Join us for a compelling episode delving into the incredible life journey of Jacob DeShazer, a man whose experiences during World War II led him from being a prisoner of war consumed by hatred to a missionary returning to the nation that held him captive.

Learn about DeShazer's early life, his enlistment in the Army Air Corps, and his participation as a bombardier on Crew 16 in the daring Doolittle Raid on Japan in April 1942, a mission launched in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Discover how his plane, overloaded and slowed by damage, was forced to parachute into Japanese-held territory after running out of fuel.

Hear about the harrowing 40 months of torture and imprisonment DeShazer endured in Japanese POW camps, including 34 months in solitary confinement. Experience through his story the brutal conditions, starvation rations, beatings, and the deep hatred he cultivated for his captors.

Witness the pivotal moment of transformation when DeShazer was given a Bible to read after about 25 months of captivity. For three weeks, he devoured the Scriptures, finding in its messages the reason for his survival and a path to redemption. His reading, particularly Romans 10:9, led to a powerful conversion experience where he asked God to take command of his life, changing his entire attitude from hatred to love and concern for his captors.

The episode recounts DeShazer's remarkable return to Japan in 1948 with his wife, Florence, not as a warrior but as a missionary. Learn how his story, shared through a pamphlet titled "I Was a Prisoner of Japan", opened doors and resonated deeply with the Japanese people, leading to thousands becoming Christians, including some of his former guards.

Discover the astonishing connection between Jacob DeShazer and Mitsuo Fuchida, the Japanese commander who led the attack on Pearl Harbor. Fuchida, disillusioned after the war, read DeShazer's pamphlet, which profoundly impacted him and led to his own conversion after reading the Bible. These two former enemies became close friends, brothers in Christ, and co-laborers in ministry, illustrating the powerful message of forgiveness and transformation.

Works Cited

Collins, Elizabeth M. "Under the enemy's yoke: The POW experience in Japan." The United States Army, 9 Dec. 2016.

Consistent_Score_602. "What were the long term impacts of the Doolittle Raid?" r/AskHistorians, Reddit, Reddit, Inc..

DeShazer, Jacob, and Bible Meditation League. "I Was a Prisoner of Japan." Seattle Pacific College, 1945-1948, Digital Commons @ SPU, 1946, https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/jfdeshazer_docs_spc_1945-48/85.

Fuchida, Mitsuo. "From Pearl Harbor to Calvary".

Handley, Joe. "Fuchida and DeShazer: Stories of Transformation." go2japan, Sponsored by A3 & SIM International.

Hasdorff, James C., and Jacob DeShazer. U.S. Air Force Oral History Interview: Rev. Jacob D. DeShazer. United States Air Force Oral History Program / Digital Commons @ SPU, 10 Oct. 1989, https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/jfdeshazer_overview/7.

Japan, 1948-1955. Digital Commons @ SPU, Seattle Pacific University, https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/jfdeshazer_photos_japan_1948-55/.

Jeffery, James. "A Powerful Story of Forgiveness." Reformed Thought for Christian Living, The National Journal Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, 11 July 2024.

Kelly, Clint. "Flight Into Eternity His Hatred Turned to Love, Alumnus Jake DeShazer Fought for the Hearts of His Enemies." Response, Seattle Pacific University, vol. 26, no. 6, Spring 2004, Features.

Leigh, Silvia Lia. "THE TESTIMONY OF JACOB DESHAZER." Green Pastures, 8 July.

MacLeod, Bill. "Remembering Jake DeShazer." MissionConnexion, MissionConnexion.

"Mitsuo Fuchida: A Forgotten Story of Faith." Christian Treasury.

"Resources." jacobdeshazer.

"Return of the Raider." jacobdeshazer.

Rottiers, Geert. "Corporal Jacob D. DeShazer." The Doolittle Raid, Geert Rottiers, 13 Apr. 2023.

Step into the remarkable life of Ida S. Scudder, a woman who arrived in India in 1890 feeling that the country was like a nightmare from her past, only to become a visionary medical pioneer. Initially planning a brief stay until her mother recovered, Ida's path took a dramatic turn after witnessing the tragic deaths of three women in one night. Due to local customs and caste restrictions, male doctors, including her own missionary father, were prevented from treating them. This profound experience solidified her resolve to pursue medicine and dedicate herself to serving the women of India, declaring, "It is better she dies than that another man sees her" stood in stark contrast to her growing conviction that no woman should die for lack of medical care.

