Godly Goosebumps

Have you offered up a heartfelt prayer, or maybe even a desperate prayer, that has seemingly gone unanswered? Waiting on God is something that we all experience—and truthfully, it can be painful, confusing, and trying of our faith. In this episode of Godly Goosebumps, you'll hear from Pastor Tim Dilena of Times Square Church. In a powerful message he recently gave at a Shepherd Church, Pastor Dilena explains that when you faithfully wait and pray, you can be assured that the Lord is working on your behalf!

With weapons concealed, ten young men discreetly entered the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1959 as thousands gathered for one of the world-renowned Billy Graham crusades. Their purpose was both singular and sinister: to assassinate the legendary evangelist on the very podium from which he boldly declared the gospel. Ready to fire, the men awaited the signal. But just as one of them—a deeply troubled teen who'd been devastated by the loss of his father at an early age—readied himself to pull the trigger, he heard a mysterious voice calling to him. What happened next is sure to leave you with godly goosebumps and provide the powerful reminder that God lovingly and steadily pursues those who are far from Him.

Are you discouraged by the racial division that plagues our country today? If so, don't miss this episode of Godly Goosebumps, in which Pastor Dudley shares the story of David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr., and Joseph McNeil, also known as the Greensboro Four. In February of 1960, these four courageous young Black men walked into the F.W. Woolworth Company store and sat down at an all-white lunch counter, challenging the segregation policies that characterized the social and moral landscape of their time. Little did they know, their actions would be a catalyst for a wave of nonviolent protests that played a critical role in the broader civil rights movement. This episode offers a powerful lesson on the ability we all possess to reshape our communities, overcoming hate and cultivating Christ-centered unity.

Have you ever been misread, misheard, mislabeled, or misjudged? Pastor Dudley offers a word of great encouragement through the story of Gillian Lynne—an acclaimed theater choreographer who was overlooked as a young girl because of her distinguishing qualities, the very qualities that would ultimately propel her wildly successful career. This episode will remind you that you are one of a kind, created in love by an almighty God who intends to use everything about you in a powerful and purposeful way.

In this episode of Godly Goosebumps, Pastor Dudley Rutherford continues the series “Resilient,” focusing on the extraordinary faith of believers in the underground Church across China, India, North Korea, and Iran. Through a powerful interview, Pastor Dudley sheds light on the unimaginable challenges faced by Christians in these regions and the unwavering resilience of their faith. This inspiring episode will leave you with a deeper understanding of God’s work amidst adversity and a renewed appreciation for the strength of the global Church.

Do you ever wish that you could be more courageous in sharing your faith? On this episode of Godly Goosebumps, Pastor Dudley shares a sobering conversation he facilitated at Shepherd Church with special guests Kenneth Bae and Jieun Baek. Their dialogue sheds light on the unfathomable oppression being endured at the hands of the North Korean regime, under which followers of Jesus are threatened with labor camps and even public executions. This episode will embolden you with a powerful promise found in the Word of God: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid” (Timothy 1:7a).

Have you ever been mistreated as a result of your faith in Christ? If so, this episode of Godly Goosebumps—in which Pastor Dudley shares the recording of an interview conducted during a weekend worship service at Shepherd Church—is sure to encourage and inspire you. Join Pastor Dudley as he revisits his moving conversation with Bob Fu, an educator and advocate for the persecuted Church in China and the founder and president of ChinaAid. Born, raised, and educated in China, Bob was a student leader during the deadly 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations before accepting Christ and ministering as a house church leader in Beijing. Ultimately, he and his wife, Heidi, were arrested under the charges of "illegal evangelism" before a miraculous escape enabled them to enter the United States of America as religious refugees. This jaw-dropping episode points to an important Biblical truth: The persecuted will be rewarded. 

In this episode of Godly Goosebumps, Pastor Dudley shares the powerful testimony of author, poet, Bible teacher, and hip-hop artist Jackie Hill Perry. After a life-changing encounter with the Lord, Jackie made the difficult decision to leave a cherished same-sex relationship and assume a new identity, found not in any earthly relationship but instead in a relationship with the one true God. While journeying into the unknown, through heartache and uncertainty, Jackie discovered a love like no other.

Are you curious—or perhaps even concerned—about life after death? In this episode of Godly Goosebumps, Pastor Dudley, with tear-filled eyes, recounts a dream he had shortly after the death of his beloved mother, Pattie Rutherford. In a fleeting moment of sleep, filled with images that seemed all-too-real, Pastor Dudley encountered someone he'd been desperately longing to see. Don't miss this heart-wrenching episode that highlights the reality that there is more to life than this life. 

In 1996, a pastor from Wichita, Kansas, sparked nationwide controversy after offering an opening prayer before a session of the state House of Representatives. Forgoing any expected politically correct niceties, Pastor Joe Wright stood boldly before legislators and lifted up an impassioned prayer of repentance. As the United States wades into another charged political season, this episode will convict your heart and point you to our nation's only hope for maintaining God's hand of blessing.