I Heard It On The 806

Episode Summary Things in life seldom go exactly as planned, but there are occasions when our plans are completely sidelined by circumstances that are out of our control. It's in these moments that we must decide how we will respond. We must cultivate a mindset for finding the best in bad situations. Will we get angry and frustrated, allowing something to completely ruin the rest of the day? Or will we remember Paul's words in Philippians 4:8? “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Here's Jon recalling a story from a time when his dad chose to think about what was good and pure when his plans were ruined by something that was completely out of his power to change. Listen to the episode "Finding The Best In Bad Situations" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary Sometimes it's easy to get our priorities mixed up when it comes to ministry. It becomes unclear to us where and to whom we should be ministering. There are times when God puts opportunities directly in front of us, and although we might see them for what they are, they don't seem important enough for our attention. A great example of this is found in Matthew 19:13-14 as Jesus was ministering, it reads “Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Listen to the episode "Let The Little Children Come" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary In this episode, Jon recalls a quote from pro football player J. J. Watt: “Success isn't owned. It's leased and rent is due every day.” As Christians, we must always remember that prayer is not something that is one-and-done. It is to be an everyday part of our walk with Christ. If we are not constantly in prayer before Him, we are missing out on the fullness that God has for us. In John 15:4-5 Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Listen to the episode "Paying Rent For Our Success" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary Oftentimes in our lives, especially when we are in ministry, it's easy to start taking ourselves too seriously. We forget to laugh at our mistakes or at times when things just don't go as planned. How often do we meticulously plan something like ministry time and then beat ourselves up when it doesn't go exactly the way we had arranged for it to happen? In this episode, Jon recalls a very funny story from the early days of Dr. Jay Swallow's tent meeting ministry. During one of these meetings, he was unexpectedly interrupted by the most unlikely of guests and he wasn't quite sure what to do about it. Listen to the episode "The Town Monkey" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary In this episode, Jon recalls a story from his dear friend Dr. Jay Swallow. As Jay was ministering across the nation, the Lord placed him in a unique position of authority among the Native tribes as chief of chiefs in the United States. As such, he was given many opportunities to minister not just to the tribes, but with other men of God as well. When Jay was invited to lay hands on Billy Graham to pray for him, he was faced with the lesson Paul addresses in 2 Timothy 1:6-7: “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Listen to the episode "The Tire Man" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary How often in our lives do we attempt to hide the scars of our past failures and defeats? We find shame in these perceived “imperfections” which makes us want to hide them from others. In Isaiah 61:3, we see an image of Christ who came “To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Instead of running from the scars of our past, we need to learn to see them as beauty marks; To embrace them, and tell the stories of God's faithfulness in our times of defeat. Listen to the episode "From Scars To Beauty Marks" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary As Jon's ministry in Guatemala continued to grow, word began to spread about the amazing things God was doing. One person who drew particular interest was Brigadier General James “Robbie” Risner who had been a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force and a senior leader among U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. In Vietnam, Risner was a double recipient of the Air Force Cross, the second highest military decoration for valor that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. The first was awarded to him for valor in aerial combat and the second for gallantry as a prisoner of war of the North Vietnamese for more than seven years. He was the first living recipient of the medal. Risner had become an ace in the Korean War where he commanded a squadron of F-105 Thunderchiefs in the first missions of Operation Rolling Thunder in 1965. He flew a combined 163 combat missions, was shot down twice, and was credited with destroying eight MiG-15s. He retired as a brigadier general in 1976. Listen in as Jon tells about how Robbie Risner got involved with the ministry that was happening in Guatemala and beyond and how God used all of it to help Robbie discover that he needed God's "New Wine" in new wineskins to revive him in his heart and passion for Christ. Listen to the episode "New Wine in New Wine Skins" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary In the early 2000s, Jon's church Christ's Center was experiencing a time of great growth and blessing in all of its ministries. It was at this time that the Lord began speaking to Jon about laying everything down and transitioning out as pastor of the church. The question remained to be asked: who would replace Jon as the pastor? The man the Lord chose for the job was the least likely candidate anyone could have ever imagined. This reminds us of another time in Scripture when God led Samuel to the least likely candidate for the new King of Israel. He said, “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Listen to the episode "The Tire Man" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary As Jon moved forward in seeking God about new ministry opportunities, he received a clear word from the Lord out of Psalm 2:8 – “Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.” It took him over a year to finally ask the Lord for a nation, and when he did, God not only answered his prayer but did amazing things far and beyond what any of them could have ever imagined. Listen to the episode "Ask And I Will Give You The Nations" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary In Mark 16:15, Jesus gives the command “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” More often than not, it's incredibly easy for us, as believers, to grow complacent in our walk with Christ. We know we should be sharing our faith with others, but we don't know where to start. In the 1990s, members from Jon's church started to notice a new kind of mission field along the road between Junction City (where they lived) and Portland, Oregon.  