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Fox News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Network backlash puts home renovation star in hot seat
The backlash towards Chip and Joanna Gaines' new Magnolia Network reality series "Back to the Frontier" has put a spotlight on the couple's sprawling lifestyle empire. The couple was criticized last weekend after Chip promoted the new series, which features three families living like pioneers. People flooded his post promoting the show with frustrations over a same-sex couple being cast as one of three couples on the reality series. Reverend Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, called the casting decision "very disappointing." "While we are to love people, we should love them enough to tell them the truth of God's Word," he wrote on social media. "His Word is absolute truth. God loves us, and His design for marriage is between one man and one woman. Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself sin." Chip was quick to respond to the criticism, writing on X: "Talk, ask qustns [sic], listen.. maybe even learn. Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never It's a sad sunday when 'non believers' have never been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian." The Gaines first gained fame more than 10 years ago when they were cast on the HGTV series "Fixer Upper" in 2013, which showed the couple revitalizing dilapidated homes through their Magnolia Homes business in Waco, Texas. After five seasons, they decided to leave the show, and then signed with Discovery + and started the Magnolia Network in 2022. Along with the network, the couple also have the five-acre Magnolia Market at the Silos, which includes the shops at the Silos, the Silos Baking Co. bakery, the Magnolia Press coffee shop, and they also own the Magnolia Table restaurant several miles away. They also own the Magnolia Journal magazine, have written a series of lifestyle books, including Joanna's "Home Body" and Chip's "No Pain, No Gaines," they have their own Magnolia Home, furniture and accessories line, and a home line created by Joanna called Hearth and Hand for Target. The couple also opened a boutique hotel, Hotel 1928, in 2023, after renovating a historic hotel in Waco with 33 rooms. The pair also offer vacation rentals in Waco, including Hillcrest Estate and Hillcrest Cottage, the original carriage house for the estate. "TV shows impact the culture, but Chip and Jo impact people's lives," Discovery CEO David Zaslav told The Hollywood Reporter in 2021. "They provide something very rare in America today: a sunshiny hopefulness that you can make things with your own two hands and your life will be better for it."
Associated Press
15-07-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Influential evangelical preacher John MacArthur dies at 86
The Rev. John MacArthur, an influential and exacting evangelical preacher, died Monday at the age of 86. He led Grace Community Church in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Sun Valley for more than five decades. His ministry announced his death on social media. On Sunday, Tom Patton, one of the church's pastors, told the congregation MacArthur had been hospitalized with pneumonia. MacArthur made news during the coronavirus pandemic for flouting Los Angeles County's health orders by holding indoor services for hundreds of congregants and refusing to enforce masking and physical-distancing requirements. Well before then, his influence had spread far beyond Southern California, where he grew up and took the helm of his nondenominational congregation at age 29. His Grace to You broadcast ministry circulated his theologically conservative teachings while his many books, including the popular MacArthur Study Bible, were translated into dozens of languages. Dressed in a suit and tie, he eschewed pop culture references and emotional appeals from the pulpit, even as they became mainstays of modern evangelicalism. His followers lauded him for his expository preaching, in which he walked them through Scripture line by line. He wanted his sermons to be timeless explanations of the Bible as he interpreted it. 'He could get more out of a Bible verse than anyone I've ever known,' evangelical leader Franklin Graham wrote on social media. He called MacArthur one of 'America's great Bible teachers.' He was 'a lion in the pulpit,' wrote the Rev. Al Mohler, a Southern Baptist leader, for the evangelical World magazine. 'He was a preacher God used to make other preachers better preachers.' MacArthur was unafraid to stir controversy for the sake of his beliefs, even deriding fellow evangelicals for what he saw as incorrect teachings and theology, including the growing charismatic wing of Christianity. He was an outspoken proponent of complementarianism – the belief that men and women have different roles and women should not be pastors. He publicly rebuked two influential evangelical women: the popular Bible teacher Beth Moore and the Rev. Paula White-Cain, a spiritual advisor to President Donald Trump. During a packed, indoor Sunday morning service at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, MacArthur told applauding congregants that they were not meeting to be rebellious, but because 'our Lord has commanded us to come together and worship him.' The county and the church traded lawsuits, with the latter arguing the COVID-19 mandates violated their constitutional right to religious freedom. In August 2021, the county's board of supervisors voted to pay $800,000 to Grace Community Church to settle the lawsuit — an outcome MacArthur hailed as a 'monumental victory.' The church has also weathered allegations related to its handling of abuse allegations and its treatment of women leaving abusive marriages. MacArthur hailed from a long line of pastors, including his father. As part of his ministry, he helped train future church leaders through the Master's University and the Master's Seminary, both in Southern California. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and his four adult children, Matt, Marcy, Mark and Melinda, along with 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. MacArthur had suffered from health problems in recent years, including heart and lung procedures. He spoke about his ill health in a video message to a church leadership conference earlier this year. 'I realize I'm on the last lap,' he said. 'That takes on a new meaning when you know you're on the short end of the candle. I am all thanks and praise to God for everything he's allowed me to be a part of and everything he's accomplished by his Word in these years of ministry.' ___ Associated Press writer Deepa Bharath in Los Angeles contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Evangelical HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines spark outrage after casting gay couple on new reality show
