Living Grace

We are excited for season four of Living Grace as host Cheryl Brodersen discusses the inception of Calvary Chapel with guests Terri and Sharon Fischer. Sharon has written a book titled, I Remember: The Birth of Calvary Chapel, and the ladies recount the events and stirrings from the Holy Spirit that led to the beginning of the movement and Chuck Smith transitioning as the pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Enjoy detailed stories of how God used ordinary people to bring about this movement in the 60s. While the decade may have been labeled a violent and confusing time in the U.S., God used it for revival, and He certainly can start another revival today. As Pastor Chuck would say, “It’s not about the outward; it’s about the inward.” ​

On this episode of Living Grace, we hear from missionary Celeste Yolcom, who has served in Eastern Europe for over 20 years. Celeste's life has been an example of surrender and trust in the Lord. God established her in a ministry to young girls in Siberia and Russia, orchestrated events to meet her husband, Mark, through Calvary Chapel's Missions Conferences, and established them in Kosovo. As their lives continued, Celeste began to feel constant pain in her body. After landing a doctor's appointment, Celeste was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer that had spread to her lungs. Any would justifiably despair with this news, but Celeste heard directly from the Lord that this was another moment to trust Him. Would she choose to become bitter or better? Celeste was determined to trust the Lord and have a heart of peace. He has not failed to see her through. Celeste has been in remission for the last two and a half years! God is good, and He will sustain His people through any danger or trial, as nothing can break us until our time is complete on earth. Are you struggling to trust the Lord? Is He calling you to a place or a situation that you are afraid to step into? Are you facing hard times? Be encouraged to trust the Lord. (Romans 8:28; Proverbs 3:5,6) Celeste's life embodies God's faithfulness, and she would wish for all to trust Him as well.

On this episode of Living Grace, Cheryl Brodersen discusses homosexual and transgender behaviors with founder of Coming Out Again ministries, Kris Olsen. This is a very present issue in the world today, as so many struggle with gender identity and seek to find their purpose or fulfillment in any way. Kris shares that often with this struggle, as many other issues are, it is a matter of the will and the freedom to make choices. Only through accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior and being born again in Him, can any sinful tendencies be healed. Coming Out Again is a program that helps those who may struggle with same sex attraction and seeks to be available to listen and point them toward Jesus. To find out more about Coming Out Again, visit comingoutagain.org.

On this episode of "Living Grace," Jeanne Willette shares with Cheryl Brodersen about a new ministry called Limitless. This ministry has been created for families with special needs children. Parents oftentimes feel so overwhelmed and alone, since it is hard for people to understand the situation and relate. Jeanne explains that Limitless seeks to provide support, prayer and resources for these families. She emphasizes prayer to fight against any spiritual warfare and conflict, but Jeanne reminds us that the name of Jesus breaks through every chain. There are no bounds or "limits" on Jesus, which is the inspiration of the ministry's name. Limitless is in the process of preparing a room at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa for special needs children, so parents can drop their children off in a safe environment while they enjoy the church services in the Main Sanctuary. If you are a parent of a special needs child or know someone who would be interested in Limitless, visit limitless.cccm.com, contact the church office at Calvary Chapel Cost Mesa (714) 979-4422 or contact Jeanne at [email protected].

On this episode of Living Grace, Cheryl Brodersen is joined by mom and daughter duo, Stacy and Megan Callender. Both Stacy and Megan discuss how the passion for Jesus has remained from generation to generation. The key is prayer! Simply by displaying a love for the Lord through reading His Word in front of your kids, praying with them, for them and teaching them about the Lord will bring such a strong impact. Stacy and Megan are testaments of that. Stacy heads a prayer group called Moms in Prayer where multiple moms come together to prayer for their kids in school. If you have children in school and would like more information, visit momsinprayer.org.

On this episode of Living Grace, Cheryl Brodersen interviews Shannon Forsythe who started a ministry with her husband called Run 2 Rescue. This is a powerful ministry of reaching young girls stuck in sex trafficking to provide a way out of the lifestyle. Shannon shares stories that prove the power of Christ over this intense situation. She also provides necessary information on the current plight of sex trafficking in Southern California, and how these young girls, and sometimes young boys, are often drawn into the lifestyle more often than kidnapped. “The darkness is real, but God is greater,” Shannon proclaims, and she finishes by sharing the real battle is spiritual and in the mind. If you would like to learn more or support Run 2 Rescue, visit run2rescue.com.

On this episode of Living Grace, Cheryl Brodersen interviews the lovely Molly Kelley, who has taught high school English, conducted a Bible class for high school girls and speaks at women's ministry events and conferences. Molly has known her share of challenges and trials as she has battled an autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, for several years that affects her daily responsibilities tremendously. Molly and Cheryl discuss the topic of suffering, emphasizing trials that are invisible to everyone else, those "private crosses." Mental warfare, spiritual attacks and physical weakness prey on the believer in the midst of a trial. Molly shares how Jesus pulled her through the darkest moments of her suffering and has transformed her identity from being only "Molly" to an identity of being established in His "grace" for herself and others.

We are so excited to kick off season three of Living Grace! Enjoy this episode as Cheryl Brodersen interviews Celeste Bowers, author of If There's a Mailbox in Heaven. Celeste shares the powerful story of her daughter, Christina, as she was an absolute joy and lover of Jesus. Christina was diagnosed with a rare cancer and passed away in 2005, but the impact she left has been astounding. The book focuses less on the cancer itself and more on Christina's witness and powerful engagement she had with people all around her. Christina has been such an example to us, as she would say, "It's not about me. It's about Christ working through me." Celeste shares that, through this journey, she and Christina made a deal to not say, "Why me," but, "Use me, Lord." You don't want to miss this! Learn more about If There's a Mailbox in Heaven.

Enjoy this episode of Living Grace as host Cheryl Brodersen interviews Cathy Taylor, wife of Pastor Wayne Taylor of Calvary Fellowship. Cathy shares about coming to a point of despair in a trial she has faced, and how tempted she was to doubt God's love. Yet God so faithfully reassured Cathy of His love for her. And God not only healed her, but He also gave her strength to share the gospel to unsaved family members, who were dealing with illness as well. The depths of God's love are far greater than we can ever imagine. The question is, do you believe it?

On this episode of Living Grace, host Cheryl Brodersen discusses with speaker, pastor's wife & author, Joanna Weaver, on her experiences as a writer, how God called her to write, and how He has used these experiences as a platform in her life to grow deeper in love with Him. Through life's ups and downs, Joanna shares how trusting God through the process, whether it is obeying the Lord's calling, dealing with conflict, feeling like a failure, etc., Joanna has learned how faithful God is to guide us despite the circumstances. Joanna provides some "behind-the-scene" stories during the journey of writing her books, including Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Having a Mary Spirit and more!