The Unfolding

"This was like a week only with me and God." Geony Rucker was in full-time ministry, with plenty of work waiting, when she kept sensing the same message every time she opened God's Word: step away and rest with Him. At first, it didn't seem to make sense. But when the unexpected loss of her mom came just weeks later, Geony realized God had been preparing her all along, giving her time with Him, time with family, and the strength to grieve while knowing He was holding her.

  Jennie Allen has spent her life helping people follow God, find purpose, and experience freedom in Christ. As a bestselling author, Bible teacher, and founder of IF:Gathering and Gather25, her influence has reached millions.  But beneath the surface there was a lie she didn't even know she believed. A lie about her identity, her worth, and what she had to prove. In this conversation, Jennie shares the moment God exposed that hidden belief, and how it had been shaping her thoughts, her confidence, and her calling.  You'll hear how negative thoughts- feeling not enough, striving for approval, questioning your purpose, can take root without you realizing it, and how recognizing them can lead to real freedom. If you've ever struggled with insecurity, comparison, or wondering if God could really use your life, this story will remind you that freedom is possible.  Show Notes:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennieallen/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniesallen  Book:   https://www.jennieallen.com/lies-book  Website:  https://www.jennieallen.com/  THE LIES QUIZ: LINK  Share your Unfolding story: https://bit.ly/UnfoldingStories 

"He showed me on that day that His goodness is running after my daughter."   Jill Tracey shares what happened as her daughter Alyssa was struggling with faith, and Jill was learning to let go of control. Through the song Goodness of God, God gave Jill a picture of hope she would carry for years. It was a reminder that even when she couldn't reach her daughter, God still could. 

  What happens inside someone who walks away from faith? For Jakob Happs, it wasn't sudden. Long before he stepped away, there were questions, doubts, and a growing sense that something wasn't working the way he thought it should.  Over time, that tension led him further and further from God, and from the people who loved him most.  In this powerful and honest conversation, Jakob shares his story from the inside. The wrestling, the distance, the decisions that followed, and the unexpected moments that changed everything.  Alongside his mom, Suzanne, this episode offers a rare, deeply personal look at both sides of a prodigal story. What it felt like to walk away, and what it meant to come home.  This episode explores what doubt and deconstruction can feel like from the inside, the tension between belief and questions, and how God continues to pursue even in the middle of distance. For anyone praying for a prodigal child, a loved one who has walked away from faith, or anyone wrestling with belief, this story offers both honesty and hope.  Show Notes:   Jakob Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whatshappsin.n?igsh=MXRtNjUwOG1hMDdkaQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr     Jakob Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Df1sbwviJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr     Suzanne Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.happs  Book: https://www.amazon.com/We-Who-Wrestle-God-Perceptions/dp/0593542533  YouTube Channels:   https://www.youtube.com/@bibleproject  https://www.youtube.com/@RuslanKD  https://www.youtube.com/@ExpeditionBible  Share your Unfolding story: https://bit.ly/UnfoldingStories 

"The more I pushed, the more my body said no."  Stephanie shares how God used cancer, chronic illness, cardiac arrest, and a season of forced rest to redirect her life. Today, she helps others slow down, live with intention, and care for the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Recently, she wrote Faith and Health Devotional Bible Study Workbook. 

What do you do when your child walks away from everything you've raised them to believe?  For Suzanne and Alan Happs, that question became deeply personal when their son told them, "I'm not exactly sure I believe any of that anymore." What followed was 13 and a half years of praying, waiting, questioning, and learning what it really means to trust God with someone you love.  In this episode, Suzanne and Alan share:  What it felt like to watch their son deconstruct his faith   The mistakes they made, and what they wish they had done differently   How they learned to love without controlling or pushing   What sustained their faith through years of heartbreak and uncertainty   The moment everything began to change, and the powerful way God brought their son back   If you are praying for a prodigal child, a loved one who has walked away from faith, or someone who feels far from God, this story will meet you right where you are.  Next week, don't miss Part 2—Jake Happs shares his side of the story. What led him away from faith? And what ultimately drew him back to Jesus?     Show Notes:   Suzanne on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.happs  Praying for Your Prodigal book:  https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Your-Prodigal-Kyle-Idleman/dp/1434707717  Share about your Unfolding story here: https://bit.ly/UnfoldingStories 

