Christianity

Francis Chan is not your typical Christian celebrity. He has founded a prominent church and Bible college, authored multiple best-selling books, and is a sought-after speaker. Yet, Chan's extreme success in ministry is not the achievement that sets him apart.

In 2010, Francis Chan stepped down as senior pastor of his 16-year, 4,000-member congregation. "I think there has been too much emphasis on me," he said at the time. "I want to be used by God, but I think we have this desire to make heroes out of people rather than following God and the Holy Spirit."

Chan gives all of the royalties from his wildly popular book, Crazy Love, to the Isaiah 58 Fund, a nonprofit that helps the poor and fights human trafficking. Nowadays, Chan's speaking ministry focuses on reviving Christian discipleship in the body of Christ. And when I've heard him share, he seems honest and vulnerable, a genuine example of the type of godly leadership the church needs today.

Learn about Francis Chan's counterculture way of life and the "less is more" vision that motivates him:

• Francis Chan Biography

_{Image: © David C. Cook}

This week's post is a member-submitted Christian poem called The Next Step. Regardless of human plans, our lives are full of twists, turns, and surprises. This poem is about trusting God with our futures, and the sweet peace that faith can bring.

The Next Step

The next step, dear Lord—
Where will it lead?
What will it be?
What are the hidden things beyond
That lie in store for me?

Does happiness await?
Does pain and poverty?
Failure? Success?
How can I know the fate awaiting me?

Read more of ... The Next Step by Mother Mary Beth Kennedy.

Do you have an original Christian prayer that would encourage or benefit a fellow believer? Perhaps you've written a unique poem you'd like to share with others. We are looking for Christian prayers and poems to encourage our readers in their communication with God. To submit your original prayer or poem, please fill out this Submission Form.

Silent Stories is my monthly blog post giving voice to the persecuted Christians in our world today.

Kidnapped Clerics and Christians Fleeing, Syria

Two archbishops were kidnapped by gunmen on April 22, 2013, in the midst of civil war in Syria. Greek Orthodox Church leader Bishop Boulos Yazigi and Assyrian Orthodox Church leader Bishop Yohanna Ibrahim were ministering in the Aleppo countryside when they were taken at gunpoint.

More than 70,000 people have died in the conflict, churches are being destroyed, and Christians are being killed and tortured. The mass exodus of persecuted Christians is threatening the future of the Syrian Church. I urge you to join believers around the world in prayer for the end of violence in Syria and the release of the two kidnapped bishops.

Read More of This Silent Story:

• Kidnapping of Bishops Threatens Future of Syrian Church
• Syria - 11 on Open Doors World Watch List

Kelsey's parents divorced when she was a small child. Then her mother moved in with a man who sexually abused Kelsey until he was sent to jail. After coming to know Jesus, Kelsey shared her testimony and saw how it helped others who had survived the same kind of abuse. Through this, Kelsey learned that God always has a reason for his children to hang on.

Read: Kelsey's Reason to Hang On

Submit a Testimony:

• Testimony Submission Form
• Share a Before & After Story of Salvation
• Sign Up for eTestimonies

One of the most extraordinary events recorded in the New Testament took place on the Day of Pentecost. We read the remarkable details in the book of Acts, chapter 2.

In Acts 1, the resurrected Savior met with his disciples just before he was taken up into heaven. Jesus told them they would soon receive power from the Holy Spirit to go into the world and be his witnesses. Luke 24:49 records the Lord's instructions: "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

A few days later, the disciples were all together in Jerusalem when the strange events began. A violent wind brought tongues of fire to rest on their heads. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues. Then Peter preached a powerful message to the crowds gathered for the Feast of Pentecost, and the Bible says the people "were cut to the heart." An astounding 3,000 Jews and converts to Judaism received the message of salvation in Jesus, and were baptized and added to the church that day.

Today, 2,000 years later, believers in Jesus Christ continue to be supernaturally filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. In this Bible story summary, learn more about the miraculous outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost:

• Day of Pentecost

_{Photo: Lawrence Lawry / Getty Images}

This week's post is a member-submitted Christian poem called I Am His. It is a declaration of complete and total surrender to God and his will.

I Am His

By faith I call on Jesus Christ,
There is no better friend.
My Strength, my Rock, my "soul" support—
My Savior to the end.

If these words that come from Him
Could only in some small way
Reach out and touch just one lost soul
And bring them home today!

Read more of ... I Am His by Gwen B.

Do you have an original Christian prayer that would encourage or benefit a fellow believer? Perhaps you've written a unique poem you'd like to share with others. We are looking for Christian prayers and poems to encourage our readers in their communication with God. To submit your original prayer or poem, please fill out this Submission Form.

The timeless Bible story of Martha and Mary is one I've returned to study again and again throughout my walk with Christ. Mary and Martha were the sisters of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. They were also close friends of Jesus.

One day when Jesus and the disciples were visiting in Mary's home, a wonderful lesson unfolded. While Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening intently to his words, Martha frantically worked to prepare a meal for her guests.

Now, my name, in fact, is Mary, but I am Martha through and through. I am Martha, not for my hard-working service, but for my tendency to become worried and preoccupied with doing many things when what I really need is to sit for a while with Jesus and be nourished by his Word.

Jesus gently admonished Martha for being anxious and upset and praised Mary for her single-hearted focus on what was most important. If you need a reminder about priorities, as I often do, take another look at the story of Martha and Mary:

• Bible Story Summary - Martha and Mary

_{Photo: Getty Images}

At an early age, Embee lost interest in faith. By the time she reached grad school, her life was fulfilling, fun, and she felt no need for God. Yet, Embee knew she had a decision to make. Would she believe in God or become an agnostic? One day an authentic Christian encouraged Embee to make her choice and suddenly she discovered a passion for reading God's Word. Not long after that, Embee had a personal revelation of truth through an amazing Pentecost experience.

Read: Embee's Pentecost Experience

Submit a Testimony:

• Testimony Submission Form
• Share a Before & After Story of Salvation
• Sign Up for eTestimonies

Trappist Monks and Trappistines, or nuns, are part of the Roman Catholic monastic order known as the Cistercians of the Strict Observance. Embracing an ascetic lifestyle of prayer and silent contemplation, they follow the Rule of Benedict.

Since their monasteries are required to be self-supporting, Trappist monks have become rather enterprising. You're probably familiar with some of their more popular products, such as Trappist beers and cheeses.

Today, we'll take a peek inside the monastery walls to learn how Trappist monks live and support their work.

• Learn About Trappist Monks
• All About Trappist Cheese
• What Are Trappist Beers?

_{Photo: Getty Images}

This week's post is a member-submitted Christian poem called Crossroads. All people must make the choice in life between God's narrow way and the path of the world, and this beautiful poem describes the two options well.

Crossroads

The entrance to the narrow way
is nothing to behold,
but the way that leads away from Life
has glittering gates of gold.

"Come in, come in" the tempter cries,
"Here pleasure you will find.
"That dark smoke of a distant fire--
"that need not cloud your mind.

"For here my servants find delight
"and freedom for their will,
"no God to tell them what to do.
"of sin they have their fill."

Read more ... Crossroads by David Bingham.

Do you have an original Christian prayer that would encourage or benefit a fellow believer? Perhaps you've written a unique poem you'd like to share with others. We are looking for Christian prayers and poems to encourage our readers in their communication with God. To submit your original prayer or poem, please fill out this Submission Form.