This episode explores Ida's challenging transition from a young woman in Massachusetts to a medical student determined to overcome barriers. Learn about her struggles with tropical diseases not taught in American medical schools and her personal life, including a significant marriage proposal.

Follow Ida back to India where she began her practice amidst poverty and ancient traditions. We recount the opening of the Mary Taber Schell Hospital in 1902, a vital institution dedicated to women's health. More than just a doctor, Ida became a tireless advocate for women's medical education. Hear about her bold proposal for a unified medical college for women, facing initial skepticism ("Unmöglich!" - "Impossible!"), but ultimately rallying support from thousands of women across America and England.

The episode details the founding of the Union Missionary Medical School for Women in Vellore, a project that required immense fundraising efforts and collaboration between different denominations. Experience the challenges of building, staffing, and gaining recognition for the school, set against the backdrop of India's growing nationalist movement led by figures like Gandhi.

Crucially, we delve into the controversial debate over making the medical college coeducational, driven by changing times and practical necessity. Explore the tension this created with long-time supporters who believed the mission was solely for women, and Ida's eventual, painful decision to support cooperation to ensure the survival and growth of the institution she founded.

This episode offers an insightful look at the dedication and resilience of Dr. Ida Scudder, who, despite personal losses and significant opposition, transformed medical care and education for women in India, leaving behind a legacy that continues to this day.

Works Cited

Wilson, Dorothy C. Doktor Ida. 50 Jahre als Missionsärztin in Indien. Dr. Ida Scudder 1870–1961. Translated by Ruth Rostock, Brockhaus, 1968.

Join us as we explore the complex and fascinating life of Clive Staples Lewis, known to the world as C. S. Lewis—the mind behind the magical land of Narnia and beloved works of Christian apologetics. Drawing on insights from various biographies and Lewis's own writings like Surprised by Joy, this episode delves into the journey of a man whose life spanned the academic halls of Oxford and Cambridge, the battlefields of World War I, and the hearts of millions through his books.His early life and imaginative world: Learn about Jack Lewis's childhood, his retreat into imagination with his brother Warnie in worlds like "Animal-Land" and "Boxen," filled with talking animals and surprisingly adult politics. We explore his early encounters with "Joy," a profound longing ignited by things like the Castlereagh Hills or specific literary works, and his subsequent obsession with Norse mythology and Wagnerian music.The difficult path to faith: Trace Lewis's intellectual and spiritual journey from atheism, influenced by tutors like "the Great Knock", through a period of theism, and finally to his conversion to Christianity. Hear about the pivotal late-night conversation with friends J.R.R. Tolkien and Hugo Dyson that significantly contributed to this shift.The dual life of a writer: Understand Lewis's significant career as a literary scholar, culminating in influential works like The Allegory of Love and his contribution to the Oxford History of English Literature, where he read every sixteenth-century book in Oxford’s Bodleian Library. Alongside this, explore his emergence as a widely popular author, spanning science fiction like Out of the Silent Planet and apologetics.From radio talks to Mere Christianity: Delve into how Lewis became a famous radio personality during World War II, delivering broadcasts commissioned by the BBC to provide moral and spiritual support to a beleaguered nation. These highly successful talks, praised for their clarity and accessibility, were later collected and published as Mere Christianity, a work he intended to translate complex Christian doctrine into language understandable by ordinary people.The unexpected origins of Narnia: Learn that The Chronicles of Narnia did not begin as a deliberate Christian allegory or evangelistic scheme. Instead, they grew from images that came to him, like a faun with an umbrella or a queen on a sledge. We discuss the early, abandoned attempts at writing a children's story, including a paragraph found on the back of another manuscript about four child evacuees, and how the series allowed Lewis to suppress his "expository demon".Personal struggles and late works: Gain insight into Lewis's personal life, including his complex relationship with his father and his later marriage to Joy Davidman. Explore the profound impact of Joy's death and how his raw observations of grief were recorded in the powerful book A Grief Observed. We also touch upon later works like Till We Have Faces and Letters to Malcolm, where he adopted a less authoritative stance, reflecting his ongoing spiritual and intellectual evolution.From his public debates on philosophical arguments to his private reflections on suffering and faith, C. S. Lewis remains a compelling figure whose work continues to inspire and challenge readers worldwide. Tune in to understand the man behind the magic and the message.ReferencesBrown, Devin. A life observed: a spiritual biography of C.S. Lewis. Brazos Press, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2013.Duriez, Colin. The A–Z of C. S. Lewis: An encyclopedia of his life, thought, and writings. Lion Books, an imprint of Lion Hudson plc, 2013.Jacobs, Alan. The Narnian: The Life and Imagination of C. S. Lewis. Harper San Francisco, 2008.Lewis, C. S. Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life. Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1966.

