Traveler’s Tales

Traveler's Tales explores the true story behind the famous hymn "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder." The account begins with what seemed like a chance encounter in a Williamsport, Pennsylvania, alley in 1893. Youth pastor James M. Black met a poor girl named Bessie, whose brief life and faithfulness inspired a song that has comforted Christians for over a century. If you are not sure that your sal...

This episode explores why God often meets his servants in the wilderness — from Moses and David to Elijah, John the Baptist, and Jesus — and how barren places become meeting places where God speaks to His servants.  If you’re walking through a difficult season, the wilderness may be where God refines and speaks to you; open the Word of God, quiet your heart, and listen for His voice in your wilder...

This episode tells the story of Raymond Lull, a 13th-century scholar and missionary who was transformed by Christ and devoted his life to preaching the gospel among hostile peoples in North Africa, enduring imprisonment and ultimately martyrdom. It challenges listeners to love like Jesus—reaching out to those who oppose or reject us—and points to practical resources to help share the gospel with c...

On his deathbed, pastor Henry Francis Lyte wrote the hymn "Abide with Me," a simple prayer for Christ's presence as life’s shadows fell. The hymn, born from his final sermon and struggles with illness, has comforted generations in churches, hospitals, and at funerals. This episode tells Light's story — his faithful ministry, his last sermon, and the enduring message that when earthly strength fail...

After the flood, God sets a bow in the clouds as a lasting sign of His covenant, transforming a weapon of war into a symbol of mercy. This episode explores how the rainbow threads from Genesis to Revelation, reminding us of God's faithfulness and the meeting of judgment and grace in Christ. Even amid life's storms, the rainbow reminds us to trust in God's unchanging promises.  Browse more Traveler...

This episode tells the true story behind Fanny Crosby’s hymn "Saved by Grace" — how a blind hymn writer, encouraged by Moody and others, found a once private, encouraging poem became a beloved hymn after being shared at a conference and set to music. Now the profound truth of that timeless hymn has wafted across continents, reminding us that we are saved only by His grace.  HYMN LYRICS: Saved By G...

Noah Webster spent decades shaping the American language and education, but his deepest conviction was that a society must be grounded in the Word of God. This episode traces his 38-year labor on an American dictionary and the faith that guided his life and work. Listen to his clarion call to return as a nation to the truth of God's Word. We can no longer afford to treat the symptoms of sin in our...

On a Sunday in 1865 at Monument Street Methodist Church in Baltimore, a choir member, Mrs. Hall, was so moved by a sermon on the crucifixion that she wrote a hymn in the margin of her hymnal. Her words were later paired perfectly with a melody by their church organist John Grape, creating the classic hymn "Jesus Paid It All." Christ paid the full penalty for sin and that fact calls believers to gr...

On Mount Carmel, the prophet Elijah confronted 450 prophets of Baal in a dramatic showdown recorded in 1 Kings 18. After repairing the neglected altar of the Lord and drenching the sacrifice with water, Elijah prays simply, and God answers by sending fire from Heaven, proving He alone is God and turning the hearts of the people back to Him. Read more about this HERE. Study the life of Elijah with...

Discover the story behind the beloved hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy" and the devoted life of Reginald Heber, who penned it for a special Sunday while writing hymns to minister the truth to his church family. Learn how Heber’s faithful ministry in England and his missionary service in India turned song into a life of worship. Surrender your life to the thrice-holy God. Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/...

Join host Greg Dowdy on Traveler’s Tales as he retells the surprising spiritual journey of James Cash Penney — the man behind the J.C. Penney empire. This episode traces Penney’s early life in Missouri, his family’s faith influence, and the founding of his first store in Kemmer, Wyoming, which grew into a national chain built on the Golden Rule: “As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also t...

This Traveler's Tales episode tells the story of Philip Paul Bliss, a humble teacher and hymn writer who, shaped by family faith and encouraged by D.L. Moody, devoted his music to pointing people to Christ and penned the words to "I Will Sing of My Redeemer." Bliss died in the 1876 Ashtabula River railroad disaster while seeking to rescue his wife, yet his hymn survived in a trunk, spread worldwid...

