The Unfolding

Like many kids growing up on the south side of St. Petersburg, Florida, Kevin Burgess struggled with depression and hopelessness. After his parents' divorce, he moved from a place where he felt safe, to a community where drugs and violence seemed to rule. He felt forgotten by society and had little hope of living to the age of 30. That's when an acquaintance handed him a Christian hip-hop CD that changed his life. Kevin Burgess is better known by his stage name, KB. He is a Christian hip-hop artist, music executive, the author of Dangerous Jesus, and a man with a heart to shepherd the lost and hurting toward hope in Jesus.

The spinal surgery Katy Nichole underwent to correct scoliosis left her in excruciating pain. For three years she battled anxiety and depression. She came to a point where she wanted to give up, but God met Katy at her lowest and promised He had a purpose for her life. During those years of struggle Katy realized God had given her the gift of music so she could encourage others. Katy's song, "In Jesus' Name (God of Possible)" became a viral sensation and set a record for the fastest rise to #1 for a female artist's debut single. In this episode, Katy shares the story behind the song and how she became convinced there is always hope with Jesus.

When Toni Collier was young, her family experienced a traumatic event that forced her to grow up fast. She had to take control in order to ensure the survival of the people around her. It was a heavy burden and by the time she was a teen, that weight was too much. She set out on a path of destruction that included drinking, drugs, and toxic relationships. Even meeting Jesus didn't really change her life. Real change didn't happen until Toni was willing to surrender everything. Toni is the founder of Broken Crayons Still Color, a ministry that helps women know that God can redeem any story when we surrender it to him, and the author of "Brave Enough to be Broken."

In 2022, Ben Fuller was a singer and songwriter just beginning his career in Christian music. His song "Who I Am" has been played on stations around the country. He grew up on a dairy farm in Vermont as a well-liked kid who seemed to have it all together. But he always struggled to earn his father's approval. On the inside, he felt an emptiness that left Ben searching for something to fill the hole. He tried relationships, alcohol, cocaine, and even "making it" in country music. With each new thing, he was left asking himself, "Is this it? Is THIS what life is all about?"

Infertility is more common than we might imagine. One in six couples struggles to conceive, and yet it can be a very lonely experience. Taylor and Lindsey Hohulin had always assumed they would have children. They were healthy and they came from families with lots of kids. So when they had trouble conceiving, it was surprising. Taylor and Lindsey have experienced the highs and lows of an infertility journey. They have been optimistic, disappointed, full of hope and full of grief. When you long for something so desperately, something that God says is good, how do you trust He is faithful even while your prayers seem to be unanswered?

Jon Reddick is a singer and worship leader who writes songs of hope and healing, like "God, Turn It Around" and "I Believe It." There was a time when the hurts and hard parts of life left him questioning, is God's plan always good? Would the dreams planted in Jon's heart ever really happen? He seriously considered leaving music behind. But God used encounters with 2 strangers to affirm Jon's purpose and change his life.

When it comes to addiction, freedom comes through surrender. Scott Spiezio had always been a "goal guy," setting goals, working hard and finding success. The son of a major league baseball player, he grew up with his hopes set on playing in the big leagues. He won two World Series Championships with the Anaheim Angels and the St. Louis Cardinals in his 12 years in the major leagues. But an injury, a move away from the tight-knit community of believers that had surrounded him, and the pressures of great success led to the crumbling of his life and career.

Scott Hamilton is one of the most recognized male figure skating stars in the world, winning four World Championships and Olympic gold in 1984. He is a three-time cancer survivor, television broadcaster, motivational speaker, and more. Scott says failure is the thing that has fueled much of his success. God used the challenge of Scott's journey with cancer to get his attention and to grab his heart.

Long before Page Turner began transforming houses on HGTV shows like "Flip or Flop," "Rock the Block," and "Fix My Flip," she experienced the transformation of her own heart. Raised by her agnostic mother, she was exposed to many different religions as a child. But at 19, she met Jesus. As a single mother and sole provider for 3 young daughters, she desperately needed God to transform her life. Along the way she became a real estate broker, entrepreneur, and TV host, as she learned to follow God wherever he leads.

Austin French grew up in church, but for a long time he despised Christians. It seemed religion was all about pretending your life was perfect, and Austin's life was anything but that. Living with an abusive father, he learned to hide his bruises and put on a smile. He swore when he was old enough, he would run as far as his cynicism would take him. But an encounter with Jesus at 13 changed Austin's heart, and he committed to using his musical talents to telling people about Him. After appearing on national television shows like The Voice and Rising Star, Austin has become a successful singer and songwriter with songs like "Freedom Hymn," "Born Again," and "Jesus Can."