Great Stories by Haven Today

Charles Simeon was a man who believed in the power of God’s Word and preached it in a time when the Gospel was rarely heard from pulpits. His ministry may have taken place 200 years ago, but his story deserves to be told and retold today. 

On this episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is joined by Randall Gruendyke to discuss the impact God made through the life and ministry of Charles Simeon. By the end of this episode, you'll discover why this historical giant of the faith is a person every Christian should know. 

“Be still.” When uttered by the voice of God, these two simple words have incredible power. Before Jesus spoke them to a raging storm, the voice of God said “Be still” in Psalm 46. They speak comfort and peace into whatever trials you may be facing in life.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is joined by his wife, Marci, to discuss how Psalm 46 points to the Savior who sees us through the raging storm—sometimes by calming the winds, other times by calming us. The Lord who speaks to the wind and says, “Peace, be still,” speaks the same to our hearts when we come before Him.

The beginning of January is the one time of year when almost everyone wants to recalibrate their lives. For Christians wanting a fresh start, there is no substitute for daily time in God’s Word. And—while all of God’s Word is important and vital nourishment for our souls—today's guests on the Great Stories podcast have a unique suggestion for you to let 2025 be the year you take a meditative journey through the Psalms.

Dr. Timothy and Julie Tennent are the husband/wife team who wrote a devotional companion book to the Psalms called A Meditative Journey Through the Psalms, which you can request at haventoday.org as our thanks for your gift to Haven Ministries. On today's episode, they discuss their approach to meditating through the Psalms, as well how you can find Jesus in this central book of the Old Testament.

Timothy served as the President of Asbury Theological Seminary for 15 years, and is currently the Methodist Chair of Divinity, and Professor of World Christianity, at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University. Julie is a pianist and composer with a particular interest in the intersection of music and theology, as well as the rejuvenation of psalm singing in the worship of the church.

Did you know Haven Ministries is celebrating 90 incredible years of ministry?

If you missed our live 90th anniversary celebration earlier in 2024, no worries! You can catch all the highlights and heartwarming moments in this reposted episode of the Great Stories podcast. Be encouraged as David Wollen, Charles Morris, Joni Eareckson Tada, and more reflect on Haven’s rich history of sharing the gospel for 90 years … and counting! 

Watch the video version of this episode on Haven's blog at haventoday.org.

Christmas isn’t just a New Testament holiday. So much of what we read in Luke’s Gospel comes from the Old Testament. Long before Mary gave birth, Isaiah was heralding the coming of Christ. 

On this special episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen passes the mic back to Charles Morris to revisit a classic Christmas message from 2015. May it help you anticipate the Messiah with the same Scriptures Israel would have had more than 2,000 years ago.

Since Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Christ, we thought it would be a blessing to connect with Christians in various places to hear what the Lord is doing and how they celebrate Christmas. To accomplish this, you'll hear from friends serving overseas with Haven's sister ministry Far East Broadcasting Company (also known as FEBC).

First we go to Kyiv, Ukraine, to speak with Ed Cannon, president of FEBC, and Victor Akhterov, who is himself Ukrainian and the director of the entire Eurasia side of the ministry. They give an update on what it has been like to do evangelistic broadcasting during a time of war and how Ukrainians are celebrating Christmas this year. 

After that, we'll hop over to the other side of Asia and land in Ulaanbatar, Mongolia, to hear from Batjarbal Tuvshinsengal, who happens to be one of the first ten Mongolians to come to Christ in the entire country. It’s an amazing story of ongoing evangelism where Christmas plays a huge role.

It's hard to imagine Christmastime without the melodies that fill our homes and hearts each year with messages of peace and hope—songs that remind us to pause and gaze in wonder at the birth of Jesus.

Last week on the Great Stories podcast, Robert Morgan shared the rich history behind some of our favorite Christmas Carols. This week, David Wollen welcomes him back to share the stories behind five more songs of Christmas: Hallelujah Chorus; O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; O Little Town of Bethlehem; Go Tell it on the Mountain; and Away in the Manger. 

As you prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior this Christmas, may these stories help you fix your eyes on the God of Israel who came from heaven to earth and took on human flesh to become the Savior of the world.

How many Christmas carols do you know by heart? So many people—regardless of their faith or background—can sing along to at least the first verse of songs like Joy to the World, Silent Night, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. But how many of us can say we know the stories behind the classic holiday hymns we sing year after year?

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris rejoins David Wollen to interview author and pastor Robert J. Morgan about the remarkable stories behind our most cherished Christmas Carols. Recorded on a chilly day in Nashville, Tennessee, we pray this conversation will help you worship Jesus this year as you learn the fascinating history behind the hymns of Christmas. 

No matter where you live, if you belong to Jesus, there is always a reason to give thanks. As countless people prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States, David Wollen is joined by author and children's pastor Marty Machowski to have a God-honoring conversation about gratitude. Along the way, they also discuss how Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity for Christians to encourage one another and give thanks for every blessing from the Lord.

Throughout the Old Testament, God promised to send a son, a shepherd, a servant, a prophet like Moses, a king, and more. Each promise God kept. Each fulfillment shapes the story of Christmas with vibrant prophetic color that gives us hope for the future. 

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, author and children's pastor Marty Machowski joins David Wollen to talk about how the promises of God in the Old Testament weave throughout the story of redemption and culminate in the birth of the Messiah. They also discuss how Christmastime is a golden opportunity for us to share these Gospel truths with the children we love.