Compelled

Gracia Burnham was serving as a missionary in the Philippines when she and her husband were kidnapped by Muslim terrorists. They spent over a year in the jungle as hostages enduring hardships of all kinds, including constant shortage of drinking water, near starvation, and 17 gun battles. God worked in miraculous ways through Gracia’s time in captivity to change her heart and give her forgiveness for her captors, all for his glory.

This is Part 2 of Jonathan Pacheco's story. This episode concludes the sweet love story between Jonathan and Ellena, as they are happily married. Shortly after, however, Jonathan unexpectedly found himself in the midst 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.

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.

Texas State Senator Brian Birdwell was at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 when American Airlines flight 77 crashed just yards away from him, instantly engulfing his body in flames. Brian was faced with certain death but also with complete peace in knowing that his faith was already placed in a Savior. His story is raw, true, and filled with miracles.

At the age of 17, Jill Robbins had an abortion. It was highly traumatic and was unfortunately only the beginning of a self-destructive lifestyle she pursued for years. Jill became involved in drugs and promiscuity, which, in turn, resulted in the rapid decline of her mental health. Jill’s life was falling apart until she found the only One who could put the pieces back together again.

Todd Nettleton works for Voice of the Martyrs, finding and telling stories of modern-day Christians who are being persecuted and martyred throughout the world. A widow in Turkey, a Chinese woman who was imprisoned for her faith in Christ, and a new believer in Laos who couldn’t wait to share his faith with others... These are just a handful of the persecuted Christians Todd has interacted with throughout his time with Voice of the Martyrs which have had a deep impact on his own faith.

John Erickson is the author of the popular children's book series, "Hank the Cowdog," which has sold over 10 million copies. John has a lighthearted approach in the way he writes, and much of it has to do with the Christian Worldview he carries. Listen to the back story of how Hank the Cowdog came to life and of John’s personal journey.

This is Part 2 of Kathy’s story. Just when things in Kathy’s life seemed to be looking up, a water skiing accident and a heart-wrenching divorce brought her to a place of complete desperation. God used Kathy’s terrible birth experiences and even her abortion to eventually lead her into her current profession of midwifery. And, in a completely unexpected turn of events, God graciously reunited Kathy with both of the babies she had given up for adoption years before.

Kathy Brace grew up in a dysfunctional home with an abusive father and detached mother. She began searching for love in all the wrong places and became pregnant by age 15, eventually giving her baby up for adoption. Kathy's life continued spiraling out-of-control and included many unwanted pregnancies and bitter disappointments. Her life appeared to be completely hopeless... until Christ appeared and offered her True Hope. This is Part 1 of Kathy’s story. Learn more: https://compelledpodcast.com

This week we're taking a break from our regular episode format to bring you a "Behind the Scenes" interview with Linda Strom. You can hear the edited version of Linda's story by listening to episode "#01 Finding Life On Death Row – Linda Strom". Linda has a powerful testimony of how God worked in her own broken life, before leading her into prison ministry on death row. Part of which included being the spiritual adviser for Karla Faye Tucker, the first woman executed in Texas in over 100 years.

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 Christian Bible for the first time… and had no idea what God was about to do. Show notes: http://bit.ly/jfco

Although Eric Ludy is best known for his popular books about purity, this episode explores Eric’s journey of surrender to Christ. 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 has found deeper intimacy with Christ to be a sweet reward which has made every trial worthwhile. === Compelled shares unique stories from God's Kingdom. Support us: https://compelledpodcast.com/become-a-memb

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. Robert candidly shares about God’s hand at work on the mission field through miraculous healings and seeing the evidence of faithful believers standing firm in the face of persecution. +++ Compelled is a weekly podcast with unique stories from the Kingdom of God, told by the people Compelled to live for Him.

Sheila Booth-Alberstadt ignored God for the first 40 years of her life until she encountered Christ for the first time. However, she was rapidly sucked into the "Prosperity Gospel" movement for 5 years and believed that she could do all things Christ had done... and more. Yet she was constantly plagued by doubts like: - Why couldn't she heal her own body? - Why didn't financial prosperity come to her even when she had “faith” that it should? ...until God delivered her from the Prosperity Gospe

Ryan Dobson grew up in a loving, Christian family. His father was Dr. James Dobson, a famous Christian author and speaker. Ryan was surrounded by everything he could need to pursue a vibrant relationship with God, yet Ryan would have to walk his own path to know God personally. Despite many hardships and trials, including doubts, depression, and disease, Ryan is a living testimony that God will never leave our sides. ++++++ Support Compelled: https://compelledpodcast.com/become-a-member/