    "Put on your helmet." Susan had a picture in her mind for her 22nd birthday: a new horse, a sunset ride, and a beautiful moment she would never forget. But right before it began, a voice interrupted her plans with a warning that would save her life.  BONUS: Hear Susan's daughter's short story on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 

  What if the way you see God, isn't actually true?  Jon Acuff grew up in church, but for years his relationship with God felt more like pressure than connection, and that shaped everything. In this episode of The Unfolding, Jon shares how his faith became personal in the middle of real life- marriage, responsibility, and the pressure to figure things out. As God began to reshape the way Jon saw Him, it changed the way he saw himself, his fear, and his calling.  Jon is a New York Times bestselling author known for books like Soundtracks and All It Takes Is a Goal. His newest book, Procrastination Proof, grows out of his own story- the years of knowing what he was called to do, but struggling to step into it. If you've ever felt stuck, unsure of your purpose, or like you're waiting until you feel ready, this conversation is for you.  Show Notes:    Website: https://jonacuff.com/    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjonacuff     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonacuff     YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/authorjonacuff     Procrastination Proof book: https://www.amazon.com/Procrastination-Proof-Never-Stuck-Again/dp/154090380X     Share a story idea for The Unfolding: https://bit.ly/UnfoldingStories 

  Alicia Barr was sitting at a women's conference, half listening to Annie F. Downs, when something happened that felt far too personal to ignore. Alicia had been living in secrecy and pain, and in that moment, God interrupted her life with mercy. In this Unfolding Short Story, she shares how that moment became the beginning of truth, healing, and freedom.  Alicia is the author of More Than a Secret.

  What does it look like to trust God when your marriage has been devastated, and you don't know what comes next?  Brad and Heidi Mitchell share their story of walking through infidelity, broken trust, and the long road toward healing. After Brad's affair, their marriage faced a season that felt overwhelming. But in the middle of that pain, God began to do a deeper work, one that neither of them could have imagined at the time. In this conversation, you'll hear how they navigated repentance, forgiveness, and rebuilding communication. Their story is a reminder that even when a marriage feels fragile or fractured, God is still present and still at work. Today, Brad and Heidi lead Build Your Marriage, where they help couples grow stronger in their relationships and faith. They're also the authors of Ruined to Recovery, written for couples walking through betrayal, and Build Your Marriage Through Prayer, a practical guide to strengthening your marriage through prayer.  Show Notes:   Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/buildyourmarriage/  Build Your Marriage Through Prayer book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734158883#  Ruined to Recovery book:  https://www.amazon.com/Ruined-Recovery-Help-Affair-Discovered/dp/1734158824/  Website: https://buildyourmarriage.org/  Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/buildyourmarriage 

    "I knew inside that God was doing something in me and I had to listen to that."  Justin Stuart had built something huge: a YouTube channel with millions of subscribers, billions of views, and a successful business with his closest friend. But even with all of that, he began to sense God stirring something new in his heart. In this episode, Justin shares what it looked like to walk away from a life that seemed successful by every measure and trust God with what came next.  Check out Justin Stuart's Blobs books here:  https://davidccook.org/authors/justin-stuart/ 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  What happens when the very thing you believe you were created to do, is suddenly taken away?  Bay Turner (America's Got Talent, Centricity Music) shares a story of identity, faith, and surrender. After building a life around his voice, Bay was told he might never sing again. In an instant, everything he thought defined him was gone. What followed was a journey through anger, doubt, and ultimately a deeper understanding of who he is in Christ, not because of what he does, but because of whose he is.  Bay's debut EP Better Days is out now. This is a story for anyone who has ever questioned their purpose, struggled with identity, or wondered what God is doing in the middle of it all.  Show Notes:   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bayturnermusic  Website: https://www.bayturner.com/  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/bayturnermusic/ 

John Rhys-Davies, narrator of THE CHRIST, joins us to talk about Jesus, Tolkien, and the deeper story behind this four-part Easter audio epic. Through cinematic storytelling, powerful performances, and stirring music, THE CHRIST brings the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus vividly to life. Learn more at: TheChristPodcast.com

