Maverick River

In this episode of the Maverick River Podcast, Pastor Eric Heard and Tim Lukei sit down with evangelist and author Rod Parker for an astonishing, raw, and deeply moving testimony of survival and divine rescue.

Rod opens up about an upbringing marked by intense domestic abuse and life on the run with fake identities across 20+ states. In the early 1990s, he was swept into the whirlwind of fame and hip-hop culture touring alongside Robbie Van Winkle (Vanilla Ice)—a lifestyle soon derailed by Dallas nightlife, drugs, and violence.

Everything peaked on the night an ambush left Rod stabbed in the chest. Flatlining at Parkland Hospital, he experienced an extraordinary out-of-body journey and came face-to-face with Jesus Christ.

Join us as Rod shares his incredible journey from vengeance and trauma to genuine deliverance, supernatural healing, and walking in the fullness of God's grace.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST & MINISTRIES:

• Rod Parker Ministries:
Explore ministry resources, event retreats, deliverance teachings, and Rod's book From Death to Deliverance:
👉 https://rodparkerministries.org

• Maverick River Collective:
Helping men follow Jesus boldly and not conform to the world (Romans 12:2). Connect with the community:
👉 https://maverickrivercollective.com

TIMESTAMPS / EPISODE CHAPTERS:

(00:00) Welcome to the Maverick River Podcast
(02:10) Childhood trauma & domestic violence
(05:20) On the run: 20+ states and false identities
(07:45) Street survival vs. the church facade
(10:00) Early Dallas hip-hop scene & meeting Vanilla Ice
(13:10) Touring, fame, and life on the road
(18:45) The spiral into night clubs, money, and drugs
(22:15) The apartment confrontation
(26:00) The ambush: stabbed in the chest
(29:20) Code Blue at Parkland Hospital & leaving his body
(31:25) A father’s spoken decree: "You will live and not die"
(32:55) Meeting Jesus face-to-face
(37:35) The vision of darkness and call to repentance
(40:35) Waking from a 10-day coma with a heart full of revenge
(46:00) Returning armed to settle the score
(47:20) An unexpected messenger in the hospital lobby
(52:15) Complete surrender at the altar
(53:10) Ministry burnout, battles with depression & true deliverance
(57:50) Walking in daily faith and spiritual authority
(01:00:15) Connecting with Rod Parker Ministries
(01:01:25) Closing prayer & blessing over Rod's work

If this episode encouraged or challenged you, please follow/subscribe to the show on Spotify, leave a rating, and share it with a friend who needs hope today!

In this episode of the Maverick River Podcast, we are joined by world-renowned artist and Kingdom strategist Noah Elias. Noah’s story is a powerful testament to what happens when a "self-made" man encounters the refining fire of the Creator.

From overcoming a traumatic childhood to building a creative empire with partners like Disney and Universal, Noah has seen it all. But his most profound insights come from the "crucible" moments—the seasons of loss and foreclosure where God stripped away his performance and revealed his true identity as a son.

Join us as we discuss:

• Moving from "boy" to "king" in your spiritual journey.
• Why transformation cannot be microwaved.
• How to turn your business into an asset that underwrites the Kingdom mission.
• The power of "metabolizing" biblical truth into real-world results.

This is more than a business interview; it’s a roadmap for any man looking to steward his talent and story for something greater than himself.

Connect with Noah Elias:

• Website: noahelias.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noahelias
• Life & Business Vital Signs Audit: noahelias.net/audit

Join the Collective:

• Maverick River Collective: https://maverickriver.com

In this moving episode of the Maverick River podcast, we sit down with Phil Hanlen, a Long Beach Firefighter/Paramedic and Vice President of the Long Beach Firefighters Association.

As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, Phil shares a deeply personal account of his journey. At just 20 years old, he felt a spiritual pull to Ground Zero, where a profound encounter amidst the recovery efforts changed the trajectory of his life forever. Phil discusses how that experience birthed his calling to the fire service, the importance of mental health and spiritual support for first responders, and how he is now working to ensure we "Never Forget."

