The VICTORIOUS LIVING Podcast

From childhood, Amber was aware of the dark, empty place inside her. For years, she tried to fill it with relationships, excuses, and drugs, yet every attempt left her feeling emptier than before. But then God showed up in an undeniable way, and Amber's life was changed. AMBER LEASON works in special-needs education and enjoys sharing the love of Jesus with her students. Using her life experience,...

With the arrest of their son for first-degree murder, all that was comfortable and familiar in Carol and Gene Kent's lives came crashing down. Already ministry leaders, they quickly discovered that while God's process of "working things out for our good" can be painful, He is always faithful to keep His promises.  Carol Kent is the founder and executive director of Speak Up Ministries, a multiface...

Victory comes to anyone who submits and surrenders their heart, mind, and will to God. Nicole knows that now, but it took falling down and losing it all to find that out. Nicole was a spoiled brat who wanted what she wanted when she wanted with little consideration for others. Imagine her surprise when that self-absorption led her straight into prison where everything she had meant nothing at all-...

Mike had never thought of himself as anything more than a poor kid from the hood, the son of a crack addict. A waste of talent, space, and effort. He had given up any hope or effort to be more. But God knew who He had created Mike to be, and He didn't let up until Mike surrendered. MIKE JENKINS is the FCA character coach at East Carolina University. He is passionate about helping young men find th...

Paula never expected the phone call informing her that her son was going to prison, but it came. How could God let this happen? And how could she make it better? Paula soon learned that she couldn't - but God, in His impeccable way, could. She needed only to trust Him. PAULA FOX loves the Lord and serves His children behind bars. She volunteers her time at Kairos Prison Ministry and Victorious Liv...

After more than 20 years in ministry, both in the US and Taiwan, Pastor Chuck thought he knew what serving God with an open heart and open mind meant. And then God asked him to open his church to a group of former prison inmates. Would a staid and older congregation accept this group of people? Chuck Foreman and his wife Kathy, have established roots at First Christian Church of Phoenix, AZ, a chu...

Being a preacher's kid didn't keep Mary Beth from years of emotional and spiritual instability, mistrust, and distance from God. Only through surrender did she find peace and purpose.  Mary Beth Barefoot serves on the creative team at Opendoor Church in Greenville, NC. She shares her story in hopes that people will overcome shame and step into healthy, authentic relationships with God and His peop...

"It's going to be okay. You're going to make it." Sentenced to 10 years in prison, Joshua couldn't see how those words could possibly be true. What he didn't know yet was that with God, even thriving through incarceration is possible.  Joshua Brown gives God all the glory for his redemption story and for the success he has experienced in the free world as a contractor, in his relationships, and in...

The Robinsons both grew up in church and lived godly lives. When God allowed their firstborn son to be autistic, their dreams and plans shattered around them. But God had bigger plans than Kyle and Bobie had ever imagined. Kyle and Bobbie Robinson are the founders of Aces For Autism. Families seeking autism support may contact Aces For Autism by email at info@acesforautismnc.com or call (252) 689-...

Thaddeus Bruce spent his life searching for meaning and acceptance, but those things aren't found in this world. They're found in surrender to the never-ending, relentless love of God. Thaddeus combines his powerful testimony of redemption with his musical and writing talent to help others find direction, transformation, and a closer relationship with God. For more information, visit www.thaddeusb...

Melisha Johnson walked out of federal prison a woman on a mission. No longer an inmate, she is a voice for those she left behind. Working with churches and prison ministries, she shares her experience to help them better understand the needs of the incarcerated. She is the founder of Jesus is the Key to Re-Entry, a Christ-centered ministry and podcast promoting advocacy on behalf of the incarcerat...

John 3:30 says, "He must become greater; I must become less." Ronnie Hopkins lives his life by this scripture. But that wasn't always the case. Years of anger and self-pity kept Ronnie from recognizing anything good in his life and landed him straight into prison. With no other choice, he finally stopped long enough to hear God's voice, quietly saying, "Trust me, Ronnie." The Story of Ronnie Hopki...

Juliana McFadden once struggled with the shame of being the sister of a murderer and a growing resentment toward God. But God had a purpose in her pain, and today she uses her experience to help others see Christ in their circumstances as well by ministering to formerly incarcerated women through SISTER Ministries. Her story can be found in Victorious Living Magazine, Issue 1 | 2023.

Kristi Overton Johnson and Christina Kimbrel share how they overcame fear and uncertainty in discomfort. God called each of them out of their comfort zones and they learned God will always equip where He leads.

"Those who knew me from my past would never imagine the man I am today." Rodney Massey is the campus pastor of Statesville Correctional Center in Illinois. He finds joy in helping others discover the hope, wholeness, and identity available in Jesus Christ.

In this episode, Sheridan Correa shares her journey of transformation and restoration. All her life, Sheridan struggled with feeling unloved, inadequate, and lost. Her search for belonging led her through dark valleys of depression, drugs, attempted suicide, and jail, until she surrendered to the One who loved her first and loves her best. Sheridan Correa is a biblical counselor who is trained in...

Before Sharon Dutra met Christ, her life was like a desolate place, stripped bare by a swarm of locusts. Everything had been devastated by sin, rebellion, and demonic forces. But thankfully, God has restored what these "locusts" had eaten. Sharon Dutra is cofounder of Be Transformed Ministries and the author of three books that have been translated into over four languages.

Pat Avery is the Partner Care and Development Director for the Victorious Living Magazine. Pat is one of the most encouraging people you could ever meet! He puts the needs of others first before his own, and he lives a life sold out for Jesus. He shares his story of losing his oldest son and how he battled depression shortly after. Pat shares with us the times Jesus met him during the hardest days...

Jennifer Munson is a mom, author, and lover of all people. Her story is one of forgiveness and beauty. She has a heart for others and helps others step into freedom. Jesus met her at her lowest, and she will never forget the sweetness of her Savior. She shares with us the beauty God has and how she overcame many obstacles with the strength of The Lord doing the heavy lifting. Her episode will make...

Kory Gordon was sentenced to prison for 11 years. About 7 years into his cell time, The Lord captured Kory's heart. Pastor Kory Gordon shares with us how God pursued him, brought him new life, and set his life into continual freedom. Pastor Gordon has so many stories that will compel you to know The Father's heart and the work of His hands. God never let Kory down even in his sin. God has been fai...

Venessa Leopold is from Perth Australia and is a professional water skier. She has traveled the world in pursuit of her water skiing dream. However, throughout her life she wasn't the only one in pursuit of her first love. Throughout Venessa's journey, God pursued her heart relentlessly. She shares her story of a wonderful couple praying for her for years, how meeting her husband led her even more...

Rescued Not Arrested is a ministry started by our guest, Roger Munchian, for inmates. The ministry provides free custom-covered English or Spanish Bibles and correspondence courses to inmates. Contact RNA by mail: PO BOX 90606, Phoenix, AZ 85066 Email: RogerMunchian@rescuednotarrested.org Phone: (602) 647-8325 Website: RogerMunchian@rescuednotarrested.org Link to Roger's magazine article in Victor...