
Hosted by Chad Beck · EN

In Part 1 of Jeff Parker’s testimony, Jeff shares how a childhood marked by family instability, the pressure to be the “good kid,” and an early encounter with Jesus slowly became a life of trying to perform faith instead of walking in freedom. From his parents’ separation to youth leaders who showed him the love of Christ, Jeff’s story begins with real pain, real grace, and a growing desire to follow Jesus.But as life moved into college, marriage, ministry, career success, and fatherhood, hidden shame began to grow beneath the surface. Jeff opens up about the gap between who he wanted to be and what he was secretly carrying—and how gambling, partial confession, and the fear of being fully known began leading him toward a breaking point. This episode is an honest look at performance, shame, sin, and the kindness of God that keeps pursuing us even in seasons of disobedience.If Jeff’s perspective on faith resonated with you, you can find more of his writing at voiceandvine.co, where he shares thoughtful reflections on following Jesus with honesty, depth, and grace. While you’re there, consider becoming a monthly supporter of Voice & Vine to help encourage and sustain the work Jeff is doing.Listen NOW for new episodes of the Real Jesus Experience Podcast🎙:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealJesusExperienceRumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-6527259Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-jesus-experience/id1752479121 Follow/Connect:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealJesusExperienceX: https://x.com/JesusXperienceTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.real.jesus.expInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_real_jesus_experience/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@the_real_jesus_experience_________LIKE. SHARE. SUBSCRIBE.Give this video a thumbs up if you enjoyed watching 👍#testimony #god #faith #surrender Thanks for watching the video Jeff Parker: Playing the Part While Falling Apart (Testimony) | EP #66 (Part 1)Because this episode discusses gambling addiction, we want to remind you that help is available. If you or someone you love is struggling with gambling, call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET for confidential support and resources in your state. You can also visit 1800myreset.org to learn more.

In the final part of Brittiny and Kacie’s story, the conversation moves into the tender intersection of infertility, pregnancy, friendship, and adoption. Kacie shares the painful process of grieving the dream of having biological children, while also asking God to bring her and Ben to a place where adoption was not seen as “option B,” but as the family story He had been writing all along.This episode is a beautiful picture of Christian friendship, surrender, open adoption, answered prayer, and the goodness of God in a plan that looked different than expected. If you have ever had to release a dream, wait on the Lord, or trust Him with a story you never would have chosen, this testimony is a reminder that God’s plan is never second best.For more information about New Life Adoptions, please go to their website at https://newlifeadopt.com. If you're considering adoption or would like to support the amazing God-honoring work they do, their website is the perfect place to start. Listen NOW for new episodes of the Real Jesus Experience Podcast🎙:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealJesusExperienceRumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-6527259Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-jesus-experience/id1752479121 Follow/Connect:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealJesusExperienceX: https://x.com/JesusXperienceTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.real.jesus.expInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_real_jesus_experience/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@the_real_jesus_experience_________LIKE. SHARE. SUBSCRIBE.Give this video a thumbs up if you enjoyed watching 👍#testimony #god #faith #adoption Thanks for watching the video Brittiny & Kacie: Adoption Wasn’t Option B—It Was God’s Plan (Testimony) | EP #65 (Pt 3)Guests: Brittiny Eiben & Kacie TicerHost: Chad BeckSound: Steven CooleyEditing: Chad BeckTo find more content like this, go to The Real Jesus Experience Ministries website at https://therealjesusexperience.com/

In Part 2 of Brittiny and Kacie’s story, the conversation moves into some of the painful places where faith can feel confusing: spiritual dryness, adult grief, divorce, cancer, caregiving, loneliness, and the heartbreak of infertility. Both women share honestly about wrestling with God’s goodness when life did not feel good, and how the Lord slowly met them through truth, counseling, marriage, church community, and friendship.This episode is raw, tender, and full of hope. If you have ever walked through a season where God felt far away, where your prayers seemed unanswered, or where grief changed the way you saw your life, this testimony is a reminder that Jesus is still present in the desert—and His goodness is not limited to the parts of the story we understand.Listen NOW for new episodes of the Real Jesus Experience Podcast🎙:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealJesusExperienceRumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-6527259Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-jesus-experience/id1752479121 Follow/Connect:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealJesusExperienceX: https://x.com/JesusXperienceTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.real.jesus.expInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_real_jesus_experience/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@the_real_jesus_experience_________LIKE. SHARE. SUBSCRIBE.Give this video a thumbs up if you enjoyed watching 👍#testimony #god #faith #infertility Thanks for watching the video Brittiny & Kacie: Finding God’s Goodness in the Desert (Testimony) | EP#64 (Pt 2)Guests: Brittiny Eiben & Kacie TicerHost: Chad BeckSound: Steven CooleyEditing: Chad BeckTo find more content like this, go to The Real Jesus Experience Ministries website at https://therealjesusexperience.com/

