In this powerful episode of the Rooted In Christ Podcast, Eric sits down with Julian Rodriguez for one of the most raw and transformative testimonies shared on the platform.

Born into gang culture in Chicago and raised between violence, drugs, poverty, and trauma, Julian opens up about witnessing his father’s addiction, family division, suicidal thoughts at a young age, and the weight of growing up far too soon. From living in an attic to hustling in the streets, his story reflects the harsh realities many inner-city families face.

But this episode isn’t about statistics — it’s about redemption.

Julian shares the moment he cried out to God as a child after being told he couldn’t go to church… and how that prayer was answered almost immediately. He walks through the slow, real process of salvation — the wrestling, the conviction, the sanctification — and how God transformed his hustle mentality into purpose.

Today, Julian is: • A first-generation college graduate (earning both his AA and MBA with a 4.0 GPA) • A financial advisor helping families build wealth • A husband and father of three • A servant and leader within his church community

This conversation dives deep into: • Breaking generational curses • Surviving trauma and depression • The reality of sanctification (it’s a process, not a light switch) • Trusting God’s timing • Praying for family members who seem “too far gone” • Using your gifts for God instead of the streets

If you’ve ever felt like your background disqualified you… If you’re praying for a prodigal… If you’re wrestling with purpose…

This episode is for you.

“We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.” – Revelation 12:11

Listen, share, and be encouraged — it’s not too late for you. And it’s never too early either.

On this powerful episode of the Rooted in Christ Podcast, Eric sits down alongside Nobles Darby IV—Metro Cleveland Director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)—for a conversation about faith, sports, unity, and the Great Commission.

From the locker rooms of the NFL and NBA to high school campuses across Cleveland, Noel shares how God called him into chaplaincy and sports ministry at the highest levels. We dive into:

• What it really means to live out the Great Commission

• Why sharing your faith requires getting uncomfortable

• How FCA is impacting 50+ schools in Northeast Ohio

• The powerful “One Team” football camp that united inner-city and suburban athletes during 2020’s civil unrest

• Why Cleveland’s deep sports culture is the perfect mission field

• Tearing down idols and pointing athletes and fans back to Jesus

We also discuss the partnership between FCA and Redwood Christian Ministries for this year’s Beyond the WallsChristian hip-hop & R&B concert in Cleveland on November 7th—an event focused on salvation, discipleship, and advancing the Kingdom.

This episode is a reminder: We weren’t saved to sit—we were saved to be sent.

If this episode encourages you, like, share, and subscribe to the Rooted in Christ Podcast on all major platforms.

What happens when the stage you prayed for becomes the altar your family needed?

In this powerful episode of the Rooted in Christ Podcast, Eric Stephens sits down with Christian hip-hop artist Craig Wallace for a raw and heartfelt conversation about purpose, obedience, and the true mission behind the music.

Craig shares how a dream of performing on big stages wasn’t about fame—but about seeing his family saved. After performing at Beyond the Walls, that dream became reality when his uncle gave his life back to Christ. From that moment, the mission was clear: this isn’t about lights, platforms, or applause—it’s about souls.

The conversation dives deep into:

• Craig’s transformation from secular music to fully surrendered faith

• Turning down pressure to “water down” the name of Jesus

• Navigating pride, platforms, and “celebrity culture” in Christian spaces

• The importance of servant leadership and humility

• Overcoming rejection in the industry

• Seeking the Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33) as an artist

• Why fruit matters more than fame

Craig also opens up about his journey as a former D1 athlete, walking away from worldly identity, embracing marriage and fatherhood, and recently receiving his late grandfather’s community award—an honor that meant more than any Grammy ever could.

If you’re an artist, leader, or believer wrestling with calling, comparison, or culture—this episode will challenge and encourage you to stay rooted, stay humble, and keep Jesus at the center.

In this powerful episode of The Rooted in Christ Podcast,  Eric sits down with Charron Leeper for a raw, Spirit-led conversation that challenges the very core of our faith.

From growing up in church to navigating pain, divorce, identity, rejection, and purpose, Charron shares her journey of walking with God beyond performance, platforms, and appearances. This episode dives deep into what it really means to love Jesus—not just for His blessings, but for who He is.

