The Unfolding

Helen Smallbone and her husband David were living in Australia when his business unexpectedly collapsed.  With six kids, they took an enormous leap of faith and moved to the United States with everything they had in 16 suitcases.  Within a couple of months, David’s new job fell through.  They were forced to live by faith and trust God in ways they never had before.  Helen is the mother of Grammy-winning artists Rebecca St. James, and Joel and Luke Smallbone of For King & Country, along with four other amazingly talented children.  Before the success and accolades, there was a long season of closed doors and lean years where she had to trust God.  Their story is being told in a new movie, Unsung Hero. 

Rebekah Albaugh recounts the rich legacy of faith that precedes her, beginning with her grandparents, who first met at a Moody Bible Institute rally in the 1940s. This legacy continued with her parents, who remained steadfast in their devotion to Jesus until their final moments. Tragedy struck when Rebekah lost her father at the young age of 18, yet her mother never stopped praising God. Even as her mother battled cancer and endured suffering and memory loss, she recalled the hymns from her youth, and sang until her last days. This is why Rebekah says "I drink from a well I didn't dig."

True, lasting change is hard.  When we are trying to change in our own strength, it can feel impossible. Christopher Cook is a pastor, leadership coach, podcast host, and author who is passionate about transformation.  As a young man, he experienced great adversity that resulted in depression, anxiety, and panic attacks.  For some people, those challenges could have resulted in losing faith in God.  But God used those experiences to teach Christopher about true transformation.  Christopher Cook is the host of the Win Today podcast and author of Healing What You Can’t Erase: Transform Your Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health from the Inside Out. 

Johnathon Eltrevoog shares how God has remained faithful, even when he's felt undeserving or unworthy.

Jenn Pooler had always tried to play by the rules.  Like many of us, she believed if she did all the right things then God would protect her from bad things.  For Jenn, it was about trying to be in control.  When she was 17, she was in a bus accident that altered her life forever and left her angry. Why would God allow this bad thing to happen? She never imagined God could take something bad and use it to change her life for good. 

Ally shares her and her family's journey of adding Grace (Baby Snow) to their family through an adoption in China. God provided, grew their family, and even gave Ally a dream that wowed her when it all came to pass.

Abby Mingus says torment is the best way to describe her mental state during decades of addiction.  For years she was chasing the next high, driven by desperation to keep the feelings of torment at bay. During one of her lowest moments, she jumped off an overpass onto a busy interstate, trying to quiet her demons.  At first, drugs helped her escape from fear, depression and loneliness.  But what started as fun, soon became bondage. It stole years of her life.  Now, Abby Mingus loves to tell her story.  What seemed impossible was made possible.  What was hopeless, became hopeful.  Torment and addiction were changed to freedom and joy.  A word of caution: Abby’s story includes domestic abuse, suicide, and other mature content. 

After Andrew Ripp’s family broke apart, he moved to California just to get away.  His alcohol addiction eventually led to the destruction of every important relationship in his life.  He had grown up in religion, but never had a relationship with a god who could help.  He was alone and desperate.  But Andrew says even the broken and difficult things in life can be a blessing if they steer you toward the God who loves you.  Today Andrew is a Grammy-nominated songwriter, known for songs like “Jericho,” and “Fill My Cup.”  He spends his days writing and singing about the One who saved him.

Alexandra Hope Craig courageously shares the journey she embarked on while navigating her husband John's brave battle with cancer, which ultimately ended in his passing.

By the time Christine D’Clario was a young girl, she had experienced more than her share of brokenness. She suffered sexual abuse, the death of her alcoholic father, her mother’s remarriage, moving from the only home she’d known in New York to Puerto Rico, and then bullying and rejection. By the time Christine was a teenager, she was angry with God.  She couldn’t imagine He would take the broken pieces of her life and write a story that would become a source of hope for the nations. Today Christine is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and worship leader with millions of followers in Latin America and beyond.  She has a passion to see those who struggle with mental health experience the hope and healing of Jesus.  (This episode contains discussion of sexual abuse, postpartum depression, and suicidal ideation.) 

Ken Guidroz is the author of "Letters to My Son in Prison". 

At one point, Ken was a pastor, and he never thought he'd have to worry about his kids ending up in serious trouble, let alone prison. After his middle son, leading a wayward life, became addicted to heroin, this led to a car crash resulting in the taking of another man's life. That led to a series of letters to his son in prison, a road for their own reconciliation, and a rebirth and strengthening of faith for both. 

Nikki Davis discovered her passion for Hip Hop radio when she was in college.  She was good at it. She loved it and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.  But a series of failed relationships and jobs that just didn’t satisfy made it clear, she was longing for more.  Then she started growing in her relationship with Jesus.  Her life and priorities changed.  Nikki realized she couldn’t stay in a job where she was promoting negative things.  But how could she walk away from the safety and security of a job she once thought she would do for the rest of her life?   Today Nikki shares Hip Hop and the hope of Jesus as the morning show co-host at Boost Radio. 

Speaking on strength in weakness, Karis Meier lives with Lyme Disease.

“So I know my story isn't over and it's not the fairy tale ending that I would hope for. But, I can see how God is working, and I know his promises won't fail me and that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living because that is what He promises.”

