Podcast Deleted

Josiah Bender grew up in the perfect Christian home—church every Sunday, a loving family, and strong values. But behind the image of the "good church kid," he wrestled with hidden struggles that eventually pulled him into a life of addiction, fame-chasing, and spiritual emptiness.

In this episode of This Is My Story, Josiah shares his raw and powerful testimony of how his pursuit of success on social media led him down a dark path—one filled with addiction, toxic relationships, and the relentless pressure to perform. But God had a bigger plan. Through heartbreak, conviction, and a radical surrender, Josiah found true freedom and purpose in Christ.

Now serving in full-time ministry, Josiah reflects on the lessons learned and the faithfulness of God in redeeming his story. Whether you’re struggling with identity, addiction, or feeling far from God, his journey is a reminder that no one is too far gone for grace.

In this eye-opening episode, Fannie Stoltzfus shares her courageous journey of leaving the Amish community in search of truth, freedom, and a personal relationship with Jesus. Growing up in a culture deeply rooted in tradition and works-based faith, Fannie always felt there was something more. As she began to ask questions and seek deeper understanding, she discovered the life-changing power of grace and the assurance of salvation.

Episode Highlights:

- What it was like growing up Amish, including strict rules, church traditions, and cultural expectations.

- The moment Fannie realized faith wasn’t just about rules—it was about a relationship with Jesus.

- The difficult decision to leave her family and community behind in pursuit of truth.

- How God provided mentors, community, and the practical skills she needed for life outside the Amish world.

- The restoration of family relationships and the impact of her faith on her loved ones.

Key Takeaways:

- Faith isn’t about earning salvation through good works—it’s about knowing and trusting Jesus.

- Following God’s calling sometimes means stepping into the unknown, but He always provides.

- True freedom comes when we surrender to Christ and live in the fullness of His grace.

If you’ve ever wrestled with questions about faith, tradition, or what it means to truly know God, this episode is for you.

Subscribe to This Is My Story to hear more life-changing testimonies. New episodes drop every Monday on your favorite podcast platforms and YouTube.

Follow Victory Church for more inspiration and updates:

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In this powerful episode, Amanda shares her journey from addiction to redemption. After struggling with alcoholism for years, she reached a breaking point where she knew she couldn't do it alone. Through rehab, recovery programs, and ultimately surrendering to God, Amanda found true healing and purpose. Now, she’s living in freedom, growing in her faith, and encouraging others to take their first steps toward hope.

Key Takeaways:

- No matter how lost you feel, there is always a way out—through God’s grace.

- You are not alone. Community and accountability are essential to lasting change.

- Faith isn’t just about knowing about God—it’s about knowing Him personally.

- If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, don’t wait. Reach out for help. God’s plan for you is one of freedom, restoration, and hope.

Subscribe to This Is My Story to hear more life-changing testimonies. New episodes drop every Monday on your favorite podcast platforms and YouTube.

Follow Victory Church for more inspiration and updates:

Instagram

Website

In this episode of This Is My Story, Kelly sits down with Dori O’Connell who shares her journey of escaping a cult, healing from deep spiritual and emotional wounds, and finding restoration for her family. Dori recounts how God met her in moments of despair and brought her back into a trusting relationship with Him, her family, and healthy community.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

- How Dori's family became involved in a local cult in Lancaster, PA

- The impact on Dori's family

- The difficult process of leaving and losing relationships

- Challenges in finding healthy community after leaving the cult

- Dori's battle with depression and anxiety after additional church hurt

- How God brought healing, restoration, and led her family to Victory Church

- Encouragement for others navigating church hurt and broken trust

Subscribe to ‪@VictoryChurchPA‬ to receive new episodes of This is My Story on Mondays!

Follow Victory Church on Instagram for more encouragement:

instagram.com/victorychurchpa

Learn more about Victory Church:

victorychurch.org/about

Find a Victory Church location near you in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

victorychurch.org/locations

In this powerful episode, Pastor Cody Stoneback shares his story of transformation—from finding Jesus during his college years to becoming a passionate advocate for the next generation. Pastor Cody opens up about his journey from a life marked by anxiety, misplaced identity, and brokenness to one filled with purpose and hope. He talks about how the obedience and example of others brought him closer to Christ and how God’s grace radically transformed his life.

Episode Highlights:

How a simple question from a stranger planted the first seeds of faith in Cody's heart.

The impact of witnessing authentic faith lived out by a teammate.

The role of discipleship in Cody’s spiritual growth—even before he made a formal commitment to Christ.

Cody’s baptism in the Holy Spirit and how it empowered him to overcome personal strongholds.

His leap of faith into public education and the birth of Unrestricted Ministries, a movement bringing Jesus into schools.

Key Takeaways:

God uses simple acts of obedience, like handing out tracts or displaying servant leadership, to plant seeds in others’ lives.

Transformation is a journey—God works in layers, pruning away wrong beliefs and habits over time.

Students have the power to impact their schools and peers through bold faith and leadership.

More About Unrestricted Ministries:

Unrestricted Ministries partners with schools and local churches to empower the next generation. Through worship nights and student-led initiatives, this movement brings the Gospel to students where they are.

Website: unrestrictedschools.com

Get involved by volunteering, donating, or requesting an event at your school!

Subscribe to This Is My Story to hear more life-changing testimonies. New episodes drop every other Monday on your favorite podcast platforms and YouTube.

