You may have seen parts of Pastor Greg Laurie’s moving testimony in the movie Jesus Revolution, but never like this. On today’s episode of The Greg Laurie Show, Pastor Greg takes us on an unfiltered, inspiring journey through his tumultuous upbringing—a story marked by instability, loneliness, and the relentless pursuit of hope.

Born into a world of broken relationships, absent fathers, and a longing for family, Pastor Greg shares how his early years were shaped by a mother struggling with addiction and a parade of stepfathers. From military school mischief and lonely nights speaking to “Mr. Nobody” under a blanket to the comfort of his grandparents’ Southern kitchen, Pastor Greg discovered the hand of God—revealing to him how moments of pain ultimately became pathways to purpose. Throughout the episode, Pastor Greg invites each of us to reflect not just on his journey, but also on our own—reminding us that no matter how difficult our beginnings, God can use every chapter for something greater.

 

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Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit:  

https://harvest.org/.

Find Pastor Greg on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/greglaurie/

https://x.com/greglaurie

https://www.facebook.com/harvest.greglaurie

 

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 God’s Call: Preach the Gospel
01:37 “My Mother Had Me Out of Wedlock”
03:23 Military School Mayhem & Burning It Down Joke
04:45 Grandmother’s Southern Cooking and Family Memories
06:15 Lonely Nights and Mr. Nobody
07:22 Becoming the Parent for My Mother
08:52 Christmas Morning: “It’s Got to Get Better Than This”
10:52 Envy, Family Dinners, and Craving Belonging
12:28 Stepfather Oscar Laurie: “He Treated Me Like a Son”
13:59 Hawaii Move and Celebrities at Davy Jones Locker
16:12 Fights, Tragedy, and Losing My Only Friend
17:28 Alcoholism’s Impact: “These Were Choices”
18:31 Witnessing Violence and Survival Instincts
19:41 Becoming a Juvenile Delinquent & Expulsion Threat
21:21 Teacher’s Outburst: “Bury Him in the Sand”
22:28 “I Realized I Was Living My Mother’s Life”
23:58 Entering Drug Culture: Searching for Escape
26:05 LSD Trip Leads to Crisis and Existential Fear
28:28 Encounter with Campus Christians & The “What If It’s True?” Moment
29:16 Lonnie Frisbee’s Message: “You’re For Me or Against Me”
31:13 Saying the Prayer—But “I Felt Nothing”
32:41 The Moment I Quit Drugs for Good
33:33 Outed as a Christian by a Popsicle-Stick Bible
36:20 Answered Prayer: Receiving My First “Real” Bible
38:09 Watching Billy Graham—Grandmother’s Spiritual Legacy
43:06 Creating Living Water: A Comic That Changed Lives
46:03 First Preaching Moment and Surprising Courage at Baptism
50:25 Called to Preach: “A Glimpse of My Future”
52:15 Cleaning Toilets for Jesus: Humility and Preparation
55:25 My Accidental Journey to Becoming a Pastor
58:15 Full Circle: God’s Hand from Childhood to Calling

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.