In this episode, Lorelee Siemens shares the transformative story of Jesse Overholtzer, a man who grew up in a strict Christian home yet struggled with guilt and the concept of grace.

As he navigated through a life of striving and doubt, Jesse eventually discovered the true meaning of salvation and grace, which led him to establish the Child Evangelism Fellowship at the age of 60.

This episode explores the profound impact of understanding grace and the importance of sharing the gospel with children. Join us for an inspiring journey through Jesse's life and the legacy he created for future generations.

Chapters:

(00:00) James Jesse Ervin Overholtzer was born into a Christian home

(04:03) Jesse rejects a strict religious upbringing to pursue independence at 18

(10:29) Jesse struggles to understand grace after 16 years as a Christian pastor

(16:56) Jesse founded the Child Evangelism Fellowship at the age of 60

Episode Sponsor:

The church is corrupted https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKFSXQTR.

The church is born https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BGLZ7C1

Alexander Henry Coffee https://alexanderhenrycoffee.ca Use CODE: churchhistory for 20% off

Links:

https://linktr.ee/loreleesiemens

An Africa mission I recommend: https://globaltrain.org

Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2570126/episodes/18513087

My Bible Reading Plan: https://bible.com/reading-plans/2053/together/78277240/invitation?token=YfuaPBjn98pOXxRD_Fhhow&source=share

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

The History of the Hymns: https://loreleesiemens.com/podcasts/hymns

Charles Spurgeon: The Making of the Prince of Preachers https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-34782810/charles-spurgeon-the-making-of-the-prince-of-preachers

Charles Spurgeon: A Legacy of Faith and Controversy https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-34799450/charles-spurgeon-a-legacy-of-faith-and-controversy

D.L. Moody Preaches Around the World https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-34693937/d-l-moody-preaches-around-the-world

In today's episode, we delve into the life of George Sherwood Eddy, a man whose journey took him from the privilege of Kansas to the stark realities of southern India.

Join Lorelee Siemens as she unpacks Eddy's early devotion, his global influence, and the sobering tensions he faced throughout his life.

Discover how his mission work transformed communities, and reflect on the lessons his story holds for the church today.

Episode Sponsor:

The church is corrupted https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKFSXQTR.

The church is born https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BGLZ7C1

Alexander Henry Coffee

https://alexanderhenrycoffee.ca Use CODE: churchhistory for 20% off

Links:

https://linktr.ee/loreleesiemens

An Africa mission I recommend: https://globaltrain.org

Podcast:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2570126/episodes/18513087

My Bible Reading Plan: https://bible.com/reading-plans/2053/together/78277240/invitation?token=YfuaPBjn98pOXxRD_Fhhow&source=share

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

The History of the Hymns: https://loreleesiemens.com/podcasts/hymns

Brown Eyes, Big Dreams: The Story of

Amy Carmichael: https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-35016329/brown-eyes-big-dreams-the-story-of-amy-carmichael

Mary Slessor: https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-17661641/mary-slessor

Edith Warner: A Missionary's Legacy in Nigeria: https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-35005424/edith-warner-a-missionarys-legacy-in-nigeria

In this episode, we journey through the tumultuous landscape of China during the 1920s, highlighting the life and mission of Hubert Sone, an American Southern Methodist missionary. We explore the challenges and triumphs he faced as he worked to build a resilient, indigenous church in a time of great social upheaval and political tension. Join us as we uncover the profound lessons of faithfulness, humility, and enduring presence amidst chaos.

Chapters:

(08:36) Hubert and Helen Sone began missionary work in China in the 1920s

(15:22) Nationalism was rising, and with it a growing suspicion of foreign influences

(17:28) Mission strategy changed when war became unavoidable in China in 1937

(22:23) Hubert Song helped establish a civilian safety zone during World War II

(29:32) Hubert and Helen served as missionaries in China during World War II

(37:17) Hubert Sone's life asks the church a difficult question: Will we remain faithful

Episode Sponsor:

The church is corrupted https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKFSXQTR.

The church is born https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BGLZ7C1

Alexander Henry Coffee https://alexanderhenrycoffee.ca Use CODE: churchhistory for 20% off

Links:

https://linktr.ee/loreleesiemens

An Africa mission I recommend: https://globaltrain.org

Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2570126/episodes/18513087

My Bible Reading Plan: https://bible.com/reading-plans/2053/together/78277240/invitation?token=YfuaPBjn98pOXxRD_Fhhow&source=share

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

Lottie Moon: From Atheist to Missionary: https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-34532912/lottie-moon-from-atheist-to-missionary

Hudson Taylor: https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-17846177/hudson-taylor

The History of Hymns with Lorelee Siemens: https://loreleesiemens.com/podcasts/hymns

In today's episode, we explore the vibrant yet complex landscape of African missions during the 1920s.

Join host Lorelee Siemens as she delves into the transformative impact of healthcare and education led by missionaries, the emergence of indigenous church leadership, and the legacy of figures like John Edward Church.

