The Unfolding

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. We'd love to hear what God has done in your life. Share your story. Holly Schell thought she knew God. She and her husband were raising four children, going to church, praying together, and enjoying a happy, busy family life. But everything changed on October 4, 2020, when their 15-year-old daughter, Grace, died in a tragic accident. In the days that followed, Holly wrestled with overwhelming grief, guilt, and anger. Had she done something wrong? Was God punishing her? How could she ever find hope after losing her daughter? Then, in one of her darkest moments, Holly experienced God's presence in a way she never had before. It didn't take away her grief or answer all her questions, but it began a transformation that would change her relationship with God and the way she loved others. In this deeply personal conversation, Holly shares what it looks like to trust God through devastating loss, find hope in the midst of unanswered…

Pastor Stan Parris recalls the day his son Briggs's arm suddenly doubled in size from a blood clot, raising fears of cancer and leading to emergency surgery. In desperation his wife prayed, and believes God gave her a verse - Jeremiah 33:3. A hospital water failure then canceled all surgeries, opening the door to specialized care at Johns Hopkins, and the verse, as well as their son Briggs' story, later appeared in a medical textbook. Drawing from thirty years of ministry and this crisis, Stan shares the lessons in his book Pivotal Decisions: 10 Decisions That Will Transform Your Destiny.

He was an alcoholic atheist and a country artist whose life was falling apart. Walker Hayes had written off faith and was running out of hope. Then came Craig, a friend whose relentless love, years of kindness, generosity, and one unforgettable gift made Walker start asking a question he'd avoided his whole life: What if Jesus really is who He says He is? In this episode of The Unfolding, Walker shares his journey from brokenness to belief, and how his heart of stone began to soften in the most unexpected ways. You probably know Walker for his hit song Fancy Like, which went seven-times platinum. His latest album is 17 Problems. Behind the success is a deeper story of friendship, unexpected grace, and a transformation he never saw coming. Show Notes: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkerhayes/?hl=en Website: https://www.walkerhayes.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Glad-Youre-Here-Unlikely-Breaking/dp/0802424716 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walkerhayes/

Missionary Stephen Price and his family were preparing to move to Guadalajara, but they didn't have a place to live. Then a conversation at his home church in Illinois led them to a house in Mexico. On the way to see it, Stephen sensed God telling him what the owners would offer to sell it for. He shares what happened next, along with other moments of God's faithfulness during his family's years of ministry in Mexico.

We'd love to hear what God has done in your life. Share your story. When you've prayed for someone for years, how do you keep believing their life can change? Juan Morales joined a gang at fourteen, finding belonging in a world that would lead him through years of prison. His mother never stopped praying. But after his release, a broken marriage stirred an anger that threatened to pull him back into the life he'd left behind. With plans for revenge already in motion, Juan dropped to his knees: "God, if you're real, create change in me. But I need it now." Two weeks later, a stranger approached him at the gym with words Juan couldn't explain, and an invitation he never expected. In this episode of The Unfolding, Juan shares a story of persistent prayer, an unexpected encounter with Jesus, and the possibility of a different future. If you're waiting for God to reach someone you love, or wondering whether He can change you, this story offers hope. Show Notes: Redemption Wear https://redemptionwearbrand.com/…

"And so one day I stopped praying." Laura Wifler had believed in God since childhood, but after a season of suffering, she began questioning whether he existed at all. When she finally told her friend and husband, their response surprised her and helped her face the questions she'd been carrying alone. Laura shares how her trust in God slowly returned, even as some doubts remain. Listen to last week's Unfolding Short Stories for another part of Laura's story, about facing an uncertain future for her family. Learn more about Laura's new book, This Side of the Sky.

