Green Industry Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: My Testimony: How Encountering Jesus Changed Everything – Including My Drive for Business Success
Host: Paul Jamison
Guest/Moderator: Apostle Stephen
Date: March 13, 2026

Overview

This special episode departs from the usual business-focused content to explore how Paul Jamison’s faith journey and a radical encounter with Jesus transformed both his life and his lawn care business. Paul shares his testimony, tracing a story of spiritual breakthrough, personal transformation, business challenges, and the conviction to live with integrity and purpose as an entrepreneur.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Unexpected Testimony Request (03:02)

• Paul recounts being put on the spot at a breakfast meeting and asked to share his testimony with a group of men, admitting he hadn't prepared and felt more comfortable "just going to sit in the corner and eat, you know, eat bacon."
• The episode is a recording of that heartfelt, spontaneous sharing.

2. High School and Radical Conversion (03:20 – 08:53)

• Paul describes his senior year: far from faith, focused on partying, and being what he calls the "ringleader."
• A neighbor, Debbie Draper, whose daughter was also drifting, undertook a 10-day water-only fast, praying specifically for her daughter and Paul.
• At his graduation, Debbie gives him a suitcase "stuffed with Bibles and devotional books," telling him, "You're going to need this suitcase because the Lord's sending you to the nations." Paul—at that time, uninterested in Christianity—reflects on dismissing her.
• On his senior trip to Myrtle Beach, Paul experiences overwhelming conviction, fearing the reality of hell, and receives a Campus Crusade for Christ booklet:
  • “The fear of God was on me. Like, eternity was so—hell was so close, and it was so real.” (05:45)
  • Alone on the beach, he prays the prayer in the booklet, surrendering his life to Jesus, an act unbeknownst to him, had been covered in intercessory prayer by Debbie back home.
• On the flight home, turbulent and still shaken, he recommits in prayer at the Atlanta airport on June 17, 2004:
  • “I promise you the rest of my life, as long as I have breath in my lungs, I’ll live for you…here’s my life.” (06:41)
• Paul testifies about his immediate transformation—quitting partying, alcohol, and premarital relationships, embracing sexual purity, and giving his body as a “living sacrifice.” (07:52)

3. Early Years of Faith and Business (08:54 – 12:00)

• Returns to Ohio and shares his experience with Debbie, who already knew, saying: “The Lord spoke to me in Canada. You’re his.”
• Finds spiritual community with Debbie and her prayer group:
  • “My new best friends now were these old women that prayed in tongues…” (09:39)
• Moves to Atlanta, inspired by the site of his spiritual rebirth, and starts his lawn care business in 2011:
  • “I didn’t know anything about business, and so my prices were too low. I was doing yards all over the place, and I really struggled.” (10:35)
  • He references Proverbs: “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings.”
• Eventually lands high-profile clients and learns to run a profitable, reputable business.

4. Launching the Green Industry Podcast (2018) (12:38)

• Realizes the potential of social media to impact others and starts the podcast:
  • “That was a game changer, because then companies like John Deere and Lowe’s and the Toro company…started wanting to sponsor the podcast.” (12:56)

5. Divine Encounters & Entrepreneurial Guidance (13:20 – 15:20)

• Details a pivotal 2019 trip to Silicon Valley, where exposure to tech giants and a powerful encounter in a coffee shop fosters a vision:
  • “Jesus just encountered me and started showing me about social media…how he was going to encounter all these people on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.” (13:56)
• In 2020, he experiences a dramatic deliverance from personal struggles, learning about the need for forgiveness and spiritual healing:
  • “I started growling...I only knew one person who knew how to do Deliverance...” (14:00)
  • Five-hour session results in spiritual clarity—a renewed focus:
    • “God put it on my heart: We need to raise up Christian businessmen who have the wealth, not just these wicked men with the wealth.” (15:03)

6. Social Media and Ministry Synergy (15:35)

• Paul consults with his Atlanta church to revolutionize their social media presence, resulting in exponential digital growth.

7. Hearing God for Major Life Decisions (16:04 – 17:54)

• After relocating to Sarasota, Florida, he feels called to Tampa after hearing “as clear as I’ve ever heard him...Tampa.”
• Searches for community and a spouse who shares his faith:
  • “It’d be a whole lot nicer watching the sunset with a wife, you know what I mean?” (16:45)
  • Prays to be led to the right partner and church.

8. Divine Appointments & Church Community (17:55 – 19:22)

• Spots a billboard in Tampa: “Come get a touch from the Lord,” which prompts him to attend what he thought was a one-off event—turns out to be Core Revival Center’s weekly meeting.
• Experiences authentic welcome and the presence of God:
  • “From the time I pulled in the parking lot, I felt the presence of the Lord. Everything about the whole night, I felt the presence of the Lord.” (18:51)
• Emphasizes the value of accountability and support as a single Christian man.

9. Encouragement & Closing (19:22 – 20:15)

• Apostle Stephen affirms Paul’s journey and faith:
  • “If everybody had that same urgency, every single person driving by would meet the Lord every single Sunday. You know what I mean? It’s that faith. That’s what it takes.” (19:57)
• Paul is welcomed into the men’s group and church community.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Intercessory Prayer:
  “She literally started fasting from food. She only was drinking water, and she did this for 10 days...she got so mad that her daughter was making these poor decisions. And so she’s like, that’s it. I’m going to fast and pray until all these knuckleheads get born again.”
  (Paul Jamison, 03:35)

• On Encountering God’s Reality:
  “The fear of God was on me. Like, eternity was so—hell was so close, and it was so real.”
  (Paul Jamison, 05:45)

• On Spiritual Transformation:
  “I just knew Jesus, and I didn’t want to go to hell. And I was like, you know, here’s my life.”
  (Paul Jamison, 06:48)

• On Business as Calling:
  “He really gave me a passion for business and for us to rise up as Christian men and, you know, take our authority in the business world as well.”
  (Paul Jamison, 15:03)

• On Community:
  “I’m very humbled and thankful to be in the house of the Lord with you guys and very inspired to live squeaky clean and live right before the Lord.”
  (Paul Jamison, 18:51)

• On Urgency and Faith:
  “If everybody had that same urgency, every single person driving by would meet the Lord every single Sunday... It’s that faith. That’s what it takes, man.”
  (Apostle Stephen, 19:57)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro to Testimony – [03:02]
• Debbie’s Intercession & Graduation Party – [03:20 – 05:10]
• Myrtle Beach Conversion Experience – [05:35 – 07:15]
• Prayer at Atlanta Airport & Turning Point – [06:41]
• Commitment to Sexual Purity – [07:52]
• Building & Struggling in Business – [10:35 – 12:00]
• Podcast Launch & Corporate Sponsors – [12:38]
• Silicon Valley Vision for Social Media – [13:56]
• Deliverance & Call for Christian Businessmen – [14:10 – 15:35]
• Transforming Church Social Media – [15:35]
• Hearing ‘Tampa’ & Moving by Faith – [16:04 – 16:54]
• First Sunday at Core Revival Center – [17:55]
• Paul’s Reflections on Community & Support – [18:51]
• Apostle Stephen’s Encouragement – [19:57]

Summary Tone and Style

Paul’s tone is honest, down-to-earth, and sometimes humorous, especially as he reflects on his own initial skepticism and ongoing journey. The conversation is marked by humility, candid admissions of past mistakes, and deep gratitude for faith, friends, and a sense of mission in the business world. Apostle Stephen responds with warmth, encouragement, and camaraderie.

For listeners interested in the intersection of faith, personal growth, and small business success, this episode provides inspiration and practical insights on living out purpose and integrity—both in life and entrepreneurship.