Cody's Story: From Brokenness to Bold Faith and Empowering the Next Generation
January 13, 2025 • Pastor Austin Karick, Pastor Cody Stoneback • Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 5:20, Matthew 28:19–20, Luke 9:23–24, John 13:34
In this powerful episode, Pastor Cody Stoneback shares his story of transformation—from finding Jesus during his college years to becoming a passionate advocate for the next generation. Pastor Cody opens up about his journey from a life marked by anxiety, misplaced identity, and brokenness to one filled with purpose and hope. He talks about how the obedience and example of others brought him closer to Christ and how God’s grace radically transformed his life. Episode Highlights: How a simple question from a stranger planted the first seeds of faith in Cody's heart. The impact of witnessing authentic faith lived out by a teammate. The role of discipleship in Cody’s spiritual growth—even before he made a formal commitment to Christ. Cody’s baptism in the Holy Spirit and how it empowered him to overcome personal strongholds. His leap of faith into public education and the birth of Unrestricted Ministries, a movement bringing Jesus into schools. Key Takeaways: God uses simple acts of obedience, like handing out tracts or displaying servant leadership, to plant seeds in others’ lives. Transformation is a journey—God works in layers, pruning away wrong beliefs and habits over time. Students have the power to impact their schools and peers through bold faith and leadership. More About Unrestricted Ministries: Unrestricted Ministries partners with schools and local churches to empower the next generation. Through worship nights and student-led initiatives, this movement brings the Gospel to students where they are. Website: https://unrestrictedschools.com Get involved by volunteering, donating, or requesting an event at your school! Subscribe to This Is My Story to hear more life-changing testimonies. New episodes drop every other Monday on your favorite podcast platforms and YouTube. Follow Victory Church for more inspiration and updates: https://www.instagram.com/victorychurchpa/ https://victorychurch.org/
Evan's Story Part II: Living on Your Own Terms
April 29, 2024 • Pastor Austin Karick, Evan Kerstetter
**Please note that during this episode topics such as self-harm, eating disorders, and depression will be discussed. If any of that is a trigger for you we encourage you to visit one of the other amazing stories on the podcast.** Today, Evan Kerstetter is sharing Part Two of his testimony. Be sure to go back to last week's episode to catch Part I before listening to this episode. In this episode, Evan picks up his story at the point where he is being taken in the middle of the night and we find out that his parents have enlisted him into a boarding school for teens in similar struggles to his. Evan candidly shares his life on "the ranch" and how even through the difficult times there, God opened his eyes and helped him to find freedom! In this episode, we also discuss: - Evan's life on "the ranch" which was extremely difficult - how spending time in God's Word opened his eyes - what it was like for him to come home after a year at "the ranch" - how God has used Evan's testimony to reach others - the gift of freedom that comes from following Christ This is the last episode of Season 2 of This is My Story! Subscribe to get season 3 when we release it! Watch This is My Story on YouTube! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=plsjr0nc0xozucsp65apdox567qhavx61t&si=vltp-ggqtb615p4l Follow Victory Church on Instagram for more encouragement: https://http://www.instagram.com/victorychurchpa Learn more about Victory Church: http://victorychurch.org/about Find a Victory Church location near you in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania http://victorychurch.org/locations
Evan's Story Part I: Living on Your Own Terms
April 22, 2024 • Pastor Austin Karick, Evan Kerstetter
**Please note that during this episode topics such as self-harm, eating disorders, and depression will be discussed. If any of that is a trigger for you we encourage you to visit one of the other amazing stories on the podcast.** Today, Evan Kerstetter is joining us to share his journey of faith filled with ups and downs that you will not expect (really, you have no idea what to expect). He shares that in high school he found himself walking down a dark path but after a head injury, everything escalated...and not for the better. Evan shares how living on his own terms didn't lead to a healthy lifestyle. In this episode, we also discuss: - the impact a head injury had on Evan's life - living in an angry mindset - the importance of talking to others and bringing them into your struggles - owning up to your bad decisions and not blaming others - the importance of having healthy coping mechanisms - how God can redeem your past Part II of Evan's story will be released next Monday! Subscribe to be notified! Watch This is My Story on YouTube! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=plsjr0nc0xozucsp65apdox567qhavx61t&si=vltp-ggqtb615p4l Follow Victory Church on Instagram for more encouragement: https://http://www.instagram.com/victorychurchpa Learn more about Victory Church: http://victorychurch.org/about Find a Victory Church location near you in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania http://victorychurch.org/locations
Nick & Kylie Jo's Story: Thriving in Obscurity
April 15, 2024 • Pastor Austin Karick, Pastor Nick Smith, Kylie Jo Smith
Today, Nick & Kylie Jo Smith are joining us on the podcast to share how God helped them to thrive in obscurity. They had ideas for what their life would look like but God gave them a strong calling, outside of their comfort zone. With every step, God provided for them. Nick & Kylie Jo attend Victory Church's Greenfield Location in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In today's episode, we discuss: - listening for God's voice - wrestling with God's calling on their lives but ultimately leaning into Him - trusting God in the unknown - what ministry looks like with a family - ministry in a busy city vs a very small town You can find more Nick & Kylie Jo on their own podcast! https://http://www.nixmythpodcast.com Watch This is My Story on YouTube! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=plsjr0nc0xozucsp65apdox567qhavx61t&si=kwvbxfnwpny77cf2 Follow Victory Church on Instagram for more encouragement: https://http://www.instagram.com/victorychurchpa Learn more about Victory Church: http://victorychurch.org/about Find a Victory Church location near you in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania http://victorychurch.org/locations
Sara's Story: Letting Go of the Past & Being Brave
April 8, 2024 • Pastor Austin Karick, Kelly Walldeyer, Sara Mueller
Today, Sara Mueller bravely shares her story of finding freedom and stepping in to live the full life God has planned for her. In this episode, we discuss: - her experience in a Freedom Group - the importance of discovering things that are holding you back, even if you thought they weren't, so that you can live a full life - the importance of a healthy mindset - not allowing singleness to be your identity - being filled with the Holy Spirit and the difference it made in Sara's life Subscribe to https://studio.youtube.com/channel/ucse2zr5ukvw4w87l3g5it6g to receive new episodes of This is My Story on Mondays! Follow Victory Church on Instagram for more encouragement: https://http://www.instagram.com/victorychurchpa Learn more about Victory Church: http://victorychurch.org/about Find a Victory Church location near you in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania http://victorychurch.org/locations