Ever since I was 16, I knew that God was calling me to Japan and I never understood why until after I fell in love with the country and the idea of doing ministry there full-time. Most people are unaware that Japan contains one of the largest unreached populations in the entire world, with only about one percent identifying as Christian. Unreached means that they have never heard the Gospel, not that they are hostile to it. Also, there is only one church for every 16,000 people and each church can only hold about 40 people.
Rachel Allen (third from left) is a freshman in college majoring in Global Ministry.
I believe God has given me the skills and the passion “for such a time as this” (as Mordecai said to Esther as a call to action to save the Israelites from death). This summer, God has called me to serve in Japan under Pioneers, which is a nonprofit organization that sends missionaries all over the world, specifically in the 10/40 window. I will be teaching English alongside my teammates, serving local churches, and participating in street outreach.
Rachel first became interested in sharing the Gospel in Japan when she attended the Motion Student Conference in 2021 where one of the speakers told a story about a missionary who went to Japan.
There are millions of people in Japan who will die never hearing the name of Jesus if we as a Christian community don’t do something about it. This is the ‘why’ that drives everything I do. From learning about missions at Highlands College, to praying for the unreached, to developing relationships with international students weekly at an event hosted by Baptist Campus Ministries at UAB, I strive to be the best I can be while also relying on Christ to eventually make it to the mission field. But I can’t do it alone.
There’s a saying that I think perfectly captures the idea of missionary work. “I’ll go down in the pit if you’ll hold the rope.” Missionaries like me rely on the support of God’s people to hold us up as we dive headfirst into sharing the Gospel. We need a strong team of “rope holders” who will help us bring God’s light into communities that may never otherwise experience it. That, readers, is what I am here to offer. An opportunity to join me in sharing the Gospel in Japan through two forms of partnership: prayer and financial support. If you would like to become a partner in this mission, please email me at [email protected] and I will send you the link to donate as well as add you to my e-newsletter which will have updates and prayer requests.
May is the month we honor our wonderful mothers. While there are so many endearing attributes we could mention, like the love, attention, and nurturing they give us through the years, there is another that brings much joy to so many. It surrounds their labor of love for us in the kitchen. These favored recipes become our culinary heritage. I salivate when thinking of all the favorite dishes our mothers and grandmothers have blessed us with down through the years.
Danna is seen here with her parents, Gerald and Shirley Swann.
And heaven forbid we find no one has the recipe written down after our loved one has graduated on to glory. How could we let this happen? Many of our mommas and grandmas kept their recipes safely tucked away in their creative and loving minds. Without their written recipes, we spend years trying to formulate the exact recipe to get that special feeling when our feet were tucked under their table as we enjoyed our loved ones’ food. So, I encourage you, my friends, to gather up your family’s recipes so you can pass these legacy recipes down in your kitchen and in your family.
As a fitting tribute to my mother, mother-in-law, and grandmothers, here are selections of favored family recipes to celebrate all the love and nurturing we received from our matriarchs. Now, what are your family favorites? Now is the time to write them down and pass them on. When your loved ones are gone, the recipes will be gone forever. So, get busy my friends! I’d love for you to email me a copy of your recipe and the story that goes with it to [email protected].
Line an oblong casserole dish with dried beef. Roll each chicken breast and wrap it with a slice of bacon. Place wrapped chicken on top of dried beef. Combine sour cream and soup and pour it over the chicken. Sprinkle with paprika. Cover with foil. Bake for 3 hours at 300 degrees. Remove foil for the last 30 minutes. Serves 8. *Can also put in the crockpot on low all day, around 8 hours. For smaller servings, cut the bacon and the chicken in half, then you will have 16 smaller servings.
Sunday Best Pot Roast
By Shirley Swann, Danna’s Mom
Ingredients:
3 lb beef roast
2 cans beefy mushroom soup
4 carrots, cut in 1-inch pieces
4 potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 medium onion
Salt and pepper for seasoning
Directions:
Salt and season the roast the night before adding your favorite marinade and keep refrigerated. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown both sides of roast in a heavy skillet on top of the stove. Place roast in a covered skillet or Dutch oven and cook for 1 ½ hours. Then, pour soup over roast and add 1 can of water. Add vegetables and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 1 ½ hours or until meat is tender. Enjoy!