In this episode, Jon talks about this exciting period of time when they were able to share the Gospel with countless hitchhikers on the road to Portland. Listen to the episode "Hitchhikers on The Road To Portland" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary As we grow in our intimacy with Christ, our lives will begin to reflect the Image of The Holy Spirit to those we encounter. This is something that is deeper than our words and actions – a difference in our very countenance. In 2 Cor 3:18, Paul writes “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” Here's Jon recalling a story from a time when the Image of the Holy Spirit reflected through him, opening a door for God to deliver a word of encouragement to someone in need. Listen to the episode "Reflecting The Image Of The Holy Spirit" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary After years in ministry and seeing God do amazing things, some of those who were working alongside Jon began to question a pivotal part of his sharing the Gospel with the lost - The Sinner's Prayer - also known as the Salvation Prayer. The question began to arise: how did he know that all of the people he had led in this prayer were actually saved? This is where we must trust in the Lord that He is the one who is working in the hearts of those we share the Gospel with. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."1 John 1:9 We must never forget that although we are called to share His Gospel, Jesus is the one who saves the lost. Listen to the episode "Salvation Prayer In Dispute" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary As Christians, it can be easy for us to get comfortable in our faith. We get used to going to the “easy places” – to all of the spots where we've done ministry before, and where we know that we won't be outside of our comfort zones. But if we want to see true change in our churches and our communities, we have to be willing to follow Jesus to the hard places.  In Matthew 4:19, Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” This requires us to step out in obedience to Him and do the things others are unwilling to do. Listen to the episode "Snubbed By The Church, Received By The Street" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary Forgiving those who have wronged us is often one of the hardest things that we as Christians must do, especially when those people continue to lie and spread false information about us. Jesus spoke very clearly about loving our enemies and forgiving those who have wronged us. In Matthew 5:44, He said “...love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”, and then in Matthew 6:15, “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” The Importance of Forgiving Your Enemies When Jon was unjustly sent to prison, he found himself fighting feelings of hatred, bitterness, and anger towards the court system. But it didn't stop there, there were pastors in his hometown who had taken delight in his demise and began acting unbecomingly of fellow brothers in Christ. It was through this that the Lord began showing Jon that he needed to let go of these feelings of anger and ultimately the importance of forgiving your enemies. "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;"Hebrews 12:15 Listen to the episode "Forgiving Your Enemies" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary Many of us have aspired to achieve what some would call the “American Dream”. But how often does that dream conflict with the plans that God has for our lives? While there is nothing wrong with having nice things, we must be willing to lay them down when God asks us to. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Vanity of Vanities In this episode, Jon recalls a story from the early 2000s in which he met a man named Robin Christian who realized the truth in King Solomon's words from the opening of Ecclesiastes “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) Listen to the episode "Vanity Of Vanities! All Is Vanity!" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Episode Summary Operating in ministry is an amazing blessing, but it can also have its challenges, especially when it comes to the battle of Religion vs Relationship. When we prioritize the man-made part of church over the relationships God has given us, we are missing the mark. Religion has a power that the enemy has been working with from the very beginning - that religious spirit that kills the order of God and that is relationship with Him. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”Isaiah 55:8-9 In Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), The father chose relationship over religion, but his son who remained at home did not. Instead of celebrating his brother who had returned from his life of sin and destruction, he became envious. When he confronted his father, he was given this reply: “‘My son,' the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'” Jon's Priority of Religion vs Relationships Serve my wifeServe my childrenServe the church Listen to the episode "Religion vs Relationship" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

