Paul Myers

It all started on an early foggy morning in 1934, when Paul Myers, a former Los Angeles radio personality and station manager of leading radio stations woke up near a wharf in San Diego. Hungover, he heard the sound of a ship’s bell ring out eight times at 4:00 a.m., signaling “all’s well.”

Only one month later, Myers would be back on the radio, but this time, sharing his newfound faith in Jesus. What happened in between is the extraordinary story of how Myers would go on to found a Christian radio program that continues till this day. At that point, it was called “Haven of Rest,” and Paul Myers would endearingly become known as First Mate Bob. Now, 90 years later, that ministry is called Haven Today — the very same ministry publishing this podcast.

Hear Paul Myers tell this story in his own words. It’s also our story here at Haven Ministries. We pray this episode will serve as a reminder that the Lord is in the business of redeeming sinners and using them to go on to do great things for the Kingdom.

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David Wollen and Charles Morris met up recently to look back on how the Lord has led and sustained Haven’s gospel-focused ministry for 90 years. In this video that features early footage of Paul Myers and the Haven Quartet, David and Charles also discuss how the relevance of Jesus’ invitation to anchor our weary souls in His “Haven of Rest” is needed just as much now as it was in 1934.

Every day, Haven Ministries reaches countless souls with the assurance that yes, He can set things right. But we can’t do it alone … Haven depends on generous gifts from friends like you to keep this all about Jesus ministry on the airwaves.

Would you consider supporting the transformation of people’s lives through the faithful preaching of Christ and His Word with your fiscal year end gift today?

My Gift for Haven’s Fiscal Year End

We need your help to carry out our vital mission

As Haven enters its 10th decade of ministry, we are faced with a sizable task—sharing Christ boldly and faithfully in a deteriorating world. Even as we celebrate God’s goodness in Haven’s rich 90-year legacy, we must fix our eyes on the future.

Today, Jesus’ invitation to anchor our weary souls in His “Haven of Rest” is needed now more than ever. This is the message Haven shares daily throughout North America, Cuba, and much of the Latin-speaking world … But we need your help to raise $952,272 by June 30th to carry out this vital mission and finish the year on budget. Would you stand with Haven in this critical moment?

Just as each listener is important, every single gift given to sustain this gospel-focused ministry matters. Together, let’s sow seeds of hope for the future. With your help, more people will experience the life-transforming grace of Christ—many for the first time.

Haven Ministries, the host of the All About Jesus blog, was started by an unlikely sort, an L.A. radio star named Paul Myers. He was an alcoholic who ended up homeless, found Christ, and then came back to radio to share his new good news on the Haven of Rest broadcast. That show is now called Haven Today.

The word “haven,” the name of the ministry’s devotional, “Anchor,” and the sailboat logo all point to images of the sea, maybe a storm, a boat riding the waves, and a safe harbor. This analogy is no accident, as it is found all over the Bible. We are all riding on a stormy sea now, and Jesus is the only haven, in this life and the next.

But this week, I found another place where the truth of our lot in this sin-filled world is made clear through this analogy. In Charles Wesley’s hymn, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” we see a tempest and a storm turn into healing streams and an eternal fountain of life.

Jesus, lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior,
hide, till the storm of life is past;
safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none,
hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone,
still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed,
all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head
with the shadow of thy wing.

Wilt Thou not regard my call?
Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall-
Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand!
While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand,
dying, and behold, I live.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
more than all in thee I find;
raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is thy name,
I am all unrighteousness;
false and full of sin I am;
thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with thee is found,
grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound,
make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
freely let me take of thee;
spring thou up within my heart;
rise to all eternity.

Memorizing hymns such as these can be a powerful way to shore up your faith when you are low, to preach to yourself when you need help, and to pray to God all day long and all your days. Those who would believe in Him, consider Jesus, lover of your soul and the one who will harbor you now and forever.

Lindsey M. Roberts is the editor of the All About Jesus blog. After seven years in secular journalism, she is thrilled to explore how everything—even doing the dishes—is an opportunity to meet and glorify God. Lindsey lives with her husband and newborn son in Virginia.