Support the Event: Phil is the Co-coordinator for the inaugural Long Beach World Trade Center 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Join the community on September 12th to honor the fallen and support the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Whether you are climbing the 110 stories or attending the memorial reception, your presence matters.

Register and learn more here: https://longbeachstairclimb.com/

In this episode, we discuss:

• Phil’s experience volunteering at Ground Zero in 2001.
• The "Salvation Moment": A vision of a lion in the rubble.
• The reality of "compartmentalization" and mental health in the fire service.
• The incredible story behind the 343 occupancy load at the Long Beach event.
• What it means to answer a divine calling.

Connect with Maverick River: If this episode spoke to you, please subscribe and leave a review. It helps us continue to bring you stories of faith, leadership, and resilience.

What does it take to turn a "crazy" dream into a reality that impacts an entire nation?

In this episode of Conversations in the Wild, we sit down with Pastor Daniel Nuñez, the visionary leader behind Kingdom Builders Ministry. From his early days as a young leader thrust into the fire of a church split to his current mission of planting 500 churches across Mexico, Daniel’s story is a masterclass in faith, humility, and the power of a God-sized vision.

We explore:

• The Power of Waiting: Why Daniel spent two years in submission before leading his first church.
• Scaling the Vision: How he reached his goal of 50 churches and why he’s now aiming for 500.
• The Heart of the Father: Why the greatest need for men in Mexico isn’t just a building, but a father figure.
• Practical Mission: How Maverick River is partnering with Daniel to build homes, churches, and pickleball courts to reach the community.

Whether you're a leader looking for inspiration or someone seeking to understand how to build a lasting legacy, Pastor Daniel’s wisdom on "retiring from what you don’t like" to focus on your true calling is something you don't want to miss.

Connect with Maverick River Collective: Visit our website to learn more about our mission and how you can join us on a build in Baja.

https://maverickriver.com/

Visit Kingdom Builders Website:

https://www.kingdombuildersministry.net/

What does it look like to give 100% of your business profits to God? In this episode of the Maverick River Podcast, host Tim Lukei sits down with Daniel Crenshaw, the visionary behind Kingdom Coffee Houses and Fourth Man Roasters.

Daniel shares his powerful transformation from a success-driven entrepreneur building his own "kingdom" to a steward dedicated to serving Jesus. We dive deep into his mission-driven business model, the role of radical obedience, and how coffee is becoming a vehicle for sustainability in ministries and orphanages across Africa.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Daniel’s journey from motocross and real estate to finding Jesus.
• The "Radical" model: Giving away 100% of profits transparently.
• How Fourth Man Roasters is creating sustainability for orphans in Zambia and Ethiopia.
• The importance of asking "How can we pray for you?" in the marketplace.
• Aligning your time, treasure, and talent for the Kingdom.

Support the Mission: Visit Kingdom Coffee Houses and see how your daily cup can change the world: 👉 https://kingdomcoffeehouses.com/

"Challenge is the most important word for reaching men."

In this episode, we sit down with Dave “Goose” Mills, a former Air Force navigator turned "missionary to men" and founder of Men’s Alliance. Dave shares his powerful journey of surrender—from living for himself in the military to realizing that spiritual leadership is the ultimate "God-sized challenge."

We dive deep into why 92% of churches are failing to engage men and how Men’s Alliance is changing the game through a simple, rugged formula: a 30-minute workout, a fire pit, and a real conversation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Power of Challenge: Why men are bored in the pews and how to get them back in the fight.
• Brotherhood Over Isolation: The meaning behind call signs, tribe culture, and why men bond "shoulder-to-shoulder."
• Leading at Home: Practical steps for dads to move from the sidelines to becoming the spiritual leaders their families need.
• Kitchen Table Apologetics: How to equip your kids with a "Carry the Fire" faith that lasts past graduation.

Whether you're feeling isolated in your faith or looking to start a "tribe" in your own backyard, this conversation is your roadmap to getting back on course.

"Obedience is better than sacrifice."

