Followed By Mercy

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"I grew up stirring the mash... that kid grew up and is getting to preach the gospel today."

In this concluding session of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner and Pastor Rickey Howard dive deep into what it means to truly "change your story." Rickey opens up about his heritage—from a moonshining family to a life of legalism and "goofball" mistakes—to the radical freedom of living under the "umbrella of grace."

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve wasted too much time or that your past is too "broken" to be useful, this conversation will challenge you to stop seeing yourself as a victim and start seeing the Giants through the eyes of the two spies who knew God was bigger.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Plane Crash Metaphor: Why the worst thing that can happen (death) is actually the best thing for a believer.
• Victim vs. Victorious: How to stop lying to yourself about your past and start redeeming your story.
• Redeeming the Time: Moving from "wasting time" on overtime and sports to "investing time" in eternal outcomes.
• The "Get To" Mindset: Why serving God isn't a chore we "have" to do, but a privilege we "get" to do.
• The Storefront Miracle: How God put a diverse group of people together in a storefront church behind a Taco Bell to do something eternal.

Connect with us:

• Alignment Ministries: https://alignmentministries.com
• Austin Gardner's Writings: https://waustingardner.com
• Followed by Mercy Substack: https://waustingardner.substack.com

#Testimony #RickeyHoward #FollowedByMercy #AustinGardner #Grace #GospelTransformation #Ministry #FromMoonshineToMinistry

Updated Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Intro: A legacy of moonshining and prison.
• 04:42 – Moving out of the "rubbish" of your past.
• 07:59 – Is brokenness an excuse or a platform?
• 14:37 – The first step to getting out: Stop making excuses.
• 23:33 – Can you be free, or are you just managing the pain?
• 25:31 – Can God really redeem your story?
• 30:13 – The Plane Crash: Why we don't have to fear the "worst-case scenario."
• 31:38 – Changing the Story: Why Rickey isn't a victim anymore.
• 33:12 – Redeeming the Time: Learning from wasted years and misplaced priorities.
• 35:04 – "Get To" vs. "Have To": The love of Christ as our constraint.
• 36:31 – The Moonshiner’s Grandkid: From stirring the mash to preaching the Gospel.
• 37:21 – The Storefront Church: God’s grace behind a Taco Bell.

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"Our God is I AM... and the I AM lives today and helps you right where you are."

Pastor Ricky Howard joins Austin Gardner for the second installment of his incredible journey from trauma to trust. In this episode, Ricky gets honest about the anger and bitterness that grew from his past and how it began to poison his relationships.

We often hold onto our pain so long that it starts to feel like our name. Austin and Ricky explore how to let go of that false identity and embrace a restoration that is only possible through unconditional mercy.

Highlights include:

• Identifying the "Lies" that keep us in bondage.
• The story of how Ricky met his wife, April, and the grace that built their home.
• Moving from "who I was" to who God says "I AM."
• A message for those who feel they have held onto their pain for too long.

If you are exhausted from trying to "fix" your past, listen in. There is a path to peace that doesn’t depend on your performance, but on His goodness.

Links Mentioned:

• Alignment Ministries: https://alignmentministries.com
• Followed by Mercy Hub: https://waustingardner.com

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How do you break a cycle of trauma that has claimed the lives and freedom of so many your age? Pastor Ricky Howard joins Austin Gardner to discuss the "survivor's guilt" and the overwhelming mercy that pulled him out of a life of instability.

Ricky shares how he lost his entire freshman year of high school because he lacked the family structure to stay afloat. But in the midst of that "lost year," God was using "regular people"—not war heroes or wealthy businessmen, but simple church volunteers—to show him a different path.

In this episode, Austin and Ricky discuss:

• The danger of letting "current circumstances" define your future.
• Why the "Loved Love": How our own healing allows us to reach the next generation.
• The pursuit of God: How mercy chases us even when we aren’t looking for it.

Closing Thought: "The moment we stop defining ourselves on ourselves and start looking to Him... that’s when we truly find out who we are."

Links Mentioned:

• waustingardner.com
• Alignment Ministries: https://alignmentministries.com
• Followed by Mercy Daily: https://followedbymercy.beehiiv.com

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Shifting your focus to serve others is the most powerful way to break free from the trap of self-pity and find the "mercy that follows you." In this final installment of our five-day series, I sit down with Stephen Underwood of the Black Flag Innocence Foundation to discuss how a life centered on others: specifically the protection of the most vulnerable: changes your perspective and your purpose.

When we are consumed by our own insecurities, we often miss the vital work God is doing around us. By shifting your focus to serve others, you begin to see that your own problems aren't nearly as big as you once thought. Stephen shares his journey from a "dead dream" of traditional missions to a new, urgent calling: fighting the grooming and trafficking of children in our modern world.

