The Unfolding

When you live in some of the most difficult conflict zones on earth, it helps to have a peace that surpasses understanding. Donna Winship and her husband Jamie spent more than 25 years living in places like Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan and Israel. Those hard years forged an understanding of God’s love and forgiveness that transformed Donna’s life. Along the way, Donna discovered principles of the Kingdom of God that brought peace and freedom – even when living in a culture of war, terrorism, conflict and death. Donna and Jamie are co-founders of Identity Exchange. Jamie is the author of Living Fearless. Learn more about their free resource, Finding Hope in Depression at Identity Exchange.com Donna's husband Jamie Winship was featured on Page 168 of the Unfolding. Do you have a story to share based on hearing this story, or want to share how God has used it to encourage you. Click the link here, and use the green microphone button.

Kim Kidd shares her remarkable journey from addiction and despair to freedom and transformation through faith. Raised by a praying grandmother but lost in a life of drug dealing, Kim hit rock bottom when she faced a 50-year prison sentence. In that jail cell, she encountered God in a powerful way, witnessing miracles that sparked revival behind bars. Don’t miss this inspiring story of redemption, hope, and the faith that changed Kim’s life forever. To hear more stories of God ministering to people in prison, check out the latest episode of the "Wow God Stories" podcast, guest hosted by Rob Vischer. To hear Kim Kidd's full story on "The Unfolding", listen to "Page 17" on Apple or Spotify. Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify To share your own Wow God Story with us, click on the green microphone button here.

When Chad Staerkel was young, he was rebellious, wild and crazy. He was the kid who was always jumping off the garage, riding fast motorcycles, and dreaming about flying F 16’s. He seemed to have no fear. When Chad’s spirit of adventure was combined with complete trust in God, he realized the sky is the limit. As a professional skydiver, Chad has jumped out of an airplane more than 11,000 times. Beyond skydiving, Chad has been willing to take risks to follow God wherever He leads. What he has witnessed has only made him more confident in Jesus. Does fear keep you from following God? Chad’s story just might inspire you to take a leap of faith and embrace the adventure of following God. Chad is the author of Doctrines of Grace.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart." Daniel Maritz shares the powerful story of his own faith journey, and following in the faith footsteps of his father. Through personal losses and life's trials, Daniel learns to fully surrender and trust in God's plan. Ultimately, God leads Daniel from a career in modeling to the creation of a global online ministry.

Why? It is a question that has wrecked the faith of many. Why would God allow this? Why didn’t God intervene? Why didn’t He answer our prayers? Andrea Mercier is very familiar with the question “Why, God?” After years of infertility, Andrea and her husband experienced the joy of getting pregnant and then giving birth to their son, Gabriel. Then they noticed Gabriel’s development was delayed. He was eventually diagnosed with autism and a rare, genetic condition that gradually robbed his abilities. It was heart-crushing. And yet, Andrea has come to a place of deep, deep intimacy with God. If you are struggling to reconcile a good God with hard circumstances, Andrea’s story will encourage you. Andrea is a pastor, speaker, and the author of Oliver’s Extraordinary Friend: A Boy’s Journey of Embracing Autism.

"Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Yes, it can." William Winfield shares how his faith in Christ transformed his life from homelessness to hope and purpose. Reflecting on his journey, William reminds us that the greatest tragedy in life isn't death, but living without purpose. Hear how God has used William in key moments of a few men's lives, and how his Christlike compassion to them at just the right moment gave them much-needed hope and a lasting life change.

God is all about transformation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” God loves second chances. Jermaine Wilson had spent four years in prison by the time he was 19. His dad had been to prison. His brother had been to prison, and his sister had been to prison. Jermaine’s search for love led him to earn acceptance through criminal activity and gang involvement. But it was a trap. He wanted a different life yet there seemed to be no way out. How does a gang member, drug dealer and prison inmate become the mayor of Leavenworth, Kansas? That’s the incredible God-story of Jermaine Wilson. Today, Jermaine is the mission ambassador for Prison Fellowship.

Tony Burkeybyle knows what it is to be a broken man. He also knows what it is to live a surrendered life. Tony now volunteers in prisons, guiding men to forgiveness and a life rooted in God's grace. In this episode, Tony shares how his son's imprisonment led him to minister to men at the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute, pointing them toward the freedom and salvation found in Jesus Christ.

Jerry Thomason shares his personal journey as a cancer patient, revealing how his faith in God has been his anchor through unexpected challenges. Amidst his diagnosis, Jerry's reflections on reshaped priorities, strengthened beliefs, and the impact on those around him offer powerful insights. Jerry's story highlights the blessings and lessons found even in the darkest times. Meridith wants to hear your story. If you have a smartphone, USB microphone, or other way to record your voice, use this link and click the green microphone button, as we're looking for more Wow God Stories to share with our podcast listeners.

