FIREWATCH: do you wanna know who my living heroes are?

Jim Eller - Jim and I went to East Peoria Community High School way back in the 80s & 90s, and we had lost touch after that. But through the wonders of Facebook, we reconnected, and I was wowed to find that Jim suffered a debilitating accident a few years back, but has leaned on Christ through it all and is now traveling the country, sharing his story and inspiring others to continue on in their faith. You need to read his full story!

Pastor Robbie & Sara Hereth - I just met Rob recently and have found that he and his wife are moving to the Sudan to do full times mission work there, reaching out to the Muslims in an area that really couldn't be called a safe one. I admire their dedication and risk for the LORD. Check out their details and support them!

James Whitley, Heather Coleman & the Israel team - most of you already know about this adventure happening in November. A team from here in northern Virginia is headed over to Jerusalem to work with children with disabilities. Rekindling is proud to sponsor them! If you want to give to the work they are doing, donate to Rekindling and include a comment that it is for their trip!

Pastor Boli Zhang - Pastor Zhang is the pastor for Harvest Chinese Christian Church, where I am youth pastor. His story is an amazing one! He was one of the major student leaders in the Tianeman Square revolt 20 years ago (he was at one point #15 on China's most wanted list). While on the run, he was hiding in a Christian family's home near the Soviet border. It was there he was introduced to the Bible (the family made him read it to them as payment for staying there since they were illiterate; genius!) Escaping into Russia, he ended up nearly frozen to death in haystack in a remote part of the borderlands. He told God if God saved him, he would dedicate his life. The next day, nearly dead, some farm workers found him and helped him recover. Making his way to the USA, he entered the ministry and is now a very popular Chinse pastor, both here in the states and in the mainland.

Lindsay Sullivan - I met Lindsay through the Kazakhstan trip back in 2005 (where I met the Uraimovs). Lindsay works for CCC/AIA as well. Her escapades and adventures around the world, reaching athletes for King Jesus are so remarkable to me. I thoroughly enjoy reading of her experiences and the work she is doing for the Kingdom. She truly is the definition of a Godly, Christ-like woman! Follow along with her adventures.

Brian & AnnieLaurie Walters - This couple is a fun one to know and talk with. They were Cindy Shiblie and I's coaches for our mission trip to Israel in 2007. They love God, they love each other and they love mission work! Just thinking about them puts a smile on my face. Get a taste of how they see the world.

Mike Kelsey and Jessica Thompson - these are two dear friends of mine on staff at Mclean Bible Church, who I volunteered under for two years. Their passion for serving God, their maturity in their walks, and the level of 'coolness and hipness' that oozes from their pores make them two of my favorite leaders! Check out their activities.

and now for the biggest power hitters in my book....

the Stump Clan - my Uncle Jerry passed away when I was in high school, but the family that survives him are going to have streets in Heaven named after them, I am sure of it. My Aunt Sheila is the single best example of what it means to suffer in life and yet still rejoice that she can love and serve her Savior and Master! Polio, poverty, loss of husband and more have surrounded my Aunt. And yet she is one of the silliest, happiest and holiest people on this planet. When I see her and her new husband Pastor Carl serve a small Assembly of God church in Odin, IL, when I see her passionate about the teens there and the congregation who are confused, stumbling, hopeless and more, when I see her pray for her family and loved ones, when I see her stand up and dance as best she can in praise of the Ancient of Days, I am moved to tears and laughter. And her kids, my awesome cousins, are no different! Trixie and Shawn have had their share of down-and-outs and yet now they are proud parents, pursuing their callings of writing/discipling and video editing, all the while with smiles on their faces and trust in their LORD. To my aunt and cousins, I say hats off to you!

