Halfway There

Christina Dent, Founder and President of End It For Good, a conservative nonprofit advocating a health-centered approach to drugs rather than a criminal justice approach. Christina lives in Mississippi and changed her own mind about how to best handle drugs after she became a foster parent. She started End It For Good several years ago to invite others to learn and consider changing their minds too so we can save lives, preserve families, and strengthen communities.

Today, Christina shares how she survived a literal train wreck, the loving mom who challenged her views of drug addiction, and starting End It For Good to educate others on the issue. Christina’s story reminds us that the grace of God heals our deepest needs.

Listen to Christina’s story now!

Stories Christina shared:

• Leading End it For Good

Great quotes from Christina:

I want my life to matter. If it’s short or if it’s long, I want to be faithful.

Her struggle with addiction is not a lack of love for her son. This is not a criminal issue. What a tragedy it would be to take this son from a mother who dearly loves him.

We’re using trauma to fix a problem made worse fundamentally by trauma. The criminal justice system is not the right tool for a complex medical crisis like drug addiction.

Resources we mentioned:

• End It For Good

Related episodes:

• Shari Malott and Fighting for Hope

The post Christina Dent and Compassion for Others appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Paul Edwards is an executive ghostwriter, CEO, bestselling author and host of Influencer Networking Secrets podcast. Today, Paul shares the story of finding Christ at a lonely time, struggling with pride in his work life, and the communities that changed the course of his life. Paul knows the value of a great connection and today, he’s using skills he learned in insurance to serve others. Paul’s story reminds us that we’re all God’s children with a calling to serve.

Listen to Paul’s story today!

Stories Paul shared:

• Leading a marketing firm for faith-based leaders

Great quotes from Paul:

Most people’s lack of faith is stemming from pain somewhere in their life.

Everytime I develop professionally it’s because I’m in a mastermind.

It’s a privilege to serve God by serving his other children.

Resources we mentioned:

• Paul’s website

Related episodes:

• Gill Bentham and Living in the Locks with the Lord

The post Paul Edwards and Serving God’s Other Children appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award winning author and speaker. Today, Cherrilynn shares about finding Christ at her lowest point, sensing God’s presence, and learning to study the Bible as a spiritual practice. Cherrilyn also shares how the Lord revealed her identity as his and used her gives to completely change her career. Cherrilynn’s story reminds us that the Lord is always working to show us who we are.

Listen to Cherrilynn’s story now!

Stories Cherrilynn shared:

• Helping writers achieve their dream of publication

Great quotes from Cherrilynn:

I tried to find my identity in men, in my job, everywhere but Christ.

He wants to use you to breathe life into other people but he first needs to breathe life into you.

Immanuel is not just a Christmas carol. It’s a way of life.

Resources we mentioned:

• Cherrilynn’s website

Related episodes:

• Blake Brewer and A Father’s Legacy

The post Cherrilynn Bisbano and the Struggle for Identity in Christ appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Kevin White is a pastor and author of Audacious Generosity. Today, Kevin shares the story of finding Christ as a young man, feeling called to ministry, and almost burning out while trying to achieve. When the church he planted voted him out, he had to reconsider what God was asking of him. Through the struggle, he founded a ministry that today serves over 500 families in his area. Then the Lord awoke his heart to India and he’s taken over 1,000 people to visit and minister there. Kevin’s story reminds us that it’s all God’s grace so we can hold everything with an open hand.

Listen to Kevin’s story now!

Stories Kevin shared:

• How 2020 is different for him

Great quotes from Kevin:

As a 17 year old I knew the desire for peace.

When I went to India, I saw the presence of God in a way I had never been exposed to in America.

Giving is not an expectation; it’s an opportunity God gives us.

Resources we mentioned:

• Kevin’s website

Related episodes:

• Jeff Brodsky is Barefoot Until the Last Child is Rescued

The post Kevin White and Audacious Generosity appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Sarah Symons is the Founder and Executive Director of Her Future Coalition, an international charity fighting human trafficking and other severe gender violence with shelter, education and employment. Over the past 15 years, Her Future Coalition has walked alongside over 5000 women and children in India, Nepal, Cambodia, and Thailand on their journey to freedom and independence. Today, Sarah shares how she found faith, the mixed blessing of a legalistic background, and how God directed her to a film that changed her life. Sarah’s story reminds us that God is setting captives free and sometimes it’s not a metaphor.

