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?
  • Church Activities Overcoming Obstacles

    HEALING FROM SEXUAL ABUSE

    As a young girl, I experienced an unfortunate childhood. Abuse was common inside our home as well as depression. I witnessed that a young girl can't trust anyone, even the people who are the closest. Sexual and physical abuse seeped its way into my life, and I had no one to protect me. Because of many dreadful incidents, my mind was deeply affected. I began to see in a perspective of lust, emptiness and fear. I was young with a tainted reality, an unfortunate teenage girl who sought sin. My life kept spiraling down. I was changing more and more, but for the worse. Little did I know, God already had a plan. When I turned 18, I took on a job and then got engaged. I moved to Alaska with my husband. My best friend would frequently call me. I noticed she was so full of joy. This was strange to me. I began to crave whatever she had. She told me about Jesus, this amazing community, and encounters with the Lord. One day, she called me to testify my brother had been freed and received Jesus. I wanted that for myself as well. After hearing that, I cried out to the Lord and repented for everything I had done. I asked the Lord to change me, to help me become the person He needs me to be. That night, I started to see my life change. I was still living in sin, but this time, I felt convicted. My husband and I moved back home to South Carolina. The first week back, I… Read More

    May 1, 2024
  • Church Activities Verbalizing the Gospel

    STANDING FIRM IN THE FACE OF PERSECUTION

    Only about 2.3% of India, one of the most populated countries in the world, is Christian. Unfortunately, Christians in India face many challenges and persecution, and Banka Kranthi, 27, is no exception. Banka was born and raised in Baranipadu, in the district of Khammam in the region of Vemsoor. As a child, his father preached the Gospel, so the Word of God and fear of the Lord was put into his heart at an early age. His father often set out on preaching missions, and through his father’s actions, Banka was able to see the true love of Christ. Banka’s childhood exhibits the importance of parents raising their children in the “way they should go” according to Proverbs 22:6. When his father preached by foot, Banka was able to preserve whatever devotion was preached that day into his heart and mind, and he has never lost it. Moreover, because of his father’s teachings, he lived a clean life. Despite social pressure around him, he never fell into trouble, and he devoted himself to God daily. Of course, India is a multi-faith community, with Hinduism as its most prominent religion. According to the caste system, which still plays a role in India, Christians are perceived as inferior in many ways. Further, though secularism is emphasized, there has been a recent rise in persecution toward Christians, including mockery and physical attacks. In fact, India currently ranks as the 11th worst country to live in terms of Christian persecution. On top of these attacks, his people are often lacking basic necessities, so he has to have… Read More

    April 24, 2024
  • Children Overcoming Obstacles

    TRUSTING GOD’S PLAN

    It’s amazing how we can plan out everything in our lives to the smallest of details. But so often, everything we planned can evaporate in just one day or a single moment. Our wedding day was scheduled for October, but Uncle Sam had a different plan. On July 31st, Duane was drafted into the military and was deployed to Vietnam. We were reeling and wondering, now what? We got in our car and drove from Minnesota to Milbank, South Dakota where we found someone to open the courthouse since it was a Saturday and it was closed. We were able to get in and grab our marriage license. We then found a justice of the peace at 6 pm to perform our five-minute wedding ceremony. Later that night, we ate at the local drive-in, then drove back home after one hectic wedding day. Did I ever imagine I would be married last minute in a courthouse in Milbank, South Dakota? No, of course not. But the memories we have to look back on and cherish will forever be in our hearts because we trusted God would see us through an unexpected obstacle in our lives. Fast forward a couple years, and we were expecting our first child. However, after a couple months, I ended up in the hospital having a miscarriage. We had a second miscarriage before our first daughter was born in January of 1968. After the first two miscarriages, we had three children in three years. All in all, we've now been married almost 60 years and have six amazing children, 18 wonderful… Read More

