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Five hundred years ago, a lowly German priest walked up to the church door in Wittenberg and posted a document that altered the course of history. It has now been five centuries since Martin Luther stood up and confronted Roman Catholicism. The kindling had been laid over decades, and Luther’s little, almost accidental spark soon set all of Europe ablaze.

In time, this lowly monk proved he had what it took to hold his ground against the church and the world — and under God, he became the tip of the spear for massive reform. In one especially memorable scene, he stood before the emperor and declared courageously, risking his own life, “Here I stand. I can do no other. So help me, God.”

But Luther did not stand alone. The Reformation was not about one or two big names — Luther, Calvin, Zwingli — but about a massive movement of Christian conviction, boldness, and joy that cost many men and women their lives — and scattered the seeds that are still bearing fruit in the twenty-first century. Not only was Luther surrounded by many Reformers in Germany, but lesser-known heroes of the faith rose up all over Europe — heroes like Heinrich Bullinger, Hugh Latimer, Lady Jane Grey, Theodore Beza, and Peter Martyr Vermigli. Luther was the battering ram, but he ignited, and stood with, a chorus of world changers.

And here we stand today, more than five hundred years later. Luther wasn’t alone then, and he’s not alone now. To celebrate the Reformation, we produced a 31-day journey of short biographies of its many heroes, just 5–7 minutes each day.

If you want to learn more about the Reformation — and both Christian heroes you know, and others you’ve never heard of before — subscribe to Here We Stand on Apple Podcasts .

Here We Stand: A 31-Day Journey with Heroes of the Reformation. 

https://www.desiringgod.org/here-we-stand

We are continuing our series on getting to know your church leaders a little bit better. Read along to learn more about Becca Huston, who serves as one of our Women's Community Bible Study leaders. 

Where were you born, and do you still consider that home, or somewhere else?

I was born in Texas but I have been in New Mexico since 1998 so this is definitely home.

What did you want to be when you grew up – and is that still a dream?

I always wanted to be in the medical field. First a neonatologists but then realized the part of medicine I really loved was in the description of a nurse. I fulfilled this dream and still love it.

What or who was your earliest spiritual influence?

My best friend as a child, her mom showed me what true devotion to God looked like.

How and when did Christ call you to Himself?

When I was about 21 in college through many different people.

What is a scripture you often read or share with others?

Psalm 116:2 Because he bends low to listen I will pray as long as I have breath.

What is a special answered prayer you’ve received from the Lord?

A beautiful marriage.

What is a blessing and what is a challenge in serving as a Bible study leader?

The blessing is being obedient to God and therefore in His will growing in my knowledge and relationship with Him. The challenge is living it out.

What are your hobbies and how did you get into them?

I enjoy fitness. I got into it in college and really just desire to be healthy and strong for whatever God has for me next.

What is your favorite family tradition?

I love going to church with my family on Easter. It is the day I revel in my redemption and the grace that has been poured out on me.

How do you enjoy spending a day off?

Going on a date with Chandler.

What is the perfect meal?

Spinach salad with goat cheese and any type of soup.

Who or what never fails to make you laugh?

My kids make me laugh…. although Chandler is hilarious too.

We asked Chandler the following questions: 

What is your favorite trait of Becca?

My favorite trait of Becca is her heart for the hurting. This plays out in a few ways that leave me in awe of her. She's regularly making a meal to give someone or have in the freezer for when someone needs it. She loves encouraging moms and wives over a cup of coffee and she's quick to ask if she can pray for someone in the middle of the store for the struggle they just shared with her.

What is something Becca does that will always make you smile? 

What Becca does that always makes me smile is when she gets to laughing really hard she almost stops breathing and has to let out a long sigh. This just causes me to laugh and so we go on laughing. 

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.… Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart…” Acts 2:42 & 46

This model of the early church is as valid today as it was in the first century. In many ways it may be even more so considering the mobility we enjoy and the demands that compete for our attention. Being able to gather together with one another in true fellowship to encourage, nurture, worship, and be on mission together is life giving.

Without a doubt, we are blessed every Sunday at Mountain Christian with excellent teaching and uplifting worship. Having attended many different churches over the course of our lives, we love the ability to celebrate communion each week. We are grateful, Mountain Christian calls us to this remembrance regularly, just as Christ commanded.

Small groups are inherently different. As we gather in our home, we are able to experience life together in a more intimate setting. Sharing a meal together, worshiping in prayer and singing, growing in our knowledge of God’s Word through interactive inductive Bible study, and finding opportunities to serve the church and community together are all elements that bind us more closely together. We love one another and demonstrate that in coming alongside with help when needed, whether it is serving each other with meal preparation or helping with auto repairs or household moves. And we love one another by praying for our needs, concerns, and burdens.

Small groups have been an important element of our Christian walk since our introduction to them in college ministry. Rarely have we not participated in or led a small group. They have been instrumental in helping us to mature as believers and to develop deep community in the churches we have found ourselves in across the country, from Wyoming to Virginia to California to New Mexico. When we think of these church bodies (most of them quite large), we do not necessarily remember the pastors. But we remember vividly Rye and Cathy, Lissa, John and Lori, Kevin, Dan and Dolly, Brenda. These individuals walked with us through major life changes, times of disappointment and struggle, as well as moments of victory and celebration. They admonished and encouraged us and shared their lives with us.

