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When Chad Staerkel was young, he was rebellious, wild and crazy.  He was the kid who was always jumping off the garage, riding fast motorcycles, and dreaming about flying F 16’s. He seemed to have no fear. When Chad’s spirit of adventure was combined with complete trust in God, he realized the sky is the limit.  As a professional skydiver, Chad has jumped out of an airplane more than 11,000 times. Beyond skydiving, Chad has been willing to take risks to follow God wherever He leads. What he has witnessed has only made him more confident in Jesus.  Does fear keep you from following God?  Chad’s story just might inspire you to take a leap of faith and embrace the adventure of following God. Chad is the author of Doctrines of Grace.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart." Daniel Maritz shares the powerful story of his own faith journey, and following in the faith footsteps of his father. Through personal losses and life's trials, Daniel learns to fully surrender and trust in God's plan. Ultimately, God leads Daniel from a career in modeling to the creation of a global online ministry.

Why? It is a question that has wrecked the faith of many.  Why would God allow this? Why didn’t God intervene? Why didn’t He answer our prayers?  Andrea Mercier is very familiar with the question “Why, God?” After years of infertility, Andrea and her husband experienced the joy of getting pregnant and then giving birth to their son, Gabriel.  Then they noticed Gabriel’s development was delayed. He was eventually diagnosed with autism and a rare, genetic condition that gradually robbed his abilities.  It was heart-crushing.  And yet, Andrea has come to a place of deep, deep intimacy with God.  If you are struggling to reconcile a good God with hard circumstances, Andrea’s story will encourage you.  Andrea is a pastor, speaker, and the author of Oliver’s Extraordinary Friend: A Boy’s Journey of Embracing Autism. 

"Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Yes, it can." William Winfield shares how his faith in Christ transformed his life from homelessness to hope and purpose. Reflecting on his journey, William reminds us that the greatest tragedy in life isn't death, but living without purpose. Hear how God has used William in key moments of a few men's lives, and how his Christlike compassion to them at just the right moment gave them much-needed hope and a lasting life change.

God is all about transformation.  2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” God loves second chances.  Jermaine Wilson had spent four years in prison by the time he was 19. His dad had been to prison. His brother had been to prison, and his sister had been to prison. Jermaine’s search for love led him to earn acceptance through criminal activity and gang involvement. But it was a trap. He wanted a different life yet there seemed to be no way out. How does a gang member, drug dealer and prison inmate become the mayor of Leavenworth, Kansas?  That’s the incredible God-story of Jermaine Wilson.  Today, Jermaine is the mission ambassador for Prison Fellowship. 

Tony Burkeybyle knows what it is to be a broken man. He also knows what it is to live a surrendered life. Tony now volunteers in prisons, guiding men to forgiveness and a life rooted in God's grace. In this episode, Tony shares how his son's imprisonment led him to minister to men at the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute, pointing them toward the freedom and salvation found in Jesus Christ.

Katie Campell has always had a passion to pray for people.  A few years ago, she began to sense God was asking her to follow him to a place she didn’t yet know and for a ministry that wasn’t yet clear. To most people, that sounds crazy. Why would you pack up your family, move 2500 miles to a place where you knew no one, for a ministry that didn’t even exist?  This is the story behind 30A Prays, a ministry on the beaches of County Road 30A which spans the Gulf Coast of Florida roughly between Destin and Panama City. Since March of 2023, 30A Prays has prayed for and shared the Gospel with thousands of Gen-Z students from across the U.S.  God is moving among Gen Z on the beaches of 30A, and it began with a free fall of faith. 

Jerry Thomason shares his personal journey as a cancer patient, revealing how his faith in God has been his anchor through unexpected challenges. Amidst his diagnosis, Jerry's reflections on reshaped priorities, strengthened beliefs, and the impact on those around him offer powerful insights. Jerry's story highlights the blessings and lessons found even in the darkest times.

Meridith wants to hear your story. If you have a smartphone, USB microphone, or other way to record your voice, use this link and click the green microphone button, as we're looking for more Wow God Stories to share with our podcast listeners. 

Bryan Crum spent a decade serving as a hospice chaplain, helping people walk through their final days.  After listening to hundreds of life stories, he realized too many of us carry regret and fail to recognize just how much God values us.  Hospice work changed Bryan’s life and his perspective on priorities.  Through the stories of people like Ms. Ruth and Mr. Harold, Bryan learned the power of our words, the deadly impact of doubt, and why we all can trust that God loves us deeply. Bryan is the author of Neighbor, Love Yourself: Discover Your Value, Live Your Worth.