Journey to ancient Jericho and meet Rahab, whose simple scarlet cord marked her home for salvation. By hiding Israel’s spies and acting on faith, she and her household were spared when the city fell. This episode shows how that single thread—tikvah—becomes a powerful picture of hope, pointing forward to the saving blood of Christ and the invitation to bring others under that promise. Read more abo...

On April 15, 1912, as the Titanic slipped beneath the water, a Scottish preacher named John Harper spent his final minutes drifting in the icy Atlantic, asking others a single question: “Are you saved?” This piercing episode of Traveler's Tales, Harper’s life of faithful witness, his final courageous testimony, and the lasting challenge to share the gospel urgently and lovingly with those around u...

Unlike how many think of the account of David and Goliath. Ancient slings were a serious instrument that this young man had prepared himself with. He had trained and now went into battle in the strength of the Lord. We are in a spiritual battle, and we must train with the weapons God has given us. That must happen in private before the battle. Listen to today's episode of Traveler's Tales for a fr...

This episode tells the story of Louisa M. R. Stead, who, after witnessing her husband's tragic death, wrote the hymn "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" out of consuming grief and unyielding faith. She did not just write the words. She lived them. Her simple, faithful trust became a lasting encouragement to countless believers facing the storms of life. Hymn Lyrics: Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus 1....

In 17th-century England, a tinkerer named John Bunyan experienced the transforming power of the gospel. He became a Baptist pastor but was imprisoned for refusing to conform to the state church. During long prison sentences, he wrote prolifically, including one of the most influential works ever written: Pilgrim's Progress. Listen to this tale of God's blessing on the faithfulness of John Bunyan....

This episode tells the true story of Anna and Susan Warner, two sisters who lost their fortune but found their ministry. Living on Constitution Island, they gave their lives to a humble ministry to West Point cadets and the writing of children's books.  From this quiet work came perhaps the most famous children's hymn of all time: Jesus Loves Me. Set to music by William Bradbury and sung by billio...

"Rescue the perishing, care for the dying." Those words were the marching orders behind the life of Fanny Crosby, a blind hymn writer who penned thousands of hymns and urged God's people to demonstrate compassion and remain faithful in spreading the gospel to a dying world. This episode of Traveler's Tales explores the story behind her famous hymn "Rescue the Perishing," the mission hall testimony...

Some lives are loud, others are steady, and sometimes the most powerful legacy is not found in a dramatic moment, but in a lifetime of quiet faithfulness. This episode tells the story of R.A. Torrey, a man whose influence shaped generations through intense prayer, faithful service, conviction in Scripture, and steadfast integrity. Listen to this account of R.A. Torrey on Traveler's Tales.  READ OU...

During the weeks of preparation before the track and field events of the 1924 Olympics, Eric Liddell was informed that his best races would be held on a Sunday. Despite fierce criticism, Liddell positively refused to run on the Lord's Day. What happened next is a reminder of the power of surrender to the will of God! While no one remembers the winners from the 1924 Olympics. The medals are all los...

God used a once apathetic and stubborn young minister's son to bring us the beloved hymn, At Calvary. What a blessing it is to know that Christ's sacrifice sets the child of God free from sin! Listen to this stirring account of William Newell and this classic hymn on today's Traveler's Tales. Read more about this account HERE Visit enjoyingthejourney.org/gospel/ to learn more about knowing Jesus....

At the age of 23, George Beverly Shea (1909 – 2013) had a hard decision to make. He could accept a job offer in a secular singing position in New York City, with a great salary and wide respect; or he could continue singing in churches and on Christian radio programs. The poem God used in his life became "I'd Rather Have Jesus." Listen to this stirring account on today's Traveler's Tales. Read mor...

There have been many wicked scourges throughout history. One of the darkest is the slave trade. Few today understand the dark and dreadful realities of that form of slavery. William Wilberforce dedicated his life to abolishing it. Sadly, few have heard of the strong faith that brought Wilberforce to this mission. He was doing what he believed God created him to do. Listen to his story on today's T...

Few people recall the name of Corrie ten Boom. Fewer still have heard of the deep work God did in her as she endured some of the greatest difficulties known to man. God taught her much faith and forgiveness as she and her family suffered in concentration camps for hiding Jews during the height of the Holocaust. She wrote, "There is no pit so deep, that God's great love is not deeper still." Take a...