Steven Matamoros grew up as a Jehovah's Witness with a distorted view of God. But through a crumbling marriage and heartbreaking loss, he would encounter the true God of the Bible, who promised to always be by Steven's side... even in the darkest of times.Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/steven-matamoros🎧 Recommended Episodes:#89 Finding My Father - Peter Davidson: Peter was exposed to cultural Christianity while growing up, but it never meant much. He lost his parents as a child and his future prospects appeared bleak, until God came looking for him and revealed to Peter who his “True Father” was. https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/peter-davidson#73 A Love Story - Frank & Annette Loria: Frank was a self-righteous "good guy" who thought he could earn God's favor by following the rules. Annette, on the other hand, barely stopped to think if God had rules at all, and instead indulged in whatever she felt like. Both of them had defined God to be whoever they thought He was… but they’d soon find out that He was entirely different. https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/frank-annette-loria#59 My Marriage Was Crumbling - Barbara Mula: Barbara’s life growing up was chaotic at best and scarred with abuse. To protect herself, Barbara put up emotional walls and developed a tough personality. But when her marriage began crumbling, she realized those walls would never hold up. If everything she thought to be true was false, how would she ever find a firm foundation? https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/barbara-mula🔗 Helpful Links:Lakeview Christian Center: This is the same church where Steven and all the podcast guests mentioned above attend in New Orleans, Louisiana. If you’re ever passing through, they would love to have you visit! https://lakeviewchristiancenter.com/++++++++++++Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!Want to help make new episodes? Either make a one-time gift, or become a Monthly Partner at: https://compelledpodcast.com/donatePerks of being a Monthly Partner include: EARLY ACCESS to each new Compelled episode 1 week early! FULL LIBRARY of our unedited, behind-the-scenes interviews with each guest... over 100+ hours of additional stories and takeaways! Become a Monthly Partner by selecting the "Monthly" option during check-out. Show notes, emails, and more at: https://compelledpodcast.comCompelled is a member of the Proclaim Podcast Network: https://proclaim.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrate what God did in 2024. Hear Compelled's vision for 2025.What God allowed us to do in 2024: Released 20 original Compelled stories! Launched the Proclaim Podast Network to highlight other immersive storytelling podcasts in the Christian space. Listen to the other shows at Proclaim.fm Compelled was downloaded 834,025 in 2024! Our vision for 2025: We just recorded 20 new testimonies in January. We’ll be releasing those this year and next. We’re going to continue cultivating and growing the Proclaim Podcast Network. We’re launching our weekly radio show on American Family Radio this coming Sunday, Feb. 2nd, at 2pm CT! 170 stations, 34 states, 500,000 listeners. Find station listings at afr.net We’re launching Season 9 of Compelled the following day on Monday, Feb. 3rd! We’re launching our “TOP SECRET PROJECT” later this summer. (suspense, suspense!) We've raised 75% of our 2025 Goal, with $15,000 remaining. If you'd like to donate towards our episodes for 2025 then visit compelledpodcast.com/donate 3 ways to be involved Pray God would bring us the right sponsors for the podcast and especially radio. We need the radio sponsor in order to stay on the radio. Join our Compelled Insider email list for the behind-the-scenes news... such as the “TOP SECRET PROJECT” we’re releasing later this summer. Send us your 5-10 minute testimony! We might feature it on Compelled! (email us to get the instructions) Show notes: https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/bts-state-of-compelled-2025++++++++++++Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!Become a monthly donor and listen to episodes 1 week early: https://compelledpodcast.com/support-usShow notes, emails, and more at: https://compelledpodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne, a former gang member and rapper turned president of Living Waters, shares his incredible journey from chaos to clarity. He opens up about his troubled youth, the internal conflict of gang life, and the moment he found faith at an evangelistic event. E.Z. discusses the transformative power of spirituality that changed his life, including overcoming anger and creating positive relationships with former rivals. He emphasizes the importance of community and evangelism in his mission to inspire others with the message of redemption.

