Most Inspiring of the Month

Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II was one of the longest reigning popes in history. He tirelessly preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ, defended life in all forms, wrote prolifically on Catholic topics such as the Eucharist and the rosary, pleaded for peace in the world and created more Roman Catholic saints than any other pope. A charismatic figure, John Paul used his influence to bring about political change. One of the most beloved popes among Catholics and non-Catholics alike, John Paul captured the world’s attention and admiration during his 26-year pontificate. In his final years, his steps became halted by illness and his speech became labored; but, his indomitable spirit continued to touch and teach us all. Upon his death in April of 2005, 3 million people stood in line to tell Pope John Paul II goodbye.

Swami Tejomayananda

Chinmaya Mission Worldwide leader and a prominent Hindu teacher Swami Tejomayananda, became leader of CORD, The Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development in 1993. CORD is a nonprofit under the banner of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide that works to facilitate integrated, sustainable social help programs in local communities and in the Indian subcontinent through processes of self-empowerment and enrichment. Progressive in thinking and precise in decision-making, Tejomayananda has inspired and executed many notable projects including: the Chinmaya International Residential School in Coimbatore, the Chinmaya Centre of World Understanding in New Delhi, and the Chinmaya International Foundation near Cochin. Tejomayananda whose philosophy is, “…if we start any service, we should just go on doing it. Do your work, for work is worship, and work shows worth” has inspired millions worldwide with his talks, writings, original music, and poetry.

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun of Albanian ethnicity and Indian citizenship who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India in 1950. For more than 45 years she ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned and dying while leading the Missionaries of Charity in its expansion throughout India and around the world. At the time of her death in September 1997 the ministry was operating 610 missions in 123 countries which included: hospices and homes for victims of HIV/AIDS, soup kitchens, counseling programs, orphanages, schools and programs for those stricken with Leprosy and Tuberculosis. Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize for humanitarian efforts in 1979 and India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna in 1980. Mother Teresa’s selfless efforts are a true inspiration to those who desire to live and love as Christ has called us to do.

Desmond TuTu

Desmond Tutu is a South African activist and cleric who rose to worldwide fame in the 80’s as an outspoken opponent of apartheid - the system of legal racial separation. Tutu who was the first black South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town South Africa and bishop of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa fought against racial discrimination by preaching reconciliation between different parties associated with apartheid, through his writings and lectures at home and abroad. Tutu has also campaigned to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, poverty and racism. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, the the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism in 1986, the Sydney Peace Prize in 1999, the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2005, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. Tutu’s humanitarian efforts continue to inspire individuals in South Africa and around the world.

Harold Kushner

Harold Kushner is a prominent American rabbi and inspiring author. Educated at Columbia University, Kushner was ordained as a rabbi in 1960 and awarded a doctoral degree in Bible in 1972, both through the Jewish Theological Seminary. He is best known as the author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People, written after the death of his son, Aaron, from the premature aging disease progeria. This international best seller deals with questions about human suffering, God, omnipotence and theodicy has inspired millions. In 1999, Kushner was honored by the Christophers, a Roman Catholic organization, as one of the fifty people who have made the world a better place in the last half century, and by the national organization Religion in American Life as clergyman of the year.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh has been a Buddhist monk for more than 60 years. He is a teacher, author, poet and peace activist. His vocal stance against the Vietnam War left him exiled from his native Vietnam four decades. Hanh’s teaching and practices appeal to people across all religious, spiritual and political backgrounds. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967 by Martin Luther King Jr, who called Hanh an apostle of peace and nonviolence. Nhat Hanh has published more than 100 books, including more than 40 in English. He has also been featured in many films, including The Power of Forgiveness showcased at the Dawn Breakers International Film Festival. This inspiring spiritual leader travels the globe holding retreats and continuing his efforts to promote peace and help refugees worldwide.

Billy Graham

92 year old Christian Evangelist Billy Graham is best known for his worldwide evangelistic crusades preaching the message of Christianity to more people than anyone in history. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association states that nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries have been reached through his ministry. In his lifetime, he has led many thousands accept Jesus as personal Savior and to live for Christ. Graham who has been an adviser to many American presidents is regularly listed as one of the "Ten Most Admired Men in the World" by Gallup Polls. Indicted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999, Graham has also received such prestigious awards as The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Freedom Award and The Congressional Gold Medal. He currently continues his ministry through writing projects, including a manuscript for a book about aging.

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading Bible teachers and speakers who is the leader of Joyce Meyer Ministries Worldwide. She is a New York Times bestselling author who has written over 80 books with 12 million copies distributed worldwide and translations in over 80 different languages. She began her ministry in 1976 as a local Bible teacher, becoming an associate pastor of a church in St. Louis, MO in 1980. Meyer was ordained a minister in 1981 and in 1985 started her ministry, “Life in the Word”. By 2003, she was inspiring individuals worldwide teaching practical principles from God’s word to encourage individuals to enjoy their everyday lives, seeking hope and restoration through Christ. It was then that her magazine, radio program and television show titles were changed to “Enjoying Everyday Life”.

Zaid Salim Shakir

Zaid Salim Shakir is a prominent American Islamic scholar, writer and a co-founder and faculty member of Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California. Born Ricky D. Mitchell (1956), he accepted Islam in 1977 while in the United States Air Force, later changing his name to Zaid Salim Shakir. Shakir earned a BA in International Relations at American University in Washington, D.C. While working toward his MA in Political Science at Rutgers University, he led a successful campaign for disinvestment from South Africa, and co-founded a local Islamic center, Masjid al-Huda. He is one of the signatories of A Common Word between Us and You, an open letter by Islamic scholars to Christian leaders and the world’s leading interfaith dialogue initiative between Christians and Muslims. Shakir brings both sensitivity about race and poverty issues and scholarly discipline to his inspiring faith-based work.

Thomas Monson

On February 3, 2008, Thomas S. Monson became the 16^th man to serve as the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since its organization in New York in 1830. Monson is considered to be a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator by Mormons (church members). During the past three years of Monson’s service as president, the church has seen remarkable growth, increased emphasis on the Church’s missionary and humanitarian outreach, a vigorous defense of family and traditional marriage, and the sharing of his powerful witness of the saving power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. Monson who is referred to as a modern-day Moses and a tool in the hands of the Lord is an inspiration to all those who desire to live pure and Godly lives.

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