From Heroin, Prostitution, and Hopelessness to Redemption | Rachel Ruiz | Ep. 11

The End Times Through the Lens of Hope | Rich Schmidt (Part 1) | Ep. 12

For many Christians, conversations about the end times have been shaped by fear, uncertainty, and the belief that the world can only grow darker before Christ returns. But what if there's another way to understand the biblical story? In Part 1 of Carmen Lindsay's conversation with Bible teacher Rich Schmidt, the discussion begins with Rich's remarkable journey, from serving as a pastor on the East Coast to leaving everything behind for an unexpected season at Bethel Church, where years of hidden faithfulness eventually led him into teaching ministry. The conversation then turns toward one of Christianity's most debated subjects: biblical prophecy. Rich explains why he began questioning interpretations of the end times that consistently produced fear and hopelessness, and why he believes Scripture deserves to be examined within its historical context. Guest Bio: Rich Schmidt serves as a Bible instructor at the Bethel Church School of Supernatural Ministry, where he teaches Scripture with a passion for historical context and sound biblical interpretation. After spending more than sixteen years in pastoral ministry and church planting on the East Coast, Rich followed God's leading to California, where years of humble service eventually opened the door to teaching full-time. Today, he helps believers engage Scripture thoughtfully while exploring topics such as the Kingdom of God, biblical prophecy, and the hope found throughout the Bible.   Resources Mentioned: - Website: https://richschmidt.org/ [https://richschmidt.org/] - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richschmidt_/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/richschmidt_/?hl=en] - The Bible (particularly Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) - The writings of Josephus - Isaiah 13, 34 - Ezikel 32 - Eusebius' Church History (Ecclesiastical History) - The Bethel Church School of Supernatural Ministry - The Scofield Reference Bible   Connect with Renew His World: Website: https://exskeptic.org/https://www.renewhisworld.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RenewHisWorld/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptichttps://www.instagram.com/RenewHisWorld/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renewhisworld YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptichttps://www.youtube.com/@RenewHisWorld Email info: carmen@renewhisworld.org — Footage provided by White Wolf Creative.

From Heroin, Prostitution, and Hopelessness to Redemption | Rachel Ruiz | Ep. 11

What happens when generation after generation is marked by addiction, abuse, and hopelessness? Can God truly break cycles that seem impossible to escape? Carmen Lindsay sits down with Rachel Ruiz, whose life story is a testimony to the transforming power of God's grace. Raised in East Oakland amid four generations of addiction, Rachel experienced violence, foster care, abuse, homelessness, gang culture, prostitution, and heroin addiction. By her own admission, she followed the same destructive path that had consumed her family, eventually losing her children and finding herself trapped in unimaginable darkness. But God had not abandoned her. "There is hope in the midst of the darkness. There is light on the other side if you're willing to take the step of faith." - Rachel Ruiz Guest Bio: Rachel Ruiz is a ministry leader, counselor, and speaker whose life has been radically transformed by the grace of God. After overcoming decades of addiction, trauma, and life on the streets, she served for six years on staff with Teen Challenge and later spent fifteen years working with women and children battling addiction. Today, Rachel works with individuals experiencing severe mental illness and forensic cases while also sharing her testimony with inmates inside San Quentin Prison. Her story stands as a powerful witness that generational cycles can be broken and that hope is available through Jesus Christ. Resources Mentioned: * Teen Challenge (San Jose) – The Christian discipleship and recovery ministry where Rachel encountered Christ and began her journey of restoration. * San Quentin Prison – Where Rachel now shares her testimony with inmates. * Importance of: * Biblical discipleship * Prayer and Scripture * Christian community * Strong women and church support * Taking steps of faith * Grace and perseverance   Connect with Renew His World: Website: https://exskeptic.org/https://www.renewhisworld.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RenewHisWorld/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptichttps://www.instagram.com/RenewHisWorld/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renewhisworld YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptichttps://www.youtube.com/@RenewHisWorld Email info: carmen@renewhisworld.org

