Halfway There | Christian Testimonies | Spiritual Formation, Growth, And Personal Experiences With God

Rose Ann Forte, Best Selling Author and Founder of The Plans He Has For Me Coaching Program which focuses on how to put alcohol to the side for 12 consecutive weeks. Today, Rose Ann shares how she began going to church during her difficult marriage, realized her drinking was out of control, and found a twelve week program that worked for her. We also discuss the reasons people become addicted to substances and why there is hope if you want to stop. Rose Ann’s story reminds us that Jesus is with us even when we do things that we’re not proud of and invites us to trust him. Listen to Rose Ann’s story in your favorite podcast player now! Stories Rose Ann shared: Writing a book called The Plans He Has for Me Growing up in New Hampshire going to a Catholic school Being in a difficult marriage and going to church Choosing to drink to deal with her problems Using alcohol over time and how it developed Her gratefulness for never hurting anyone Suffering in silence hoping to solve the problem for herself Why she didn

Keith Ferrin is an author and speaker who has been speaking at conference, churches, universities, and banquets for 25+ years. His passion is helping people not just read and study the Bible, but deeply enjoy it! He uses live events, books, and online courses to equip individuals and families to not just read and study the Bible, but deeply enjoy it! He is also the founder of the BibleLife Community, an online community where people read, study, and discuss the Bible together. Today, Keith shares how he discovered this relational practices, the events that led him to start a membership, and why psycology is important in Bible study. Keith’s story reminds us that God wants to live with us and that’s a beautiful thing. Listen to Keith’s story wherever you get your podcasts! Stories Keith shared: Growing up all over the United States before settling in Washington State Never knowing a time without faith Going to youth group as a kid and having an active faith Realizing that he had never talked to anyone about J

Michelle Ferrigno Warren is an author and president of Virago Strategies, which provides strategic direction and project management community support. Today, Michelle shares her journey from a fundamentalist church to leading as a social activist. She shares what it was like to realize her success in ministry was limited by her gender, how she and her husband were led to found an important ministry in Denver, and how she learned about the systems that silently oppress in our society. Plus, she shares about her latest b0ok, Join the Resistance: Step Into the Good Work of Kingdom Justice. Michelle’s story reminds us that proximity always develops our empathy. Listen to Michelle’s story in your favorite podcast player now. Stories Michelle shared: Working in community development and advocacy Growing up in an Italian family with Roman Catholic roots Landing in a fundamentalist Bible church as a child Learning to love and study Scripture How her neighborhood made her aware of diversity Realizing that she had a c

Jesse Eubanks is a certified Enneagram coach and host of The EnneaCast, a podcast exploring personality and relationships through the lens of the Enneagram. Jesse is also the founder and executive director of Love Thy Neighborhood,a discipleship and missions agency mobilizing people to follow Jesus and serve the poor in modern culture. Today, Jesse shares how he discovered his love for social action, his difficult path to relational health, and the contentious moment that led him to spiritual formation. Plus, we discuss why rightly knowing yourself is a deeply Christian thing to do and how the Enneagram helps on that journey. His new book How We Relate: Understanding God, Yourself, and Others through the Enneagram is out now. Jesse’s story reminds us that Jesus loves and calls us to be our true selves in Him. Listen to Jesse’s story in your favorite podcast player now! Stories Jesse shared: Writing a book to help people understand how they relate to others How our personality changes our relationship with Go

Lori Ann Wood is a Christian author and heart failure survivor. Today, Lori Ann shares her beginnings in a Christian family doing all the right things, how her life was rocked by a heart failure diagnosis, and what she learned about God when he seemed silent. Her faith took a turn from doing to relating with the Lord in intimate ways. Plus, she shares the three main questions that she asked and the practices that helped her thought them. Lori Ann’s story reminds us that even when our lives don’t look how we’d like, God is still there, working, and loving us. Listen to Lori Ann’s story in your favorite podcast player now! Stories Lori Ann shared: Growing up in Kansas on a wheat farm Realizing the blessing of her childhood in a secure family The note her dad gave her while walking her down the aisle Feeling peace for the first time in her faith Running her faith and life through lists Focusing her life on her kids and doing the right things Receiving a medical diagnosis of heart disease Having heart failure an