Listen to Sarah’s story now!

Stories Sarah shared:

• Helping women become slavery-proof

Great quotes from Sarah:

A lot of people wish we could drop in and offer a workshop. But it’s a ten year walk to recover, at least.

It certainly was a life-changing opportunity but not in the way I planned.

God was everywhere for me in all that. I couldn’t have done that trip without my faith.

Resources we mentioned:

• Her Future Coalition

Related episodes:

• Jeff Brodsky is Barefoot Until the Last Child is Rescued

The post Sarah Symons and Setting the Captives Free appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Blake Brewer is on a mission to help 1 MILLION Dads write at least one well written, meaningful, lasting Legacy Letter to their children. Blake has three children under 5. He absolutely loves being a father. As he leads his family and his children, he draws from many mentors, but none more important than his late father Larry Brewer. Today, Blake shares how losing his father and the letter he left changed the course of his life. Blake’s story reminds us that a father’s approval, attention, and adoration mean everything to their children.

Listen to Blake’s story now!

Stories Blake shared:

• Growing up in Texas in a Christian family

Great quotes from Blake:

If there’s a God, do I even want to follow a God who would allow this to happen?

It was so healing for me to share to start to minister to other people and allow God to work through me.

Every time I was scared, I would go back to my dad and it was like courage from my dad.

Resources we mentioned:

• Blake’s website: Legacy Letter Challenge

Related episodes:

• Randall Sean Garcia and the Father’s Love for Us

The post Blake Brewer and a Father’s Legacy appeared first on Eric Nevins.

September McCarthy has been married to her husband Dan for 30 years. Together they have ten children and four grandchildren. They have been homeschooling their children for 24 years, and have launched six, with four more still at home. Today, September shares how she met Jesus at family camp, how losing multiple children shaped her, and why she took a whole year off. Her sabbatical brought healing and clarity for where God is taking her and her ministry. September’s story reminds us that suffering and sabbath is for our sanctification.

Listen to September’s story now!

Stories September shared:

• Raising ten children and four grandchildren

Great quotes from September:

A place of healing is not fixed by a one week vacation.

Some of my best “yes moments” are saying no.

Confidence misplaced will lead to bankruptcy.

Resources we mentioned:

• September’s website

Related episodes:

• Rachel Joy Welcher and the Spirituality of Unmet Expectations

The post September McCarthy and Suffering as Sanctification appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Laura Barringer and Scot McKnight are the authors of the new book A Church Called Tov and it is an important one. Today, Laura and Scot share their sorrow at the news that Bill Hybels had been sexually inappropriate with women over his career. The response from Willow Creek bothered both of them deeply because Laura attended Willow and Scot had listened to Hybels over the years. As someone who trains pastors, Scot was concerned with the damage the Willow scandal would do to his students. We talk about what tov means and how to create a culture of goodness in our churches. Laura and Scot’s stories remind us that pursuing goodness is essential to the Christian life.

Listen to Laura and Scot’s story today!

Stories Laura and Scot shared:

• The motivation for writing

Great quotes from Laura and Scot:

I grew into the faith as I grew.

We need to develop skills of discernment to see people who will lead toward toxicity and people who will work toward tov. (Scot)

Tov is a master category for understanding the way we are to live before God.

Any notion that we remain worthless or useless type people is an exaggeration of the emphasis of the Bible…the emphasis in the Bible is you were a sinner… and now you have been called to walk in the new ways of righteousness, and justice, and peace, and love, and grace.

Resources we mentioned:

• Scot McKnight’s blog

Related episodes:

• Mary DeMuth and The Safest Place for Sexual Abuse Survivors

The post Laura Barringer & Scot McKnight and Becoming an Agent of Tov appeared first on Eric Nevins.