Ebenezer Podcast

“In this last year we've spent more time together as a family than I think we ever have. And we wouldn't trade that for anything."

A lot of us dream up plan B, or C, or D: a far-fetched idea of what our life would look like if we took a radically different turn. Johnny and Heidi Cowan took the turn, and it led to a flood. Figuratively and literally.

Heidi and Johnny share their story of finding land that is their “hospitality tenfold” and starting Anchor and Earth. Located in Toledo, WA, an hour north of Portland, the family is transforming a part of the forest into a refuge and retreat space for artists and pastors seeking community and refreshment. 

If you’re wondering how two people discern and make decisions together, or what happens if you take a leap and things get complicated, then listen in.

"Our life is harder in some ways. Like a simple act of making coffee or doing dishes... it's a process,” Heidi says. “But I've got to say our life is so beautiful.”

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To learn more about Ebenezer Podcast hosts and guests, visit ebenezerpodcast.org

Produced & Edited by Nate Furtado

Sign Up for Bitter Scroll, Sara’s email letter. 

Music by Emerald Hymns 

"All of me can love Jesus.”

Julia grew up as a pastor's kid in Seattle. She came out to her parents in high school and says she felt like one person at school and another in church — to the extent that she used different names in different settings. At age 17, she attended a conference for LGBTQ Christians, and met Jesus there. It was that weekend, worshiping with other gay Christians, when two sides of her identity — her sexuality and her faith — joined together for the first time. 

No matter who you are or what you believe, you'll probably hear something in Julia's story you don't agree with. Her experience and opinions will be too progressive for some of us and too conservative for others. And that's ok. 

This story is a record of one young woman’s experience. At its heart, it is a story about coming of age in a polarized and complicated culture, and meeting God along the way. 

In an era when people are leaving church because they believe there is no other choice if you identify as LGBTQ, Julia’s story gives us hope that we never have to walk away from Jesus.

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To learn more about Ebenezer Podcast hosts and guests, visit ebenezerpodcast.org

Produced & Edited by Nate Furtado

Sign Up for Bitter Scroll, Sara’s email letter. 

Music by Emerald Hymns 

This is a story to remind us of God's goodness in the presence of suffering and trials.     Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease as a toddler, doctors told Denise she might not live past 20. They told her the same thing at 30. “I told them way before 40 to stop saying that. It's up to God. God is the one that makes that decision, not you."   Denise offers wisdom and real encouragement to people navigating chronic pain and illness. Listen in. 

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To learn more about Ebenezer Podcast hosts and guests, visit ebenezerpodcast.org

Produced & Edited by Nate Furtado

Sign Up for Bitter Scroll, Sara’s email letter. 

Music by Emerald Hymns 

“If the people around you really do love you, they won’t judge you.”

When Izzy Lamola was 15, she decided to go to Jesus camp. God showed up. 

How does a city kid from a spiritual but not Christian family meet Jesus? And why would that kid start what's jokingly called "the Jesus club" at one of Seattle's most progressive public high schools? And — maybe most importantly — can this 16-year-old be any cooler? 

Izzy shares what it's like to navigate life as a Seattle Public High School student when you identify as a Christian. She shares her brave and uncommon story and gives advice for Christian kids navigating high school, and their parents.

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To learn more about Ebenezer Podcast hosts and guests, visit ebenezerpodcast.org

Produced & Edited by Nate Furtado

Sign Up for Bitter Scroll, Sara’s email letter. 

Music by Emerald Hymns 

“I found myself at a place that I never thought I would be." 

The women in Yvonne’s family are strong. She follows in this line. Yvonne was raised in Seattle’s Central District and says she also grew up around violence perpetuated by and to her family. "Violence for me, coming up in my family, seemed normal," she says. 

Her first encounter with the justice system was in her early 20s. At 34, she was charged with first-degree murder.

In prison, Yvonne started reading the Bible each day. "He revealed himself to me,” she says. “I found myself changing and became full of love and full of compassion."

This is a story of grief and loss, and a story of forgiveness and renewal. Yvonne’s testimony is raw, honest, and unforgettable. At its heart, it is a story of hope that encourages all of us who are weary or burdened.

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To learn more about Ebenezer Podcast hosts and guests, visit ebenezerpodcast.org

Produced & Edited by Nate Furtado

Sign Up for Bitter Scroll, Sara’s email letter. 

Music by Emerald Hymns 

"I chose hope."

Edna Parzybok was born in the US to parents who emigrated to Seattle from the Philippines. The mother of six school-aged children, Edna began experiencing postpartum depression and feelings of isolation after the birth of her first child that increased with each birth.

"I sort of normalized that, because everyone knows what postpartum depression is like,” Edna told us. She says a "perfect storm" came after the birth of her fifth child when a series of life events led to enormous stress. One morning, she couldn't get up.

"My husband remembers visibly me not being able to move or get out of bed," she said. She made the decision to check into a psychiatric hospital.

In the middle of her lowest point, Edna found healing and is bravely carrying that message forward to encourage all of us. Edna's story is about choosing life and meeting God in our lowest moments. Her story is one of choosing freedom over shame.

Join us in conversation as Edna talks candidly about meeting God while experiencing the heavy weight of anxiety and depression — and finding hope in Christian community.

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To learn more about Ebenezer Podcast hosts and guests, visit ebenezerpodcast.org

Produced & Edited by Nate Furtado

Sign Up for Bitter Scroll, Sara’s email letter. 

Music by Emerald Hymns