Stories - Page 49 of 83 - 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 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
Children Labor Special Needs
THE GREATEST GIFT TO MY CHILDREN

If you would have told me ten years ago this is what my life would be, I would never have believed you. As a mother of five with two special needs children, I have experienced the joys and heart breaks motherhood brings. I've had my ups and downs, my supermom moments, and the times I would consider a failure. Through it all, I have learned to depend completely on the Lord day by day to fulfill the ministry He has called me to in this season of motherhood. I have always wanted to be in ministry, specifically ministering to youth. As I watched my husband, who works as a full-time pastor, I often wondered when my chance would come. But years ago, the Lord put a strong revelation in my heart that I am doing the most important ministry that I will ever have in raising my children. I am committed to bringing up followers of Christ who are going to impact this world for the Kingdom of God. Jesus had 12 disciples, I have five! If I can raise our children to be strong lovers of Jesus, it will be the greatest contribution I can make to the Great Commission. My ministry with my children isn't a glamorous one. There are some days that I don't think I can kiss another boo boo, listen to another pointless scream or endure another temper tantrum. But having a dependence on the Lord in everything I do carries me through those challenging moments. By the grace of God, I can fulfill my ministry in washing… Read More

June 10, 2019
Labor Verbalizing the Gospel
LISTENING TO THE LORD’S VOICE

As a Walmart employee for 26 years, I have been following the calling of the Lord to serve people whom He puts in my path. He has led me to minister a word from the Lord or pray for a countless number of people over the years. The Lord warned me from the beginning, 'Not everyone will receive you but there will be many that will because of your soft spoken voice.' One day, the Lord told me to speak to Jeff, a young man about 21, who was a cart pusher. I was nervous and told the Lord, 'but I don't know him.' After the Lord continued to press upon me to do this, I finally submitted and told the Lord that I would, but that it needed to be in private without a lot of people around. Later that day, when I went into the break room, Jeff was there alone. I first asked him how he was doing. Then I proceeded to tell him: "God told me to tell you how much He loves you, that He has a plan for your life, and that you won't always be alone." He responded in amazement: "Are you psychic?" "No, I'm a Christian and the Holy Spirit lives in me. He told me to tell you these things." "Nobody has ever said that to me before." A few weeks later, I ran into Jeff again. He was excited and told me: "My life has not been the same since you spoke to me. I have a cross and a bible. My parents even… Read More

June 4, 2019

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Adoption/Foster Care 38

Church Activities 60

Financial Help 18

Loss Of Loved One 39

Loving Your Neighbor 67

Mission Work 52

Overcoming Obstacles 118

Prison Ministry 12

Senior Citizens 22

Special Needs 47

Unique Ministries 169

Verbalizing the Gospel 77

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