Great Stories by Haven Today

The cross is not the end of the story. What began as the world’s darkest night gave way to its brightest day. Truly, the resurrection of Jesus Christ turned the world upside down and right side up.

Join David Wollen and special guest, author and pastor Marty Machowski, in a series called Turning the World Right-Side Up, where they explore how Christ’s resurrection brings hope and transformation to our upside-down world.

The deconstruction movement is causing many to question their beliefs about Jesus and Christianity, resulting in significant changes within churches and families. Leading some to ask… How should we respond when a loved one begins to deconstruct their faith? How can we lovingly and effectively share God’s eternal truth with those wrestling with doubt?

This week on Haven Today, David Wollen welcomes author and podcaster, Alisa Childers, to discuss deconstruction, its challenges, and a Christ-centered response in a series called When a Loved One Deconstructs.

Hymns have been sung by the church for centuries to help Christians worship God, learn the Bible, and encourage one another. And when you sing a great hymn, you’re not just making music—you’re preaching the Gospel to your own heart. Nobody knows that better than Joni Eareckson Tada.

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen sits down with Joni as she shares the hymns that helped her through some of the darkest moments of her life. These powerful songs remind you that hymns are more than just melodies—they’re rooted in Scripture and bring gospel-centered moments into your everyday life, no matter the circumstances.

Perhaps you know the story of Corrie ten Boom and how her family hid Jews in their home during WWII before being found out and sent to a concentration camp themselves. But what was their motivation? And how did Corrie experience the peace of Christ even in solitary confinement? 

On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen shares an interview from his predecessor, Charles Morris, with the late Pamela Rosewell Moore, who was Corrie ten Boom’s assistant for many years. You’ll also hear excerpts from Corrie herself talking about how the Lord brought her through the darkest moments of her captivity. For whatever trial you may be facing today, this powerful story of faith, courage, and dependence on Christ will help you cling to the Lord who will never leave you nor forsake you when you need Him most. 

What does it mean to be “in Christ"? It’s more than a sentiment or a line to close out an email. It’s one of the most profound, perspective-shifting, paradigm-altering Gospel truths hiding in plain sight across the New Testament. On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is joined by author and pastor Kyle Worley to discuss what it means to be united with Christ.

More than a theological concept, union with Christ is how we know and enjoy God. It's also how the spiritual blessings of salvation are applied to us and become our own. It truly is a key doctrine of the Christian faith—one that undergirds and interconnects so many other essential teachings in God’s Word. 

Just like modern Christians do today, first century believers gathered together to pray, hear God’s Word, and worship Christ through song. But what were they singing? And what did it sound like? Today, we can begin to answer these questions thanks to the groundbreaking work behind a musical project breathing new life into The Odes of Solomon.

On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast by Haven Today, we take a deep dive into the songs and hymns of the early church. Dr. James Charlesworth, Dr. Hughes Oliphant Old, Dr. Lee Martin McDonald, and composer John Schreiner all join Charles Morris and David Wollen for a fascinating and informative podcast covering the incredible story behind the The Odes Project, which set these ancient hymns to music for the first time in 2,000 years.

His name is connected to a Bible college, a publishing house, and a radio network. But D. L. Moody was not a businessman. He was an evangelist who loved many of the people no one else did. You may think you know his story, but there's more to this 19th century follower of Christ than meets the eye.

On this episode of the Great Stories podcast, Dr. Gregg Quiggle—a former professor at Moody Bible Institute and the author of a recent biography on Dwight Lyman Moody—joins David Wollen to discuss this remarkable evangelist of the late 1800s. Moody's life and ministry continues to make a profound impact around the world today, but the path he took to get there is even more astonishing. 

We all have the tendency to look back at our childhood with rose-colored glasses. Decades later, we fail to remember the challenges we faced, even as our children face even greater challenges today. The world they are inheriting often feels hopeless, but that doesn't mean they have to live without hope.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is joined by bestselling children's book author Sally Lloyd-Jones to discuss how children can find hope in the midst of their own challenging circumstances. It's a fascinating conversation filled with stories and the kinds of insights into God's Word that children—and grownups—can believe in and latch onto.

Is there a sweetness or a blessing offered in the valley of loneliness? Steve DeWitt believes that there absolutely is, and he knows this from experience. 

For years, DeWitt was the only never married megachurch pastor in the United States. This put him in proximity to thousands of people, yet he lived his daily life alone. Over some 8,000 days as an adult single, and now eleven years of marriage, Pastor Steve has a unique perspective on solitude and aloneness.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, he joins David Wollen to discuss this unique perspective on how loneliness doesn’t necessarily have to be our enemy. It can actually become the path God uses to draw us nearer to Christ.

Charles Spurgeon didn’t go to college or seminary, yet his legacy continues to influence Christians more than a century after his death. Endearingly known as the "prince of preachers," his sermons have become a gold standard for scholars, pastors, and students of the Word today. 

On today's episode of the great stories podcast, pastor Jeremy Walker joins David Wollen from south of London for a conversation about how Charles Spurgeon became such a towering figure in the church and why he is a person every Christian should know.