Great Stories by Haven Today

Recent polls show that nearly a third living in the United States today are struggling with depression. How many others are suffering silently would surely push that number higher? And, experts say, it’s women who have the higher prevalence of depression—due to a variety of social and biological factors. 

On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, David Wollen talks with Christine Chappell. She’s an author, a biblical counselor, and a podcaster, and a mother. But she was shocked a few years ago to find herself battling depression even when life seemed to be going well.  On this episode, Christine shares her story and what she learned about how Jesus draws near to those who are struggling with depression and all sorts of mental health issues. 

Charles Morris took over as speaker and president of the historic Haven of Rest radio broadcast at the turn of the millennium. For a quarter century, Charles Morris has often quoted Ray Ortlund in likening the production of a daily radio broadcast to a freight train — it doesn't stop until you get off. 

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen shares the recording of Charles Morris' final day on the air. In a conversation between friends, we pay tribute to Charles as he crosses the finish line with one final program to say "well done" to our good friend and brother. 

Many are worried about the next generation. Will Gen Z and Millennials follow Jesus? And how do we pray for them? On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, David Wollen meets up with Blake Glosson and Kassie McDowell, two young Christians who help answer these questions and more.

If you’ve ever been concerned about how the church can reach young people with the gospel, this episode is for you. When you listen in, you will not only gain insight into how Gen Z and Millennials go about faith, but you will also find words to pray and be filled with hope that God is at work in the hearts of young people today. 

Originally recorded in 2013, 50 years after the death of C.S. Lewis, Charles Morris had a conversation with Dr. Alister McGrath to shed new light on the most famous atheist-turned-Christian of the 20th century. 

Dr. McGrath has written one of the most comprehensive biographies on the life of C.S. Lewis. After reading every surviving document Lewis had ever written—including recently published correspondence—Dr. McGrath challenges some of the previously held beliefs about the timing of the beloved author's shift from atheism to theism and then to Christianity. But he also paints a definitive portrait of Lewis' life as an eccentric thinker who became an inspiring, though reluctant, prophet for our times.

In addition to his work at Oxford, Dr. Alister McGrath is Senior Research Fellow at Harris Manchester College, Oxford, President of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, and serves as associate priest in a group of Church of England village parishes in the Cotswolds.

Can evidence and faith go hand-in-hand?

When Lee Strobel was an award-winning journalist for the Chicago Tribune, he would have said ‘no.’ This idea led him down a path to investigate the truth claims of Christianity. The result was life-altering.

Many know his story through the bestselling book “The Case for Christ.” Today, Lee Strobel joins Charles Morris to revisit what led him to Jesus and how that reshaped the way he lives out each day. This conversation will give you hope for the atheists and agnostics in your own life who have yet to call Jesus Lord.

An atheist-turned-Christian, Russell Berger has walked the opposite path that we’re seeing so many young people take today. Whether that’s turning their backs on Christianity for good or adopting a progressive version of the gospel, Russell’s story is a helpful reminder that God is in the business of saving His lost sheep.

On today’s episode of the Great Stories Podcast by Haven Today, Russell shares how the Lord plucked him from the hopelessness of atheism and brought him into the family of God. You may recognize him as a former senior executive with CrossFit, host of the Defend and Confirm Podcast, or as a featured guest in the American Gospel film series.

Alisa Childers is a former CCM recording artist with the Dove award-winning group ZOEgirl. But once she came off the road in her mid-thirties, she suffered a crisis of faith. The source of her newfound uncertainty and doubt? Her secretly deconstructing pastor. 

On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Alisa shares the story of her detour into progressive Christianity, as well as how the Lord delivered her to embrace a vibrant, rational, and informed faith that is grounded in historical Christianity. If you or a loved one is wrestling with doubt or uncertainty, we pray this conversation will help.

Scripture has been interpreted many different ways over the years, but how can you tell the difference between false gospels and the one Jesus lived and taught? On today’s episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Charles Morris and David Wollen are joined by Brandon Kimber, the director and editor of American Gospel: Christ Crucified. Together, they offer a biblical response to the growing deconstruction and progressive Christianity movement in America.

Brandon Kimber created the American Gospel series to take a critical look at some of the distorted, corrupted versions of the gospel circulating in western culture today. In this important and timely conversation, he discusses some of the problematic takes on Christ’s crucifixion and how Christians can respond with grace and truth.

How can Christian parents and grandparents hope to disciple their children amid the struggles of everyday life? Even more, how can we use these often chaotic moments as golden opportunities to lead them to Jesus?

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris and David Wollen are joined by Christian parents, including David's wife, Marci, who share their own unique approaches to raising children to know and love Jesus. Later in the episode, Charles Morris goes on to discuss the tender subject of what to do when your child walks away from the faith.

On this episode, you’ll also hear from two members of the Haven Team. Tamara Chamberlain is an author, podcaster, and mother of three children with her husband, Dale. She also serves as Haven’s director of project management. Troy Lamberth is a filmmaker, podcaster, pastor, co-founder of Five Solas Media, and father of three children with his wife, Melissa. He also serves as Haven’s executive producer.

If we want our children and grandchildren to carry their faith into adulthood, then we ought to help them fall in love with God’s Word. One of the best ways to do that is through music. And so on today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Adam Wright of The Corner Room joins us to talk about the importance of Scripture-based songs for children.

What began as music Adam would write for his church and family has now become a powerful album enjoyed by countless families around the world: Remember and Proclaim: Scripture Songs for Little Ones. It’s our prayer that this episode will not only inspire you to sing God's Word with your little ones, but that it would also help you cultivate an atmosphere of ministry within the home.