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give. We'd love to hear what God has done in your life. Share your story. After moving through twelve foster homes and experiencing abuse and neglect, Tori Hope Petersen believed she was unwanted. She questioned how a loving God could allow children to suffer. But a woman who offered meals, a hidden key, and a safe place to land helped her begin to see God, and herself, differently. In this episode of The Unfolding, Tori shares her journey from rejection to belonging, how she came to faith in Jesus, and how God's love shaped her life as a mother and foster parent. For Tori, hospitality became a way to offer others the welcome that had changed her own life, sometimes around a kitchen table, sometimes by opening her home to a family in crisis. Her story invites you to recognize God's love in ordinary acts of kindness, trust what He says about your worth, and consider how He might use what you already have to love someone else. This is an…

"It doesn't feel like I know how to see a bright future." Laura Wifler's husband needed major surgery when doctors told them their newborn daughter would probably never walk or talk. Laura shares how God gave her peace amid uncertainty and helped her see that her daughter's worth never depended on what she could achieve. Her new book, This Side of the Sky: 101 Poems and Scriptures for the Hungry, Hopeful, and Homesick, explores seeing God's goodness in everyday life, even in hard seasons.

Do you feel responsible for keeping everyone happy, or like you have to prove your worth whenever you walk into a room? Bestselling author and Bible teacher Angie Smith, known for Seamless and Matchless, learned early to put others' needs and emotions ahead of her own. Through painful experiences and honest conversations with God, she began recognizing how those patterns shaped her relationships, her faith, and the way she saw herself. With humor and vulnerability, Angie shares her ongoing struggle with approval, control, and changing seasons, and how she's learning to live in the identity God has given her. Her newest book, Into the Deep, offers a practical path toward recognizing those patterns, working through them with God, and growing in freedom. Show Notes: Website: https://angiesmithministries.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialangiesmith/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angiesmithministries Book: https://angiesmithministries.com/books/into-the-deep/

https://spiritualsimplicity.com/ Pastor Allen Ratta was teaching on the Lord's Prayer when bullets began striking his church, with children at the other end of campus. Everyone survived, but a different crisis later left Alan a single father of four, stepping away from ministry to care for his family. Through both experiences, that familiar prayer became deeply personal. Alan shares how God protected his congregation and why "Give us this day our daily bread" became an invitation to reconnect with God.

We'd love to hear what God has done in your life. Share your story. What happens when the wounds of your past shape what you believe about yourself and God? As a child, Stasi Eldredge learned to be invisible and need nothing. Later, abuse and betrayal deepened her belief that she wasn't worth loving. Even after encountering Jesus, she spent years trying to earn God's acceptance. Stasi shares the journey that helped her face those wounds and begin to receive God's love personally. Through counseling, prayer, and Scripture, her sense of identity changed from unwanted to cherished. A New York Times bestselling author and coauthor of Captivating with her husband, John Eldredge, Stasi also introduces her new book, The Ladder of Love. Hear a story of faith, emotional healing, and growing closer to Jesus on this episode of The Unfolding. Content note: Discussion of abuse, sexual assault, suicide, substance use, and abortion. Show Notes: Website: https://wildatheart.org/the-ladder-of-love Instagram:…

Shame convinced Crystal Renaud Day that she was the only Christian woman struggling with pornography. For years, she loved and served God while keeping that part of her life hidden, until another woman shared that she had struggled, too. That conversation helped Crystal speak openly about her own experience, and today she helps women around the world through SheRecovery. If you're facing this struggle, or know someone who is, learn more at SheRecovery.com.

Marcel Patillo seemed born for a life in music. His father, Leon Patillo, sang with Santana before launching a Christian music career. His mother, Jackie, became president of the Gospel Music Association. And his brother, Gabe, toured with TobyMac for decades. But talent, opportunity and a childhood surrounded by faith couldn't give Marcel an identity, or a faith, of his own. He chased record deals, recognition and a future in Los Angeles, while God became someone he planned to get back to "eventually." When his dreams unraveled, and later when the death of his brother brought profound grief, alcohol pulled Marcel's life in a dangerous direction. In this episode, Marcel shares how God patiently drew him back through Scripture, Christian community and a series of small acts of obedience. Today, he creates music and films as I AM ABLE, including his newest song, "High," a cinematic depiction of the spiritual battle between darkness and light. Show Notes: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarcelPatillo Website:…

"I witnessed the tragic shooting of my fiancé." Diana Kannady was 22, pregnant, and planning a wedding when her life changed in an instant. More than 20 years later, Diana would face another devastating loss when her husband, Chris, drowned just hours before their daughter's wedding. In both moments, Diana made the same decision: to trust God. Her story is a powerful picture of the peace Philippians says "transcends all understanding," and of God's faithfulness when life is anything but peaceful. https://www.dianakannadyauthor.com/

Content Warning – not appropriate for children. Bruce Van Natta's childhood was filled with abuse and trauma, but he had one encounter with Jesus that marked him. He knew God was real. What he didn't understand is why God didn't rescue him. As he got older, he clearly heard God call him into ministry, but he was angry, skeptical, and cynical. As a diesel mechanic, Bruce regularly worked on big rigs. On a fateful day in 2006, he was lying under a logging truck that weighed 18,000 pounds. What happened on that day can only be described as other-worldly; an accident, a near-death experience, and an encounter with the supernatural. This is a graphic story that is not appropriate for younger listeners. Bruce Van Natta is the author of Saved by Angels and the founder of Sweet Bread Ministries. Website: https://sweetbreadministries.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SweetBreadMinistries Book: https://www.amazon.com/Saved-Angels-Expanded-Everyday-People/dp/076844134X

Tara Sierra Mosely didn't feel equipped when she was asked to pray for a dying woman in a remote village in Uganda. But she said yes, and God used that simple act of obedience as part of a much bigger story of salvation and new life. Tara's new book is House of the Forest: Life-Giving Declarations for Strength and Abundance in Every Season.

At seven years old, Lauren Burns was taken by her father from Texas to the Middle East, and her mom had no idea where she was. When the United States government couldn't help, Lauren's mother- supported by private investigators Rick and Beverly Lambert, parents of country artist Miranda Lambert- turned to a team of former military operatives for an extraordinary international rescue. The rescue made international headlines. But coming home was only the beginning. Lauren still faced childhood trauma, father wounds and a difficult question: She knew God was real, but was He good? Lauren Burns is the author of Stolen: A True Story of Kidnapping, Rescue, and Redemption, a powerful true crime memoir. Her story later inspired a television movie. Today, Lauren is a speaker on trauma, redemption, and faith, and the host of The Redeemed Podcast Learn more at laurenburns.net. This episode discusses childhood abduction and trauma and may not be appropriate for young listeners. Show Notes: Website:…

Before Roland Warren became CEO of Care Net, one of the largest networks of crisis pregnancy centers in North America, he was just a scared 20-year-old college student facing an unplanned pregnancy with his girlfriend. The pressure to choose abortion was intense. But they made a different choice. And that one decision changed everything. Roland's story is a powerful reminder that when we follow God's way, something good always comes from it. He has a new book you can check out, called "The Alternative to Abortion: Why We Must be Pro Abundant Life".

Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, two remarkable World Trade Center survivors tell the story of the day they met as strangers and walked out as brothers. Brian Clark and Stanley Praimnath were both inside the South Tower on September 11, 2001. Stanley was on the 81st floor when United Airlines Flight 175 came directly toward him. Brian was on the 84th floor when the tower was hit. In the chaos that followed, Brian heard Stanley calling for help and made a decision that would change both of their lives forever. Only 18 people survived from the impact zone or above in the South Tower. Brian and Stanley were two of them. In this special 9/11 25th anniversary episode of The Unfolding, they share what they saw, how they escaped, the extraordinary moments they still cannot fully explain, and how 9/11 transformed their understanding of faith and God's presence in the darkest moments. Their story is more than a remarkable account of survival. It is the story of two men who entered the World Trade…

Joshua Broome spent years trying to outrun rejection and prove he was worthy of love, but success in the pornography industry only left him more broken and ashamed. Then Jesus met him in the middle of his mess, and today Joshua is a husband, a father of four, and a son who found the freedom to forgive his own dad. In his latest book, 7 Lies That Will Ruin Your Life, Joshua exposes the empty promises that once shaped his life and points others toward the redemption he found in Jesus.

