Stories - Page 54 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?

Children Hospital Labor Unique Ministries
REACHING OUT TO HURTING KIDS

In September of 2011, the son of one of my marketing clients was struck by a car. He was a very active eight-year-old and had broken both of his legs. I went searching for a gift for him and couldn’t find what I had in mind. He loved his favorite team and was going to be laying in a hospital bed recovering for a long time. So that night, I stayed up until 3 a.m. creating the first ever Roll Tide Activity Book as a gift for him. Just a month prior, I had changed my prayers, asking God to help me find a way to live a more meaningful life and to impact others. With this creation, I saw a way I could make a difference in the lives of children who were hurting. I hired a graphic designer and a year later, I had my first sports activity book in print. The reaction was amazing. I took my savings and immersed myself in this full-time. In the Sports Zone is now a full line of licensed team activity books, storybooks, and coloring books for kids. There is a book for nearly every NFL, NBA and MLB team, as well as over 40 college football teams. I developed an app, so hospitalized kids everywhere can have access to these books, for free, enabling them to have some fun during their very tough times. But more than a business, this is my way of giving back and helping children. I donate thousands of books to those in need. I… Read More

November 13, 2018
Children Mission Work Overcoming Obstacles Unique Ministries
THE POWER OF YOUR SHOES

Throughout my life, I have managed spherocytosis which causes a weak immune system. I've battled this disease and with each step, God has guided a sickly little girl into the strong youth pastor that I am today. Two weeks before turning 16, I had my spleen removed due to my illness. While in my recovery room, feeling pity for myself, a younger, sicker patient walked in and out of the blue announced that she was praying for me. God provided an eye-opener at that moment of how lucky I was with my family and church to provide me needed emotional support. It was then when I made a personal decision to pursue missionary work. Weeks later, my father and I went on an international mission trip to the Dominican Republic. During that stay, I saw an important need for shoes. Shoes for children, parents and even the orphanage security guard. When I arrived back home, God opened the door for me to speak at a church. The pastor asked me to share my testimony and the need for shoes for his congregation. At the end of the sermon, the pastor challenged members of his church to leave their shoes at the altar. Immediately, people walked forward giving the shoes off their feet resulting in over 1,000 shoes for the orphanage. It has been one of the most significant moments of my life to see God's work among a group of people. During that one series, we collected enough shoes to last three years. My health has not allowed me to return to the orphanage… Read More

November 5, 2018
Church Activities Loss Of Loved One Loving Your Neighbor Mission Work Unique Ministries
HELPING WIDOWS AND SINGLE MOMS

My life is pretty busy. Between work and family, there just isn't a lot of time left for ministry. For a long time, I felt really guilty about that. Twice a year, my church parades people from various ministries across the stage in hopes of getting new volunteers. I would watch as each went by and think, "Man, this is not for me." At least, that was my response until my pastor spoke one Sunday morning about a ministry he wanted to start. He was looking for people who could change the oil in cars. That seemed like a simple request. I've been changing the oil in cars since I could drive. He started talking about the single moms and widows living in our area. Many haven't had the oil changed in their cars in years, simply because they don't have the money to get it done. My pastor wanted to see if there were people in the congregation who could serve the community in this way. Then, while the oil is being changed, ladies would talk with them to see if there are other things they need, and then pray with them. Now, the first Saturday of each month, I am changing the oil in dozens of cars for single moms. My wife comes and talks with the ladies. Even my kids join us and play with the other kids. I've watched as my children have shown the love of Christ to kids in the area. I smile as I look over to see my wife praying with a lady. I… Read More

October 29, 2018
Food Labor Unique Ministries
SERVING OTHERS WITH FOOD

Food is the way God led me to serve. About 18 years ago, my husband first volunteered as a driver for a local food pantry in our home state, Alaska. Unlike most soup kitchens or food pantries, this food pantry also delivered the food right to the doors of those in need, since they usually didn't have access to reliable transportation. This organization had two drivers who would deliver, and one person to pack the food. While my husband enjoyed delivering the food, I was not as comfortable driving in the Alaskan winters. So I began as a volunteer food packer, and have done so ever since. My daughter was home schooled during elementary school, and she usually came along to help pack the food. Although she didn't always love it, she has since told me that this is what taught her empathy and to have the heart of a servant. I also worked as the cafeteria manager at a local public school. Due to the financial circumstances of the school's neighborhood, all meals were free to the students. It gave me another way to serve others in some way through food. My husband went to be with Jesus a bit sooner than anyone here on earth expected. That was about a year and a half ago. Thankfully, we were in a place that my finances were in order and I was able to retire early. While I miss him daily, I know he's having a better time now than he ever was here on earth. I can't wait to see him again someday,… Read More

October 26, 2018
Children Labor Mentoring
DISCIPLING HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS

High school was pretty rough for me. I spent those years struggling with identity and friendships, so when I graduated, I declared I would never go back. Of course, God, with His sense of humor, had other plans. During college, He revealed how my pain from high school could be used to pour into the next generation. I began to see how my testimonies could help other girls know they aren't alone in their trials, and God could use me to disciple them. I became a Young Life leader and worked as a high school teacher after I graduated college. I fell in love with this age group, and wanted to give my life to serving them. More than anything, I wanted high school girls to know they already have the approval they seek. So often, teenagers strive to fit in, be the sports star, and make the highest grade in their class, all in the pursuit of affirmation. What they don't realize is they already have God's approval. Jesus didn't go into the wilderness, do ministry, heal the sick, or rise from the dead to earn the approval of the Father. He knew who He was and did everything from that. That's exactly how it is for us. My biggest hope is to awaken high school girls to the truth that because the Spirit of God lives inside them, they get to have a relationship with God and do great things. I want high school girls to know what I wish I would have known at their age: You… Read More

October 24, 2018
Church Activities Senior Citizens Unique Ministries
SERVING AS THE CHURCH NURSE

I am a nurse. I am also a Christian, and have found the best thing I can do for my patients is to pray with them and for them, which I do for every patient. Now I am retired. I wasn't sure how I would like retirement since my entire adult life has been as a nurse. My pastor, knowing my health is good and that I like to be helpful where I can, asked if I would become our church's nurse. For the last three years, I have loved my new position. I don't get paid, yet I feel more fulfillment than I ever did as an RN in a doctor's office. Each week, I visit church members in the hospital to pray and just be there for the patients and their families as they walk through a difficult time. I also visit shut-ins and anyone from the church who have a long-term illness. Each week, I visit a few families with children who are very sick. Usually, I just sit with the child, while the parents take some much-needed time away to get some coffee or have a date night. Each Sunday, I spend time before and after church in my "nurse's office" near the sanctuary, where I give free blood pressure readings and other simple medical tasks so people don't have to pay to visit their doctor or a lab. My work is pretty simple. But I feel I'm using my skills to help others, many of whom are in need. I don't see it as being anything major for… Read More

October 17, 2018

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

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