"I think we all sometimes stumble or fall or break, and you have to have strong godly people around you to pick you up."

- Ben Whipple

Ben and Nina were an unlikely match when they first met. Both with a traumatic past, they knew they had obstacles they were determined to overcome. Soon, a firm, foundational friendship turned into more, and that bond ushered Ben toward a path he never knew existed.

Once Ben made the eternal discovery that Jesus is the Light of the World, he became starving for The Word. He soon determined that he would never be the same, his family would never be the same, and the generations long after him would never be the same.

Listen with us, as we hear a story of how two people discovered Jesus Christ as The Light of the word, The Breaker of chains - The Savior. When we discover Jesus, we discover His Church. What is it about the Bride of Christ that is so special that The Savior was willing to die for her? If you come from a past with darkness and generational sin, can Jesus sanctify even that?

"I didn't want to disappoint God in the sinful life that I was living. But yet that need to feel loved was great. It was so powerful; that need. I did not know at that time that God was the source of that love!"

- Kimberly Slater

Kimberly's upbringing did not foster a sense of belonging. After a lifetime relying on her own strength and merit, she thought love came with conditions. Eventually, self-reliance was how she attempted to find the unconditional love she craved.

Things started to change when she found an unconditional love in her Savior - Jesus Christ. Trusting Jesus with her salvation was the best decision she ever made. But was trusting Him with more than that something she would be ready to do? When we realize God is a loving God who loves us, and cares about our circumstances unconditionally, we are faced with a choice. Do we fully surrender, or do we remain in what we perceive as a self-reliance form of control?

"When you accept Jesus into your life, you're free. You're free to live in what He wants for you and in His design for you."

- Tony Stegall

After both Tony and Breanna spent a lifetime looking for love in the wrong places, it was not apparent to them what true love was. Even more so, why did love always seem out of reach - or destructive? Coming from a past that faced childhood divorce, illness, love lost, broken promises, and disappointments, their search for true love seemed to lead to an empty road.

Everything changed when they found themselves being courted by the One who is love. When the Lord revealed himself to Tony and Breanna, they became showered with the only love that ever mattered all along - the overwhelming, everlasting, eternal love in Jesus Christ.

This testimony shows us how chasing Jesus leads to a changed heart. What happens when the sinful desires of your heart are brought to light? Can the heart's desires change? If so, can God fulfill the desires of your heart when the heart becomes surrendered to Him?

"You don't know how many years you're promised. So what are you going to do with it?"

- Daniel

Knowing Jesus is Lord, and knowing Jesus as Lord changes everything. After years of having the understanding that they knew Jesus, both Daniel and Megan tell us their story, and what followed when they fully surrendered to Jesus as Lord of their lives.

After facing many of life's obstacles, we hear a story of loss, depression, sickness, anxiety, and global mystery. Being rooted in Scripture from a young age, Daniel and Magen knew that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him.

This testimony shows us that sometimes, things are never as they seem. Sometimes our plans can be just that - our plans. Is the mission, the mission? Or is the mission simply obeying God with the next thing He puts in front of us?

“It was devastating for me to leave knowing that was the plan I had for my life. God has rescued us from things we couldn’t have predicted.”

- Megan Schell

When Justin met Megan, they were ready to take the Great Commission to the world. With the desire to “GO”, and a call to missions, they assumed their lives were completely mapped out. God continued to open doors for their family, but a looming self-reliance soon turned to something much more crippling.

In this couple's testimony, we hear a story about obedience, and a journey from self-reliance to a faith that surrenders all. Even in our obedience to answering the call on our lives, do we sometimes aim to take that same obedience into our own hands? When self-reliance produces a crippling anxiety, what will happen to everyone that you are responsible for? If independence and self-reliance becomes toxic, will God in His goodness still provide for you - pave the way for you before you get there? Then there’s the biggest question yet; even if you do nothing at all, does God still love you?

“Prayer is very strong - a very powerful thing that affects lives. Just how it does, now that I don’t know."

- Warren Good

From a young age, Warren Good walked closely with the Lord. He aimed to live righteously, and looked to the Lord for guidance. Eventually, Warren enlisted in the military. Even in the military, his life looked different, and people noticed. It was clear Warren was in the world, but not of the world. Then, things took an interesting turn when Warren lived to testify not one - not two - but three near death experiences.

Throughout these experiences, Warren realized that even though he may not know what was happening, God knew. Ultimately, he had to put his trust in God. Warren's testimony takes us through lessons about prayer, blessings, and provision. If God is directing, does he have a reason? Is it our job to understand, or simply obey?

“If we pray according to His will, He hears our prayers. He answers our prayers.”

- Robert Devadhas

As Christians in a Hindu country, Robert and Joy began their prayer life simply because they enjoyed being in God’s presence so much. Little did they know, God would show His favor toward them and their faith in miraculous ways.

“I remember just being absolutely broken over my sin, and that I could find myself in this place again.”

- Zach Dietz

Zach and Shanna Dietz are not strangers to the physical, emotional, and spiritual battles of this broken world. However, their story began as many do; happy - perfect - a picture of the all-American family.

This story serves as a reminder that none of us are immune from the catastrophic results from mind-consuming sin. Hidden sin can play nice for a little while, but eventually, it will wreck you and everyone around you.

When your sin absolutely breaks you and the person you love most in the world, do you dare turn to Jesus in your darkest hour? How do you guard your heart, your mind, your spirit? Can your relationship with those around you be restored? In this episode, we hear the story of how our guest was faced with the Truth - only Jesus can save you from your sin - and He’ll do it again, and again, and again.

“When we get to where the Lord wants us to go, and we turn around and look, the path is so clear.”

- Joy Gabbert

In our season opening episode, we hear from our podcast hosts, the couple bringing you ‘The Grove Podcast’, Andrew and Joy Gabbert.

What happens when you find yourself battling lies from the enemy? How do we contain the spiral of self-doubt? If there’s one thing we’ve learned from each guest so far, it's that things are never quite as they seem.

In this episode, we hear the story of our hosts finding faith, battling sin and temptation, betrayal, strength, self doubt, and the journey towards leaning on Jesus in a personal and intimate way.

Despite the human trials in this testimony, we witness the Truth. God is personal. God is sovereign over all things. God always works on purpose; on both the mountaintops, and in the valley.

For our season finale, our podcast host, Joy Gabbert, joins a table talk discussion featuring Kailey Carter and Stephanie Eckman with returning guests Monica Allen and Olivia Watkins.

Each of these women found themselves faced with circumstances that left them feeling hopeless, which led them to a quick decision bringing them to a place they never imagined. Join us for one of our most intense episodes yet as you witness first hand healing, redemption, encouragement, celebration, sisterhood, and most importantly - Jesus working in the lives of His people.