Booneville).The event will feature former Governor Jay Nixon—a direct descendant of Colonel John Nixon, the first person to publicly read the Declaration of Independence in 1776—who will do a live dramatic reading of the entire document.Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and former Judge Max Bacon will lead the national anthem. Attendees can receive custom parchment copies of the declaration to sign as a symbolic commitment to its principles.Major Susan Wilson (U.S. Army Reserves, Retired):Shared her personal family history as a descendant of Mayflower passenger Edward Fuller.Reflected on her 18 years of military service as an Army nurse practitioner, highlighting her deployment to Landstuhl, Germany, where she cared for wounded warriors during Operation Desert Storm and operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.Key Discussion ThemesFaith and Liberty: The hosts and guests discussed the historical connection between Christian theology, natural law, and the foundational principles of American freedom.Restoring Civics and Civility: A major focal point was the modern need to restore robust civics education and respect in public discourse, moving past current societal polarization.Looking Ahead: Host Lynn Morris announced that Part 2 of the celebration will air next week, featuring patriotic musical performances and a special appearance by Nashville veteran star Steve McCollum.

"Jimmy Ray Dwire's Story" 417 Testimonies of Jesus Christ With Hosts Preston Cameron & Dennis EversenKey Highlights of the TestimonyBackground and Struggle: Born in 1986, Dwire recounts a childhood in Missouri and Rhode Island. As an adult, he struggled with severe addiction to alcohol, prescription pills, and methamphetamine, which led to a highly toxic and violent period in his life.The Turning Point: A pivotal moment occurred when he realized the negative impact his lifestyle was having on his children, who were eventually removed from the home. Following a traumatic drug overdose on June 28, 2019, Dwire began his journey to sobriety, choosing to go through withdrawal cold turkey while living with his parents.Surrender to Faith: On December 12, 2025, while in a Chinese restaurant parking lot with his pastor, Dwire formally surrendered his life to Jesus. He describes this experience as a profound emotional cleansing that helped him overcome deep-seated shame and self-hatred.Life Today: Dwire is now clean, sober, and engaged. He is actively involved in raising his seven children, emphasizing the importance of teaching them the Bible and breaking the cycle of toxic behaviors he grew up with.Creative Outlet: Dwire has channeled his experiences into creating Christian music under the name "Ruthless Grace Music," which he uses as a tool to share his faith and bond with his children.Dwire concludes the episode by sharing his favorite Bible verse, Hebrews 13:2 ("Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares"), and leading a prayer for those currently struggling with addiction.

Co-founders Of Missouri Protects Families Join ‘Changing Times' Host Mary Byrne & Lynn Morris. Learn from Sherry Kuttenkuler Arthaud (chief of staff for Missouri Senator Adam Schnelting) & Tom Estes (chief of staff for Missouri Senator and candidate for Congress Rick Brattin) What do you need to know about Amendment 3 and how it effects Mo Families.Key Discussion PointsAmendment 3 Purpose: The guests discuss how Amendment 3, which will be on the November ballot, aims to prohibit abortion and address gender-related issues in Missouri.Legislative Process: The guests describe the intense legislative effort behind the bill, including the role of the Governor’s office in supporting it during the legislative session.The "Her Health, Her Future" Coalition: This organization is described as a unifying force supporting the amendment, with efforts that include building a statewide network of district and county representatives.Initiative Petition Process: The discussion touches on Amendment 4, which aims to change the state's initiative petition process by requiring a 50% plus one threshold across all eight congressional districts.Church Involvement: The speakers address the role of churches, noting the importance of pastoral leadership and expressing encouragement for churches that have taken a stand on the issue.How to Get InvolvedFor those interested in supporting these efforts, the guests provided the following resources:Website: herhealthfuture.comVolunteer Opportunities: You can email sherry.mmoprotex@gmail.com to volunteer or to request a presentation regarding the amendment's backstory.Local Engagement: The guests also recommend connecting with your local GOP central committee.

"Mateo & Melissa's Story" 417 Testimonies of Jesus Christ With Host Preston Cameron & Dennis Eversen.Key HighlightsOvercoming Enemy Attacks & Fear: Mateo and Melissa discuss the reality of spiritual warfare. Mateo shares his experience of facing fear through an "echo chamber" of isolation and the "flee" instinct, emphasizing that when we draw near to God, we can regain control and overcome those obstacles.Personal Miracles: Melissa shares a powerful testimony of God’s intervention in her life, including being miraculously healed as an infant after doctors gave her little time to live, and being protected by a swarm of bees during a childhood kidnapping attempt.Callings and Purpose: Mateo discusses his calling to counsel people in traumatic situations, sharing how God redirected him during a period of unemployment to develop the gift of coaching and guiding others.Scripture and Faith:Mateo’s favorite book: Hebrews, because he finds it deeply resonates with the "true nature of faith" and building a relationship with God.Melissa’s life scripture: Psalm 18, which she describes as a powerful testament to how God has delivered and strengthened her throughout her life.Concluding Prayer: The episode ends with Mateo and Melissa leading a prayer for those watching, asking for a "hedge of protection," the breaking down of strongholds, and that viewers would look to God to illuminate their next steps.#417testimpnies #BDE

