Great Stories by Haven Today

#122: Jeremy Walker on the History of Revivals from Pentecost to Present Day

The word 'revival' has been on countless minds over the past month when Asbury University students carried on a multi-week prayer and worship service that brought 50,000 pilgrims to the sleepy town of Wilmore, Kentucky. Though it is now being called an outpouring, Christians around the world have a renewed interest in what revivals are, how God works through them, and what basis they have in Scripture and history.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris is joined by Jeremy Walker to explore these historic movements of God — from Pentecost to present day — as they both also pray for revival to take hold in the hearts of the next generation. Jeremy Walker is a pastor, author, and host of the new documentary Revival: The Work of God. 

#121: Asbury Revival — Meet the Asbury Students Who Have Been Praying for Revival Since 2019

The Asbury Revival may have officially begun on February 8, 2023, but the roots of this spiritual phenomenon began long before those few students lingered after chapel to pray. On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, you're going to meet the Asbury Seminary students who have been diligently praying for this very thing since 2019. 

From the living room of New Testament scholar Dr. Craig Keener, these few seminary students have been holding weekly prayer meetings with one bold request in mind — Lord, bring about a revival at Asbury. They've asked us not to share their names, but they do share their stories, as well as an oral history of how the Asbury Revival began. 

If you’ve been watching from the sidelines through news coverage and social media commentary, then this episode will be a wonderful way for you to become intimately acquainted with the roots of the world’s newest spiritual revival — a revival that we hope is only just getting started.  

#120: Ivanka & Alexey Volkov — A Ukrainian Couple’s Prayers for Their Homeland

Ivanka and Alexey Volkov were already living abroad when Russia invaded Ukraine. Now, one year in to the war, they have not been able to go home. Friends have died. Family members still living in Ukraine face extreme conditions daily. There are few ways for them to help from the outside, except offer prayers and support for their homeland. 

In this special episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris shares his full interview with the Volkovs, a Ukrainian Christian couple who are currently sharing the gospel in Israel. Here, they share their hopes, fears, and prayers as Ukraine experiences the greatest humanitarian crisis Europe has seen since World War II. 

An edited version of this interview first appeared on Haven Today’s daily radio broadcast. We are now posting it here in full. 

#119: Bruce Waltke — Rediscover Your Faith in the Old Testament

If we didn't have the Old Testament, Christians would live in a state of spiritual amnesia. Rather than having a healthy understanding of who we are and how we got here, believers who neglect the Bible's first 39 books often begin filling in the blanks with their own ideas. Bruce Waltke wants to change that. 

A world famous Hebrew scholar with a PhD from Harvard and Dallas Theological Seminary, Bruce Waltke is uniquely equipped to speak about how we can read the Old Testament in light of the New. In this episode, Waltke discusses how the Scriptures contain our memory, history, and even our core identity as believers. 

Bruce Waltke is the author of many books, including Old Testament Theology. He was the head of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary for many years and has also served at Westminster Philadelphia, Regent College in Vancouver, and Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando.

#118: Joshua Cooley on the Faith of the 2018 Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Champs

Before the 2018 Super Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles had never tasted victory at the highest level. When back-up-quarterback-turned-MVP Nick Foles and the rest of the team closed the book on their Cinderella season, many of the players did not bask in their own glory. After winning their close match against the favored New England Patriots, several of the key players gave all the glory to Christ. 

As the Eagles now attempt their second ever Super Bowl trophy this Sunday, Charles Morris returns to his 2018 interview with author and sports writer Joshua Cooley to discuss the faith of these team members who reached the pinnacle of their sport. Though many of the players mentioned in this episode are no longer on the Eagles' roster, we pray this episode will bolster your own faith as you prepare to watch North America's biggest primetime sporting event this Sunday. 

