Great Stories by Haven Today

Arguably, C.S. Lewis is one of the most quoted people from the 20th century. He died 60 years ago, and yet so many of his thoughts are timeless. His books, essays, and even the children's stories seem prescient, even for our world today. Lewis was a brilliant intellectual whose apologetic approaches to the truth claims of Christ and the Gospel have helped bring countless people to faith. So that’s why its surprising to learn that CS Lewis, by his own admission, fought tooth and nail against becoming a Christian. His commitment to academic and intellectual integrity forced him to continue to reexamine the truth claims of the Bible and, inch by inch he drew closer until finally … he was a Christian. So much so that he once described himself as the most reluctant convert. On this episode of Great Stories, we'll be joined by award winning actor, Max McClean, who plays CS Lewis in the film called The Most Reluctant Convert. Max will share about the incredible movie he made about Lewis and his conversion from atheism to a follower of Christ. It’s a powerful story that you need to hear because it reminds us that no one is too far from Jesus.

Recent polls show that nearly a third living in the United States today are struggling with depression. How many others are suffering silently would surely push that number higher? And, experts say, it’s women who have the higher prevalence of depression—due to a variety of social and biological factors. On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, David Wollen talks with Christine Chappell. She’s an author, a biblical counselor, and a podcaster, and a mother. But she was shocked a few years ago to find herself battling depression even when life seemed to be going well. On this episode, Christine shares her story and what she learned about how Jesus draws near to those who are struggling with depression and all sorts of mental health issues.

Charles Morris took over as speaker and president of the historic Haven of Rest radio broadcast at the turn of the millennium. For a quarter century, Charles Morris has often quoted Ray Ortlund in likening the production of a daily radio broadcast to a freight train — it doesn't stop until you get off. On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen shares the recording of Charles Morris' final day on the air. In a conversation between friends, we pay tribute to Charles as he crosses the finish line with one final program to say "well done" to our good friend and brother.

Many are worried about the next generation. Will Gen Z and Millennials follow Jesus? And how do we pray for them? On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, David Wollen meets up with Blake Glosson and Kassie McDowell, two young Christians who help answer these questions and more. If you’ve ever been concerned about how the church can reach young people with the gospel, this episode is for you. When you listen in, you will not only gain insight into how Gen Z and Millennials go about faith, but you will also find words to pray and be filled with hope that God is at work in the hearts of young people today.

You see them in every church. You might have one in your family. You may even be one yourself. Prayer warriors are faithful saints who lift the needs and requests of others up to the Lord, often serving in the background. They are an invaluable part of any christian community, and we need them now more than ever. On today's episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is joined by a man in his church that he looks up to a great deal. Horst Fiebig is an energetic octogenarian with a fervor for lifting others up in prayer, and today he offers insights from his many years of praying daily for countless souls. There is great power in prayer—far more often than we dare to believe—and so it is our hope that this conversation will inspire you to pray for the people in your life.

Originally recorded in 2013, 50 years after the death of C.S. Lewis, Charles Morris had a conversation with Dr. Alister McGrath to shed new light on the most famous atheist-turned-Christian of the 20th century. Dr. McGrath has written one of the most comprehensive biographies on the life of C.S. Lewis. After reading every surviving document Lewis had ever written—including recently published correspondence—Dr. McGrath challenges some of the previously held beliefs about the timing of the beloved author's shift from atheism to theism and then to Christianity. But he also paints a definitive portrait of Lewis' life as an eccentric thinker who became an inspiring, though reluctant, prophet for our times. In addition to his work at Oxford, Dr. Alister McGrath is Senior Research Fellow at Harris Manchester College, Oxford, President of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, and serves as associate priest in a group of Church of England village parishes in the Cotswolds.

Can evidence and faith go hand-in-hand? When Lee Strobel was an award-winning journalist for the Chicago Tribune, he would have said ‘no.’ This idea led him down a path to investigate the truth claims of Christianity. The result was life-altering. Many know his story through the bestselling book “The Case for Christ.” Today, Lee Strobel joins Charles Morris to revisit what led him to Jesus and how that reshaped the way he lives out each day. This conversation will give you hope for the atheists and agnostics in your own life who have yet to call Jesus Lord.

An atheist-turned-Christian, Russell Berger has walked the opposite path that we’re seeing so many young people take today. Whether that’s turning their backs on Christianity for good or adopting a progressive version of the gospel, Russell’s story is a helpful reminder that God is in the business of saving His lost sheep. On today’s episode of the Great Stories Podcast by Haven Today, Russell shares how the Lord plucked him from the hopelessness of atheism and brought him into the family of God. You may recognize him as a former senior executive with CrossFit, host of the Defend and Confirm Podcast, or as a featured guest in the American Gospel film series.

Alisa Childers is a former CCM recording artist with the Dove award-winning group ZOEgirl. But once she came off the road in her mid-thirties, she suffered a crisis of faith. The source of her newfound uncertainty and doubt? Her secretly deconstructing pastor. On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Alisa shares the story of her detour into progressive Christianity, as well as how the Lord delivered her to embrace a vibrant, rational, and informed faith that is grounded in historical Christianity. If you or a loved one is wrestling with doubt or uncertainty, we pray this conversation will help.

Scripture has been interpreted many different ways over the years, but how can you tell the difference between false gospels and the one Jesus lived and taught? On today’s episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Charles Morris and David Wollen are joined by Brandon Kimber, the director and editor of American Gospel: Christ Crucified. Together, they offer a biblical response to the growing deconstruction and progressive Christianity movement in America. Brandon Kimber created the American Gospel series to take a critical look at some of the distorted, corrupted versions of the gospel circulating in western culture today. In this important and timely conversation, he discusses some of the problematic takes on Christ’s crucifixion and how Christians can respond with grace and truth.

