Top 10 New Stories That Inspired Our Faith in April 2026

When a 3-year-old boy went missing in Louisville, Kentucky, officers couldn’t find him anywhere. Then an angel in disguise—a mysterious dog—found the missing child. Even those who’d lived in the area for years had never seen the dog before that day.

A Search Ensues for Missing Boy

The Louisville Metro Police Department had been looking for the boy for hours when a dog started barking at an officer and tried to lead him away. 

There were over a half-dozen officers looking for him, including a helicopter.

Just prior to seeing the dog, the officers spoke to a woman who said a child had rung her doorbell and then run off.

"It wasn't the same description, but it was a young kid who hit her Ring doorbell camera and ran off," Louisville Metro Police Department 7th Division officer Josh Thompson said. "She immediately said 'He's across the street.'"

A Mysterious Dog Finds Missing Child

The officers saw the dog, a Collie, and recognized that it was trying to tell them something. So they followed it. 

“It led me all the way to the backyard. At that point I’m thinking, ‘Okay, this kid’s in this backyard,’” Josh said. 

"Officer Story followed the dog, I went around to check the garage," Josh said, referring to a fellow LMPD officer. "And the next thing I heard was Officer Story yell, 'I got the kid!'"

The boy had been sitting in the passenger seat of an SUV and had locked himself inside. “The dog went right to the back bumper… and just sat there,” Josh said. "I pulled that door open quickly, and I don't think I've ever seen a happier kid in my life.’

Child Overjoyed to Be Rescued

“He jumped out of the car, bear-hugged my neck and wouldn’t let go,” he said. "I don't know where the dog came from, but it was a blessing from God that day.”

Officer Thompson has patrolled that very neighborhood for two years and had never seen that dog before. 

The mystery dog has been named “Louisville’s Lassie.” 

The WLKY Louisville news team went back to the scene a month later to find the dog, and they did, giving him lots of pets and belly rubs. He still doesn’t wear a collar, but everyone knows him now. 

Thank God for that dog. If he hadn’t shown the officers where the boy was, the child would have been in greater danger as the hours went by. The neighborhood and those officers won’t forget their new local legend, “Louisville’s Lassie.”

WATCH: Mysterious Dog Finds a Missing Child, 'It Was a Blessing From God That Day'

h/t: ABC News
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/CBS Evening News

When an 8-month-old’s stroller blew into a lake, one man didn’t hesitate and went in to save her. It was an ordinary winter afternoon along Chicago’s Belmont Harbor — cold air rolling across Lake Michigan, waves brushing the shoreline, and families enjoying the view. Then, in a terrifying instant, everything changed.

A powerful gust of wind caught an 8-month-old baby’s stroller and pushed it straight into the water.

Panic rippled through the crowd as a mother cried out, watching her child drift farther into the icy lake. But before fear could take hold, strangers stepped forward — and one man ran toward danger without hesitation.

The Man Heard the Scream and Saved the Baby

Lio Cundiff had been nearby, simply enjoying a phone call with family, when he heard the scream. Within seconds, he realized what was happening and made a choice that would change someone else’s life forever. Without waiting, he plunged into the freezing water, determined to keep the baby above the surface.

The lake was bitterly cold, and the waves made every movement harder. Yet as the child struggled in the water, Lio kept her lifted, refusing to give up. Around him, other bystanders sprang into action — tossing a life ring, calling for help, and even extending a Chicago Cubs jacket so he would have something to hold onto while fighting the current.

What could have been a tragedy became a powerful moment of unity. Strangers worked together, hands reaching out, hearts focused on one tiny life.

The Rescue Was the Definition of Heroism

Emergency responders soon arrived, and the baby was rushed to the hospital. Everyone was relieved she didn’t have any injuries. Relief spread through the crowd as people realized that bravery and compassion had changed the story's ending.

Those who witnessed the rescue described it as the very definition of heroism — a man willing to risk his own safety for someone he had never met. But for Lio, the moment wasn’t about recognition. It was about doing what needed to be done when someone else needed help.