This episode unveils how the church navigated a world on the brink of another war while fostering a revival that would reshape Christianity across East Africa.

Chapters:

(02:07) Church History Podcast explores missionary movements during World War I and 1920s

(05:44) During the 1920s, nearly 600 African American missionaries were serving across Africa

(09:26) John Edward Church's early years were shadowed by World War I

(14:32) John Edward Church left England in 1927 to become a missionary in Rwanda

(24:14) John Edward Church served when revival was visible and when it wasn't

Episode Sponsor:

The church is corrupted https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKFSXQTR.

The church is born https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BGLZ7C1

Alexander Henry Coffee https://alexanderhenrycoffee.ca Use CODE: churchhistory for 20% off

Links:

https://linktr.ee/loreleesiemens

An Africa mission I recommend: https://globaltrain.org

Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2570126/episodes/18513087

My Bible Reading Plan: https://bible.com/reading-plans/2053/together/78277240/invitation?token=YfuaPBjn98pOXxRD_Fhhow&source=share

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

The Unyielding Faith of Ivan Prokhanov:

A Russian Hero: https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-35035936/the-unyielding-faith-of-ivan-prokhanov-a-russian-hero

Marry Slessor: https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-17661641/mary-slessor

The History of Hymns with Lorelee Siemens: https://loreleesiemens.com/podcasts/hymns

In this episode, we delve into the tumultuous 1920s, a decade marked by the aftermath of World War I and the challenges the Church faced. Host Lorelee Siemens explores the shifting landscapes of faith as empires crumble, economies boom and bust, and new ideologies emerge.

From the struggles of the Russian Orthodox Church under Bolshevik rule to the clash between modernism and fundamentalism in the United States, we examine how these events shaped the Church's identity and mission. Join us as we uncover the lessons learned during this pivotal decade that continue to resonate today.

Chapters:

(03:22) The 1920s were a decade of rebuilding, but also rethinking

(07:24) Across Europe in the 1920s, the ground beneath the church's feet is shifting

(15:06) Tennessee law prohibited teachers from teaching evolution as a theory

(18:17) The Scopes trial reveals a widening divide between rural and urban America

(23:22) In Germany, the interwar years gave rise to something far more dangerous

(25:34) In the interwar years, there was a remarkable expansion of Western missionary work

(27:07) When we step back and look at the church between the wars, the lesson is sobering

Episode Sponsor:

The church is corrupted https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKFSXQTR.

The church is born https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BGLZ7C1

Alexander Henry Coffee https://alexanderhenrycoffee.ca Use CODE: churchhistory for 20% off

Links:

https://linktr.ee/loreleesiemens

An Africa mission I recommend: https://globaltrain.org

Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2570126/episodes/18513087

My Bible Reading Plan: https://bible.com/reading-plans/2053/together/78277240/invitation?token=YfuaPBjn98pOXxRD_Fhhow&source=share

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

The Unyielding Faith of Ivan Prokhanov:

A Russian Hero: https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-35035936/the-unyielding-faith-of-ivan-prokhanov-a-russian-hero

Defiance in Darkness: The Underground Church of Russia https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-35067672/defiance-in-darkness-the-underground-church-of-russia

The History of Hymns with Lorelee Siemens: https://loreleesiemens.com/podcasts/hymns

In this powerful episode, Lorelee explores the harrowing aftermath of World War I in Russia, where violence erupted against Jewish communities long before the term genocide was coined.

We examine the church's struggle between courage and complacency during a time of moral crisis, as neighbors turned against neighbors and faith was tested in the bloodstained streets.

Join us as we recount the chilling pogroms, the silent complicity of many, and the extraordinary act of one Christian man who stood against the tide of violence, risking everything to save lives.

Chapters:

(01:36) Historians estimate that more than 100,000 Jews were killed during 1918

(06:19) The Russian Orthodox Church was persecuted under Soviet rule after 1917

(13:38) The Russian Civil War exposed how deeply antisemitism was woven into society

(15:35) During this time period, many Christians were afraid, confused, or themselves under threat

Episode Sponsor:

The church is corrupted https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKFSXQTR.

The church is born https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BGLZ7C1

Alexander Henry Coffee https://alexanderhenrycoffee.ca Use CODE: churchhistory for 20% off

Links:

https://linktr.ee/loreleesiemens

An Africa mission I recommend: https://globaltrain.org

My Bible Reading Plan: https://bible.com/reading-plans/2053/together/78277240/invitation?token=YfuaPBjn98pOXxRD_Fhhow&source=share

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

The Unyielding Faith of Ivan Prokhanov:

A Russian Hero: https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-35035936/the-unyielding-faith-of-ivan-prokhanov-a-russian-hero

Defiance in Darkness: The Underground Church of Russia https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-35067672/defiance-in-darkness-the-underground-church-of-russia

The History of Hymns with Lorelee Siemens: https://loreleesiemens.com/podcasts/hymns

In this episode, we mark the start of 2026 with reflections on the past year and an optimistic outlook for the church's future. Join us as we discuss the resurgence of young men returning to traditional churches, the end of conflicts that have plagued nations, and the inspiring stories of faith amidst adversity.