If you’ve attended a burial service for a United States veteran, you have likely heard the military bugle call Taps being played. This special tradition, with its Civil War roots, is given as a final tribute to honor the veteran’s service to the nation. Unfortunately, the number of buglers who perform Taps in the state of Alabama has greatly decreased over the years. Birmingham’s Dr. Matthew Burford, founder of Tactical Faith and dedicated bugler for 25 years, hopes to change that.
“Twenty-five years ago, I was asked to play Taps at a veteran’s funeral when no one else was available. That moment left a deep impression on me,” Dr. Burford reflects, adding, “I realized the profound silence and meaning in those 24 notes, and how they spoke for a nation when words could not. That led me to volunteer with Bugles Across America.” Dr. Burford explains that over the years, he has seen a growing need for buglers in the state. This need led him to start the Real Taps for Real Heroes initiative. “We’re losing both the musicians and the tradition. I want to raise awareness and invite a new generation – especially students and young trumpet players – to carry this tradition forward.”
Dr. Matthew Burford, adjunct professor at Samford University, is seen here performing Taps at the American Cemetery and Memorial at Normandy. He says the experience was “truly the pinnacle of my 25 years volunteering with Bugles Across America.”
“Our mission is simple- to ensure every veteran receives a live performance of Taps. We aim to recruit, train, and inspire more volunteer buglers while educating the public about the meaning behind the call. It’s about honoring service, preserving tradition, and making sure the last goodbye is personal, reverent, and real,” Dr. Burford says. As part of the Real Taps for Real Heroes initiative, Dr. Burford recently traveled to Normandy and Brittany in France to play Taps at the American cemeteries. When asked to describe the experience, he shares, “It’s hard to put into words. Playing Taps at Normandy and Brittany in France was humbling beyond anything I’ve experienced. These are not just cemeteries- they’re sacred spaces where history and sacrifice meet. Standing there, horn in hand, surrounded by rows of white crosses, you feel the weight of what those men and women gave.” Dr. Burford also often performs Taps at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo and shares that this cemetery is just as sacred to him. “Whether it’s overseas or in our own backyard, the mission is the same- honor the fallen, comfort the families, and make sure no one is forgotten.”
While there are certain requirements to becoming a bugler with Bugles Across America, Dr. Burford explains that they are straightforward. “You need to be able to play Taps clearly and respectfully on a trumpet or bugle. Bugles Across America has an audition process- usually a video submission- and once approved, you’re placed on a volunteer roster. From there, you’re able to sign up for services in your area.” To anyone considering volunteering with Bugles Across America, he says, “If you can play Taps and have a heart to serve, you’re needed. It’s one of the most meaningful things you’ll ever do. You’re giving a family comfort. You’re standing in the gap. You’re helping a grateful nation say goodbye. And that’s something worth being part of.” To learn more about Real Taps for Real Heroes, visit www.realtapsforrealheroes.com.
How often have you thought: when you get this, buy that, reach this goal, or have this much money, you will be happy and satisfied? With determination, you do whatever it takes to get what you want. You later discover the satisfaction gained from these acquisitions is temporary.
Before you know it, you pursue the next opportunity or person to fill the emptiness. True meaning in life comes from delighting in the One who can satisfy your deepest longings- Jesus Christ. He alone gives true purpose and provides lasting fulfillment. When you do things for attention and receive acceptance from others, it may provide a sense of fulfillment. Similar feelings may come from marrying the man of your dreams, donating many hours to community work, or watching your child’s classmates devour your homemade cookies. However, endeavors that create happiness, popularity, or status in the community provide the illusion of ultimate fulfillment. Involvement in these worthwhile activities paints a distorted picture of enduring gratification.
Fulfillment Defined. Biblical inner peace, contentment, and satisfaction are indicators of true fulfillment. Feelings that result from striving to please and measure up to others’ expectations fade.Infinite inner peace is the realization you are loved and accepted by God. Continued contentment is knowing you have value without adding material things or achievements. Sustained satisfaction is knowing you are living for a higher and eternal purpose. There is security in knowing you are complete in Christ and can be yourself. Most people long to feel that their presence matters and that they have value.
Fulfillment Discovered. You are on the path to fulfillment when you no longer feel compelled to keep up with others or follow the latest fads. Releasing yourself from the relentless pursuit of doing more, buying more, and achieving more, leads to real contentment. Authentic contentment is found in learning to walk in obedience to Christ while you extend love and support to others.Christ loves you and can fill your hollow soul with Himself. He makes life complete and desires your company. Genuine fulfillment happens when there is an ongoing dependence on and communion with God. When your soul’s appetite yearns for Christ, you will have complete nourishment and no longer feel deficient. Psalm 107:9 (ESV) states, “For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.”
