Justin Bieber Quits World Tour - Is He Seeking a New Purpose? - Efrem Graham CBN News

Justin Bieber Quits World Tour - Is He Seeking a New Purpose?

07-26-2017

CBN News Efrem Graham

Like so many, I have long admired the endless talents of Justin Bieber. I am a "Belieber." But these days, his every move sparks reactions from fans and critics alike.

The latest "Bieber Buzz" is about exactly why the pop star pulled the plug on the remaining 14 stops of his Purpose tour. 

Bieber has been on tour for the last two years. And when a TMZ crew caught him near the beach in Santa Monica Monday, he said he was "just resting, getting some relaxation."

Justin Bieber Not Ashamed of His Savior, Tells 89 Million Followers:
'His name is JESUS!!'

'God Is Good in the Midst of Evil!'
Justin Bieber Ministers at Manchester Concert

He also told fans, "I love you guys. You guys are awesome. I am sorry for anybody who feels disappointed or betrayed. It's not my heart or anything. And have a blessed day."

Bieber says he needs rest. But that has not quieted the speculation about the many other possible reasons why he has ended the tour.

TMZ quotes sources connected to Hillsong Church who say Justin ended the world music run because he "rededicated his life to Christ."

A European media outlet even claims Bieber is trading the music business to start his own church. But a new TMZ video shows the paparazzi asking Bieber if he "cancelled the tour for religious reasons." Beiber says "No."

While I strongly doubt young Justin is looking to start a congregation of "Beliebers," I do believe his personal faith walk is a significant part of why he walked away from the tour. And the proof may just be on Twitter and Instagram.

MORE FROM CBN NEWS:

Katy Perry Says 'Grace of God'
Brought Her Through Suicidal Depression

Pop Star Selena Gomez Takes New Steps Toward God,
Sings with Hillsong

Many of Bieber's most recent social media posts display him hanging out with his popular pastors Carl Lentz from Hillsong New York and Judah Smith from City Church in Seattle. 

We've also seen Justin Bieber rocking out at Hillsong Young and Free concerts. 

He recently shared a post, declaring the Christian band's single "Falling Into You" as his favorite. Band member Melodie Wagner is the lead soloist on that song. 

Reacting to Bieber's love for the band, Wagner told me, "I think it is really cool that someone as influential as him is making a stand for Jesus. And the fact that he is listening to worship music and he can use his platform to get the message out about Jesus and who he is and what he has done is just an honor." 

We have seen signs of a changing Bieber for more than a year, as his Purpose tour traveled the world.

In a year-old interview with Complex Magazine, he said, "My faith has gotten me to where I am. My faith has brought me to a whole other level. I love talking about my faith." 

"I just wanna honestly live like Jesus," he said. "Not be Jesus — I could never — I don't want that to come across weird. He created a pretty awesome template of how to love people and how to be gracious and kind."

Ending the tour may just be Bieber's latest way of following that "pretty awesome template." Like so many, I will be watching — and praying — for his next move.

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Exclusive: Hear the Beautiful Story Behind the Worship Song 'Good Good Father' - CBN News Efrem Graham

Exclusive: Hear the Beautiful Story Behind the Worship Song 'Good Good Father'

03-01-20 CBN News Efrem Graham

 +0

"Good Good Father" is a song heard in worship services around the world. The story behind the song is sure to warm your heart. 

Studio 5 sat down with Pat Barrett, lead singer of the Atlanta-based band, Housefires, to hear what inspired the group to create the song. 

"When I started having kids and I'm looking at my daughter Harper Gray, and I'm like, 'How am I going to explain God to you?'" Barrett recalled. 

"'How am I going to introduce you to someone who so transformed my life?'" he continued. "How am I going to tell you what he's like?'"

Barrett says the message resonated with members of the church and helped create "a recalibrating of hearts." 

"To see that same thing connect with so many people has been so humbling, so mind blowing, surprising, but also encouraging that that message is something we can stand on," he told CBN News.

WATCH HERE

Hacksaw Ridge: New Mel Gibson Film Honors WWII Hero Desmond Doss - CBN News Efrem Graham

Hacksaw Ridge: New Mel Gibson Film Honors WWII Hero Desmond Doss

11-04-2016

CBN News Efrem Graham

+1

"Hacksaw Ridge" hits theaters this weekend, marking Mel Gibson's return to film directing following a 10-year absence.

"It just spoke to my heart and I really dug the story, tear drops on page 94," said Gibson, describing how the script impacted him as he read it.

The film is based on the heroic true story of Desmond Doss. He was a man of faith who joined the military during World War II, but he refused to carry a weapon.

