Auburn Friends

William Tyndale (1494 – 1536) was an English Biblical scholar and linguistic genius who became a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation but us best remembered for his translation of the Bible into English.In 1535, Tyndale was arrested and in 1536, he was convicted of heresy by the Catholic Church and executed by strangulation, after which his body was burnt at the stake. His dying prayer was that the King of England's eyes would be opened and just one year later Henry VIII authorized the Matthew Bible, which was largely Tyndale's work, with missing sections translated by John Rogers and Myles Coverdale.

John Gibson Paton (24 May 1824 – 28 January 1907), was born in Scotland and become a missionary to the New Hebrides Islands of the South Pacific.Though his life and work in the New Hebrides was difficult and often dangerous, Paton preached, raised a family, and worked to raise support in Scotland and Australia for missionary work. He was a man of robust character and personality and has become an example and an inspiration for missionary work.[Recorded November 14, 2021]

Elisabeth Elliot  (1926 – 2015) was married to Jim Elliot, who was killed in 1956 while attempting to make missionary contact with the Huaorani people in eastern Ecuador.  Together with her young daughter, Valerie, she later spent two years as a missionary to the tribe members who killed her husband. Returning to the United States after many years in South America, she became widely known as the author of twenty five books (including Through Gates of Splendor, Let Me Be a Woman and Suffering is Never for Nothing) and as a Christian speaker.

"I aim to speak plain truths to a plain people! May it please the God of all grace, to accompany my feeble endeavors to promote the knowledge of His truth! If my letters are owned to comfort the afflicted, to quicken the careless, to confirm the wavering — I will rejoice." - John NewtonJohn Newton, well known as the author of the song,  Amazing Grace, was radically changed by the Lord Jesus Christ and became an outstanding witness to that grace that never ceased to amaze him.  From his letters we come to know a man of great humility and wisdom, and though written some 250 years ago, they continue to comfort and encourage those who take the time to read them.Of Mrs More, the editor of the Letter, Josiah Bull, writes:THERE are few, if any, of our readers who are ignorant of the history of this distinguished and most useful woman; who have not become acquainted with the remarkable story of the talents and accomplishments which at an early period of life introduced Miss More into the highest circles of the literary and fashionable world, of her religious enlightenment, and of her energetic and devoted labours, in connexion with her sisters, in the establishment of schools in the darkest neighbourhoods around her and over a wide extent of country, and of the great success, notwithstanding bitter opposition, which followed these efforts, and finally of her tracts and other writings which achieved so extraordinary a popularity: truly a wonderful instance of the blessed fruits of talents sanctified and consecrated to the service of God. Mr. Newton's acquaintance with Mrs. More commenced in 1787. She had read Cardiphonia. Struck with its truths, and the manner in which they were presented, she sought to know its author, and an interesting correspondence was the result.[Newton, John. Letters by the Rev. John Newton: Edited by Josiah Bull, Kindle Edition ]

"I aim to speak plain truths to a plain people! May it please the God of all grace, to accompany my feeble endeavors to promote the knowledge of His truth! If my letters are owned to comfort the afflicted, to quicken the careless, to confirm the wavering — I will rejoice." - John NewtonJohn Newton, well known as the author of the song,  Amazing Grace, was radically changed by the Lord Jesus Christ and became an outstanding witness to that grace that never ceased to amaze him.  From his letters we come to know a man of great humility and wisdom, and though written some 250 years ago, they continue to comfort and encourage those who take the time to read them.These readings are from the edition of letters edited by Josiah Bull and first published in 1869.  Concerning Miss Flower, the editor writes:Miss Flower (later Mrs Dawson) was educated at Northampton by Mrs. Trinder, whose school had at that time attained a deserved eminence. Many ladies afterwards known in the religious world, received their first serious impressions under Mrs. Trinder's judicious training. Mr. Newton was a frequent visitor at the house, and his addresses to the young people were greatly appreciated by them. It was probably here that he first became acquainted with Miss Flower. In 1782, Miss Flower was united in marriage to John Dawson, Esq. of Aldcliffe Hall, Lancaster—a union which was somewhat suddenly terminated in May 1804, Mrs. Dawson surviving till December 1826. We are informed that the subject of our notice was possessed of great intelligence and conversational powers, was remarkable for amiability and the cultivation of every Christian grace, and was honoured and beloved by a large circle of friends like-minded with herself.(Newton, John. Letters by the Rev. John Newton: Edited by Josiah Bull. Kindle Edition.)