Christ alone satisfies the emptiness in your soul. He is enough!
-Vanessa M. Jones
Vice President & Co-founder of Biblical Marriage Institute
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19
As a child, my story was tattered with abuse and neglect. My mother struggled with drug addiction and mental health issues. My father was in and out of jail due to theft, drugs and rape. When I was around five years old, he was sent to the state penitentiary with a life sentence.
Bree Sorgee has been married to her husband Jamie for 24 years. They love to spend time with their children and grandchildren.
All through my childhood we bounced around from place to place to avoid child services and authorities. We would be left with strangers and random men. I became the most consistent caretaker for my younger sisters. One afternoon, my mom took my sisters and I to the grocery store, went inside and never came back out. After a while, a police officer came up to the window of the car and started asking me questions. Eventually they told me that my mom had left and that we were going to live with my paternal grandparents for a while. In elementary school my school principal started noticing signs that concerned her and began talking to me. One afternoon a DHR worker came to the school and talked to me about all the things I had told the principal.
When we moved to Big Oak Ranch, we were finally free. It took me a long time to realize that the Ranch was our saving grace. It was hard for me to let go of the responsibilities of parenting my sisters. I began to work through my trauma with counselors, two in particular, who really taught me a lot about what a trusting relationship should be. After moving from the Ranch as a young adult, I became a mom and found a husband who loves me, for me. I was able to form strong relationships and trust others and the support they could provide me. Today, I am known as Bree Sorgee, a loving wife, a caring friend, mother and BeBe to my grandchildren. I no longer have to live under the shadow of pain from my past. I proudly say that Big Oak Ranch set me on a path to success, and I am forever grateful.
As our lives become increasingly busy, finding quality time to spend with family can become increasingly challenging. Family retreats offer a unique opportunity to step away from the chaos of daily routines, reconnect with one another, and grow in your faith together.
What Is a Family Retreat? A family retreat is some dedicated time away, ideally in a restful location, where families participate in enriching activities designed to foster connection, faith, and relaxation. Family retreats can vary from weekend getaways to week-long experiences. The primary goal is to create space for families to grow in their relationships with each other and deepen their faith. Summer could be a great season for your family to consider planning your own family retreat.
What Would a Family Retreat Look Like? For your family retreat, you want to focus on the relational – your relationship with your family and God. Minimizing technology and screens on a family retreat can create space for these relationships to deepen. Strategic activities like hiking, canoeing, or team-building exercises can help develop deeper family relationships. These shared experiences create lasting memories, help family members appreciate one another’s strengths, and support each other in growth.Connecting with God on a deeper level as a family can be done through intentional time away from regular life. Depending on the age of your kids, this will likely look different. Your family could gather around a firepit and go around the circle, sharing stories of how God is working in each of your lives. You could read and discuss a book of the Bible, have times of prayer and encouragement for each family member, or read through several selected stories from a children’s Bible. No matter what you choose, connecting with God is what sets a family retreat apart from an ordinary vacation.
What Could Be the Goals for a Family Retreat? Before heading to a retreat, it’s a good idea to discuss goals and expectations as a family. Encourage each member to share what they hope to gain from the experience—whether it’s deeper connections, spiritual growth, or simply some much-needed relaxation. Summer is a great time to consider scheduling a family retreat, which would be a transformative experience that can revitalize relationships and deepen faith. By stepping away from routines and embracing this intentional time together, families can emerge more connected, rejuvenated, and ready to face life’s challenges together, united as a family.
-Dr. Ben Birdsong
Director of European Expansion for First Priority Global Ministries
Introverts thrive in connection- not in spite of being quiet but because of it. In Living Connected: An Introvert’s Guide to Friendship, author Afton Rorvik invites introverts to see their quiet nature as a strength in building meaningful friendships. With gentle wisdom and practical ideas, she shares how introverts can create deep connections without losing themselves. Discover how to nurture relationships in ways that feel natural, authentic, and life-giving—just as you are.
Author Afton Rorvik savors words, flavored coffee, time outside, and living connected. Although an introvert, she has come to realize that what really matters in life is people and faith in Jesus, which gives her strength and courage to live connected.
Perfect for personal reading or small groups, Living Connected offers thoughtful reflections and discussion questions to help introverts encourage one another, share their stories, and build authentic community- one quiet connection at a time.
