Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! and discover missionary stories from around the world with author Rebecca Davis.

Even though Rebecca’s prime reading as a child consisted of Nancy Drew and books by Grace Livingston Hill, her mother continued to thrust biographies into her hands. For this she has been immensely grateful, because biographies of great Christians have helped shape her life.

Rebecca always loved to write, even though she left many stories—(almost all?)—unfinished. This terrible fate nearly befell her first book, With Daring Faith: A Biography of Amy Carmichael. If it hadn’t been for a persistent friend and co-worker, With Daring Faith, which eventually won the C.S. Lewis gold medal for Outstanding Christian Juvenile Literature, might have sat unfinished in a drawer. Instead, it was the first of what Rebecca hopes will be many books that will bring glory to God through the lives of ordinary Christians who serve an extraordinary God.

Her first three biographies (With Daring Faith, George Mueller, and Fanny Crosby) were published by JourneyForth books, an imprint of BJU Press. Now Rebecca is working with Christian Focus Publications in the development of Hidden Heroes, a series of books designed for family read-alouds, telling true stories about God’s work in different countries around the world. You can view all her books by clicking on the “Missionary Stories and Biographies” tab of this website, http://www.heresthejoy.com.

Along with her love of writing, Rebecca loves to teach, and knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher. This desire, however, conflicted with the desire to stay home with her children—that is, until she heard about homeschooling.

Even though Rebecca’s prime reading as a child consisted of Nancy Drew and books by Grace Livingston Hill, her mother continued to thrust biographies into her hands. For this she has been immensely grateful, because biographies of great Christians have helped shape her life.

Rebecca always loved to write, even though she left many stories—(almost all?)—unfinished. This terrible fate nearly befell her first book, With Daring Faith: A Biography of Amy Carmichael. If it hadn’t been for a persistent friend and co-worker, With Daring Faith, which eventually won the C.S. Lewis gold medal for Outstanding Christian Juvenile Literature, might have sat unfinished in a drawer. Instead, it was the first of what Rebecca hopes will be many books that will bring glory to God through the lives of ordinary Christians who serve an extraordinary God.

Her first three biographies (With Daring Faith, George Mueller, and Fanny Crosby) were published by JourneyForth books, an imprint of BJU Press. Now Rebecca is working with Christian Focus Publications in the development of Hidden Heroes, a series of books designed for family read-alouds, telling true stories about God’s work in different countries around the world. You can view all her books by clicking on the “Missionary Stories and Biographies” tab of this website, http://www.heresthejoy.com.

Along with her love of writing, Rebecca loves to teach, and knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher. This desire, however, conflicted with the desire to stay home with her children—that is, until she heard about homeschooling. Now, more than a quarter century after obtaining her master’s degree in education, Rebecca has almost completed the amazing homeschooling journey.

Even though Rebecca’s prime reading as a child consisted of Nancy Drew and books by Grace Livingston Hill, her mother continued to thrust biographies into her hands. For this she has been immensely grateful, because biographies of great Christians have helped shape her life.

Rebecca always loved to write, even though she left many stories—(almost all?)—unfinished. This terrible fate nearly befell her first book, With Daring Faith: A Biography of Amy Carmichael. If it hadn’t been for a persistent friend and co-worker, With Daring Faith, which eventually won the C.S. Lewis gold medal for Outstanding Christian Juvenile Literature, might have sat unfinished in a drawer. Instead, it was the first of what Rebecca hopes will be many books that will bring glory to God through the lives of ordinary Christians who serve an extraordinary God.

Her first three biographies (With Daring Faith, George Mueller, and Fanny Crosby) were published by JourneyForth books, an imprint of BJU Press. Now Rebecca is working with Christian Focus Publications in the development of Hidden Heroes, a series of books designed for family read-alouds, telling true stories about God’s work in different countries around the world. You can view all her books by clicking on the “Missionary Stories and Biographies” tab of this website, http://www.heresthejoy.com.

Along with her love of writing, Rebecca loves to teach, and knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher. This desire, however, conflicted with the desire to stay home with her children—that is, until she heard about homeschooling. Now, more than a quarter century after obtaining her master’s degree in education, Rebecca has almost completed the amazing homeschooling journey.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! where Superman takes a backseat to Art Ayris.

Art Ayris is the publisher and CEO of Kingstone Media Group. While enjoying a successful ministry in his hometown, Art felt what he calls a “God-magnet” calling him into media. Resistant at first, he spent forty days in fasting and prayer to truly vet if this was a divine drawing and not some crazy idea. This led to the founding of Kingstone Media Group and its primary imprint, Kingstone Comics. The company has since grown to become a leading provider of premium quality faith market comic books and biblical worldview graphic novels, with two of its Kingstone Cinema literary properties also being optioned for major motion pictures.