One hard event after another marked the childhood and early adult years of Molly Stillman. After serving as an army nurse in Vietnam, Molly’s mother was diagnosed with a fatal disease related to exposure to Agent Orange.  At 21, Molly received an unexpected inheritance which she squandered in less than two years.  Molly’s go-to coping mechanism was humor, so she masked her pain and depression with stand-up comedy and even pursued her dream of making it on Saturday Night Live.  But instead of the success she was chasing, Molly ended up in debt and suffocating under guilt, shame, and embarrassment. Molly is a speaker and host of the Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder? Podcast, and author of If I Don’t Laugh, I’ll Cry: How Death, Debt, and Comedy Led to a Life of Faith, Farming, and Forgetting What I Came into This Room For. 

Sally Tuxhorn’s Dad rejected Jesus for 85 years, but 9 hours before passing, he accepted Him. Sally praises God for this miraculous change. Sally is a children’s pastor at Trinity Nazarene in Illinois. 

Bill Sammons wanted to start a Christian radio station, but there was a lot of opposition in his Delaware town. So much so, that Bill was attacked by a man named Spyro. He was beaten and thought he was going to die. That's not the end of the story, though. Through God's help, Bill was able to launch the station, and Spyro did a full turnaround and even requested to be baptized by Bill's father who was a pastor. 

In a moment your life can change forever.  Bret Beherns was a guy with a dream, a plan, and the drive to make it all happen.  As a teenager, he knew exactly what he wanted to do.  His dream job was to think, talk, and write about sports every day.  He was on his way to achieving that dream when a near-death accident altered the course of his life.  One day while he was working to help construct a cell tower, he fell 6 stories- a trauma very few could survive.  In those few seconds, everything in Bret’s life changed.  But God had given Bret a second chance at life.   

Lindsey Capperune leads the episode with stories of people saying "Yes" to Jesus. There are names you'll recognize, like Michael W. Smith and Matthew West. There are others you might not recognize, like Erin and Ryan. In God's kingdom, we are all equal, and He invites each of us to say "Yes" to a life with Him. Lindsey also shares when she said "Yes" to Jesus at an early age. 

Waiting is hard.  If you have been waiting, hoping and praying for something, it can be frustrating.  When is God going to answer?  On this Valentine’s week episode of The Unfolding, we are sharing stories of waiting for love.  They are stories about a dream, an urgent prayer, and a one-word answer from God.  No matter what you are waiting for, these stories will encourage you to wait with hope and anticipation that God is doing something good. 

https://www.wowgod.com/podcasts/behind-our-smiles/

Joe and Tara Buchanan host the Behind Our Smiles Marriage Podcast, where they vulnerably open up about their marriage journey, including the struggles along the way. With Valentine's Day coming up, we wanted more love stories to be encouraged and strengthened by inviting you into their story. 

Subscribe to the Behind Our Smiles Marriage Podcast today!

On February 8, 2023, a normal chapel service for students at Asbury University turned into something extraordinary. A small group of students stayed afterward and began sharing struggles, confessing sin, and praying for each other.  From those humble beginnings, an outpouring of God’s love and presence began and within days thousands had traveled from across the U.S. and beyond to experience it.  Host Meridith Foster traveled to Wilmore, Kentucky to hear about it from the students themselves.   

Join Christina Hannan on her new podcast, and discover a new rich prayer life in Praying Through Scripture. https://www.wowgod.com/podcasts/praying-through-scripture/

This week on Unfolding Short Stories, Christina shares what she learned teaching science to her kids as a homeschool mom. A planet that rains DIAMONDS! The God who can make a planet rain diamonds, is also the God who cares for our needs. 

Jesus said everyone who hears his words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down and the winds blew, yet it did not fall.  Adam and Christina Hannan were trying to raise their family on a firm foundation.  For years they made a habit of reading Jesus’ words and putting them into practice.  They didn't know how firm that foundation would be until they walked through the storms that came with the birth of their precious son Myles. 

When Michelle's mother passed away, the weight of new responsibilities forced her to mature quickly, taking on the role of caregiver for her baby brother. But by the time she was a teenager, she had grown up too quickly. At the age of 16, she had become pregnant. At 18, she became addicted to drugs. This eventually led to prostitution, and it would take a moment with Jesus to wash her free from her addictions and set her on a new path to healing, and ultimately, helping other women like her. 

To hear other Wow God Stories around addiction, listen to episode 13 of the Wow God Stories podcast. https://www.wowgod.com/podcasts/wow-god-stories/13-wow-god-stories-addiction/

Naomi Raine has been singing about God since she was two and writing songs since she was seven. Her parents were worship leaders, so she literally grew up going to rehearsals and hearing powerful worship songs.  Even before she was born, there was a word spoken over her parents that their children would bless the earth.  That word, combined with a stirring in Naomi, gave her a sense that God was going to use her songs to reach the nations.  But for many years her songs, just like her relationship with God, were being cultivated in the small, quiet places. Today, Naomi’s voice reaches the nations as part Maverick City Music.  Songs like Jireh and Promises have become anthems for worshipers around the world.   

Meridith Foster and Alan Bonde talk about a recent trip to a OneChild Hope Center in Nicaragua. We invite you to learn about becoming a child champion through OneChild, and to pray if God is asking you to consider sponsoring. https://my.onechild.org/wowgod-search

Granger Smith had always found it easy to work hard on the things he was passionate about.  Country music was at the top of that list.  Last year after 24 years of touring as an award-winning, platinum-selling, singer and songwriter, Granger made the decision to leave the music business to pursue a future in ministry. That was something that a few years ago would have seemed impossible. But a tragic accident at his family’s home in 2019 had forced Granger onto a new path. He finally understood that no matter how hard he worked, he could not save himself. Granger is the host of the Granger Smith Podcast and the author of Life After River:Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache.  Caution: This episode includes some graphic content, including the loss of a child and discussion of suicide.   