"I aim to speak plain truths to a plain people! May it please the God of all grace, to accompany my feeble endeavors to promote the knowledge of His truth! If my letters are owned to comfort the afflicted, to quicken the careless, to confirm the wavering — I will rejoice." - John NewtonJohn Newton, well known as the author of the song,  Amazing Grace, was radically changed by the Lord Jesus Christ and became an outstanding witness to that grace that never ceased to amaze him.  From his letters we come to know a man of great humility and wisdom, and though written some 250 years ago, they continue to comfort and encourage those who take the time to read them.These readings are from the edition of letters edited by Josiah Bull and first published in 1869.  Concerning Mrs. Dawson, the editor writes:Mrs. Dawson was educated at Northampton by Mrs. Trinder, whose school had at that time attained a deserved eminence. Many ladies afterwards known in the religious world, received their first serious impressions under Mrs. Trinder's judicious training. Mr. Newton was a frequent visitor at the house, and his addresses to the young people were greatly appreciated by them. It was probably here that he first became acquainted with Miss Flower. In 1782, Miss Flower was united in marriage to John Dawson, Esq. of Aldcliffe Hall, Lancaster—a union which was somewhat suddenly terminated in May 1804, Mrs. Dawson surviving till December 1826. We are informed that the subject of our notice was possessed of great intelligence and conversational powers, was remarkable for amiability and the cultivation of every Christian grace, and was honoured and beloved by a large circle of friends like-minded with herself.(Newton, John. Letters by the Rev. John Newton: Edited by Josiah Bull (pp. 242-243). Kindle Edition.)

David Brainerd (1718 – 1747) was an American missionary to the Native Americans who had a particularly fruitful ministry among the Delaware Indians of New Jersey. During his short life he was beset by many difficulties but his godly character and devotion have made his biography a source of inspiration and encouragement to many Christians. Missionaries such as William Carey, Adoniram Judson, Hudson Taylor, as well John Wesley among others have been helped by him.(Recorded May 30, 2021)

Let's try to imagine and describe a life that is totally without sin...

"I aim to speak plain truths to a plain people! May it please the God of all grace, to accompany my feeble endeavors to promote the knowledge of His truth! If my letters are owned to comfort the afflicted, to quicken the careless, to confirm the wavering — I will rejoice." - John NewtonJohn Newton, well known as the author of the song,  Amazing Grace, was radically changed by the Lord Jesus Christ and became an outstanding witness to that grace that never ceased to amaze him.  From his letters we come to know a man of great humility and wisdom, and though written some 250 years ago, they continue to comfort and encourage those who take the time to read them.These readings are from the edition of letters edited by Josiah Bull and first published in 1869.  Concerning Mrs. Talbot, the editor writes:"Mrs. Talbot was the wife of the Rev. W. Talbot, vicar of St. Giles', Reading. In the midst of his devoted labours and in the prime of life this good man was suddenly cut off by a contagious fever caught in the discharge of his ministerial duties. Under date March 11, 1774, Mr. Newton says in his Diary, "This evening received an account of the death of my friend Mr. Talbot, who might justly be numbered amongst the first worthies. Considering his character, abilities, and situation, the church of God could hardly have sustained a heavier loss in the removal of one minister."..."Mrs. Talbot is spoken of as a Christian of more than common excellence. She was highly accomplished, possessed of a very sweet disposition, and though of feeble health, evidently endowed with great energy and decision of character. Her acts of benevolence were manifold, and in every way, she illustrated the spirit of Christianity. She died as she had lived, full of peace and joy, in 1785, having survived her husband eleven years."[Newton, John. Letters by the Rev. John Newton: Edited by Josiah Bull (pp. 165-166). Kindle Edition.]