In a world that often feels heavy with hard news, this moment stands as a reminder that everyday heroes still exist — people who move toward crisis instead of away from it, who choose courage over comfort, and who prove that love for others can rise in the most unexpected places.

Sometimes, the greatest acts of kindness happen in seconds — a decision to step forward, a hand stretched out, a heart that refuses to look away. And because one man chose to jump into icy waters, an entire community witnessed the beauty of selfless bravery and the miracle of a life saved.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid… for the Lord your God goes with you.”  Deuteronomy 31:6

WATCH: When an 8-Month-Old’s Stroller Blew Into a Lake, One Man Didn’t Hesitate and Went in to Save Her

h/t: People
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/ABC 7 Chicago

It all began as just a fun night surf before a man had to save his friend who was swept out to sea. The 26-year-old was knocked off his board by strong waves near Haskell’s Beach in California. His quick-thinking friend saved his life.

While the unnamed surfer was being pulled out by a current, back on shore his friend noticed his surfboard had washed up. He immediately called 911 and reported him missing at sea. It was nighttime, so the surfer’s danger was increased with limited visibility.

A Man Saves Friend Who Was Swept Out to Sea

Officials soon arrived, infrared drones at the ready. With the drones, they located the man about a quarter of a mile out from the shore. Then, they guided rescue swimmers to his location using a floodlight.

They found the surfer waiting for help, hanging on to a lobster trap buoy, which he was fortunate to have found. They had him cling to a line buoy, and towed him back to shore. The whole rescue took 30 minutes.

A Quick Call Leads to Quick Rescue

Once back on land, the surfer was safe and sound with no injuries. He didn’t need any medical attention. 

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department gave thanks "to the quick-thinking friend," as well as "the dedicated firefighters and the life-saving drone technology."

Fire Department Says: Be Smart About Where You Surf

“It comes in handy on night calls, obviously, but even just mountain rescues, trail rescues — and ocean rescues as well,” Santa Barbara County Fire spokesperson Mike Gray said of the infrared camera.

"The surfer was able to make it back home safely," added the department. 

It added a warning to others, “Don’t go into the ocean alone in rough conditions. It matters.”

Thank God that the young man’s friend was watching out for him. If he hadn’t noticed the board that washed up and quickly called for help, his friend’s life could have been at greater risk. This goes to show that it’s important to assess when and where you surf, and always have someone with you in case things go south.

WATCH: 26-Year-Old Swept Out to Sea, Then His Friend’s Quick Thinking Changed Everything

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h/t: People
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This construction crew lifts the spirits of a girl awaiting a heart transplant in the sweetest way. Every afternoon around 3 p.m., high above a busy construction site near Cleveland Clinic Children’s, a group of workers pauses their work.

Hard hats tilt toward a hospital window. Hands lift into the air. And together, they form hearts. On the other side of the glass waits 4-year-old Brinley Wyczalek, a little girl bravely waiting for a heart transplant. With tiny hands pressed against the window, she sends heart-shaped waves back, her smile bright enough to stop even the busiest workday.

It Started With a Flashlight

What started as a simple flick of a little flashlight into the night to see what was happening outside her window has grown into something far more meaningful — a daily reminder that kindness can cross any distance — even a plate of glass and a street.

Earlier this year, after weeks inside the hospital, Brinley’s dad, Travis, shined a flashlight toward the neighboring construction site while playing with her in the room.

“To our surprise, someone flashed a light right back at us,” her mom, Berlyn, said.

That small moment sparked a connection no one expected.

The Construction Workers Taped a Sign

Soon, construction workers taped a sign facing her window that read, “Get Well Soon.” The family answered with one of their own: “Thank you. Waiting for a heart.” Days later, another message appeared from the crew: “Praying for you and your family. Keep fighting.”

Among those leading the effort was Devan Nail, a union carpenter with OCP Contractors, who said seeing Brinley changed everything.

“We build hospitals to help people heal,” he shared. “But seeing Brinley made it personal. We wanted her to know she has a whole crew behind her.”