It was a story that made national headlines. In April of 2019, a five-year-old boy was thrown from a third-floor balcony at the Mall of America by a stranger. Landen Hoffman's injuries were catastrophic, and his survival was uncertain. But his mother, Kari, responded with unshakable faith. Drawing on what she'd learned growing up in church, Kari immediately turned to prayer, refusing to give in to fear or hatred. Landen spent four months in the hospital, facing multiple surgeries, serious complications, and long, painful nights. There were setbacks that baffled even his doctors. Yet Kari never stopped believing for complete healing. Kari Hoffman is sharing their story through her book, Miracle at the Mall. This is the incredible account of a mother's fierce faith, a miraculous recovery, and a God who still moves mountains. Show notes: Miracle at the Mall Book: https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Mall-Hoffmann-Survived-39-Foot-High/dp/B0DZBX3XNK Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kari_hoffmann_5/ Facebook:…

When Jacob Coyne saw his father transformed by Jesus, he wanted that same hope for himself. That decision began a chain reaction that would bring hope to others facing some of their darkest moments. Jacob's book, The Secret Life of Christians

We'd love to hear what God has done in your life. Share your story. After experiencing sexual abuse, the death of her father, a move from New York to Puerto Rico, and years of bullying and rejection, Christine D'Clario was angry with God. She blamed Him for her pain and wanted nothing to do with Him. But that wasn't the end of her story. In this episode from The Unfolding archives, Christine shares honestly about the encounter with Jesus that changed her life, as well as her later battle with postpartum depression and thoughts of suicide. Today, she is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and worship leader whose music reaches millions around the world—and she uses her story to offer hope to others facing depression and mental-health challenges. Content note: This episode includes discussion of sexual abuse, postpartum depres sion, and suicidal ideation. Show Notes: Website: https://christinedclario.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinedclariomusic/ Instagram:…

After four years of infertility, Debbie Simmons was shocked and ecstatic to learn she was expecting four babies. But when complications came much too early, she lost all four of her sons. As Debbie walked through unimaginable grief, God gave her enough light for each next step. Exactly seven years later, five children entered her home through adoption, turning April 1 into a day of God's faithfulness and redemption.

How can knowing your God-given identity change the way you respond to fear, conflict, and uncertainty? As a young police officer in Washington, D.C., Jamie Winship quickly realized that his training alone couldn't prepare him for the situations he faced. He began learning how to hear God's voice and trust His direction, even when it led to unconventional and seemingly impossible solutions. That journey eventually took Jamie from confronting gang violence in Washington to serving in some of the most dangerous conflict zones in the world, including the Middle East. In this remarkable conversation from The Unfolding archives, Jamie shares gripping stories about following God into dangerous places, becoming a peacemaker, overcoming fear, and discovering the freedom that comes from knowing your true identity in Christ. Jamie Winship is the author of Living Fearless and The War of Worldviews, and co-founder of Identity Exchange with his wife, Donna. Learn more at IdentityExchange.com. Show Notes: Website:…

Doctors kept giving Sierra Emison more reasons to worry about her unborn daughter, but she kept feeling like God was telling her to trust Him. Through prayer, people around her, and even the words "miracle child," Sierra felt encouraged again and again. Today, McKenna is 21 months old, growing, thriving, and still surprising doctors.

Justin and Trisha Davis appeared to be living the dream- a beautiful family, successful ministry, and a future filled with promise. After planting their first church, Justin had an affair with a staff member who was also Trisha's best friend. Their marriage, family and careers were simultaneously blown apart, and they were forced to come to terms with their brokenness. It seemed their story would be one of failure and loss, but Justin and Trisha found grace, healing and redemption for even the most shattered parts of their lives. Justin and Trisha are the founders of RefineUs.org and the authors of One Choice Away from Change: Break the Cycles That Hurt Your Relationships and Hold You Back. Show Notes: Website: https://www.refineus.org/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/best-sellers-books-Amazon/zgbs/books/7259415011/ref=zg_bs_pg_2_books?_encoding=UTF8&pg=2

Jessica Ronne was caring for her son Lucas, who has profound disabilities, while trying to meet a book deadline and lead a nonprofit. She felt frustrated that caregiving kept interrupting what she believed was her important work. Then God showed her that caring for Lucas was holy work. Years later, that quiet faithfulness grew into a home where Lucas and three other adults with disabilities can thrive. Learn more about Jessica Ronne and find encouragement and resources for caregivers at jessronne.com

Scott Spiezio knew God. During some of the best years of his Major League Baseball career, he was surrounded by believers and openly sharing his faith. But after reaching the height of success, Scott moved away from what had kept him grounded. As addiction took hold, shame told him he was too far gone, while the mindset that made him a champion convinced him he could save himself. He couldn't. What changed everything was surrender. Now Scott is sharing his story through his new book, The Hardest Comeback, and Spiezio, a documentary about his life. He hopes they will reach people who need to know that addiction does not have to be the end of their story. Scott played 12 seasons in the major leagues, winning World Series championships with the Anaheim Angels and St. Louis Cardinals. Cardinals fans may remember the soul patch he dyed bright red during the 2006 championship run. But behind the success, addiction was taking hold. After 11 trips to rehab, Scott entered the hospital with a failing liver and only a…

Jaron Lockridge spent years quietly struggling with pornography while wrestling with doubts about God. Then an unexpected sermon from Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell led to the most sincere prayer Jaron had ever prayed, and by the next morning, everything had changed. Now free from that addiction, Jaron is using his gifts as a filmmaker to tell honest stories about faith, struggle, and community. His new series, House for the Broken, is available on Amazon.

What happens when you finally get the success you wanted and realize it still is not enough? For Donovan Donnell, the stage had always been a place where he felt seen. But after years of disappointment and rejection, his desire for attention and approval led him into the world of exotic dancing. He found money, recognition, and success, but none of it could give him the life he really wanted. Donovan never completely walked away from faith. He still went to church and Bible study. But eventually, God asked him to walk away from the life he had built and trust Him with what came next. This is Donovan's story of losing himself, surrendering to God, and discovering who he had been created to be. He also shares the message behind Designed to Succeed, his new book with Kevin Olusola of Pentatonix, about pursuing success without losing your faith, your purpose, or your identity. Show Notes: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ1f7NOZ-Qk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donovandeedonnell/ Facebook:…

"This makes you way more real to us." That's what Amber Albee Swenson's kids told her after she finally opened up about her past. She had spent years teaching the Bible and leading her family in faith, but still carried silent shame that was creating distance. One conversation changed everything. Vulnerability became the key to deeper trust, healing, and faith. Amber's latest book is called "The Key to Confidence".

Have you ever wondered if your past has already determined your future? The circumstances of your childhood, painful family relationships, mistakes you've made, or words someone spoke over you can leave you wondering whether your future has already been decided. Jonathan Almonte knows that feeling. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Jonathan experienced extreme poverty, family brokenness, and rejection from his father. As a little boy, he dreamed of becoming a gang member because it was the only future he could imagine. Then everything began to change. Jonathan shares how a local church, a Compassion sponsor who faithfully wrote letters year after year, and the love of Jesus transformed his life. He found hope where there had been despair and the ability to forgive the father who once told him he was "a mistake." This episode is a reminder that your past does not have the final word. God is still writing stories of redemption. Show Notes: Website: https://compassion.com/ Instagram:…

After a chaotic childhood, Doug Hannah came to Christ at 15 and finally understood that he was deeply loved, but years later, he realized he had turned faith into something he had to perform. This is the story of discovering grace... twice... and learning to rest in a love he never had to earn.

Most people know Stephen Bargatze as the father of comedian Nate Bargatze. But long before audiences knew Nate's name, Stephen was living a story marked by childhood abuse, rejection, depression, and pain. Growing up, Stephen believed he was unwanted. His mother told him he was a mistake. He struggled with thoughts of suicide and spent years carrying the wounds of his childhood. But God wasn't finished writing his story. In this moving conversation, Stephen shares how one family's extraordinary kindness introduced him to the love of Jesus, how God's grace transformed his life, and why, decades later, he found himself standing beside his dying mother with a choice that would define the rest of his life. It's a remarkable story of forgiveness, mercy, redemption, and the God who can bring beauty from even our deepest wounds. If you've ever wondered whether God can redeem a painful past, or whether forgiveness is really possible, Stephen's story will encourage you. ⚠️ This episode includes discussion of child…

Have you ever struggled to trust God after bad news? Shinia Dittman had prayed for a baby, but during pregnancy, doctors discovered that her son had a serious birth defect that could threaten his life. Afraid, angry, and overwhelmed, Shinia got alone with God and prayed honestly, and God met her with peace. After surgery, healing, and so many unexpected details, the sound of her son's first cry became a beautiful reminder that God was in the details.

Jinger Duggar Vuolo grew up on television. From the age of 10 until she was 27, her family appeared on TLC's reality shows 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On. As the sixth child of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, she grew up in a strict religious system led by a teacher who claimed to speak for God. That belief system contributed to a view of God as an angry judge waiting for her next mistake. Motivated by a fear of rejection, she was driven to be a people pleaser, trying to keep everyone happy all of the time. But as she grew to know and understand God's love, she realized the loving thing to do was speak the truth. Jinger Duggar Vuolo is the author of Becoming Free Indeed, and People Pleaser: Breaking Free from the Burden of Imaginary Expectations. Website: https://www.jingerandjeremy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jingervuolo/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/People-Pleaser-Breaking-Imaginary-Expectations/dp/140034171X

"I see God very clearly through the rearview mirror." Tim Mulgrew was trying to move closer to God, but the more intentional he became about faith, the more tension grew at home. His wife resented it, and that conflict eventually boiled over into a painful public moment at church. Tim's story is about coming to real faith, even when choosing God made life harder before it got better.

Link to Google form for guest submissions: https://forms.gle/bJqjKjBUBCAYwNg68 A grizzly bear attack in the Canadian wilderness nearly took Jim VanSteenhouse's life. As he was being flown to safety, Jim found himself confronting a question he could no longer avoid: If he died that day, where would he spend eternity? But this story begins long before the bear attack. When Jim and Liz met, their relationship was, in their words, "a high-speed train wreck." There was addiction, heartbreak, years of unanswered prayers, and a marriage that seemed unlikely to survive. After Liz gave her life to Christ, she spent years praying for her husband while God transformed her own life in ways she never expected. Then came the phone call that changed everything. In this episode of The Unfolding, Jim and Liz share their remarkable story of addiction, redemption, healing, a grizzly bear attack, and a God who never stopped pursuing them. If you've ever prayed for someone you love, wondered whether God was listening, or needed…

Emily Wierenga grew up sensing that God was close, but one careless comment about her body helped lead her into a long battle with anorexia. At five foot eight, Emily dropped to 60 pounds, and yet God kept reaching into her life with reminders that she was loved, chosen, and not forgotten. Today, Emily is using her words and her story through her book God Who Became Bread and through The Lulu Tree, where she helps feed mothers and children in Africa while pointing them to the hope of God's Word.

In 1 John 3:1 it says, "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" God is our Father. Sometimes that can be challenging to comprehend. It's easier to grasp when you've had a good relationship with your earthly dad. It can be more complicated if your relationship is unhealthy or strained. This week on The Unfolding we are sharing three stories of fathers, from Mark Schulz, Gina Copeland and Jeremy Rosado. Each story gives a perspective of how God works healing in and through fathers, whether they are biological, adoptive, or those who simply choose to step into the role of dad. Show Notes: Mark Schultz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markschultzofficial/ Mark Schultz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markschultzofficial/ Gina Copeland Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gina.d.copeland Jeremy Rosado Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjeremyrosado/ Jeremy Rosado Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAMJEREMYROSADO/ Link to…

For most of her life, Rebecca Corwin called herself an agnostic, and sometimes even an atheist. But looking back, she could see moments of protection, peace, and unmistakable prompting that kept pointing her toward God. At 56 years old, after a lifetime of being pursued, Rebecca finally gave herself completely to Jesus.

How do you learn to recognize God's voice? Michael Boggs has spent much of his life asking that question. Long before he became a member of the Christian music group FFH or wrote the beloved Christmas song "Come You Unfaithful," Michael watched God transform his family through his father's dramatic conversion and began discovering for himself what it means to follow Jesus. In this episode of The Unfolding, Michael shares the pivotal moments that shaped his faith, from walking away from athletic scholarships to joining FFH, touring the world, serving in ministry, and eventually becoming a worship pastor in Oklahoma. Along the way, Michael learned powerful lessons about God's leading, identity, and unconditional love. He talks about comparison, loneliness, calling, and the freedom that comes from understanding that our worth isn't found in what we accomplish, but in being loved by God. Show Notes: Website: https://michaelboggs.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelboggs_music/ Facebook:…