"I aim to speak plain truths to a plain people! May it please the God of all grace, to accompany my feeble endeavors to promote the knowledge of His truth! If my letters are owned to comfort the afflicted, to quicken the careless, to confirm the wavering — I will rejoice." - John NewtonJohn Newton, well known as the author of the song,  Amazing Grace, was radically changed by the Lord Jesus Christ and became an outstanding witness to that grace that never ceased to amaze him.  From his letters we come to know a man of great humility and wisdom, and though written some 250 years ago, they continue to comfort and encourage those who take the time to read them.These readings are from the edition of letters edited by Josiah Bull and first published in 1869.  Concerning Lord Dartmouth, the editor writes:"William Legge, second Earl of Dartmouth, was born in 1731. Early in life he was deprived of his father, and his education devolved on his surviving parent. Upon the death of his grandfather, in 1750, he succeeded to the earldom. Soon after his marriage with the daughter and heiress of Sir Charles G. Nicholl, he was introduced to Lady Huntingdon. At her house he made the acquaintance of Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Romaine, the Wesleys, and other good men of the same class. Indeed, Lord and Lady Dartmouth very soon attracted general attention for the profession of religion they made, and the countenance they afforded to faithful ministers of Christ, suspected of what was called "Methodism."Exalted as was the social position of Lord Dartmouth, he did not escape the misrepresentations and even the ridicule of some of his friends, who regarded his opinions and practices as fanatical and absurd. They, however, afterwards saw cause entirely to change their views."

"I aim to speak plain truths to a plain people! May it please the God of all grace, to accompany my feeble endeavors to promote the knowledge of His truth! If my letters are owned to comfort the afflicted, to quicken the careless, to confirm the wavering — I will rejoice." - John NewtonJohn Newton, well known as the author of the song,  Amazing Grace, was radically changed by the Lord Jesus Christ and became an outstanding witness to that grace that never ceased to amaze him.  From his letters we come to know a man of great humility and wisdom, and though written some 250 years ago, they continue to comfort and encourage those who take the time to read them.These readings are from the edition of letters edited by Josiah Bull and first published in 1869.  Concerning Lord Dartmouth, the editor writes:"William Legge, second Earl of Dartmouth, was born in 1731. Early in life he was deprived of his father, and his education devolved on his surviving parent. Upon the death of his grandfather, in 1750, he succeeded to the earldom. Soon after his marriage with the daughter and heiress of Sir Charles G. Nicholl, he was introduced to Lady Huntingdon. At her house he made the acquaintance of Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Romaine, the Wesleys, and other good men of the same class. Indeed, Lord and Lady Dartmouth very soon attracted general attention for the profession of religion they made, and the countenance they afforded to faithful ministers of Christ, suspected of what was called "Methodism."Exalted as was the social position of Lord Dartmouth, he did not escape the misrepresentations and even the ridicule of some of his friends, who regarded his opinions and practices as fanatical and absurd. They, however, afterwards saw cause entirely to change their views."