On a snowy April day, while driving through the countryside, Ireland’s car slid, hit a fence, and flipped multiple times. Amidst the chaos, she braced for impact, fearing for her life. Miraculously, she survived without any serious injuries. 

*We are praying Unfolding listeners will sponsor 10 kids through One Child.  If you are interested in sponsoring, would you please use this link? https://my.onechild.org/wowgod-search

Sandeep Maity grew up in extreme poverty in India.  His tiny home was four wooden poles wrapped in a tarp.  He spent his days competing with other kids for whatever food they could find in the city dumpsters.  But the most painful thing was the people around him who reminded him he was poor and unworthy, and he would live and die that way.  For a time, Sandeep believed that was true. Today, he is a passionate leader, speaker and advocate for children who live in poverty. Sandeep is the Global Partnership Manager for One Child, an international community of Child Champions that serves children in poverty so they can discover hope and reach their God-given potential. 

When you work in the fashion industry, image is everything.  As a young woman, Hannah Corwin moved to London and began working as a photographer in the fashion industry.  It was an environment where it was easy to get caught up in believing you are what brand you wear. Image meant everything, and her identity was completely wrapped up in her job.  Today Hannah works in Nashville, shooting artists and musicians in the country music and Christian music industries.  Along the way, God got hold of her heart and her camera, and He’s using it to tell about the miraculous things He’s done, through a beautiful book of photography and stories called, “But God.” 

Chad Mattson is best known as the lead singer of the band Unspoken.   For nearly 20 years, he’s been touring the country, writing hit songs like “Reason,” “Call it Grace,” and “Start a Fire.” Before he set foot on a stage or even realized that music was going to be a part of his life, Chad was living under the weight of contradiction.  He knew God was real, he’d felt His presence.  Yet his life was driven by addiction.  From cigarettes, to alcohol, to drugs, to living in drug houses, his addictions grew stronger. He moved further away from the life God wanted for him and spent every day chasing the next fix.

We've got one more Angel Story for you before Christmas! Melodee shares a scary situation she was in as a realtor, and how at the last moment, disaster was avoided. 

All throughout the story of Jesus’ birth, there are encounters with angels. But many of us are perplexed by these spiritual beings.  Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”  Do people still encounter angels today? In this special 5th installment of our Christmastime episode about angels, we hear from Jamie Winship, LaDonna VonHolton, Stephanie Davenport and Jeff Hanus, each sharing their own unique encounter. 

Kevan Chandler was the second of his siblings to be diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare neuromuscular disease. In 2016, he and his friends took a three-week trip across Europe, leaving his wheelchair at home while his friends carried him in a backpack. It was a crazy dream-come-true trip, where God began to show Kevan that he wanted to inspire others to deep friendships and adventures. An avid storyteller, Kevan Chandler is a writer and speaker worldwide about his unique life with a disability. Kevan is the founder of the nonprofit We Carry Kevan, where more than 1,000 families have received backpacks so they can experience their own adventures. 

What if the pathway to true joy, fulfillment, and living out your calling is in building deep friendships? Kevan Chandler grew up in a close-knit family that had a foundation of faith in Jesus. He was the second of his siblings to be diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare neuromuscular disease. But where he lacked physical mobility, he excelled in creativity, imagination, and forming deep friendships. He is a storyteller, writer, and speaker who has traveled the world as a featured speaker for TEDx, Google, and many others. His life has been a series of adventures, made possible by the deep relationships Kevan has formed with Jesus and his friends.  

What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? What would you do if you knew God was with you?  Ryan Leak is a teaching pastor, speaker, executive coach, and author.  He is widely known for his documentary, “Chasing Failure.”  He asked himself: What would he do if he knew he could not fail?  The answer was easy- he’d be in the NBA- and since the only way to know if that dream could be a reality was to try, that is exactly what he did. 

Despite what we often believe, success doesn’t solve the problem of insecurity. Mike Weaver is the lead singer of Big Daddy Weave. For more than 20 years, the band has experienced amazing success – awards, gold and platinum records, and number one songs.  They’ve toured across the U.S. and beyond.  But all of that affirmation wasn’t enough to quiet an inner critic. Mike Weaver believed he was never enough.   

When Miss Kay Robertson was a young girl, her grandmother told her one day she might have to fight for her marriage.  That seemed crazy to Miss Kay’s young ears, but her grandmother was right.  Long before Phil and Kay Robertson and their sons, Willie, Jase, Jep, and Alan became famous for making duck calls and the television show Duck Dynasty, Phil and Kay lived through ten hard years. The story of those early years is being told in a movie called The Blind.  Phil and Kay started a family and married as teenagers.  While Phil was in college, he began drinking.  Soon he was an alcoholic, staying out all night, leaving Kay to raise their three sons.  Everyone Kay knew told her to leave him. She knew if he was ever going to change, it would take a miracle.   

David Lapp loved the close-knit Amish community where he grew up.  When he and his brothers began to experience miracles, they knew they had to learn more about God.  But the more they learned, the more difficulties they experienced with their community.  They were forced to choose between their faith and their culture and cut off from the relationships and work they treasured.  It was a hard road, but God used it to teach them to walk by faith.  Today, David and his brothers lead Blessings of Hope ministries, where they share the love of Jesus while erasing hunger one box at a time.   