How can Christian parents and grandparents hope to disciple their children amid the struggles of everyday life? Even more, how can we use these often chaotic moments as golden opportunities to lead them to Jesus? On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris and David Wollen are joined by Christian parents, including David's wife, Marci, who share their own unique approaches to raising children to know and love Jesus. Later in the episode, Charles Morris goes on to discuss the tender subject of what to do when your child walks away from the faith. On this episode, you’ll also hear from two members of the Haven Team. Tamara Chamberlain is an author, podcaster, and mother of three children with her husband, Dale. She also serves as Haven’s director of project management. Troy Lamberth is a filmmaker, podcaster, pastor, co-founder of Five Solas Media, and father of three children with his wife, Melissa. He also serves as Haven’s executive producer.

If we want our children and grandchildren to carry their faith into adulthood, then we ought to help them fall in love with God’s Word. One of the best ways to do that is through music. And so on today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Adam Wright of The Corner Room joins us to talk about the importance of Scripture-based songs for children. What began as music Adam would write for his church and family has now become a powerful album enjoyed by countless families around the world: Remember and Proclaim: Scripture Songs for Little Ones. It’s our prayer that this episode will not only inspire you to sing God's Word with your little ones, but that it would also help you cultivate an atmosphere of ministry within the home.

Death is a difficult topic. Most look upon it with fear, while others try to ignore it altogether. But one thing is certain ... it’s been on people’s minds more than usual lately. When Andy McQuitty received his cancer diagnosis in 2009, it felt more like a death sentence. Not only did he have cancer, but he was very likely going to die from that cancer. This set him on an intense journey through the valley of the shadow of death, and he came out on the other side with a new perspective on how Christians can live with purpose—even as we approach life's final chapter. Hear his profound insights and reflections when you listen to today's episode.

How do you have a successful marriage? Whether you are a Christian, skeptic, single, longtime married person, or someone about to be engaged—there are many different ways to answer this question. And yet Tim and Kathy Keller argue that the Bible’s vision for marriage is far greater and more glorious than anything our modern culture would have us believe. On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris revisits a conversation from the archives with his old friends Tim and Kathy Keller. Their book, The Meaning of Marriage, serves as a launching off point for this in-depth conversation that covers the gamut of what marriage really means from the Lord’s perspective.

One of the saddest statistics about marriage is its bleak success rate in the western world. Even in the church, marriages end at an alarmingly high percentage. But on today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, Charles Morris turns the tables on this narrative by sharing a story of a marriage that ended ... only to be redeemed later down the road. Recorded in 2015, Juana Mikels (author of Choosing Him All Over Again) tells Charles Morris about how she reached a point where she was unhappy with her life, and so she decided to leave her husband, house, and friends to search for happiness. Instead of finding a new Mr. Right, she found Jesus. But what happened next? Would her husband take her back? Listen in to hear this incredible story of how Christ’s love can transform the way we love each other.

Where is Jesus when you need Him most? Whether it’s a chronic condition or a tragic accident, even believers find themselves ill-equipped to handle the myriad of afflictions that often catch us by surprise. That’s why it’s so important to learn now from those who have come before us, people like Joni Eareckson Tada who discovered just how essential it is to practice daily closeness with Christ. “Suffering has a way of heaving you beyond the shallows of life where your faith tends to feel ankle-deep. It casts you out into the fathomless depths of God, a place where Jesus is the only One who can touch bottom.” —Joni Eareckson Tada, The Practice of the Presence of Jesus In this conversation with Charles Morris and David Wollen, Joni discusses the many ways she experiences the presence of Jesus in her own daily life—even when overwhelmed with pain and fatigue. Whatever you may be going through right now, we pray this conversation will help you discover new ways to experience Christ daily, even when He seems far away.

This month, Haven Ministries announced its biggest leadership transition in 25 years with Charles Morris "going emeritus" and David Wollen taking up the torch as the fifth president and host in this ministry's 90 year history. On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, you'll get to hear a recent conversation they had while taking listener questions over ZOOM. Recorded live on January 17, 2024, this captivating event provided a unique opportunity for Haven's community to delve into David Wollen’s passion for ministry, his deep connection with Haven, and his fervent desire to keep sharing the great story that is all about Jesus.

War between Israel and Hamas have dominated the headlines for months. And yet news about what Christ is doing, even in the midst of great suffering and conflict, is often overlooked. Here to talk about it, as well as how modern Jews are discovering Christ in Old Testament Scriptures, is the Executive Director of Jews for Jesus, David Brickner. Three months have now passed since Hamas invaded Israel, sparking a war that continues to rage on today. Following that initial attack, Haven listeners responded by sending more than $200,000 directly to Israel to provide help and hope through Jews for Jesus. On today's episode, David Brickner will also offer updates from the field on how this support has been used to feed Israelis — both physically and spiritually.

All good things must come to an end. But in Christ, there are always new beginnings. On today’s episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Charles Morris introduces Haven Today’s new speaker and president, David Wollen. It’s been almost 25 years now since Charles became the fourth speaker of Haven Today, and as he “goes emeritus,” Charles will still co-host the program with David for a short season. So, join them for a great discussion about Haven’s past, present, and future, and learn more about the work of Christ in David’s life.

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.