Send us a text

What happens when a hardened drug addict and dealer finally stops running from God? This extraordinary redemption story takes us from the depths of addiction to the founding of a transformative ministry.

Growing up in the "free-range parenting" era of the 90s, our guest began accumulating felonies by age 17, eventually spiraling into intravenous drug use and manufacturing methamphetamine. Through raw, unflinching honesty, he reveals how his addiction destroyed not only his own life but impacted others—particularly introducing his future wife to intravenous drug use, a shame he carried for years.

The turning point arrives in an unexpected spiritual encounter at age 22, when after flushing methamphetamine down the toilet, he experiences what he describes as a divine visitation—complete with overwhelming emotion, tears, and a vision of Jesus. Yet remarkably, even this powerful moment wasn't enough to immediately transform him. "Like Jonah," he explains, "you can't run from the Lord... He's going to hawk us down."

True transformation finally takes root during incarceration for drug manufacturing at age 24, though full surrender to faith wouldn't come until age 30. This journey leads to the founding of Freedom Lighthouse in Waveland, Mississippi—a free rehabilitation ministry focusing on the critical "second phase" of recovery when individuals must maintain sobriety while facing real-world temptations.

Perhaps most compelling is his revelation about healing: "The world told me my brain needed healing, and I finally found out it was my heart that needed healing and my brain would follow my heart." This profound insight forms the foundation of his approach to recovery, which has led to countless transformed lives.

Want to learn more about Freedom Lighthouse or find help for yourself or a loved one battling addiction? Visit freedom-lighthouse.com and discover how spiritual transformation can break the chains of even the most desperate addiction.

Support the show

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

Thanks for Listening, and subscribe to hear a new episode each week!

Send us a text

Our deepest longing isn't for religious rituals but for authentic connection with the Jesus. Yet so many believers have mistakenly reduced their faith to church attendance—punching the spiritual time clock every Sunday morning while missing the transformative relationship Jesus offers.

This candid conversation peels back the misconceptions about Christianity to reveal what truly matters. At its core, faith isn't about fulfilling religious obligations or performing good works to earn God's approval. It's about discovering the genuine love of Jesus who meets us exactly where we are, regardless of our church attendance record, past mistakes, or current struggles.

We explore the spiritual wounds inflicted when well-meaning Christians tell others that their hardships result from not "doing what God wants." This toxic theology misrepresents Jesus, portraying Him as distant and conditional rather than compassionate and gracious. The reality? Jesus understands our struggles, counts every tear we've shed, and walks with us through life's darkest valleys. Whether facing international crises, economic challenges, or personal loss, His promise remains—"I will never leave you nor forsake you."

The conversation shifts to purpose, addressing how God equips each person with unique gifts and abilities. You don't need theological credentials or perfect qualifications to be used by God. Simple willingness, expressed through a humble prayer—"Lord, if there's one thing I can do for you today, show me"—opens doors to unexpected opportunities where God works through ordinary people in extraordinary ways.

We conclude with thoughts on heaven, not as a distant cloudy realm of harp-playing, but as the ultimate reunion with Jesus and loved ones who've gone before us. Their prayers continue to echo through eternity, inviting us into the unconditional love that defines true Christianity. Ready to move beyond religion into relationship? Jesus is already waiting to show you what that looks like.

Support the show

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

Thanks for Listening, and subscribe to hear a new episode each week!

Send us a text

What happens when a man who's spent most of his adult life cycling through addiction and prison cells finds himself hiding in a briar bush on his 40th birthday? This raw, powerful testimony reveals an extraordinary journey from darkness to light.

Growing up without God and convinced that believers were fools, our guest's choices led him to try drugs at 16, receive his first felony charge at 18, and enter a devastating cycle of incarceration, addiction, and broken relationships. After multiple prison sentences and years lost to methamphetamine addiction, everything changed the night he fled from police and hid in a thicket of briars after stealing a little girl's bicycle.

The transformation that followed wasn't immediate or easy. Despite initial resistance to faith-based solutions, a series of seemingly coincidental events – a chance encounter at a church trunk-or-treat, prayer cards spanning eight years with his name on them, and the discovery that his daughter had been the first person to donate to the very church that would later lead him to faith – revealed a divine orchestration that left him undeniable evidence of God's pursuit.

Today, this former inmate serves as a pastor, prison programs director, addiction counselor, and trains law enforcement officers in crisis intervention. His testimony resonates deeply with incarcerated individuals because he's walked in their shoes, giving him unique credibility when sharing how faith transformed his life.

"There's a difference between being saved and being rescued," he explains. "Some people are saved before walking off a cliff, while others like me fell long ago and were yelling for help from the ravine. When that rope finally comes down and you make it out of a place you never thought you would – it's different."

This powerful story reminds us that no one is beyond redemption, that our most painful experiences often become our greatest qualifications for helping others, and that purpose can emerge from our deepest pain.

Support the show

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

Thanks for Listening, and subscribe to hear a new episode each week!