Experience the story of Jesus like never before in THE CHRIST, a four-part Easter audio epic. THE CHRIST brings the gospel narrative vividly to life—from the humble manger to the victorious resurrection—through world-class voice talent, cinematic soundscapes, and stirring music. From the halls of Roman power to the wilderness of Judea and the hills of Galilee, this immersive audio drama follows the life, ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth—and the people forever changed by Him. Follow the podcast now so you hear each new episode the moment it releases. Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-christ-an-easter-audio-epic/id1870710176 Or here: https://open.spotify.com/show/6oaFRx79AiROdosDof8FME Learn more at TheChristPodcast.com

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  Emmy-nominated actor Tom Pelphrey (HBO's Task, Netflix's Ozark) joins The Unfolding to talk about stepping into one of the most profound roles imaginable. Tom portrays Jesus in The Christ, a new four-part audio drama from Faith Podcasts that brings the story of Jesus to life through immersive sound and a powerful, star-studded cast. In this conversation, Tom shares what it was like to take on a role that is both deeply personal and universally known; from the challenge of portraying "fully God and fully man," to the surprising way certain scenes, like the temptation in the wilderness, began to echo his own inner dialogue. This episode explores identity, faith, and the voice we choose to listen to, and how an ancient story still speaks into modern life.  Show Notes:   Listen to The CHRIST:  https://thechristpodcast.com/  Tom Pelphrey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommypelphrey/  The Christ trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcMlmFZnlKw  The Christ website: thechristpodcast.com  The Christ socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube 

"With God, no season is wasted, no time is wasted."  Haylee Graham shares how God used one short film, one Bible verse, and one unexpected season to bring reconciliation with her father before his sudden death. What became his final film also became a turning point in their relationship. In this Unfolding Short Story, Haylee reflects on grief, God's timing, and the quiet ways He prepares us for what's ahead.  Here's a link to the short film Haylee talks about: "Planted" Here's a link to Haylee's latest book: Take the Horse and Run 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  Content warning: This episode contains discussion of child sexual abuse and neglect. Listener discretion is advised.  Mary DeMuth, author of more than 50 books including Restory Your Life, shares her journey from a childhood of abuse and neglect to a life marked by God's healing, hope, and purpose.  Hear how a single prayer as a teenager- "God, would you be the Father who will never leave me?"- set Mary on a path of faith, healing, and ultimately helping others walk through their own pain. She talks candidly about the long, often difficult process of healing, and offers insight into how sharing your story can bring light, encouragement, and restoration.  This episode is a powerful reminder that God can redeem the most painful chapters of our lives, and that your story, no matter how broken, can become a source of hope for others.  Show Notes:  Website:   https://www.marydemuth.com/  Restory Your Life book:   https://www.marydemuth.com/books/restory-your-life/  Pray Every Day podcast:  https://www.marydemuth.com/prayeveryday-2/  Thin Places book:  https://www.marydemuth.com/books/thin-places-2/  Into the Light Bible study:   https://www.marydemuth.com/books/into-the-light-bible-study-book/  The Wall Around Your Heart book:  https://www.marydemuth.com/books/wall-around-heart/ 

