As an actress, Gwendolyn Briley-Strand was used to playing strong female roles—women of faith and perseverance. But playing a resilient character is far easier than being one in real life. Two rounds of cancer, including exhausting chemotherapy and radiation treatments, reinforced Gwen’s belief that she needed to turn to the healing words of the Bible for her strength.

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.

Luke Michaels is a teenager who is serious about his faith. He knew the love of Jesus at a young age, and he wanted to share that love with others—especially youth.

A friend introduced Nkosi to the gospel. And because his friend was persistent in pursuing him with the message of salvation, Nkosi has a passion for sharing God’s love with the teenagers in his country. After two friends who served with him in ministry passed away, God cemented in Nkosi’s heart the desire to serve God above all else. Even when tempted by a lucrative job offer,…

Becky’s life was a mess. Once she found what she’d been looking for, she knew she had to share it. “I wanted a deep, meaningful, rich life for the Lord;” and she found it in loving others well.

Doing for God took the place of being with God. Until he learned to be still and listen.

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.