One Broken Life

This month Jason Blacksher is sitting down to talk to John Stroup. Jason was the kind of guy who lived life according to his own rules. He was a successful business owner and a functioning addict. Listen to Jason’s story of hitting rock bottom, entering the Freeway program, and beating the odds. He went from being a “mountain man’ to a ‘man of God.’ His life looks completely different than before,...

This month on the podcast we have Andy Daniels joining John Stroup in conversation. After a life of addiction, Andy made his way to Freeway. Andy is a graduate of the Freeway Men’s Discipleship House where he responded to the call of ministry. After graduation, Andy went on to Bible college where he received his bachelor’s and master's degrees. He moved to South Dakota to plant a church in Box Eld...

Millie Shipley is this month’s special guest. After years of her personal struggle with addiction, Millie found herself in a desperate situation; she was a mother of 3 small children and married to an addict. She made the very tough decision to raise her children alone in the church house instead of the dope house. It definitely has not been easy, but God has been faithful. He has placed her with...

Episode 41: Hidden Addiction Too many times we stereotype what an addict is “supposed” to look like. Would you be shocked to find out a deacon or elder in your church was entrenched in a drug addiction? In this episode, John Stroup speaks with Brad and Kim Taylor about how Brad’s struggle with a pain pill addiction led to an out-of-control dependency on drugs. It nearly destroyed his life and dras...

  In this episode John Stroup is speaking to Kaitlyn Ledford. Listen to the story of how Kaitlyn lost her way, and then found her identity in Christ. Her testimony is so encouraging of continuing to move forward, even when it gets difficult. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvb-NnMTgcAITfNM20pF2KQ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F3b9TcG5BDSkfTK0UwCap Amazon: https://music.amazon.c...

Episode 39: Life in Christ, Serving Others John Stroup continues his discussion with Joey Candillo. This is the second part of Joey’s story, so if you didn’t listen to Episode 38, go back and start there! In this podcast, Joey gives his testimony of how God rescued him from the pit he had created and to His new life in Christ.  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvb-NnMTgcAITfNM20pF2KQ Spot...

Episode 38: Lost in Devastation In this episode John Stroup is speaking to Joey Candillo. Joey is the pastor at Grace Church in Independence, Missouri. Joey shares his story of how a devastating moment in his life led to addiction.   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvb-NnMTgcAITfNM20pF2KQ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F3b9TcG5BDSkfTK0UwCap Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podca...

John Stroup continues his discussion with Andrew Rotter. If you didn’t listen to Episode 36, go back and start there! In this podcast, Drew talks about the difficulties he has encountered while getting sober and staying there. He talks about what God is doing in his life and how he never imagined being where he is today. Drew has been employed for over a year, sober, and serving God. He went from...

This episode John Stroup is speaking to Andrew Rotter. When Drew came to the Freeway Ministries Discipleship House he had spent the majority of his 20s incarcerated. Even while locked up, he still figured out a way to stay high. Listen to his story of how he finally made the decision to get sober and change his life forever. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvb-NnMTgcAITfNM20pF2KQ Spotify...

In this episode John Stroup is speaking to the pastor of Crossway Baptist Church. Pastor Eddie Bumpers (aka Brother Eddie), was raised in church and from the outside was living a ‘good life.’ It was all a charade for his hidden sins of drinking and drugs. Listen to his story of getting into trouble and the pivotal point in his life when he turned to Christ. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel...

John Stroup continues his discussion with Pastor Eddie Bumpers. If you didn’t listen to Episode 34, go back and start there! In this podcast, Bro Eddie talks about where his conversion took him, and about his ministry in Springfield, MO at Crossway Baptist Church. Bro Eddie was instrumental in supporting the start of Freeway Ministries. Through his leadership, Freeway was started in a small annex...

Episode 33: John Stroup continues his discussion with Sharla Sells. If you didn’t listen to Episode 32, go back and listen to it first! In the second part of Sharla’s story, she talks about how she found Christ in jail and committed to making a life-long change. She is a graduate of the Freeway Ministries Women’s Discipleship Program, is parenting her children, and is happily married and serving C...

