In episode 18, Jordan Rogers shares his powerful story of addiction, incarceration, and redemption. Growing up in a loving and supportive family, Jordan found himself drawn to drugs and alcohol at a young age. Despite multiple attempts at rehab and legal challenges, he struggled with addiction throughout his adolescence. It was during a period of incarceration that Jordan had a moment of clarity and realized he needed to address the deeper issues behind his addiction. He committed to healing and sought help through rehab and community. After his release, Jordan rebuilt his life, pursued education and career opportunities, and dedicated himself to helping others through their own recovery journeys. Jordan’s story reminds us that there is ALWAYS hope.

Key Takeaways:

* Addiction can stem from a variety of factors, including trauma, insecurity, and a lack of positive outlets.

* The justice system often fails to address the root causes of addiction and instead focuses on punishment rather than rehabilitation.

* Recovery is a lifelong journey, and it requires self-accountability, community support, and a commitment to healing.

* Healing from addiction involves facing and processing emotions rather than numbing them with drugs or alcohol.

* Sharing our stories and supporting others in their recovery can be a powerful tool for transformation and healing.

Jordan Rogers is a dedicated father, husband, and mentor who has dedicated his life to helping others through his own story of addiction and recovery. He has been sober for 21 years and has used his experiences to inspire and support others in their own journeys. Jordan is passionate about advocating for criminal justice reform and addressing the challenges within the justice system. He believes in the power of community and the transformative nature of sharing our stories.

To connect with Jordan, follow him on Instagram @jordanrogers

Or visit his website; https://www.jordanrogers.xyz

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In episode 17, Ramonita and Erin candidly share their personal battles with anxiety, reflecting on how family history, life experiences and unrealistic expectations have influenced their mental health. They explore various coping mechanisms, including therapy, exercise, journaling, and spirituality, while confronting the challenges of medication and the stigma of mental health within Christian communities. We hope this episode is an offering of hope and strategies to listeners grappling with similar issues, emphasizing the importance of personalized approaches to managing anxiety and the role of faith in their healing journey.

Key Takeaways:

* Exploring anxiety as a spiritual attack and its impact on faith and reliance on God.

* Recognizing anxiety's impact on behavior, self-preservation, and the constant pursuit of safety AND discovering the connection between control, perfectionism, and anxiety triggers.

* The benefits of therapy and practical tools for managing anxious thoughts and emotions.

* The significance of speaking out anxious thoughts and rewriting the internal narrative for mental well-being.

* Addressing anxiety within the church and the impact of faith and spiritual warfare.

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In this episode, Emily Birrell shares her story of overcoming fear, anxiety, and the reshaping of her distorted views of God. Growing up in a home with a father battling addiction and mental health issues, Emily struggled to understand God's love and experienced a distorted view of Him. However, through prayer and seeking, she began to experience God's love and grace in a new way. Her story is full of moments of God grace and sweetness in her life and a testament of the ways that God becomes for us what we may lack at times on earth. Emily's story is a testament to the healing power of God and the importance of community in our journey of faith.

Key Takeaways:

* Growing up in a home with addiction and mental health issues can distort our view of God and create fear and anxiety.

* Serving others can be a healing experience and help shift our focus and perspective of God.

* God reveals Himself as a perfect Heavenly Father through His love, pursuit, and faithfulness.

* Fear is NOT our identity!

* Overcoming fear and anxiety involves surrendering control and trusting in God's perfect love.

Connect with Emily:

https://www.ebirrell.com

Instagram: @TheEmilyBirrell

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In this episode, Ramonita and Erin discuss the power of waiting on miracles. They share their own personal stories and insights on how they maintain hope and faith in the midst of waiting. They emphasize the importance of trusting in God's timing and surrendering to His plan—even when it is so difficult to wait. The conversation highlights the transformative journey that occurs while waiting for a miracle and the lessons we learn along the way.

Key Takeaways:

* Waiting for a miracle is a journey that requires patience and faith. It is important to trust in God's timing and believe that He is working all things together for our good.

* Miracles may not always happen instantly or in the way we expect. It is crucial to release our own understanding and surrender to God's plan, even if it looks different from what we envisioned.

* The process of waiting for a miracle can lead to personal growth and transformation. It provides an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God and develop qualities such as perseverance, trust, and hope.

* Remembering past miracles and God's faithfulness can provide encouragement and strengthen our faith while waiting for new miracles to unfold.

* Holding onto hope is a choice. It is important to choose hope and not allow disappointment or fear to hinder our faith. Hope allows us to remain expectant and open to the miracles that God has in store for us.

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In this episode, Ben Herr shares his personal journey of faith and how he encountered Jesus in a transformative way at the age of 18. He discusses the foundation of his faith growing up in a conservative Baptist family and the pivotal moments of his life that solidified his relationship with Jesus. Ben is honest about the challenges he has faced in his marriage and as a father, and how God used these experiences to shape him into a more loving and selfless person. His story is one that will remind you of the miracles we still wait for and how to keep hope in the midst of that waiting—even when it is so painful. We know you will love Ben’s story and will be so inspired by his faith and steadfast hope in Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

* Ben’s encounter with Jesus on a hiking trip transformed his life and led him to pursue full-time ministry.

* The importance of self-reflection and examining our own brokenness in order to grow and change.

* The power of sacrificial love in marriage and parenting, and how it can truly transform relationships.

* The journey of navigating a child's decision to walk away from faith and the importance of remaining hopeful and steadfast in prayer.

* The role of Scripture in guiding and transforming our lives, and the importance of daily seeking God through prayer and meditation.