How do you deal with disappointment with life, and ultimately with God?  Mia Fieldes is a talented singer, songwriter and worship leader.  She’s co-written songs like Zach Williams’ Chain Breaker, Vertical Worship’s Yes I Will, and many more.  She learned early in life to exercise the muscle of faith and to follow God’s lead.  She began writing songs in high school, then wrote for Hillsong, before moving to Nashville.  But there was one area that she had struggled to trust God.  She longed to be married someday, and for years she wondered when, or if, that would happen. 

From a very young age, Jeremy Rosado knew he was going to sing.  As he grew in his faith, he also began to understand that he not only had a gift, but that God wanted to use that gift. When he made it on Amercian Idol, it seemed like doors were finally opening.  He finished in the top 13, but his family was struggling. His sister had battled addiction for years and his niece needed a father.  At 21, Jeremy adopted his niece.  For 10 years, he focused on being the best dad, while we honed his craft as a worship leader.  Then, out of the blue in 2022, producers of The Voice called. 

Philip Yancey is a best-selling author, the writer of Christian classics like The Jesus I Never Knew, and What’s So Amazing About Grace. After more than 40 years and 17 million books in print, Philip says much of his writing is about suffering and grace- two things he has experienced in great measure.  Growing up in a strict, fundamentalist church, Philip learned to think of God as a giant who was waiting for a chance to crush him. His widowed mother presented much the same picture of God and reinforced it with her own anger and disappointment.  As Philip grew, he was confused by the contradictions at church. They spoke about love and grace but rarely gave either. He began to see the lies he’d been taught at church and at home, and he walked away from faith. 

When Carson Sellers was young, his family’s faith seemed superficial.  But then Carson was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic condition that limited his life to being stuck at home or long stays in the hospital.  For more than ten years he suffered intense pain that kept him from experiencing normal life.  Eating food, driving a car, and even going to school became nearly impossible.  But then Carson’s mom, and soon many others, began to believe that God was going to heal him. 

Content Advisory: This episode contains elements of sexual trauma, exploitation, and suicide. Jennisue Jessen has been working in the fight against human trafficking for more than 25 years.  She has a unique perspective on both the trauma and the incredible resilience of survivors.  Jennisue was first sold into the sex trade at the age of four by her grandfather.  The abuse and exploitation lasted more than 10 years.  She believed Jesus was real and He was with her, but she struggled to understand why her abuse continued.  Today she is the founder and CEO of Compass 31, an international counter-trafficking organization that has impacted thousands of lives.  She has served on the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking and has helped shape federal counter-trafficking policies.  More than anything, she is a living example of God’s power to rescue, restore, redeem, and to use her story to help others. 

Learn more about a project to buy a portable x-ray machine for Kijabe Hospital at www.FriendsOfKijabe.org 

For the first time, we’re sharing an update on a story from The Unfolding.  We first told Michael and Shanaree Muzinich’s story on Page 135. They were successful physicians, chasing things they thought would bring happiness – a dream home, prestigious careers, and big incomes.  But their relationship was a mess. It was filled with conflict, and they were miserable.  They didn’t believe in God, but one night 6 years ago they had an encounter with Jesus that changed everything.  When they met Jesus, they surrendered everything. When we left Michael and Shanaree in August of 2022, they were preparing to move with their four children to Kenya to become medical missionaries.  Learn more about a project to buy a portable x-ray machine for Kijabe Hospital at www.FriendsOfKijabe.org 

When Caleb, Jordan, and Josh Ward formed the band “Consumed By Fire” in 2006, they were just 13, 16, and 21 years old.  They hit the road with a heart to serve and tell people about the hope of Jesus through music.  For years they played and traveled, mostly for small crowds and little pay. They were living and working by faith- A way of life they had watched their parents model in a powerful way. But it’s tough to live a life of ministry on the road and they were burning out.  So despite a clear call from God, after 13 years of hard work, they made the decision to quit.  That’s when God gave them a song called “First Things First” that changed everything. 

We often come into marriage with both baggage and expectations. When your spouse’s baggage is harder than you expected, how do you navigate that? Joe and Tara Buchanan came into their marriage with vastly different backgrounds. Joe shares the story of his childhood on Page 1 of The Unfolding. It’s one of the most powerful stories of transformation you will ever hear, and it will give you some background on the challenges he faced in trying to have a healthy marriage. Tara’s background was the opposite--a healthy, intact family that had faith at its foundation. Two people with such different histories were bound to face some hard stuff. God knew they needed to face it and they would need His help to do it. Joe and Tara are the hosts of Behind Our Smiles, a podcast on the Wow God Podcast Network. 

One of Humberto Salgado’s favorite Bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” There are few places as hopeless as the Diamond cell block in a maximum security prison near Mexico City.  When Humberto was invited to visit, he felt God wanted him to go, but he was afraid.  The men of the Diamond cell block were the worst offenders- dangerous men serving multiple life sentences.  And among the worst, was a man they called “the Devil.”  In the view of most people, there was no hope any of these men could be transformed, especially the Devil.

Kevin Santiago was driven to succeed.  He set out to acquire the things he thought would bring happiness – a good job, house, car, and family.  But when his plans began to crumble, he fell into depression.  One night he got in his car after having a few drinks.  It was a choice that had devastating consequences and left Kevin overwhelmed with guilt and shame.  Facing years in prison, he began to believe his life wasn’t worth living. Kevin’s story is a reminder that there is no one who is too far gone, no sin or story that is beyond God’s power to redeem. This episode includes references to depression and suicidal ideation. If you’re struggling, call 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 

Nigerian-born singer and songwriter Blessing Offor immigrated to the United States when he was six years old, leaving his parents and five older siblings behind. His family made the difficult choice to send him to America for medical care because he was born with congenital glaucoma and was nearly blind in his left eye. A few years later a fluke accident left him almost totally blind in both eyes.  It was a series of events that some might consider tragic, but Blessing Offor considers a gift. Blessing is an incredibly talented musician and songwriter, with songs like “Brighter Days,” “Tin Roof,” and “Believe.”  If you’re in a place where your prayers don’t seem to be answered and it feels like everything has gone wrong, Blessing’s story might change your perspective. 