Episode 32: This episode John Stroup is speaking to Sharla Sells. Sharla began dabbling with drugs as a very vulnerable pre-teen. The experimenting quickly turned into addiction. Being sent back and forth between parents only added to the disruption in her life. Married young and thrown into parenthood, she couldn’t keep up with the charade of “normal life.” Eventually she lost everything. Listen...

Episode 31: John Stroup and Greg Craig continue their conversation. John and Greg’s meeting was only through Divine appointment. Listen as they discuss how they met and developed a plan for Freeway Ministries in South Africa. So much has been accomplished in the last five years and Greg is currently working to build a community of men’s recovery houses. You don’t want to miss this episode! YouTube...

Episode 30: This episode John Stroup is speaking to our very special guest. Greg Craig lives in Cape Town, South Africa and has a fascinating story about his life of crime, gangs, and drugs. You do not want to miss an opportunity to hear his amazing story of what God can do when an individual gives up an old life to serve Him! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvb-NnMTgcAITfNM20pF2KQ Spoti...

Episode 29: John Stroup continues his conversation with Ike Porter. Ike has dedicated his life to assisting other men in their recovery. He currently runs a Discipleship House and is changing the lives of the men in the Freeway program.  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvb-NnMTgcAITfNM20pF2KQ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F3b9TcG5BDSkfTK0UwCap Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/p...

Episode 28: This episode John Stroup is speaking to Ike Porter, Director of Freeway Ash Grove. Hear about his life before surrendering to Christ. Don’t miss this redemption story! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvb-NnMTgcAITfNM20pF2KQ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F3b9TcG5BDSkfTK0UwCap Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ba5ab583-4330-489f-a6e2-3909a4f8d00c Apple: https:...

John Stroup continues his conversation with Jefferey Stoneking. Jefferey’s life is completely opposite of what he ever dreamed it would look like. In just a few short years, God has completely transformed his desires, hopes and dreams, and vocation. Listen to hear what Jefferey and his family are doing now and be encouraged by the Hope that only comes from a life in Christ! YouTube: https://www.yo...

This episode John Stroup is speaking to Jeffery Stoneking about his life before his relationship with Christ. Jeffery grew up in a home that gave him early exposure to drug use. At the age of 28 he found himself at his lowest point, couch surfing, and living trap house to trap house. He attended a Freeway Ministries service and gave his life to Christ. Listen to hear the details of his redemption...

Episode 25 John Stroup continues his conversation with Rebecca Cox. She talks about how she allowed God to transform her life, where she is now and what she hopes to accomplish in the future.  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvb-NnMTgcAITfNM20pF2KQ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F3b9TcG5BDSkfTK0UwCap Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ba5ab583-4330-489f-a6e2-3909a4f8d00c...

Episode 24: This episode John Stroup is speaking to Rebecca Cox about her life before Christ. She started in her addiction at a very young age. She talks about how she attended court mandated AA meetings as early as 13 years old. Can you even imagine a 13 year old standing outside the back of the meeting facility drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes with the others in attendance? Listen to her s...

Episode 23 John Stroup had the opportunity to sit down and talk to Scott and Melissa Gilmore. Scott and Melissa met and married after graduating from Freeway Ministries Discipleship House. Both of their lives have been radically transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Scott says, “Their ministry is now their purpose,” and they are living this out in their daily lives. Find out more about how th...

Episode 22 John Stroup speaks with Scott Gilmore. Scott was lost in his addiction. He had a crazy life in and out of incarceration due to his addiction. Listen to his story about how he hit rock bottom and as he says “was rescued not arrested.” YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvb-NnMTgcAITfNM20pF2KQ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F3b9TcG5BDSkfTK0UwCap Amazon: https://music.amazo...

Episode 21: This episode John Stroup is speaking to Melissa Gilmore about her life before Christ. For years she tried to ignore her addiction and pretend it didn’t exist until it literally began destroying everything. She ended up in and out of jail and lost everything in her life that she loved. Listen as she shares how despite her best efforts, God was able to transform her life. YouTube: https:...

Episode 20 “Hope in a Cell”: John Stroup continues his discussion with Kyle Grozinger. Kyle stepped out of the darkness from a life as an atheist to fully changed through the grace of God. Everything about his life has been radically changed. He was a resident in Freeway Ministries Discipleship House, Freeway Ministries intern program, and is getting ready to be the Freeway West Springfield Direct...