About the Guest(s):Simonetta Carr is an Italian-born author and educator with a rich background in history, writing, and working with young people. She possesses a lifelong passion for history, one that was nurtured by the rich historical culture of Italy. For many years, Simonetta traveled internationally with her American husband, an English teacher, and embraced the homeschooling journey with their eight children. Homeschooling provided a platform for Simonetta to merge education, historical exploration, and writing, eventually leading her to author numerous children's books and a comprehensive church history book. Renowned for the "Christian Biographies for Young Readers" series, she has penned over twenty titles, bringing church history to life for younger audiences.Episode Summary:Dive into the intellectually enriching realm of church history with the latest episode of Renewalcast, featuring the esteemed author and historian, Simonetta Carr. Known for her captivating "Christian Biographies for Young Readers," Carr's works are a beacon for education, thoughtful reflection, and theological discovery, painting a vivid historical landscape for both young minds and adults alike.This episode journeys through Carr's unique personal history, her international experiences, and her profound discovery of church history's relevance and resonance. We explore the genesis of her acclaimed book series, her meticulous research process, and her unwavering commitment to presenting church history in a form that young readers can not only comprehend but deeply connect with. Witness a behind-the-scenes look at Carr's collaborations with experts, the challenges of distilling complex ideas into engaging narratives, and her insights on why church history remains crucially important in modern times.Key Takeaways:Simonetta Carr shares her background in Italy and journey into writing children's books on church history.Carr emphasizes the importance of teaching theology alongside historical figures to help children understand the development of Christian beliefs.The process of writing these books involves extensive research, consulting experts, and the creative challenge of simplifying theological concepts for young readers.Carr's passion extends to encouraging young Christians through her works, highlighting God's preservation of the church throughout history.The "Kids Talk Church History" podcast, supported by the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, showcases the active participation and perspectives of young believers today.Notable Quotes:"I had this idea […] to include all this in my curriculum with my kids. And I was interested not only in learning about great people in church history but about how the theology developed.""I try to condense their main teaching in one or two paragraphs. […] It's the hardest part, to try to really condense it. But it's also, for me, it's the most fun because it's a challenge.""So many young people joining this movement and the parents saying, what happened to them? It sounds like they're talking and then you read letters. Like, I think it was Bollinger. I think he was writing his son and saying, why are you spending so much money in college and we don't have money to buy another pair of shoes.""I am generally encouraged, just generally speaking. I think it's just from studying church history that kind of made me really believe that Christ is keeping his church.""It encourages you, especially when people say, oh, everybody hates Christians now, what's going to happen to us? Just look back 2000 years, we're still here."Resources:"Christian Biographies for Young Readers" series by Simonetta Carr."Kids Talk Church History" podcast by the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.In a world that often overlooks the pivotal role of church history in shaping our faith, Simonetta Carr's works serve as a compelling invitation to discover its transformative power. Tune into the full episode of Renewalcast to glean rich insights from this evocative discussion with Simonetta Carr and keep an ear out for future episodes that promise to renew your mind with the life-giving wisdom of spiritual heritage.