The Silent War for Our Children

We live in a time where the threats to our children have moved from the baseball field to the screens in their pockets. Stephen warns that children as young as six are being exposed to things that lead down a dark path toward exploitation. As Christians, we must move past self-absorption and become vigilant protectors. This isn't just about awareness; it's about the Gospel meeting where the rubber meets the road to rescue those who cannot rescue themselves.

Biblical Foundation for Service

The Word of God is clear that our lives find meaning when we look outward.

• Philippians 2:4 — "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
• Galatians 6:2 — "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

Key Takeaways from the Conversation:

• The Pit of Self-Absorption: Why thinking only of yourself leads to a deeper emotional pit.
• The Black Flag Mission: How Stephen and his team are confronting grooming and child exploitation.
• Vigilance as Ministry: Learning to recognize the signs of grooming and intervening before a life is destroyed.
• Mercy in Action: Understanding that mercy follows us when we are busy helping someone else.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I stop feeling self-pity?
The fastest way to overcome self-pity is by shifting your focus to serve others. When you get busy meeting someone else’s needs, your own problems find their proper, smaller place in God's grand design.

2. What is the Black Flag Innocence Foundation?
It is an organization led by Stephen Underwood dedicated to fighting child trafficking and grooming through awareness, education, and intervention.

3. What can parents do about online grooming?
Vigilance is key. Understand that predators use online platforms to entrap children. Be aware of what your children are seeing and who they are talking to.

4. Is it ever too late to find a new purpose?
Never. Stephen’s original dream of being a missionary changed, but God gave him a new one. Your past pain or "dead dreams" can be the foundation for a new mission of mercy.

Connect with us:
For more resources on leadership, grace, and finding your purpose, visit my home on the web:
👉 waustingardner.com

Learn more about Alignment Ministries and our coaching programs:

• Ministry Leadership Coaching
• Followed by Mercy Podcast

God bless you, and remember: Mercy is following you today!

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"Ignoring it will not make it go away."

In this powerful episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner sits down with Stephen Underwood of the Black Flag Innocence Foundation to discuss the dark reality of child sex trafficking happening right in our own communities.

This isn't just a global issue; it’s a "backyard" issue. Stephen shares the tactical and heart-wrenching work his team of veterans and former law enforcement officers do to investigate, rescue, and provide after-action resources for victims.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Tactical Front: How "decoys" and veterans work with law enforcement to catch predators before they reach your doorstep.
• The Legislative Wall: Why our political system often fails to prosecute and how Black Flag is lobbying for change.
• A Father’s Wake-Up Call: Stephen shares a personal story about finding explicit content sent to his own 13-year-old son and why no family is "immune."
• The "Sound of Freedom" Reality: Why the fight against trafficking is a lifelong marathon, not just a movie plot.
• The Gospel in Action: Why real restoration for victims and justice for the world only happens through the radical grace of Jesus Christ.

About Black Flag Innocence Foundation:
BFI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fighting the battle many are unwilling to fight. Led by special operators and veterans, they provide a voice for the voiceless through rescue and education.

Support the Mission:
Everything is 100% tax-deductible. Help provide the equipment and training needed to keep these "Guardians of the Innocent" on the front lines.

Connect with Austin:
🔗 Website: https://waustingardner.com
🔗 Mentorship: Alignment Ministries
🔗 Listen to more: Followed by Mercy Podcast

#ChildTrafficking #BlackFlagInnocence #FollowedByMercy #AustinGardner #ProtectOurChildren #FaithInAction

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"What does a suicide bombing in Tal Afar, Iraq, have to do with the safety of your grandchildren in Georgia? Everything.

Join Austin Gardner and special guest Stephen Underwood (Black Flag Innocence Foundation) for a raw look at the reality of child sex trafficking in America. This isn’t just about statistics; it’s about the spiritual and physical mandate to be ‘sheepdogs’ for those who cannot protect themselves.

Key Highlights:

• The PTSD Cure: Why ‘getting outside of ourselves’ and focusing on others is the ultimate path to healing for veterans.
• Vigilance vs. Paranoia: Practical advice on probing questions to ask your children and the importance of digital accountability.
• The Gideon Strategy: A biblical deep-dive into how God looks past our fear and sees the ‘mighty man of valor’ inside of us.
• The Reality Check: Why ‘denial’ is the greatest weapon predators have against our families.

Stephen reminds us that God doesn’t see us for who we are, but for who we can become. Whether you are a veteran struggling with your past or a parent worried about the future, this episode offers a roadmap for turning mercy into action.