"I aim to speak plain truths to a plain people! May it please the God of all grace, to accompany my feeble endeavors to promote the knowledge of His truth! If my letters are owned to comfort the afflicted, to quicken the careless, to confirm the wavering — I will rejoice." - John NewtonJohn Newton, well known as the author of the song,  Amazing Grace, was radically changed by the Lord Jesus Christ and became an outstanding witness to that grace that never ceased to amaze him.  From his letters we come to know a man of great humility and wisdom, and though written some 250 years ago, they continue to comfort and encourage those who take the time to read them.These readings are from the edition of letters edited by Josiah Bull and first published in 1869.  Concerning Lord Dartmouth, the editor writes:"William Legge, second Earl of Dartmouth, was born in 1731. Early in life he was deprived of his father, and his education devolved on his surviving parent. Upon the death of his grandfather, in 1750, he succeeded to the earldom. Soon after his marriage with the daughter and heiress of Sir Charles G. Nicholl, he was introduced to Lady Huntingdon. At her house he made the acquaintance of Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Romaine, the Wesleys, and other good men of the same class. Indeed, Lord and Lady Dartmouth very soon attracted general attention for the profession of religion they made, and the countenance they afforded to faithful ministers of Christ, suspected of what was called "Methodism."Exalted as was the social position of Lord Dartmouth, he did not escape the misrepresentations and even the ridicule of some of his friends, who regarded his opinions and practices as fanatical and absurd. They, however, afterwards saw cause entirely to change their views."

"I aim to speak plain truths to a plain people! May it please the God of all grace, to accompany my feeble endeavors to promote the knowledge of His truth! If my letters are owned to comfort the afflicted, to quicken the careless, to confirm the wavering — I will rejoice." - John NewtonJohn Newton, well known as the author of the song,  Amazing Grace, was radically changed by the Lord Jesus Christ and became an outstanding witness to that grace that never ceased to amaze him.  From his letters we come to know a man of great humility and wisdom, and though written some 250 years ago, they continue to comfort and encourage those who take the time to read them.These readings are from the edition of letters edited by Josiah Bull and first published in 1869.  Concerning Lord Dartmouth, the editor writes:"William Legge, second Earl of Dartmouth, was born in 1731. Early in life he was deprived of his father, and his education devolved on his surviving parent. Upon the death of his grandfather, in 1750, he succeeded to the earldom. Soon after his marriage with the daughter and heiress of Sir Charles G. Nicholl, he was introduced to Lady Huntingdon. At her house he made the acquaintance of Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Romaine, the Wesleys, and other good men of the same class. Indeed, Lord and Lady Dartmouth very soon attracted general attention for the profession of religion they made, and the countenance they afforded to faithful ministers of Christ, suspected of what was called "Methodism."Exalted as was the social position of Lord Dartmouth, he did not escape the misrepresentations and even the ridicule of some of his friends, who regarded his opinions and practices as fanatical and absurd. They, however, afterwards saw cause entirely to change their views."

"I aim to speak plain truths to a plain people! May it please the God of all grace, to accompany my feeble endeavors to promote the knowledge of His truth! If my letters are owned to comfort the afflicted, to quicken the careless, to confirm the wavering — I will rejoice." - John NewtonJohn Newton, well known as the author of the song,  Amazing Grace, was radically changed by the Lord Jesus Christ and became an outstanding witness to that grace that never ceased to amaze him.  From his letters we come to know a man of great humility and wisdom, and though written some 250 years ago, they continue to comfort and encourage those who take the time to read them.These readings are from the edition of letters edited by Josiah Bull and first published in 1869.  Concerning Mrs. Wilberforce, the editor writes:"Mrs. Wilberforce was the wife of William Wilberforce, Esq., uncle to the celebrated statesman and philanthropist, William Wilberforce. ... She was a remarkably godly woman, a lover of all true Christians, and ever anxious and ready with her influence and her wealth to promote the cause of Christ."

On Romans 1:5What does it mean to be a Christian? Are we saved by faith or by obedience? What does the Bible mean when it says that we will be judged by our works at the end?