We love the small group we are blessed to lead now and the beautiful people we call brothers and sisters who join us faithfully. (You know who you are.) We love watching and experiencing the Lord revealing Himself anew as we study His Word. We love hearing, knowing, and participating in the work He is doing in each of us.

If you do not already participate in a small group community, may we encourage you to seek one out or start your own.

We are continuing our series on getting to know your church leaders a little bit better. Read along to learn more about Pam Cravens, who serves as one of our Women's Community Bible Study leaders. 

Where were you born, and do you still consider that home, or somewhere else?

I was born in Omaha, Nebraska. I have lived in Nebraska, Arizona, and New Mexico. I consider New Mexico, home (35 years).

What did you want to be when you grew up – and is that still a dream?

From 3rd-6th grade, I wanted to be a veterinarian. I love animals, but that career is not a dream.

What or who was your earliest spiritual influence?

My mother loved Jesus, and our family Pastor, Gerald Zook, had a great deal of passion for Jesus.

How and when did Christ call you to Himself?

I was baptized at 10 years old by our family Pastor Gerald Zook, who talked to me about baptism at home. The next Sunday at church I was baptized. I remember loving Jesus from the first time I can even remember.

What is a scripture you often read or share with others?

Psalm 18:16-19: He reached down from on high and took hold of me. He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, and from my foes who were too strong for me. They confronted me on the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He rescued me because he delighted in me.

What is a special answered prayer you’ve received from the Lord?

I had a brain tumor shortly after Dan and I moved to Australia. That is when he gave me the scripture (Psalm 18:16-19). The Lord encouraged me, and led me through a successful surgery. Every step was led by his hand.

What is a blessing and what is a challenge in serving as a Bible study leader?

The blessing is learning and sharing as we study God’s word first hand. The Lord blesses that time every time. We then get to know Him better.

What are your hobbies and how did you get into them?

I hike, I always have loved to hike, and I love to take walks either by myself or with others. My two dogs are my latest hobby.

What is your favorite family tradition?

I love to go into the Pecos area in the Santa Fe National Forest and cut down our family Christmas tree. Our family loves my homemade chicken noodle soup, which we have on Christmas Eve evening, when we celebrate our Savior's birth.

How do you enjoy spending a day off?

During my day off, I prefer riding my mountain bike along the Rio Grande river, on the Bosque Trail in Albuquerque. I also love riding in the Sonora Desert, Ft. McDowell reserve area, near Fountain Hills, Az.

What is the perfect meal?

My perfect meal is salmon along with a salad made from lettuce, sweet potatoes, blueberries, avocados, and fruit. Then covered in balsamic vinegar and olive oil. 

Who or what never fails to make you laugh?

My husband Dan, my daughter Becca, and my sisters, Sarah, Debbie, and Beth, all make me laugh.

We asked Dan: 

What is your favorite trait of Pam's?

What is something Pam does that will always make you smile?

She wakes up every morning, says hello, and kisses my cheek. 

One of the most important lessons I have learned as a business owner is that people are not problems—they are opportunities. Too often, the relationship between business owners and employees becomes strained because employees are viewed primarily as problems to manage. When that happens, we can lose sight of the individual person and the potential God has placed within them.

Every person has unique talents, experiences, strengths, and struggles. As Christian business owners and leaders, we have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to recognize those qualities and help people grow. Investing in people means taking the time to listen, encourage, teach, and provide opportunities. It also means being patient when someone makes a mistake and helping that person learn from it. People will not always meet every expectation, but that does not make them a problem. It makes them human and often gives us an opportunity to lead.

As believers, our mission in business should ultimately be about people, not simply about what they produce. Production, profitability, and performance are necessary for a healthy business, but they should not become more important than the people doing the work. A successful business can produce excellent results, but a meaningful business also develops better employees, stronger families, and future leaders.

We invest in our people by giving them opportunities to grow personally and professionally. We want employees to learn new skills, accept greater responsibility, and understand the value of their contribution. More importantly, we want them to know that they are respected and valued as individuals. Sometimes the greatest investment we can make is simply taking the time to have a conversation, offer encouragement, provide direction, or help someone recognize potential they may not yet see in themselves.

I have been blessed throughout my life and career to have faithful, God-fearing men who invested in me. They did more than teach me about business. Through their actions, they demonstrated integrity, humility, accountability, generosity, and compassion. They showed me that leadership is not primarily about authority; it is about service and the example we set for others.

Those men helped shape the business owner and leader I am today. Their influence reminds me that we may never fully understand the impact we have on another person’s life. A conversation, an opportunity, or a consistent example of faith can leave a lasting impression.

God willing, I can continue living by the example those men set for me. My hope is to invest in others as they invested in me—to help people discover their abilities, grow into leaders, support their families, and understand that their value reaches far beyond what they produce. If we lead with faith and genuinely care for people, our businesses can become more than places of employment. They can become places where lives are strengthened, relationships are built, and God is honored through the way we serve one another.