  "Lord, please remove this desire to drink."  Karisa Rogers believed in God. She even liked telling people about Jesus. But alcohol still had a grip on her life.  What began as a way to fit in eventually became a way to cope with heartbreak and family pain. After years of struggle, Karisa reached the end of herself and prayed a simple prayer: "Lord, please remove this desire to drink." In this Unfolding Short Story, Karisa shares how God met her in that moment and how her life has been transformed ever since. 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.    Dennis Ritter spent decades battling heart disease, living with the knowledge that his time might be shorter than most.  But suffering didn't make him bitter. It deepened his faith. When Dennis' health declined, his family gathered to say goodbye. In this deeply moving episode of The Unfolding, Dawn Ritter and her children, Ben and Karen, share the story of Dennis' final days, the legacy of faith he left behind, and the hope that carries them through heartbreaking loss. They talk honestly about grief, unanswered prayers for healing, and why their faith in God remained steady even when the miracle they asked for didn't come.  Because sometimes God doesn't remove the suffering. Sometimes He meets us in it.   Show Notes:   Books:  Every Moment Holy Vol. 2 Death, Grief, and Hope  https://www.amazon.com/Every-Moment-Holy-II-Hardcover/dp/1951872053     Grieving with Hope  https://www.amazon.com/Grieving-Hope-Walking-Jesus-Heartbreak/dp/164507448X     A Grace Disguised  https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Disguised-Revised-Expanded-through/dp/0310363594     When Mountains Crumble  https://www.amazon.com/When-Mountains-Crumble-Rebuilding-Someone/dp/0802425569     Walking with God through Pain and Suffering   https://www.amazon.com/Walking-God-through-Pain-Suffering/dp/1594634408     Podcasts:  The Widowed Mom Podcast by Krista St. Germain - https://www.coachingwithkrista.com/podcast/     The Widow Coach Podcast by Karen Sutton.  https://www.karensutton.co.uk/podcasts/the-widow-podcast     A Widow's Heart Podcast with Pam Lundell  https://www.myfaithpodcasts.com/podcasts/a-widows-heart/     Website:   Never Alone Widows - a nationwide ministry to widows.  https://www.neveralonewidows.com/ 

  "There are no winners in what we went through… only Hannah."  Gary and Mari Malychewski share the story of losing their young daughter in a tragic accident. In the days and years that followed, they faced questions of grief, guilt, and forgiveness that few parents ever have to carry. Looking back, they say God had been quietly preparing their hearts long before that day arrived. This is a story about loss, faith, and the difficult grace of learning to forgive in the middle of unimaginable pain. 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.    Dennis died three times. What he experienced while his heart stopped changed the way he—and his family—would live the rest of their lives.  Dennis spent his life trying to outrun the heart disease that ran in his family. He exercised. Ate well. Stayed disciplined. Then one day, without warning, he collapsed from a massive heart attack. His heart stopped three times. Dennis says during those moments he experienced something almost impossible to describe.  It was an overwhelming sense of love and peace.  While doctors fought to save him, his wife Dawn stood in the hospital hallway praying, clinging to Scripture, and surrendering her husband's life to God. When Dennis came back, everything changed. They didn't just get survival. They got bonus time. A deeper intimacy with God. And a new understanding of how God had been preparing them long before this moment.  Show Notes:  Book Dennis mentioned:  https://www.amazon.com/90-Minutes-Heaven-Story-Death/dp/0800759494 

Travis West knows what it feels like to run on empty. Early in his marriage he was working multiple jobs and caring for his wife Mariah through a long illness. A study trip to Jerusalem changed everything. When the city slowed to a standstill on Friday nights, Travis experienced Sabbath rest for the first time. In this episode he explains how that weekly pause brought new life to his family and why he believes Sabbath is a practical gift for anyone today.  Book:   The Sabbath Way: Making Room in Your Life for Rest, Connection, and Delight  www.travis-west.com  https://www.travis-west.com/practices 

  What happens to a boy's heart when his father stands a few feet away in church every Sunday, but never really shows up at home? Singer and songwriter Jaye King grew up playing drums on the platform while his dad directed the music. They served in the same services. Created the same worship moments. But outside the church walls, his father wasn't consistently present in his life. That tension shaped how Jaye saw himself and how he saw God. In this hope-filled conversation, Jaye shares about wrestling skepticism, navigating father wounds, and the slow process of discovering that God doesn't leave the way people sometimes do. What unfolds is a story of identity, forgiveness, calling, and the hidden years that formed him long before the spotlight. Today, Jaye King is a singer and songwriter with Centricity Music, known for songs like Hard Places and Falling Into It. His music carries the very themes you'll hear in this episode- healing, hope, and a Father who stays.   Show Notes:   Website: https://www.jayeking.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayekingmusic/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jayekingmusic  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JayeKingMusic 

"I've often felt I can be too much, but the more emotive I am, the more God surprises me." Growing up in a family and culture where men were often reserved, Nigel Massenda felt out of place for expressing his emotions so freely. But when his mother traveled abroad for a funeral and could not return for two long years, loneliness and unanswered prayers pushed him deeper into raw, honest faith. Through caring neighbors, silent prayers, and a steady hope, Nigel discovered that embracing vulnerability before God not only shapes our perspective but can transform our very lives.