Doss managed to save 75 men from the battlefield, and he became the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor.

Actor Andrew Garfield plays the role of Doss in the film.

"Just discovering that this was a man that lived was a surprise, in its entirety," Garfield told CBN News "The way I see it and the way I think Mel framed it for us in the story is that you feel there is no choice. He doesn't actually have a choice in the matter. There is a calling."

Doss was a living story of love for God, country and his wife, Dorothy Schutte. That romance is also played out on the big screen.

"It is just an unconditional love between the two of them," explained Teresa Palmer, who plays Dorothy. "And I was so drawn to that because the love feels so pure and innocent and I think it is so different from some of the romances we see these days with our apps and Tinder and Twitter."

Actor Vince Vaughn, who plays Doss' superior officer, Sergeant Howell, described the men's evolving relationship.

"What I love about our relationship, which I think is different than any of the others, is that there is a sense of humor and a teasing that takes place, where you realize that there is no apology needed," Vaughn told CBN News. "We kind of got who each other was. And we are both kind of looking at each other in this odd way and enjoying each other."

"But there is something in the moment where he comes for me, without giving too much away, where we both kind of protect the other," he continued. "My philosophy does sort of save him and his philosophy does save me and there is a beauty in that ying and yang that come together."

Watch interview here: Hacksaw Ridge

Faith Themes Play Major Role in 'Magnificent Seven' Remake - CBN News Efrem Graham

Faith Themes Play Major Role in 'Magnificent Seven' Remake

09-23-2016

CBN News Efrem Graham

+2

TORONTO -- There is no shortage of sharp shooting -- or horse tricks -- in "The Magnificent Seven,"  a remake of the 1960s classic western film.

"A lot of action. A lot of cool stunts," actor Martin Sensmeier said. "I had a great stunt man. I did a few of my own, but he did an amazing job. He's a world champion bull rider. Jumping off buildings, the guy can ride like the wind, fearless."

Were there things Sensmeier didn't want to do?

Related

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The Magnificent Seven: Movie Review

Chris Pratt Commemorates the Resurrection with 20-Foot Cross

---

"Yeah," he told CBN News. "Some of them I wanted to do, but they just wouldn't let me."

Famed director Antoine Fuqua guides this story of seven gun-toting cowboys uniting to rescue poor residents of Rose Creek. It's a fierce fight against savage thieves, who've taken over their town.

Actor Peter Sarsgaard is the evil Bartholomew Bogue.

"Oh, I think my character is, like, slowly dying through the course of the film. I'm looking like I am melting on screen," Sarsgaard said when asked about the transformation in his character over the course of the film. "It's like if you think of Dante's Inferno, he just going down, down to a pit of hell. I think mine is a journey down."

There are also several faith themes in this new story starring Hollywood heavyweights Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt. Both actors are also outspoken Christians.

Washington, a two-time Academy Award winner, leads the heroes, in the role of Sam Chisholm. Fuqua says he knew he wanted Washington for the role.

"Still, I kept feeling like it needs to be an event for me to get excited," he said. "And I said, 'Denzel Washington on a horse is the way to go. That's the event.'"

The event is a new take on on the 1954 film "Seven Samurai," and the 1960 classic western. Washington chose not to see the original film before coming to this role.

"I like to respond to what I read and try to interpret that. I didn't see the value for me in going back," he said. 

This cast of Hollywood heavyweights includes Pratt, Ethan Hawke and Vincent  D'Onofrio. 

"If somebody else was doing the remake of 'Magnificent Seven,' maybe I wouldn't have found it appealing," Hawke said. "But I knew Antoine would make it his own and make it fresh. The American western is such a symbol and to see Denzel take the helm is powerful to me, and I wanted to be a part of that."

Actor Vincent D'Onofrio added, "You get asked to do an Antoine Fuqua and it's got Denzel Washington, Ethan and Chris, you don't think those guys are going to try and remake, exactly the way. Everybody had the same feeling where we would just go in and create something cool and new and original."

The cool, new and original twist is a western story, with faith at the heart. Pratt is open about his faith off screen. We asked him what themes of faith play out in this film.

"Themes of redemption I think, forgiveness," Pratt said. "Those are major themes in my faith and in this movie as well. There are people who have done bad things, but are seeking righteousness or seeking an opportunity to make amends."

Washington also weighed in on the faith journey of his character, Sam Chisholm.

"I think he's struggling with his faith," Washington said. "He wants revenge, really."