Check out what one reviewer has to say about Living Connected: “Afton Rorvik gets me. If you’re an introvert, she gets you too. She knows a bit about what it is to live in your skin. In Living Connected, Rorvik leads the reader down a path of discovery and self-understanding. I discovered grace to embrace how and who I am as well as fresh strategies to live well—and to live loved—as an introvert. No one who’s an introvert should miss this book!” —Margot Starbuck, author of The Grown Woman’s Guide to Online Dating
Living Connected is available wherever books are sold. Visit shop.ironstreammedia.com to find a preview of the book. †
In 2025, everyone is busy, especially parents. Working, raising children, and taking care of household tasks are never-ending. Though serving others is an important part of a faith-filled life, there’s often not enough time and energy to do everything. It can sometimes feel as if the time it takes to keep a home clean and organized is a waste of time that could be used in service for the Kingdom.
Every Home a Foundation: Experiencing God through Your Everyday Routines encourages readers to see their home routines as a way to serve.
However, in Phylicia Masonheimer’s new book, Every Home a Foundation, she shares ways that women can serve through their homes to “love others well.” For years, Masonheimer had a career and ministry that involved a lot of travel. When her life changed to instead working at home, she found that “it was possible to be home a lot… yet not be home at all.”
“My mind was not content there. Each month had one or two speaking engagements or commitments to pull me out of the house; away from my young children, away from the repetitive work of dishes and laundry for the real, important work of ministry. I lived in the home, I even loved my home, but ultimately my attitude toward home was one of ingratitude.” She further elaborates on this idea in Chapter Six: “All to the Glory of God.”
“The work of the home might not be glamorous, but it is important; it blesses everyone it touches. By seeing our home rhythms as an act of service, we move outside ourselves to a selfless point of view.” This work includes thirteen chapters divided into two parts: A Theology of Home and A Liturgy of Home. Throughout the book, Masonheimer teaches how women to find purpose in their homes as well as practical tips on ways to use mundane tasks to make a home a place of belonging, connection, and service. At the end of the book is a bonus chapter with practical advice, “Hosting with Young Children.” In the epilogue, Masonheimer sums up how she feels about seeing home as a way to serve, not simply a series of tasks to be completed. “I want to be part of what God is doing in and through my home, and I believe the world will be transformed, not by more people on stages but by more people on mission, starting on the kitchen floor.” Learn more about Every Home a Foundation at www.phyliciamasonheimer.com.
Congratulations to Caleb Cartee from Homewood High School, the recipient of the Annual Birmingham Christian Family (BCF) Scholarship! Cartee receives a $2,000 scholarship to the college or university of his choice. Read his inspiring words on how his Christian faith impacted his decision to go to college.
“My grandfather has a saying: when things are sideways, they’re “as messed up as a soup sandwich.” That’s kind of how choosing a college felt at first. There were so many options, and each one had something different to offer. But at the end of the day, my faith was what guided my decision. Mississippi College, soon to be Mississippi Christian University, stood out to me because it wasn’t just about academics. It was about growing in my faith while preparing for my future. The fact that I’ll be in the first class of their 200-year anniversary is just a cool bonus.
Faith has shaped every part of my life. It’s helped me navigate challenges, given me purpose, and taught me to put others before myself. That’s why I chose physical therapy as my career path. It’s not just about helping people heal physically, it’s about walking with them through recovery, encouraging them, and making sure they know they’re not alone. Mississippi Christian University will prepare me not only academically but also spiritually for this kind of work.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned through my faith is that life isn’t just about me. It’s about serving others and making a difference by faithfulness. That’s something I want to carry into my career. Physical therapy isn’t just about strengthening muscles, it’s about restoring confidence, mobility, and hope. I want to be the kind of therapist who sees my patients as people first, not just injuries to fix.
College won’t be all deep life lessons and chapel services. There will be tough situations, long nights of studying, and moments when I question why I signed up for an 8 a.m. class. But knowing I’ll be in a Christ-centered environment reassures me that I’ll have the right foundation to get through those realities of life.
At the end of the day, my decision to attend Mississippi Christian University is about more than just getting a degree. It’s about growing in my faith, being part of a community that shares my values, and preparing myself for a future where I can serve others. I want my college years to be about more than academics. I want them to be about becoming the person God has called me to be so I can serve those He has called me to serve.”
Here are some additional inspiring words from the 2025 Finalists on how their Christian faith impacted their decision to go to college. Runner-Ups Laney Thompson and Ellyson Turner each receive a $500 scholarship to the college of their choice.