#117: Corrie ten Boom’s Story — Told By Her Longtime Assistant

You may have heard Corrie ten Boom’s story before. Maybe you read her book The Hiding Place, or even saw the 1975 film adaptation. But you may never have heard it quite like this. Several years ago, Charles Morris got on the phone with Corrie’s longtime companion and assistant Pamela Rosewell Moore to hear from someone who knew her well. 

Pamela worked for several years with the team of Brother Andrew ("God's Smuggler") in the Netherlands, before accompanying Corrie to America. As Corrie reached the end of her life, Pam served as a nurse and companion until her death in 1983. 

In this episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Pamela takes us back to the beginning and walks us through Corrie’s story from start to finish. You’ll also hear excerpts from Corrie herself talking about how the Lord brought her through her darkest moments. Whatever trials you might be facing today, it is our prayer that this conversation will help you cling to the Lord who will never leave you nor forsake you.

#116: Melissa Kruger Wants You to Pray for Your Children

Most online lists covering what children need most include things like education, good health, and self-esteem. These are all good, but something’s missing . . . prayer. Yet when it comes to praying for our children in the midst of our hectic daily lives, it's often difficult to know where to start. That’s where Melissa Kruger comes in. 

A Christian author and mother herself, Kruger has many helpful insights on biblical ways to pray for our children — many of which are captured in her book 5 Things to Pray for Your Kids. In this episode of the Great Stories Podcast, she reminds us that our children’s spiritual health comes first. She also offers tools to help the busy parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle begin praying more intentionally for the kids God has placed in our lives. 

#115: Dr. Ben Witherington Responds to Christian Myths About Money

New Testament scholar Ben Witherington III joins Charles Morris for a new interview on what Scripture teaches about money. Considering recent food shortages, price hikes, and the looming fear of recession, there may be no better time than now for Christians to consider their relationship with Jesus and their personal finances.

Offering sage wisdom and curt biblical advice, Witherington takes a no nonsense approach to building a biblical framework around how Christians should handle their money. For him, it starts with one often neglected truth — your money is not your own, but the Lord’s.

#114: Dr. Donald Brake on the Mysterious Beginnings of the King James Bible

A lot can happen in four centuries. Technologies have skyrocketed, new nations have formed, and yet one book has changed very little in as much time . . . the King James Bible.

On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris returns to a conversation he had with Dr. Donald Brake in 2011 — the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. They discuss how this longstanding Bible translation revolutionized the English-speaking world by exploring the KJV's mysterious beginnings, the men who translated it, and its incredible impact for many generations. 

Dr. Brake is an authority on the history of the Bible and has been an avid collector of rare Bibles and manuscripts for more than thirty years. His is one of the most complete private collections of rare English Bibles and Greek New Testaments in North America. He served as President of Jerusalem University College and Vice President and Dean of Multnomah Biblical Seminary.

Even if it’s been years since you’ve read the King James Bible, this episode on the fascinating history of the English language’s longest-running Scripture translation is something every Christian should consider. 

#113: Lysa TerKeurst Wants You to Crave God, Not Food

During the holidays, it’s nice to enjoy turkey for Thanksgiving and cookies at Christmas. But then New Year’s Day rolls around, and with it comes a reckoning. It’s when many of us begin to regret our lack of restraint over the past few weeks and commit to finally dropping a few pounds.

Today's episode of the Great Stories podcast features a conversation with New York Times bestselling author of “Made to Crave” Lysa TerKeurst. Yes, you'll hear Charles and Lysa talk about food cravings and healthy eating practices. But, unlike other podcasts on the topic, you'll also hear them discuss how this is a spiritual issue, not a physical one.

Ultimately, this isn’t about what you should and should not be eating. It’s about the idolatry we have surrounding the things we often love a little too much in life. Lysa helps us remember that craving isn’t necessarily a bad thing . . . the challenge is to realize how God created us to crave something so much more than what’s in the pantry.

If you or someone you know is struggling with unhealthy eating practices, this New Year’s episode is for you.