EXTRAordinary Lives

Husband and wife team, Albert and Eva are living and thriving in China. Albert was born in the US and moved to China right out of college to teach English at universities; he has since helped operate a catalog business, launched a preschool, and is now a leadership coach for high-level executives. Eva is Chinese and taught marketing and negotiation strategies at a university and is now focused on...

As we enter into Passion Week before Easter, it has been encouraging to listen to Donna and Daryl's story. They took the "big leap" to start a high school ministry first in San Diego, and later in Russia with their young family. They've also experienced lean times, when following Jesus has simply been "step by step." Still serving high school students after over 35 year...

Kelly Rose is the Executive Pastor at Central Bearden Baptist Church in Knoxville. She has had her share of tough situations in life, including growing up in a home with an abusive, alcoholic father and grappling with divorce after 30 years of marriage. But because Kelly has bravely chosen to grow from these experiences, she can help her congregation through loss and conflict.  Kelly shares with u...

Nancy never expected to experience marital unfaithfulness and was grieved to find out her husband's secret after 20 years of marriage. EXTRAordinarly, Nancy found a program at her church that helped her process this betrayal, become closer to Jesus, and learn how to live a more authentic life. Today, she and her husband share their story to help other couples, and she has blossomed in creativity,...

Baylee is a former student of mine who is serving as an English teacher and missionary in a small village in Thailand. She began this journey at the age of 18 and is now 21. Her joy, enthusiasm, and funny incidents will delight you, and her intriguing and more serious stories will inspire you. Tune in to learn more about Thai and Buddhist culture, to hear about  Jesus' incredible impact on eve...

American Idol alum, Scott MacIntyre, was born blind and is a two-time kidney transplant recipient. His musical talent and positive personality won the hearts of the TV audience. Today, Scott and his wife, Christina, travel around the world telling their EXTRAordinary story of perseverance and God's care. They live their lives with "Enduring Hope," as their TV special and podcast of the same name e...

Chris Earl, Former Navy Fighter pilot, squadron leader, instructor, and NORAD consultant is above all a humble man of integrity who is currently using his training and experience to teach and coach high-risk companies using the principles of human performance and the art of servant leadership. Chris shares EXTRAordinary stories of God's protection and provision and valuable insights on work, life,...

I admire the way Steve and Debbie work as a team. They've been married for over 38 years and were involved in ministry together before that. They've worked with college students with Cru, and more recently, served in church ministry. They've seen God heartily at work over the years, including through the extravagant love of friends who came alongside them when their infant son wasn&#39...

Pam Clark heads up the “Protecting Our Daughters” or “P.O.D.” project, which works with a church in Kenya to provide hygiene products and resources to girls in Kenya. This ministry is vital to the success and well-being of these young women, and the program also teaches women how to sew and earn a living. Pam has a heart of compassion and a background of unique cultural experiences that have prepa...

With endorsements by Bill Walton and Billie Jean King, Jenné Blackburn’s book, Always An Athlete , is on its way to helping post-competitive athletes transition to life beyond their sport. Her research and insights on the all too common struggles of physical and mental health plus loss of identity, which she experienced in her own life after collegiate volleyball, led her to discover 3 pillars tha...

Kathy shares her phenomenal story of answering an insistent whisper to quit her job and work on homelessness, an endeavor she felt in no way qualified for. This "whisper" turned into her raising millions of dollars in donations to build a 100-unit housing complex, and later, a mental health treatment center and more. Her new book, Trust the Whisper, describes her experience and includes...

Mike and Sharon have waded through marital struggles, a son’s serious illness, a major car wreck, financial hardship, and career-choice doubts and reached the other side with a stronger faith and more confidence in God’s guidance and care. They have worked with college students through Cru for many years and are currently working with grad students and faculty at NC State. You’ll be intrigued and...

Humorously, God used Paulina’s phobias and superstitions to point her toward His trustworthiness during a very upsetting time in her life. That is just one of the EXTRAordinary stories told by this Latina Spanish teacher. To be around Paulina is to be delighted by her laugh, positivity, endearing accent, strong belief, and compassionate heart. It’s easy to see why this “Mama Llama” is loved by her...