Teri Hrabovsky grew up caught between Catholicism and cultural occultic practices. But after the enemy tried everything to destroy her, God allowed Teri’s life to become a story of healing and redemption, touching countless lives in ways she never knew possible.Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/teri-hrabovsky++++++++++++Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!Want to help make new episodes? Either make a one-time gift, or become a Monthly Partner at: https://compelledpodcast.com/donatePerks of being a Monthly Partner include: EARLY ACCESS to each new Compelled episode 1 week early! FULL LIBRARY of our unedited, behind-the-scenes interviews with each guest... over 100+ hours of additional stories and takeaways! Become a Monthly Partner by selecting the "Monthly" option during check-out. Show notes, emails, and more at: https://compelledpodcast.comCompelled is a member of the Proclaim Podcast Network: https://proclaim.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peter Davidson was exposed to cultural Christianity while growing up, but it never meant much. He lost his parents as a child and his future prospects appeared bleak, until God came looking for him and revealed to Peter who his “True Father” was.Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/peter-davidson++++++++++++Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!Want to help make new episodes? Either make a one-time gift, or become a Monthly Partner at: https://compelledpodcast.com/donatePerks of being a Monthly Partner include: EARLY ACCESS to each new Compelled episode 1 week early! FULL LIBRARY of our unedited, behind-the-scenes interviews with each guest... over 100+ hours of additional stories and takeaways! Become a Monthly Partner by selecting the "Monthly" option during check-out. Show notes, emails, and more at: https://compelledpodcast.comCompelled is a member of the Proclaim Podcast Network: https://proclaim.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jessica experienced the weight of family challenges from an early age and with limited outlets for her emotions she started down a path of self-harm and thoughts about suicide. But God saw Jessica in the midst of her struggle and was eager to meet her in her time of need.Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/jessica-carpenter++++++++++++Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!Want to help make new episodes? Either make a one-time gift, or become a Monthly Partner at: https://compelledpodcast.com/donatePerks of being a Monthly Partner include: EARLY ACCESS to each new Compelled episode 1 week early! FULL LIBRARY of our unedited, behind-the-scenes interviews with each guest... over 100+ hours of additional stories and takeaways! Become a Monthly Partner by selecting the "Monthly" option during check-out. Show notes, emails, and more at: https://compelledpodcast.comCompelled is a member of the Proclaim Podcast Network: https://proclaim.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 1960s, Tom Tarrants was a young man on a mission - to save America from Communism, Marxism, and desegregation. He was prepared to do anything, including joining the Ku Klux Klan, drive-by shootings, or even dying for his cause. Yet God had a far greater plan for this would-be revolutionary.Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/tom-tarrants++++++++++++Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!Want to help make new episodes? Either make a one-time gift, or become a Monthly Partner at: https://compelledpodcast.com/donatePerks of being a Monthly Partner include: EARLY ACCESS to each new Compelled episode 1 week early! FULL LIBRARY of our unedited, behind-the-scenes interviews with each guest... over 100+ hours of additional stories and takeaways! Become a Monthly Partner by selecting the "Monthly" option during check-out. Show notes, emails, and more at: https://compelledpodcast.comCompelled is a member of the Proclaim Podcast Network: https://proclaim.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Lynn grew up inspired by missionaries like George Mueller. But, as an adult, he was blindsided by a painful divorce and became a single dad. After struggling with self-pity and anger, Brian realized that God had called him to live out a counter-cultural lifestyle that he never thought possible.Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/brian-lynn++++++++++++Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world.These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened!Want to help make new episodes? Either make a one-time gift, or become a Monthly Partner at: https://compelledpodcast.com/donatePerks of being a Monthly Partner include: EARLY ACCESS to each new Compelled episode 1 week early! FULL LIBRARY of our unedited, behind-the-scenes interviews with each guest... over 100+ hours of additional stories and takeaways! Become a Monthly Partner by selecting the "Monthly" option during check-out. Show notes, emails, and more at: https://compelledpodcast.comCompelled is a member of the Proclaim Podcast Network: https://proclaim.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wendy Zaeringer shares her profound journey from a troubled childhood filled with substance abuse to a life redeemed by faith. She opens up about the chaos of her youth, including a significant arrest related to drugs. Wendy discusses how the turning point came when she started reading the Bible, which ignited her spiritual awakening. Her story highlights the transformative power of community support, the role of prayer in recovery, and the importance of surrendering to Christ as she embraces a new life filled with hope and purpose.

1. Today, we're launching the Proclaim Podcast Network. Learn more at Proclaim.fmListen to our other network shows at: StoryPartners.org ExemplaPodcast.com GodOutLoud.com (and listen to the 2nd half of their season premiere episode immediately!) 2. Radio Fundraising Update: We've raised around $19k of our $80k goal.If you'd like to give toward the radio initiative, you can do so at CompelledPodcast.com/donate3. Hang with us at the SING ConferenceIf you're at the conference and want to hang out with some other Compelled listeners for an hour over coffee just email sing@compelledpodcast.com. If there are enough people interested maybe we'll organize something. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices