You were made for more—on purpose, for a purpose. In this powerful episode, Pastor Souzy dives into what it means to live out your calling even when life feels confusing, discouraging, or stagnant. This is for anyone who’s ever asked, “God, do I really matter?” 🔥 Get ready to be reminded: Your story isn’t over, and your purpose is bigger than you think.

What do you do when life takes an unexpected turn? In this heartfelt episode of the Level Up Podcast, Pastor Souzy sits down with special guest Pastor AJ Valdez to explore what it means to trust God when your plans fall apart. From growing up in South Central LA, to planting roots in Ireland for 22 years, to pioneering a print shop–turned–LAN center, Pastor AJ shares his incredible story of faith, obedience, and perseverance.

Whether you're a gamer, a leader, or someone in a season of uncertainty, this episode is packed with encouragement and purpose.

What do you do when all your efforts feel wasted and nobody shows up? In this episode, Pastor Souzy gets raw and real about the early struggles of ministry, the pain of disappointment, and the deep lessons God teaches us in moments of obscurity. If you've ever felt unseen or overlooked, this episode is for you.

🎮 Faith, leadership, and real-life lessons—Level Up starts here.

Chapters:
0:00 Nobody Showed Up
6:27 Finding Friendship in Failure
13:26 The Power of Humility
19:57 Wrestling with Doubt
26:44 When It Feels Pointless
33:39 God Still Shows Up

Get Connected!
Website: https://xpchurch.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/xpchurch
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/xpchurchforgamers
X: https://twitter.com/xpgamerchurch
Facebook: https://facebook.com/gaming/xpchurchforgamers
Instagram: https://instagram.com/xpchurchforgamers
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@xpchurchforgamers

“God, why? Why do I have this disability? Why was my dad taken from me?” If you've ever asked God "Why me?", this message is for you. We dive deep into the struggles, the raw emotions, and the real stories of faith through pain. You’re not alone—and even in your hardest questions, God is working something beautiful in your life. Whether you're feeling frustrated, confused, or just trying to understand your purpose, join us for this powerful, hope-filled conversation that doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. Let’s explore how our struggles might just be the setup for something greater.

Follow Pastor Nfluence on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/pastornfluence
Follow Pastor Nfluence on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pastornfluence

Get Connected!
Website: https://xpchurch.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/xpchurch
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/xpchurchforgamers
X: https://twitter.com/xpgamerchurch
Facebook: https://facebook.com/gaming/xpchurchforgamers
Instagram: https://instagram.com/xpchurchforgamers
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@xpchurchforgamers

Welcome to the very first episode of the Level Up Podcast! 🚀

Gamers, it’s time to realize something powerful: You have an incredible purpose. This podcast is here to help you discover it, step into leadership, and start making a real impact—not just in your guild or game, but in your world.

In this episode, Pastor Souzy breaks down why great leaders aren’t born—they’re built.

⏱️Timestamps:
00:00 Opening: Purpose, Character, and Leadership Intro
00:38 Launching the Podcast: Dreams and Vision
00:55 Why Start a Podcast: Heart Behind It
01:45 You Can Be a Leader: Shaping Your Mindset
02:04 The Journey So Far: Impacting the Gaming Community
02:35 Lessons Learned: More Than Just Streaming
03:13 How We Transform the Gaming Community
04:08 Leadership: The Key to Change
04:46 Redefining Influence and Leadership
05:35 Multiplying Leadership Across Gamers
05:58 Leveling Up Beyond Streaming: Building Leaders
06:15 Who This Podcast Is For: Growth-Oriented Gamers
06:52 Format Overview: Teaching + Guests
07:50 Weekly Upload Schedule (Twitch + YouTube)
08:10 Main Topic Introduction: You Can Be a Leader
08:30 Misconceptions About Leadership
09:50 True Leadership = Living a Life Worth Following
11:11 Choosing to Grow: You Can Be a Leader
12:53 Living a Life Worth Following (No Titles Needed)
13:32 Why You're Not Being Promoted Yet
14:14 Action Steps: How to Start Leading
14:40 Practical Step 1 Learn to Feed Yourself
15:00 Gaming Analogy: How to Level Up
16:10 Finding Your "XP" in Life
17:25 Growth Requires Intentional Sacrifice
18:07 Feeding Yourself Daily: Practical Tips
19:08 No One Is Coming to Push You to Grow
20:15 Curating Your Social Media Algorithms
21:25 How to Build Growth-Focused Playlists
22:36 Why Short Clips Are Powerful for Growth
23:52 Rejecting the Victim Mentality
25:03 Feed Yourself Growth Is Your Responsibility
26:05 Practical Step 2 Who Are You Surrounding Yourself With
26:54 Understanding Mentor Mentee and Mutual Relationships
29:47 Building True Mutual Friendships
31:19 The Critical Value of Having Mentors
33:03 Being Honest About Your Friendships
35:05 How Friendships Affect Your Growth
36:49 Redefining Relationships if Needed
38:12 Leaving Behind Those Who Won't Grow
40:03 How to Lead Your Friends to Growth
41:42 Redefining Not Always Ending Relationships
42:51 Taking Ownership of Your Growth Journey
43:34 Vision for the Podcast Featuring People Worth Following
44:14 Closing Thoughts and Final Encouragement

Whether you're a Twitch streamer, a casual gamer, or someone just looking to grow, this episode is for YOU.

🗓️ New episodes every Thursday. Recorded live Wednesdays on Twitch at https://twitch.tv/xpchurchforgamers!

🎧 Listen, apply, and let’s LEVEL UP together.
——————

Get Connected!
Website: https://xpchurch.com/
Discord: https://discord.gg/xpchurch
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/xpchurchforgamers
X: https://twitter.com/xpgamerchurch
Facebook: https://facebook.com/gaming/xpchurchforgamers
Instagram: https://instagram.com/xpchurchforgamers
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@xpchurchforgamers