Actress Haley Bennett plays Emma, the lone woman with the courage to ask for help to save her town. It's an act of courage that may seem out of character for a woman of that period, but Bennett says that's a misconception.

"The truth is - and I learned this in my research - women were just as involved as the men," Bennett said. "I mean, a lot of times the men were absent. The men were out hunting. The men were out trading."

For Bennett, this film was a chance to set the record straight.

"The Magnificent Seven" opens in theaters Sept. 23.

Watch the interview here: Magnificent Seven

The New Ben-Hur: Retelling an Epic Classic for a New Generation - CBN News Efrem Graham +0

The New Ben-Hur: Retelling an Epic Classic for a New Generation

08-17-2016

CBN News Efrem Graham

+0

LOS ANGELES -- Ben-Hur is often called of the greatest stories ever told. On August 19, Producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey are delivering new twists and turns in their $100 million remake of the film based on the more than 130-year-old Lew Wallace novel.

"I think that one of the most interesting things about Ben-Hur is that you have this fictional story, set at this time in Jerusalem and it gives a real historical and political context to the world in which Jesus was born, a very complicated time," Downey told CBN News.

"(It was) a time of great civil unrest, and in injustice and heartache and hurt for an enormous amount of people and we are following the journey of these two brothers, Judah and Messala and we literally just kind of bump into Jesus in the market place."

Brother Against Brother

The story pits brother against brother. Jack Huston, who originally had intentions of playing the role of Messala, plays Judah Ben-Hur.

"I thought I had a better shot at getting Messala," Huston said. "I think Messala is one of the great characters. But it was a nice segue way into Judah, because it gave me a very deep understanding of my brother and a deep love for my brother."

The brothers, Judah and Messala, battle in a fierce chariot race, where losing could mean dying.

"We shot the chariots for three months of the six months (of film production)," said Toby Kebbell, who plays Mesalla.

Kebbell and Huston didn't use stunt doubles for the scenes even as their horses reached racing speeds of more than 40 miles per hour. 

The chariot scenes got so intense Kebbell says he ended up with a chipped tooth.

"A stone hit me in the tooth," he recalled. "It was actually wonderful. I know that sounds repulsive but it was actually a great experience."

Director Timur Bekmambetov guided the horse racing experience, with cameras at every angle. He watched hours of YouTube videos of NASCAR, formula one, and motorcycle races to prepare.

"It was really important to make this world look real and relatable. In today's world we are watching YouTube videos. It is what we know about the world, we are watching YouTube videos," Bekmambetov said.

An Intimidating Project

The chariot race is what most remember from critically acclaimed 1959 version of the film starring Charlton Heston.

The original movie was one of Burnett's favorites. He said producing a new version was quite intimidating.

"When Gary Barber, the chairman of MGM came to us having seen 'The Bible,' 'Son of God,' and 'A.D.' and realized what we brought to those projects, he thought we would be a good addition to his team," Burnett recalled.

"We talked it through," he explained. "We prayed on it and decided that we should take the challenge, because the opportunity may never come along again." 

Re-telling this story is an opportunity many cast members hoped would come their way. 

"This story is so relevant to today. I mean there has been turmoil throughout history. But right now you are seeing so much negativity and so much hate spewed out in response to hate," Nazanin Boniadi, who plays Esther, said.

"Martin Luther King said it best: Darkness doesn't drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate doesn't drive out hate. Only love can do that," she said. "This film is about love conquering hate."

Why 'God's Not Dead 2' Is Being Called 'Little Spark in the Dark' - CBN News Efrem Graham

Why 'God's Not Dead 2' Is Being Called 'Little Spark in the Dark'

03-31-2016

CBN News Efrem Graham

S

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- "God's Not Dead" surprised Hollywood with a box office take of more than $60 million. It also sparked a social media movement with a modest $2 million movie-making budget.

That success opened the door for a sequel, which opens in theaters April 1, 2016. CBN News was the only television news crew invited to the set for the filming of God's Not Dead 2.

Screen writing partners Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman wrote the story for the first installment of the film, that pitted a student against his professor in in a passionate debate about God's very existence. Solomon and Konzelman have also written "Gods Not Dead 2."

The Creative Process

Discussing their creative writing process, Solomon told CBN News, "We pray on everything that we do. And the Lord inspires. He comes forward. And that is really the creative process."

Konzelman added, "The first movie I think brought people to the point where they thought someone should do something. I think the second movie points more to, 'I need to do something in my own life.'"

"God's Not Dead" was filmed on the campus of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Much of the production for "God's Not Dead 2" unfolds in Little Rock, Arkansas, inside the state Supreme Court.