As we start to move in obedience to the Lord, we will oftentimes see opposition from those who don't believe in Jesus. It is crucial during these times that we do not allow ourselves to get offended by these people, but continue to show them the love of Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:18-19 says: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.'” In this episode, Jon tells the story of a time when they faced a very vocal and intellectual Boston Professor who seemed determined to warn others away from hearing the message of The Gospel they were sharing through their presentation of the drama Zion on the streets of Boston, MA. But as God often works, that was not the end of the story. Listen to the episode "The Boston Professor" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Throughout his years of ministry, Jon has had the opportunity to work alongside people of various levels of talent from beautiful singers to gifted leaders and other incredibly skilled individuals. One thing that has always stood out however is that when the hand of the Lord is on a person's ministry, His anointing always trumps their natural giftings. It's so important that we don't forget the word of the Lord given through the prophet Zechariah “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts.” Listen to the episode "Gifted But Not Anointed" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

How often have we let shame and embarrassment keep us from doing the things God has told us to do? In this episode, Jon recalls a time when he felt the Lord leading him to do something that in normal circumstances would have seemed absolutely crazy. Rather than listening to his emotions telling him not to do something shameful or embarrassing, he chose obedience instead. Scripture from this episode Romans 10:9 “...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Listen to the episode "Overcoming Shame and Embarrassment" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Jesus said "If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.” It's easy for us to forget this. We place our focus on the ninety-nine who aren't lost and ignore the “one” who has gone astray because we don't want to deal with them. But these are the ones God is calling us to. In this episode, Jon tells the story of one of the lost sheep God has brought along his path over the years. Listen to the episode "Leaving The Ninety-Nine To Go After The One" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

In the early days of Christ's Center Church, Jon would hold prayer meetings with a group of men from the church crying out to God for His will to be done in the church and in their community. On one specific night in 1978, they were crying out for God to send His revival fires to move in the hearts of men when they started to hear fire engine sirens. Listen to the episode to hear what happened next. Listen to the episode "When The Fire of The Lord Came Down" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

As Jon's Bible Study began to grow at the beginning of his ministry, it became more and more apparent that God was wanting to turn the study into a formal church with Jon as the pastor. Up to that point, they had been meeting in his barn, but had outgrown it and were in need of a new place to meet. It was at this time that the Lord not only provided guidance and direction for how to start the church, but He provided the place for them to meet as well. Listen to the episode "We Do The Possible, God Does The Impossible" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Throughout several decades of ministry at Christ's Center Church in Junction City, Oregon, the Lord allowed them to see the birth of many other ministries. Most of these came in the form of ordinary men who were willing to obey an extraordinary God. Just as we read in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians “ God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong… so that, just as it is written, ‘LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.'”. Listen to the episode "When God Uses Ordinary Men to do Extraordinary Things" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Throughout Jon's years in ministry, there have been several key moments where things did not seem to be going as planned. It was through these experiences that he learned a very important lesson: God's timing is often not our timing. The most critical thing for us, on occasions like these, is obedience to the Lord; waiting on Him rather than trying to do it in our own timing. As it says in Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.” and then in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Listen to the episode "Learning To Wait on the Lord" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