Follow Victory Church for more inspiration and updates:

Instagram

Website

**Please note that during this episode topics such as self-harm, eating disorders, and depression will be discussed. If any of that is a trigger for you we encourage you to visit one of the other amazing stories on the podcast.**

Today, Evan Kerstetter is sharing Part Two of his testimony. Be

sure to go back to last week's episode to catch Part I before listening to this

episode. In this episode, Evan picks up his story at the point where he is

being taken in the middle of the night and we find out that his parents have

enlisted him into a boarding school for teens in similar struggles to his. Evan

candidly shares his life on "the ranch" and how even through the

difficult times there, God opened his eyes and helped him to find freedom!

In this episode, we also discuss:

- Evan's life on "the ranch" which was extremely

difficult

- how spending time in God's Word opened his eyes

- what it was like for him to come home after a year at

"the ranch"

- how God has used Evan's testimony to reach others

- the gift of freedom that comes from following Christ

This is the last episode of Season 2 of This is My Story!

Subscribe to get season 3 when we release it!

Watch This is My Story on YouTube!

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsjR0Nc0XOzucSp65aPDox567qhAvx61T&si=VlTP-ggqTB615p4l

Follow Victory Church on Instagram for more encouragement:

https://www.instagram.com/victorychurchpa/

Learn more about Victory Church:

victorychurch.org/about

Find a Victory Church location near you in Lancaster County,

Pennsylvania

victorychurch.org/locations

**Please note that during this episode topics such as self-harm, eating disorders, and depression will be discussed. If any of that is a trigger for you we encourage you to visit one of the other amazing stories on the podcast.**

Today, Evan Kerstetter is joining us to share his journey of faith filled with ups and downs that you will not expect (really, you have no idea what to expect). He shares that in high school he found himself walking down a dark path but after a head injury, everything escalated...and not for the better. Evan shares how living on his own terms didn't lead to a healthy lifestyle.

In this episode, we also discuss:

- the impact a head injury had on Evan's life

- living in an angry mindset

- the importance of talking to others and bringing them into your struggles

- owning up to your bad decisions and not blaming others

- the importance of having healthy coping mechanisms

- how God can redeem your past

Part II of Evan's story will be released next Monday! Subscribe to be notified!

Watch This is My Story on YouTube!

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsjR0Nc0XOzucSp65aPDox567qhAvx61T&si=VlTP-ggqTB615p4l

Follow Victory Church on Instagram for more encouragement:

https://www.instagram.com/victorychurchpa/

Learn more about Victory Church:

victorychurch.org/about

Find a Victory Church location near you in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

victorychurch.org/locations

Today, Nick & Kylie Jo Smith are joining us on the podcast to share how God helped them to thrive in obscurity. They had ideas for what their life would look like but God gave them a strong calling, outside of their comfort zone. With every step, God provided for them. Nick & Kylie Jo attend Victory Church's Greenfield Location in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

In today's episode, we discuss:

- listening for God's voice

- wrestling with God's calling on their lives but ultimately leaning into Him

- trusting God in the unknown

- what ministry looks like with a family

- ministry in a busy city vs a very small town

You can find more Nick & Kylie Jo on their own podcast! https://www.nixmythpodcast.com/

Watch This is My Story on YouTube! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsjR0Nc0XOzucSp65aPDox567qhAvx61T&si=KWvBXFnWpnY77CF2

Follow Victory Church on Instagram for more encouragement:

https://www.instagram.com/victorychurchpa/

Learn more about Victory Church:

victorychurch.org/about

Find a Victory Church location near you in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

victorychurch.org/locations

Today we hear from our friend Jenn Hollinger who is on staff at the Columbia Dream Center in Columbia, Pennsylvania. Columbia Dream Center serves the community through food, shelter, clothing, and resources. Jenn also attends Victory Church Columbia and we are thankful for her heart to Make a Difference.

In today's episode, we discuss:

- being open to God's calling on your life, even when it seems unexpected

- breaking the stigma around the homeless community

- how anyone can make a difference

- what the Columbia Dream Center is doing in the community

- how families can serve together

Subscribe to receive new episodes on Mondays!

Follow Victory Church on Instagram for more encouragement:

https://www.instagram.com/victorychurchpa/

Learn more about Victory Church:

victorychurch.org/about

Find a Victory Church location near you in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

victorychurch.org/locations

Watch on YouTube!

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsjR0Nc0XOzucSp65aPDox567qhAvx61T&si=f7zmaKl55dd2A12Y

Meet Brian Simmons, a dear friend of ours that shares how he found himself attending church but wasn't really IN the church. After hearing a life-changing message in 2022, Brian felt convicted to be ‘all-in’ for the Lord and step further into a deeper personal relationship with Christ through prayer, His Word, and getting involved at church.

In this episode, we discuss:

- how the Lord desires for us to be on fire for him

- making the Lord your priority by spending intentional time with Him in prayer and reading His word

- getting involved in the church through groups and serve teams

- how God ministers to others when we are obedient to Him

Subscribe to This Is My Story to receive new episodes on Mondays!

Follow Victory Church on Instagram for more encouragement:

https://www.instagram.com/victorychurchpa/

Learn more about Victory Church:

victorychurch.org/about

Find a Victory Church location near you in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

victorychurch.org/locations

Watch This Is My Story on YouTube!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSE2zr5UKvW4W87L3G5It6g