Episode 8 told the story of how God used a minefield, two prayers made thousands of miles apart, and sermon to convince Jerry Dugan to follow Jesus and how that decision made him the man he wanted someone else to be. In this bonus episode Jerry shares what he'd say to a family in Iraq that he threatened and humiliated when he was a soldier in the Iraq War. He also answer the question of when he felt closest to God by telling a crazy story and talks about why he's a Christian. At the end of this episode you'll hear the testimony of Daisy. It is a story of God proving himself faithful and gracious in the midst of childhood trauma. "I believe I went through the things in my life to make me strong enough to face the things ahead of me." Beyond the Rut PodcastChad Harms on InstagramTestimonyPodcast.comDonate to the Show

To those that know him, it seems like Jerry Dugan has been a Christian forever. Today he's a godly dad and husband, serves his church in a variety of ways, aims to glorify God in the way he does his day job, and produces a successful Christian podcast. His podcast is called Beyond the Rut and it shares "encouraging stories and practical tools to pull you out of your rut and into a life worth living." Back in 2003 though, Jerry was in a rut. This was true figuratively, and in some ways, literally (if you count a bulldozed lanes in an Iraqi minefield). He was a cocky agnostic soldier that wanted to be more successful than other people in his cousins. What changed that was a relationship with Jesus. This is the story of how God used a minefield, two prayers made thousands of miles apart, and sermon to convince Jerry to follow Jesus and how that decision made him the man he wanted someone else to be. Beyond the Rut PodcastChad Harms on InstagramTestimonyPodcast.comDonate to the Show

Episode 6 told the story of how God used a broken truck window, a sharp turn in the road near a cliff, and a tract to help Dave Ebert find his value and how that discovery changed the why behind the things he does. In this bonus episode Dave talks about his theology of comedy, the power of comedy to unite, and what improv can teach us about leadership. Dave also shares his three favorite Christian comedians. At the end of this episode you'll hear the testimony of Tracy Crump. In it she talks about the dangers of feeling good enough for eternity and how realizing that everyone needing a savior meant she needed a savior. "The Bible says 'all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,' and oh, yeah, 'all' means me." Gifts for Glory PodcastWell Versed ComedyChad Harms on InstagramTestimonyPodcast.comDonate to the Show

Dave Ebert has spent his life entertaining others. He is a former professional wrestler and radio host. He currently produces two podcasts and is part of an improv team called Well Versed Comedy that does shows all around Chicago. The reason Dave entertains is vastly different today than it used to be. In the past he entertained to hide himself, mitigate depression, and feel his own value. Today he entertains for the glory of God and the good of others. What changed? He decided to truly follow Jesus. This is the story of how God used a broken truck window, a sharp turn in the road near a cliff, and a tract to help Dave find his value and how that discovery changed the why behind the things he does. Gifts for Glory PodcastWell Versed ComedyChad Harms on InstagramTestimonyPodcast.comDonate to the Show

Episode 5 told the story of how God used his dad's conversion, a college young life event, and a good mentor to change Jeramy William's heart for good. In this bonus episode Jeramy talks about the furthest he's ever felt from God (which sounds a lot like burnout), the importance of silence and solitude, and what Christian adults can do to help young people. At the end of this episode you'll hear the testimony of David Lutes. It is a story about how God can use unlikely people and the most likely people to change a life forever. David says, "And it ignited in me a love and a desire to know more...an immediate hunger that I sensed could never be fully satisfied." Jeramy's Website"I love You Stinky Face" SermonChad Harms on InstagramTestimonyPodcast.comDonate to the Show

If every decision leads to a story we will tell later, the decisions of Jeramy Williams's life have lead to a story about investing deeply and lovingly in other people's relationships with God (especially young people). Jeramy is the president of Outreach Inc. and Director of Training and Discipleship at Love Squared. Before that Jeramy was a college pastor and an area director for Young Life for over 10 years. Before Jeramy devoted his life to investing in others, he was just a kid focused on friends, family, and football. During his junior and senior years of high school he learned, in very hard ways, that these three foundations could not support him. Rather quickly Jesus become the new foundation of Jeramy's life. This is the story of how God used his dad's conversion, a college young life event, and a good mentor to change Jeramy's heart for good. Jeramy's Website"I love You Stinky Face" SermonChad Harms on InstagramTestimonyPodcast.comDonate to the Show

Mars Hill was a megachurch in Seattle, Washington. It was founded in 1995 and folded in 2014. What happened in between was recently detailed on a podcast called The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. As part of that, the show described a group of leaders at the church that took a stand against some of the sins of the pastor at the church.  This group is often referred to as "The Noble Nine." One of those nine was Ryan Welsh.Episode 5 told the story of how God used depression, the prayers of a mom, and a Young Life camp to show Ryan that Jesus is what makes life matter. In this bonus episode Ryan talks about the work he did at Mars Hill, how the end of his time at the church made him feel, the plan he tried to make to leave the church earlier, and why the turmoil he experienced at there never made him consider leaving Christianity. He also shares his thoughts on "The Noble Nine" label.At the end of this episode you'll hear the testimony of a women named Jo. It starts with the tragic death of her son, but ends as a story of faithfulness—God's to her and her's to God. "The Noble Nine" Letter / Ryan's Facebook PostRyan on TwitterRyan's Sermons Chad Harms on InstagramTestimonyPodcast.comDonate to the Show

In June of 2021 Christianity Today released a podcast called The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. The show details the story of Mars Hill, a now defunct mega church in Seattle. The show talked about a group of leaders at the church that took a stand despite enormous cost. This group is often referred to as "The Noble Nine." One of those nine was Ryan Welsh.Ryan  is currently the pastor of Restoration Church in Southlake, Texas. He has a PhD in Ethics and Philosophy and a Doctorate of Ministry in Preaching. He's an author, professor, and lecturer.In Ryan's senior year of high school though, none of that would have seemed possible. He suffered with depression, anxiety, and a sense that nothing mattered. This is the story of how God used depression, the prayers of a mom, and a Young Life camp to show Ryan that Jesus is what makes life matter. It is also the story of how that realization turned him into a noble servant of God.Ryan on TwitterRyan's Sermons Chad Harms on InstagramTestimonyPodcast.comDonate to the Show

Episode 4 told the story of how God used a Ouija board, a joint, and piano lessons to set Dr. Charles Conniry (aka "Chuck") free from the power of Satan. In this bonus episode Chuck talks about returning to old habits after becoming a Christian and how it took church friends to bring him back. He also discusses what makes him feel close to God (it isn't what you'd expect) and how God answered his prayer for a godly wife.At the end of the episode you'll hear the testimony of Robyn Cunningham. It is a story of despair, but also a story of God's power and timing. Robyn says, "God answered my prayers 40 minutes before I even prayed. He answered my prayers as I was crying, bitter,  broken...he answered my prayers while I was still his enemy." Make sure you listen to the end to hear the story.Chuck on WesternSeminary.eduChuck's Curriculum VitaeChad Harms on InstagramDonate to the Show

Dr. Charles Conniry  (aka "Chuck") is the president of Western Seminary. He has spent decades in Christian higher education. He's pastored, authored, and preached. His Curriculum Vitae (think big resume) is the size of a college essay. He's also connected to almost every well known Christian scholar in America.Before all that, Chuck was a young adult playing in a garage band and smoking a lot of weed. His Catholic school upbringing taught him a lot about God, but Chuck had never yielded to his power or grace. This is the story of how God used a Ouija board, a joint, and piano lessons to set Chuck free from the power of Satan.Chuck on WesternSeminary.eduChuck's Curriculum VitaeChad Harms on InstagramDonate to the Show