When Dave Munson graduated from Bible college, he was sure of one thing: the most spiritual thing he could do was full-time ministry.  Then Dave went to Mexico as a missionary and that’s where he purchased the leather bag that God used to change everything, including Dave’s pride-filled heart.  Dave is the founder of Saddleback Leather Company, whose goal is to love people around the world by making excessively high-quality leather bags.  How does a prideful missionary become a humble but super-successful CEO? That’s Dave Munson’s story. 

Not long after Jamie Winship joined the police force, he realized he was not equipped to face the challenges on the streets of Washington DC. He needed supernatural help to live out his God-given identity as a peacemaker. Jamie learned how to listen to God. God gave him creative, often radical, solutions that transformed hardened criminals into followers of Jesus.  His track record was so successful, he was recruited by the CIA. Jamie spent 30 years working in some of the most dangerous conflict zones on earth, including with terrorists in the Middle East.  Jamie is the author of Living Fearless, and he and his wife Donna are the founders of IdentityExchange.com 

After experiencing dysfunction and hurt, Tasha Layton left church and set out on a search for truth. It was a long journey that led her back to Jesus.  As a gifted worship leader, God opened doors in music but not what Tasha had imagined.  She found herself on American Idol and touring the world as a backup singer for Katy Perry, before finding her home writing worship songs and books to help others experience the freedom she’s found in Jesus. 

Hear the brand-new podcast called "Wow God Stories", with hosts, Lisa WIlliams and Ann Sorenson. This podcast reminds us of a God who is able, alive, and active in our lives. https://www.wowgod.com/podcasts/wow-god-stories/ Click the link, or subscribe on Apple, Google, or Spotify today.

Iveth Luna is known as one of the rising new artists of today, writing songs that inspire people to worship Jesus.  Although she had always secretly dreamed that she could be a worship leader, it wasn’t until she had a supernatural experience at 19 that she knew God was calling her to music.  But then she experienced one crushing disappointment after another.  In auditions for both The Voice and America’s God Talent, she came so close, only to experience heartbreak.  It seemed God was closing every door.  The disappointment she felt soon turned to depression and then questioning both God and herself. 

Hear the brand-new podcast called "Wow God Stories", with hosts, Lisa WIlliams and Ann Sorenson. This podcast reminds us of a God who is able, alive, and active in our lives. https://www.wowgod.com/podcasts/wow-god-stories/ Click the link, or subscribe on Apple, Google, or Spotify today.

Like many kids growing up on the south side of St. Petersburg, Florida, Kevin Burgess struggled with depression and hopelessness.  After his parents’ divorce, he moved from a place where he felt safe, to a community where drugs and violence seemed to rule. He felt forgotten by society and had little hope of living to the age of 30. That’s when an acquaintance handed him a Christian hip-hop CD that changed his life.  Kevin Burgess is better known by his stage name, KB.  He is a Christian hip-hop artist, music executive, the author of Dangerous Jesus, and a man with a heart to shepherd the lost and hurting toward hope in Jesus. 

The spinal surgery Katy Nichole underwent to correct scoliosis left her in excruciating pain.  For three years she battled anxiety and depression.  She came to a point where she wanted to give up, but God met Katy at her lowest and promised He had a purpose for her life.  During those years of struggle Katy realized God had given her the gift of music so she could encourage others.  Katy’s song, “In Jesus’ Name (God of Possible)” became a viral sensation and set a record for the fastest rise to #1 for a female artist’s debut single.  In this episode, Katy shares the story behind the song and how she became convinced there is always hope with Jesus. 

When Toni Collier was young, her family experienced a traumatic event that forced her to grow up fast.   She had to take control in order to ensure the survival of the people around her.  It was a heavy burden and by the time she was a teen, that weight was too much.  She set out on a path of destruction that included drinking, drugs, and toxic relationships.  Even meeting Jesus didn’t really change her life. Real change didn’t happen until Toni was willing to surrender everything. Toni is the founder of Broken Crayons Still Color, a ministry that helps women know that God can redeem any story when we surrender it to him, and the author of “Brave Enough to be Broken.” 

In 2022, Ben Fuller was a singer and songwriter just beginning his career in Christian music.  His song “Who I Am” has been played on stations around the country.  He grew up on a dairy farm in Vermont as a well-liked kid who seemed to have it all together.  But he always struggled to earn his father’s approval.  On the inside, he felt an emptiness that left Ben searching for something to fill the hole.  He tried relationships, alcohol, cocaine, and even “making it” in country music.  With each new thing, he was left asking himself, “Is this it?  Is THIS what life is all about?” 

Infertility is more common than we might imagine. One in six couples struggles to conceive, and yet it can be a very lonely experience.  Taylor and Lindsey Hohulin had always assumed they would have children.  They were healthy and they came from families with lots of kids.  So when they had trouble conceiving, it was surprising.  Taylor and Lindsey have experienced the highs and lows of an infertility journey.  They have been optimistic, disappointed, full of hope and full of grief.  When you long for something so desperately, something that God says is good, how do you trust He is faithful even while your prayers seem to be unanswered?   

