As a young pastor and theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer staunchly opposed the Nazi terror ravaged upon the Jewish community and in 1943, he was arrested for his association with a failed plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Full of deep concern for the welfare of the German church, during his imprisonment Bonhoeffer continued to pray and write, even as he ministered to other prisoners. At the collapse of the Nazi regime, Bonhoeffer was hanged to death on April 9, 1945. On his way to the gallows, he cried: ‘This is the end – but for me it is the beginning of life!’ We honour Dietrich Bonhoeffer and thank God for the courageous faith he inspires to stand firmly upon the Word of God as we stand against all forms of evil.

When German missionary Ernst Christoffel arrived in Turkey in 1908, he was overwhelmed with compassion for the street beggars – children who could not see, walk, or hear – those he named ‘Nobody’s Children’ because nobody was caring for them. From this humble beginning, Christian Blind Mission – CBM – was born as Pastor Christoffel ministered throughout both WWI & WWII, even enduring a harsh prison sentence for his refusal to stop helping vulnerable children in desperate need. After his passing in 1955, Pastor Christoffel’s friends expanded his work into a thriving international ministry that continues to provide health care, education and support for marginalised people with disability. We honour Pastor Christoffel and thank God for the courageous faith his legacy inspires to compassionately nurture those who feel unseen and forgotten.

In the middle of the 5^th century, a British teenager named Patrick was abducted and taken to Ireland where he was forced to labour for six years. In the distress of losing everything he held dear, Patrick encountered the love of Jesus, and found a reason to live as he awaited his chance for escape. 1500 years later, Patrick is still remembered for his sacrificial service to the very people who once held him in slavery, and his Christ-centred ‘Morning Prayer’ is regularly used to encourage Christians of all denominations around the world. We honour Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland, and thank God for the courageous faith he inspires to love our enemies, and boldly step into shadowed places that need the liberation of Christ.

Born in 1820, Fanny Crosby is best known as the ‘Queen of Gospel Song’. At six weeks of age, Fanny tragically lost her vision. Yet, over her lifetime, she memorised copious amounts of Scripture, and wrote over 8000 hymns – many of which are still sung in places of worship around the world. One of my personal favourites is the sweet song, Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine. Living to the ripe old age of 95, in her later years, Fanny was more known for her ministry to the disabled and destitute residents of New York City. We honour Fanny Crosby and thank God for the courageous faith she inspires to keep worshiping him, even in darkness, as we shine his glorious light into the world.