Jonathan Carone is the host of two podcasts and an entrepreneur of a marketing and website design company helping churches, nonprofits, and ministries. Today, Jonathan shares how he resisted going to church, gave in to the Lord’s leading after a difficult season, and ultimately landed on a church staff. Just when he thought he was thriving, his time in ministry ended. He also shares how the Lord used that season of doubt in himself to teach him trust and changed his faith significantly. Jonathan’s story reminds us that we often have to unlearn what we’ve learned in order to move ahead. Listen to Jonathan’s story in your favorite podcast app now! Stories Jonathan shared: Creating his own marking company Growing up in North Carolina in his grandpa’s church Leaving church after 15 Moving to Myrtle Beach and realizing he didn’t ask God if he should go Hearing from God to get training Discovering a church that spoke his language Hitting rock bottom after a break up and other challenges Praying in surrender to go

Kate Berkey is a writer, speaker, and missionary living on the north side of Chicago where she works with refugees and immigrants with Devon Oasis Ministry. Today, Kate shares about doubting her faith in high school, the unique way God called her to Thailand, and finding a ministry that fits her heart for the marginalized. She also shares how learning from other cultures can help bring much needed humility especially when the family with a foreign culture lives right next door. Kate’s story reminds us that when we honor the imago dei in our fellow humans, we become the Father’s ambassadors of friendship. Listen to Kate’s story in your favorite podcast app now! Stories Kate shared: Growing up in a Christian family in rural Indiana Deciding to figure out why she believed in Jesus as a high schooler Wrestling with doubts about whether to trust the Bible Her mentor Kristy Mikel who helped her through wrestling with faith Going to Taylor University and looking to the future Experiencing the kindness of God Quitti

Dan Luigs is the founder of The Journey of a Christian Dad Podcast and FB Community. Today, Dan shares how he found faith, the moment he decided to stop keeping his appointment with God on Sunday, and the gentle way he led his family back to church. Dan is passionate about showing up for the people in your life and encourages men do the little things well and faithfully. Dan’s story reminds us that a life of faithful service is a life worth living. Listen to Dan’s story wherever you get your podcasts! Stories Dan shared: Growing up in a Christian family in St. Louis, MO Feeling like his dad was working a lot Deciding that he didn’t have to go to church anymore as a young man Choosing to go to church ten years after he was married Conversations with God as a child and the vision he had in church Hearing about leadership in his family Realizing that he needed to love his wife better Finding people who he could model his life after Learning how to serve other people Listening to the Lord before every service Ho

Licensed private investigator, podcast host, author, and speaker Lori Morrison. Today, Lori shares about being around church and slowly drawn to the Lord, working in the justice system to learn compassion, and how she became a private investigator. She also gives us tips about personal safety and some deep thoughts about God’s love for all people, including those who commit crimes. Her book is called How to Kick Fear to the Curb where she explains the biblical case for being strong and not afraid. Lori’s story reminds us that the Lord loves justice even when it doesn’t look how we want it to. Listen to Lori’s story in your favorite podcast app now! Stories Lori shared: Working as a private investigator and what that means Growing up in Indiana but not going to church Slowly being drawn to Jesus as a young woman Beginning to read and do Bible studies How getting involved with helping others helped her Learning compassion for others by working with inmates at the jail Being a stay at home mom while her childre

Jon Fugler is the Chief Content Officer with Trans World Radio and has been writing for Christian audiences for 40 years. Today, Jon shares how he found Christ through sports and then applied his performance based mindset to his faith. He was good at it but, as with all performances, it crumbled eventually. That’s when a friend shared a powerful book that redefined his life with Christ and set Jon on a path of enjoying the company of Jesus wherever he goes. Jon shares the strategies he uses to find peace, accept himself, and experience the Lord. Jon’s story reminds us that you can’t work your way into relationship with God even if you’re doing good things. It’s all about the joy of knowing Christ. Listen to Jon’s story in your favorite podcast app now! Stories Jon shared: His ministry and radio experience Growing up in Rochester, NY Hearing a college football coach speak and hearing the Gospel Applying his performance practices to his faith Getting hurt and realizing that a baseball career wouldn’t happen De

