Episode 5 told the story of how God used his dad's conversion, a college young life event, and a good mentor to change Jeramy William's heart for good. In this bonus episode Jeramy talks about the furthest he's ever felt from God (which sounds a lot like burnout), the importance of silence and solitude, and what Christian adults can do to help young people.

At the end of this episode you'll hear the testimony of David Lutes. It is a story about how God can use unlikely people and the most likely people to change a life forever. David says, "And it ignited in me a love and a desire to know more...an immediate hunger that I sensed could never be fully satisfied."

Jeramy's Website

"I love You Stinky Face" Sermon

Chad Harms on Instagram

TestimonyPodcast.com

Donate to the Show

If every decision leads to a story we will tell later, the decisions of Jeramy Williams's life have lead to a story about investing deeply and lovingly in other people's relationships with God (especially young people). Jeramy is the president of Outreach Inc. and Director of Training and Discipleship at Love Squared. Before that Jeramy was a college pastor and an area director for Young Life for over 10 years.

Before Jeramy devoted his life to investing in others, he was just a kid focused on friends, family, and football. During his junior and senior years of high school he learned, in very hard ways, that these three foundations could not support him. Rather quickly Jesus become the new foundation of Jeramy's life. This is the story of how God used his dad's conversion, a college young life event, and a good mentor to change Jeramy's heart for good.

Jeramy's Website

"I love You Stinky Face" Sermon

Chad Harms on Instagram

TestimonyPodcast.com

Donate to the Show

Mars Hill was a megachurch in Seattle, Washington. It was founded in 1995 and folded in 2014. What happened in between was recently detailed on a podcast called The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. As part of that, the show described a group of leaders at the church that took a stand against some of the sins of the pastor at the church.  This group is often referred to as "The Noble Nine." One of those nine was Ryan Welsh.

Episode 5 told the story of how God used depression, the prayers of a mom, and a Young Life camp to show Ryan that Jesus is what makes life matter. In this bonus episode Ryan talks about the work he did at Mars Hill, how the end of his time at the church made him feel, the plan he tried to make to leave the church earlier, and why the turmoil he experienced at there never made him consider leaving Christianity. He also shares his thoughts on "The Noble Nine" label.

At the end of this episode you'll hear the testimony of a women named Jo. It starts with the tragic death of her son, but ends as a story of faithfulness—God's to her and her's to God. 

"The Noble Nine" Letter / Ryan's Facebook Post

Ryan on Twitter

Ryan's Sermons 

Chad Harms on Instagram

TestimonyPodcast.com

Donate to the Show

In June of 2021 Christianity Today released a podcast called The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. The show details the story of Mars Hill, a now defunct mega church in Seattle. The show talked about a group of leaders at the church that took a stand despite enormous cost. This group is often referred to as "The Noble Nine." One of those nine was Ryan Welsh.

Ryan  is currently the pastor of Restoration Church in Southlake, Texas. He has a PhD in Ethics and Philosophy and a Doctorate of Ministry in Preaching. He's an author, professor, and lecturer.

In Ryan's senior year of high school though, none of that would have seemed possible. He suffered with depression, anxiety, and a sense that nothing mattered. This is the story of how God used depression, the prayers of a mom, and a Young Life camp to show Ryan that Jesus is what makes life matter. It is also the story of how that realization turned him into a noble servant of God.

Ryan on Twitter

Ryan's Sermons

Chad Harms on Instagram

TestimonyPodcast.com

Donate to the Show

Episode 4 told the story of how God used a Ouija board, a joint, and piano lessons to set Dr. Charles Conniry (aka "Chuck") free from the power of Satan. In this bonus episode Chuck talks about returning to old habits after becoming a Christian and how it took church friends to bring him back. He also discusses what makes him feel close to God (it isn't what you'd expect) and how God answered his prayer for a godly wife.

