Living Ministries

John MacArthur has an answer for those finding the Christian life too complicated, their zeal diminished, and their relationship with Jesus growing cold and predictable. Award-winning author and respected pastor-teacher John MacArthur reminds us in A Simple Christianity that what's been lost can be found, and tells us how!

Depression and suicide aren't just a worldwide epidemic, they also hit home. With over 350 million people suffering from depression and an estimated one million Americans attempting suicide each year, most of us have been affected by this terrible plague - or perhaps struggle with it ourselves. How can we help those who feel they have no hope? In this moving fictional account, a caring bystander tries to convince a suicidal young man that his life has value and he has much to live for. Through their conversation, you will discover why we all have great worth, everyone has a reason.

Youth ministry is an essential part of most evangelical churches. And yet, there is a surprising lack of resources written specifically for youth workers focused on viewing all aspects of youth ministry through a gospel-focused lens. Featuring contributions from a host of experienced youth workers from a wide variety of churches, this how-to manual offers guidance related to every facet of youth ministry, from planning short-term mission trips to working with parents.

Prayer is an essential of the Christian life. Yet confusion abounds, and we have a tendency to make it more complicated than Jesus ever intended. Going back to the basics, best-selling author and pastor Jack Hayford teaches that prayer is person-to-Person communication - a combination of worship, fellowship, and intercession. He teaches that the Bible's call to prayer is neither mystical nor theoretical, and he gives seven simple steps, as outlined by Jesus, on how to pray. He also gives three keys to effective asking in prayer and attacking through prayer.

Our world constantly tells us to "do what feels good", especially when it comes to issues related to sexuality. Sadly, this mind-set always leads to guilt, pain, and heartache. And yet, in the gospel, there is good news for the sexually broken. Pointing listeners to the grace of Jesus Christ, longtime counselor and teacher David Powlison offers hope for both the sexually immoral and the sexually victimized: all brokenness will one day be transformed.

In this helpful and encouraging book, Elizabeth Liebert introduces the practice of discernment and guides listeners through the process of faithful decision making. Following the way of discernment means becoming increasingly able to notice where God is at work in the world and in one's own life - and becoming increasingly generous with one's own life in response.

When you said, “I do”, you entered marriage with high hopes, dreaming it would be supremely happy. You never intended for it to be miserable. Millions of couples are struggling in desperate marriages. But the story doesn’t have to end there. Dr. Gary Chapman writes, “I believe that in every troubled marriage, one or both partners can take positive steps that have the potential for changing the emotional climate in their marriage.”

We live in a world full of shiny distractions, faced with an onslaught of viral media constantly competing for our attention and demanding our affections. These ever-present visual "spectacles" can quickly erode our hearts, making it more difficult than ever to walk through life actively treasuring that which is most important and yet invisible: Jesus Christ. In a journalistic style, Tony Reinke shows us just how distracting these spectacles in our lives have become, and calls us to ask critical questions about what we're focusing on.

In the book of Colossians, Christ is unveiled to a fuller extent than in any other book in the Bible. Christ is unveiled as the all-inclusive one, having the first place in all things as the mystery and embodiment of God, as the head and constituent of the church, as the allotted portion, life, constituent, and hope of the saints, and as the body of all positive things. In addition to presenting such a Christ as the one person in God's economy, Colossians also presents the cross of Christ as the one way in God's government.

Issuing a bold wake-up call to America, New York Times best-selling author Brigitte Gabriel reveals the people, organizations, and forces at work to dismantle our Judeo-Christian values and freedoms, destabilize and threaten our national security, and radically redefine our very way of life. Gabriel regularly faces death threats from terrorists, condemnation from critics, and attacks from the "PC police", yet she refuses to back down.