    April 17, 2024
  • Labor Overcoming Obstacles Unique Ministries

    THE OLIVE PRESS

    Have you ever had a “lightbulb” moment? For me, these moments literally have a golden glow about them in my memories. These are the moments I know are from God. These moments are where He lights the path and leads the way. The Olive Press, my business born out of a “lightbulb” moment, has its own kind of glow. This is the kind of glow you can feel as soon as you walk in the door, and it’s because of the people. This kind of glow is the kind that only comes from Jesus changing your life. And in His grace, He has grown The Olive Press to be a vessel for that change. As a rule, The Olive Press hires exclusively women who need us. Women who come to us from addiction, abuse and even prison. We provide them with a work environment committed to Christ and to new life. We begin each morning with a devotional, stopping at any second in our jam-packed days to answer questions about Jesus or to pray with one another. We play worship music all day long. We show them that restoration is simply what God does. Who He is. This business started as an Etsy shop with seven listings, and one wholesale customer. Now, by the goodness of God, we exist as a storefront, an Etsy shop with over 1000 listings, and 100+ wholesale customers. We are able to support not only our beautiful employees but other local ministries as well. Portions of profits go to aid victims of sex trafficking and purchase essential supplies… Read More

    April 10, 2024
  • Hospital Overcoming Obstacles Unique Ministries

    A SCAR IS A STORY

    I fought a long battle with skin cancer which has left me with significant scars on my face after several difficult surgeries. I was first diagnosed in the middle of the pandemic and right before Christmas. I had just left my doctor’s office and went to my church to drop off some Christmas gifts. As I entered the door, I unexpectedly broke down and started to cry, telling my friends who worked there I was just diagnosed with cancer. Immediately, they stopped what they were doing and began to pray over me. In that moment, I could feel God’s healing energy transferred through prayer. I felt humbled and strengthened. When I was scared, I found peace in Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” As my weeks of surgeries and treatments went on, I was blessed to have been paired with a team of amazing doctors. Right before a major surgery, I saw God. He was the most beautiful being. He reached out to hold my hand, and I immediately knew everything was going to be okay. When I opened my eyes, I said “Wow. I woke up because of Him.” Once I was cancer free, I began to volunteer at the Cancer Center. Many patients do not have a family or support system to help them. My reason to be there is to bring hope to others. All it requires is time. I am here… Read More

    April 3, 2024
  • Hospital Overcoming Obstacles Prayer

    GLORIFYING GOD IN DIFFICULT TIMES

    The story of Job resonates with me. He was put through some very difficult and gut-wrenching trials. But Job’s faith saw him through those times. I feel like I’m in a somewhat similar situation right now. I’m going through an excruciating cancer battle which has me wondering how long I may have on earth. And a number of family members are going through very hard struggles. I have three children. My oldest daughter has Huntington’s Disease which affects her nervous system; I’m seeing her life being taken away from her, and watching my granddaughter lose her mom. I promised my daughter that I would be there for her and would take care of her, but that has since changed with my cancer, and my parents have had to step in to help her. My teenage son has autism and sensory needs. He is sensitive to crowds and loud noises, so I’ve homeschooled him since the third grade. The only completely healthy child is my middle daughter—she’s married to her childhood sweetheart, and has dedicated her life to working with children with autism. In the past three months, my dad has undergone heart surgery twice: once unexpectedly to remove two blockages and the other time for a valve replacement. My sister recently found out she will have to undergo her second brain surgery to remove a non-cancerous tumor that has continued to grow for the past seven years. But these trials have made my faith in the Lord so much stronger. The more bad news I get, the closer I get to God. I was saved when I… Read More

    March 20, 2024

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Adoption/Foster Care 38
Children 158
Church Activities 60
Financial Help 18
Food 41
Homeless 34
Hospital 44
Labor 169
Loss Of Loved One 39
Loving Your Neighbor 67
Mentoring 50
Mission Work 52
Other 13
Overcoming Obstacles 118
Prayer 57
Prison Ministry 12
Recovery 46
Senior Citizens 22
Special Needs 47
Unique Ministries 169
Verbalizing the Gospel 77
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