Van Kirkland shares his journey from Louisiana roots to Texas transplant, including his career as a dental technician creating beautiful smiles and how his faith sustained him through profound personal tragedies. His story reveals how mentorship, community support, and a deep relationship with God provided resilience during life's most challenging seasons.

• Originally from Plaquemine, Louisiana, moved to Texas after marrying a Texan
• Built a career as a dental technician, recently opening a new high-tech dental lab
• Early spiritual formation through mentor Jim Boley helped develop deep faith
• Lost daughter Grace to spinal muscular atrophy, experienced multiple miscarriages
• Miraculously adopted daughter Hope just nine months after losing Grace
• Recently welcomed mother-in-law into their home at age 88
• Passionate about small groups and discipling young believers
• Lives by Isaiah 50:4, speaking words of encouragement to the weary

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Michael Walt shares his incredible journey from South Africa to Austin, Texas, where he and his family are preparing to join Shoreline Church in full-time ministry. His story reveals how God's divine timing and unexpected open doors have confirmed their calling to uproot their lives for ministry across continents.

• Grew up in a small South African town where his youth leader inspired his passion for ministry
• Built carbon fiber sailing catamarans in the coastal town of Knysna while developing his technical skills
• Received an unexpected text invitation to return to full-time ministry at Shoreline Church
• Now works remotely with Shoreline's online ministry team while awaiting permanent relocation
• Experienced miraculous visa approvals and confirmations that validated their decision to move
• Learned that God only illuminates the next step of faith—you must start walking to see what follows
• Currently preparing to relocate with his wife and twin 10-year-old sons to Austin by August

Keep the faith and join us for more sidewalk conversations as we explore the intersection of faith and life together.

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Mike Orenstein shares his journey from military kid to recovery ministry leader, revealing how his unique background prepared him to connect with people across different backgrounds and help them find healing. His candid discussion of personal struggles with addiction and family crisis demonstrates how vulnerability becomes strength when used to help others overcome similar challenges.

• Early life as a military child provided unique perspective on being an outsider and adapting to different cultures
• Ability to connect with diverse groups of people became foundation for ministry work
• Open discussion about overcoming pornography addiction and the importance of accountability
• Breaking the silence around addiction: "You're only as sick as your secrets"
• How the church community rallied when his son was incarcerated
• Navigating marriage during family crisis and being there for each other
• Perspectives on the church's strengths in ministry and challenges with structure
• Personal mission to "heal the brokenhearted and proclaim liberty for captives"
• Passing down protective nature and service mindset to his children
• The essential role of authentic community before crisis strikes

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Valerie shares her powerful journey from growing up on a Texas farm to finding redemption through adoption and learning to listen to God's voice in unexpected ways.

• Lived on a small farm in Texas for the first 17 years of her life
• Found healing and family when adopted by a childless couple from her church
• Stepped down from youth ministry after 10+ years when God clearly said it was time
• Became a full-time caregiver for her mother-in-law during her final seven weeks
• Learned that "good doesn't always mean right" when discerning God's will
• Discovered the challenge and blessing of "being still" as an extrovert who thrives on connection
• Encourages adults to listen to youth perspectives and take their spiritual suggestions seriously
• Finds purpose in obedience even when it means waiting without clear direction

"Can I have some type of direction? Like this way, that way?" God's answer: "Be still... Wait."

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Natalie shares her journey from skeptical teen to passionate social media manager and youth leader at Shoreline Church, revealing how God met her in her darkest moments and transformed her life.

• Finding faith during COVID through a devotional book found in a junk drawer
• Building and leading a social media ministry team at Shoreline Church
• Using technology and social media to share the gospel and invite people into church
• Working with middle school students and addressing their questions about faith, identity, and self-control
• The importance of authenticity in reaching the next generation
• How modern church environments can eliminate barriers between everyday life and spiritual experience
• Discovering ministry as a calling despite initial resistance
• Balancing the positive potential and pitfalls of social media in ministry
• Finding fulfillment in caring for people beyond technical responsibilities

If you're looking for a church in the Austin area, we encourage you to check out Shoreline Church. Services are also available online if you'd like to join from afar.

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Tyler Hake shares his journey from business owner to faithful Christian, recounting how a near-death experience with carbon monoxide poisoning and his parents' health struggles led him to discover purpose beyond himself.

• Growing up in a tight-knit entrepreneurial family in Madison, Wisconsin
• Struggling through traditional education before buying a window cleaning business
• Surviving carbon monoxide poisoning that doctors called a "miracle"
• Finding faith after reaching a low point in life when family health crises hit
• Learning to communicate effectively while preparing for marriage
• Recognizing how pride and self-sufficiency prevented spiritual growth
• Experiencing transformation in relationships and attitude through faith
• Understanding that the hardest seasons often become the most significant

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Kyle O'Neal, Creative Arts Pastor at Shoreline Church, shares his journey from childhood musician to worship leader and how his faith shaped his path through church planting, cross-country moves, and creative ministry leadership.

• Growing up in Atlanta with his father as primary influence and role model for serving in church
• Making cassette tape "radio shows" at age six and receiving his first real guitar at twelve
• Dropping out of college at 19 to plant churches, spending 11 years in church planting ministry
• Moving from Georgia to Wichita, Kansas with his family after God prepared them through strengthened finances, parenting and marriage
• Leading with three core principles: "Point to Jesus," "Bring your best," and "Seek to serve"
• Maintaining personal faith through daily Bible reading (currently in year nine of annual reading)
• Observing post-COVID church trends as an opportunity for fresh direction rather than trying to return to previous patterns
• Writing original worship music with his team at Shoreline Church
• Navigating parenting teenagers while exploring Austin with his family

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Denise Jackson shares her extraordinary journey of faith through floods, teenage marriage, and raising children, revealing how documenting God's faithfulness became her anchor through life's storms. She offers powerful insights from 50 years of marriage and explains how seeing God at the center rather than as one slice of life transforms every challenge.

• Surviving a devastating flood in Wimberly just months after moving there
• Growing up between Catholic and Baptist traditions before finding personal faith at 19
• Marrying at 16 and defying expectations through 50 years of marriage
• Learning the power of praying together during financial crisis
• Three keys to marriage longevity: prioritizing love for God, praying together, and speaking Scripture
• Facing her husband's cancer diagnosis with both realism and supernatural hope
• Building E's Greenhouse ministry to help women navigate life through biblical principles
• Creating personal "books of remembrance" to document God's faithfulness

Today's episode is sponsored by Stone Stash Coffee, featuring air-roasted beans for a uniquely consistent flavor. Find their information in the show notes, and if you're in the Austin area, they'll hand-deliver your order.

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