"We began to… say the Nicene Creed." That decision changed everything for pastor and researcher Glenn Packiam, when a 2006 scandal rocked his Colorado Springs church. In this Unfolding Short Story, the Barna Group scholar and host of The Resilient Pastor podcast recounts how repeating the Creed each week knit a fractured congregation back together, and how its ancient words still steady believers facing today's confusion and corruption. Want to dig deeper? Check out Glenn's book What's a Christian, Anyway?: Finding Our Way in an Age of Confusion and Corruption.

When Brandon Heath heard the Gospel as a teenager, he was hungry for truth, love, and healing. His parents' broken relationship had left him hurting and carrying a heavy load of resentment. When he heard God is love, and more specifically, God loves him, it was life changing. But transformation and healing take time. God was putting people in Brandon's life, including a guy named Bob Goff. They were mentors who saw things in Brandon he couldn't see in himself. Brandon Heath is a singer and songwriter who's been nominated for multiple Grammys and won eight Dove awards for songs like "Give Me Your Eyes," "See Me Through It," and "I'm Not Who I Was." Brandon's latest project is called The Ache. Show Notes: Website: https://www.brandonheathmusic.com/ Album "The Ache" - https://brandonheath.lnk.to/TheAche

"I believe God gave me this dream because He has healed your body." When David Stine was fifteen years old, doctors gave him about six weeks to live. His family was bracing for the worst. Then David's grandfather, one of the only strong Christian believers he knew, called with a dream and a deep conviction that God had done something. Years later, David can look back and see how this moment became part of the story God used to draw him closer to Jesus. David also writes about this story in his new book, The Way of the Ox.

At 25 years old, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and worship leader Tim Timmons was diagnosed with incurable stage 4 cancer and told he likely had five years to live. More than two decades later, Tim is still here and still learning what it looks like to trust Jesus in the middle of grief, doubt, fear, and uncertainty. In this conversation, Tim talks about wrestling with God, living with unanswered questions, and why he believes faith isn't about pretending everything is okay. He shares how suffering reshaped his understanding of God, the daily practices that help him walk through worry, and why he stopped "working for Jesus" and started simply learning to join Him. Tim also talks about: surrender, contentment, and trusting God grief, loss, and suffering the story behind 10,000 Minutes MercyMe, I Can Only Imagine 2, and his journey as a Christian artist If you've ever struggled with disappointment, uncertainty, or questions about faith, this conversation is for you. Show Notes: Website:…

"We're craving hamburgers." Frank Agundes helps lead Lily of the Valley Children's Home in Mexico. When the kids asked God for hamburgers, He answered in a big way. In this Unfolding Short Story, Frank shares how God called him to serve at the orphanage and how he keeps seeing God provide in both big and little ways. To learn more about the orphanage or give, visit https://www.lilyofthevalley2.org/

She's the voice behind the hit song Desperate, a powerful anthem that soared to number one and struck a chord with thousands. But Jamie MacDonald's story runs much deeper. In this episode, Jamie shares about growing up in a house where singing was banned and hope felt out of reach. After being kicked out at 15 and dropping out of high school at 16, she spent years bouncing between couches and group homes, no phone, no address, no one in her corner. But even in the darkest moments, a flicker of faith from a childhood church camp refused to go out. Join us as Jamie shares how one desperate prayer changed everything and how her pain gave rise to a song that's giving hope to so many. Show notes: Website: https://www.jamiemacdonaldmusic.com/#/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiemacdonaldmusic/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=jamie%20macdonald%20music

Some stories sound almost impossible to believe. Terrell Scott was in prison after a life of drugs and crime when God sent Brandy, the woman he had robbed at gunpoint during a drug deal, to share the gospel with him. Brandy had every reason to hate him, but after meeting Jesus, she began praying for the man who had hurt her and asking God to help her forgive. What followed was repentance, transformation, marriage, family, and ministry in the same community where so much damage had been done. Terrell and Brandy share more of their story in their book, The Power of the Broken Road, about how God turns pain into purpose, tragedy into triumph, and a mess into a message.