Stories - Page 62 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 Mentoring
EXTENDING GRACE IN THE CLASSROOM

Academia is not an easy setting to proclaim Christ, but Jesus didn't call us to do what is easy. As a chemistry professor at our local community college, my faith is not checked at the door. In my discussions with my colleagues, I stand for Christ and the glory of His creation. I don't have as much freedom in the classroom, but God is not banned. As soon as I get my schedule, I begin praying over my students, asking God to give me a chance to share His grace with them. I make my classroom a safe place to explore and learn. As an example, I expect my students to take responsibility for their learning. I don't constantly remind them of upcoming due dates for assignments. Several students missed one particular assignment. Per my policy, there would be no make-up, but I felt in this instance, grace was needed. I acknowledged the students who completed their homework on time and asked them to not be angry, but join me in extending grace to those who needed it. Several of the students who had finished the assignment on time later approached me and thanked me for explaining my choice. None of them complained. Conversations like these build a trust with my students, so when they need advice and prayer, they know I am available. During office hours, I have had multiple opportunities to share the love of Jesus and pray with my students. Jesus is not banned from my classroom nor office.

June 1, 2018
Church Activities Labor
HUMBLY SERVING GOD’S PEOPLE

I started working in the GE factory when I graduated from high school. I worked there until the day they shut it down, 20 years later. For months, I had been trying to find a job knowing that mine was soon coming to an end. But nothing. On that last day of work, I went home and wondered how I would provide for my wife and children. Our pastor had been speaking on relying on God for our needs, so I did what he said: I prayed a very simple prayer and asked God to provide a job for me. The next morning my phone rang. My pastor had called because the janitor at the church was retiring, and they were looking for someone to replace him. They wanted to update some things, which meant more work and a different title: facilities manager, which included helping them work on the janitorial needs for the new building being built. The pay was more than what I was making at the factory. Now that was an answer to prayer! I've been the facilities manager at my church for almost 20 years now. I love that this job is not only an answer to prayer, but I get to serve God and His people. I know my job may not seem like much, but if the bathrooms aren't clean and things are in disarray, new people won't want to come back. My job is simple: make the facilities as welcoming as possible so that everyone who enters feels the presence of God. It's my life mission. I… Read More

May 29, 2018
Homeless Labor
MINISTERING TO THE HOMELESS

It's amazing who the Lord chooses to use in ministry. I grew up in a family of non-believers that rarely went to church. But I found the Lord through reading the Bible. I knew I was being called into the ministry early on, but I could not imagine the Lord using someone like me. Despite the doubt, I surrendered to the call of ministry and began attending seminary. I was not sure what the Lord wanted to do with my life, but I desired to work with an inner city ministry where I could preach the gospel to lost people. In December of 1995, two weeks before graduation, I learned of the Calvary Rescue Mission, a non-profit Christian ministry that ministered to homeless men. I felt immediately drawn to this ministry. Not only did it provide meals and clothing to men in need, but it offered nightly chapel services, discipleship training, counseling, and lodging to homeless men in and around Memphis. It just so happened the Executive Director position became open right around the time of my graduation from seminary. Although I was the third choice for the Executive Director position, the Lord saw fit that I would become its new Executive Director. His timing truly was perfect. Now some 22 years later, I still am serving at this tremendous ministry. This spring, we will open a new facility that will allow us to house 108 men instead of the 46 we currently can serve. In 2017, our neighborhood was ranked the most dangerous in the United States, but despite the danger, the Lord has helped put a… Read More

May 25, 2018
Children Labor Overcoming Obstacles Unique Ministries
HELPING KIDS WHO ARE HURTING

I've always been drawn to kids who were hurting. Maybe it's because I didn't have anyone to talk to when I was struggling at 12 years old. And, back when I was growing up, you did not go to counselors for help. Instead, I talked to my horse, Princess. One summer day, God spoke to me and put it in my heart that I would eventually start a ranch for hurting children. Many things have happened between that time long ago and today. I worked in business, with at-risk youth and as a special education teacher. But I didn't forget what the Lord told me as a young girl. One day when I was teaching, I felt the Lord speak to me again and say it was time to start the ranch. I listened. After several years of prayer and generating support, I opened Hope Remains Ranch and served our very first child. I realized the Lord had been teaching and preparing me all these years for this work. Today, we provide Christian equine therapy for 3,000 kids and adults year-round. The focus of the ranch is Jesus. Everyone who works or volunteers on the ranch is a believer, so we try to be Jesus to everyone who visits. We want to show those who enter our gates after a crisis or tragedy that hope remains through Jesus Christ---you won't find hope in the bottle or drugs. So, we offer therapy and Jesus. Whenever anyone asks Jesus into his heart while on the ranch, we ring a large bell, and everyone gathers… Read More

May 22, 2018
Children Special Needs Unique Ministries
LEADING BOYS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

When something you are passionate about comes to you naturally, that's how you know God's hand is in it. I have been involved in scouting in some way my entire life. My mom was a troop leader and I was a girl scout, so getting my children involved was a natural decision. I wanted Christian mentoring for my son outside of our regular church activities, and scouting provided it. As a parent, the first years of scouting were spent at my son's troop meetings. Then, as he moved up, I began serving as my daughter's troop leader. But, I also served in different areas, such as taking over the popcorn fundraising for my son's troop. Since I have a sales background, this volunteer time allowed me to use my gifts. And, as a Christian, I understand the importance of having a servant's heart. However, my educational background is in speech pathology where I also learned sign language for pursuing a career in interpreting one day. One thing led to another, and I ended up being asked to lead a troop separately from my own children. I am now the troop leader and interpreter for the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind. My troop has 22 boys, ranging from 6-15 years of age, all with visual impairments, hearing loss, or both. When I was given this opportunity, I knew it was a chance to use my God-given gifts to serve. In this role, I can speak openly about my faith in a way that is not generally accepted in the public school setting, and I… Read More

May 15, 2018
Labor Verbalizing the Gospel
THE LORD GUIDES OUR BUSINESS

Several years ago, an opportunity landed in our laps to start our own business. The steps leading to this seemed like it was divine intervention. But I was still full of anxiety because I had never run my own company. I called various banks to discuss a small business loan to get things rolling, and after meeting with several that didn’t seem quite right, I met with the guy who would become our banker. We talked at length about the business and life in general. Then he walked me to my car and asked, “Greg, I’m really not supposed to ask this, but do you believe in God?” When I answered yes, he was visibly relieved and asked if he could pray with me. In the middle of the bank parking lot, he laid his hands on me, and prayed. When he had finished, he looked up and said the Lord had some very special plans for me and this business. In the years since, the Lord has been very faithful in making our business grow in ways we never imagined. Even more importantly, every day I am meeting with potential clients and employees who recognize my relationship with God. They ask me to pray with and for them, and I am happy to oblige. I can’t recall the number of times I have had opportunities to share about the love of Jesus with people through my work. And I’m in the compost business! Recently, our largest client decided not to renew our contract because of a change in their business philosophy. This was… Read More

May 11, 2018

Browse all categories

Adoption/Foster Care 38

Church Activities 60

Financial Help 18

Loss Of Loved One 40

Loving Your Neighbor 67

Mission Work 52

Overcoming Obstacles 119

Prison Ministry 12

Senior Citizens 22

Special Needs 47

Unique Ministries 170

Verbalizing the Gospel 77

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