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  What if the hardest chapter of your life didn't get the final word? Esme Crawford shares the story of how she survived domestic violence, crippling shame, and a distorted view of God; and how faith in Jesus led her into healing and freedom. Esme was born in a small Mexican village and faced many challenges from birth. As an adult, she found herself in an abusive relationship that slowly stripped away her identity, confidence, and sense of worth. She believed the lie that it was her fault. But God never left her. Esme talks about wrestling with shame, learning that God is a loving Father, finding healing in Jesus, and reclaiming her identity as a daughter of the King. If you've ever struggled with guilt, fear, or questioned where God was in your suffering, this episode will remind you that you are seen, loved, and you are not alone.  Content Note: This episode includes references to domestic violence and some strong language.    Show Notes:  WINGS - Women In Need Growing Stronger:  https://wingsprogram.com/  To reach Esme, Send a Direct Message via Instagram WILLOW WLN:  https://www.instagram.com/willow_wln  Additional Resources: Selah Empowers - Pause and find strength for the journey  Metropolitan Family Services 

As a Black Hebrew Israelite, Jasmine spent years trying not to mess up or break God's law, living under strict expectations. After long prison phone calls with the man who would become her husband, she began to see Jesus differently, not as a taskmaster but as Savior. This is her story of laying down a heavy yoke and finding rest in Jesus. 

  Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  If you know the music of MercyMe, then you know the voice of Bart Millard. He's the songwriter behind "I Can Only Imagine"- written after watching his abusive father transform from a monster into a man that loved Jesus.  It is the best-selling Christian single of all time, with more than five million copies sold. With that kind of success, you might imagine Bart was living a life beyond anything he ever dreamed. But in 2004, the year "I Can Only Imagine" crossed over to mainstream radio and became a global smash, Bart and his wife Shannon were being gutted by one life-altering pain after another. Their son Sam was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and that diagnosis came alongside multiple family losses and medical crises that all seemed to hit at once. While MercyMe's career was soaring, Bart was unraveling - slipping into depression, hiding behind touring, and struggling to hold it all together. A new film I Can Only Imagine 2, and book Even If - Trusting God Through the Fire tell Bart's story.      Show Notes:   Official Movie Website:  https://icanonlyimagine.com/  Even If book:  https://mercyme.org/products/even-if-trusting-god-through-the-fire-the-official-book-for-i-can-only-imagine-2  MercyMe website: https://mercyme.org/  Bart on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBartMillard  Bart on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartmillard/ 

    "I could only pray three words. I trust you."  Scripture tells us that every good gift comes from God. What do we do when a gift is taken away?  Kim Snyder lost the voice she used to sing, speak, and serve God in Christian radio. In the stillness that followed, Scripture led her to a simple prayer, "I trust you." 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.    Dr. Henry Cloud is known as a leadership expert, clinical psychologist, and New York Times bestselling author of Boundaries. But before helping millions build healthier relationships, Henry had to face his own unhealed trauma and depression. In this episode of The Unfolding, Henry shares how early childhood trauma shaped his emotional and relational patterns, why depression became a turning point in his life, and how real healing required more than spiritual platitudes or performance-based faith. Through therapy, honest community centered on Jesus, and Scripture lived out in practice, Henry discovered freedom that transformed how he loves, leads, and relates to God. This conversation explores the intersection of faith and mental health, why "performing your way out of pain" doesn't work, and how God meets us not with formulas, but with His presence. Dr. Henry Cloud's newest book is To Know Him: A 90-Day Invitation to Come to God As You Are.  Show Notes:  Website: https://www.drcloud.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drhenrycloudofficial/  "To Know Him" Book: https://www.drcloud.com/books/to-know-him  "Why I Believe" Book:  https://www.amazon.com/Why-Believe-Psychologists-Thoughts-Suffering-ebook/dp/B0CK8C76LD  Website: https://www.boundaries.me/ 