Adoniram Judson (August 9, 1788 – April 12, 1850) was an American missionary, who served in Burma for almost forty years.  He labored there with his first wife Ann (née Hasseltine) (December 22, 1789 – October 24, 1826) and then also his second wife, Sarah (née Boardman, the widow of George Boardman who died while also serving in Burma) (November 4, 1803 – September 1, 1845). Adoniram Judson translated the whole Bible into Burmese.  He is remembered as the first significant missionary in Burma, as well as one of the first missionaries from America to travel overseas.Their labors and their suffering are a striking testimony to their devotion to God.[Recorded January 31, 2021]

A free verse poem by William Haddad inspired by Simon Peter's response to Jesus, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." (John 6:68)October 26, 2020

Concerning the Chaconne (from Bach's Partita No. 2 in D Minor): “On one stave, for a small instrument, the man writes a whole world of the deepest thoughts and most powerful feelings. If I imagined that I could have created, even conceived the piece, I am quite certain that the excess of excitement and earth-shattering experience would have driven me out of my mind. If one doesn't have the greatest violinist around, then it is well the most beautiful pleasure to simply listen to its sound in one's mind.” — Romantic composer Johannes Brahms in a letter to fellow composer Clara Schumann.... That, I submit, is the worship woven with love and beauty that made Bach's work ultimately authentic.

An Australian Prime Minister, frustrated perhaps with the expectations placed upon him, was once heard to say that “life wasn't meant to be easy”...We seek ease, but it is a strange thing that, while we are easily able to imagine all manner of fears and afflictions, we cannot begin to imagine any actual circumstances that would lead to endless happiness and contentment. Whatever pictures we paint soon become wearisome and tedious. Why is this? 

Nabeel Qureshi (1983 – 2017) was a Pakistani-American Christian apologist, author, and speaker. He was a convert to Christianity from the Ahmadi movement within Islam and worked  with Ravi Zacharias from 2013 until 2016.  He wrote 3 books: Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity, Answering Jihad: A Better Way Forward, and No God But One—Allah or Jesus.(Recorded November 28, 2020)

There is a scene from the great musical “Hamilton” where a song is interrupted by a herald with the words: “Silence! A message from the king. A message from the king. A message from the king!”...

Well, we asked her – she was about 13 years old then - if she would like to come with us and meet an old lady to whom we had been referred, and I have to tell you, she was not too keen...

Let me tell you about a certain young girl who lived in a lush green land that was both quiet and peaceful. She had been a playful and energetic child like all of the other young girls who lived in that small village, but one day everything changed...

 Why do we not expect to see a burning zeal in those who are older in the Lord, a zeal that never fades and that, if anything, burns brighter and hotter with the passing years?

The scene is set with economy and beauty - the Pharisee's disgust, the woman's tears, kisses, devotion and love poured out...

An incident in the life of the Lord Jesus."And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her."  (Luke 7:12)

On Psalm 90, Isaiah 40 and a chair in the back porch in the sun.

In a certain farmyard there was a pond, and around the pond were scattered a number of ducks...

Paul frequently distils into a few words great and important truths, and he has certainly done it in this farewell address to the elders from Ephesus...

A short letter to a young believer in the Lord Jesus, addressing a question concerning personal discipline and a life lived in the Spirit.

Eric Henry Liddell (1902 – 1945) was a British Olympic Gold Medalist runner, Scottish rugby union international player, and Christian missionary. He was born in China to Scottish missionary parents, attended boarding school near London and afterwards attended the University of Edinburgh. At the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, Liddell created headlines by refusing to run in the heats for his favoured 100 metres because they were held on a Sunday. Instead he trained for and competed in the 400 metres, which he won and so became a national celebrity. He returned to China in 1925 to serve as a missionary teacher. Aside from two furloughs in Scotland, he remained in China until his death in a Japanese civilian internment camp in 1945.  His simple faith remains an encouragement and inspiration for all believers.(Recorded 30 August 2020)

Based on the book "Secret Believers" by Brother Andrew:Open this book and meet Christians who are courageous in the face of persecution. Butros, a Christian man with a heart for the church. Ahmed, Mustafa and Hassan, devout Muslims until their hearts are changed by the Truth of Scripture. Salima, a rich young woman who loses everything when she falls in love with Jesus. How can Christianity flourish in the face of Sharia law? How can Christ's love win Muslims? What price will these believers pay for their faith?(Recorded 7 April 2019)

