Linda & Jere Franklin are willing to tell the truly wrenching story of a life-changing explosion that affected their entire family, but particularly impacted their eight-year-old cheerful boy who for years afterwards had to endure repeated hospitalizations and surgeries, with scars and repairs. Through it all the child who had to grow up so fast, seemed to understand that he had been blessed by God in NOT losing his life, so there was no reason not to live a thankful life! The story is so preciously filled with God’s presence (as particularly identified in the life of their son), you will want to get to know their now-grown son for yourself. Linda’s account of her own journey to acceptance of the disaster is written compellingly, and you will be further blessed if you get her book, Rainbow in the Flames. But whether you do or not, listen to the account shared by these parents who themselves HAD to have power to cope–strength from outside themselves–if they were to watch their son, though scarred for life, become a man, a husband, a father, and a sought-after friend. There’s quite a blessing in this one!

 Scott Barlow  was seeking a closer walk with Jesus about the time of a profound loss that turned the family upside down. Through self-sacrificing service in Ethiopia, the family was united and became focused–while the size of their family increased! In the process, Scott survived electrocution, a life mission was imprinted within all of their hearts and minds, and deep faith and understanding of the Savior became a way of life that might have been missed without the unsettling accident and subsequent events that drew all of them into a really desperate need for power to cope from a Source outside their up-to-then quite predictable world! Just listening to their ministry at a hospital and on the street for the hungry–as well as their participation in the development of an orphanage will challenge your own comfortable world.

Larry Young’s story is a gripping one from a professional man whose own fingers were used by God to save his life. Only God has carried him through the experiences of living literally a breath away from death as his tongue has been removed bit by bit. Finally, to save his life,  half away, with sections of his wrist used to replace what was missing.  For a man who knew what it was like to be in a submarine during Viet Nam–with walls closing in– to having the artery in his mouth burst and blood fill his throat, is surely an account of power to cope that steadied him and his wife through it all. Don’t miss this one!

It was not supposed to happen … but Gaspar and May-Ellen Colon tell of their compatability and love in a down-to-earth self-forgetful way that is truly the essence of any successful marriage. For them, the willingness of May-Ellen to place herself at risk for her husband’s very life is a tender reminder of the sacrifice of Christ–who would do nothing less than what was needed to save us, and she did nothing less than what he needed with urgency, so he could go on. You’ll be profoundly touched by this shared onversation.
between two lovers ready to love until the end–which has not come!

Les Moyer never knew how suited he was for emergency work until he actually began to serve in predictable and unpredictable situations as a First Responder volunteer.   Becoming an emergency medical tech, he soon found himself comfortable in all sorts of emergencies—but was glad when he didn’t have to deal with too many hair-raising experiences like he did when he was working for a company where part of his job description was re-possessing vehicles—and carrying a firearm was standard procedure. How all this led Les into being a cheerful locksmith we aren’t sure—but one thing we know, he’s happy doing whatever he does, because Christ is in his heart!

Dr. Harvey Rittenhouse and his wife Dr. Virginia Gene gave an unforgettable interview years ago for television in New York—Their experience was never forgotten by Pastor Juanita, since their testimony was one of absolute trust in the goodness of God, and the words of Romans 8:28 that ALL things can work together for good to them that love God. A rerun of that interview tells how he was pulled out of a burning motor home just a few seconds before a horrific explosion, Dr. Harvey lived—but lost his vocation, his avocation, and his ability to share his music. No longer a surgeon, a cellist, an oratorical tenor or able to function freely, he did NOT lose his ability to praise God. He had hope then, and he still does! Listen to this and you’ll find it difficult to feel sorry for yourself! This man trusts His God and his joy in life is contagious.

Sonja Carnegie is a dynamic woman who reacted to the shocking word “cancer” with a brief moment of regrouping–then has gone on through weeks of treatment–dealing with changes that come when one is taking chemicals into their body to kill a deadly enemy. She has approached the treatment with confidence in God that inspires amazement knowing it is God who will determine the outcome–while she cooperates with Him–She’s left herself in His care–preferring His will and NOT her own. A blessed and powerul testimony!

Policeman Tony loves the Lord, believes he can make a difference helping people in a big city in the Northeast, even as he prays before making an arrest or handing out a ticket! His smiles and has that old-fashioned belief that if people just knew how he was there to be a help they could trust his concern for them and for enforcing the law. He is becoming a “regular” coming down and volunteering at A KEY ENCOUNTER when he gets a week off duty. His daily walk with God has to be the source of his power to cope with a dangerous job!