Dr. David Saxon, professor of Church History at Maranatha Baptist University, tells the story of Andrew Fuller, an English Baptist pastor and missions supporter, to Randy Melchert. Watch on VCY.tv
S2E16: Obadiah Holmes with David Saxon
Dr. David Saxon, professor of Church History at Maranatha Baptist University, tells the story of Obadiah Holmes, a colonial American Baptist, who was whipped for the crime of preaching without a license. Watch on VCY.tv
S2E15: Billy Sunday with Terrence White
Randy Melchert interviews Dr. Terry White of the the Winona History Center at Grace College on Billy Sunday, baseball player turned evangelist. Our Christian Heritage – S2E15. Watch on VCY.tv
S2E14: Hudson Taylor, Part 2
S2E13: Hudson Taylor, Part 1
In 19th-century England, James and Amelia Taylor famously prayed, ‘Dear God, if you should give us a son, grant that he may work for you in China.’ Their son, James Hudson Taylor, would go on to become the most influential missionary of the modern missionary movement. Author Vance Christie tells Hudson Taylor’s story to Randy Melchert. Watch on VCY.tv
The Writing of the Old Rugged Cross
The Old Rugged Cross is one of the most beloved – and most claimed hymns! Our Christian Heritage has been to the Old Rugged Cross church on Pokagon, MI where it was first performed in its entirety and we’ve interviewed the couple that restored the church. We’ve also been to Sturgeon Bay, WI where the Friends Church is that it was first partially performed. But on this stop we’re at the site where it was written – in an apartment of a professor of Albion College that became a fraternity house before it was demolished in the 60s. This marker was recently restored after the previous was destroyed in a car crash in 2020.
Transcript:
We’re here in Albion, Michigan, at the site of the birthplace of one of the most beloved hymns in Christian history: “The Old Rugged Cross.”
There are actually several historical markers related to the hymn in the area. This spot marks where it was written. In December 1912 (and into 1913), George Bennard lived right behind me in what is now a vacant lot. At the time, he was staying in a rented apartment in the home of Professor Delos Fall at 1101 East Michigan Avenue, near Albion College.
Later, that same house became the chapter house for Delta Tau Delta, the first fraternity established at Albion College. In 1959, during the college’s 125th anniversary, a historical marker was placed here honoring the composition of the hymn—one of the most famous in church history and the standout among the more than 300 hymns George Bennard wrote.
Sadly, in 2020, a car accident destroyed the original monument. But as you can see, it’s been beautifully rebuilt—and many say it looks better than ever.
The marker reads in part: “The Old Rugged Cross,” one of the world’s best-loved hymns, was composed here in 1912 by the Rev. George Bennard (1873–1958). The son of an Ohio coal miner, Bennard was a lifelong servant of God, chiefly in the Methodist ministry. He wrote over 300 hymns, but none achieved the fame of “The Old Rugged Cross.”
What’s especially moving are the powerful words etched on these markers: “I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.”
While the hymn was composed here in Albion, it had key early performances elsewhere. Parts of it were first performed in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, during evangelistic meetings at the Friends Church (from late December 1912 to January 1913). We’ve visited that site as well. The completed version was then sung in its entirety on June 7, 1913, at the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Pokagon, Michigan (near Niles). We had an incredible interview with the family and volunteers who restored and recreated that historic church to its original condition—it’s now part of The Old Rugged Cross Historic Site.
Even though Bennard lived here during the hymn’s composition, there’s a fourth significant site connected to its legacy: the Old Rugged Cross Museum (also known as part of the Old Rugged Cross Historical Society), located about a couple of hours north in Reed City, Michigan, where the Bennards lived later in life. (Note: There’s also a related historic site and museum in Pokagon focused on the church and first full performance.)
If you’re interested in church history and hymns like this one, mark these places on your map. Check them out at christianheritage.info—search for “The Old Rugged Cross” to find more details on these inspiring locations.
Rush Limbaugh
A conservative icon. The man who saved AM radio. And yet divorced 3 times. And an OxyContin addict. But yet shortly before he died, even he found Jesus! Join us for a OCH Short on Rush Limbaugh!
Transcript:
Welcome to Historic St. Louis. We’re here at Bellefontaine Cemetery, one of the city’s most historic resting places. I’m Randy Melchert, and today we’re at the gravesite of a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Rush Limbaugh was a highly controversial figure who many credit with saving AM radio. His nationally syndicated radio show ran from 1988 until his death in 2021. He was called everything from a trailblazer to a provocateur, drawing callers from across the country and shaping conservative discourse for decades.
As a private individual, Rush faced significant personal struggles: multiple divorces, battles with addiction (including painkiller dependency), and other challenges. Yet, toward the end of his life—after his 2020 diagnosis of advanced lung cancer—he spoke openly about finding profound peace and strength through faith.
One of his longtime friends and occasional radio guests, author Joel Rosenberg (who once worked for Rush early in his career), shared that Rush had made a deep, personal commitment to Jesus Christ as his Savior in 2019, just a couple of years before his passing. This wasn’t merely a passing moment; it transformed his final days. Rush publicly referenced his faith on air while facing stage 4 lung cancer, emphasizing how it gave him hope, confidence, and acceptance of God’s sovereignty.