Brittiny and Kacie were both saved young, but the years that followed shook them deeply. In Part 1, they share how family pain, pressure, grief, and unanswered questions shaped their early lives—and how God was still holding them through it all.This is a raw and hope-filled conversation about childhood faith, deep wounds, and the quiet faithfulness of Jesus in seasons that make no sense. If you’ve ever wrestled with pain, trust, or what it means to be kept by God, this episode will speak to you.Listen NOW for new episodes of the Real Jesus Experience Podcast🎙:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealJesusExperienceRumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-6527259Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-jesus-experience/id1752479121 Follow/Connect:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealJesusExperienceX: https://x.com/JesusXperienceTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.real.jesus.expInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_real_jesus_experience/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@the_real_jesus_experience_________LIKE. SHARE. SUBSCRIBE.Give this video a thumbs up if you enjoyed watching 👍#testimony #god #faith #churchfamilyThanks for watching the video Brittiny & Kacie: Saved Young, Shaken Deeply, and Kept by God (Testimony) | EP#63 (Pt 1)Guests: Brittiny Eiben & Kacie TicerHost: Chad BeckSound: Steven CooleyEditing: Chad BeckTo find more content like this, go to The Real Jesus Experience Ministries website at https://therealjesusexperience.com/

In Part 2 of his testimony, Ralph Rodriguez shares what happened when the pain and darkness in his life reached a breaking point. After years of depression, hopelessness, and questioning whether God was even real, Ralph entered a season of spiritual warfare that left him desperate for answers. Then, at a youth camp altar, he prayed, “God, if You’re real, show Yourself to me.” That moment changed everything.Ralph shares how Jesus met him in that place of despair, how surrender changed the course of his life, and how God began turning deep pain into purpose.If a teenager in your life seems deeply sad, withdrawn, or weighed down, choose to engage them with love, patience, and hope. A caring conversation can be the beginning of light breaking into a dark place. The statistics from 2023 suggest at least 40% of U.S. high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.Listen NOW for new episodes of the Real Jesus Experience Podcast🎙:Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-6527259YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealJesusExperienceApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-jesus-experience/id1752479121 Follow/Connect:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealJesusExperienceX: https://x.com/JesusXperienceTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.real.jesus.expInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_real_jesus_experience/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@the_real_jesus_experience_________LIKE. SHARE. SUBSCRIBE.Give this video a thumbs up if you enjoyed watching 👍#testimony #god #faith #depressionawareness Thanks for watching the video Rafael Rodriguez: When Jesus Met Him in the Darkness (Testimony) | EP #62 (Part 2)If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, please do not suffer in silence. Help is available.For immediate emotional support or crisis help anywhere in the United States, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7, free and confidential. It also offers chat support online. For Christian mental health support, Mental Health Grace Alliance offers free Christian mental health resources, including educational guides, workbooks, and local and online faith-based support groups for individuals and families facing anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health challenges. Focus on the Family also offers a Christian counselor referral network and states that its counseling department can be reached by phone on weekdays for support and referrals. For teens and young adults, TheHopeLine provides Christian-oriented encouragement, resources, and live chat support for those in crisis or emotional distress. You are not weak for needing help. Reaching out is a wise and courageous step, and there are people who care and want to walk with you through this.TRJE Disclaimer: The Real Jesus Experience exists to share stories of faith, hope, and redemption, but it is not a crisis service, counseling provider, or medical organization. Content shared by TRJE is for inspirational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for licensed mental health care, medical advice, diagnosis, or emergency intervention. If you are in crisis, feel unsafe, or are having thoughts of self-harm, call or text 988 immediately, or call 911 if you are in immediate danger.