Based on the book "Secret Believers" by Brother Andrew:Open this book and meet Christians who are courageous in the face of persecution. Butros, a Christian man with a heart for the church. Ahmed, Mustafa and Hassan, devout Muslims until their hearts are changed by the Truth of Scripture. Salima, a rich young woman who loses everything when she falls in love with Jesus. How can Christianity flourish in the face of Sharia law? How can Christ's love win Muslims? What price will these believers pay for their faith?(Recorded 24 February 2019)

Andrew van der Bijl (better known as Brother Andrew) is a Christian missionary born in1928 in the Netherlands, and remembered for his exploits in smuggling Bibles into communist countries at the height of the Cold War, for which he earned the nickname "God's smuggler" and wrote of his experiences in a book by the same name (1967).  He founded an organisation called "Open Doors" to support Christians in countries where their freedom is limited or non-existent.(Recorded 23 December, 2018)

John Newton (1725 - 1807) was an English Anglican clergyman and abolitionist After coming to Christ, Newton renounced this trade and became a prominent supporter of abolitionism. Now an evangelical, he was ordained as a Church of England clergyman and served in the parish at Olney in Buckinghamshire for two decades. Newton lived to see the British Empire's abolition of the African slave trade in 1807, just months before his death. John Newton is well known for the hymns he penned, including "Amazing Grace" and "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken". 

John Newton (1725 - 1807) was an English Anglican clergyman who preached the gospel and worked to abolish slavery in England.  He went to sea at a young age and worked on slave ships for several years. In 1745, he himself became a slave, but later returned to sea and worked again on slave ships, this time as captain. After coming to Christ, Newton's whole life was transformed.  He renounced the slave trade and was ordained as a Church of England clergyman. He is well known for the hymns "Amazing Grace" and "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken". 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906 – 1945) was a Lutheran pastor, theologian, anti-Nazi dissident, and key founding member of the Confessing Church in Germany. His writings have become widely influential, and his book "The Cost of Discipleship" has been described as a modern classic.Apart from his theological writings, Bonhoeffer was known for his staunch resistance to Nazi dictatorship, including vocal opposition to Hitler's euthanasia program and genocidal persecution of the Jews. He was arrested in April 1943 by the Gestapo and imprisoned. After being accused of being associated with the 20 July plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, he was quickly tried, and then hanged on 9 April 1945, 3 weeks before Adolf Hitler committed suicide.

Dwight Lyman Moody (1837 – 1899) was an American evangelist and publisher. One of his most famous quotes was "Faith makes all things possible... Love makes all things easy." Moody gave up his lucrative boot and shoe business to devote his life to preaching the gospel, working first in the Civil War with union troops through the YMCA and later in Chicago where he built a major evangelical centre, which is still active. Working with the singer Ira Sankey, he toured the US and the British Isles and drew large crowds with his dynamic speaking style, proclaiming God's love, kindness and forgiveness.(Recorded October 28, 2018)

This is part 2 of the story of Sadhu Sundar Singh.  We begin when he is just 16 years old and has committed himself to living as a sadhu.Sundar Singh was born into a Sikh family in Punjab state in northern India.  He was educated by his mother in their religion but also attended a Christian school to learn English.  After his mother's death when he was just fourteen he was very angry and felt life had no meaning. But he was soon dramatically converted to Christ and resolved, despite intense opposition, to preach the gospel to his own people.(Recorded 23 July 2017)

Sundar Singh was born into a Sikh family in Punjab state in northern India.  He was educated by his mother in their religion but also attended a Christian school to learn English.  After his mother's death when he was just fourteen he was very angry and felt life had no meaning. But he was soon dramatically converted to Christ and resolved, despite intense opposition, to preach the gospel to his own people.(Recorded 11 June 2017)