In one poignant broadcast segment, he reflected: “It’s tough to realize that the days where I do not think I’m under a death sentence are over now. We all are, is the point. We all know that we’re going to die at some point, but when you have a terminal disease diagnosis that has a time frame to it, then that puts a different psychological and even physical awareness to it.
The only thing that any of us are certain of is right now today. That’s why I thank God every morning when I wake up. I thank God that I did. I try to make it the best day I can no matter what. Don’t look too far ahead. I certainly don’t look too far back.
I try to remain as committed to the idea that what’s supposed to happen will happen when it’s meant to. I mentioned at the outset of this—and the first day I told you—that I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That is of immense value, strength, confidence. And that’s why I’m able to remain fully committed to the idea that what is supposed to happen will happen when it’s meant to.”
President Donald Trump surprised many by awarding Rush the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the nation’s highest civilian honor—during the 2020 State of the Union address, with First Lady Melania Trump placing the medal around his neck.
For a man who influenced millions worldwide through his voice and opinions, Rush came to realize in his final chapter that the one thing that truly mattered was where he would spend eternity.
S2E12: The Lone Star Revival
In this episode, Dr. David Saxon tells about the endless strife, burnout, and discouragement many missionaries faced in India before God worked mightily and the Lone Star Revival was born. He also tells the incredible story behind the name and how this mission field was repeatedly kept from being abandoned, despite the many efforts to do so.
S2E11: What Is Revival? (Part 2)
In 1971, evangelist twins, Ralph and Lou Sutera, were involved with the Saskatoon Revival, which traveled around the world and impacted lives, churches, communities, and mission fields.
In this episode, Ralph Sutera continues to weigh in on what revival is and on who needs to be revived.
S2E10: What Is Revival? (Part 1)
In 1971, a revival took place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, where God saw fit to work in a marvelous way. Not only has this moving of the Spirit of God affected that area, but it has also gone around the world and continues to minister to people even to this day.
So, what is revival all about and what does it means to really meet God at a deeper level? Listen as Evangelist Ralph Sutera weighs in.
S2E9: An Interview with Ralph and Lou Sutera (Part 2)
In 1971, there was a spiritual tsunami that happened in Saskatoon. It sent shockwaves throughout all Canada and North America and has touched many parts of the world.
Listen in as twin evangelists, Ralph and Lou Sutera, continue to tell the powerful story of how God showed up and sent true revival.
S2E8: An Interview with Ralph and Lou Sutera (Part 1)
On October 13, 1971, twin evangelists, Ralph and Lou Sutera, began revival meetings at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Little did they know that this was going to be the beginning of the great Saskatoon Revival. Listen in as they share the powerful story of how God showed up and worked in lives, families, churches, towns, and countries.
S2E7: Emilee Nelson on Remembering Dr. Ed Nelson
Dr. Ed Nelson has been in full-time Christian service for over seventy-five years. He has worked as a pastor, evangelist, educator, author, and mentor and has been a huge influence in Christian education in America.
Listen in as Emilee Nelson remembers her grandfather and recounts key stories from the life of “a sinner saved by grace.”
S2E6: Pastor Ken Spilger on His Near Death Experience
On September 17, 1980, a small plane crashed near St. Louis, MO. The plane was carrying a small group of pastors who were returning from a pastors’ conference in Kansas City and only one survived.
Listen in as Ken Spilger, senior pastor at Grace Baptist Church in St. Louis, MO, recounts the story of the crash; his recovery from the third degree burns, which he sustained on about a third of his body; and of God’s amazing grace through it all.
S2E5: Jeremy Beller on American Baptist History
Dr. James Beller was the author of America in Crimson Red, a book which takes a look at some of the lesser-known figures in American history and the Christians who, many of them, sacrificed their lives to ensure that we would have the religious freedom that we take for granted today.
Join Jeremy Beller, Baptist history expert and son of the late Dr. James Beller, as he shares some of the inspiring stories from church history and why it’s important to study church history.
S2E4: Vickie Beller on America in Crimson Red
Dr. James Beller was the author of America in Crimson Red, a book which takes a look at some of the lesser-known figures in American history and the Christians who, many of them, sacrificed their lives to ensure that we would have the religious freedom that we take for granted today.
Join Vickie Beller, wife of Dr. James Beller, as she tells the story of her late husband and how he came to write the book.
S2E3: Dr. Clayton Shumpert on the Sin of Neglect
What does “the sin of neglect” mean for the Christian? We have the message of the Gospel and can save lives, but is it possible that Christians are involved in murder by neglecting to do so? Listen in as Dr. Clayton Shumpert illustrates this point and shares seven benefits to our churches having a Bible-based, missionary outreach.
S2E2: Pastor Bob Hassel on “A Revival Story”
In September, 2006, Faith Baptist Church of Champaign, Illinois, was going to be holding revival meetings. They had held revival meetings many times before, but this time was going to be different. Instead of just the evangelist showing up, God was going to show up, too.
Listen in as Pastor Bob Hassel tells the inspiring story of how God brought revival to his church.
S2E1: Dr. David Smith on Hymn Stories
Dr. David Smith is the son of Al Smith, founder of Singspiration.
In this episode, Dr. Smith tells the fascinating histories behind some of the most loved hymns of today.
S1E12: Dr. Milton Loyer on Hymns of Central Pennsylvania
A surprising number of Gospel songs in our hymnals come from central Pennsylvania. In this episode, Dr. Milton Loyer, the archivist for the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church, talks about these songs and the stories behind them.