In this first part of his testimony, Ralph Rodriguez sits down with Chad to share the painful beginnings of a story marked by fatherlessness, hidden trauma, deep emotional wounds, and a battle with depression.As Ralph reflects on those years, he speaks honestly about anger, insecurity, loneliness, and the pressure to hide pain behind humor, toughness, and trying to fit in. What looked normal on the outside was, in many ways, a life quietly unraveling within.This episode is raw, vulnerable, and deeply human. It is for anyone who has wrestled with hidden pain, depression, unanswered questions, or the weight of wounds they never chose. Ralph’s honesty makes this first part especially powerful because it does not rush past the darkness.If you have ever wondered where God is in the middle of pain, confusion, or brokenness, Ralph’s story will meet you there.You can find Rafael's creative works on his Instagram and website (see below), or reach out to him for further info at his email (see below):- Instagram - @thecatalyst1- Website: rafaelrod.com - Email: ralphcatalyst@gmail.comListen NOW for new episodes of the Real Jesus Experience Podcast🎙:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealJesusExperienceRumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-6527259Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-jesus-experience/id1752479121 Follow/Connect:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealJesusExperienceX: https://x.com/JesusXperienceTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.real.jesus.expInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_real_jesus_experience/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@the_real_jesus_experience_________LIKE. SHARE. SUBSCRIBE.Help us spread real stories of faith, redemption, and the power of Jesus by liking, subscribing, following, and sharing this testimony. 👍#testimony #jesus #faith #christianityThanks for watching the video Ralph Rodriguez: Childhood Wounds, Depression, and the Edge of Surrender (Testimony) | EP #61 (Pt1)

Acts 27 is one of those chapters that reads like a travel log… until it doesn’t.As I sat focusing on my Bible study, something flickered in my mind: buried inside this storm-and-shipwreck story was a description of my own journey through the wall! My own season where the headwinds wouldn't stop, plans fall apart, and I realized I couldn't push my way forward anymore. The kind of pressure that exposed how much control I was struggling to hold onto…In this episode of The Real Jesus Experience, we walk through Acts 27 step-by-step and connect it to what the wall actually feels like:- the “Fair Havens” moments God gives you to breathe.- the fog where you can’t see the sun or stars - no way to navigate.- the stripping away—jettisoning what you thought you needed to keep.- and the moment that gets most people: reaching for the lifeboat to escape the process.But here’s the hope: God doesn’t waste storms. And even when the ship doesn’t make it, He still gets His people safely to shore.If you’re in a season where you can’t see the shoreline, this is your reminder: the storm can be loud… but God is steady. And He will carry you through the wall. Listen NOW for new episodes of the Real Jesus Experience Podcast🎙:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealJesusExperienceApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-jesus-experience/id1752479121 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-6527259 Follow/Connect:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealJesusExperienceX: https://x.com/JesusXperienceTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.real.jesus.expInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_real_jesus_experience/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@the_real_jesus_experience_________LIKE. SHARE. SUBSCRIBE.Give this video a thumbs up if you enjoyed watching 👍#testimony #god #faith #scripture Thanks for watching the video Going Through the Wall in Acts 27: My Journey Discovered in Scripture (Testimony) | EP #60

Heads up, TRJE family—our next episode will be two weeks out.But it’s worth the wait. We’re trying something new: a conversation with two good friends whose stories intersect in a way we can’t wait for you to hear. Their testimonies come together in a powerful, God-sized way—and we believe it’s going to encourage a lot of people.Thank you for riding with us. Stay tuned!Listen NOW for new episodes of the Real Jesus Experience Podcast🎙:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealJesusExperienceRumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-6527259Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-jesus-experience/id1752479121 Follow/Connect:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealJesusExperienceX: https://x.com/JesusXperienceTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.real.jesus.expInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_real_jesus_experience/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@the_real_jesus_experience_________LIKE. SHARE. SUBSCRIBE.Give this video a thumbs up if you enjoyed watching 👍#testimony #god #faith #christianity