Join us for an incredible journey into the life of Brother Andrew, famously known as "The Smuggler in Our Living Room". This episode draws from excerpts of the book God's Smuggler, co-written with John and Elizabeth Sherrill, to explore the remarkable story of this seemingly "ordinary person" who God used to accomplish the impossible.

Discover the early life of Andrew, the son of a village blacksmith in Holland, who never even graduated from high school but dreamed of derring-do and adventure from the time he first put on wooden shoes. Learn about his experiences growing up during wartime occupation, hiding radios and Jews, and joining the flight from the dreaded "razzia".

Explore his journey into the Dutch troops in Indonesia, marked by reckless bravado, symbolized by a bright yellow straw hat worn into combat. Hear how a bullet wound ended his military career and led to a period of searching, marked by a struggle with guilt and physical pain from his injury.

The episode details his pivotal conversion experience, influenced by a simple song, "Let my people go," heard at a tent meeting. This was a "crisis conversion," followed by a period of intense study and seeking God's direction. Despite a bad back and limited education, he felt called to missionary work and attended the WEC Missionary Training College, where the emphasis was on learning the nature of faith.

Follow Brother Andrew on his first audacious trips behind the Iron Curtain, beginning with the Warsaw Youth Festival in 1955. Experience his discovery of the spiritual hunger and severe lack of Bibles among believers in countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia. Learn about his unique methods, such as "bringing greetings" from the Lord when forbidden to preach, and the powerful impact simply "being there" had on isolated Christians.

The description touches on key moments like receiving the "Cup of Suffering" in Czechoslovakia, witnessing the struggles of the Underground Church versus the "Puppet Church" in Bulgaria, and encountering the State-sponsored "Counterfeit Church" ceremonies in East Germany designed to replace Christian rites.

Hear how God provided for his missions, notably through the gift of a blue Volkswagen from Mr. and Mrs. Whetstra, which became his primary tool for smuggling Bibles. Discover the development of his ministry, including partnering with others like Hans and Rolf and training "part-timers" to join the work and spread the message of faith.

Finally, the episode hints at the expanding vision, from printing pocket Bibles to larger initiatives like Project Pearl, aiming to deliver Bibles on a massive scale, and his later ministry focus on the Islamic world, using practical skills to gain welcome. Join us as we delve into the compelling, faith-filled adventures of Brother Andrew, a testament to what God can do through a willing heart.

Works Cited

Andrew, Brother, et al. God's Smuggler. Chosen Books, 2015. ebook.

Explore the incredible story of Adoniram Judson, widely perceived as the pioneer Bible translator in Burma and one of the earliest American missionaries sent to a foreign country. Serving in Burma (modern-day Myanmar) for nearly four decades, Judson undertook the immense project of translating the entire Bible into Burmese. This monumental task built upon three centuries of previous missionary outreach, including work by Roman Catholics and British Baptists. Despite facing unbearable trials, including brutal imprisonment, torture, rejection, and the devastating loss of his first two wives and several children, Judson never gave up on his call. Learn about the **essential contributions of his three wives—Ann, Sarah, and Emily—**who demonstrated incredible self-sacrifice, supported his work, helped preserve his manuscripts during imprisonment, and were gifted translators themselves. Discover how Judson's perseverance and translation work paved the way for a vibrant Christian community in Myanmar, where the Judson Bible remains the most widely used and highly esteemed version today. His legacy endures, inspiring faith and standing firm even amidst modern persecution.Works CitedCampisi, Tom. "The Legacy of Adoniram Judson." Christian Union, 5 Aug. 2021. Accessed 1 June 2025.Curtis, Charles. "Missionary to Burma: Adoniram Judson." INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PROJECT, 15 Jan. 2025, [Constructed URL based on source context]. Accessed 1 June 2025.de Jong, John. "Adoniram Judson's Burmese Bible: Dependency and Development." Church History, vol. 92, no. 4, Cambridge UP, Dec. 2023, pp. 822-44. Cambridge Core, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0009640723002780.Finn, Nathan A. "The Life and Legacy of Adoniram Judson." Think Christianly, Live Faithfully (Substack), 18 Oct. 2024. Accessed 1 June 2025.Rizzotti, Rebecca. "A Threefold Legacy: How Adoniram Judson’s Wives Contributed to the Ministry of the Man Who First Translated the Bible for the Burmese People." HBU Academy, 2020. Accessed 1 June 2025.Robertson, Ryan. "Fundamentals of the missionary call in Adoniram Judson." Southern Equip, Southern Seminary, 6 Oct. 2020. Accessed 1 June 2025.

