Brother Ernest Strubhar presents the challenging and sobering stories of Perpetua, Annekin Jansy, Aisha, the Mother of Seven, and others. What do these all have in common? They refused to recant or turn back from following their Savior no matter the consequences. What are you willing to give up for Christ?

Michael Sattler left his life as a monk and became an early leader of the Anabaptist movement. Brother Dean Taylor picked five highlights from the legacy of this dedicated Christian from which we can draw much inspiration — Michael Sattler was a man of the Bible. He studied Biblical languages and knew how to discuss doctrine. He was very concerned about love, boldly followed the commands of Christ in evangelism and mission work, loved the church, and followed the commands of Christ for the church. But most importantly Michael Sattler was faithful to Christ to the end.

Brother Steve Clapper shares some of his life experiences and admonishes the young men to consider how the decisions and choices they make today will affect their life and future. Have you given up everything to be a disciple of Christ or have you fallen into the traps of pride, arrogance, drugs, alcohol, love of money, sexual immorality, pornography, media, internet, or entertainment? If you find yourself in bondage, you can be set free! “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2:14b).

Drawing inspiration from the ladies mentioned in Hebrews 11, and then sharing her own life story and walk of faith, Sister Wendy Good encourages women today to be faithful, no matter what the circumstances of their lives. The only thing that can hinder God’s will or purpose in our lives, is us ourselves. The things in our lives may not be what we consider good, but God can use them to work together for our good as we surrender to His will for us.

Brother Ernest Strubhar challenges the listener with the life and experiences of Casiodoro de Reina, a Bible translator sometimes called the “William Tyndale of Spain”. Casiodoro de Reina spent twelve years translating the Bible into Spanish facing many adversities and strong persecution. What have you done in the last twelve years of your life? What are you willing to sacrifice to fulfill the calling of God on your life?

James, being the brother of Jesus, experienced very closely the earthly life of our Lord. In this well-researched message, Brother Brandon Byler shares how James was there to observe Jesus’ childhood, ministry, death, and resurrection. He believed the Gospel message of his Brother. He lived and taught a very practical faith and left a legacy to be followed. James was a doer. What are you doing?

What tells you that you are hungry? Why are you hungry? We become hungry either by habit or by exertion. Brother Zack Johnson encourages the listener to make a connection between physical hunger and spiritual hunger, drawing lessons from his recent discharge from the Army as a conscientious objector. Just as physical energy exertion is needed for physical hunger we need to be spiritually exerting ourselves to increase our spiritual hunger. A lack of spiritual hunger is a symptom of spiritual health problems. How does your life prove you are hungry?

(given during the night of prayer at 2:00 AM)

In this midnight message, Brother Peter Hoover shares several experiences of God speaking to him and challenges especially the youth to listen carefully for the voice of God. Are you truly connected with God? Does God speak to you? Do you listen? Do you take the time to listen?

(given during the night of prayer at 12:00 AM)

“And these all… obtained a good report through faith.” Brother Curt Wagoner shares the relational, sacrificial, and visual aspects of this good report as lived out by Enoch, Noah, Abel, Moses, Gideon, Samson, and a host of others as portrayed in Hebrews 11. Are you willing to join this “great cloud of witnesses”? Are you really walking with God? Are you living sacrificially? Are you striving to rout the invaders in your life?

In this message, Brother Gary Kauffman observes that many church plants in America and around the world grow rapidly by welcoming folks from other churches. If the majority of growth is achieved this way, local converts to Christianity are not as likely to take ownership and responsibility for the future of the church. So what does an indigenous church look like? How can churches be planted that are self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating all within the context of the local culture?

This message was given at the Church Growth Seminar 2019, which is a segment organized by the Church Planters’ Forum.