Together, they unpack topics like:

• Faith that’s tested through pain and disappointment

• Loving God when prayers go unanswered

• Identity, people-pleasing, and comparison in Christian spaces

• Character vs. gifting and performative Christianity

• Healing after divorce and seasons of loss

• Obedience when God asks you to let go of platforms and titles

• Serving what God actually cares about: people, humility, and grace

Charron also shares how her personal healing journey gave birth to Perfect Pineapple, Agency 33, and Kingdom Culture, and how obedience—without all the answers—has shaped her walk with God.

This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and honestly ask yourself: "Do I love God… or do I love what He can do for me?"

If you’re wrestling with faith, navigating pain, or longing for deeper intimacy with God, this conversation is for you.

Listen, reflect, and share with someone who needs encouragement today. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow Rooted in Christ on all major podcast platforms!

In this powerful and deeply moving episode of the Rooted in Christ Podcast, Eric sits down with Karla Callan for an unfiltered conversation about her radical journey from generational witchcraft and New Age practices to complete surrender to Jesus Christ.

Born into spiritual darkness and immersed in occult practices for nearly two decades, Karla shares how supernatural experiences, deception, trauma, and addiction kept her bound—until a divine encounter revealed Jesus as the only way out. With honesty and boldness, she breaks down how witchcraft, New Age spirituality, and counterfeit light operate, and how Christ restores identity, heals trauma, and brings true freedom.

This episode dives deep into:

• Generational witchcraft and spiritual doorways

• New Age deception and false spirituality

• Trauma, addiction, and demonic strongholds

• Radical repentance, deliverance, and inner healing

• Renewing the mind and restoring identity in Christ

• Obedience to the Holy Spirit and living on mission

Karla also shares how God is now using her testimony through her podcasts Deliverance Diaries and Speak Life with Karla, as well as her work helping others break free, heal deeply, and align their lives and businesses with Christ.

This episode is not surface-level faith talk. It’s real, intense, and life-changing.

If you or someone you love is caught in New Age practices, witchcraft, spiritual confusion, or feeling stuck with no way out—this conversation is for you.

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Learn more about Karla here: https://karlacallanministries.com/

What happens when faith feels more like rules than relationship?

In this powerful episode of the Rooted in Christ Podcast, Eric Stephens sits down with Ana Murby to unpack a raw, honest testimony of walking away from Christianity—and being relentlessly pursued by God anyway.

Ana shares her journey through a legalistic Christian upbringing, deep shame, pornography addiction, divorce, and feeling completely disqualified from God’s love. Through brokenness, surrender, and radical honesty, she experienced true freedom—not through perfection, but through relationship with Jesus.

This conversation tackles topics the Church often avoids, including:

• Legalism vs. genuine relationship with Christ

• Pornography addiction among Christian women

• Shame, repentance, and restoration

• Divorce and God’s grace in the aftermath

• Why asking hard questions doesn’t disqualify your faith

• How God redeems what feels too far gone

If you’ve ever felt like:

• You messed up too badly

• You had to “clean yourself up” before coming back to God

• Your doubts meant you weren’t a real Christian

This episode is for you.

Nothing is beyond redemption. No one is too far gone.

Listen on all major podcast platforms. Watch, like, share, and subscribe for more testimonies and conversations rooted in truth and grace.

In this powerful and deeply encouraging episode of the Rooted in Christ Podcast, host Eric Stephens, founder of Redwood Christian Ministries, sits down with Anna Hurst for an honest conversation about surrender, faith, and what it truly means to live with open hands before God.

Anna shares her personal journey from religious routine to authentic relationship with Jesus, unpacking the concept of open-handed living—a life marked by surrender, trust, and freedom. Together, Eric and Anna explore how hearing God’s voice shapes daily decisions, parenting, marriage, and purpose, even in the midst of busy, overwhelming seasons of life.

This episode dives into:

• What open-handed living really means for Christians today
• Learning to discern the voice of God in everyday life
• Letting go of control and trusting God with family, finances, and future
• Building prayer and Bible habits in busy seasons
• Anna’s testimony of surrender, healing, and transformation
• Unity in the body of Christ across denominations
• Encouragement for those just starting their faith journey

Whether you’re feeling spiritually stuck, overwhelmed by life, or longing for a deeper relationship with Jesus, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to trust God more fully and walk in the freedom He offers.

