Echos of Impact Ep. 14: From Broken to Called — A Journey Through Addiction to Ministry with Lisa Herrington
Trigger Warning: In this episode, Lisa shares honestly about her journey with addiction, including substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and the emotional impact on her children and family. We encourage you to listen at your own pace and take care of your heart as you do.
In this powerful episode of Echos of Impact, Briana sits down with Lisa Herrington, a wife of 41 years, mom of four, grandmother of six, and now a Care & Compassion Pastor at Blue Oaks Church in California. Lisa's story is one of deep brokenness, radical honesty, and the life-changing grace of God meeting her in the darkest places.
Lisa opens up about her journey through childhood loss, early experimentation with alcohol, and a decades-long battle with addiction that shaped both her life and her family. But she also shares how God never stopped pursuing her — from a desperate moment in her garage to an unexpected call to ministry spoken at her mother's graveside. This conversation is raw, redemptive, and full of the kind of hope only God can write.
If you've ever wondered whether God can redeem your lowest moments… if He can restore what's been broken… or if He can still use your life for purpose — Lisa's story is a resounding yes.
What We Cover:
✨ Lisa's early years — losing her father at age two, growing up in a single-parent home, and the ache she didn't have words for ✨ The beginning of addiction — a single moment at age 14 that offered escape… and the chase that followed ✨ The question that broke her — the turning point when her daughter asked, "Why do you love drugs and alcohol more than us?" ✨ Understanding addiction through a faith lens — powerlessness, shame, and how the church often misunderstands addiction ✨ The miracle of recovery — what changed in her heart during her fourth attempt at sobriety and how AA became a lifeline ✨ God's supernatural pursuit — from a friend who showed up at the exact right moment to an audible calling at her mother's graveside ✨ Her unexpected calling into ministry — how God opened doors she never could have imagined: funerals, senior centers, compassion ministry, and eventually becoming a licensed pastor ✨ Marriage and family redemption — navigating the years after sobriety, healing wounds with her daughters, and how God rebuilt what addiction tried to destroy ✨ Wisdom for those struggling — practical tools, spiritual rhythms, and grace-filled encouragement for anyone battling addiction or supporting someone who is
Key Quotes:
"The truth is what set me free — even when it broke me."
"I am powerless without God… but that's where His power began to change everything."
"God didn't move. He was there the whole time."
"I owe God everything. My life is more than I ever dreamed — only because of Him."
Connect with Lisa Herrington:
Blue Oaks Church: https://blueoakschurch.org Follow Blue Oaks on Instagram: @blueoakschurch
Join the Conversation:
How have you seen God redeem the broken places in your story? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram or inside our Facebook community!
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Take the Next Step:
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Ready for a fresh start? ➡️ Schedule your complimentary Life Audit with Briana today: https://calendly.com/echosofimpact/complimentary-life-audit?month=2024-12
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Until next week, friends! 💛