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.

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

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…

Years of addiction and repeated recovery programs that didn’t have a lasting impact made Geoff feel like he had to live with a label: addict.

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.

Nicklis Stevens lost his sister, Lygon, in an avalanche while they were hiking a mountain peak. He then went through the valley of pain asking the difficult question of “Why?” God answered him in beautiful and unexpected ways.

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,…

In the Maasai community, young girls typically marry men chosen by their fathers. But Alice had a different calling. Through a sponsorship and an unexpected opportunity her brother’s school provided, she was able to get an education and learn about Jesus. It changed her life. He gave her a spirit of courage to follow His calling on her life. Alice said, “I have a task to do….