Stories - Page 48 of 82 - The Christian Heart

How Everyday People Live Out Their Christian Faith

Illustrating how men and women display their love for Jesus in their day-to-day lives.
Little things that may have an eternal impact. Might these stories motivate you to use your talents?

Labor Unique Ministries
A UNIQUE WAY TO ENCOURAGE

When I was in 6th grade, I failed my school state test, and self-doubt started invading my thoughts. As a 22-year-old, I felt overwhelmed, having to quickly transform into my mother's care giver, all while trying to survive being a college student with no job. For several months, I performed fasts and prayed for my purpose and the deeper reason on why I felt inadequate. I realized I was my own worst enemy; I gave my past failures the power to constantly hinder my thoughts. So I decided to make a change and stopped being so self-critical, and practice self-love by giving myself credit for my accomplishments. During this time, I felt God repositioning my heart to be selfless and give back to others. My pastor strongly pushed me to start encouraging others through my own YouTube channel. Initially, the idea was intimidating, but I remembered 2Corinthians 4:18, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." With these inspiring words, I created my YouTube channel: "The Leah Show". The intent of the show is to encourage and uplift everyone in whatever situation they are in. Every Tuesday, I release a new show. Each topic discussed on the show is something I've gone through personally, and tips on how to bypass negative thoughts. Beforehand, I could only text or email encouraging words and scriptures to my loved ones; now I have a platform that allows me to reach more people. Although… Read More

July 22, 2019
Hospital Mentoring Prayer Verbalizing the Gospel
GOD CAN. GOD WILL

My life changed forever on May 10, 2016 when an oncologist's diagnosis of PNET Brain Tumor was spoken about my precious, two-year old daughter, Emma Beth. Just one day earlier, Emma Beth had been healthy and happily playing with friends when she suddenly began displaying signs of paralysis on the right side of her body. The doctor's diagnosis meant that Emma Beth would have less than a 20% chance of surviving and would be facing a possibly unsuccessful surgery to remove the egg-sized tumor growing in her brain. Immediately, I walked out of the room and headed straight to the hospital's garden where I wept and prayed. As I felt God's presence meet me on bended knees, the words of Philippians 4:6 swept over me, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God." It was in this moment I felt a peace that God would fight for me and Emma Beth. And I sensed a calling to minister to others that I would encounter through Emma Beth's diagnosis. I did this through bracelets I made that were inscribed with "God can. God will." I handed out thousands of them. I prayed with and over babies and their families, trusting no prayer returns void. God opened doors for me to share verses of encouragement with others, including the mom of a little boy fighting the same brain cancer as Emma Beth. I initially stood silent as this mom struggled with hope, believing that her baby would die. Then God granted me… Read More

July 16, 2019
Labor Overcoming Obstacles Recovery Unique Ministries
JESUS SAID LOVE

We are called to something much greater than ourselves: to love God and to love others. I never thought my calling would be found intertwined in the hearts and lives of marginalized women in the sex industry. Jesus Said Love began growing in my heart as I stood serving breakfast at Mission Waco to women who worked the streets. Soon a chasm began growing between my life lived in green rooms and on stages as a worship leader and the lives of the women I met. A need for them to be seen, fully known and loved---right where they stood took root in my heart and in 2004, Jesus Said Love was created. Through the work of JSL, we help awaken hope and empower change in women’s lives who lost their voice, equipping them to leave the commercial sex industry when and if they desire. As I spent time with the women, I realized it was not my job to ‘save’ them, but rather join Jesus in the work He was already doing. This realization led to the development of Lovely Enterprises which provides sustainable products through female empowerment programs and microloans to survivors of the commercial sex industry; holistic programs such as Access which trains women to regain their power and influence so that they can self-sufficiently leave the industry; the Stop Demand School which serves as an intervention and diversion program for sex buyers; and more. Spending time with the women, allowed me to see myself and my calling more clearly. It is my… Read More