The Prayer That Broke His Old Life | Mayo Sowell (Part 2) | Ep. 10

What happens when a hardened prison inmate encounters the presence of God in a way he can’t explain? In Part 2 of Carmen Lindsay’s conversation with Mayo Sowell, Mayo shares the moment that radically transformed his life while serving time in prison. What started with a simple prayer became the beginning of total surrender, deep discipleship, and a calling that would eventually lead him into ministry and church planting. This episode dives into the power of mentorship, submission, spiritual fathers, and what it truly means to live for something bigger than yourself. Mayo also speaks candidly about America’s division, the need for humility, and why he still believes renewal is possible. Guest Bio: Mayo Sowell is a pastor, speaker, and church planter passionate about discipleship, spiritual leadership, and helping people encounter transformation through Jesus Christ. After experiencing a radical life change while serving time in prison, Mayo devoted his life to ministry, mentorship, and raising up leaders. He has served within the ministry of Church of the Highlands and continues to champion unity, spiritual growth, and church planting across communities.   Resources Mentioned: Church of the Highlands Chris Hodges Rich Wilkerson Jr. Highlands College Biblical references to King David and the Psalms Discussion of the fivefold ministry and apostolic leadership   Connect with Renew His World: Website: https://exskeptic.org/https://www.renewhisworld.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RenewHisWorld/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptichttps://www.instagram.com/RenewHisWorld/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renewhisworld YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptichttps://www.youtube.com/@RenewHisWorld Email info: carmen@renewhisworld.org — Footage provided by White Wolf Creative.

Mayo Sowell: From Auburn Football to Federal Prison | Mayo Sowell (Part 1) | Ep. 9

What happens when success, status, and survival still leave a man trapped? In part one of Carmen Lindsay’s conversation with Mayo Sowell, Mayo opens up about his early life, his rise as a standout athlete, the pressure of performance, and the path that eventually led him from SEC football to the drug trade. From growing up between instability and ambition, to playing football at Auburn, to chasing identity through money, recognition, and power, Mayo’s story reveals how easily a life can be shaped by the paths placed in front of us. But even in the middle of federal charges, mandatory minimums, and a sentence that could have taken decades of his life, God was already at work. Guest Bio: Mayo Sowell is a pastor, speaker, and former Auburn football player whose life is a powerful testimony of redemption and transformation. After a promising athletic career was derailed, Mayo found himself caught in the drug trade and facing serious federal charges. But through God’s mercy, his life took a dramatic turn. Today, Mayo uses his story to point people toward hope, identity in Christ, and the power of the church to help people step into the purpose God created them for.   Get early access + exclusive updates: https://renewhisworld.kit.com/c6b8c9614c [https://renewhisworld.kit.com/c6b8c9614c] Connect with Renew His World: Website: https://exskeptic.org/https://www.renewhisworld.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RenewHisWorld/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptichttps://www.instagram.com/RenewHisWorld/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renewhisworld YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptichttps://www.youtube.com/@RenewHisWorld Email info: carmen@renewhisworld.org — Footage provided by White Wolf Creative.

Jesus Is Already King… So Why Are We Waiting? | Gary DeMar (Part 2) | Ep. 8

Get early access + exclusive updates: https://renewhisworld.kit.com/c6b8c9614c [https://renewhisworld.kit.com/c6b8c9614c]   If Jesus is already reigning… then why does the world still look broken? In part two, Carmen sits down again with Gary DeMar to challenge one of the most widely accepted assumptions in modern Christianity, that Christ’s kingdom is still mostly future. What if that’s not what Scripture actually teaches? What if the call isn’t to wait… but to build? Gary DeMar unpacks the deeper implications of Matthew 24, Revelation, and the language of biblical prophecy, arguing that many of these passages were fulfilled in the first century, not the distant future. But this isn’t just a theological discussion. It’s a call to action. If Jesus is already enthroned, then the responsibility shifts to His people. From family and church to education, business, and government, this episode explores what it looks like to reclaim a biblical worldview and actively participate in renewing culture from the ground up.   Guest Bio: Gary DeMar is a writer, speaker, and president of American Vision. He is widely known for his work on biblical worldview, eschatology, and the application of Scripture to culture, government, and everyday life. Gary has authored numerous books, including God and Government and Last Days Madness, and has spent decades equipping Christians to think critically, biblically, and strategically about the world around them. Resources Mentioned: * God and Government – Gary DeMar * The Book That Made Your World – Vishal Mangalwadi * The Bible (Matthew 24, Daniel 7, Revelation, Isaiah 19, 2 Corinthians 3, Deuteronomy 8)     Connect with Renew His World: Website: https://exskeptic.org/https://www.renewhisworld.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RenewHisWorld/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/exskeptichttps://www.instagram.com/RenewHisWorld/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renewhisworld YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@exskeptichttps://www.youtube.com/@RenewHisWorld Email info: carmen@renewhisworld.org