StoryTellers Live

Shelley Gardner, of our Vestavia community, found herself distracted by good things and dodging any downtime. But a series of forced pauses in her life, including infertility and injury, turned into peace and protection from the Lord.   Listen as Shelley reminds us that this life is not our own—and that surrender and stillness serve to deepen prayer and amplify the Lord's voice.   In this episode,...

Kristen Torres, of our Homewood community, was a peace-loving perfectionist who had a habit of hurrying. She was trying, and she was exhausted.   Still, with mercy, love, and grace, God awakened her heart for His Word in the Psalms and set her on a new path marked by deeper prayer, scripture memory, and solid purpose. Kristen's before-and-after tale teaches us that, while daily surrender is a stru...

As Kate Floyd, of our Trussville community, journeyed through ever-changing seasons of life, the Lord provided step-by-step comfort and assurance. Facing her husband's multiple sclerosis diagnosis, a family move, and homesickness, Kate needed the Lord to lay out His purpose for her life in a powerful way—and He did just that.   In this episode, you will learn:   – God sees you where you are.   – Y...

When Laura Rowe, of our Fairhope community, became unsteady in her own plans, she and her family began simply saying yes to the next thing. Now serving as foster parents, they care for children, minister to mothers, and live out love as a verb.   Listen and learn how, in Laura's words, "Doing God's work is not always pretty, but what it accomplishes is beautiful." Plus, don't miss our bonus guest—...

The rubber meets the road when moments of faith mark many a spiritual journey. For Teri Bowie, of our Oxford community, the sudden and unexpected loss of her adult son left her with a choice: run to God or run from Him.   Relying on His faithfulness, Teri says God handled her anger, sadness, and frustration—and that any heavy load can be lightened with the love of the Lord on your side.   In this...

Christy Dooley, of Trussville, knows hardship like the back of her hand. Suffering loss, family dysfunction, and three cancer diagnoses, in time she learned to lean on precious assurances from the Lord. You'll hear from Christy a true testament to the power of prayer—and see the goodness in letting the Lord take control of your life.   In this episode, you will learn:   – As you traverse life's mo...

For many years, Kim Hughes of our Fairhope community lived a try-harder lifestyle in which the effort she put forth was equal to the emptiness she felt. Half-commitments to the Lord left her striving for comfort in worldly things.   But when He shook up her plans and pursued her heart, Kim finally found herself pursuing Him in return—and also the rich relationship she'd missed out on.   In this ep...

When faced with infertility and interrupted plans, Kitty Hurdle from our Oxford community,  grew disappointed in life and disappointed in God. Spiritual, physical, and emotional destitution revealed all the things she could not do.   But in learning her limitations—and choosing to trust God in all her "cannots"—Kitty's perspective became one of rebirth and revival. Soon, her family's adoption stor...

When Leah Cox from our Jackson community asked the Lord to close some doors, He instead "opened them all—and every window."    Leah's story of living out the gospel is one of steady provision and greater purposes. As she kept in continual communication with the Lord during her kidney transplant journey, He regularly confirmed her steps.    Leah will remind you to say yes to God—your life is not yo...

We are never more near to our Savior than when we are suffering. In that way, we are able to thank Him for it—even when the suffering is unimaginable.    For EA Montgomery, of our Homewood community, a lifetime of loss has given way to an eternal mindset, and grace upon grace has given way to gratitude.    Following the unexpected passing of her two-year-old daughter, EA shares a raw and honest ac...

The path to His promises is never predictable. But for Amanda Myers, of our Jackson community, what felt like a detour proved to be the way.   Amanda shares about her precious, ongoing relationship with Guatemala and its people. In making sense of the Lord's work, He changed her mind as much as He changed her plans.   In this episode, you will learn:   - His ways are bigger, better, and beautiful—...

Our great God goes to great lengths to love us and redeem us. Still, He works in seemingly small ways, too. For Lauren, He did both.   Lauren shares a detail-rich story that proves the Lord is always gracious, always near, and always working. Listen and learn how an unplanned pregnancy, accompanied with fear and shame, were met with grace and goodness at every turn.   You won't believe the powerfu...

