Charisma Magazine

The extreme poverty of the developing world is always deeply shocking to visitors from the affluent West. Vicky Beeching was only 10 years old when she spent a month working with her missionary grandparents in Zimbabwe, an experience that infused her with a passion for justice and the thrill of living wholeheartedly for Christ.

"It blew my mind," Beeching admits. "My grandparents had normal jobs until they were in their 40s, then they just sensed God saying that it was time for a huge change. It reminded me that in a good way, Jesus is dangerous! He asks you to do crazy things and leads you on amazing holy adventures. I saw them do that journey and I knew that Jesus looked after them."

Out of the Comfort Zone

Growing up in Kent, England, Beeching remembers taking part in the March for Jesus as a child. "I remember feeling like God was saying to me, ‘Vicky, you have to get a little acoustic guitar and go on the march.' I was so embarrassed, but we traipsed down to Argos and got this cheap guitar—like a cricket bat with strings on—and I played it all down Canterbury High Street. For the first time God showed me what it feels like to worship in front of people, and it was a good experience."

Karen Clark Sheard | Karew Records

Karen Clark Sheard has wooed loyal listeners for years with her signature brand of traditional-contemporary gospel music, and she continues the trend with the release of her latest CD, All in One.

Part neo-soul, pop music and traditional gospel, the CD is Sheard's fifth solo project. Though seemingly shy when offstage, the award-winning singer showcases her vocal range with cuts such as "Prayed Up" and "Crazy Praise."

Dave Barnes | Razor & Tie Records

Dave Barnes' fourth album (his second with Razor & Tie) is a nicely done collection of upbeat songs delivered in a friendly-feeling acoustic-pop style.

Taking the direct approach with his lyrics, Barnes writes most of his 10 songs as if to a single listener, whether a friend, a romantic interest or God. He covers a range of topics—falling in love or out of love, feeling pain and overcoming it, viewing life with a new outlook, and others.

J. Lee Grady | Chosen Books

Longtime readers of Charisma will recognize some of the past stories and material from J. Lee Grady's Fire in My Bones columns that appear in his latest book. Echoing calls already made in the magazine, he urges charismatics to develop discernment and turn away from heresies that have given the movement a bad name.

Jonathan Merritt | FaithWords

The founder of the Southern Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative is on a mission to depolarize and depoliticize environmentalism. Instead of wrangling over left-right issues, Jonathan Merritt approaches the topic from a theological perspective, exploring Scriptures that demonstrate God's concern for His creation.