Podcast Summary: Revival Today with Jonathan Shuttlesworth

Podcast: Real America’s Voice (iHeartPodcasts)
Episode Date: October 26, 2025

Overview

In this emotionally charged episode of Revival Today, Pastor Jonathan Shuttlesworth addresses deep spiritual and social challenges facing America, using recent events—most notably the reported shooting of Charlie Kirk—as a springboard for discussing the battle between light and darkness, the call to spiritual action, and the importance of uncompromised faith. The episode blends moving personal testimonies, real-world ministry updates, and biblical teaching, all delivered in Shuttlesworth’s trademark candid, often humorous, and unvarnished tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Testimonies of Transformation and Healing

• Depression Lifted through Worship & Prayer ([02:42]–[03:53]):
  • Christina, a church attendee, shares her battle with depression and how attending the service, even reluctantly, brought unexpected liberation:

    “When Pastor Jonathan Shuttlesworth prayed for me, I felt like a weight lifted off me and I feel liberated.” – Christina ([03:17])

  • She encourages anyone facing depression to attend church, promising, “You will not leave the same.”
• Miraculous Cancer Recovery Testimony ([17:06]–[19:01]):
  • Joel Pawlowski, diagnosed with lung cancer, describes his initial resistance to attending but recounts a noticeable healing and increase in strength after prayer.

    “I came here to make my wife happy...I haven’t used [the oxygen machine] since. Yesterday, I was on 4 liters of air, I’m on nothing right now. Talking, lung cancer is gone, my lungs are stretching and growing...” – Joel Pawlowski ([17:22])

2. Church Growth, Evangelism, and the ‘Family’ Mindset ([04:09]–[13:53])

• Shuttlesworth reflects on the rapid growth of his churches in multiple states (“Arizona, Texas, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh”), noting full houses and miraculous happenings.

  “We’re raising up a family…that don’t just know about God, they know God. They’ve seen his power flow through them.” ([04:09])

• He underscores the inclusive, celebratory nature of their gatherings—a contrast to what he deems “dead” religious environments.
• The host jokes about his Mr. Rogers-inspired sweater in Pittsburgh, using humor to welcome newcomers.

3. The Reality of Spiritual Warfare: Wheat and Tares ([13:53]–[15:41])

• Using Matthew 13’s parable, Shuttlesworth explains the biblical distinction between those aligned with good (wheat) and evil (tares), situating this within current violent events.

  “Who planted these tares among the wheat? The devil did it. Jesus said so—it’s not God.” ([14:44])

• He debunks the view that God is behind tragedy, clarifying that evil stems from the devil.

4. Reaching the Lost: Method & Mission ([15:41]–[20:20])

• Street Ministry in Pittsburgh:
  • John and Gabriel (students at Revive Today Bible Institute) recount their street evangelism following Charlie Kirk’s shooting, noting positive responses, viral social media engagement, and 120 conversions in a single night.

    “We decided in the wake of everything that happened that we’re just not going to sit around. We’re going to preach the gospel.” – John & Gabriel ([15:43]) “120 last night responded to receive Jesus Christ. What part of Pittsburgh were you in? South Side.” – Pastor Jonathan ([20:20])

• Approach to Evangelism:
  • Shuttlesworth stresses compassion over condemnation, directly contrasting with “hellfire” street preachers:

    “You have some people who stand outside…the stadium, ‘You’re all going to hell if you don’t repent.’ That’s not good news—that’s literally the worst news…Jesus didn’t come down from heaven and start telling everybody you’re all going to hell. He said, ‘Come unto me…’” ([16:10])

5. The Call and Blessing of Separation ([20:28]–[31:11])

• Shuttlesworth outlines the necessity for Christians to separate from corrupting influences, yet remain engaged so as to reach those in darkness.

  “When you compromise, there’s no power. But I’m going to preach today on what happens when you don’t compromise. When you lay your full life on the altar, God gives you his power.” ([24:50])

• He shares powerful, recent encounters:
  • Witnessing Bold Faith in Secular Spaces:
    • A 22-year-old airport worker, Samantha, boldly played praise and worship in a California private jet terminal after Kirk’s shooting:

      “After what happened to Charlie Kirk, I just said, screw it and decided to play it [praise music] full blast. If the devil’s not going to hide, I, too, am not going to hide.” ([28:34])

    • Despite an upbringing by atheist, fentanyl-addicted parents and having never attended church, Samantha found faith reading a Bible during COVID lockdowns.

6. The Contemporary Mandate and Encouragement

• The episode returns again and again to the urgency of spiritual decision in the current climate:

  “...there’s really light and there’s really darkness, and there’s not going to be any in between. The middle ground is getting cut off. Every person’s going to have to make up their mind what side they’re on.” ([21:56])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Suffering and God’s Role ([15:03]):

  “You’re going to be one confused son of a gun if you’re always trying to figure out why God would do that...Ain’t God doing it. God never had any will for people to die...The devil’s a deceiver.”

• On Sharing Faith Boldly ([29:47]):

  “If the devil’s not going to be private about wickedness, I’m going to be public about my faith and about what I believe in God.”

• On the Power of the Bible ([30:49]):

  “Why is it that every godless government...step number one is get rid of this book? Because this book makes you impossible to conquer.”

• On the Purpose of the Church’s Growth:

  “We’re not gathering the remaining Christians of Pittsburgh to feel good about ourselves for 90 minutes on Sunday. We’re doing what they did in the Bible...to make impact in their city.” ([22:28])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Description | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Personal Testimonies | Overcoming depression and cancer through faith | 02:42–03:53; 17:06–19:01 | | Parable of Wheat and Tares / Spiritual Evil | Interpreting recent violence; roots of evil | 13:53–15:41 | | Student Street Evangelism | Ministry after Kirk’s death, results shared | 15:41–20:28 | | Call for Gospel Compassion | The difference between condemnation and hope | 16:10–17:06 | | Call and Blessing of Separation | Not compromising, stories of bold public faith | 24:50–31:11 | | Story of Samantha (Airport Worker) | Playing worship in secular space, testimony | 28:34–31:11 | | The Power of Scripture | Why the Bible is foundational and why it’s targeted | 30:49–31:11 |

Conclusion

Shuttlesworth’s episode is a rallying call to a faith that is public, uncompromised, and compassionate—rooted in the conviction that American spiritual renewal is underway, even amidst societal upheaval. From candid testimonies of supernatural healing and deliverance to practical models of evangelism, the recurring message is clear: light is rising in the midst of darkness, and every believer must choose where to stand.

This summary skips ads and promotional segments, focusing solely on the episode’s key spiritual, personal, and theological content.