Bryan Crum spent a decade serving as a hospice chaplain, helping people walk through their final days. After listening to hundreds of life stories, he realized too many of us carry regret and fail to recognize just how much God values us. Hospice work changed Bryan’s life and his perspective on priorities. Through the stories of people like Ms. Ruth and Mr. Harold, Bryan learned the power of our words, the deadly impact of doubt, and why we all can trust that God loves us deeply. Bryan is the author of Neighbor, Love Yourself: Discover Your Value, Live Your Worth.

"In the midst of your pain... you really get to experience a side of the Father that you don't really see in heaven." Amelia Tabatt shares her deeply personal story of her mother's 18-month battle with glioblastoma brain cancer, the challenges, the faith, and finding hope amid the struggle and loss.

Isaiah 61:3 describes how God comforts those who are mourning. It says He will take our ashes of grief and trade them for a crown of beauty. Katie Miller has grown up in a family that has watched God take situations that seemed impossible, sometimes literally standing in ashes, and make something so beautiful that millions of people witness it today. If you’ve been to Lancaster, Pennsylvania or Branson, Missouri, maybe you’ve visited Sight and Sound theater to see one of their astounding productions where stories from scripture come to life. More than 30 million people have been inspired by the stories of Noah, Daniel, Queen Esther and more. Since Sight and Sound’s humble beginning in 1976, God has taken some of most devastating circumstances along the way and turned them for good.

God knows what we don’t, and can see what we can’t. Susie Larson shares about those moments when God leads you to the right place at the right time. The times when the Lord has directed your steps and brought you to where you needed to go. Hear how others have been in the exact spot where God wanted them on this episode of Wow God Stories.

When Tracie Miles’ marriage of 25 years imploded, it felt like the train of life had slammed into a brick wall. Almost overnight she went from financially stable to desperately broke, from a family of five to a single mom of three. Tracie describes that season as a “lifequake”- an earthquake that shook and changed every part of her life. She became stuck, overwhelmed by countless fears. There seemed to be no way to move forward and no hope that she could every feel joy again. She couldn’t imagine how God would make beauty from these ashes. Tracie Miles is a bestselling author, director of COMPEL Pro Writers Training at Proverbs 31 Ministries, and the founder of the Living Unbroken Divorce Recovery program.

Sometimes seasons of doubt can come unexpectedly. When Elizabeth Moore followed her dream to New York, she found herself surrounded by people who didn’t believe what she had always believed and some who were antagonistic toward God. She began struggling under the weight of questions and doubts. She could never have imagined that she would emerge from this season more certain of her faith and grateful for the struggle. Elizabeth is the co-author of Liturgies for Hope and Liturgies for Wholeness, books of honest prayers and scripture to help you through the highs and lows of life.

Trudy Feyereisen recounts her journey from being a 'scaredy cat' afraid of trials to becoming a witness of God's unwavering faithfulness through her husband's battle with brain cancer. Throughout this ordeal, she shares how her faith deepened, supported by scripture, prayer, and Christian community. Despite immense challenges, including her husband's personality changes and eventual passing, she found solace in God's presence and the body of Christ. Hear about her enduring faith in God's promises and the strength she drew from her favorite scripture and worship songs.

One Sunday morning Pastor Jason Carver gave his wife and kids a kiss and headed out the door early for church. When he came home, they were gone. Thirty days later, the divorce papers arrived. It was the beginning of a two-year journey. Jason wrestled with God and learned to surrender to Him. Despite the circumstances, Jason had hope- something he calls a “supernatural stubbornness” to stand on the promises of God. But the divorce still went through. His wife was still with someone else. Could the God of resurrection bring a dead marriage back to life?

Ryan Graves thought he was a Christian, but a near-death experience and over a year of hospital stays due to alcohol abuse, was the wake-up call that led him on a new path of passion for Jesus. Now, Ryan shares his journey of end-stage liver disease and the Good News of the Gospel with anyone who will listen. You can learn more about Ryan's journey at his website. https://thesoultrek.com/

Growing up in an alcoholic home, Jason Lomelino just wanted to find peace. He was confident religion wasn’t the answer and spent his days partying and drinking. But then one night he was “ambushed by the love of God” and all he wanted to do was tell people about Jesus. That’s when Jason got a crazy idea. Why not go into the darkest place he knew – the hard-partying streets of Isla Vista, California, and have a barbecue? That first night turned into more than twenty years, thousands of free burgers, and countless lives changed through the ministry of Jesus Burgers.