On the night of November 5, 2006, the Barrick family was driving home from church when their van was struck by a drunk driver. Fifteen-year-old Jen suffered multiple skull fractures and severe brain trauma and was not expected to survive the night. But against all odds, she did. As she lingered in a coma, doctors warned that if Jen ever woke up, she would be cursing and screaming in confusion due to her brain injuries. Instead, after five weeks she opened her eyes and began praying and praising God.

Tina Konkin was devastated when she learned her husband was having an affair with her best friend. How could this happen to a couple who were Christian marriage counselors? But the surprises didn't stop there, because God immediately asked Tina this question: "What role did you play in this, Tina?" That question and Tina's willingness to answer it led to a restored, renewed marriage that was better than ever before, as well as a marriage counseling program that has an 80% success rate.

Now, as more families like Michael's are affected by a growing number of disorders and difficulties ranging from autism to food allergies, the need for programs and paradigm shifts is greater than ever. Beates thus seeks to motivate churches to pursue ministry to children and adults with developmental disabilities. He works through key Bible passages on brokenness and disability to develop helpful principles for believers and churches, teaching them first to embrace their own brokenness and then to embrace those who are more physically and visibly broken.

Let's Take Our Job Back is an urgent call to action for pastors and ministry leaders to reclaim the church's mission: to be the transformative force that Jesus envisioned. Kelly Stickel addresses the global church's response to contemporary crises—COVID-19, political polarization, racial injustice, and more—emphasizing that now, more than ever, the church must step up, take responsibility for its shortcomings, rediscover its true identity, and become the solution to the world's problems.

Gospel workers are called to be both/and people: both patient and urgent, both confident and humble, both dependent on God and committed to hard work, both theologically driven and practically wise, and more. Often, these requirements feel as though they’re in tension. But this book shows that rather than leaning one way or the other, or seeking to strike a balance, authentic gospel ministry is found in pursuing both/and. To settle for less puts ourselves and our churches in danger.

We live in a society that has largely abandoned moral standards and Christian principles. Unkept campaign promises, false advertising, exaggerated tax exemptions, employee theft - compromise has become a way of life. Such moral concession has even invaded the church. Faced with an opportunity to proclaim Christ to unbelievers, we feel intimidated and keep silent. Or we water down God's word on ethical issues at work or in our community to avoid rejection. Too often we prefer hypocrisy to integrity.

You know the "prosperity gospel." The "name it and claim it gospel." The "political gospel". The messages being preached on at least 90 percent of religious television. But what about the Gospel? What was it the apostle Paul was "unashamed" of? Most Christians don't understand what the true Gospel of Jesus is. In our church sanctuaries pastors neglect to preach the fear of God and eternal punishment. Church communities have grown to believe that all are saved and none will be lost. Meanwhile many other Christians lack assurance of their own salvation and focus on sanctification as their only ticket to Heaven.

Nicky Cruz's heart had turned to stone when he was only three. His mother nicknamed him the son of Satan, and he was severely abused, both physically and mentally. After moving from Puerto Rico to New York, Nicky became the leader of a notorious street gang the Mau Maus. He turned into a violent street criminal before he was eighteen. David Wilkerson, a skinny preacher from Pennsylvania, reached out to him with relentless love. He said, Nicky, Jesus loves you, and this simple message opened the door to a new life for Nicky Cruz.

After the Bible, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis is the favorite book of Catholics throughout the world and has been the spiritual guide of the saints since it first appeared in 1418. And of the English editions, none can equal this inspiring translation of Bishop Richard Challoner. This book speaks to the soul of every true Christian, reminding him of the fleeting nature of earthly joy as opposed to the eternity of happiness with God.

The book of Romans is the Bible’s most comprehensive summary of salvation by Jesus Christ. Beloved for its profound theological depths, this letter of Paul’s has captured the minds and warmed the hearts of Christians throughout history. It remains a favorite New Testament epistle for its rich presentation of the gospel, the power of God to redeem people from sin and transform them into the likeness of His Son. This daily devotional lets you spend a year in Romans with Dr. R.C. Sproul as your guide.