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What happens when a pastor of 20 years realizes he was never truly saved? Hal Selby's powerful testimony reveals the transformative journey from secret sin to authentic freedom that began with a startling revelation while preparing a sermon on Cain and Abel.

For decades, Hal lived a double life - preaching from the pulpit while secretly struggling with same-sex attraction. Satan had convinced him that if anyone discovered his secret, he would lose everything - his wife, family, ministry, and calling. The weight of this deception created a cycle of acting out, self-hatred, and desperate pleas for forgiveness that never brought lasting peace.

The turning point came when God showed Hal that despite his seminary degrees and successful ministry, he had never truly been born again. After his genuine conversion experience, Hal faced the terrifying prospect of telling his wife about his hidden struggles. Her response was nothing short of miraculous: "I forgive you and I'm not leaving." Though their journey wasn't easy, requiring counseling and tremendous emotional work, their marriage not only survived but eventually thrived.

Today, Hal and Lisa lead Refuge461, a ministry offering help and hope to those impacted by homosexuality. Their work embodies the beautiful paradox of Christian redemption - that our greatest struggles can become our most powerful ministry opportunities when surrendered to God. As Hal explains, "I'm not trying to get free from homosexuality. When I got saved, Jesus freed me from the bondage of sin. I'm learning now to live in the freedom that is already mine in Christ."

Whether you're battling secret sin, questioning the authenticity of your faith, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers three transformative truths: grace is God's unearned favor, forgiveness in Christ is total and complete, and true freedom means no longer being defined by your past. Ready to experience this freedom? It begins with bringing everything into the light.

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What happens when a cocaine smuggler finds Jesus through a mysterious picture that neither he nor his wife remember owning? Pastor Mike McLeod's journey from addiction to redemption showcases the transformative power of grace in even the darkest circumstances.

Mike's story begins with teenage experimentation that spiraled into a dangerous double life. By his twenties, he was transporting hundreds of pounds of cocaine across state lines while maintaining a respectable job at Chevron and hiding his addiction from his family. "I love the high better than I love my wife. I love the high better than I love my daughter," Mike confesses about his former mindset, a painful truth that eventually cost him his marriage.

The turning point came after a night of heavy substance abuse when Mike woke up stuck to his carpet from his own vomit, bloodied fists from punching walls, and a loaded shotgun nearby—evidence of contemplated suicide. While cleaning his house, he discovered an unrecognized framed picture of Jesus with sheep by a river. This unexpected find broke him completely, leading to a sincere cry for help that marked the beginning of his salvation journey. Within three months, his ex-wife also found faith, and remarkably, they remarried with Christ at the center of their relationship.

Today, Mike pastors Magnolia Springs Assembly of God in Hurley, Mississippi, and works closely with Mercy House rehabilitation program. His past has become his greatest ministry asset, allowing him to connect authentically with those battling similar demons. "God is not against you; God is for you," he assures those still struggling, emphasizing that transformation begins with submission to God and resistance to destructive patterns. If you're feeling beyond redemption, Mike's testimony stands as powerful evidence that no one is too far gone for divine intervention. Your darkest chapters might just be preparation for your greatest purpose.

• If you would like to be a guest and share your story, click this link: https://thepromoter.org/story/

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Charlie's voice trembles slightly as she recounts the unimaginable horrors of her past. Born in the South and raised in poverty, her childhood was marked by sexual abuse from her grandfather while her mother turned a blind eye. School offered no escape—bullied mercilessly for her appearance, she dropped out in seventh grade, seeking acceptance wherever she could find it.

The streets provided temporary community but ultimately led her into the hands of human traffickers when what seemed like an innocent car ride became a nightmare. Trapped for years under threats to her family's safety, Charlie witnessed murder and endured repeated assaults. Yet in this darkness, an unexpected light emerged—her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter gave Charlie a reason to fight for freedom.

"I looked at her every day and thought, 'I don't see that person,'" Charlie explains, referring to her attacker. That precious relationship became her anchor through the storm. Years later, a DNA test revealed that her daughter's biological father wasn't her trafficker but a kind truck driver Charlie had briefly dated—a revelation that felt like divine confirmation that beauty can indeed rise from ashes.

After multiple suicide attempts and a desperate plan to exact revenge on her captors, Charlie found herself following strangers' directions to a women's shelter. "The most beautiful lady walked in the door... Miss Susie. She looked like an angel," Charlie recalls of the woman who helped her start a new life. Four years clean from drugs and with her own place for the first time, Charlie now views even her health challenges as blessings that keep her safely grounded.

Her message resonates with breathtaking simplicity: "Nothing's too big, nothing's too hard. Just trust in Jesus." Throughout unimaginable trauma, Charlie's faith remained her lifeline, proving that even in our darkest moments, hope persists. Her story isn't just one of survival—it's a powerful testament to resilience, redemption, and the unwavering strength of faith when everything else has been stripped away.

• If you would like to be a guest and share your story, click this link: https://thepromoter.org/story/

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