Listen, be encouraged, and take your next step toward a surrendered life in Christ.

In this episode of the Rooted in Christ Podcast, Eric Stephens sits down with Craig DeHut, co-founder of Appian Media, to explore what it truly takes to create biblically accurate, professionally produced Christian media that reaches a modern audience.

Craig shares the heart behind Appian Media’s mission: removing barriers to Scripture through accuracy, excellence, and free accessibility. From crowdfunding international documentary trips to Israel, Egypt, Greece, and Turkey, to working with archaeologists, historians, and local experts, Craig explains how his team brings the Bible to life in a way that is visually compelling, trustworthy, and deeply rooted in Scripture.

Together, they discuss:

• Why high-quality production matters when communicating God’s Word

• The three-pronged approach that sets Appian Media apart

• The real challenges behind international Christian documentary filmmaking

• How visual storytelling helps younger generations engage deeply with Scripture

• Powerful testimonies from viewers whose faith was strengthened through these resources

• Why keeping biblical content free and accessible is central to the mission

• What’s next for Appian Media, including an ambitious multi-year plan to tell the full story of the Bible

This conversation is both practical and inspiring for creatives, ministry leaders, educators, and anyone passionate about sharing the Gospel with excellence and integrity.

Learn more and explore Appian Media’s free resources at appianmedia.org
Watch their documentaries on YouTube, RightNow Media, and Faithlife TV

In this powerful follow-up episode of The Rooted in Christ Podcast, Eric Stephens sits down once again with Mick Wienholt to unpack a harrowing near-death experience that forever marked his life—and revealed the depth of God’s grace even when Mick wanted nothing to do with Him.

At just 19 years old, Mick triggered an avalanche while climbing a 14,000-foot peak in Colorado. What followed was a catastrophic fall, severe head trauma, emergency brain surgery, and a recovery that should not have been possible. Even more astonishing was the perfectly timed presence of a stranger named Steve—someone Mick firmly believes God sent to save his life.

But this episode goes far beyond survival.

Mick shares with raw honesty how, despite experiencing a miracle, his heart remained far from God for years. It wasn’t until later tragedy—the loss of his son—that God fully captured his attention and revealed a truth that shattered him: even when Mick hated God, God never stopped loving him.

This conversation dives into:

• A first-person account of surviving an avalanche

• Pride, rebellion, and “rules without relationship”

• God’s protection even when we are running from Him

• Why miracles don’t always lead to immediate faith

• How grief, suffering, and honesty before God can lead to true relationship

• Encouragement for anyone struggling to see God’s hand in their pain

If you’ve ever questioned God’s presence in suffering, wrestled with anger toward Him, or wondered whether He still loves you in your rebellion—this episode is for you.

What does it mean to truly live without fear?

UFC fighter Gabe “Gifted” Green returns to the Rooted in Christ Podcast for a powerful and unfiltered conversation with host Eric Stephens about faith, fear, and full surrender to God’s will. From stepping into the UFC cage to kneeling in prayer before a fight, Gabe shares how trusting God—not outcomes—has completely transformed the way he lives, competes, and leads.

Together, Eric and Gabe unpack Scripture from Psalm 118, Psalm 56, and the life of David, exploring what it means to overcome fear by fixing our eyes on God rather than man. Gabe opens up about losses, humility, fatherhood, injuries, spiritual growth, and even praying with his opponent before a fight—revealing how faith shapes every aspect of his journey.

This episode is a reminder that fear is real—but it doesn’t have to rule you.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Overcoming fear through surrender to Christ

• Faith under pressure and inside the UFC cage

• Humility, confidence, and trusting God’s plan

• Why worry robs us of today’s strength

• Giving God glory in both victory and defeat

Whether you’re facing fear in your faith, your calling, or your everyday life, this conversation will encourage you to walk boldly, trusting that the Lord is with you every step of the way.

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” — Psalm 118:6

Listen now and be encouraged to stay rooted in Christ!