Overcomers Overcoming

Pastor Greg Jackson, Jr. was a division one college basketball player who was born with Sickle Cell Disease. He endured a bone marrow transplant, multiple collapsed lungs, and a double lung transplant, Greg relied on Jesus to throughout each trial. Listen to how his life and faith were shaped by his family’s love and support. “There were times I thought it didn’t matter what happens to me, anything was better than waiting and the pain.” This episode describes the early diagnosis and the following ac

Ernest Coates wrote a compelling story written as if he were a drug. If a drug could speak, this is what you would hear. This story is written by an experienced drug user and distributor. Ernest is now reforming his life after Christ transformed his life. Ernest is coming from the perspective of the temporary and very destructive nature of drugs of all forms. He knows drugs mask internal hurts. Dialogue with us to determine how we can effectively engage with others through connected relationships.

Patrick Clark experienced over 30 years of being in an in and out cycle of alcohol recovery. He learned through life experience that a feeling of inadequacy was the source of his need for relief. When he developed a connected relationship with a man with whom he felt was genuine and could identify with his background, he felt he could surrender his life to recovery. Listen to his compelling story of deep introspection to overcome his life of despondency. He is now dedicating his life to helping others.

How do you overcome being down? It is very common to be down because of environmental factors. How do we help ourselves out of a slump? Try being very intentional in helping someone else who is or might be experiencing what you are experiencing. The initial effort can seem to be daunting. However, taking action frequently results in satisfaction. That satisfaction can and frequently will lift you out of a slump because you helped someone out of their slump. Let’s share your experience with each other.

Pastor Jason Krail is a fulltime pastor while also ministering to the needs of those who need guidance to recover from the disease of drug or alcohol abuse. Pastor Krail could have taken the role of a victim because of his dysfunctional childhood. Instead, he felt led to a church to get pizza, where he was introduced to a Hispanic Pastor who was a catalyst to transform his life. Through this transformation, he found his life purpose and calling.

Chris Woods has a very compelling story about his life and what led to substance abuse. He details the relationship with his mother and grandmother while explaining how how his athletic prowess was a "mask" for some of his insecurities that led to excesses in his life. By changing his circle of friends while having the assurance of his mother's and grandmother's unwavering love and acceptance, he became a chain breaker in his life. He is living the example life for his children and wife.

Sandy lost her 21-year old son to an unintentional fentanyl overdose. Would she have done something different if she had known then what she knows now? Listen to a heartfelt compelling and emotional story of how her life has been permanently changed since this tragedy occurred. Listen also to what she is doing to promote a positive impact on other's lives by turning her pain into purpose. Sandy knows firsthand that substance abuse and addiction does not discriminate.

Heather has a compelling story of her drug addiction. She has life experience and a family. Listen to what Heather explains were some of the factors that led her into this life and what brought her out of the life she used to live. She includes in her story she will always have to fight drug addiction. However, with love from others and acceptance, she recovered from her addiction. She is sharing her story with others.

Diana has a compelling story of overcoming her drug addiction. She acknowledges she does not believe she is a popular person who also acknowledging she has a low self-esteem. These factors, in combination, contributed to her becoming addicted to drugs. She is still overcoming her low self-esteem. She is helping others overcome similar traits through her desire to help others.

Even high achievers can and will experience life setbacks. We are not defined by the number of times we have been “knocked down” or failed to reach a defined goal. Rather, our defining character is how we respond to failings.

Listen to Gene Benton, a high achiever, who was terminated as CEO, experienced a divorce, while also experiencing several other seeming defining characteristics of his life. Rather than feel a victim of these events, he chose to overcome and “fail” forward. Live Gene's story