Edward Hunt - this man epitomizes the book of Acts. When I see Edward counseling, when I hear him pray, when I talk with him about pursuing Christ, I really feel I am watching someone from the first-century early church. I kinda wonder if God had originally planned to have Edward born around 5 A.D. but then changed His Mind and decided to put him at the end of the twentieth century, to have an impact on me and hundreds of others in the DC area, in a very real and personal way. Edward, thank you my friend. I love ya my brother!

all my Parents! - I have been raised since I was little to serve God passionately (learned from my Ma) and to serve Him practically (learned from my Pop). They are the most loving and supportive people in my life and I look up to them for wisdom, strength and faith. And their spouses, Suzette and Ron, are my second set of parents, just as strong in their walks, just as wise and just as supportive. I've watched as the four of them went through tough times, but never strayed from God, never lost their faith. They are very real, very sincere Christians and it has been moving to watch them live life, in all its ups and downs.

the Palestinian Christians! - my good friend Cindy Shiblie took me and a team to Israel and the West Bank in March 2007, and my eyes were opened. Besides seeing the 'dead stones', the impressive ruins scattered throughout the Holy Land, I had the privilege of meeting 'living stones', heroes of the faith who were standing up for Christ in the midst of war and loss. The work of Marcel from Reconciliation Ministries and Salim at Musalaha trying to mend wounds between Arabs and Israelis. Sammer and Rajai (and their wives) making a major impact through Life Agape and Back to Jerusalem. Labib and the Palestinian Bible Society teaching the name of Christ everywhere they can. The House of Prayer in Jericho doing Saturday morning Bible studies for the local citizens. Pastor Jack Sara and Alliance Church working right in the heart of Jerusalem. The Living Stones Student Center in Bir Zeit, mixing Muslim and Christian students despite several fire bombs. (It was there I met a Palestinian believer who said that while it was hard that he had lost family and property in the violence, it was the cross that Christ has asked him to carry, and so he does!) Bishara Awad and Bethlehem Bible College, training a new generation of pastors and ministers at the birthplace of Christ. Immanuel Bible Church and Pastor Nihad, who truly moved me with his dedication to serving his flock at all costs. (This included a family who had their house commandeered by Israeli soldiers during the last Intifada, and even while being held hostage, they shared the Good News of Jesus with the Israeli soldiers in the kitchen! As well as a father-son duo, trying to put out a fire outside their home, and an Apache helicopter opened fire on them, but as they looked up, a cloud of sorts passed between them and the firing cannon, and not a single bullet hit them, though upon inspection the next day, the entire ground was littered with bullet holes!) And I can not leave out the heroes living in Gaza. Taking food in the midst of gunfire to Christian and Muslim homes alike. Maintaining a Christian book store in Gaza City despite many threats. Healing epileptic children in cages through prayer. They truly are 'cities on a hill', light in a dark region. Cindy Shiblie is starting a new profit, that will be setting its sights on supporting the Palestinian Christians, encouraging them, praying with them, and visiting them. If you would like more info on this, or anything relating to the amazing list of Christ's servants in the Holy Land, contact Cindy at cshiblie@hotmail.com

Lastly, all the hidden, underground heroes, around the world, fighting for the Faith in love and perseverance - there are two awesome websites, called Secret Believers (in affiliation with Brother Andrew and Open Doors) and the Persecuted Church. They includes blogs from secret followers of Christ and a variety of ways to support our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. I really look forward to the first day of Heaven, where we will celebrate these heroes and those down through the ages who were taunted, attacked and martyred for our King. I can't wait to see the rewards that will be bestowed upon them.

Just think about how awesome Heaven is going to be! We will be able to first and foremost worship our loving God. We will also be able to honor the heroes of the faith, who made sacrifices and put the things of this world behind them to grab on to heavenly things. They dedicated their lives to serving Christ and others. And we will celebrate that!

So to all these heroes listed here (and the thousands and more living today and from the past) I say: thank you.

Thank you for the example you have set for me. Thank you for inspiring me. Thank you for giving me strength. I stand by your side, humbled. I pray for you. I got your back. It is my privilege and my honor to support you in whatever way I can. May the glory and the power and the blessings and the protection of our LORD and Savior keep you.

Satan, look out. For Christ's Jesus' servants are worshipping and obeying Him in greater and greater numbers, at greater and greater levels of sacrifice and dedication. We are leaning on Him, we are learning from Him and we are doing everything in our power and His Power to glorify Him.

For the Kingdom and the Ancient of Days!