Compelled - Christian Stories & Testimonies

Shortly after Jonathan Pacheco was married, he unexpectedly found himself in the middle of the biggest trial of his life: leukemia. Given only months to live, he discovered rest and peace in the Lord and surrendered himself to God’s will... when God worked yet another miracle. ++++++++++++ Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is...

Jonathan Pacheco was severely disabled at birth when his spinal cord was nearly severed, and he has lived his entire life in a motorized wheelchair.  Jonathan shares what his journey of faith has looked like as he has come to grips with God's sovereignty in all things, including his disability and more. Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/jonathan-pacheco-pt-1 ++++++++++++ Compelled...

Jill Robbins had an abortion at the age of 17, which was only the beginning of a self-destructive lifestyle that included drugs and promiscuity. Which in turn resulted in the decline of her mental health. As Jill’s life fell further apart, the harder she dug in. Could Anyone, dig her out? Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/jill-robbins ++++++++++++ Compelled is a seasonal podcast u...

Jonathan Carswell grew up in a Christian home and could explain the Gospel forwards and backwards... but it held no actual power in his personal life. Then one day, the scales fell off his eyes, and Jonathan saw Jesus for who He truly was... which put into motion a revolution in the world of Christian publishing. Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/jonathan-carswell Also, in this ep...

Sheila Booth-Alberstadt ignored God for the first 40 years of her life. But after being confronted by His very real existence, she proceeded to treat Him like a genie in a bottle. Yet she was constantly plagued by doubts like: Why couldn't she heal her own children when they were sick? Why couldn't she heal her own body? Why didn't financial prosperity come to her even when she had the “faith” tha...

Todd finds and tells stories of modern-day Christians who are being persecuted and martyred throughout the world. And while that job carries many responsibilities, Todd is adamant there are few greater honors than co-laboring with these saints and telling their stories of God’s faithfulness. From a widow in Turkey whose husband was killed for his faith, to a Chinese woman imprisoned for following...

We’re celebrating God’s faithfulness in letting us release 100 episodes of Compelled! Show notes (including all the mentioned episodes) @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/celebrating-100-episodes Zach Fowler’s favorite episodes:  #05 A Spiritual Suicide - Phillip Telfer: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/phillip-telfer #17 Doubts. Depression. Disease. - Ryan Dobson: https://compelledpodca...

Joe Friedman was raised in a family that was proud of their ancestry and devoted to their Jewish community and way of life. But even though Joe spent much of his life as a devoted Jew, practicing rabbinical rules and trying to earn favor with God, something still seemed to be missing. After attending a cult meeting, Joe was so unsettled by the cult’s depiction of Jesus, he decided to read a Christ...

Dakota grew up with a terrible, abusive father who hated God. Yet despite that role model, Dakota learned to trust in a Good Father whose love was unconditional and whose plan for the future was made even more beautiful by the past. Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/dakota-lynch ++++++++++++ Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the po...

Eric yielded his career, his reputation, his finances, and even his family to God’s will. Despite the difficulties Eric has experienced living for Jesus, he’s found deeper intimacy with Christ to be a sweet reward, which made every trial worthwhile.  Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/eric-ludy ++++++++++++ Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to c...

Jerri Jameson was a drug addict. She hated her life and wanted to stop using... but she couldn't kick the habit. Then one night, she cried out in desperation to a God she wasn't even sure existed... and He answered. Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/jerri-jameson ++++++++++++ Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God...

Robert Harris was a depressed, suicidal teenager when God entered his life. God has now led Robert to the frontlines of evangelism, both in America and overseas in South Asia where he is driven to bring the Gospel to people groups who have never heard the name of Jesus. Robert is on the front lines of evangelism and has seen God's work displayed up close in many ways. Show notes @ https://compelle...

Tom Rudelius was a top student at an Ivy League school, triple-majoring in physics, math, and statistical science, and had never given much thought to God. Maybe He existed... or maybe not... but there probably wasn't any real way to tell. But then one day, Tom began looking for proof, and ended up finding faith. Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/tom-rudelius ++++++++++++ Compelle...