John Wesley (1703 – 1791) was an English clergyman, theologian and evangelist who led a revival movement within the Church of England that soon became known as Methodism. In 1738, he was converted after serving as an ordained missionary to America for two years. Wesley, like George Whitefield, found the need and usefulness of preaching outdoors. Across Great Britain and Ireland, he helped form and organise small Christian groups that developed intensive and personal accountability, discipleship and Bible teaching, and, in a radical departure from normal practice at the time, he appointed itinerant, unordained evangelists to care for these groups of people. Under Wesley's direction, Methodists became leaders in many social issues of their day, including prison reform and the abolition of slavery. Wesley's extensive travels and many varied experiences as a servant of God are chronicled in some detail in his journals and letters.  By the end of his life, Wesley was described as "the best-loved man in England".(Recorded 22 September 2019)

George Müller (1805-1898) was born in Prussia, and his youth was spent in utter ungodliness, even surpassing many of his age in sin and folly. His conversion was strangely sudden and happened simply by finding himself for the first time in the company of praying people. His life was at once turned wholly to God, and he rapidly grew in the knowledge of Him. He is remembered chiefly for his work among orphans in Bristol, England.  In this work he proved that God could and would supply the need of those who trusted in Him and made their requests to God alone.(Recorded 25 February, 2018)

Billy Graham (1918 – 2018) is well known as the American evangelist who preached to millions in person and through radio and television.  He rose to prominence in the late 1940's and is probably among the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century.But he was, by his own admission, an ordinary man, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ who had a calling and gave himself to the fulfillment of that calling.  This brief biography focuses on his early life and development, looking at those aspects of his life that made him the man he became.(Recorded April 22, 2018)

Joni Eareckson was born October 15, 1949 and is a Christian author, radio host, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization "accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community." On July 30, 1967, she dived into the Chesapeake Bay after misjudging the shallowness of the water. She suffered a fracture between the fourth and fifth cervical levels and became a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the shoulders down.  Her story is one of courage and of a living faith in the living God.(Recorded 27 August 2017)

James Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, was a man passionately driven to seek God's will in all that he did. He is best known for the drastic difference he made in the evangelisation of China.Born in 1832, Hudson Taylor was raised in Yorkshire, England.  His father was a chemist and a Methodist preacher. But as a teenager Hudson began to doubt whether he actually believed in God. Only after much thought and seeking did he turn to God and find true peace.  By the age of 17 Hudson Taylor knew what was to be the direction God had for his life. He was called to China, where he was to spend 51 years.The mission he founded was ultimately responsible for sending to China over 800 missionaries, and these began 125 schools and saw some 18,000 Christian conversions throughout the country.(Recorded 26 March 2017)

John Bunyan (1628–1688), an English writer and Puritan preacher, is best remembered for "The Pilgrim's Progress" (1678), which became one of the most published books in the English language.Bunyan came from the village of Elstow, near Bedford.  After 3 years in the army he returned to Elstow and took up the trade of tinker.  He was converted to Christ after his marriage through 2 books that his wife had inherited from her father and he soon became a gifted and powerful preacher of the gospel among the nonconformist churches. He was arrested when the freedom of nonconformists was curtailed by the king, and spent the next 12 years in prison because he refused to give up preaching.  During the time in prison he wrote a spiritual autobiography, "Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners", and began work on his most famous book, "The Pilgrim's Progress", which was published 6 years after his release.  It was immediately very popular and within 4 years of his death had sold over 100,000 copies in England alone.(Recorded 22 January 2017)

