Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
10 5 2026
Who Are Your Heroes of Faith—and Have You Told Them?
Someone’s quiet obedience may be one of the reasons you know Jesus today. Do they know what their life has meant to you?
Have you ever told them?
I listened to Mariah Carey sing “Hero” and it reminded me of something I wrote about years ago. Who are our heroes? Are we allowed to have men and women we look up to, want to be more like, or who inspire us to walk closer with God because of their example? Doesn’t that underline another reason God gave us community—the church—that we might grow, be taught, be challenged, and come into a deeper relationship with Christ?
Is that putting someone on a pedestal? I don’t think it has to be. We can honor what God has done through someone while remembering that Jesus remains the One we follow. Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” There is our invitation and our filter: follow the example that points us toward Him. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
I believe we should honor our spiritual fathers and mothers. To those they poured into, whose lives were changed through their love and faithfulness, they are heroes. What’s wrong with saying that? Maybe yours was a parent, a grandmother, a neighbor, or someone at church. God placed them in your life to teach, admonish, encourage, and lead. Their lives helped you see what faith looks like in this cruel and crazy world.
A biblical hero isn’t someone who is flawless, famous, or universally liked. I believe they are marked by consistent obedience, deep humility, and a life anchored in Christ. Many would be uncomfortable with the recognition. They weren’t trying to become someone’s hero. They were committed to being faithful. That humility is one more reason I will not be ashamed to call them a hero of mine.
So, who are they in your life? Many go unnoticed, unappreciated, and certainly unrecognized. We need to be intentional about remembering who helped shape us. They don’t need applause, but hearing about the fruit of their faithfulness can encourage them to keep going. Many don’t even know the impact they have had. You know that, right?
Perhaps yours is the mentor who spent years pouring Scripture into your life and showing you how to live and give. Or the coworker who refuses to compromise integrity under pressure. They are willing to obey when obedience costs them approval or comfort. Their vision reaches beyond personal gain. Their example leaves you saying,
“I want to know the God who made them that way.”
And this is a big one for me: What about authenticity in trouble and failure? The Bible is honest about the failures of David, Samson, and Peter. A spiritual hero doesn’t have to hide every scar to preserve an image.
But honesty must be joined with repentance, accountability, and a willingness to change.
Their testimony helps us see God’s grace at work and shows us how to return to Him when we have fallen.
Many of the greatest heroes of faith today will never have a platform, a book deal, or a massive social media following. They are prayer warriors, faithful parents, quiet servants, and church volunteers who keep putting God first when few people are watching.
Two who immediately come to mind are Greg and Glenna Mayer, who now attend the Land O’ Lakes campus of Grace Family Church. To me, and to many others, they are modern-day heroes of our faith. I have rarely seen such love and commitment to Christ and to the body of Christ. What a legacy they have. Their lives have given us something worth following.
We also remember Corrie ten Boom, who risked her life sheltering people hunted by the Nazis and later carried a message of God’s love and forgiveness. And Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, whose missionary calling in Ecuador brought immense sacrifice, including Jim’s death. Their stories remind us that obedience can be costly.
Who are those men and women in your life? Some may already be gone. Honor their legacy by sharing what they taught you and living it out. But some are still here. Pray. Ask God what you can say to them and what you can do for them.
Tell them specifically how their example changed you.
Be a blessing to someone who has been a blessing to you.
I don’t want to send you down an intimidating path of impossible perfection. I want to remind you that the same Holy Spirit who empowers their faithfulness empowers ours. Right now. The lives recorded in Hebrews 11 still speak, and the call to live by faith continues. Give Jesus your YES today. Be faithful with what He has entrusted to you, and trust the Holy Spirit with the results.
Let their example help shape the legacy you will leave. And while you can, pour out your gratitude. Yes, you might embarrass them a little. Tell them anyway: “God used you to change my life.”
Who helped you know Jesus more deeply, and have you told them? What part of their faithfulness could you practice today?
Father, thank You for the people whose lives have helped me know You. Show me whom to encourage and how to honor them. Help me follow what reflects Jesus in their lives, and make me faithful with the people You have placed in mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Don’t leave this morning without a name.
Thank you for spending these few minutes with me today. My prayer is that these devotionals do more than give you something to think about…that they draw you closer to Jesus Christ, deepen your love for Him, and encourage you to live out your faith in the community He has placed around you.
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Thank you for allowing me the privilege of sharing this journey with you. You are prayed for, valued, and deeply appreciated.
If you’d like to go even deeper, I’d love to invite you to join me continuing on ever Tuesday, until Oct 6th, for my free online course, Discovering Jesus. We’ll meet Tuesday evenings from 7:00–8:30 p.m. as we explore the foundational truths of our faith and, more importantly, deepen our relationship with Christ. You’re welcome to invite your spouse, family members, friends, or neighbors. I’ll provide all of the materials at no charge. Just let me know.. To join the video meeting, click this link: https://meet.google.com/zkb-dxcq-iau
Until next time, keep your eyes on Jesus…because He truly is the Treasure.
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