Meriann Sanford grew up surrounded by cults and drugs, yet tried to make her own way through life and felt she was good person… but didn't realize how far from the mark she truly was... or how close God had been every step of the way. Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/meriann-sanford ++++++++++++ Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate t...

Laddie Calloway was a street fighter and drug dealer. After being declared a fatality from a gang shooting, Laddie's life continued to spiral out of control… until he remembered the seeds of faith that had been planted by his childhood church. Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/laddie-calloway ++++++++++++ Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to ce...

Afshin Javid grew up in Iran under strict Islamic law. He loved Allah and was willing to kill and die for him. But after a supernatural encounter, the foundations of Afshin’s faith began to crumble. Listen to Part 2 of Afshin Javid’s testimony: https://www.storypartners.org/podcast/s3-e1p2-killing-in-the-name-of-god-former-hezbollah-member-meets-jesus-part-2 Listen to the Story Partners podcast: h...

This is Part 2 of Lori Apon’s story. Make sure to listen to Part 1 first. Lori met Bobby Apon, the love of her life at a Christian concert. He was one of the founding members of NewSong, an upcoming Christian music group. Bobby was young, charismatic, and good-looking, and quickly swept Lori off her feet. After a romance and engagement that seemed straight out of a fairytale, they were married. Bu...

Lori Apon met the love of her life at a Christian concert. Bobby Apon was a young, dashing man who sang songs for God's glory. He was a founding member of the Christian music group, NewSong, and he swept Lori off her feet. But at the wedding altar, both of them were in bondage to sin. What, or Who, could set them free? Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/lori-apon-part-1 +++++++++++...

Ron Husband grew up in California during the 50s and 60s. And he'd heard about Jesus... but he also heard about flying saucers and ancient civilizations. What was the truth? And would this truth have any bearing when he was invited to draw moving pictures for a random children's company called... Disney? Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/ron-husband ++++++++++++ Compelled is a sea...

Steven Matamoros grew up as a Jehovah's Witness with a distorted view of God. But through a crumbling marriage and heartbreaking loss, he would encounter the true God of the Bible, who promised to always be by Steven's side... even in the darkest of times. Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/steven-matamoros 🎧 Recommended Episodes: #89 Finding My Father - Peter Davidson: Peter was...

Celebrate what God did in 2024. Hear Compelled's vision for 2025. What God allowed us to do in 2024: Released 20 original Compelled stories! Launched the Proclaim Podast Network to highlight other immersive storytelling podcasts in the Christian space. Listen to the other shows at Proclaim.fm Compelled was downloaded 834,025 in 2024! Our vision for 2025: We just recorded 20 new testimonies in Janu...

Before he was ever involved with Living Waters, Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne was a rising gang member with a burgeoning future as a drug dealer and rapper. But one day, he was invited to an event that would change the course of his life.  Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/emeal-zwayne (and also hear the special clip of Emeal rapping and sharing the story about his dad's shocking age!) ++...

Teri Hrabovsky grew up caught between Catholicism and cultural occultic practices. But after the enemy tried everything to destroy her, God allowed Teri’s life to become a story of healing and redemption, touching countless lives in ways she never knew possible. Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/teri-hrabovsky ++++++++++++ Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive...

Peter Davidson was exposed to cultural Christianity while growing up, but it never meant much. He lost his parents as a child and his future prospects appeared bleak, until God came looking for him and revealed to Peter who his “True Father” was. Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/peter-davidson ++++++++++++ Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to...

Jessica experienced the weight of family challenges from an early age and with limited outlets for her emotions she started down a path of self-harm and thoughts about suicide. But God saw Jessica in the midst of her struggle and was eager to meet her in her time of need. Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/jessica-carpenter ++++++++++++ Compelled is a seasonal podcast using grippin...