July 8, 2019
Financial Help Food Loving Your Neighbor Special Needs
ABIGAIL’S PLACE

My husband and I started Abigail's Place in 2015, a ministry that offers people with special needs a chance to live independently. In 2013, we found a young man with special needs sleeping on the floor of a home where 11 other people lived. It really broke our hearts. After we opened up our own home to him, God began to show us ways to help others with their housing. There are so many people with special needs that need to be rescued from their current environment. That young man is now one of our current residents in the homes that we provide. We have five residents so far, and have succeeded in purchasing three tiny homes. It is our goal to purchase more in the near future as God provides. The services we offer include cooking meals for them, access to a washer and dryer, and assistance in transportation to doctor visits, the store, church, and other activities. They are learning to be responsible for their own lives, as we provide assistance with their physical, financial, and spiritual needs. There is a sense of love for one another that grows as they learn to help each other. We also have a thrift store where we take in donations of clothing, household goods, and money that we distribute as needed to the residents. The Lord led me to Psalm 91. He showed me these homes were dwelling places, and that He is covering them with His wings as they take refuge at Abigail's Place.

July 2, 2019
Church Activities Labor Unique Ministries
DECORATIONS FOR HIS GLORY

God truly uses our gifts no matter how insignificant a gift it may seem. For years, my sisters and I have worked together to decorate and put on events. We have done everything from wedding receptions to birthday parties for family and friends. Over the years, we have accumulated so many decorations that we have our own “warehouse” (my sisters garage!) full of décor for every holiday and event you can imagine. Little did I know how the Lord was going to use our skill and resources to bring Him glory in our community. Two years ago, I began volunteering at my home church. I have the incredible pleasure of decorating my church for every event and every season that we have. I take such joy in this because most of the people in our church are poverty stricken and live in section 8 housing which is often run down. These people are often forgotten by the rest of our community. It’s been amazing to see the response people have had to what I would consider simple decorations we put throughout our church. They feel like it's been spruced up just for them. It warms my heart when I overhear some ladies say how much they admire the care we took to create a lovely display. It brings me so much joy to see the smiles on their faces from these decorations, since they probably face more hardship in one day than I do in a month. My hope as I create simple pieces of beauty is for people to… Read More

June 24, 2019
Children Labor Mission Work Unique Ministries
CURBING TEEN PREGNANCY IN KENYA

I was a senior in high school when I became pregnant with my first son. Thanks to the love and support of my family, I was able to finish high school and go on to become a nurse. Eventually, I came to accept the love of Jesus and married a powerful man of God.

While I was still young in my faith, some friends of mine from nursing school invited me to a Bible study where I became involved in mission work in rural Kenya. After volunteering for a number of years, I eventually took a job looking after the health of more than 1,000 preschool and elementary aged kids on the other side of the world. As I continued working in Kenya, the children I cared for grew older and faced new challenges.

Some of the girls were becoming pregnant and dropping out of school. I discovered that girls in this poor community did not find the same acceptance, grace, or opportunities that I encountered when I was in their position. Further research revealed that in this area of Kenya more than 40% of all girls between the ages of 10 and 19 are facing unplanned adolescent pregnancy.

The causes of this crisis are complicated and many, but the one common denominator is a lack of access to sexual and reproductive health education. In response to my findings and God’s prompting, my husband and I formed a non-profit that helps prevent and support unplanned adolescent pregnancy in rural Kenya through education… Read More

June 17, 2019

Browse all categories

Adoption/Foster Care 38

Church Activities 60

Financial Help 18

Loss Of Loved One 38

Loving Your Neighbor 67

Mission Work 52

Overcoming Obstacles 116

Prison Ministry 12

Senior Citizens 22

Special Needs 47

Unique Ministries 166

Verbalizing the Gospel 76

Submit a Story

Listen To Our Podcast

Support The Christian Heart

Sign Up For Our Inspiring Newsletter