Weller, Brian. "Adoniram Judson: Following God Through Trials." Message Ministries & Missions Inc., 3 Aug. 2016. Accessed 1 June 2025.

In this episode, we explore the challenging yet deeply faithful life of Amy Carmichael, as captured in the book That Way and No Other: Following God through Storm and Drought. Born in Ireland in 1867, Amy Carmichael spent over fifty-five years serving in India. Her work there was marked by radical discipleship and a tireless fight against a hidden evil.

Amy's life's work crystalized with the unexpected arrival of a young girl named Preena, who had escaped from a nearby Hindu shrine. This led Amy to discover a "secret traffic in the souls and bodies of young children". She learned that due to poverty, shame, or religious beliefs, young girls were sold or offered to temples, where they were dedicated to the gods but tragically became sexual slaves to priests and worshippers. Amy's efforts to expose this practice were initially met with doubt, as her reports were "rebuffed as exaggeration". Despite immense struggle and feeling the task was "impossible", she found strength by realizing the burden was Christ's and He invited her to share it.

At Dohnavur, the village that became her home, Amy, known as "Amma" (mother) to the children, built a refuge. The community rescued hundreds of children, both girls and later boys, providing them with a safe home and raising them to serve God. She founded the Sisterhood of the Common Life in 1916, a community of Indian and British women dedicated to God and the work, living together and sharing everything in the spirit of the early church. The Sisterhood was bound by love and commitment, requiring members to be "very careful about our inner discipline" and to expose their inward life to God.

Drawing from a collection of Amy Carmichael's writings, That Way and No Other offers powerful insights into the life of faith. Key themes include:

• Total Surrender: Amy modeled an "all-or-nothing way of discipleship", emphasizing the need to hold "Nothing Kept Back" from God [Chapter 1 title, 50]. She believed that in giving all, one finds all.
• Embracing God's Will: Learning to accept God's will, even when it leads down a difficult or painful path that one would not have chosen. This acceptance is active cooperation, not passive acquiescence.
• Spiritual Warfare: Recognizing that life is "always a war" and that serving God makes one a target for the "enemy of souls". She taught how to guard one's peace and turn to the Lord rather than fighting temptations in detail.
• The Power of Prayer: Emphasizing the importance of prayer, describing it as a "traffic between earth and heaven" that finds the ear of God. She stressed the need for "prayer hunger" and waiting upon God until the petition is obtained.
• Love and Humility: Stressing the vital importance of love within the community, warning that "Unlove is deadly". She taught the need for "tenderness in judgment" and the habit of "thinking the best of one another". Forgetting oneself in serving others was key, understanding that even the longing to be used can be a subtle selfishness.
• Finding Joy and Strength: Despite facing deep sorrow and hardship, Amy wrote about the "heavenliness of song" as a shield against the devil and the "sheer miracle" of happiness in difficult circumstances. She encouraged readers to find strength in God amidst trials, comparing His power to enable a butterfly to fly in the rain or a bird to whistle in a storm.

Amy Carmichael's life defied many conventions for women of her time, showcasing remarkable determination, leadership, and compassion. Her writings, compiled in this book published by Plough Publishing House, continue to challenge and encourage readers seeking to live a life of dedicated faith, navigating their own journeys through storm and drought by keeping their eyes fixed on God.

Carmichael, A. (2020). That way and no other: Following God through storm and drought (C. Kurtz, Ed.). Plough Publishing House.