Suzie Eller is an author and podcaster with a new book called Prayer Starters: Talking with God about Hard Times and also the Prayer Starters podcast. Today, Suzie shares about the ordinary people who shaped her in simple ways, why she determined to write about things that mattered after cancer, and how she learned to pray. Suzie brings much wisdom to our prayer life that she’s learned from her own. Suzie’s story reminds us that the Lord is never far away if we only turn an ear toward him to listen. Listen to Suzie’s story in your favorite podcast app today! Stories Suzie shared: Working at Proverbs 31 and developing her own ministry Growing up in a fractured family not knowing about God Finding Christ in her late teens when friends knocked on her door with an invitation Challenging God because of her family life The ordinary people who shaped her Going to college and getting married at 20 Studying the Bible as much as she could Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis at 31 Starting a writing career after her su

Noble Gibbens is a coach, speaker, and podcaster known as the EQ Gangster because of his big beard and tattoos. Today, Noble shares how he developed a very unhealthy relationship with God full of self-loathing, what happened when he gave up on performing for people, and the moment he learned about emotions. He also gives us a little strategy for how to properly process emotions when we have them. Noble’s story reminds us that God loves the whole of our human persons including our emotions. Listen to Noble’s story in your favorite podcast app now! Stories Noble shared: Being an executive coach to large companies Learning how to stuff and avoid emotions as a child Developing a performance based relationship with the Lord Pursuing God throughout his early adulthood Getting financially independent at age 30 Experiencing depression when he stopped performing Performing at West Point Realizing that he hated himself during a dark night The tattoos that remind him of the lessons of this season Spending time in Scrip

Courtney Lowman is a speaker, teacher, and the podcaster behind The Journey of Ruth podcast. Today, Courtney share how she found amazing mentors early on, the moment when heartbreak brought clarity, and the ministry that the Lord has given her since. Courtney is passionate about discipleship because she knows that one “meal” on Sunday isn’t enough to feed you for the entire week. She now provides resources for disciplers around the world including with her newest resource, the Bible Journal for Busy Women. Courtney’s story reminds us that God often has plans for us beyond our limited imaginations. Listen to Courtney’s story in your favorite podcast app now! Stories Courtney shared: Hosting the Journey of Ruth Podcast Growing up in Arizona as a pastor’s kid Experiencing the difficulty of ministry as a child The women who let them sit with them on Sunday and were her first mentors The vision the Lord used to draw her deeper Evaluating her friendships for depth Clubbing for Jesus in France Wrestling with going

Peter Englert is a pastor, podcaster, and writer who has a unique ministry using podcasting as a discipleship tool. You know I love to share great examples of new media making a difference. Today, Peter shares how he ended up in ministry, the mentors who showed him incredible kindness, and how his ministry has evolved to include the digital world. Plus, Peter reminds us that digital and physical don’t always have to be in conflict. Often, they actually augment one another. Listen to Peter’s story in your favorite podcast app today! Stories Peter shared: His ministry in Rochester and online Growing up in NY and being told he was destined to be a talk show host Connecting with people from the Northeast Being in church three times a week as a kid Feeling called to ministry at 13 Putting his career in ministry on hold but seeing how God worked it out anyway The mentors who have shaped him by inclusion Getting let go from a job A season of transition when the Lord asked him to be faithful How his job has evolved

Jodie Niznik served in vocational ministry for over twelve years. Her calling and passion is to equip people to create space for God in their lives and take another step in their journey with Jesus. She does this through writing, teaching, and her Scripture meditation podcast. Today, Jodie shares about how finding Christ at church camp, the first time she learned about lectio divina, and how she helps others engage the practice. Jodie’s story reminds us that there are many ways engage the Lord if we just take a little time. Listen to Jodie’s story in your favorite podcast app now! Stories Jodie shared: The process of lectio divina and the guardrails we need Growing up in Atlanta with a good family. Finding Christ at church camp at 13 Having a very performative view of her faith Deciding to do things on her own and the distress that resulted Discovering Christian community at the University of Boulder Getting married and moving to Texas Hearing God tell her to go to seminary Her experience with God through sc

