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Pastor Derek Welborn knows what it feels like to lose your reflection. When alopecia took his hair, it began stripping far more than follicles—it chipped away at identity, confidence, and the life he thought he’d live. He prayed for the hair to come back. Silence. Then God answered in a way only God could: not by restoring what Derek lost, but by reframing who Derek is. In the quiet space of grief, Derek picked up felt, fire, and craft—and Saints Western was born. What started as a survival project became a calling: hand-crafted cowboy hats & boots that carry stories of faith and resilience. That unlikely road led to a partnership with award-winning artist Brandon Lake, bringing heritage craftsmanship to the King of Hearts era and beyond.
This conversation asks: What if God had answered quickly? Sometimes God’s plans are bigger than our asks, and the “no” we fear becomes the doorway to a life we couldn’t imagine.

Timestamps

• 00:00 Welcome + how Lauren & Derek met (Round Top, TX)
• 03:18 Calling to ministry & early community in Austin
• 05:50 When identity shifts: the first signs of alopecia
• 07:58 Hair loss & loss of self—prayers that seemed unanswered
• 13:48 Hatmaking begins: felt, fire, form—birth of Saints Western
• 17:44 Community shows up: celebration, encouragement, first customers
• 18:02 Surrendering outcomes → unexpected open doors
• 18:42 Healing: medicine, miracles, and the slow middle ground
• 19:03 Why Round Top matters (craft, collectors, culture)
• 19:49 Mentors & makers: Clint Huff and the trade
• 21:24 From hats to boots: expanding the line
• 21:57 Risk & rent: taking over the business
• 22:35 Ministry through making: testimonies at the workbench
• 23:15 Naming the brand: “Saints Western”
• 24:35 Redemption themes: God wastes nothing
• 27:24 The Brandon Lake collaboration: King of Hearts + heritage craft
• 29:57 What’s next + where to find Saints Western
• 32:23 Prayer & encouragement for anyone facing loss

 Lauren:

Website laurenburns.net

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laurenburnsredeemed/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/laurenBredeemed/

Redeemed Newsletter: subscribepage.io/eft4YT

Merch  https://www.hiscollectionapparel.com/ 

Disount Descript https://get.descript.com/DescriptRedeemed

Contact Derek:

Website https://saintswestern.com/

https://www.instagram.com/saintswestern/

Disclaimer:

The purpose of the Redeemed Podcast is to share the love of Jesus. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on behalf of guest do not necessarily represent the thoughts of the host. This podcast does not constitute services or medical advise. Pease pray and thoroughly research options for medical needs. Listeners and viewers consume this content on a voluntary basis and assume all responsibility for resulting consequence and impact.