Evangelical HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines are facing backlash from conservative Christians after casting a gay couple on their new reality show. The couple are executive producers of a new Magnolia Network series called Back to the Frontier, which drops three families near the Canadian Rockies and forces them to live like it is the 1880s for eight weeks. The families have no access to modern technology, no electricity or running water, and must harvest all their own food and tend to livestock. While the show sounds like must-see TV for Chip and Joanna's target audience, some viewers have expressed outrage over the inclusion of a gay couple on the cast. Texas-based couple Jason and Joe Hanna-Riggs are married with two twin boys, who they welcomed via a surrogate in 2014. In an interview with Queerty, the pair said that they signed up to do the show to 'normalize same-sex families,' but not all viewers are on board with their inclusion. Franklin Graham, who is the son of an evangelical pastor once praised by President Donald Trump, was among viewers weighing in on the series. 'I hope this isn't true, but I read today that Chip and Joanna Gaines are featuring a gay couple in their new series,' he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 'If It is true, it is very disappointing. While we are to love people, we should love them enough to tell them the truth of God's Word. His Word is absolute truth. God loves us, and His design for marriage is between one man and one woman. Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself sin.' Ed Vitagliano, who is VP of the American Family Association, insisted that the Magnolia Network should be 'expected to uphold' biblical values because the Gaines had been open about their faith in the past. 'This is sad and disappointing, because Chip and Joanna Gaines have been very influential in the evangelical community,' Vitagliano posted online. 'We aren't sure why the Gaines have reversed course, but we are sure of this: Back to the Frontier promotes an unbiblical view of human sexuality, marriage, and family – a view no Christian should embrace.' Other viewers also turned their ire directly towards Chip and Joanna, slamming the pair for including a gay couple on the show. 'I've never been a fan of the Gaines, but their normalization of so-called same-sex marriage and redefinition of family is a sinful capitulation to the god of this age. Sad but unsurprising,' wrote one. 'I hope the money from HBO was worth it to turn your long-time, loyal fan base against you by compromising your Christian values on family and sexuality. I hope you'll reconsider the things that led you to do this,' raged another. 'This is the closest I've come to seeing someone *literally* shoot themselves in the foot. You *have* to know that a large part of your base is professing Christians... whom you've now blown a Judas kiss.' Chip broke his silence following the backlash by slamming 'modern American Christians' in a post on X (formerly Twitter) 'Please stop pretending you're Christians. You're dragging the name of Christ through the mud,' wrote another. Chip has since responded to the controversy, posting on X, 'Talk, ask questions, listen... maybe even learn.' He continued, 'Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge first, understand later/never. It's a sad Sunday when "non believers" have never been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian.' Chip, 50, added, 'On our way to church... Y'all enjoy this beautiful Sunday!' Speaking to Queerty about their experience on the show, Joe and Jason said that they learned throughout the process that LGBTQ homsteaders did in fact exist in the 1880s. 'Well, from the homestead perspective, it was fascinating to learn that queer homesteaders existed — like, that's how a lot of folks kind of escaped, I guess, really being ostracized in cities,' Joe said. 'They would go to the frontier as a couple. So it was a common thing back then, and it's kind of the resilience of LGBTQ+ folks then, as well as it continues to be into into modern times.' The couple also discussed what it was like having to take on more traditional and defined gender roles on the series, with Jason taking on the female role. 'Taking on the female gender role, I learned that the homestead really revolved around women — they were the ones that were really making the homestead work,' he said. 'Because, while the man went out and did the physical labor, the women had to stay home and take care of the children, the garden, the laundry, the dishes and everything else, and then we were still expected to have food on the table when the husband came home from from the field,' he continued. 'So, without the women in the backbone of the homestead, homesteading would not have been successful, in my opinion.' has contacted Chip and Joanna for further comment. Back to the Frontier is currently streaming on HBO Max and The Magnolia Network. The show's official synopsis reads, 'Three American families leave the 21st century behind and attempt to survive as 1880s homesteaders – without running water or electricity. 'They tackle historical challenges and learn the skills that frontier families needed to survive a long winter.'