Jon Reddick is a singer and worship leader who writes songs of hope and healing, like “God, Turn It Around” and “I Believe It.” There was a time when the hurts and hard parts of life left him questioning, is God’s plan always good?  Would the dreams planted in Jon’s heart ever really happen?  He seriously considered leaving music behind.  But God used encounters with 2 strangers to affirm Jon’s purpose and change his life. 

When it comes to addiction, freedom comes through surrender.  Scott Spiezio had always been a “goal guy,” setting goals, working hard and finding success.  The son of a major league baseball player, he grew up with his hopes set on playing in the big leagues.  He won two World Series Championships with the Anaheim Angels and the St. Louis Cardinals in his 12 years in the major leagues.  But an injury, a move away from the tight-knit community of believers that had surrounded him, and the pressures of great success led to the crumbling of his life and career.

Scott Hamilton is one of the most recognized male figure skating stars in the world, winning four World Championships and Olympic gold in 1984.  He is a three-time cancer survivor, television broadcaster, motivational speaker, and more.  Scott says failure is the thing that has fueled much of his success. God used the challenge of Scott’s journey with cancer to get his attention and to grab his heart.   

Long before Page Turner began transforming houses on HGTV shows like “Flip or Flop,” “Rock the Block,” and “Fix My Flip,” she experienced the transformation of her own heart.  Raised by her agnostic mother, she was exposed to many different religions as a child.  But at 19, she met Jesus.  As a single mother and sole provider for 3 young daughters, she desperately needed God to transform her life.  Along the way she became a real estate broker, entrepreneur, and TV host, as she learned to follow God wherever he leads. 

Austin French grew up in church, but for a long time he despised Christians.  It seemed religion was all about pretending your life was perfect, and Austin’s life was anything but that.  Living with an abusive father, he learned to hide his bruises and put on a smile.  He swore when he was old enough, he would run as far as his cynicism would take him.  But an encounter with Jesus at 13 changed Austin’s heart, and he committed to using his musical talents to telling people about Him.  After appearing on national television shows like The Voice and Rising Star, Austin has become a successful singer and songwriter with songs like “Freedom Hymn,” “Born Again,” and “Jesus Can.” 

Helen Smallbone and her husband David were living in Australia when David’s business unexpectedly collapsed.  With 6 kids, they took an enormous leap of faith and moved to the United States with everything they owned packed in 16 suitcases.  Within a couple of months, David’s new job fell through.  They were forced to live by faith and to trust God in ways they never had before.  Helen is the mother of Rebecca St. James and Joel and Luke Smallbone of For King & Country, along with 4 other amazingly talented children.  She is the author of “Behind the Lights: The Extraordinary Adventure of a Mum and Her Family. 

In 2006, 18-year-old Katie Davis traveled to Uganda for the first time.  The people captivated her heart and within a year Katie was back in Uganda. Over the next 13 years, Katie founded Amazima Ministries, became a mom to 13 beautiful girls by the time she was 23, and married her husband Benji Majors.  Her books, “Kisses from Katie” and “Daring to Hope” became New York Times best sellers. Her story of taking baby steps of faith and seeing both the mountain-top highs and heartbreaking lows of ministry will inspire you to believe God can do anything. 

Susie Larson is a bestselling author, speaker, and host of the popular radio show/podcast Susie Larson Live on the Faith Radio Network.  She is a woman known for her wisdom.  That wisdom has come through challenging life experiences.  The trauma she faced as a child left her feeling afraid and bracing for the next bad thing. But God had a plan for healing her wounds and equipping her to share her story, helping thousands along the way.  Susie is the author of more than 20 books and devotionals, including her latest, “Strong In Battle.”

In early 1970, a small group of hippies walked into a church in Costa Mesa, California and helped change Christian music forever.  The Jesus Movement had begun on the West Coast, kicking off a spiritual awakening that swept the nation. Chuck Girard was at the center of it. He was a talented musician looking for answers to the meaning of life. He threw off traditional religion, became a hippie, and embraced drugs as the path to finding spiritual truth.  Chuck is one of the founding members of Love Song, a band that changed Christian music. If you’ve seen the movie Jesus Revolution, you’ll love hearing this first-hand account of a fascinating time in American history. 

When there is deception in marriage, how can you rebuild trust? For more than 20 years Mark and Jill Savage had served in ministry; Mark as a pastor, and Jill as the founder and director of Hearts at Home, a ministry for moms.  Their marriage had good seasons and hard seasons. But in what the Savages describe as their darkest year, they faced infidelity and were headed for divorce.  How could the pieces of their shattered life be put together again?  Today Mark and Jill are passionate about encouraging marriages and families. Jill is the host of the No More Perfect Podcast and has authored twelve books.  Together Mark and Jill have authored two books and provide marriage coaching and resources at JillSavage.com. This episode contains adult content. 

Tarn Cross believes God has hard-wired us for adventure.   When Tarn and her husband Matt had a young family in Australia, they began to grow restless.  Their church experience seemed more like dry religion than a relationship with the Creator of the Universe. That’s when God led them to their first mission experience in Uganda.  Within days of arriving, they realized what they thought would be an adventure was actually going to require radical faith and trust.  Today Tarn is a leader who has traveled the world speaking and helping people discover their God-given identity and purpose. 

As co-founder of She Reads Truth, Amanda Bible Williams has helped women around the world read God’s Word every day.  She believes in the power of the Bible to transform lives and sustain us through difficult times. A few years after launching She Reads Truth, Amanda and her husband David began the process of adopting their son Toby, who was born with a heart defect.  That journey has included both amazing miracles and exhausting suffering, and seeing how God is close through it all. 