The fictional script often feels like a page ripped from real-life headlines. A public school teacher finds herself on trial for answering a student's question about Jesus Christ.

Not Just Another Role

Melissa Joan Hart plays Grace, the high school history teacher.

"This was a calling for me to do this. I felt like this was a mission for me to go on and stand up for my beliefs and be a little bit louder about my faith," Hart told CBN News.

"I was raised a Catholic girl and married a Baptist, so I became a Presbyterian, but all the while searching," Hart continued.

"In the last few years, I have found a beautiful Bible study, where I have felt a lot of fellowship with the women and felt very loved and nurtured there and it has really helped my walk," she said.

This isn't your typical sequel. Hart leads an impressive cast of new faces that include Pat Boone as her grandfather. Robin Givens portrays Grace's school principal. And Jesse Metcalfe plays her attorney, Tom Endler.

Describing the Endler character, Metcalfe said, "He is not a religious man. He is not a Christian. But he comes to respect Grace's religious integrity."

From Alcoholic to Christian Actor

Metcalfe recently talked about his personal faith and admitted he began a personal relationship with God five years ago when he became sober through Alcoholics Anonymous.

The actor told Fox 411, "A large part of that program is giving the will and character life over to God – or a God as you understand him – and prayer is also a big part of that program as well."

"I feel that that really helped me overcome a difficult time in my life and since then has really deepened and enriched my life in a lot of ways," he said.

'A Spark in the Dark'
The "God's Not Dead" song and The Newsboys are among the few familiar returnees in the "God's Not Dead" sequel.

The band's lead singer Michael Tait described the film franchise to CBN News saying, "It's just a little spark in the dark can light up the whole scene. And 'God's Not Dead' was that little train that could."

The storylines in both films are personal to the members of the popular Christian rock band.

Singer and keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein told CBN News, "Some people will look at that and say … 'you are being too sensitive about what you believe,' but it really does exist."

"There are millions and millions of people that resonate that, that go through that every day," he continued. "And I think we have gone through to a certain extent, even being in Christian music."

"There are places that won't invite us to play on their late night TV shows. 'We can have a Top 4 record on Billboard. But if you are talking about that Jesus person, we might not want you to come visit us,'" he said.

Drummer Duncan Phillips added, "I got little kids and I fight for those moments where we can enjoy time together and I think what the movie did was give families that moment."

More Than a Film

"God's Not Dead" is no longer just a film. It's a Pure Flix franchise.

"'God's Not Dead' dealt with the existence of God. Is God real? Is He not? 'God's Not Dead 2' deals with who was He? And if He was Jesus, was He man, myth or Messiah?" Pure Flix producer Michael Scott told CBN News.

"Ultimately, my hope is to develop an army of people that can talk about their faith intelligently and really take that to the world," he said.

Watch interview here: God's Not Dead 2

Kerry Declares ISIS Committing Genocide against Christians, Others - CBN News

CBN News' Efrem Graham with Gary Lane

Kerry Declares ISIS Committing Genocide against Christians, Others

03-17-2016

CBN News

Secretary of State John Kerry has determined that ISIS is indeed committing genocide against Christians and other minorities in Iraq and Syria.

"In my judgment Daesh is responsible for genocide against groups in territory under its control" Kerry said in a statment Thursday, using the Arabic acronym for the jihadist army.

"Daesh is genocidal by self-acclimation, by ideology and by practice," he added.

The Islamic State, also known as ISIS or IS, has slaughtered many Christians, Yazidis and other minorities since launching their jihad ("holy" war).

So, what does Kerry's genocide designation mean? CBN News' Gary Lane explains more on his blog, The Global Lane.

Also, Lane recently shared his thoughts on how labeling ISIS's attacks on religious minorities as "genocide" could affect the political year and beyond. Watch below:

In making his decision, Kerry weighed whether ISIS targeting of Christians and other minorities meets the definition of genocide.

Still, Kerry's announcement will not "obligate" the administration to take further action against ISIS terrorists.

The secretary explained that he was "neither judge nor prosecutor nor jury," and that any criminal charges must come from an independent international investigation.

Several groups had pushed for a declaration of genocide. And the House of Representatives voted this week 393 to nothing to condemn ISIS atrocities as genocide.

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., applauded Kerry's announcement.

"The United States has now spoken with clarity and moral authority," he said.

"I sincerely hope that the genocide designation will raise international consciousness, end the scandal of silence, and create the preconditions for the protection and reintegration of these ancient faith communities into their ancestral homelands," he continued.

