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?
  • Homeless Mission Work Unique Ministries

    SERVING THE HOMELESS IN ISRAEL

    My husband and I live in Ashkelon, Israel. We serve the homeless, the drug addicts and prostitutes in the streets of Tel Aviv. These young men and women don't know God when they first come in. They don't know that God can change lives. My own relationship with Jesus started when I was in a car accident back in Ukraine in 1993. I heard the doctors say I would be crippled for the rest of my life and, in my despair, I prayed for the first time, "God, if you exist, help me recover so I do not have to be physically dependent on other people." Immediately, I felt someone in that hospital room with me. I sensed His presence. Once I had gotten better, I started attending a church in Ukraine. The first time I came, they had a Christian music group visiting that was called by the same name as my first name---I knew it was a sign that was where God wanted me to grow. Eventually, God led me to immigrate to New York City. I was there on September 11th, helping people who had run out of the burning towers, praying with them as they tried to make sense of this senseless tragedy. I met my husband on a trip to Israel. He was once a prisoner of drug addiction and had even been in jail, but God transformed his life. The two of us received a word from God. It's from Matthew 10:6-8: "Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim… Read More

    December 5, 2017
  • Hospital Labor

    ‘BUT IF IT DIES, IT BEARS MUCH FRUIT’

    I am in awe of the way the Lord orchestrates our lives so they glorify Him. My mother and I share the same birthday, and since she passed away, I’m often bitter on that day each year because she isn’t with me. Earlier in my life, this bitterness led me to only superficially care for those around me; I wasn’t able to see the larger vision the Lord had for me. After feeling unfulfilled in my advertising career, I turned to my mother’s profession and enrolled in nursing school. It was there that I realized the practice of caring for others as a whole is just what the Lord does. Now as a pediatric nurse, my vision and love for others has expanded immensely as I care for not just their physical needs, but also their emotional and spiritual ones. I’ve been able to share my story with patients, and pray with them if they ask me. Nursing has given me the opportunity to love and empathize with others on a level I never experienced.  In John 12, Jesus says, “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Just as the Lord gave His life for us so we may have eternal life, we should die to our selfish and negative ways and in turn, serve and love others as the Lord intended. I now see that suffering is not a curse, but a way to find the Lord in every situation. I have fallen in love… Read More

    December 1, 2017
  • Children Mission Work

    BRINGING LIGHT TO AFRICA

    In the same year that I accepted Christ as Lord over my life and returned to church, I started having dreams. I was dreaming of children that had no shoes and little clothing, children who looked at me with a hunger that was both physical and spiritual. Surprisingly, I had never even heard about mission trips at the time. These dreams continued so I felt I needed to experience a mission trip. I signed up for a short one to Cuba. I led worship there through dance and got to share the gospel with hundreds of Cubans. Cuba revealed a whole new world to me; I returned knowing that I was meant to do this, that God had designed me to bring His love and His word to all kinds of people. While I was attending school and working, I tried to follow the phrase: “make your home your mission field.” But I knew I would be traveling somewhere. Eventually, I went to Slavic Missionary Bible School in Florida. After preparation and prayer, I was sent to Tanzania, Africa, which had been my first choice from the very beginning. I had marked off different countries but inside, I was thinking: Tanzania. We stayed in Tanzania for five months. We worked in orphanages, we visited leprosy camps, we went from house to house talking about Jesus and handing out food. We visited medical clinics and prayed for the healing of people in the waiting room. God directed us in many ways, big and small. We ended our mission with a short trip to Israel but… Read More

    November 28, 2017
  • Loss Of Loved One Senior Citizens Unique Ministries

    COMFORTING & SUPPORTING WIDOWS

    When I lost my husband, I found that I didn't really know any other widows. I had written a book about my husband's battle with cancer but now that it was over, I had a battle of my own to fight. While I had some support, nobody could truly understand my particular type of pain. Once my grief lessened a little, I started to meet other women who were widowed, and remembering how it had felt for me, I started calling them. I spoke with them, prayed for them and invited them out for coffee. Part of what makes losing your spouse so difficult is that you frequently lose the fellowship you used to have as part of your husband's social circle. And then you have to deal with loneliness as well as grief. Eventually, I started attending a monthly widow's group. We were all struggling a bit, trying to lean on God and build friendships while trying to find closure. Finally, I started a widow's group of my own called The Victorious Women. We support each other, build strong relationships and try to plan special fun activities. Some women open up about their story but even those that don't, are comforted by the circle of friends they gain. The group is open to everyone, believers and non-believers alike, but we also meet separately with some of the women to study the Scriptures. I also have a blog for women about keeping faith in tough times. One Bible verse that instructs me when I speak with other widows is: "Praise be… Read More

    November 20, 2017
  • Food Labor Prayer Verbalizing the Gospel

    LIVING TO LOVE AND SERVE OTHERS

    I spent my first 23 years on earth living for myself and my personal achievements. I wanted to work hard in college so I could go to medical school and then become a doctor. It wasn’t until meeting a girl in college (who would later become my wife) that I discovered achievements alone wouldn’t satisfy me. As I sat reading Tim Keller’s “The Reason for God” after getting into medical school, I realized that no matter what I accomplished on this earth for myself, it would be lackluster. I would still have a feeling of emptiness. God compelled me to put my faith in Him and I realized that He was the only thing to fill that hole. I’m thankful for becoming a Christian just before the beginning of medical school because it helped teach me how to love and serve others. I’ve been fortunate enough to serve and pray for patients, and talk to my science and medical colleagues about my faith. One of the most rewarding parts of moving to a new city for my medical school journey has been using my home to bless those around me. In our three years here, our guest room has been constantly filled with friends or acquaintances who needed a place to stay for a night, week or month. Family of friends who come to town are able to stay in the comfort of our home instead of an impersonal hotel. College students from our church spend evenings sprawled out in our living room, studying for exams as my wife passes… Read More

    November 17, 2017
  • Adoption/Foster Care Children Unique Ministries

    HELPING FOSTER CARE FAMILIES

    When we became foster parents 16 years ago, we had little to no support. But, we knew God had called us to foster. We live in Spartanburg County, which currently has more kids in foster care than any other county in South Carolina. When we began, we were disheartened by the lack of attention given to foster care and the lack of support for foster care parents. Recognizing a need, we began P.S. I Love You Ministries. It started as a church ministry where we provided childcare for monthly foster care meetings. In addition, we wanted to be a resource for other families serving as foster parents drawing upon our knowledge and experience to answer their questions. We didn’t want foster families to feel alone. We also began making care bags for children entering the foster care system. As foster parents, we saw firsthand how many children enter foster care with few (if any) belongings of their own. We decided to give the children a pillow with their name embroidered on it, so they would have something that was theirs to keep. We also provided them with basic hygiene items, a Bible, and a toy or a blanket. In 2012, we gained nonprofit status, allowing us to partner with even more people in our community. Since then, we have had numerous groups donate items for the care bags. People began to see the needs that extend beyond the care bags and started donating clothing. In October 2016, we officially opened our resource center that houses the P.S. I Love You… Read More

    November 14, 2017

Browse all categories

Adoption/Foster Care 38
Children 162
Church Activities 60
Financial Help 18
Food 42
Homeless 35
Hospital 48
Labor 174
Loss Of Loved One 46
Loving Your Neighbor 68
Mentoring 52
Mission Work 52
Other 14
Overcoming Obstacles 133
Prayer 61
Prison Ministry 12
Recovery 51
Senior Citizens 22
Special Needs 49
Unique Ministries 176
Verbalizing the Gospel 80
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