Richard Wurmbrand (1909–2001) was born to a Jewish family in Bucharest, Romania.  In 1936, he married Sabina Oster and in 1938 they placed their faith in Jesus Christ.During World War II, Richard and Sabina preached in bomb shelters and rescued Jewish children out of the ghettos. They were repeatedly arrested and beaten and, at least once, nearly executed. Sabina lost her Jewish family in Nazi concentration camps.In 1945, when Romanian Communists seized power, Richard and Sabina attended a congress where many religious leaders praised Communism and swore loyalty to the new regime. Richard declared to the delegates, and to the whole nation, that their duty was to glorify God and Christ alone.On Feb. 29, 1948, the secret police kidnapped Richard.  In 1950, his wife, Sabina, was also imprisoned leaving their 9-year-old son, Mihai, alone and homeless.  Sabina was released after three years, and Richard was also later released, only to be re-arrested and then released in an amnesty in 1964.In December 1965, two organizations paid a ransom to allow the Wurmbrand family to leave Romania for Norway and then on to England.  Richard began his ministry as a voice for persecuted Christians to the West, where he also wrote "Tortured for Christ", the story of his time in prison.Recorded June 24, 2018

“God does not have problems. Only plans,” proclaimed Corrie ten Boom when a clerical error allowed her to be released from a Nazi concentration camp one week before all women prisoners her age were executed.After being released from the horrors of Ravensbruck, Corrie continued to live in reliance on God, just as her family had as they hid Jews from Nazi terror. Traveling the world as an ambassador of the power of forgiveness in Christ, Corrie later established rehabilitation centers to help other Holocaust survivors. Her 1971 autobiography, "The Hiding Place", has inspired many people to see God at work through the darkest of life's circumstances.Recorded October 9, 2016

Keith Green (1953 – 1982), a pianist, singer and songwriter is best known for his strong devotion to Christ and challenging others to the same.  Several of his songs are very well known around the world, including "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful", "Asleep in the Light", "Your Love Broke Through", "You Put This Love in My Heart" and "There Is a Redeemer", the last of which was written by his wife Melody.Along with eleven others, Keith Green died in a plane crash at the age of 29, having been a Christian only 7 years."A radical preacher.  A former child television star.  A confused spiritual seeker.  A passionate prophet.  A musical minstrel.  And arguably one of the single most important artists in the history of contemporary Christian music.  His music remains a staple for the spiritually aware and his power to influence since his tragic death only proves Keith Green's lasting charisma.  Elvis has nothing on him." (Rick Chromey, a tribute on the Last Days Ministries website)Recorded January 28, 2018

Gladys Aylward (24 February 1902 – 3 January 1970) was a British-born Christian missionary to China. From her early teens, Gladys worked as a housemaid but following a calling to go overseas she tried to become a missionary.  However, due to her lack of progress in learning Chinese she was not accepted by any mission.On 15 October 1932, Aylward spent her life savings on a train passage to Yangcheng, Shanxi Province, China. The perilous trip took her across Siberia on the Trans-Siberian Railway.  She was detained by the Russians, but managed to evade them with local help and a lift from a Japanese ship.  She then travelled across Japan and took another ship to China. On her arrival in China, Aylward worked with an older missionary, Jeannie Lawson, to found "The Inn of the Eight Happinesses".   She and Mrs. Lawson not only provided hospitality for travellers, but would also share stories about Jesus.  For a time she served as a "foot inspector", touring the countryside to enforce the new law against foot-binding young Chinese girls.Gladys Aylward was a revered figure among the Chinese people, taking in orphans and adopting several herself, intervening in a volatile prison riot, risking her life many times to help those in need.  In 1938, during the Japanese invasion she led more than 100 orphans to safety over the mountains, despite being wounded, personally caring for them all.She did not return to Britain until 1949 and finally settled in Taiwan in 1958 where she worked until her death in 1970.Recorded August 26, 2018

George Whitefield (27 December 1714 – 30 September 1770), was an English Anglican cleric and evangelist who was one of the founders of Methodism and the evangelical movement.Whitefield was ordained after receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree at Oxford and immediately began working as an itinerant preacher and evangelist. In 1740, Whitefield traveled to North America, where he preached a series of revivals that became part of the "Great Awakening". Whitefield received widespread recognition during his ministry; he preached at least 18,000 times to perhaps 10 million listeners in Great Britain and the American colonies. He could enthrall large audiences and was the means of bringing many people to Christ.Recorded June 23, 2019