The workers didn’t stop at waving. They gathered donations — coloring books, games, a stuffed bear twice her size, and even a signed hard hat — small gifts meant to brighten long hospital days.

Brinley was born healthy, but at age two, a combination of viruses left her heart severely weakened. She has now spent more than 100 days at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, supported by a Berlin Heart device that keeps her blood flowing while she waits for a transplant.

Even in a room filled with machines and steady monitor beeps, something tender and life-giving has been growing just beyond her window. Her care team sees daily how healing reaches beyond medicine alone — how human connection, kindness, and shared moments can lift a weary heart in ways treatment cannot.

The Constriction Crew Lifts Spirits

Each afternoon, when the workers pause to shape their hands into hearts, they remind one little girl — and everyone who witnesses it — that compassion doesn’t have to be loud or grand. Often it looks like simply showing up again and again, offering small gestures that carry enormous love.

And maybe that’s the quiet miracle here — a crew building walls and beams also building hope, proving that even from across a construction site, love finds a way to reach a waiting heart.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

WATCH: Construction Crew Lifts Spirits of Girl Awaiting Heart Transplant in the Sweetest Way

h/t: CBS Evening News
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Cleveland Clinic Children's

Grab a tissue and watch how this bride honors her dad in the most beautiful way before their father-daughter dance. Every father treasures the small moments with his daughter—the birthday calls, the encouraging messages, the reminders that she is loved. For one bride, those simple voicemails became the most meaningful gift she could give her dad on her wedding day.

Chloe McIntyre had been saving the voicemails her father left her since she was a freshman in high school. The very first one came on her birthday when her dad, Scott Knight, called and sang “Happy Birthday” to her over the phone. Instead of deleting the message after listening, Chloe decided to keep it. And from that day forward, she kept every voicemail her father left her over the years.

The Bride Honors Her Dad in a Beautiful Way

Through high school, college, and into adulthood, her dad continued leaving the same kind of messages—full of encouragement, love, and support. You can tell how adoring and playful he was and how much he adored his daughter. Chloe said her father had always been her biggest cheerleader, and listening back to those messages always brought her joy. In fact, they meant so much to her that she even played one of them for her now-husband, Dylan, on their very first date.

After Dylan proposed, he remembered those treasured messages and suggested something special: they should incorporate them into the wedding. On December 21, at the couple’s wedding venue in Killingly, Connecticut, guests gathered as Chloe and her father prepared for their father-daughter dance. Scott stood waiting on the dance floor, expecting the music to begin.

The Voicemalls Began to Play

Instead, something unexpected filled the room.

One by one, the loving voicemails he had left his daughter over the years began to play for everyone to hear. Chloe had carefully stitched several of them together so they would roll right into the song she had chosen for their dance.

As Scott listened to his own voice echo through the room—birthday songs, loving words, and heartfelt messages—emotion washed over him. Tears filled his eyes as he realized what his daughter had done. By the time Chloe walked toward him and the music began, Scott was openly crying tears of joy.

In that moment, the messages that had once traveled through a phone line became something even more powerful. They were a reminder of years of love, encouragement, and a father who had always been there for his little girl.

And as they stepped onto the dance floor together, the room witnessed something truly beautiful: a daughter honoring the voice that had cheered her on through every season of life.

Isaiah 43:4 “You are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you.”

WATCH: Bride Honors Her Dad in the Most Beautiful Way Before Their Father-Daughter Dance

h/t: Happily Official
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/HappilyOfficial

A 19-year-old saves a couple from a devastating car wreck, and now they’re calling him their “angel.” The young man hopes to save many more lives, and that’s why he’s getting a very special reward. He was gifted a scholarship to pursue his dream of becoming an EMT.

But that’s not the only reward he got—the mayor of his town in Westeco, Texas, gifted him an official proclamation of “Juan Mendoza Day"—an incredible honor.

Juan was driving on a rainy day with his girlfriend when he saw a car spinning out and stopping in the middle of the highway, its rear crumpled.

He made a split-second decision to jump out and help them.