"Christians, Yazidis, and others remain an essential part of the Middle East's rich tapestry of religious and ethnic diversity," Fortenberry said.

Stephen Curry - Faith, Family & Fatherhood

Foul: Media Scorns Athlete's 2-Year-Old Daughter

By Efrem Graham

News Anchor & Reporter  CBN News

Thursday, June 04, 2015

Point guard Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors to their first spot in the NBA Finals in 40 years.

Curry has been called one of the best pure shooters in basketball.

"He is an unbelievable competitor. He wants to win. But more important than anything is his relationship," the team's longtime chaplain, Earl Smith, told CBN News.

"He is what you see. He lives it fully and he enjoys life because he has peace with his life," Smith added. "He has a relationship that far exceeds a three-point shot, far exceeds the accolades that are in the arena. He is a family man. He loves his wife. He loves his daughter."

Curry's 2-year-old daughter scored the most attention at the post-game news conferences. That's had some turning up the heat on the young stand-out, who champions his Christian faith, his family, and fatherhood.

Reporters have criticized the Warriors MVP for the daddy-daughter time in front of the camera.

One reporter tweeted, "Curry's kid is cute. That doesn't mean she should have been at the presser."

"The celebration that we had after game five with my family and be as normal as possible and obviously she has got a personality that is pretty electric and loves that scene, but there is no motive," Curry told reporters, following game five of the western finals. "It's just me and her hanging out."

The criticism also didn't sit well the team's chaplain.

"That really bothered me and the reason it bothered me is because of the question that keeps coming up, where are the fathers? Where are the dads?" Smith told CBN News. "And here was a guy that truly had a daughter that was loving on her dad, loving to be with her dad."

At a time when athletes routinely make headlines for abuse, Smith calls these moments a "missed opportunity."

"Maybe the interview should have changed. Maybe it should have taken a different direction and talked about at a time when there is questions about athletes and a questions about fathers and their relationships with their children," Smith suggested.

"I am going to enjoy those times with my daughter, no matter how much pub she gets, regardless of what cameras are pointed my way because that is a special time," Curry said.

Curry's post-game press time could get a little more crowded soon. He and his wife are expecting their second child in July.

Watch video: Steph Curry - Golden State Warriors

'Heaven Is for Real' Shows a Vision of the Afterlife - EFREM GRAHAM, CBN NEWS

    Connor Corum plays 4-year-old Colton in his very first acting role in the upcoming 'Heaven Is for Real.' (Sony Pictures)

'Heaven Is for Real' Shows a Vision of the Afterlife

4/15/2014 EFREM GRAHAM/CBN NEWS

The real-life tale of a child's remarkable trip to heaven and back has spent years on the best-sellers' list. Millions have read the bright yellow book Heaven Is for Real, and now the film adaptation arrives in theaters in time for Easter weekend.

Sony pictures tapped screenwriter and film director Randall Wallace to bring the best-seller to the big screen.

In a recent interview with CBN News, Wallace discussed the challenges of creating a movie that explored vision of the afterlife.

Vision of the Afterlife

"I think nervous is probably a good term. It was certainly in that field between nervous and sheer terror," Wallace said.

The film is based on a story from the Burpos, an ordinary Nebraska family that faced extraordinary circumstances. Their 4-year-old son Colton nearly died and had to undergo emergency surgery. Colton then awoke with undeniable visions of a trip to heaven.

Before entering the film industry, Wallace financed a year of seminary by teaching karate.

"The seminary training was wonderful for me in this in that I studied religion. I grew up in tent revivals and you always think about heaven in those contexts. And the great thing about that is heaven is presented as something glorious," he told CBN News.

That glorious presentation of heaven comes from a 4-year-old.

Playing Pastor Dad

Connor Corum plays 4-year-old Colton in his very first acting role. Oscar-nominated actor Greg Kinnear plays Colton's dad, Todd.

Kinnear described Todd's character to CBN News.

"Well, he is passionate. He clearly has a strong faith and a strong conviction about what he believes and a great love of his children," Kinnear said. "And I think those were the things for me to really try to translate as strongly to the audience as possible."

Todd Burpo is also a firefighter, pastor and a man struggling to understand what his son experienced and what to do about it. That struggle helped him write the book that has sold more than 10 million copies.

Kinnear wasn't familiar with the book before taking on the role.

"Turning it into a screenplay would be not easy to do," he recalled thinking.

"It is a tough thing to pull off so that it doesn't feel like a two-hour sermon," Wallace said. "That is, tell you a story, an honest story. And I thought he did an amazing job at doing that."