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  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.)