When Jon was ordained as pastor of Christ's Center, he wanted to do it on one condition - that he be allowed to have a co-pastor – something he was strongly advised not to do. Instead of listening to the counsel of those he was accountable to, he decided to do it anyway. This all came to a head 14 years later when the church split right down the middle. With half of the members following Jon, and the other half following the other pastor, it seemed like a devastating situation for everyone involved. It was during this time that the Lord brought the Christ's Center leadership back to the basics of desperately seeking God in prayer for the direction of their ministry. Listen to the episode "The 1988 Church Split" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

After the first pastor's conference was successfully held in Havana, Cuba in 2004, the Lord began speaking to Jon and the other members of the Alliance about doing something that had never been done before - hosting a worship conference at the Karl Marx theater - the same location where Fidel Castro gave all of his speeches. To everyone involved, this would be an impossible task, but for God, nothing is impossible. Listen to the episode "The Miracle At The Karl Marx Theater" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

When God spoke to Jon about having a pastor's conference in Havana, Cuba - many said it would be impossible because of the government restrictions. In spite of all of the fear and speculation, God opened the doors for the first pastor's conference to happen in Havana in 2004, with the leaders of all 39 denominations able to attend. Listen to the episode "God Does The Impossible in Havana, Cuba" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

As Jon's ministry began to grow, one by one, members of his home church began to cut ties with him because they disagreed with what the Holy Spirit was doing through his new Bible Study. It was one thing for him to receive this rejection on a personal level, but when it began to negatively impact his wife and children, he started second-guessing what the Lord had called him to. Listen to the episode "My Wife At The Crossroads" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

We've all heard the saying “God works in mysterious ways”. One night, a local man called Jon, thinking he was his brother, Jim, to let him know he was leaving his wife that night. Seeing this as an opportunity from the Lord, Jon went over to the man's house to see if he could pray with the couple to help them save their marriage. What ensued was a firm reminder of what is spoken of in Isaiah 55:8 ‘“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.' Listen to the episode "The Holy Spirit Heals A Broken Marriage" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

During Jon's incarceration, the Lord did many amazing things. One of the most observable was how God's Spirit changed the entire atmosphere of the prison. As he was nearing the end of his sentence, one of the guards began to express his concern that things would go back to the way they had been before Jon arrived. Jon reminded him that this was God's doing and it would continue after he was gone – just as Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, “...I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Listen to the episode "A Prison Transformed By The Holy Spirit" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

Jon's time in prison was far from normal. But, just like every other prisoner, he was subjected to certain prison rules that were often very humiliating. On many occasions, these “uncomfortable” circumstances would lead to breakthroughs not only in the lives of other prisoners but in the prison guards as well. Listen to the episode "The Power of Prayer and the Prison Guard" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

In the prison where Jon was serving his sentence, a local Lutheran church would come, once each year, to host a three-day seminar for the prisoners. While this was a fantastic opportunity for them to have a break from their normal routines, Jon grew frustrated that more Biblical truth was not being presented. When questioned about why he wasn't more involved with the activities, God used his honesty to change the hearts of those who were putting on the event. Listen to the episode "Turning Lutherans Into Prison Evangelists" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

On their many outreaches around the world, Jon's ministry teams would perform a Gospel Drama called Zion which clearly shows what Jesus did for all of us on the Cross. While he was in prison, he had an opportunity to present this drama to his fellow inmates, followed by a call for them to give their lives to Jesus. This resulted in a remarkable move of God with many prisoners making the decision to believe in and follow Jesus. Listen to the episode "How I Presented The Gospel In Prison" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

When Jon arrived in prison, he met a man named Gordon who had recently been transferred from Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas to their hospital prison in Minnesota. Gordon had done many terrible things when he was younger which led to him receiving a double lifetime prison sentence. He had also developed the belief that God could never forgive him for all of the horrific things he had done. In this episode, Jon tells the story about how God brought His forgiveness and healing to a man who believed himself to be unforgivable. Listen to the episode “A Suicidal Mass Murderer Healed By Jesus In Prison” to hear the full story. If you’ve been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

