What happens when God calls you to leave success behind?

In this powerful episode of the Rybickulous Faith Podcast, Pastor Brandon Phillips shares his testimony of leaving secular success to follow God’s calling. From career achievement to complete surrender, Pastor Brandon opens up about the cost of obedience, the fear of stepping out in faith, and the peace that comes from trusting God fully.

This conversation is for anyone who feels torn between comfort and calling… for those wrestling with whether obedience to God is worth the sacrifice… and for anyone who needs encouragement to trust God when the path forward feels uncertain.

Through honest storytelling and biblical truth, Pastor Brandon reflects on:
• How he came to Christ
• What success looked like before ministry
• The moment God called him to leave the secular world
• The challenges of obedience and surrender
• How faith and calling shaped his family and leadership
• Why true success is found in following Jesus

If you’ve ever asked:

• How do I know if God is calling me?

• Should I leave my career to follow God?

• What does obedience to God really look like?

This episode will meet you right where you are.

🎧 Listen to the Rybickulous Faith Podcast for real stories, real faith, and real hope — created for faith-curious and faith-rooted people navigating real life and real calling.

📍 Recorded at Edmund First Baptist Church

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✔️ Comment below: Have you ever felt God calling you to something that scared you?

🌐 Official Website
👉 https://www.edmundfirstbaptistchurch.org/

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leaving secular success for God, testimony of obedience to God, called to ministry testimony, pastor testimony story, faith over success testimony, surrendering career to God, how do you know God is calling you, following God’s calling testimony, Christian testimony podcast, obedience to God story

What happens when an Orthodox Jew becomes an atheist—and then encounters Jesus?
In this powerful episode of the Rybickulous Faith Podcast, Dr. David Shapiro shares his remarkable journey from Judaism to atheism to Christianity—and why faith and reason are not opposites.

Raised in an Orthodox Jewish home in New York City, David struggled with dyslexia, self-esteem, and belonging from a young age. As he grew older, doubt led him away from faith and into atheism, where he searched for meaning through extreme experiences like military service and professional fighting. Yet despite the intensity, nothing satisfied the emptiness he felt.

Everything changed when a series of unexpected moments—including his mother’s faith journey—sparked deep questions about truth, God, and purpose. One day, David walked into a church, and that encounter set him on a path that would transform his life forever.

Today, Dr. David Shapiro is a pastor, chaplain, and Christian apologist with advanced degrees in biblical studies, archaeology, and religious education. In this conversation, he explains why he believes in Jesus, how logic and faith intersect, and what he would say to skeptics who are still searching.

Whether you’re a Christian, atheist, skeptic, or simply curious, this episode invites you into an honest conversation about doubt, belief, forgiveness, and finding truth.

🎧 In this episode, we discuss:

• Growing up Orthodox Jewish and questioning faith

• Why atheism didn’t bring the answers he expected

• The role of suffering, dyslexia, and identity in belief

• How reason and apologetics led him to Christianity

• What skeptics misunderstand about faith

• Why Jesus still changes lives today

🔔 Watch if you’re searching for:

Orthodox Jew to Christian testimony
Atheist to Christian conversion story
Why an atheist became a Christian
Jewish to Christian faith journey
Faith and reason explained

👉 Subscribe for real stories, real faith, and conversations that meet you where you are.
👉 Share this episode with someone who’s asking hard questions.🔗 Connect with Dr. David Shapiro

🌐 Website:
https://drdavidshapiro.org

📖 Upcoming Books (Releasing 2026):
Stay tuned — books currently in progress with Elk Lake Publishing

🎙️ Speaking, Podcast & Media Appearances:
Dr. David Shapiro regularly speaks on faith, apologetics, and testimony across podcasts, television, and live events.

🎙️ Explore More from Rybickulous Faith

🌐 Rybickulous Faith Podcast & Resources:
👉 https://rybickulous.com

Looking for faith conversations that are honest, thoughtful, and real? You’ll find podcast episodes, events, and resources designed for believers, skeptics, and the curious.

What does it really mean to trust God in hard seasons—when depression, waiting, motherhood struggles, and unanswered prayers collide with faith?

In this honest conversation on the Rybickulous Faith Podcast, author and speaker Melanie Cox shares her journey through depression, long waiting seasons, and the miracle-filled messiness of motherhood. Through personal stories and biblical insight, Melanie reveals how surrendering to God reshaped her identity in Christ, helped her recognize the lies of the enemy, and led her into deeper freedom, gratitude, and purpose.

This episode is for anyone navigating real life, real pain, and real calling—whether you’re deeply rooted in faith or still exploring what it means to trust God when life doesn’t go as planned. Melanie’s story reminds us that our struggles are not signs of failure, but invitations into transformation, healing, and restoration.

✨ In this episode, we talk about:

• Trusting God in hard seasons and waiting periods

• Finding your identity in Christ as a woman

• Faith after depression, burnout, and disappointment

• Authenticity in women’s ministry

• Shaking off shame, negativity, and the lies of the enemy

• The power of gratitude and surrender in everyday faith

If you’re searching for Christian encouragement, longing to feel seen by God, or wondering how your story fits into His greater plan, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

📖 Get Melanie Cox’s book, You Have to Know:
👉 https://a.co/d/6JmE6r4

🌿 Connect with Melanie Cox:
👉 https://melaniecox.org/

👉 Subscribe for real stories, real faith, and grace-filled conversations.
👉 Share this episode with someone who needs hope today.

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If this episode encouraged you, you can find more conversations, resources, and upcoming episodes at 👉 https://www.rybickulous.com