  Have you ever found yourself saying " I got this " to God?   Erin Yost, from our Homewood community, spent years striving for physical and spiritual perfection, living out a false-gospel narrative that told her everything was up to her. Eventually, she found herself completely broken and in the grips of a full-fledged eating disorder.   Through moment-by-moment surrender, persistent prayer, and...

Verse: " And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. " ( Matthew 19:29)   Sajeda Wilson lived decades before opening a Bible. Yet, even from birth, the Lord prepared and pursued her heart in beautiful and surprising ways.   Sajeda, a former devout Muslim who shared...

**Disclaimer:  Please listen with caution and away from little ears as this story is about suicide and abuse.**   Verse: Psalm 77:11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.   Have you ever felt like everything is falling apart around you? Take heart from our Fairhope storyteller Tami Lindsey: "God will recycle your pain for His purpose."   Tami shares...

Jayne Burns's turning point in life came with her world turning upside down. Ripped from her comfort zone (her words) over her son's multiple health challenges, Jayne tells of bending to the will of God, no matter the outcome.   From our Montgomery community, Jayne's account of living in our fallen world is raw and honest. Listen, and you'll find that the Lord speaks audibly to His hurting people,...

When we journey through a valley of loss and grief, we often emerge asking, "What now, God?" April Gonzales wondered the same after losing her husband of 21 years. But as she leaned in ever closer for His answer, He sweetly responded.   Listen and learn how April, from our Trussville community, experienced God recentered in her life as Father, friend and guide. Perhaps you'll proclaim as April now...

When we face the death of our desires—or even death itself—what then? Where now?   Julie Cochran, of our Vestavia community, shows us that in seasons of suffering and surrender, praise can persist.   Following the unexpected loss of her infant daughter, Julie's mindset transformed as she focused on the Word, the Father, and his faithfulness. In this episode, you will learn: A mind renewed by the W...

Even those who belong to Christ can find themselves hard at work on the hunt for happiness. Becca Smith , of our Memphis community, brings a relatable story of relying on self for success and meaning. But when Becca experienced a life-altering fall, the Lord literally and physically brought her low. In her year of healing, she put aside performance when the true object of her faith came into focus...

Hebrews 11:1 : " Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. "   For Erin Hamby, of our Homewood community, desperate times didn't call for desperate measures. Instead, the call came from the Lord—who personally spoke promises to Erin during a dangerous pregnancy. Erin's story traces the sweet transition from head knowledge to heart knowledge. Listen and you...

    Today's podcast is a beautiful reminder that no matter what you are going through, God always goes before you. Elizabeth Ann Howell, from our Jackson, Mississippi community, shares her story of God's sovereignty and provision before, during, and after a life or death situation with her husband. In her story, you will see how God always "works upstream" and consistently prepares you for what li...

Choosing God Over Circumstances: Diane Bryson's story:: [Episode 260]   Today's podcast is an incredible reminder that God can take the ugliest of life circumstances and do immeasurably more than you could ask or imagine.    Diane Bryson, from our Auburn/Opelika community group, shares her journey of radically trusting God through a season of severe health challenges and devastating heartbreak. Th...

Happy Valentine's Day!   To celebrate this day of love, we are bringing you a special podcast on the power of community in your life.   Shannon and Aaron Eissler, from our community group in Tupelo, Mississippi, share their journey of finding each other, the highs and lows of their first few years of marriage, and the role their community of believers has played and continues to play in their live...

Does the Lord's timeline ever seem to stretch on and on? Gail Alverson of our Memphis community, reminds us not to give up. With decades of dedication in the face of fear, Gail endured a tumultuous marriage to an angry and unbelieving spouse. Her story will teach you that even when the Lord does not immediately shift our circumstances, he still works to change us and those around us.    In this ep...

    In 2024, we are launching an extra episode each month called "First Monday Freebie ," and we are excited to kick things off with today's podcast!  We all know February symbolizes a month of love, and what better way to start the month off than by reminding ourselves of the ultimate love Christ has for us?   Today's freebie features Jeramy Meredith , from our community group in Fairhope, Alabam...