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 ...
Dec 09, 2022•45 min
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.
Dec 02, 2022•38 min
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, an...
Nov 25, 2022•51 min
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, Tennesse...
Nov 18, 2022•45 min
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.
Nov 11, 2022•47 min
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.)
Nov 04, 2022•53 min
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.
Oct 28, 2022•44 min
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.
Oct 21, 2022•40 min
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 g...
Oct 14, 2022•46 min
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 pra...
Oct 07, 2022•36 min
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...
Sep 30, 2022•46 min
Karen Horne got really good at “pretend normal.” Her husband was living a lie and she was pretending everything was fine. When you are married to a pastor, there is intense pressure to appear as if all is well. Betrayal, deceit and hidden sin had eaten away at the foundation of their family. Karen would have to go undercover to find out the truth. This episode contains references to pornography and sexual addiction.
Sep 23, 2022•54 min
Long before Hope Darst became a successful recording artist and worship leader, she believed God called her to lay down that dream. Surrender had become a theme in her life. Giving up control to Jesus, letting go of her hopes for a career, and surrendering her dream to become a mother were all a part of her path. Today Hope is known for powerful anthems like “Peace Be Still” and “Promise Keeper,” but in the years prior to that success, God called her to lay down dreams and follow Him wherever He...
Sep 16, 2022•44 min
If you were old enough to be aware of the events that day, you likely know exactly where you were on September 11, 2001. In this special 20th anniversary edition of The Unfolding, we are sharing a collection of stories from 9/11. With each story we move closer to Ground Zero. We begin 8,000 miles from Manhattan in the jungles of the Philippines. Missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham were being held captive by terrorists with ties to Al Qaeda. Mel Torre shares how a supernatural experience helpe...
Sep 09, 2022•1 hr 41 min
James Winston understands that Romans 12:2, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” means more than simply changing your mind. It means complete transformation. When he was 22, James was sent to Viet Nam. Like thousands of other soldiers, he was introduced to heroin. That began an addiction that enslaved him for 30 years. Along the way he served multiple prison sentences and devastated his relationships. It seemed he would never change. But at 55 years old, entering his 5th prison term, h...
Sep 02, 2022•42 min
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.” But before he set foot on a stage or 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 gre...
Aug 26, 2022•44 min
Mike and Shannaree Muzinich say their relationship was like sandpaper. It was constant abrasion and bracing for the next conflict. For ten years the two physicians chased after things they thought would bring them happiness- a dream home, prestigious careers and big incomes. Yet they still lived in misery with little expectation that things would get better. Even though they weren’t looking for God and had never believed in Him, one night they had an encounter with Him that changed their lives f...
Aug 19, 2022•53 min
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. Instead, a few years later a fluke accident left him almost totally blind in both eyes. It was a series of events that many people might have considered tragic, but Blessing Offo...
Aug 12, 2022•49 min
Terry Wildman didn’t grow up immersed in the history and culture of his First Nations ancestors. But after he met Jesus, his heart for Indigenous Americans grew. As he learned more about the painful history of Native North Americans and the Church, he struggled with questions. But through that struggle, he felt a call to translate the Bible following the tradition of Native storytellers. The First Nations Version of the New Testament has sold thousands of copies, bringing hope and healing to tho...
Aug 05, 2022•52 min
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 assured her he had a purpose for her life. It was during those years of struggle that Katy began to realize God had given her the gift of music so she could encourage others. Katy Nichole’s song, “In Jesus’ Name (God of Possible)” became a viral sensation and set a reco...
Jul 29, 2022•39 min
Throughout scripture God tells us, “Do not be afraid,” and yet we face a lot of fearful situations in life. How do you live without fear? Paul and Hannah McClure are worship leaders and songwriters who have experienced fear and anxiety just like many of us. But during COVID, they had a scary experience, triggering fears that shook them to the core. But this encounter taught them something new about fear and God and what we can experience when we know that He is with us.
Jul 22, 2022•53 min
When Lana Vasquez met Jesus at 19, she knew she had been rescued to rescue others. Within a few short years, she was a full-time missionary with Life Impact International rescuing kids from trafficking in Thailand. It was a daunting mission, far beyond what she could do in her own strength. In fact, the work often seemed impossible. But when God asks us to do the impossible and we’re willing to say yes, we are in the perfect position to see the miraculous.
Jul 15, 2022•32 min
Growing up in Southern California, Lana Vasquez found herself looking for love in all the wrong places. By the time she was a teenager, she was trapped in an abusive relationship, addicted to alcohol and drugs, and spent her nights as a dancer in the clubs of Hollywood. She was living a fast life, but even the glitz and glamour of Hollywood couldn’t hide the fact that she felt desperately empty. At 19 years old, Lana heard the Gospel for the first time. When God rescued her, she knew she was cal...
Jul 08, 2022•30 min
Jordan St. Cyr had always believed the way to your dreams was through grit and hard work. He knew God had called him to be a songwriter, so he was determined to make it happen. But what if the way to your dreams isn’t through determination, but through surrender? Jordan is the co-writer of the song “Fires,” – a song that has become their family’s anthem as they walk through their daughter's diagnosis with a rare syndrome.
Jul 01, 2022•28 min
In a post-pandemic world, more and more people are dealing with issues related to mental health. Mandisa is a singer and songwriter who has authentically shared her journey with anxiety and depression. When her friend was diagnosed with cancer, Mandisa was confident God would heal her. When He didn’t, she struggled with sadness and deepening disappointment with God. In this interview, Mandisa shares how depression led to isolation and walking away from her singing career, but God used a communit...
Jun 24, 2022•25 min
Mark Schultz had always felt a drive to succeed. As the only adopted child in his family, it seemed to be a way to guarantee his adoptive parents would know they had picked the right kid. If he was the starting quarterback, the pitcher on the state championship team, the singer and songwriter who got standing ovations – that surely meant he was special. He is known for songs like “He’s My Son,” “Remember Me,” “I Am,” and “Walking Her Home.” It wasn’t until Mark held his own adopted daughter that...
Jun 17, 2022•30 min
Ben Fuller is a singer and songwriter who is just beginning his career in Christian music. His song “Who I Am” is being played on stations around the country. His story began growing up on a dairy farm in Vermont. He was a well-liked kid and on the outside, seemed like he had 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, even “making it” i...
Jun 10, 2022•48 min
When our story takes a tragic turn, it often feels like God is a million miles away. But Psalm 34:18 says “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Katelyn James’ heart was crushed with the news that the baby she was carrying would not survive. When she pictured the life God had for her, this was nothing like what she had imagined. But rather than guard her heart, God was asking her to lean in and trust that His plan was good. Katelyn and her husband Michael own Ka...
Jun 03, 2022•42 min
When life goes according to our plan, it’s a lot easier to believe in a good God. But when our prayers aren’t answered and we’re left with disappointment, it can be a struggle to trust Him. Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith not only didn’t understand God, she was angry with Him. Today Dr. Dalton-Smith uses her experience to help women live happier, healthier and more productive lives. She’s an author, speaker, and host of the “I Choose My Best Life” podcast, but before all of that, she was a young woman ...
May 27, 2022•35 min
Melissa Mork was a college student when her mother tragically passed away. At the time Melissa’s father made a request. He asked her to study grief because it seemed few people really understood what it was like to walk through devastating loss. That charge turned out to be providential. As a professor of psychology at the University of Northwestern St. Paul, Dr. Mork is a resource to thousands dealing with grief. Her insight and wisdom came not only from academic study, but from walking the har...
May 20, 2022•34 min