As Jon was nearing the end of his prison sentence, he received a unique request from the Prison Nun. One of her duties was to visit the men who were dying in the penitentiary hospital. Having seen the work God was doing through Jon's Bible Study and other places throughout the rest of the prison, she wanted to bring him in to do what she was unable to do as a federal employee - share the Gospel with these men who were on their death beds. Listen to the episode "The Catholic Nun in The Prison Hospital" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

As The Alliance grew, the Lord continued to bring pastors and leaders from a multitude of backgrounds to gather at annual pastors conferences and other times of fellowship. On one specific occasion, Jon had the opportunity to welcome Dr. Jay Swallow, an incredibly influential leader in Native American communities across the country. This story is a powerful testimony of just one of the ways the Lord has used Jon and The Alliance to begin the process of racial reconciliation through close relationships. To learn more about Dr. Jay Swallow, Click Here. Listen to the episode “What True Reconciliation Looks Like” to hear the full story. If you’ve been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

This episode is a continuation of last week's podcast – titled: "The Washing of Ezra Nehemiah's Feet". After that unforgettable time at the missions conference in Harlem, NY, a new kind of relationship began between Christ's Center Church in Oregon and Bethel Gospel Assembly. Deeply moved by their new season of reconciled relationship, Bishop Ezra felt that it was time for him to accept an invitation to guest speak at one of the racial “reconciliation” meetings that were held annually in New York City. His message for them would paint a picture of what true reconciliation looks like in the Body of Christ. Listen to the episode "What True Reconciliation Looks Like" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

After their initial outreach to Harlem, NY, God began to open new doors of reconciliation between Bethel Gospel Assembly and Jon's church – Christ's Center – in Oregon. When Jon was invited back to be the guest speaker at Bethel's annual missions conference, the Lord began an amazing new work. This was the beginning of a long, meaningful relationship between Jon Bowers and Bishop Ezra Nehemiah Williams, then Senior Pastor of Bethel Gospel Assembly. To learn more about Bethel Gospel Assembly visit their website bethelga.org. Listen to the episode "The Washing of Ezra Nehemiah's Feet" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

Jon's 10-month sentence in Federal Prison meant that he would have to spend the holidays in confinement. It was during this time that the Lord began to speak to him about putting together a Christmas Banquet for all of the prisoners in their cell block – something that was absolutely not allowed. But as with so many other stories from his time in prison, the Lord once again showed His amazing favor. Listen to the episode "A Christmas Banquet In Prison" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

During Jon's time in prison, He was blessed with the opportunity to lead a Bible Study among the other prisoners who had recently begun following Jesus. It was during these times that he was able to teach them how to share their faith with others. On one specific occasion, one of his fellow inmates learned about a death in his family and had a unique opportunity to share Christ with his family members prior to his release from prison. While he was in prison, Jon saw the Lord do many amazing things. If you'd like to learn more about how a misdemeanor landed him in a 10-month federal prison sentence, we encourage you to read chapter 16 of his book “I Heard It On The 806”. Listen to the episode “The McKenzie High School Basketball Player” to hear the full story. If you’ve been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

In this episode, Jon tells the story of the McKenzie High School basketball player who broke his leg right at the beginning of one of their seasons. When the Lord led the entire Christ's Center team to surround their opponent's star player so they could lay hands on him to ask God to heal his broken leg, the miraculous happened. Listen to the episode "The McKenzie High School Basketball Player" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

In this episode, Jon tells about two men in the Junction City, Oregon community who were very resistant to receiving the Gospel. In separate instances, the Lord spoke clearly to Jon about what he was supposed to do to see the men give their hearts to Jesus. These stories serve as great reminders to us that the Lord seldom works in the same way twice but deals with each of us in our own individual way. Listen to the episode “Salvation Comes In A Variety Of Ways” to hear the full story. If you’ve been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

In this episode, Jon focuses on two specific occasions in his life where he spoke and interacted with Angels - Heavenly messengers sent from God - who the Lord sent at just the right time as an answer to his prayers. Listen to the episode "Two Angels In The Flesh" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