"My first thought is that they could have kids, and I have little brothers," the teen said. "And that thought came into me, rushing, and I'm like, I'm going to get them out."

19-Year-Old Saves a Couple In Danger

The people in the car were Juan and Adrianna O’Matta. They had been driving home from Juan’s doctor appointment when their car was struck. 

"Nobody stopped," Juan O’Matta said. "He was the only one who stopped."

"He was there at the right moment that we needed him, so that's why I say he was my angel," said Adriana. 

The couple wanted to thank the young man but never got his name. They reached out to CBS News to help, and journalist David Bengaud helped reunite them at the young Juan’s workplace, Texas Roadhouse.

Couple Has a Heartfelt Reunion with Their Teenage Rescuer

“I’m so happy,” said Adriana, hugging him. “I’m so proud of you… I wish there were a thousand yous.”

Juan came to help them at the perfect moment. Adrianna had passed out, and the car had started smoking. 

“If it were my grandparents, I would have done the same thing,” said Juan. 

“We love you forever,” Juan O’Matta told the teen.

A Double Dose of Rewards

David gave Juan a surprise—he brought a president from an EMS company to give Juan a scholarship to its National EMS Academy and a conditional job offer. Then, David brought in the mayor, Adrian Gonzalez. 

"We're always looking for people, good people, who want to help others," said Justin Back, president of Acadian Ambulance Service. "But that takes a big heart. It also takes a lot of intelligence and a lot of courage to do it, a lot of toughness, and that's a rare combination." 

"On behalf of myself… and the city of Westico… We're proclaiming Juan Mendoza Day… Thank you for everything that you did," the mayor told Mendoza. "Thank you for being their guardian angel.”

Juan credits his parents for raising him to be a person who helps others. 

"They teach me to be humble and to help anybody," he said, and the O'Mattas "needed help."

Right now, Juan just has a couple more months of training before he graduates the EMS program.

It’s wonderful that Juan stopped what he was doing and ran to this couple’s aid. It’s also a blessing that so many people got together to recognize his efforts and encourage his future efforts. Juan is bound to have many more rescues ahead of him.

WATCH: 19-Year-Old’s Brave Act Saves a Couple — and Earns Many Unexpected Rewards

h/t: CBN News
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/CBS Mornings

Quieter now, but still a star: a 33-year-old cockatiel sets the Guinness World Record. He’s still singing a song the world can’t stop loving, even though Sonny doesn’t talk as much as he used to.

These days, his voice is softer, his words fewer, his melodies more like gentle echoes than full performances. But Sonny is still making history — and melting hearts — as the world’s oldest living cockatiel. Late last year, Guinness World Records officially named Sonny the oldest cockatiel in the world. In January, he turned 33, quietly breaking his own record and more than doubling the average lifespan of his species. I wonder if he knows he’s famous?

The Cockatiel Has Lived With His Family For More than 30 Years

For Sonny’s family in Illinois, the title feels secondary. What matters most is that he’s still here.

Sonny has lived with Janet and her family for more than three decades. He arrived as a tiny 12-week-old bird, never meant to stay forever — just long enough to become part of the household. But years turned into decades, and Sonny stayed. He watched life unfold from kitchen counters and shoulders, from quiet afternoons to seasons of change.

“He has been a great companion to me all these years,” Janet said, especially during the times when her husband traveled for work.

This Cockatiel Hit the Guinness World Record

Cockatiels typically live 10 to 15 years. Sonny is more than twice that age now. He’s slower. Quieter. His vocabulary has dwindled to just a few phrases — “Hi Sonny,” “No,” and “Okay.” The elaborate duets he once performed while Janet showered have faded into soft babble and gentle whistles.

But the love hasn’t faded at all.

Sonny still spends his days close to people — perched on Janet’s knee while she watches TV, greeting visitors who stop to give him attention. He rarely stays in his cage except to eat, drink, or sleep. At this stage of life, comfort matters more than routine.

And yes — Sonny eats well.

