Just Talkin' About Jesus
A place with real people sharing their real faith.
What was the moment when you first realized how real Jesus is?
Tell me about your But God moment.
Have you had moments when you were so low you could only rely on your faith?
What makes you joyful when the rest of the world isn't?
These are a few of the questions that lead my interviews.
Once a month we have a roundtable chat with a few people about a topic.
Just Talkin' About Jesus
Eric Stephens Testimony: From Rejection to Rooted in Christ
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Ordained pastor, life coach, and founder of Redwood Christian Ministries Eric Stephens joins Jan and co-host Marti for a raw conversation about growing up caught between two rejections — one from an absent father, one from a world he tried to fit into by becoming its villain.
Eric shares the prayer that changed everything, the three train horns that answered it, and the years it took him to understand that his real struggle was never the addiction itself but the rejection underneath it.
He also talks candidly about discipleship, avoiding burnout in ministry, protecting his marriage, and the Christian hip-hop concert he's hosting this fall where dozens of people gave their hearts to Christ.
Honest, funny, and full of hope — this is a conversation for anyone still figuring out who they are underneath who they built themselves to be.
🔗 Podcast: Rooted in Christ, wherever you listen
🎤 Event: House of Blues, November 7th — Redwood Christian Ministries concert
📍 Ministry: Redwood Christian Ministries
Follow Eric's ministry, Redwood Christian Ministries, and catch new episodes of the Rooted in Christ podcast wherever you listen. If you're in the Cleveland area, join Eric and this year's lineup — headlined by KB — at the House of Blues on November 7th for a night of Christian hip-hop, R&B, and an altar call built right into the show.
Romans 8:28 (NIV) — 'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.'
Ephesians 1:5-6 (NIV) — 'He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.'
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) — 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified... for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.'
https://redwoodcm.org/
CHAPTER MARKERS
00:00 Welcome & Introducing Eric Stephens
00:33 Growing Up Between Catholic Mass and Baptist Church
01:00 The Basketball Game That Broke Something: Rejection by His Father
02:26 Becoming the Villain: Building a Character to Survive
03:15 Baptized at 11, Walking Away for the World
03:37 The Phone Call: Grandmother's Bladder Cancer Diagnosis
04:34 "God, If You're Real": The Prayer and the Train
04:57 Three Days Later: Losing His Grandmother
06:26 Backsliding After Salvation: The Real Root Was Rejection
07:28 The AZUSA Conference 2016: Full Surrender
09:02 Identity in Christ vs. Identity in the World
09:14 Marti's Graham Cook Quote: "Time to Have Another Thought"
11:03 Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing: Avoiding Burnout
14:29 24 Episodes Stacked: Building a Podcast That Doesn't Stop
15:08 Marriage Rhythm: Two by Two by Two
16:40 What Discipleship Actually Looks Like
20:19 Practical Faith: Living Out the Great Commission Daily
22:19 Marti's Question: Why This Conversation Feels Different
25:23 Rooted in Christ: A Discipleship Tool Disguised as a Podcast
26:18 Marti's Scripture: 1 John
5:21 and Staying Free of Idols
28:02 What's Really Keeping You From Jesus?
28:56 The House of Blues Concert: Christian Hip Hop and R&B
31:15 Closing Words: "Try Jesus"
32:27 Closing Prayer for Eric and His Family
Welcome to Just Talkin' About Jesus.
I'm Jan Johnson, a seasoned believer who loves relationships and, you know, just talkin' about Jesus.
Here you will find testimonies of those who God has changed through his grace.
Stories of feeling unworthy because of being sex trafficked, or of radical redemption of a woman who grew up with abuse, neglect, abandonment and drugs. A story of an abortion survivor. This and more. Lean in now.
Consider subscribing to this podcast, YouTube and Substack- all with the same name: Just Talkin' About Jesus!
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