Runner-Up Laney Thompson, from Springville High School, says, “As a devoted Christian, I realized that He was calling me to surrender my academic life to Him. As I pursued Him with more passion and vigor than ever before, I released the future I had imagined for myself and surrendered my college journey to Him. As He pruned my heart, my education became about glorifying Him rather than myself. In surrender, I asked the Lord to show me where to further my academic career, according to His will, and He opened door after door to Baylor University.
When Dean Henry spoke the words, “To whom much is given, much is required,” I felt confirmation that Baylor University is where I am meant to be. There, I will be encouraged by professors and fellow students to work hard for His glory rather than my own. I will be prepared for a future of living for Christ and spreading the Gospel in the medical field.”
Runner-Up Ellyson Turner, from Evangel Christian School, shares, “In every decision I make, I hope to place God at the center. My faith has played a significant role in my decision to attend university, especially in choosing to pursue a career in film and art. My desire to create beautiful and intelligent films stems from observing the world God has designed around me. From stunning sunsets to even the tiny details of every insect, I have always felt connected to every unit of His creation. Every aspect of life reflects His craftsmanship, and that inspires me to create stories that capture His beauty, truth, and vastness. Beyond my passion for film itself, my faith has also made me aware of the ever-growing need for more Christian voices in the film and art world. In an industry driven by trends and profit, the need for loving, kind, creative, faith-lead artists to remind the world where beauty comes from is necessary. God, the ultimate Creator, is the origin of all the beauty we see today.”
Top Five Finalist Paisleanne Maddox, from Essential Church School, says, “Sourcing my identity in Him and leaning on His promises help when I have tough days. I would not be where I am today without Him. As I look back on my health journey, I can see how my faith has flourished. I know God wove health problems into my story for a reason. He is crafting something beautiful that only He can do. Each day, I can see more clearly how God is using this for my calling.”
Top Five Finalist Emily Prickett, from Hewitt-Trussville High School, shares, “My Christian faith has been the foundation of my life, shaping my values, aspirations, and the way I view my future. As I prepare for college, my faith has played a key role in my decision to attend Auburn University. Through the strong Christian community at Auburn, influential mentors I’ve met along the way, and experiences that have broadened my understanding of sharing the Gospel, I feel confident that Auburn is where I am meant to grow both academically and spiritually.”
In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, many individuals are on a quest to find meaning and purpose in life. Fortify Christian Counseling offers a unique pathway for those seeking to understand themselves better.
At Fortify, we empower clients to navigate life’s challenges by promoting mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Our counselors provide a safe space for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings while encouraging them to deepen their relationship with God. This aspect is vital for individuals wanting to align their lives with their Christian faith and values. One of the core tenets of Christian counseling is the belief that struggles can lead to personal growth and a clearer understanding of one’s purpose. Fortify counselors guide clients to view their challenges through a Biblical lens, recognizing how difficult experiences can foster resilience and character, as outlined in Romans 5:3-4: “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” By exploring personal trials in light of Scripture, individuals find comfort and understanding. Many clients report that Fortify counselors have helped them develop new clarity about their goals, relationships, and spiritual life, while alleviating feelings of isolation and instilling hope in Christ, who produces real transformation.
While Fortify counselors desire to address each client’s urgent issues, we also aim to build a stronger, more resilient self. Fortify often incorporates techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) alongside spiritual practices, such as prayer and Scripture meditation, to help individuals address negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Through these processes, clients learn to identify God’s design for their lives, which leads to greater self-awareness, healthier relationships, and a more profound sense of purpose. In an era where many people feel disconnected from God, others, and themselves, Fortify Christian Counseling offers the hope and tools necessary for individuals to flourish- mind, body, and spirit. If you or someone you know is seeking clarity and support, consider reaching out to us and embark on a journey toward understanding, purpose, and healing. We have male and female counselors, available now, in-person and online (Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and throughout Alabama).
Watch the video below to learn more about the transformative power of Christian Counseling.
Attention Parents of Teen Girls. Counselors Elizabeth and Sarah Jane are offering group counseling for teen girls, Wednesdays, May 28 to July 2, from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. (fees apply). They will discuss issues common to this age group including body image, social media, relationships, anxiety, and more. For more information, visit www.fortifychristiancounseling.com/girlsgroup.
Join our Free E-newsletter packed with the latest family fun events, great recipes, inspiring stories, and all kinds of resources for you and your family.
