A rough childhood which included repeated abuse at the hands of religious leaders made Vic Mitchell a very confused and angry person. When he went into the service after high school and they asked him what he wanted to be, he replied, “I want to become the meanest man possible.” He hung out with the wrong crowd and took pleasure in beating people up. But one Sunday…

A broken dream isn’t the greatest tragedy, but a life forever defined by it is. Creating a healthy new normal after the death of a dream is essential.

Whether it’s physical or spiritual, a new heart brings new life. John was a healthy, active person until shortness of breath led to a diagnosis of an extremely rare heart disease that required a transplant. The spiritual insight of Jesus giving all who believe a “new heart” became very real to John as he awaited his physical transplant.

Dave Dietz was a man who attended church but really didn’t understand the love of Jesus. After reading a book about truly loving God and people, his eyes were opened and he began caring for people and restoring relationships. Other traumatic events—a job layoff and serious car accident—also changed his outlook.

Although she’s had a successful career in the Christian music world, Nicol Sponberg’s most important job title is mom. That role for her has come with many blessings, but also with tremendous heartache.

“When we’re challenged; when we’re in a difficult situation, what do we do? We turn to God.”