Associated Press
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Associated Press
SAMARITAN'S PURSE DEPLOYS TO CENTRAL TEXAS AFTER CATASTROPHIC FLASH FLOODS CLAIM 80+ LIVES
BOONE, N.C., July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Samaritan's Purse deployed disaster response teams to Central Texas after a historic flash flood event killed more than 80 people. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing with dozens more missing. Torrential rainfall early Friday morning caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in just 45 minutes, unleashing deadly floods across Kerr County, including Kerrville and Camp Mystic, as well as in the San Angelo area. The international Christian relief organization deployed a Disaster Relief Unit stocked with tools and relief equipment from its Southwest Ministry Center in Coppell, Texas. Samaritan's Purse is assessing the hardest-hit areas and volunteers are ready to help families start to recover as soon as it is safe to do so. 'During a holiday weekend that was supposed to be filled with celebration, Texas families are now facing unimaginable loss after these devastating floods,' said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse. 'Our hearts break for them. On Sunday, I joined Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem by phone from Alaska to read Scripture and pray for families who were gathered at a church in Texas awaiting word about their missing children and loved ones. Please join me in continuing to pray for all those who are grieving and for our teams on the ground who are responding in Jesus' Name.' Samaritan's Purse will deploy alongside Rapid Response Team chaplains with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to provide hope and comfort to families who are hurting. Edward Graham, chief operating officer for Samaritan's Purse, will be on the ground in hard-hit Texas this week—coordinating relief efforts and sharing the love of Jesus Christ. MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES Based in Boone, North Carolina, Samaritan's Purse responds to physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations–especially in locations where few others are working. Led by President and CEO Franklin Graham, Samaritan's Purse works in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Samaritan's Purse
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Franklin Graham leads ceremony as Samaritan's Purse gives armored 'bulletproof' ambulance to Israel
As Israel continues to recover from the deadly Hamas attacks of October 2023, Samaritan's Purse is stepping in to help. The Christian relief group has now given 20 ambulances to Magen David Adom, Israel's national emergency medical service. A total of 42 are planned, with 28 being armored to handle attacks. At a ceremony outside the Tower of David in Jerusalem, Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse, dedicated the newest ambulance alongside former Governor Mike Huckabee, MDA leaders, and Israeli terror survivors. The ambulance is equipped with a mobile intensive care unit and can operate under Idf Soldier Gives Hope, Builds Resilience In Training Severely Injured Soldiers The funds for the vehicle came from Pastor Greg Laurie and his church, Harvest Christian Fellowship. Laurie told those gathered, "We want to say as Christians that we stand with Israel. You're not alone." Franklin Graham read from the Bible, saying that Abraham was like a first responder when he rescued his nephew Lot."Abraham was the MDA of his generation," Graham said. He also took time to speak directly to three women who had lost loved ones or had been held hostage by Hamas. One of them, Karina Engel, shared her emotional story. Engel's husband, Ronen, was killed defending their home, and she and her two daughters were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. They were held for 52 days before being released. Ronen's body is still being held by Hamas. Wedding Of Paramedics Takes Place With Ambulance As Backdrop: 'Felt Only Right' Read On The Fox News App Karina told the crowd that a Samaritan's Purse ambulance, dedicated in her husband's memory, is now stationed near their home. "Every morning when I leave for work, I say 'good morning' to Ronen," she said through tears. She then placed a yellow ribbon on Graham's jacket, honoring those still held hostage. Mike Huckabee spoke at the ceremony and said the need for an armored ambulance shows how serious the threat still is. "This is an occasion brought about because of suffering," he said. "Thank God for Samaritan's Purse, Harvest Christian Fellowship, and the people who risk their lives to help others." Magen David Adom leaders praised the donation. Director General Eli Bin said the ambulance "will become part of our modern defense" and called it a symbol of "kindness and protection." Gilad Erdan, global president of MDA, said Samaritan's Purse "came to Israel's aid in its time of greatest need." Edward Graham, a military veteran and Franklin Graham's son, said in a statement that he has seen the value of quick medical help in combat zones. "We do this because God loves Israel," he said. "We pray this equipment will save lives and bring glory to God." The ambulance carries a Bible verse from Jeremiah 29:11 on its side: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." The ceremony was held during Shavuot, the Jewish holiday that marks the giving of the Torah. Twenty-two more armored ambulances are being built and are expected to arrive by the end of the year. Samaritan's Purse says its work will continue as long as there is a article source: EXCLUSIVE: Franklin Graham leads ceremony as Samaritan's Purse gives armored 'bulletproof' ambulance to Israel
