Great Stories by Haven Today

David Zadok was born in Iran, rose to the rank of Major in the Israeli Defense Forces, went to Seminary in the U.S., and now shares the gospel throughout Israel. In today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris returns to two fascinating conversations he had with David in 2010 and 2014 that tells the story behind the violence he experienced early in life and what it's like now to minister the gospel in Israel.

As the pastor of Grace and Truth church and the director of HaGefen Publishing, we are confident that David's story will give you a new appreciation for how God is at work in Israel's growing Christian community.

The Christmas season is here. Whether you’re planning your family get-together, buying gifts, or simply reflecting on Christ's incarnation, there is no doubt we are in a season of anticipation. And one of the best ways to help us get in the spirit of anticipating the Messiah every year is through the music of Christmas. 

This is what Charles Morris and singer-songwriter Fernando Ortega talk about in a new interview. In this episode of the Great Stories podcast, you’ll hear about the significance behind some powerful Christmas songs, what Christmas was like for Fernando growing up in New Mexico, and what it is about the advent season that so powerfully draws us nearer to Christ. You’ll also hear some segments from Fernando’s Christmas Songs album.

We pray this conversation will help you prepare your heart for the Messiah this Christmas.

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

—1 Thessalonians 1:2,3

 

How often do we overlook the words of thanksgiving that the Apostle Paul writes to the churches in Asia Minor? Bob Bowman and Charles Morris believe that we too often race past them. And so as we approach Thanksgiving in the United States, we’re bringing back a classic conversation from 2004 on giving thanks. 

For anyone who has been around Haven any length of time, Bob Bowman is a name you’ll be very familiar with. A founding member of the Haven Quartet and founder of Far East Broadcasting Company, Bob was also the Friday Speaker for Haven from 1967-1984. On this episode, you’ll learn more about this history, as well as what both Bob and Charles were thankful for in 2004. 

This episode also serves as a window into the past. Haven Today sounded much different in the early 2000’s. From the opening jingle to the quartet music that Bob hand-selected for this episode, this is truly a Thanksgiving blast from the past. 

As you ponder what you’re thankful for this year, we hope this episode points you to all you have in Christ.

The holidays is often a time for families and friends to gather around the table to give thanks and celebrate the joy of each other's company. But how do you give thanks and celebrate joy when there's an empty chair that would have been filled by a recently deceased loved one? 

We don't often discuss grief during the holidays, but it is certainly the time when the loss of a spouse, parent, child, or friend is especially painful. Holiday grief is also something that's experienced more often than we might like to think.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris returns to a conversation he had in 2007 with Dr. Norman Wright. A Christian counselor, Dr. Wright spoke to Charles not long after losing his wife to cancer. With Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, we pray this raw conversation will be a balm and a resource for anyone facing their own empty chair this holiday season.

You’ve probably heard of John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” After all, it’s one of the most significant works of literature ever published (aside from the Bible). But did you know this classic Christian allegory that’s endured for nearly 350 years has a sequel?

On today’s episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Charles Morris is joined by Tyler Van Halteren — author of the adapted children’s books Little Pilgrim’s Big Journey Vol. I & II — as they walk in the footsteps of John Bunyan where he grew up, preached, and spent time in jail. You’ll also hear Tyler discuss "Christiana’s Story," the little-known sequel that delves even deeper into the spiritual truths of John Bunyan’s magnum opus

Now, if you want to see some of the places mentioned in this episode — including the oak tree John Bunyan preached under because he wasn’t allowed to preach in a building — you can watch that on haventoday.org by following this link.

It’s been 8 months since Russia invaded Ukraine. And now, with more than 12 million refugees and another 7 million displaced within the country, the war shows no sign of letting up as soldiers begin to face long, harsh winter. What hope is there? 

On this week's episode, Charles Morris speaks with leaders from two organizations doing tireless work on the ground in and around Ukraine today. First, you'll hear from Sergey Rakhuba, President of Mission Eurasia, who shares some miraculous stories out of Ukraine on how the kingdom of God is advancing, even in the midst of war.

You'll also hear from Director of FEBC-Russia & Ukraine Dr. Victor Akhterov. He discusses how the Ukrainian government have given them radio stations, expanding the opportunity for FEBC to share the gospel throughout the war.

This month marks the 505th anniversary of the moment when a little-known monk named Martin Luther sparked the Protestant Reformation and changed the course of human history. It all began when Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenberg Chapel in Germany in October, 1517. 

But who is this man who challenged the highest authorities of his day so that the truth of the gospel could be known and preached? And who are some of the others who would impact the faith of millions for centuries to come? 

In today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris speaks with several scholars and historians to explore the lives of some of the Protestant Reformation's most influential leaders. You'll hear about Martin Luther, John Wycliffe, John Huss, Katharina Von Bora, Juan de Valdés, and Thomas Cranmer — all of them playing a substantial role in re-centering the church's teaching on Christ and Scripture. Wherever you are in your faith, these people have had a profound impact on the way we all see the gospel today.

He’s a football hall-of-famer with two MVPs and a Super Bowl ring. But before Kurt Warner shot to fame, he had to put the idol of football behind him. On today’s episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Charles Morris shares his conversation with Christian filmmaker Andy Erwin (one-half of The Erwin Brothers who brought you films like I Can Only Imagine and I Still Believe) about their newest film American Underdog that tells the story of Kurt Warner’s rise to prominence in the NFL — as well as his unwavering faith in Christ.In this episode, you will also hear part of Kurt Warner’s testimony from a 1999 Billy Graham Crusade, which was recorded just after he won a Super Bowl championship.

No matter how hard we try to avoid it, tragedy will strike us all. Even Christians are not immune to the trials and sufferings that life presents us. In fact, the Apostle Peter says we should expect it.

So what is a Christian to do when faced with tragedy and loss? 

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris speaks with author and pastor Robert Morgan about the themes covered in his bestselling book The Red Sea Rules: 10 God-Given Strategies for Difficult Times. Using the Israelites' story in Exodus 14, as well as several real-life examples, Morgan shares how the Bible offers several effective strategies to help us go from fear to faith. 

It is our prayer that this episode will remind you that the same God who walks with you into hardship will also guide you out.

“There is really no Iron Curtain for the brave.” — Brother Andrew

Andrew van der Bijl, also known as Brother Andrew or "God’s Smuggler," spent his entire life ministering the gospel to hard-to-reach people in countries where being a Christian often meant persecution or even death. On September 27, Brother Andrew died and went home to be with the Lord at the age of 94.

In light of his passing, we thought this would be a good time to go deep into our archives and share the interview Andrew did with Charles Morris in 2004. For many years, Andrew took the Good News into the Soviet Union, China, and Czechoslovakia — this interview takes place long after that when he turned his attention to the Middle East and North Africa.

It's our prayer that this conversation will minister to you and inspire you to be a bold ambassador for Christ with your own life.