His Diet, and Human Interactions, as Well As Love Has Led to His Longevity

His diet includes vegetables, protein-rich foods, and one beloved staple: freshly baked muffins. Janet smiles when people ask about his longevity, crediting “cleanliness, human food rich in protein and vegetables, human interaction, and lots of love.”

It shows.

There’s something quietly profound about a bird who no longer performs the way he once did, yet still holds the world’s attention. Sonny reminds us that worth isn’t measured by volume or productivity. Sometimes it’s measured by presence. By constancy. By simply staying.

At 33, Sonny may be quieter now — but his life is still a song. One written in small daily rituals, in shared space, in decades of devotion between a bird and the people who never stopped loving him.

And somehow, that feels like the most beautiful record of all.

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”  Isaiah 46:4

WATCH: Quieter Now, but Still a Star: 33-Year-Old Cockatiel Sets Guinness World Record

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12 years after his death, officers honor fallen colleagues by standing with his daughter on her wedding day. Every little girl dreams of the day her father will walk her down the aisle. But for Ashlyn Holmes, that moment came with both joy and a quiet ache in her heart. Grab a tissue and be ready to share with your friends what she did despite losing him.

Her dad, Officer Bryant Holmes, wasn’t there to take her arm or share that once-in-a-lifetime walk. Nearly twelve years earlier, Bryant had died in a motorcycle crash while on his way to work. The 34-year-old Chandler, Arizona, police officer was struck by a vehicle that ran a red light. In an instant, a husband, father of four, and beloved officer was gone.

Her Father’s Memory a Big Part of the Wedding

But the men and women who served beside him never forgot the family he left behind.

On Ashlyn’s wedding day, her father’s memory was honored in a beautiful and deeply emotional way. At the front of the ceremony sat an empty chair. Draped across the back was a suit jacket, as if her dad had just stepped away for a moment. On the seat rested a framed photo of Bryant and a folded American flag. Beside it sat a small wooden sign that read, “We know you'd be here today if heaven weren’t so far away.”

Before the ceremony began, Ashlyn, dressed in her white lace wedding gown and veil, knelt beside the chair. She quietly wiped away tears as she sat next to the tribute to the father she loved and missed so deeply. One of Bryant’s former colleagues gently spoke words that seemed to capture what everyone in the room felt. “This chair has his picture on it, but he might as well be sitting there because he’s that close.”

Officers Stood Beside Her Honoring Their Fallen Colleague

When it came time for Ashlyn to walk down the aisle, two officers from the Chandler Police Department stood beside her. The men had worked alongside Bryant years earlier, and they had made a promise to look after his family. On this special day, they showed up to keep that promise.

The officers honored their fallen colleague by ceremoniously folding the American flag and presenting it to his daughter. Later, one of them even stepped in for a moment that would have belonged to her dad—the father-daughter dance.

Ashlyn later shared how much it meant to have the men who worked with her father standing there on one of the most important days of her life. Having them there, she said, felt like having part of her father with her.

Her new husband also spoke heartfelt words during the celebration, saying that one day, when they are all together in heaven, they will be able to hug Bryant and tell him that his family is still surrounded by love.

Ashlyn added that the officers had carried something precious for her father all these years. “It’s like,” she said softly, “I got them for you.”

Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

WATCH: Matt Cooper Honors His Late Mother With Emotional Acoustic Performance of 'Good God'

h/t: People
Featured Image Credit: CANVA

When a dog crashes the Winter Olympics, nobody can be mad. The pup thought he’d join in on a cross-country ski race with a sprint of his own. The moment lightened up the intense race.

Dog Crashes Winter Olympics

The dog appeared on the course of the women's cross-country team sprint qualifying race right as members of Team Croatia and Team Australia crossed the finish line.

The dog, which was wearing a collar, looked at the cameras before chasing after the skiers.

"Anybody lost their dog?" the on-course announcers joked. “It's a fairly nice mutt there, not hindering anybody's progress. One of those moments you have to laugh about."

"But you know, better it happened now than during the group sprints, let's put it that way," they added.

Dog Gets Some Belly Rubs—and His Own Professional Photo

The dog then sniffed the skier's before heading over to the post-finish area. There, he got some pets from Olympic volunteers. 