Ben Herr has dedicated his life to serving young people. A graduate of the University of Oregon with a BS in Finance, Ben found his calling in youth ministry during his time as a Young Life volunteer. He joined Young Life staff in 1984, serving in various leadership roles until 2008, including managing the development of Young Life’s Washington Family Ranch.

Married to Judy since 1984 and father to three daughters, Ben continued his commitment to community service as the Executive Director of the Master’s Plan Foundation from 2008 to 2020 and as a volunteer with Young Life. Currently, he helps lead a college ministry at George Fox University and serves on the board of Safe Families for Children in Portland. Ben and Judy now live in Dundee, close to their family and grandchildren.

To connect with Ben, email us at come.union.info@gmail.com and we will connect you!

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In this episode, co-hosts Erin and Ramonita dive deep into their personal ministry journeys, sharing the highs and lows of their experiences serving in the church. They touch upon the critical importance of maintaining a strong connection with God amidst the demands of ministry and open up about their struggles with burnout. Throughout the conversation, they dissect the pressures of performing versus serving from a genuine place, setting realistic expectations for themselves, and the essential role of encouraging leadership in fostering a healthy ministry environment.

Erin and Ramonita also highlight the pivotal reason behind their commitment to ministry—Jesus. They provide practical advice for anyone navigating the complexities of church service, emphasizing that true ministry extends beyond official titles and into daily acts of kindness and connection with everyone we incounter. Join Erin and Ramonita as they offer insights and encouragement for anyone involved in or contemplating church ministry, highlighting that the journey is as much about personal growth as it is about communal contribution.

Key Takeaways:

* Intimacy Over Performance:** Ministry should spring from a deep, personal relationship with Christ, not from a desire to perform or impress others.

* Recognize Your Season:** Understanding and accepting the fluctuating capacities we have in different life stages can help manage expectations and prevent burnout.

* Ministry Everywhere:** Serving God isn't confined to structured church roles; it encompasses all forms of interactions and relationships in our daily lives.

* Stay Rooted in Your 'Why':** It’s vital to continually recall the core of our faith—Jesus—to avoid being disillusioned by the imperfections of human-led institutions.

* Be Solution-Focused:** Actively seeking ways to contribute to the betterment of the church can transform challenges into opportunities for growth and service.

In this episode, Berm Dorante shares his journey of resilience and the healing power of worship and community. From his early encounters with church and music in Kansas City to his move to Jacksonville, Florida, Berm found peace and refuge in his faith and in worship music. He discovered his talent and passion for singing in eighth grade, which ignited his love for leading worship. Throughout his journey, Berm experienced both growth and challenges in his role in the church, which prompted him to reevaluate his approach and focus on personal healing and growth. He shares his experiences of working in ministry, the complexities of faith, and the importance of forgiveness and seeking God's will in his life. This is an episode that will speak to all who have experienced the beauty and the brokenness that can be found in ministry & church—and yet the hope that is still found in Christ in the midst of it all when we put our focus back where it belongs. We can’t wait for you to hear Berm’s story and be encouraged to keep going in your faith!

Key Takeaways:

* Berm's early encounters with church and music in Kansas City laid the foundation for his deep connection to his faith and his love for worship.

* Worship became a refuge for Berm during challenging times in his life, and he found peace and healing through music and the presence of God.

* Berm's passion for worship led him to pursue ministry and attend a ministry school, where he learned valuable skills in leading worship and serving others.

* He experienced both growth and challenges in his role in the church, which taught him the importance of setting boundaries and seeking God's will above all else.

* Berm's journey in worship has been transformative, and he has witnessed the power of worship to bring healing, reconciliation, and a deeper understanding of forgiveness and faith.

Berm Dorante, based in Nashville, TN, is a worship leader and songwriter. He attends church at the Belonging Co. where he volunteers as a youth leader and dedicates his time to encouraging and investn in the next generation. Berm's passion for nurturing faith through music and ministry can be followed through on his social media on Instagram and TikTok at @berm.msc

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This is an episode you will not want to miss because it Come.Union’s very own Erin Olinger!

In this episode, Erin Olinger, co-host of the Come.Union Podcast shares her personal journey of finding validation and worth in the midst of never feeling enough or at times, a little too much. She discusses her struggles with an eating disorder in middle school and how she found healing and hope. Erin also talks about her career in the music industry and the moment she felt called to walk away and pursue a different path into ministry. It was during this time of her life that she finally finds out what it means to take off the mask she has been wearing because she believed she was not enough and starts to see who God says she is. She learns about vulnerability and how sharing her life can also lead to feeling like she was too much for others. In the midst of it all, she shares the importance of recognizing God's voice that says she is enough and learning to believe that God has created her for such an incredible purpose, even if she is not every person’s cup of tea.

Key Takeaways:

* The importance of having mentors in our life to have support and guidance during the young years of adolescence.

* Eating disorders are not always about body image but can stem from a desire for control and a fear of not being enough.

* Hearing God's voice and following His leading can bring peace and clarity, even in difficult decisions.

* It's important to recognize and challenge the lies we believe about ourselves and replace them with the truth of God's love and acceptance.

* Hurt people hurt people, but healed people can bring healing to others.

* God's peace doesn't need our circumstances to be in alignment. God's peace can say, 'This feels like it makes no sense, but I'm going to give you peace because it's what I want you to do."

* God's peace is how we can recognize God's voice. It's not always audible, but it brings a deep sense of peace and assurance.

Connect with Erin:

Instagram:@Erincolinger

Email: erincolinger@gmail.com

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