During Advent, the Church honors two great pastors whose ministries shaped Christianity across centuries: Ambrose of Milan (339–397) and Richard Baxter (1615–1691). One lived in the waning days of the Roman Empire, the other in the turmoil of post-Reformation England. Yet their lives prove the same truth: When God calls a pastor, He equips him with courage, compassion, and conviction — and the Church is never the same.

The Man Behind the Myth The Bishop of Myra was a man of holiness, Scripture, generosity, and courage — a shepherd who defended the truth of Christ when the world trembled on the edge of heresy.

“What think ye of Christ?” — Matthew 22:42 Advent is upon us. Lights are going up, carols are playing, stores are crowded, and everywhere you turn, you hear the word Christmas. But here is a searching question for every believer — a question Jesus Himself once asked: “What think ye of Christ?” (Matthew 22:42) Not What do you think of Christmas? Not What do you think of the season? Not What do you think of religious tradition? But what do you think of Christ? Who is He —

“Ye are not your own… for ye are bought with a price.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 When we come to Jesus, we give up our sovereignty. We lay down the illusion that we belong to ourselves and bow to the truth that we are “not our own… for we were bought with a price.” That price was paid at Calvary, and the One who bought us has every right to rule us in love.

Jesus came to me when I was still in my crib. ---His Presence filled the room, and I knew I belonged to him. ---But I wanted my own life to live out my dreams "to the fullest." ---Those dreams turned out empty, and I repented and turned to Him. I surrendered my own sovereignty and accepted His: NOW I belong. “We are not our own, for we were bought with a price.”

I love 658 Monroe Avenue because it was our home. Still is, in some ways. When I dream, I am often there — in that solid, wood-framed house tucked between the city and the church. The walls held laughter, prayer, and the hum of hymns that filled the evenings. If every place has a spirit, this one was wrapped in Scripture and song.

Born a princess in exile and raised among the piety of the Hungarian court, Margaret of Scotland became one of the most influential Christian queens in medieval Europe. Through holiness of life, deep Scriptural devotion, and quiet but firm reform, she transformed her household, her husband, and ultimately the nation.

Feature Image: Ken and his father by the rosebush, 1950 — 658 Monroe Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ. Intro Before I ever knew the world, I knew the Gospel. Before I ever heard the noise of the neighborhood, I heard the prayers in our home. This week’s Tender Branch  story on LinkedIn told part of that beginning. Here is the fuller story — one that shaped my life from the very first breath. Born Into the Gospel Dad lived the Gospel and raised me up in the Bible. He was born on this day

“When his branch is yet tender… ye know that summer is nigh.”  — Matthew 24:32 Rudolph Kalis with his three sons — Bob, Don, and little Kenny. (Image source: “A Man of His Word,” by Kenneth Kalis) I Every branch begins tender. Before strength comes testing, and before testing comes nurture. For me, those tender years were rooted in a big yellow house on Monroe Avenue in Elizabeth, New Jersey — noisy, crowded, full of life — and always under the loving shadow of my father’s

Every believer has a season when faith meets the real world.For me, it began in 1958 with my father’s accident and the long road that followed — through teenage rebellion, first love, vocational turns, and an unexpected call to Canada.This chapter, Prequel II: Growing Up – Train Up a Child (Proverbs 22:6), tells how God’s hand was shaping me even when I couldn’t see it. Have you ever looked back and seen His fingerprints on your detours?

Feast Day: October 18 Τετραευάγγελο Ε140 της Μεγίστης Λαύρας. Ευαγγελιστής Λουκάς. 15ος αιώνας Luke the Evangelist, Unknown artist 1450, PUBIC DOMAIN Luke has always been my favorite physician, historian, and storyteller. For a doctor, he has a great bedside manner, and his patients get healed. As a historian, he is impeccable, interviewing the Virgin Mary for details about Jesus. . Luke writes about the founding and early history of the Christian Church. He gave us the Good

As a boy in a Protestant Church, I stayed away from Roman Catholics. I never thought I would have anything in common with a Catholic nun, but I was wrong. Teresa of Avila had a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ and so did I. We are not alone: Thomas Aquinas had one in 1273, Bob Dylan in 1977. Jesus wants a personal relationship with you, too! Here's His invitation: Behold, I stand at the door, & knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door I will come

Though surrounded by powerful nobles—especially Earl Godwin and his sons—Edward sought peace more than power. He ruled not by fear, but by conscience. His vision of kingship was not of domination but of service. He believed the king should be a shepherd, ruling under the authority of Christ, the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

Philip (1st century AD), one of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6, stands out in Scripture not only for his faithfulness in service but also for his zeal in spreading the Gospel far beyond Jerusalem. Alongside Stephen (? -36 AD) the first Christian martyr, Philip was selected to help the apostles by ministering to the practical needs of the early Church — caring for widows and distributing food. Yet God had far greater plans for him.

A Scholar with a Holy Purpose Few names in Christian history shine with greater courage than William Tyndale (c. 1494–1536). Scholar, linguist, and martyr, Tyndale dedicated his life to one great cause: that the common people of England might read the Word of God in their own tongue.

Yet Francis himself remained a humble and powerful witness for Christ. His life of radical obedience and simplicity still inspires believers today. His own words capture his heart: “If God can work through me, He can work through anyone.” – Francis of Assisi

This week, we remember one of the most influential figures in Christian history—Saint Jerome* (347-420). His life is a powerful story of transformation, devotion, and tireless commitment to Scripture. Known primarily for his monumental work on the Latin Vulgate, Jerome’s legacy is one that continues to nourish the Church to this day.

Andrewes (1555–1626) was no ordinary clergyman. He served as Bishop of Winchester, was a friend of Archbishop James Ussher, and moved in the same literary circles as Edmund Spenser, the great poet of The Faerie Queene. His brilliance as a linguist and theologian placed him among the leading translators of the King James Bible, a work whose cadence and clarity still shape English speech four centuries later.

E. B. Pusey's life and legacy are a testament to his unwavering commitment to the Anglican tradition and a pursuit of theological truth. His work in the Oxford Movement, his promotion of high church practices, and his desire for unity within Christianity have left a lasting mark on the Church of England. In all of this, his commitment to God's truth and the absolute authority of the Bible was protection against the false teachings of the Roman Catholic Church that deceived t

Christian theologians write about the God of the Bible, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and teach us about His essence, character and more.