When Cedric Hardimon faced tragedy as a teenager, his friends challenged him.  Would he walk away from his faith or would that experience solidify what he believed?  A common thread throughout Cedric’s life has been seeing how God uses it ALL – the successes, the things that look like failures, the mountain tops, and the desert experiences.  Somehow God can work all of it together for good.  Today Cedric is a pastor at Life Church East Kansas City and he serves as the chaplain for the Oklahoma City Thunder. But the road to these two dream opportunities wasn’t easy. It was a journey filled with opportunities to choose to trust God. 

When police knocked on Pastor Monte Gannon’s door, he never could have imagined it was the start of something beautiful.  Everything his church-owned was packed in a trailer that had been stolen and burned to the ground. As Monte prayed, he remembered two things- desperate people do desperate things, and God can take what was meant for evil and turn it for good. In a video that went viral, Monte reached out to whoever was responsible for the crime saying, “You are valuable.  God has hope for you.  You are invited to Meadows Church.”  He had no idea how those words would come true. 

For years there has been a stigma around issues of mental health, including in the Church.  For many of us, we assume depression and anxiety are issues we can fix, if we just read the Bible or pray more.  Lydia Laird knew God was calling her to write and perform music about her faith, but she was struggling with depression, anxiety and panic attacks.  For much of her life she carried shame because she just couldn’t fix it. 

The Outpouring at Asbury University began with a small group of students who stayed after chapel to worship and pray.  Over the course of the next 2 weeks, some estimate as many as 50,000 people came to Wilmore, Kentucky to be a part of it.  On February 23rd, the university officially stopped hosting public services.  If you weren’t among the 50,000 who experienced it, today’s show will give you a glimpse.  In this episode, we talk with people who came from hundreds and thousands of miles to visit Asbury.  Why did they go?  What were they hoping for? Guests from Ohio to Ontario share their stories.  

On February 8, 2023, a normal chapel service for students at Asbury University turned into something extraordinary. A small group of students stayed afterward and began sharing struggles, confessing sin, and praying for each other.  From those humble beginnings, an outpouring of God’s love and presence began and within days thousands had traveled from across the U.S. and beyond to experience it.  Host Meridith Foster traveled to Wilmore, Kentucky to hear about it from the students themselves.   

Jeremy Camp is a singer and songwriter whose story has been told in music and in a movie about his life. One of his most well-known songs is a simple but powerful declaration of faith. "I Still Believe" was written in a time of deep heartache and grief. As a young man, he had to make a choice. Would he trust that God is good even when life is not or walk away from his faith? That heartbreaking season forged a faith that is the foundation of Jeremy’s life. 

Ryan Otto wanted the fairytale marriage and family that he missed out on as a child. But there was one problem- he was paralyzed by the fear of choosing the wrong person or repeating his parents’ mistakes.  Mary Jane was confident of one thing- she would never marry a pastor.  It seemed to be an impossible situation, but it was actually an only-God-could-do-this kind of love story. 

After experiencing dysfunction and hurt, Tasha Layton left church and set out on a search for truth. That journey led her back to Jesus and a call to use her musical talents.  As a gifted worship leader, God opened doors in music but not what Tasha had imagined.  She found herself on American Idol and touring the world as a backup singer for Katy Perry, before finding her home writing worship songs and books to help others experience the freedom she found. 

Christine O’Dell’s world slowly shrank as she lived with a fear of fear.  Panic disorder, anxiety, and agoraphobia lead her to impose restrictions on anything that might trigger an attack. For more than two decades she never traveled more than 15 miles from home. Their kids’ out-of-town games, relatives' funerals, college visits for their kids, visiting elderly parents- she could do none of these. Christine and her husband Les learned to function, but never to be free from the fear that ruled their family. It seemed obvious this wasn’t God’s will for their lives, but change, healing, and hope all felt impossible. But God used an illness that could have been a death sentence to give Christine new life.  Christine shares more of her story at GodIsInThisStory.com 

Praying for healing can be tricky.  Sometimes we pray and see miraculous results.  Sometimes we pray and it seems like God isn’t listening.  Weez Stockton loves to pray. She has used her voice for decades on the radio, leading worship, and praying for others.  She has been both the pray-er, and the one prayed for; especially during the long years when she faced multiple health challenges.  If you deal with chronic illness, her story will inspire you to pray and give you hope. 

When you work in the fashion industry, image is everything.  As a young woman, Hannah Corwin moved to London and began working as a photographer in the fashion industry.  It was an environment where it was easy to get caught up in believing you are what brand you wear. Image meant everything, and her identity was completely wrapped up in her job.  Today Hannah works in Nashville, shooting artists and musicians in the country music and Christian music industries.  Along the way, God got hold of her heart and her camera, and He’s using it to tell about the miraculous things He’s done, through a beautiful book of photography and stories called, “But God.” 

Marcus Rixon grew up in a 12’ x 6’ home with no running water in Kolkata, India.  One of the challenges he faced was the box that kids like Marcus grew up in- a box that defined him and his potential. But his parents prayed for a way out of poverty, and the first answer to that prayer was sponsorship through One Child that allowed him to go to school.  It was the beginning of a series of events that radically changed the trajectory of his life.   

Jo Saxton is one of those people who seems naturally gifted to lead. She’s an author, speaker, podcast host, and leadership coach. But the early years of her life were filled with experiences that fed a deep insecurity. Her gifts and talents were buried beneath the weight of the baggage she carried. If you’ve ever questioned whether God could use even you, you’ll want to hear Jo’s story. 