Randy Mortensen is a guide for talented management professionals whose drive has led them down a path of compulsive and destructive behaviors, the host of the Courageous Recovery podcast, and a published author. Today, Randy shares how he came to Christ after years of being a church attender, how he finally quit drinking, and the ministries he’s started to help others do the same. Randy work hard and achieves much but has also suffered because of addiction. Randy’s story reminds us that shame never gets the last word because Jesus took it all for us. Listen to Randy’s story now in your favorite podcast app! Stories Randy shared: Being a public speaker around the world Sneaking a beer out of his dad’s man cave Losing his five year old son Sitting in the Lutheran church every week as a kid Giving his life to Christ when his mentor invited him over for an afternoon Going forward for an alter call at an Amway event Teaching with Willow Creek across the country Living the high life with success Hearing from God i

Amy Fritz is the host of the Untangled Faith podcast, a mom, and wife, with a heart for those hurt by leaders they trust. Today, Amy shares how her somewhat charmed upbringing was shattered when her mom died suddenly, how she ran away to Middle Tennessee, and discovering that all was not as it seemed at a prominent Christian organization. Dealing with the sense of betrayal took time and ultimately gave her compassion for others dealing with the trauma from spiritual abuse. Amy’s story reminds us that God is still good even when the leaders who use his name aren’t. Listen to Amy’s story in your favorite podcast player now! Stories Amy shared: Being a mom and wife in Middle Tennessee Growing up in Minnesota in a new Christian family Feeling like the trophy student and model Christian Losing her mom to brain cancer during an MRI Struggling with the problem of pain and grief in the world Running away to Middle Tennessee and joining The Lampo Group Getting a warning from another wife early on Realizing that there

Don Larson is the CEO and Founder of Sunshine Nut Company cashews where he helps bring work and wealth to Mozambique. Today, Don shares how he found Christ after years of going to church, becoming massively successful, and deciding to walk away from a huge paycheck. Don tells us the story of surrendering to the Lord which led him to start selling nuts around the world. Don’s story reminds us that when God calls you to something, following may be costly but it’s always worth it. Listen to Don’s story in your favorite podcast player now! Stories Don shared: Living in Mozambique full time working with the Sunshine Nut Company Growing up in Connecticut and Pennsylvania Working at Hershey and their orphanage Going to church a little more than Easter and Christmas Converting to Roman Catholicism to get married Giving their lives to Christ at 29 when they attended a Bible-based church Knowing God was there but exactly connected to him How God spoke to him after taking a job at Campbell’s and a few months off Growin

Nicole Jacobsmeyer is a mom of four, wife, and author. Today, Nicole shares how she nearly lost her faith after suffering, the wise woman who encouraged her to serve even while it was messy, and how she learned to trust God in the middle of it all. Through her authenticity and the sharing of her own struggles, Nicole encourages women to keep going when all seems lost. Nicole’s story reminds us that the Lord is personal and present even as we suffer and that, it’s often those moments where we find him. Listen to Nicole’s story on your favorite podcast player now! Stories Nicole shared: Being a mom turned author with a young family Starting her blog because her husband was in medical school and it was hard to get out Why she wrote Take Back Your Joy Moving around a lot as a child in a Christian family Having a terrible experience at college including a rape Believing that if you do good things, God will bless you Questioning every belief because of betrayal from her dad Turning the shame inward onto herself Le

Kevin Wilson is the host of the podcast A Christian Podcast with Kevin Wilson. I had the pleasure of being on a panel with Kevin at Podcast Movement in August, 2022. His approach to evangelism in his podcast fascinated so I had to hear more of his story. Today, Kevin shares about how moving around as a child affected him, the group that so lived Acts 2 that he couldn’t resist Jesus, and how he follows curiosity to interact with others about faith. Kevin’s story reminds us that evangelism is a true gift and we can learn from his. Listen to Kevin’s story today! Stories Kevin shared: Connecting at Podcast Movement Growing up in Detroit, Michigan Moving around a lot and ending up in NC Meeting a group of believers in college that lit his flame for the Lord How the fellowship of believers helped him Investing time and intentionality in his faith Starting his podcast A Christian Podcast with Kevin Wilson Evolving his show to go outside and talk to people Following curiosity to ask genuine questions of people who b