Art also serves his local community in Flordia as executive pastor and one of the trustees at First Baptist Leesburg, widely known for its outreach to the needy, assisting over 20,000 people annually. He led in the acquisition of a local motel, subsequently renamed The Samaritan Inn, which now houses homeless families in Central Florida. Additionally, he was the founding executive director of the Community Medical Care Center, a free clinic for the medically indigent now staffed by eight dentists, fifty doctors and numerous volunteer health professionals. The inspiring true story of the church's decision to not build a new building, but give to the needy is chronicled in The Touch, a film he wrote and produced. The movie won several film festivals and was awarded Best Feature in the Independents Film Festival, Angel Awards, Agape Film and Theater as well as a Crystal Reel by the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! where Superman takes a backseat to Art Ayris.

Art Ayris is the publisher and CEO of Kingstone Media Group. While enjoying a successful ministry in his hometown, Art felt what he calls a “God-magnet” calling him into media. Resistant at first, he spent forty days in fasting and prayer to truly vet if this was a divine drawing and not some crazy idea. This led to the founding of Kingstone Media Group and its primary imprint, Kingstone Comics. The company has since grown to become a leading provider of premium quality faith market comic books and biblical worldview graphic novels, with two of its Kingstone Cinema literary properties also being optioned for major motion pictures.

Art also serves his local community in Flordia as executive pastor and one of the trustees at First Baptist Leesburg, widely known for its outreach to the needy, assisting over 20,000 people annually. He led in the acquisition of a local motel, subsequently renamed The Samaritan Inn, which now houses homeless families in Central Florida. Additionally, he was the founding executive director of the Community Medical Care Center, a free clinic for the medically indigent now staffed by eight dentists, fifty doctors and numerous volunteer health professionals. The inspiring true story of the church's decision to not build a new building, but give to the needy is chronicled in The Touch, a film he wrote and produced. The movie won several film festivals and was awarded Best Feature in the Independents Film Festival, Angel Awards, Agape Film and Theater as well as a Crystal Reel by the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! where Superman takes a backseat to Art Ayris.

Art Ayris is the publisher and CEO of Kingstone Media Group. While enjoying a successful ministry in his hometown, Art felt what he calls a “God-magnet” calling him into media. Resistant at first, he spent forty days in fasting and prayer to truly vet if this was a divine drawing and not some crazy idea. This led to the founding of Kingstone Media Group and its primary imprint, Kingstone Comics. The company has since grown to become a leading provider of premium quality faith market comic books and biblical worldview graphic novels, with two of its Kingstone Cinema literary properties also being optioned for major motion pictures.

Art also serves his local community in Flordia as executive pastor and one of the trustees at First Baptist Leesburg, widely known for its outreach to the needy, assisting over 20,000 people annually. He led in the acquisition of a local motel, subsequently renamed The Samaritan Inn, which now houses homeless families in Central Florida. Additionally, he was the founding executive director of the Community Medical Care Center, a free clinic for the medically indigent now staffed by eight dentists, fifty doctors and numerous volunteer health professionals. The inspiring true story of the church's decision to not build a new building, but give to the needy is chronicled in The Touch, a film he wrote and produced. The movie won several film festivals and was awarded Best Feature in the Independents Film Festival, Angel Awards, Agape Film and Theater as well as a Crystal Reel by the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! where Superman takes a backseat to Art Ayris.

Art Ayris is the publisher and CEO of Kingstone Media Group. While enjoying a successful ministry in his hometown, Art felt what he calls a “God-magnet” calling him into media. Resistant at first, he spent forty days in fasting and prayer to truly vet if this was a divine drawing and not some crazy idea. This led to the founding of Kingstone Media Group and its primary imprint, Kingstone Comics. The company has since grown to become a leading provider of premium quality faith market comic books and biblical worldview graphic novels, with two of its Kingstone Cinema literary properties also being optioned for major motion pictures.

Art also serves his local community in Flordia as executive pastor and one of the trustees at First Baptist Leesburg, widely known for its outreach to the needy, assisting over 20,000 people annually. He led in the acquisition of a local motel, subsequently renamed The Samaritan Inn, which now houses homeless families in Central Florida. Additionally, he was the founding executive director of the Community Medical Care Center, a free clinic for the medically indigent now staffed by eight dentists, fifty doctors and numerous volunteer health professionals. The inspiring true story of the church's decision to not build a new building, but give to the needy is chronicled in The Touch, a film he wrote and produced. The movie won several film festivals and was awarded Best Feature in the Independents Film Festival, Angel Awards, Agape Film and Theater as well as a Crystal Reel by the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association.

