Eric Stephens Testimony: From Rejection to Rooted in Christ
Send me a text and let me know your thoughts! Ordained pastor, life coach, and founder of Redwood Christian Ministries Eric Stephens joins Jan and co-host Marti for a raw conversation about growing up caught between two rejections — one from an absent father, one from a world he tried to fit into by becoming its villain. Eric shares the prayer that changed everything, the three train horns that answered it, and the years it took him to understand that his real struggle was never the addiction itself but the rejection underneath it. He also talks candidly about discipleship, avoiding burnout in ministry, protecting his marriage, and the Christian hip-hop concert he's hosting this fall where dozens of people gave their hearts to Christ. Honest, funny, and full of hope — this is a conversation for anyone still figuring out who they are underneath who they built themselves to be. 🔗 Podcast: Rooted in Christ, wherever you listen 🎤 Event: House of Blues, November 7th — Redwood Christian Ministries concert 📍 Ministry: Redwood Christian Ministries Follow Eric's ministry, Redwood Christian Ministries, and catch new episodes of the Rooted in Christ podcast wherever you listen. If you're in the Cleveland area, join Eric and this year's lineup — headlined by KB — at the House of Blues on November 7th for a night of Christian hip-hop, R&B, and an altar call built right into the show. Romans 8:28 (NIV) — 'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.' Ephesians 1:5-6 (NIV) — 'He predestined us for adoption to sonship through J***********, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.' Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) — 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified... for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.' https://redwoodcm.org/ CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 Welcome & Introducing Eric Stephens 00:33 Growing Up Between Catholic Mass and Baptist Church 01:00 The Basketball Game That Broke Something: Rejection by His Father 02:26 Becoming the Villain: Building a Character to Survive 03:15 Baptized at 11, Walking Away for the World 03:37 The Phone Call: Grandmother's Bladder Cancer Diagnosis 04:34 "God, If You're Real": The Prayer and the Train 04:57 Three Days Later: Losing His Grandmother 06:26 Backsliding After Salvation: The Real Root Was Rejection 07:28 The AZUSA Conference 2016: Full Surrender 09:02 Identity in Christ vs. Identity in the World 09:14 Marti's Graham Cook Quote: "Time to Have Another Thought" 11:03 Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing: Avoiding Burnout 14:29 24 Episodes Stacked: Building a Podcast That Doesn't Stop 15:08 Marriage Rhythm: Two by Two by Two 16:40 What Discipleship Actually Looks Like 20:19 Practical Faith: Living Out the Great Commission Daily 22:19 Marti's Question: Why This Conversation Feels Different 25:23 Rooted in Christ: A Discipleship Tool Disguised as a Podcast 26:18 Marti's Scripture: 1 John 5:21 and Staying Free of Idols 28:02 What's Really Keeping You From Jesus? 28:56 The House of Blues Concert: Christian Hip Hop and R&B 31:15 Closing Words: "Try Jesus" 32:27 Closing Prayer for Eric and His Family Welcome to Just Talkin' About Jesus. I'm Jan Johnson, a seasoned believer who loves relationships and, you know, just talkin' about Jesus. Here you will find testimonies of those who God has changed through his grace. Stories of feeling unworthy because of being sex trafficked, or of radical redemption of a woman who grew up with abuse, neglect, abandonment and drugs. A story of an abortion survivor. This and more. Lean in now. Consider subscribing to this podcast, YouTube and Substack- all with the same name: Just Talkin' About Jesus! https://www.youtube.com/@JustTalkinAboutJesus https://jan-johnson.com/ https://justtalkingaboutjesus.com/ https://janjohnsonauthor.substack.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@JustTalkinAboutJesus Thanks for listening! If you have a story to tell, check out the form on my website- justtalkingaboutjesus.com. I'd love to connect with you! No, really.... hit me up!
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