250 Years Ago Was America Founded On Faith? The Veterans Church With Pastors Donna & Kevin Kilmurray.Synthesize the Video Information:Title: 250 Years Of America's Founding On ? The Veterans Church With Pastors Donna & Kevin KilmurrayChannel: AMG Broadcasting (Acts Media Group)Date: June 15, 2026Hosts: Pastors Donna and Kevin Kilmurray.Core Topic: Exploring the role of Christianity in America's founding, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the nation.Key Themes:Faith vs. Religion: They make a strong distinction between "religion" (which they view as structured doctrine or denominations, like being Baptist) and "Christian faith" (a personal relationship with God). They argue the founders wanted freedom from forced structured religion, not freedom from God.Christian Foundation: They assert that America was founded on Christian morals, values, and the Ten Commandments. They cite that many colonial documents (like the Mayflower Compact) and universities (Harvard, Yale) had Christian origins.Founding Fathers: They discuss several founders. While acknowledging they weren't uniformly devout (e.g., Benjamin Franklin was not Orthodox but quoted scripture), they emphasize that the founders were not atheists and relied on divine providence. They specifically mention John Jay, Samuel Adams, Roger Sherman, Patrick Henry, and George Washington.Debunking Myths:Myth: America is strictly a Christian nation. Reality: It was founded on Christian principles, but the Constitution did not establish a national religion (to avoid the issues they had with the Church of England).Myth: The founders were all Deists. Reality: While some leaned that way, many were active Christians.Myth: Christianity had no influence. Reality: It profoundly shaped the culture, values, and worldview of the era.Modern Cultural War: They express concern that the nation is moving away from its foundational moral values. They mention controversies like taking history out of schools, the push to get the Bible back in schools (referencing Oklahoma), and general moral decline.Veterans: The show is presented on "The Veterans Church." They honor veterans for fighting to protect the freedoms that allow citizens to practice their faith and speak out, while expressing sorrow over veteran suicide and PTSD.Call to Action: Return to God as a "first love," get the Bible back in schools, exercise voting rights as Christians, and an invitation to the upcoming Axefest (July 17-18).

"Changing Times," host Lynn Morris sits down with Missouri State Senator Curtis Trent to discuss the push to eliminate the Missouri state individual income tax. The conversation centers heavily on the upcoming ballot measure (Amendment 5) that would constitutionally mandate the phase-out of the tax.Here is a breakdown of the key topics discussed, without the timestamps:The Problem with the Income TaxTaxing Productivity: Senator Trent argues that the income tax is a fundamentally flawed way to collect revenue because it discourages human labor and productivity. It taxes individuals based on their earnings before they even decide whether to spend, save, or invest that money.Hidden Costs: Trent pushes back against the narrative that eliminating the income tax only helps the wealthy. He explains that income taxes are "baked into" the price of every good and service. From the logger to the trucker, sawmill operator, and retailer, everyone pays an income tax and passes that cost to the final consumer. Removing the income tax would lower the cost of production and, theoretically, retail prices.The Path to Zero (Amendment 5)A Gradual Phase-Out: Trent explains that if voters pass Amendment 5 in August, the legislature will have five years to implement a phase-out plan. The actual elimination would use a system of "revenue triggers" ensuring the tax only drops when state revenues allow for it, preventing a hole in the state budget. He estimates the full phase-out to zero will take about 5 to 7 years.Revenue Neutrality: To make up for the lost revenue (currently around $8.5 billion net), the plan will likely expand the sales tax base to include more services while keeping exemptions for essentials like healthcare and food. The amendment mandates that this transition remain strictly revenue-neutral.Local Tax Relief: Because state and local tax bases mirror each other, a broadened sales tax base would create a windfall for local governments. However, the amendment requires local revenue neutrality as well, meaning local entities would be forced to use those extra funds to lower local property or earnings taxes.The Economic Argument for MissouriProven Success with Triggers: Missouri has already used trigger laws to gradually reduce the income tax from a historic 6% down to 4.7% over the last decade. Trent notes that for almost every $1 cut during this time, $2.50 of new revenue came into state coffers due to accelerated economic growth.Staying Competitive: Currently, nine other states do not have an income tax (including Tennessee, which has a similar population and economic makeup but consistently outperforms Missouri in growth). Trent argues that Missouri must become an early adopter in the Midwest to attract major national investments and prevent population stagnation.National Implications: Expanding outward, Trent notes that pro-growth state policies are vital for reshoring critical American infrastructure—like pharmaceutical manufacturing and rare-earth mineral production—back from places like China.