Kim Ketola (“Kim Jeffries”) has over thirty years of broadcast and broadcast journalism experience. She is the host and executive producer of Cradle My Heart Radio airing Sunday evenings on select stations nationally. She has produced and hosted programs in the general market (CBS’ WCCO News Radio and WCCO-TV; KSTP-FM Music radio), and Christian formats (KTIS/Faith Radio Network). She was Executive Producer and Host of the radio and online feature, Life Redeemed™ presenting first-person narratives of healing after abortion with commentary from Gary Thomas, Randy Alcorn, Theresa Burke, John MacArthur, John Ensor, and other leading Christian voices.

Kim’s book, Cradle My Heart, Finding God’s Love after Abortion (Kregel, 2012), features a foreword by Ruth Graham and was awarded First Place in the Sonfire Media contest at the 2010 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. The book is a result of Kim’s ministry with Ruth Graham and Friends Conferences (2007-2010), and reflects her training as a peer counselor and lay ministry leader. Kim has organized and presented professionally accredited conferences for healing after abortion, approved for continuing education credits for MN Licensed Psychologists, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists (2003-2004). She is a keynote speaker at churches, pregnancy centers, and community events, presenting post abortion workshops as faculty for the 2011 and upcoming 2012 Heartbeat International Annual Conferences. Her weekly broadcast, Cradle My Heart Radio, is a live interactive outreach featuring leading voices in prolife and post-abortion ministry.

She and her husband Bruce are parents of four adult children, and they make their home in suburban Atlanta.

Kim Ketola (“Kim Jeffries”) has over thirty years of broadcast and broadcast journalism experience. She is the host and executive producer of Cradle My Heart Radio airing Sunday evenings on select stations nationally. She has produced and hosted programs in the general market (CBS’ WCCO News Radio and WCCO-TV; KSTP-FM Music radio), and Christian formats (KTIS/Faith Radio Network). She was Executive Producer and Host of the radio and online feature, Life Redeemed™ presenting first-person narratives of healing after abortion with commentary from Gary Thomas, Randy Alcorn, Theresa Burke, John MacArthur, John Ensor, and other leading Christian voices.

Kim’s book, Cradle My Heart, Finding God’s Love after Abortion (Kregel, 2012), features a foreword by Ruth Graham and was awarded First Place in the Sonfire Media contest at the 2010 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. The book is a result of Kim’s ministry with Ruth Graham and Friends Conferences (2007-2010), and reflects her training as a peer counselor and lay ministry leader. Kim has organized and presented professionally accredited conferences for healing after abortion, approved for continuing education credits for MN Licensed Psychologists, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists (2003-2004). She is a keynote speaker at churches, pregnancy centers, and community events, presenting post abortion workshops as faculty for the 2011 and upcoming 2012 Heartbeat International Annual Conferences. Her weekly broadcast, Cradle My Heart Radio, is a live interactive outreach featuring leading voices in prolife and post-abortion ministry.

She and her husband Bruce are parents of four adult children, and they make their home in suburban Atlanta.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when Kim Ketola shares her “cradled” heart and the battle for preserving all life, beginning with conception.

Kim Ketola (“Kim Jeffries”) has over thirty years of broadcast and broadcast journalism experience. She is the host and executive producer of Cradle My Heart Radio airing Sunday evenings on select stations nationally. She has produced and hosted programs in the general market (CBS’ WCCO News Radio and WCCO-TV; KSTP-FM Music radio), and Christian formats (KTIS/Faith Radio Network). She was Executive Producer and Host of the radio and online feature, Life Redeemed™ presenting first-person narratives of healing after abortion with commentary from Gary Thomas, Randy Alcorn, Theresa Burke, John MacArthur, John Ensor, and other leading Christian voices.

Kim’s book, Cradle My Heart, Finding God’s Love after Abortion (Kregel, 2012), features a foreword by Ruth Graham and was awarded First Place in the Sonfire Media contest at the 2010 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. The book is a result of Kim’s ministry with Ruth Graham and Friends Conferences (2007-2010), and reflects her training as a peer counselor and lay ministry leader. Kim has organized and presented professionally accredited conferences for healing after abortion, approved for continuing education credits for MN Licensed Psychologists, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists (2003-2004). She is a keynote speaker at churches, pregnancy centers, and community events, presenting post abortion workshops as faculty for the 2011 and upcoming 2012 Heartbeat International Annual Conferences. Her weekly broadcast, Cradle My Heart Radio, is a live interactive outreach featuring leading voices in prolife and post-abortion ministry.