This episode delves into the extraordinary autobiography of Albert Schweitzer, a true polymath. We journey from his early scholarly triumphs in theology—re-examining the historical Jesus and Paul—and his mastery of Bach's music and organ building, to the pivotal moment he chose medicine and a life of service in equatorial Africa. Explore his profound ethical conviction of "reverence for life," the driving force behind his legendary Lambaréné hospital, and witness his resilience through wartime challenges and internment, all while shaping a new philosophy for civilization. Join us to discover the multifaceted life of a theologian, musician, doctor, and philosopher who dared to live his deepest beliefs.References Schweitzer, A. (1933). Out of my life and thought: An autobiography (C. T. Campion, Trans.). Henry Holt and Company. (Original work published 1931)

Embark on a journey into the extraordinary life of Adoniram Judson, often hailed as one of the first American foreign missionaries. This episode explores his remarkable story, beginning with his early ambitions for fame as an orator, poet, or statesman, writing textbooks, and his restless search for purpose. We follow his transformation, sparked by a sermon on missions, leading him to embrace a "wild, romantic undertaking" with a deep "Concern for the Salvation of the Heathen".Discover the pivotal role Judson played alongside fellow students in the formation of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, the first society of its kind in the United States. The episode recounts his challenging early voyages, including a capture by the French and imprisonment while on a mission seeking support from the London Missionary Society.Arriving in Burma, the narrative follows Judson's dedicated work. We detail his struggle to learn the Burmese and Pali languages and his monumental efforts over decades to create the first comprehensive Burmese grammar and dictionary and, most significantly, translate the entire Bible into Burmese. Learn about the immense difficulties he faced in planting the seeds of Christianity and his complex interactions with Burmese authorities, including a memorable presentation to the emperor.A central part of Judson's story is his harrowing experience during the First Anglo-Burmese War, leading to his brutal imprisonment in the Death Prison at Oung-pen-la. Hear about the horrific conditions he endured and the heroic efforts of his first wife, Nancy Hasseltine Judson, whose courage, persistence, and deep affection were crucial during this time and earned her respect . The episode also mentions the significant contributions of his subsequent wives, Sarah and Emily, who continued to support his work, particularly on the dictionary.The description will also touch upon his later life, his return to America due to health issues where he faced unexpected fame that he found distasteful. Despite physical limitations, he remained dedicated to his mission and the completion of his dictionary until his death at sea. Join us as we explore the challenges, dedication, and lasting legacy of Adoniram Judson's journey "To the Golden Shore".ReferencesAnderson, C. (1987). To the golden shore: The life of Adoniram Judson. Judson Press.

Introducing Helen Roseveare, the courageous missionary doctor who served in the Congo. Her life, marked by unwavering dedication and immense suffering during civil war, offers a radical perspective. Discover how she came to see her deepest trials, including brutal assault, as an "inestimable privilege". Hear her story of God's "unutterably sufficient" love and comfort and what it means to live "totally for Jesus", even when made like Him through suffering. Her honesty about struggles and her powerful legacy continue to inspire.Sources:A Woman of Whom the World Was Not Worthy: Helen Roseveare (1925-2016)Helen Roseveare (1925–2016) - Evangelical TimesHelen Roseveare, Afflicted MissionaryHelen Roseveare: Living Sacrifice - the cmf archive - Christian Medical FellowshipHelen Roseveare: books, biography, latest update - Amazon.comInvesting in training, and building upon the legacy of Dr. Helen Roseveare at Nebobongo Evangelical Hospital - E4 ProjectThe Privilege of Suffering for Christ | Revive Our Hearts EpisodeWhittled as an Arrow – A living sacrifice for the Lord | Ruach MinistriesWomen Called by God: Helen Roseveare - Calvary Chapel

These excerpts offer insights into the academic and theological focus of Wheaton College, highlighting its commitment to integrating Christian faith with liberal arts education. The materials showcase the college's emphasis on a biblical perspective for students' lives and ministries, alongside detailed information on academic programs like Biblical and Theological Studies and the structure of their curriculum. Furthermore, they provide context for understanding the study of Pauline theology, covering topics such as justification by faith, the role of the Spirit, and the significance of Paul's letters within Christian thought.Sources:About Paul (Saul) The “apostle to the Gentiles” who spread the message about Jesus Christ throughout the ancient world throu - CloverLanguage of the New Testament Theological Texts: Ideology through Language - IS MUNIPAUL'S MISSIONARY JOURNEYS - Tutku ToursPaul and Early Christianity - AMOS MoravianPaul the Apostle - WikipediaPaul's Long Road to Rome - Cloudfront.netTHE JEWISH CONTEXT OF PAUL'S GENTILE MISSION | Tyndale BulletinThe Theology of Paul the Apostle - Global Classroom by Filadelfia Bible CollegeWeek #2 Exploring Apostle Paul's Five Missionary JourneysWheaton College - Cloudfront.net