What happens when you leave everything behind to follow a calling into one of the most dangerous places on earth? In this episode of the Maverick River podcast, we sit down with Neil Broere, who spent six years in Iraq witnessing the impossible. From miraculous healings in the shadow of ISIS to the profound struggle of returning to the U.S. and finding his footing again, Neil’s story is a masterclass in surrender.

Tim and Neil dive deep into:

• The Miracles in Iraq: Firsthand accounts of divine healing in a war zone, including the story of a woman healed by a "dreamlike encounter" with Jesus.
• The Hallway Season: How to navigate the "liminal space" when one door has closed and the next hasn't opened yet.
• The Cost of Obedience: Why the hardest path often leads to the greatest reward and the necessity of trusting God's pace.
• Kingdom Community: Neil’s vision for a "Moravian-style" communal life and his unique leadership model at Radiant Central Coast.

Neil shares the raw reality of what it means to truly follow Jesus, even when it costs you your comfort, your career, and your sense of certainty. Whether you feel like you're in a "hallway" season or you're looking for the courage to take your next step, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

Connect with Neil Broere:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neilbroere/

Join the Maverick River Collective:

• Website: https://www.maverickriver.com
• Instagram: @maverickrivercollective

Is your marriage thriving, or are you just going through the motions? In this episode of the Maverick River Podcast, we are joined by the team from Marriage365 for a deep-dive conversation on the daily habits that build a resilient, lifelong partnership.

Building a healthy marriage isn't about one grand gesture; it's about the small, intentional choices we make every single day. Whether you are navigating a difficult season of conflict or simply want to strengthen your foundation, this episode offers practical, faith-based advice on communication, intimacy, and staying connected 365 days a year.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The essential daily habits of healthy couples.
• How to communicate through seasons of struggle and isolation.
• Practical tools for resolving conflict and building lasting trust.
• Moving from 'roommates' back to a connected partnership.

Marriage365 is dedicated to providing couples with the resources they need to heal and grow. Join us as we explore what it looks like to lead your family and love your spouse with purpose.

Connect with Maverick River Collective:

• Website: https://www.maverickriver.com

If this conversation helped you, please leave a 5-star review on Spotify and share it with a friend who might need to hear this today.

#Marriage365 #MaverickRiverCollective #MarriageAdvice #RelationshipGrowth #HealthyMarriage #ChristianMarriage #Podcast"

What if the hardest seasons of your life weren’t obstacles to your faith, but the very things intended to soften your heart?

In this episode of the Maverick River Podcast, we sit down with Tim Timmons—a man who has lived with a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis for over 25 years. Tim shares the profound shift that happened when he stopped "working for God" and started simply living with Him.

**In this conversation, we explore:**

* **The "10,000 Minutes":** Why following Jesus is about the every day, not just the 80 minutes on Sunday.

* **Finding Joy in the Manure:** Tim’s powerful analogy for how life’s hardest "manure" moments are often the best fertilizer for growth.

* **Surrendering the Kingdom:** Moving from building our own empires to joining Jesus in His.

* **Soul Tiredness:** How to navigate faith when you're physically and spiritually exhausted.

Tim’s story is a disruptive, beautiful, and authentic look at what it means to follow Jesus through physical suffering and "soul tiredness." If you’ve ever felt like your spiritual life was a chore or a checklist, this conversation is for you.

**Connect with Maverick River Collective:**

* Join the Collective: https://www.maverickriver.com/

* Follow us for more stories of transformation: https://www.instagram.com/maverickrivercollective/

Pastor Ben Houston shares his raw, personal journey through the ministry burnout that led to a physical and mental crash. He details the radical step he took: running a 100-mile ultramarathon to raise $100K for charity, and how that challenge became the unlikely path to his holistic health and the creation of Project Analog.

This powerful conversation reveals the necessity of finding presence, purpose, and genuine rest in a digital world, covering:

• 0:01:52 The spiritual and physical toll of extreme burnout.
• 0:31:00 How mental stress physically manifested as a debilitating injury.
• 0:21:25 The purpose and mission behind the 100-mile run for addiction rehab.
• 0:48:10 Mobilizing a growing global movement to "Baptize the World."

Listen to the full story to understand why prioritizing analog over digital is the key to sustainable, lifelong health and mission.