Have you ever felt God’s presence?  The Bible says one of the names of Jesus is Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” In this special Christmas episode of The Unfolding, we asked our guests to share stories of how they have experienced God’s presence in supernatural ways.  We hear stories from worship leaders Paul and Hannah McClure, Mike Weaver from Big Daddy Weave, Pam Peoples, and Katie Brink, with special contributions from Mallary Hope and Sisters & Company. 

When Mike Donehey thinks about Christmas as a kid, he can’t remember the gifts he received most years.  But one Christmas stands out.  It was the year there were no presents in the Donehey family.  His parents came to the Donehey kids with a proposition – they could afford Christmas presents or surgery to save their dog, Sam. Mike talks about how sometimes, not getting what we hope for, can be a gift.  Mike is the former lead singer of Tenth Avenue North and author of “Finding God’s Life for My Will.”  

When God calls you to something, sometimes it takes years before it actually comes to pass.  Rob Wallstrom has had a very successful career as a retail executive, leading companies like Vera Bradley and Saks Fifth Avenue’s outlet division. But years ago, his goal wasn’t to lead companies.  As a teenager, he felt a clear call from God to be a pastor.  It’s been 35 years since then.  Now, it seems to be time to pursue that dream.  If you find yourself in a season of waiting, Rob’s story will encourage you. 

What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? What would you do if you knew God was with you?  Ryan Leak is a teaching pastor, speaker, executive coach, and author.  He is widely known for his documentary, “Chasing Failure.”  He asked himself: What would he do if he knew he could not fail?  The answer was easy- he’d be in the NBA- and since the only way to know if that dream could be a reality was to try, that is exactly what he did. 

If you have experienced a devastating loss, you may wonder how anyone could survive such debilitating grief. How do you live through that kind of sadness? That’s what Kyle and Betty Mertens thought when they lost their one-year-old daughter Ella. They were drowning in grief, but they were determined to find a way through it with God. In the wake of their tragedy, they created a journal to keep their grief from pulling them apart.  Their experience gave them an unexpected expertise on grieving, and they suddenly found themselves helping others navigate loss.  Kyle and Betty are authors of the book, “Unraveled: When Loss Changes Everything.”   

Courtney Smallbone’s family has followed Jesus for generations.  But as a teenager, Courtney was unconvinced.  Then a pivotal experience changed her from skeptic to whole-hearted believer.  She saw God doing the impossible, and that marked her for life.  It changed her expectations and prepared her for a day when she would need to believe for something that seemed impossible.  Courtney and her husband Luke, who is half of the duo For King and Country, have four children and live in Columbia, Tennessee. 

Despite what we often believe, success doesn’t solve the problem of insecurity. Mike Weaver is the lead singer of Big Daddy Weave. For more than 20 years, the band has experienced amazing success – awards, gold and platinum records, and #1 songs.  They’ve toured across the U.S. and beyond.  But all that affirmation wasn’t enough to quiet an inner critic.  For Mike Weaver, he was never enough.   

In 1975 when the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia, Dareth Ly was 7 years old.  He spent most of the next 4 years in a work camp, barely surviving starvation and torture.  When he landed in the U.S. as an orphan, he forced himself to forget everything about Cambodia.  He knew he would never go back.  But God can take what others meant for evil and turn it for good.  (Caution for parents: this story contains episodes of violence and is not appropriate for children.)   

Nobody sets out to be a failure, but what if failure is exactly what we need? Dallas Jenkins is the director of The Chosen, the first ever multi-season show about Jesus. Long before The Chosen, Dallas wasn’t interested in making faith-based films. He dreamed of making it big in Hollywood. What God taught Dallas through failure became part of the incredible story that led to The Chosen.  

For missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham, a night to celebrate their wedding anniversary turned into a nightmare.  On May 27, 2001, they were kidnapped from a resort in the Philippines by the Abu Sayyaf, a militant organization with ties to al Qaeda.  Held hostage for over a year, the Burnhams were forced to live in the jungle with little food or water, endure gun battles, and witness atrocities by their captors.   

Sparkle Sanders was driven to succeed in everything she did.  One of her greatest fears was failure. Nothing made her feel more like a failure than motherhood. When Sparkle became a mom, it didn’t look anything like what she expected.   Every day was hard, and the struggle with postpartum depression made her feel miles away from God. Sparkle is the founder of Beautiful Truth, a for-profit, global ministry that aims to encourage, empower and teach others that through Jesus they can have and live a good, fulfilling life. 

When Anne Wilson was growing up, she wanted to be an astronaut.  She made plans, started taking classes, and set her hopes on traveling to space.  But one tragic summer night in 2017 altered the course of Anne’s life.  The death of her brother Jacob set off a series of events that made clear to Anne that God’s purpose was different than her plan.  Anne sang in front of an audience for the very first time at her brother’s funeral. That was also the moment God clearly called Anne to spend her life praising and worshipping Him.  Her first song, “My Jesus,” debuted at #1 on the iTunes Christian & Gospel music chart.  

Nathan Sheridan experienced more tragedy as a young boy than many of us face in an entire lifetime.  Born to addicted parents, Nathan and his sister were passed between relatives.  The abandonment of his parents was followed by even more heartbreak, and that left Nathan carrying a heavy load of grief.  Sometimes that kind of heartache can make you believe nothing good could ever come of your story.  That was true for Nathan.  He dreamed of becoming a singer and songwriter, but he struggled to believe he would ever be good enough for that dream to come true.