We also share a powerful story about an unknown usher whose small act of kindness changed the course of history, leading to the rise of one of Christianity's greatest evangelists, Billy Graham.

Don't miss this uplifting exploration of hope, perseverance, and community in the face of challenges!

Chapters:

(00:33) Young men are returning to church across the Western world in 2019

(03:45) In 2025, an average of 30 Christians were killed in Nigeria for their faith

(08:34) Church history is filled with men and women who serve Jesus Christ

Episode Sponsor:

The church is corrupted https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKFSXQTR.

The church is born https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BGLZ7C1

Alexander Henry Coffee https://alexanderhenrycoffee.ca Use CODE: churchhistory for 20% off

Links:

https://linktr.ee/loreleesiemens

An Africa mission I recommend: https://globaltrain.org

My Bible Reading Plan: https://bible.com/reading-plans/2053/together/78277240/invitation?token=YfuaPBjn98pOXxRD_Fhhow&source=share

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

The History of Hymns with Lorelee Siemens: https://loreleesiemens.com/podcasts/hymns

In this heartfelt episode of the Church History Podcast, host Lorelee Siemens shares the poignant story behind the beloved Christmas carol "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."

Through the lens of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's life, we explore themes of grief, hope, and the enduring message of peace amid turmoil. As we reflect on the Civil War's historical context and the personal tragedy that inspired Longfellow's words, we are reminded that even in our darkest times, the Christmas spirit can bring light and solace. Join us for this moving journey as we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Chapters:

(00:00) Even in pain and sorrow, the Christmas story brings hope and peace

(06:06) The Civil War

(09:51) Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote this poem on Christmas Day 1885

(12:54) The Slavic choir has graciously allowed me to play their choir piece

Music used by permission

by Slavic Chorale

Conducted by Pavel Kravchuk

From Slavic Chorale's Christmas DVD.

http://www.slavicchorale.org

http://www.facebook.com/slavicchorale

Episode Sponsor:

The church is corrupted https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKFSXQTR

The church is born https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BGLZ7C1

Alexander Henry Coffee https://alexanderhenrycoffee.ca Use CODE: churchhistory for 20% off

Links:

https://linktr.ee/loreleesiemens

An Africa mission I recommend: https://globaltrain.org

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

The first Noel: https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-2825641/the-first-noel

The History of Hymns with Lorelee Siemens: https://loreleesiemens.com/podcasts/hymns

In this powerful episode of the Church History Podcast, host Lorelee takes us back to the Christmas miracle of 1989 in Romania. We learn about the oppressive regime of Nicolae and Elena Ceaușescu and the courage of Pastor Laszlo Tokes, who led a movement of faith amidst tyranny.

Through sound effects from actual footage, listeners are transported to a time when hope and faith ignited a revolution. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of religious freedom and the power of prayer in the face of adversity. Join us as we celebrate the true spirit of Christmas and the miraculous events that unfolded in Romania.

Chapters:

(06:51) A Baptist pastor began preaching against communist rule in Romania in 1987

(14:36) Nikolai and Elena are being tried for treason on Christmas Eve

(19:44) Imagine being in a Romanian prison cell listening to communist propaganda on Christmas Day

(26:43) Today, we ask you to make a choice on who you will serve

Episode Sponsor:

The church is corrupted https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKFSXQTR

The church is born https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BGLZ7C1

Alexander Henry Coffee https://alexanderhenrycoffee.ca Use CODE: churchhistory for 20% off

Links:

https://linktr.ee/loreleesiemens

An Africa mission I recommend: https://globaltrain.org

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

The first Noel: https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-2825641/the-first-noel

The History of Hymns with Lorelee Siemens: https://loreleesiemens.com/podcasts/hymns

In this episode of the Church History Podcast, we explore the rich history of Christmas and its evolution through time. From ancient pagan celebrations to the early Christian church's initial reluctance to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we delve into how various traditions emerged and transformed.

Discover the origins of Christmas trees, the significance of December 25th, and the impact of figures like Constantine and Martin Luther on our modern-day celebrations.

Join us as we uncover the fascinating journey of Christmas and reflect on its meaning in today's world.

Episode Sponsor:

The church is corrupted https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKFSXQTR

The church is born https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BGLZ7C1

Alexander Henry Coffee https://alexanderhenrycoffee.ca Use CODE: churchhistory for 20% off

Links:

https://linktr.ee/loreleesiemens

An Africa mission I recommend: https://globaltrain.org

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to these as well:

The first Noel: https://loreleesiemens.com/media/771671-3210084-2825641/the-first-noel

The History of Hymns with Lorelee Siemens: https://loreleesiemens.com/podcasts/hymns