What happens when a child called a "mistake" grows up to lead a movement serving 65,000 kids?

Can a letter really change a life? For Jonathan, it did.

This week on the Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, Jonathan shares the full story about how one heartfelt note from his sponsor became a turning point in his life. Raised in poverty and without the support of his father, Jonathan discovered hope not through material things, but through the love of Christ and a local church empowered by Compassion International.

In this powerful full conversation, Jonathan opens up about how his life transformed—through education, relationship, and ultimately, forgiveness. From tearful reconciliation with his father to now serving 65,000 children through Compassion’s work in the Dominican Republic, his story is a moving testimony of what can happen when someone chooses to care.

We’re better together. And this season, we’re doing something as a community to make a difference in the world. 

Go to Candace.com and click where it says “Compassion” to see how you can sponsor a child today.

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Have you been following along this season about Girls Under Pressure?

If you’ve missed any, you can go back and catch the whole series!

This week Candace, Natasha and Allie continue with a discussion on finding purpose.

Connect with Candace:

Sponsors this season:

- Mr. Pen: Visit http://candacepens.com/ for 10% off your order.

-Adele Natural Cosmetics https://adelnaturalcosmetics.com/

Use my one-time code for 25% off your first order! Code CANDACE

-Ancient Nutrition is offering 25% off your first order when you go to https://ancientnutrition.com/ccb

-Grand Canyon University: http://gcu.edu

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Come back each week to hear more about Jonathan’s story. To see how we can make a difference together, go to 

https://ccbpodcast.com/compassion

Life is like a rollercoaster, but it’s so much better when we go through it together!

It’s true. We’re better together. And this season, I’m asking our podcast community to do something TOGETHER to make a difference in the world. 

There are hard things going on around us. Hurricanes. Floods. Fires. People hurting. And as followers of Jesus, we show up in the hard stuff, and we build relationships with people who need us. We give.

Each week I’m bringing you a short piece of an interview with a special guest, and each week you’ll hear more about what we can do together. These are short episodes - less than 10 minutes each.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you been following along this season about Girls Under Pressure?

If you’ve missed any, you can go back and catch the whole series!

This week is all about body issues, and the season continues next week exploring how to find your purpose in life.

Connect with Candace:

Sponsors this season:

- Mr. Pen: Visit http://candacepens.com/ for 10% off your order.

-Adele Natural Cosmetics https://adelnaturalcosmetics.com/

Use my one-time code for 25% off your first order! Code CANDACE

-Ancient Nutrition is offering 25% off your first order when you go to https://ancientnutrition.com/ccb

- Grand Canyon University: http://gcu.edu

-Tyndale: tbibles.com/CandaceBure

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Come back each week to hear more about Jonathan’s story. To see how we can make a difference together, go to 

https://ccbpodcast.com/compassion

Life is like a rollercoaster, but it’s so much better when we go through it together!

It’s true. We’re better together. And this season, I’m asking our podcast community to do something TOGETHER to make a difference in the world. 

There are hard things going on around us. Hurricanes. Floods. Fires. People hurting. And as followers of Jesus, we show up in the hard stuff, and we build relationships with people who need us. We give.

Each week I’m bringing you a short piece of an interview with a special guest, and each week you’ll hear more about what we can do together. These are short episodes - less than 10 minutes each.

Come back each week to hear more about Jonathan’s story. To see how we can make a difference together, go to 

https://ccbpodcast.com/compassion

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Navigating friendships can be a roller-coaster, but Candace, Allie, and Natasha are here to guide you through it. In this episode of Season 9, "Girls Under Pressure," they explore the essence of friendship and the journey of finding friends who may or may not share your faith. Real-life stories and personal experiences reveal the challenges and joys of growing through diverse relationships. Do you find yourself struggling with friendships or looking to deepen your connections? 

As Candace reflects on her long-lasting friendships with people who hold different beliefs, the conversation goes into finding common ground, respecting differences, and fostering deep connections. Allie and Natasha share their own journeys, sharing experiences on balancing faith, friendship, and respect in a world that often divides.

Actionable Takeaway: Reflect on your current friendships. Are they encouraging your growth? Consider how you can be a source of light and support to those around you, regardless of differing beliefs.

Listener Question: Julia asks, "What do you do for a freshman navigating high school without any Christian friends?" 

Remember, life is better when we go through it together! For more encouragement, download the free gratitude guide at candace.com. 