"I jumped in the way of the knife." Once surrounded by gangs, violence, and prison walls, Justin Glover encountered the grace of God that changed everything. Today, he shares how Jesus rescued him and is using his story to point others to faith and freedom. 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  Stephen McWhirter grew up watching his traveling evangelist dad live a double life.  He was one man behind the pulpit and abusive to Stephen's mother at home.  Stephen decided that if God was real, He wasn't good.  His earthly father and his heavenly father became the villains in his story.  Angry and rebellious, Stephen fell into addiction, eventually addicted to meth for six years. But one night in a miraculous encounter, Stephen experienced the presence and love of God, and he's never been the same.  Today Stephen is a worship leader, singer of "Come Jesus Come," and the author of Radically Restored. Nearly 40,000 people have come to know Jesus through his TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram lives.    Show Notes:  Website:  https://worshipjesus.life/  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/stephenmcwhirter/  Tik Tok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@stephenmcwhirtermusic?lang=en  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/stephenmcwhirtermusic/  New book: https://u.worshipjesus.life/book-sneak-peek 

    "Dear younger me. God is there."  Recorded live at a special storytelling event, Jesse Wilson shares how painful words from her childhood shaped her sense of worth and how God slowly began rewriting that story. From praying under a Holly Hobbie blanket to receiving groceries when she had nothing left, Jessie learned she was never alone. Her story is a reminder that in both big and small moments, God is present and faithful. 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.    Where do you find your identity? In approval, performance, relationships, or in what God says is true about you?  From growing up on the streets of San Francisco to navigating loss, shame, and self-doubt, she shares how she discovered her worth in Christ.  Hear the story behind her viral spoken word poem, "I Have a New Name," and learn how her books "You Are More Than You've Been Told," and "Uncomplicate It" offer practical guidance to reclaim your identity and live as the person God created you to be. This episode is for anyone ready to stop chasing approval and start hearing God's voice above all else.    Show Notes:    Website:   https://www.hosannawong.com/  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/hosanna.wong/  "I Have a New Name":  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A_uXO3CgwY&t=6s  Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@hosannawong  Book:  https://www.hosannawong.com/uncomplicate-it     

Amelia Tabatt reflects on her mom's terminal cancer journey, faith, loss, and discovering a million quiet miracles.

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.    Karen Horne became an expert at "pretend normal."  Her husband was living a double life, and she was doing everything she could to hold it all together, especially as the wife of a pastor, where the pressure to appear "fine" is relentless. But beneath the polished surface, their marriage was unraveling. Betrayal, deceit, and hidden sin had eroded the foundation of their family, leaving Karen with a choice she never expected to face. To protect her marriage and uncover the truth, she would have to go undercover. This is a powerful story of painful discovery, and ultimately, redemption and marriage restoration, where honesty became the first step toward healing. Listener discretion advised: This episode contains references to pornography and sexual addiction.    Show Notes:   Healing from affairs or betrayal: https://www.affairrecovery.com/  Healing from sexual brokenness or betrayal:  https://avenue.works/  The Healing Choice book:  https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Choice-Move-Beyond-Betrayal/dp/1400074258  For men dealing with sexual addiction:  https://www.faithfulandtrue.com/ 

During one of the hardest seasons of her life, Donna VanLiere was searching for prayer. A painful neurological condition made her suffering impossible to miss, yet prayer never came. Her honest cry to God became a turning point that led to healing and a calling. Today, Donna is a New York Times bestselling author and a passionate advocate for prayer in the life of the church.   

What happens when you learn to recognize God's voice and actually follow it? Gale Kragt is a pastor, hospital chaplain, and founder of Spiritual Care Consultants, whose life has been shaped by quiet promptings from God. From feeling like a misfit as a child to experiencing supernatural encounters, Gale learned early on to pay attention to the subtle whispers of God, and those promptings have led him into extraordinary places.  As a hospital chaplain working in trauma centers, Gale has prayed with families at the edge of life and death and witnessed remarkable moments of healing. Over time, those same promptings led him to launch a ministry that now serves thousands of people, offering spiritual care at no cost.  Gale Kragt is the Executive Director of Spiritual Care Consultants of West Michigan. He is also the host of the Healing Begins radio show and podcast, and the author of God Moments and Jesus in the Mountains.    Show Notes-   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/galekragtbooks  Gale's books: www.galekragtbooks.com   Spiritual Care Consultants website: www.scchealingbegins.com   God Moments Book: https://a.co/d/jbgZclN  God Moments Study Guide: https://a.co/d/3TtMvNp 

John Cooper, frontman for the band Skillet, never set out chasing fame. What mattered most was his foundation in Jesus, established long before the tours, radio hits, or millions of listeners. As John's career with Skillet began to really take off, his honesty and consistency caught the attention of another musician who was quietly watching. Years later, that same man would give his life to Christ.