Bob encourages us that even though we all have "hurts, hang-ups, and habits," Jesus is right there with us to help us and grow us. Bob shares insights gained from Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered 12-step ministry he led at his church. He also shares the joys of leading a gratitude class at his local rescue mission and talks candidly about codepency and an alcoholic dad, marriage cou...

Susan is a life coach, grief specialist, and counselor who, as an adopted only child, had to come to grips with difficult circumstances in her family and devastating truths about her family of origin. She tells us about these experiences and how God recently and unexpectedly infused her story with love and hope. In addition, she provides heartfelt insights for those who have been adopted (at 15:55...

The theme of Andrea’s life is God’s faithfulness. Jesus became her best friend at the age of 14 when her mom had to leave her abusive, alcoholic dad. Andrea’s been through some tough times including family medical issues and trouble conceiving, but she has seen God at work through it all. You’ll be enveloped in her rich faith, and you'll adore her dear and compassionate soul and strong convict...

Rob Travis has been teaching high school science for decades. His intriguing stories include growing up in a poor Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn and experiencing harrowing adventures serving with the Merchant Marine. His stories are beloved by his students and have shaped his strong faith in Jesus. They inspire us to trust in the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Mackenzie is a recent college graduate who has lived for over a decade with the sleep disorder narcolepsy (specifically, Type 1 Narcolepsy with Cataplexy). Amazingly, Mackenzie has persevered with a positive attitude and accomplished more than many her age, including becoming an EMT in Italy during the Covid lockdown. Wise and kind, she shares about the impact Jesus has had on helping her deal wit...

Yaneth (pronounced Janet) is the Team Leader of Cru's high school ministry in Houston. She was born in El Salvador and moved to the U.S. at the age of 4. Yaneth, along with her friend Debby Minell, who is on staff with Cru in the Twin Cities, share about Cru's summer nationwide high school missions trips to 6 continents and stories about teens who are going. Yaneth also shares thoughtfully...

At age 16, Suzy Ryan was kicked out of her home by her abusive stepfather. Although she suffered trauma in her home growing up, Jesus redeemed and transformed her into a connector who is warm, engaging, and exuberant about life and people. God rescued her, and now she wants to give hope to others with her newly published novel, Saving Summer, based on her story and intermixed with the anonymous st...

Matt is a clinical psychologist and elder at Seacoast Community Church. His passion is helping people experience the transforming power of Christ. To do this, he integrates theology, psychology, and the journey of spiritual formation. In this episode, Matt helps us begin to recognize and better understand when and why we might be feeling a block in our relationship with God and others, and better...

Dianne Sivulka lives her life centered on making a difference for the Lord. She talks about trusting God through the painful experience of 10 years of infertility, her fun and impressive travel business, Travel on Purpose, and the book club associated with that, plus her new development role with an international microfinancing organization that helps women. You'll hear about her love of diffe...

Susie Berner experienced God's love and faithfulness during her father's colon cancer and, later, during her own colon cancer. She admits to being shy to share her faith, but she has been faithful to do so. She even joined Cru's high school ministry staff to learn how to share the gospel better, and she has seen God change hearts. Susie is wise and authentic, and her extraordinary stor...

Cynthia Zorn is a mom who has chosen to be a passionate advocate for her daughter, Mackenzie, who was diagnosed with narcolepsy (specifically, Type 1 Narcolepsy with Cataplexy), a serious sleep disorder, at the early age of 10. When Cynthia noticed uncharacteristic behaviors in Mackenzie, who went from being very active to sleeping an inordinate amount, Cynthia didn't give up on pursuing a diagnos...

Sydney and Austin have amazing God stories, including Syd overcoming an eating disorder in high school and Austin enduring a stressful on-call job in foster care. Married 3.5 years, they are already expecting baby #2, and baby #1, though the cutest little girl on earth, has "a scream that could break glass" - and she cried for a full year. You'll gain valuable insights on how to handle and overcom...