After seeing such amazing success during their ministry time in Guatemala, Jon's team was invited to go to Nicaragua to minister to the soldiers in their national Army. On the heels of seeing so many soldiers won for the Lord on their previous trip, it was easy for them to assume that they would receive the same kind of acceptance as they had in Guatemala. Here's Jon telling about the lessons he learned and the amazing things God did during their time in Nicaragua. Listen to the episode "Don't Assume" to hear the full story. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

In the mid-1990s, God opened the doors for Jon's ministry team to share the Gospel with the Guatemalan army. Through a series of miraculous events, The Lord created the opportunity for them to not only share Jesus with tens of thousands of soldiers but to present them with Bibles as well. Listen to the episode to hear Jon telling about some of the amazing things that God did during this time of ministry. If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

When a young couple at Jon's church experienced a horrible tragedy, the whole church began to pray for the husband's healing. After many years of prayers, it became clear that God's will was not to heal him but to show His provision in a completely different way. Here's Jon sharing this encouraging story of how God provides for us in the midst of our hardship. In Philippians 4:19, Paul writes “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” When the Lord decided it was time to take Roger home, He promised to also take care of his family – a promise that He kept in a miraculous way. When we find ourselves in similar situations, it's easy to lose hope. But Jesus always has the answer. No matter what we're going through, God is always faithful to supply all of our needs! Listen to the episode for the full story If you’ve been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

In the early 1990s, the Lord began to open doors for a new kind of relationship between Christ's Center Church and a church called Bethel Gospel Assembly in Harlem, NY. It all started as an act of obedience when Jon led their High School ministry team to New York City to do street evangelism in Harlem, which at the time was one of The City's roughest neighborhoods. While out doing ministry on the streets, Jon heard the Lord direct them off the main street to a local public grade school. After boldly walking in off the street as complete strangers, and asking if they could perform their Gospel-based drama "Zion" for the entire school, they saw amazing things happen that none of them could have planned simply by obeying God's voice. Listen to the episode "Obeying God's Voice in Harlem, NY" for the full story If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen. Listen To More Episodes Want to hear more? Check out our library of episodes: Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOn our website

In this episode, Jon recalls several key stories of times when the Holy Spirit guided him to those who were ready to receive Jesus as their Savior. These serve as a reminder to us that when we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to guide us to those who need to hear the Good News about what Jesus has done for us, He is faithful to answer. In John 15:7-8, Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.” When we abide in Christ and ask Him to lead us to the lost, He will guide us to the people who need to hear the truth of what He did upon the Cross. It is in this obedience to Him that we will bear much fruit for His Kingdom. Listen to the episode for the full story If you've been encouraged by this podcast and the stories Jon has shared, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. New Episodes are released each Tuesday morning. Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone you think will be encouraged and by leaving us a review wherever you listen.

In this episode, Jon tells several stories about leading his family members to Jesus. Oftentimes, we avoid sharing the Gospel with those closest to us for fear of offending the ones we care the most about. But if we will simply obey and trust in Jesus to work in their hearts as we speak to them, we can believe that He will do the same miraculous work in them as He has done in us.

In this episode, Jon talks about the difference between being a settler and a trailblazer. Between being someone who plays it safe, simply showing up to church on Sunday while never stepping out in obedience to the Holy Spirit, and someone who leads their life in submission to the Lord. As Jon would learn, the process of becoming a trailblazer comes at a cost, but the reward of experiencing intimacy with God in completely new ways is so much greater.

In this episode, Jon tells the story of Merrell & Buelah Rush, both of whom he loved and admired as he was growing up in his hometown of Harrisburg, Oregon. When Jon received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, his relationship with his home church including the Rushes became strained because they didn’t believe what he was experiencing was from God. Years later, when disaster struck the Rush home, God used Jon’s obedience to show that the power of God’s Spirit absolutely is real.