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  Bob Goff has spent decades trying to convince people God is over the moon about them. If you struggle to believe God loves you and if you long to live a life of adventure, Bob's story will inspire you. Bob is known as the guy who included his phone number in the back of his first book, Love Does, because he loves people and wanted to be available. Since then, he's written multiple New York Times bestselling books and included his number in every one of them.  Bob says his greatest ambition is to love people and inspire others to follow Jesus into a life of adventure, whimsy, and wonder. In this episode, Bob talks about starting a zoo, getting gored by a cow, shot with a pellet gun, and visiting the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein. His new book is Catching Whimsy.  It's an invitation to wake up each day expecting to live a more meaningful life, a more engaged faith, and a more intentional future.    Show Notes:  https://www.bobgoff.com/  https://lovedoes.org/  https://www.bobgoff.com/books/catching-whimsy/  https://www.instagram.com/bobgoff/  https://www.facebook.com/bobgoffis 

"I left school angry on Friday. On Monday, people saw a light in me."  Walter Hill was filled with grief and resentment after losing his mother and watching his father disappear into addiction. He had no interest in faith and no patience for empty answers. But God used one faithful friend and one unexpected night to break through the bitterness. This is a story of how deep anger was transformed into lasting joy. 

"Shame is a prison," Russ Taff says, and he lived in that prison for more than 40 years. To the world, Russ was a Gospel music legend: six GRAMMYs, 18 Dove Awards, and three Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductions. But behind the stage lights and accolades, he was hiding from pain, trapped in addiction, and silenced by the relentless voices of shame and self-hatred. In this deeply honest conversation, recorded around the dining table in his home in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, Russ shares the truth he kept secret for decades: while he sang songs about Jesus to millions, he was battling alcoholism in the dark. This is not just a story about addiction.  It's a story about hope. About the supernatural healing that comes through love, and the power of God to break even the heaviest chains. Russ opens up about his abusive childhood, the pain that shaped him, and the redemption that's setting him free.    Show notes:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RussTaff  Website: https://russtaff.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russtaffofficial/  "I Still Believe" Movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpHdjcCfrSg  I Still Believe Book: https://www.amazon.com/Still-Believe-Wreckage-Recovery-Relentless/dp/1642931489 

"The Imams are convinced that… an angel of God is with you."  Today's story comes from an interview Meridith did with Jamie Winship a couple of years ago, first shared in our 2023 Angels episode, Episode 183. In a remote desert camp, a simple detail about table settings leads to an extraordinary realization. God's presence was already there. 

What if heaven is closer than we think?  In this special episode of The Unfolding, we share true stories of angelic encounters, near-death experiences, and glimpses of heaven- moments that leave people searching for words to describe what they saw. You'll hear from Bruce Van Natta, who encountered angels while hovering between life and death after a devastating accident. You'll also hear from bestselling author, psychologist, and speaker Dr. Henry Cloud, who reflects on unforgettable moments that made him wonder whether angels were protecting him, and shares a profound encounter with Jesus at the edge of death. Finally, John Burke, pastor and author of Imagine Heaven, joins us with stories from his extensive research into near-death experiences, sharing remarkable accounts of people who encountered angels and consistent patterns that echo Scripture. This episode invites you into the awe, mystery, and hope of the season, reminding us that the angels who announced the birth of Jesus are still pointing us toward Him today.    Show Notes:   Bruce Van Natta: https://sweetbreadministries.com/  Bruce's book Saved By Angels: https://sweetbreadministries.com/books/  Dr. Henry Cloud: https://www.drcloud.com/  Dr. Cloud's memoir: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Believe-Psychologists-Thoughts-Suffering-ebook/dp/B0CK8C76LD  John Burke's website: https://imagineheaven.net/  Imagine Heaven Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnBurkeImagineHeaven 