Omega, the official timing sponsor of this year’s Winter Games, gave the dog its own professional finish-line photo, which was automatically recorded by OMEGA’s Scan’O’Vision ULTIMATE photofinish camera. 

Before the dog got to the finish line, Team Sweden had already crossed over and won the race. Switzerland won second place, and Germany won third.

The dog is a two-year-old Czechoslovakian wolfdog named Nazgul, who lives at a nearby bed-and-breakfast. 

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Concern Set In for Some, But It’ll Be a Moment to Remember

While it was a moment of levity for some, the wolfdog had others concerned. 

"I was like, 'Am I hallucinating?" said Tena Hadzic, a 21-year-old from Team Croatia. "I don't know what I should do, because maybe he could attack me, bite me."

"He was crying this morning more than normal because he was seeing us leaving — and I think he just wanted to follow us," one of the dog’s owners said. "He always looks for people."

His other owner said, "We were on the train to Anterselva to watch the biathlon. We were three hours from home when friends started sending us videos. That was the panic moment.”

"He wanted to look for us, I think, because he's used to going in that direction with us when we go for a walk," she said. "He likes to stay with his crew."

Nazgul’s appearance has now earned him worldwide fame. Anyone who was watching the race that day will remember him for years to come!

WATCH: Kelly Alayna Performs 'Take Me Back To Church' in Nashville

h/t: People
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An abandoned airport dog finds a forever home with the officer who rescued him. In a world where many animal rescue stories end in heartbreak, one lonely pup found at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is reminding people that sometimes the most beautiful endings are still possible.

The approximately 2-year-old goldendoodle and miniature poodle mix—affectionately nicknamed JetBlue after his dramatic airport rescue—has officially found his forever home with the very officer who helped save him. I couldn’t help but follow the story about JetBlue because he looks so much like my mother-in-law’s dog Zoe, who stays with us half the year. 

They Discovered the Frightened Pup After He Was Abandoned

So, earlier this month, officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department discovered the frightened pup after he had been abandoned at the busy airport. What could have been just another tragic story quickly captured the hearts of thousands across the country. When the dog’s rescue was shared publicly, the response was overwhelming. According to Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas, the organization received more than 10,000 emails and over 2,700 adoption applications from people hoping to give JetBlue a home.

Yet in a twist that seems almost meant to be, the dog’s forever family was already part of the story from the very beginning. Las Vegas police officer Skeeter Black, one of the officers involved in the rescue operation, and his family had already been working since September 2025 to adopt a goldendoodle through the rescue organization. They had completed the approval process months before JetBlue was even found. When it came time to choose a family, the rescue realized the match felt perfect.

The Dog That Was Left at the Airport Was Adopted

Officer Skeeter and his family officially adopted JetBlue, giving the once-abandoned dog a place where he will be deeply loved. “We’re going to enjoy him. He’s going to be very much loved. We’re just excited,” Skeeter said after welcoming the dog into their home.

JetBlue’s story also sparked an incredible wave of compassion throughout the community. Danielle Roth with Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas said the response revealed just how much people care about animals in need. She hopes the attention JetBlue received will help other rescue dogs find homes as well, reminding people that many other dogs are waiting for the same chance at happiness.

The story even inspired generosity beyond adoption. The airline JetBlue Airways donated $6,000 to the rescue organization, funds that will help cover surgeries and medical care for other dogs currently in their care.

For many animal lovers, JetBlue’s journey is a reminder that the companionship of dogs and cats is a gift. These animals bring comfort, loyalty, and joy into our lives in ways that words often cannot explain. While many rescue stories are difficult to read, this one carries a rare kind of hope—a reminder that sometimes compassion, timing, and a little grace can come together to create the perfect ending for a dog who simply needed someone to care for.

“The righteous care for the needs of their animals.”  Proverbs 12:10

WATCH: Abandoned Airport Dog Finds Forever Home With the Officer Who Rescued Him

/t: KTBX3
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Good Morning America