At the end of the episode you'll hear the testimony of Robyn Cunningham. It is a story of despair, but also a story of God's power and timing. Robyn says, "God answered my prayers 40 minutes before I even prayed. He answered my prayers as I was crying, bitter,  broken...he answered my prayers while I was still his enemy." Make sure you listen to the end to hear the story.

Chuck on WesternSeminary.edu

Chuck's Curriculum Vitae

Chad Harms on Instagram

Donate to the Show

Dr. Charles Conniry  (aka "Chuck") is the president of Western Seminary. He has spent decades in Christian higher education. He's pastored, authored, and preached. His Curriculum Vitae (think big resume) is the size of a college essay. He's also connected to almost every well known Christian scholar in America.

Before all that, Chuck was a young adult playing in a garage band and smoking a lot of weed. His Catholic school upbringing taught him a lot about God, but Chuck had never yielded to his power or grace. This is the story of how God used a Ouija board, a joint, and piano lessons to set Chuck free from the power of Satan.

Chuck on WesternSeminary.edu

Chuck's Curriculum Vitae

Chad Harms on Instagram

Donate to the Show

Episode 3 told the story of how God has helped Hannah Peetz serve him despite her not feeling his presence. In this bonus episode Hannah talks about responding to hypocrisy in private schools, how God has guided her, and the way her husband inspires her to grow.

At the end of the episode you'll hear the testimony of Shea Wallace. It is a story filled with tragedies, but also redemption. Shea says, "Even in my defiant posture He opened His arms and pulled me in close. I called, He answered." Make sure you listen to the end to hear the story.

Hannah on Instagram and Youtube

Blissfully Brunette (Hannah's blog)

Chad Harms on Instagram

Donate to the Show

Hannah Peetz is a fashion influencer. She studied fashion in college. Thousands of people see her blog, social posts, and Youtube videos every week. Her work in fashion  even inspired a move to New York.

Hannah's life story isn't centered on fashion though, but rather on Christianity. She's been a Christian as long as she can remember. She grew up in a Christian home. She's always went to a Christian church. She attended a Christian school. She married a Christian man. Despite all that, she never experienced God's presence in ways that she could feel. This never caused her to question God, but it did cause her to question herself - the reality and quality of her faith. In the end though, the lack of feeling actually strengthened that faith. This is the story of how God has helped Hannah serve him despite her not feeling his presence.

Hannah on Instagram and Youtube

Blissfully Brunette (Hannah's blog)

Chad Harms on Instagram

Donate to the Show

Episode 2 told the story of how God used sobriety and a bachelor party to to answer Jacob's questions about the reality of God and Christianity.

In this bonus episode Jacob talks about  the role his faith plays in how he does leadership development, how Christians can better use social media, and about how he's tried to help others get sober even while the pandemic caused him to struggle with his own sobriety.

At the end of this episode you'll hear a powerful testimony that was submitted to us by a listener named Jerry Dugan. His story begins with him about to cross a minefield into Iraq and ends with God answering his prayer in an unexpected way. You should definitely stay until the end to hear it.

Jacob Espinoza on Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

Salem Emerging Leaders Podcast

"From 'The Kid' To the Man"

Chad Harms on Instagram

Donate to the Show

Jacob Espinoza used to be a vital part of the Northwest hip hop scene. He had success as a rapper (you'll hear parts of his songs in this episode) and ran a successful online magazine promoting hip hop culture in Oregon and Washington. Today he is a leadership consultant that helps thousands of people lead better. 
 
Jacob grew up Catholic, but in high school he told his priest that he had too many questions to go through with Confirmation; he walked away from Christianity altogether. After this he ended up on a "hamster wheel," living for the next weekend...the next party. This is the story of how God used sobriety and a bachelor party to answer Jacob's question and how those answers brought a clarity to his life that has turned him into one of Salem, Oregon's most influential leaders. 

Jacob Espinoza on Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube.

Salem Emerging Leaders Podcast

"From 'The Kid' To the Man"

Chad Harms on Instagram

Donate to the Show