In Part 2 of Derek Mathews’ story, the Lord keeps pulling back the curtain on a lie Derek didn’t even realize was still running his spiritual life: the idea that God is distant—powerful, yes—but cold, static, and impressed only by performance. Derek shares how God began rewriting that image, not just with new information, but with a new experience—the kind that turns fear-driven striving into rest, and turns “servant or soldier” into something far more personal: son.Derek walks straight into a third “wall”: deep church hurt, spiritual and emotional abuse from leadership, and the gut-wrenching decision to leave a place he loved. Yet even there, God meets him in the Word—especially in Ezekiel 34—with a promise that lands like oxygen: when human shepherds fail, the Lord Himself will search for His sheep and care for them.This episode is raw, discerning, and full of hope in hard times. If you’ve ever tried to earn God’s love, felt disoriented by leadership failure, or wondered whether you can trust Him in grief and uncertainty, Derek’s journey will remind you: Jesus doesn’t just point the way—He walks with you through the wall, carries you when you’re weak, and leads you into deeper freedom.LISTEN TO STORYVERSE PODCAST: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/storyverse-podcast/id1687014735 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MyYLrPjprSDXJDk24gcAp (or wherever you listen)DOWNLOAD THE STORYVERSE INSTITUTE APP (Appstore: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/storyverse-institute/id6745186204 or Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kj2148391339.app&hl=en_US) GET 50% OFF using promo code REALJESUS using the links below:Lay Institute Courses | Think simple, rich, and transformative course library on all things Jesus. https://institute.storyverseministries.com/offers/B7aUmVrk?coupon_code=REALJESUSMinistry Residency Course | Think seminary, but way more accessible, way less expensive, and way more engaging. https://institute.storyverseministries.com/offers/sGG6X7HV?coupon_code=REALJESUSListen NOW for new episodes of the Real Jesus Experience Podcast🎙:Spotify: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealJesusExperienceRumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-6527259Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-jesus-experience/id1752479121 Follow/Connect:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealJesusExperienceX: https://x.com/JesusXperienceTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.real.jesus.expInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_real_jesus_experience/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@the_real_jesus_experience_________LIKE. SHARE. SUBSCRIBE.Give this video a thumbs up if you enjoyed watching 👍#testimony #god #faith #christianity Thanks for watching the video Derek Mathews: The Grief of Loss, Spiritual Wounds, and a New Calling (Testimony) | EP #59 Guest: Derek MathewsHost: Chad Beck Sound By: Steven Cooley Edited by: The Real Jesus Experience

In today’s episode of The Real Jesus Experience, I’m joined by Derek Mathews—the founder and host of the Storyverse Podcast, and the founder of Storyverse Ministries.In Part 1, Derek takes us back to the early framework he had for God—distant and critical—and how that shaped a faith that felt more like work than relationship. Derek's vision of God was as though He was sitting in a swivel chair, turning away from Derek when He was displeased, and back toward him when Derek had performed well. He describes trying to “get back into God’s good graces,” and even after coming to understand salvation by grace, still feeling the pull of a shame-driven mindset.If you’ve ever wrestled with feelings like God thinking you're a failure, Derek’s story will put language to it—and point you back to what’s true.LISTEN TO STORYVERSE PODCAST: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/storyverse-podcast/id1687014735 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MyYLrPjprSDXJDk24gcAp (or wherever you listen)DOWNLOAD THE STORYVERSE INSTITUTE APP (Appstore: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/storyverse-institute/id6745186204 or Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kj2148391339.app&hl=en_US) GET 50% OFF using promo code REALJESUS using the links below:Lay Institute Courses | Think simple, rich, and transformative course library on all things Jesus. https://institute.storyverseministries.com/offers/B7aUmVrk?coupon_code=REALJESUSMinistry Residency Course | Think seminary, but way more accessible, way less expensive, and way more engaging. https://institute.storyverseministries.com/offers/sGG6X7HV?coupon_code=REALJESUSListen NOW for new episodes of the Real Jesus Experience Podcast🎙:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealJesusExperienceRumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-6527259Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-jesus-experience/id1752479121 Follow/Connect:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealJesusExperienceX: https://x.com/JesusXperienceTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.real.jesus.expInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_real_jesus_experience/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@the_real_jesus_experience_________LIKE. SHARE. SUBSCRIBE.Give this video a thumbs up if you enjoyed watching 👍#testimony #god #faith Thanks for watching the video Derek Mathews (Storyverse): From Ritual to Relationship—Meeting the God Who’s Near | EP #58 (Pt 1)Guest: Derek MathewsHost: Chad Beck Sound By: Steven Cooley Edited by: The Real Jesus Experience