"This is not just a story you read on the internet. This is a documented case."  Lee Strobel knows what it means to ask hard questions. Before becoming the author of The Case for Christ, he was a legal editor at The Chicago Tribune, trained to investigate claims and follow the evidence. In this episode of Unfolding Short Stories, Lee shares three real-life stories of healing that stayed with him because they held up under careful scrutiny. Each one connects to the questions explored in his film The Case for Miracles. 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.   Do angels still show up in the lives of ordinary people? In this special Christmas episode of The Unfolding, you'll hear powerful stories of angelic encounters—moments of protection, comfort, and God's undeniable presence. From hospital rooms to everyday situations, these eyewitness accounts point to a God who still intervenes in miraculous ways. Featuring stories from Gale, Stesha, Mark, Susie, Hannah, and Christy, this episode explores how God uses His messengers to bring hope when we need it most. If you're drawn to stories of evidence of God at work today, this episode will encourage and inspire you. 

After years of questioning if adoption was right for her family, Megan Nilsen felt a clear leading from God to pray, fast, and search His Word. Her 'yes' to adoption opened the door to both immense challenges and undeniable moments of God's presence, teaching her about love, grace, and identity in Christ.  Megan is also the author of the Advent devotional Untangled Advent: Finding Hope in a Weary World, designed to help readers reconnect with God's peace during the holiday season. Learn more at meganbnilsen.com/untangled-advent. 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  When Louis Dooley was 19, the judge sentenced him to life in prison plus 100 years. At that moment, something inside him shut down. His future felt gone and life as he knew it was over. But Louis' story didn't end behind bars. In the darkest, most hopeless place he could imagine, something unexpected and truly miraculous began. Today, Louis Dooley is the Executive Director of Philemon House, a ministry that disciples people touched by incarceration, and the author of "Prison Saved My Life."  In this powerful episode, Louis shares his journey from despair to hope, the lessons he learned inside, and how his life now points others toward redemption and possibility, even when it feels impossible.    Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of violence and suicide and may not be appropriate for young listeners.     Show Notes:   Book: https://emmausworldwide.org/products/prison-saved-my-life?_pos=1&_sid=1f0bdf573&_ss=r    Philemon House Website: https://philemonhouse.org/    Louis' Website: https://www.louisdooley.com/    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philemonhouse5/ 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  "Sometimes God uses the smallest things to tell the biggest truths… a pair of shoes given to a child in the name of Jesus." Shawn Spurrier knows this firsthand. His own return to faith came through the steady kindness of community, long before missions was ever on his radar. Today, as director of Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls, he's seen that same kind of community transformation unfold in Tenango, Mexico. This episode traces God's faithfulness in Shawn's story and in a village brought together by something beautifully simple. 

Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.    What do you do when you're sure God has given you a dream, but every door stays firmly shut? Dallas Jenkins, creator and director of The Chosen, spent more than 20 years praying for the chance to make a film based on the beloved book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. But year after year, the answer was the same: no. Until one unexpected moment when God stepped in. In this episode of The Unfolding, Dallas shares the behind-the-scenes story of waiting, disappointment, and the whisper from God that stopped him from deleting his dream forever. It's a story about calling, hope, and God's timing- perfect for the Christmas season and for anyone who's ever waited for God to open a door.  Show Notes:   The Chosen: https://www.thechosen.tv/en-us  Best Christmas Pageant Ever Movie: https://bestchristmaspageantever.movie/  Dallas Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DallasJenkinsOfficial  Dallas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallas.jenkins/?hl=en 

    Faith Podcasts are made possible by your support. You can click here to give.  "Every cell in my body recognized that this was Jesus."  Heidi Barr was sixteen when a traumatic horseback accident changed her life. She describes leaving her body, meeting Jesus face to face, and waking up with a faith she never saw coming. Growing up in a Jewish home that rejected Jesus, her experience stands out as both unexpected and deeply powerful.  Read more in her book What I Saw in Heaven.