Connect with Candace:

Sponsors this season:

- Mr. Pen: Visit http://candacepens.com/ for 10% off your order.

-Adele Natural Cosmetics https://adelnaturalcosmetics.com/

Use my one-time code for 25% off your first order! Code CANDACE

-Ancient Nutrition is offering 25% off your first order when you go to https://ancientnutrition.com/ccb

- Grand Canyon University: http://gcu.edu

Tyndale: tbibles.com/CandaceBure 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Pivotal Moment: A Fight that Changed Everything

In this excerpt, Jonathan shares the life-changing moment he was involved in a fight that left his friend in a coma. Jonathan says, "I was involved in a fight. He wasn't in the fight, but I fell down, and he fell with me, knocking his neck on the sidewalk. He ended up in a coma for two days." This incident was a turning point for Jonathan, leading him to a path of self-reflection and transformation.

The support from his church community played a crucial role in Jonathan's personal growth. After the incident, Jonathan gave his life to Christ and found hope and purpose within the church. "I got baptized at 12 after that fight. The first thing the church did is they gave me the chance to preach to the children," he shared. This opportunity to preach was a testament to the church's belief in his potential and their commitment to nurturing his growth. "That's why the local church helped me to see hope, to have hope. Not only to be a positive view of the future but to have actually hope and hope is the ability to make things for, make that future to happen," Jonathan explained.

Making a Difference Together:

Join us next week to hear more about Jonathan's story and to learn how we can make a difference together. Visit Candace.com, click on "compassion," and see how you can be a part of this transformative journey!

Come back each week to hear more about Jonathan’s story. To see how we can make a difference together, go to 

https://ccbpodcast.com/compassion

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"What does it mean to be set free from guilt?"

This week Candace and the ladies talk about dealing with shame and regret from past mistakes, and share personal stories about how hiding shame can weigh heavy on your heart. Allie emphasizes that everyone makes mistakes, but when you bring those secrets into the light, the weight lifts.

They explore how shame can drive people away from their true identity and relationship with God. Candace reminds listeners of Psalm 103:12, which says, "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."

Today’s listener question comes from Bethany, who asks, "Does God really forgive all sins?" Tune in to hear their answers!

For your free gratitude guide and to ask questions go to Candace.com 

Sponsors this month: 

-Mr. Pen: Visit http://candacepens.com/ for 10% off your order.

-Adele Natural Cosmetics https://adelnaturalcosmetics.com/

Use my one-time code for 25% off your first order! Code CANDACE

-Ancient Nutrition is offering 25% off your first order when you go to https://ancientnutrition.com/ccb

-Grand Canyon University: http://gcu.edu

-Tyndale: tbibles.com/CandaceBure

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When is the last time you thought about how powerful writing a letter could be?

In part six of Jonathan’s story, Candace and Jonathan talk about the powerful impact of a relationship that grew from letter writing. Jonathan shares more about growing up in poverty and how he got support from a local church and his sponsor Jamie. He recalls the first letter she sent, a simple note that made him feel special and loved: "Good afternoon, Jonathan. I wanted to send you a little note to let you know I was thinking about you."

That simple message meant so much to him, especially since he never those words of encouragement from his father.

Come back each week to hear more about Jonathan’s story. To see how we can make a difference together, go to https://ccbpodcast.com/compassion

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do friendships change when you start dating? Can you find love in a world of dating apps?

In Episode 6, “Moms Want to Know - What’s Dating Like Today?” Candace, Allie, and Natasha talk about the challenges of dating in today's culture. Allie shares her worries about whether her new boyfriend is “the one” and how dating is so different from what her parents experienced. They talk about unrealistic expectations women and girls deal with and the pressure to have everything figured out before getting married.

It’s okay to take time to get to know someone and that not every relationship has to work out. Allie recalls how she felt a lot of pressure while dating, which made her anxious. 

They also talk about how dating can change friendships and the need to balance those relationships.

Go to Candace.com for your free gratitude guide.

Sponsors this month:

-Mr. Pen: Visit http://candacepens.com/ for 10% off your order.

-Adele Natural Cosmetics https://adelnaturalcosmetics.com/

Use my one-time code for 25% off your first order! Code CANDACE

-Ancient Nutrition is offering 25% off your first order when you go to https://ancientnutrition.com/ccb

-Grand Canyon University: http://gcu.edu

-Tyndale: tbibles.com/CandaceBure

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices