A Faith Refined Through Trial: Christian Englert's Journey Through Cancer and Writing

With a faith transformed through a time of suffering, Dallas Baptist University alumnus Christian Englert '24 strives to share God's grace through his journey with a rare form of brain cancer. Using his experiences to bring glory to God, Christian put his story to paper, partnering with Bell Asteri Publishing to share God's goodness in his life during a time of uncertainty.

Born and raised in Euless, Texas, Christian grew up in a family that was actively involved in church, remembering how he often spent most of his free time there. He constantly served in the youth ministry and played drums for the worship team. At seven years old, he accepted Christ into his life and recalls going around and telling everyone he knew about His Savior, Jesus.

However, as Christian entered high school, he began encountering questions from others about the validity of Christianity. These questions soon became his own, with a doubt growing inside him about whether God even existed. By his sophomore year, he found himself searching the world, and himself, for something to fill a void that could only be filled by Christ.

Around this same time, he began experiencing hand tremors that got worse over time, leading to multiple doctor's visits. After a routine MRI, the doctors discovered a tumor in the center of Christian's brain. This unexpected discovery led to an emergency brain surgery, which would lead to finding out that Christian had a Pineal Parenchymal Tumor of Intermediate Differentiation (PPTID), which is a rare form of brain cancer that had only five recorded cases since 2000.

This diagnosis hit Christian's world hard. Believing there was no promise of healing, he began battling depression, anger, and confusion alongside the current doubts he had in his faith.

As Christian began his first round of Chemotherapy, he discovered 1 Peter 1:6-7, and his faith began to shift as he read that trials were meant to refine one's faith. The doubts and questions he had developed over the years began to be answered, and his faith began to heal.

After two rounds of chemotherapy, the doctors determined that the treatment was not eliminating the cancer, leading to another brain surgery that would attempt to remove the tumor completely.

Facing the risks associated with this surgery, Christian turned to the Lord. He wrestled once again with the remaining questions he had about his faith and surviving cancer. As he faced the uncertainty that came with his surgery, and the unknown outcome of his cancer battle, Christian realized he had to trust God with whatever the future held. Trusting that the Lord was in control, no matter the outcome, and if he made it through the surgery, Christian decided he would write about how this trial led him back to the Lord, strengthening and transforming his faith.

Coming out of a successful surgery, Christian began taking the next steps to grow in his faith, all while glorifying God in his future career. He soon found DBU's website and was drawn to the idea of integrating faith in all aspects of learning. Christian then became a student, where he was surrounded by mentors "who encouraged him, offered time, and resources that got him through tough days, and always encouraged him to depend on the Lord."

During his time at DBU, Christian connected with Dr. Jim Denison of Denison Ministries, which opened up internship and writing opportunities that would refine Christian's abilities as a writer, aiding him in the next chapter of his life.

As Christian began writing his story, he was inspired by his mentors, DBU Trustee and Adjunct Professor, Dr. Brent Taylor, to use his voice to glorify God; Associate Professor of English, Dr. Jodi Grimes, in how to move the story along amidst writer's block; and Professor of Biblical Studies, Dr. Joseph Matos, in the theological topics that would appear and in writing the book's forward.

Though he was constantly advised to self-publish, Christian got connected with Bell Asteri Publishing, an organization dedicated to sharing the stories of those impacted by cancer. In this partnership, Christian was able to choose which events to include in his book, knowing that whatever he chose to include, he would have to be completely honest in his experiences.

His book shares the raw and authentic account of Christian's battle with cancer and his faith. Christian wanted readers to know that all humans suffer, and though it is not an easy concept to come to terms with, he reassures readers that God is able to use the dark, uncertain moments of life to refine and build up our faith. "If God was able to redeem our eternity through the work of Jesus, surely, he can redeem the trials that occur within it," Christian says.

Graduating with both his bachelor's in Biblical Studies and master's in Theological Studies from DBU in May 2024, Christian released his book Refined by Fire with Bell Asteri Publishing the following year in February 2025.

While he continues to experience the effects of his cancer treatments, including processing issues and chronic fatigue, Christian is grateful to say that he is now cancer-free.

Today, Christian serves as the Transportation Coordinator at DBU, where he facilitates transportation for international students. Having experienced some of the most formative times of his life at DBU, he loves getting to be on the other side, serving students each day. Christian also runs a website with DBU Professor Dr. Joseph Matos called journeytothetruth.org, which serves to point people towards Christ.

Reflecting on the goodness of the Lord through his journey, Christian sees how his encounter with brain cancer saved his faith. "As 1 Peter 1:6-7 encourages, my faith was transformed through my trial," he says. He hopes his story can encourage others in their own struggles by knowing that life is not always easy, but the Lord is faithful even in those moments.