What's The Story?

Episode 34

What if your hardest moments could become someone else’s lifeline? In this episode, we explore how the cycles of life mean that none of us face pain, trauma, or difficult circumstances alone. Others will walk a similar path — and when we’re willing to share our journey, our story can bring light into their darkness. Not only does this ease another’s burden, it also brings unexpected healing to us,...

What happens when circumstances threaten to distract us from our calling? In this episode, we explore the power of community — a group of people united by a clear goal and clear roles. Challenges and unexpected issues may arise, but when our eyes remain fixed on God’s purpose rather than the obstacles, He weaves everything together for His glory. Be encouraged by the reminder that strong community...

You can’t save everyone. But what if you started with just one? Join us as we rethink what success in service really looks like—and discover the hope that begins when you start with one.

Are you really helping—or just trying to make things go your way? In this episode, discover why relationship is more powerful than rules—and how choosing connection over correction can change both you and the people you serve.

What if the authority you question is actually leading you to freedom? In this episode, we’re reminded to trust the God who loves us and to focus on what we can control—our own response to His leadership.

What if your greatest impact isn’t tied to your career, but to your calling? This episode reflects on what it means to truly live out God’s purpose. Our calling isn’t always about our job title; it’s about using the influence God has given us to impact the circle around us.

What if giving your time away was the very thing that could fill you up? In this episode, we explore how serving others doesn’t just impact the people you help—it transforms you. From fresh perspectives to unexpected blessings, you’ll discover how stepping into someone else’s world reveals the things we often take for granted and shapes us into better, more compassionate people. Join us as we unpa...

Sometimes the people we least expect are the ones who teach us the most. This story challenges our assumptions and reminds us not to judge what we don’t understand.

Waiting doesn’t mean nothing’s happening. In fact, the wait may be the most important part of your story. This episode explores how God moves when we feel stuck.

Comparison will steal your joy, distort your purpose, and distract you from what God’s doing in your own life. This story shows what happens when we stop measuring and start trusting.

Not every blessing comes with a spotlight. Sometimes, the most life-changing gifts arrive quietly, through people, moments, and timing we almost overlook.

What do you do when God calls you somewhere unclear, uncomfortable, and uncharted? This story dives into the fear of the unknown—and the unexpected peace that follows obedience.

Episode 21

Episode 20

Episode 19

Episode 18

❤️ What matters more—what you give or how you show up? When Jerry and the early Extreme Response team began serving a community living in a trash dump, they didn’t come with all the answers. They came to listen, to learn, and to build relationships. Over time, trust was formed, and lives were changed—not just through resources, but through love and presence. Years later, the community gathered to...

💔 What if you believed you could never be more than your circumstances? Jose grew up in deep poverty in rural Ecuador, feeling trapped by comparison and hopelessness. When he became a young father, the weight of failure drove him to alcohol—and nearly to ending his own life. In a nearby town, Teresa faced the same struggle, alone and afraid as a young mother. But everything changed when someone l...

🚶‍♂️ What matters more—where you’ve been or where you’re going? As a toddler, a little boy lost everything. One tragic night, his parents were gone, and he and his sister were left with no one to care for them. The orphanage became their home. Yet, despite his past, the boy chooses gratitude over grief. He doesn’t dwell on what was lost—he celebrates what he has. When asked about his faith, his a...

🔄 What if the biggest disruptions in your plans were actually divine opportunities? A starving child, abandoned at an orphanage. Staff overwhelmed, unsure how to help. Rules, policies, and plans had to be set aside as one urgent question remained— How do we save this child’s life? From an orphanage to an American military hospital, people stepped up, adjusted their plans, and did whatever it took...

What would you do if you had almost nothing—but your neighbor had even less? During a time of crisis, Gabriel’s family struggled to survive. Then a starving neighbor knocked on their door. Despite their own need, they made a choice—to trust, to give, and to love their neighbor even in hardship. This powerful story of faith and generosity proves that even in the hardest times, hope multiplies when...

What if your smallest act of kindness changed a life forever? A short-term volunteer invited a young girl to camp, opening the door to hope and opportunity. Then COVID hit, and everything she had gained—her confidence, her dreams—was lost. Isolated and discouraged, she withdrew. But when that same volunteer returned, hope reignited. We don’t always see the impact we have, but that doesn’t mean it’...

Do short-term trips really make a difference? A meaningful mission trip goes beyond travel—it changes lives. True impact happens when you serve others and allow God to transform your own heart. In this episode, we dive into the story of the Wheaton football team and their journey, showing why full engagement—both in serving and in personal growth—matters. Join the conversation and discover what ma...

What if your calling led you to teach a skill you didn’t even have? Anne felt compelled to help women earn an income through sewing—despite not knowing how to sew herself. What started as a small act of faith has grown into Golden Hands , a thriving vocational training program transforming lives. From rags to ball gowns, students now create their own futures, one stitch at a time. Hear Anne’s insp...