Support the Work: https://bfi-foundation.org/about https://waustingardner.com/blog/

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Podcast Show Notes:
"Freedom is hard. Freedom is heavy. It is the essence of 'you eat what you kill.'" — Alyssa Deltorre.

Today on "Followed by Mercy," we are joined by Stephen Underwood and special guest Alyssa Deltorre, Secretary of the Black Flag Innocence Foundation. Alyssa, a former Miss United States and a master of business psychology, shares how she is using her platform to expose the traumas and blocks that allow the trafficking industry to thrive.

This conversation moves beyond the headlines and into the tactical reality of how we can safeguard our families. We talk about the "grooming" process, the importance of community, and the spiritual mandate to be guardians of the innocent.

Key Quote:
"If a man knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin." We are now aware of the problem—now is the time to act.

Resources Mentioned:

• Black Flag Innocence Foundation
• https://waustingardner.com/

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What happens when a missionary kid becomes a Special Operations soldier—and then uses those skills to rescue children from the darkest places on earth?

In this powerful episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner is joined by long-time friend and mentee, Stephen Underwood. Stephen’s journey is nothing short of miraculous: from the mission fields of Peru to long-range surveillance in the Iraq War, and now to the helm of the Black Flag Innocence Foundation.

In this episode, Austin and Stephen discuss:

• The Transition: How serving in the military prepared Stephen for a life-or-death ministry.
• The Mission: The work of Black Flag International in executive protection and the high-stakes rescue of child sex trafficking victims.
• Eternal vs. Temporal: Why saving a child from harm is only the first step—and why the Gospel is the ultimate rescue.
• The Veteran’s Battle: A raw look at PTSD, the tragedy of veteran suicide, and why "adapting and overcoming" requires the grace of God.
• Legacy and Family: Stephen’s story of marriage, fatherhood, and the "Tennessee Volunteer" spirit that drives his life.

This isn’t just an interview; it’s a call to action for every believer to realize that mercy isn’t passive—it’s a pursuit.

• Learn more about Stephen’s work: BFI-Innocence.com
• Private Security Services: BlackFlagInternational.com
• Connect with Austin: waustingardner.com
• Leadership Mentorship: Alignment Ministries

Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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In this episode, Austin Gardner welcomes Pastor Rickey Howard to "chew the fat" and share a story that will change your perspective on what God can do. Rickey is the pastor of Solid Rock Baptist Church in St. George, Utah, but his life hasn't always looked this way.

From the oil fields to the pulpit, Rickey and Austin discuss the "complete 180" that happens when grace takes root. They dive into the importance of family in the ministry, the challenges of starting a church from scratch, and why Rickey says his wife, April, is the "mortar" holding it all together.

Whether you're a ministry leader or someone looking for hope in your own "180" journey, this conversation is a reminder that God’s goodness is meant to be seen, not just talked about.

Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction to Pastor Rickey Howard
2:24 - The "Complete 180" Story
3:18 - Family, Marriage, and the Mortar of Ministry
7:10 - The First Three Years of Solid Rock Baptist

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Have you ever been surrounded by people and still felt completely alone? Have you ever been loved by others, yet still felt unlovable?

In this deep-dive session, Austin Gardner (50+ years of pastoral experience) tackles the root cause of why marriages, friendships, and even our relationship with God can feel so unstable. The problem isn’t a lack of effort—it’s a misunderstanding of what Love actually is.

The "Empty Cup" vs. The "Fountain"
Most human love is transactional: "I love you if you make me feel secure." We enter relationships like empty cups, begging others to fill us. When they stop, we pull away. But Austin explains that God doesn’t have love—God IS love. His love is a fountain that overflows regardless of our performance.

In this video, you will learn:

• Son vs. Servant: Why serving God out of duty leads to burnout, while serving as a son leads to life.
• The "Lack" Paradigm: How living from a place of "I’m not okay" ruins your peace and your relationships.
• The Sun and the Clouds: Why your feelings about God’s love are like shifting clouds, while His love remains as constant as the sun.
• Love without Withdrawal: How Jesus’ encounters with Zacchaeus and the adulterous woman prove that love comes before transformation, not after.

Stop trying to manufacture love through your own strength. The fruit of the Spirit is love, which means it is HIS life living through you.

Key Scriptures:

• 1 John 4:8 (God is Love)
• Romans 5:6-8 (Loved while we were yet sinners)
• Romans 8:15 (The Spirit of Adoption)
• Galatians 5:22 (Fruit of the Spirit)

Connect with Austin:
🌍 Website: https://waustingardner.com

#AustinGardner #GodsLove #IdentityInChrist #Grace #ChristianRelationships #BiblicalTeaching #MarriageAdvice #SpiritualGrowth

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