The Unfolding

Naomi Raine has been singing about God since she was two and writing songs since she was seven. Her parents were worship leaders, so she literally grew up going to rehearsals and hearing powerful worship songs. Even before she was born, there was a word spoken over her parents that their children would bless the earth. That word, combined with a stirring in Naomi, gave her a sense that God was going to use her songs to reach the nations. But for many years her songs, just like her relationship with God, were being cultivated in the small, quiet places. Today, Naomi's voice reaches the nations as part Maverick City Music. Songs like Jireh and Promises have become anthems for worshipers around the world.

Meridith Foster and Alan Bonde talk about a recent trip to a OneChild Hope Center in Nicaragua. We invite you to learn about becoming a child champion through OneChild, and to pray if God is asking you to consider sponsoring. https://my.onechild.org/wowgod-search

Granger Smith had always found it easy to work hard on the things he was passionate about. Country music was at the top of that list. Last year after 24 years of touring as an award-winning, platinum-selling, singer and songwriter, Granger made the decision to leave the music business to pursue a future in ministry. That was something that a few years ago would have seemed impossible. But a tragic accident at his family's home in 2019 had forced Granger onto a new path. He finally understood that no matter how hard he worked, he could not save himself. Granger is the host of the Granger Smith Podcast and the author of Life After River:Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache. Caution: This episode includes some graphic content, including the loss of a child and discussion of suicide.

On a snowy April day, while driving through the countryside, Ireland's car slid, hit a fence, and flipped multiple times. Amidst the chaos, she braced for impact, fearing for her life. Miraculously, she survived without any serious injuries.

*We are praying Unfolding listeners will sponsor 10 kids through One Child. If you are interested in sponsoring, would you please use this link? https://my.onechild.org/wowgod-search Sandeep Maity grew up in extreme poverty in India. His tiny home was four wooden poles wrapped in a tarp. He spent his days competing with other kids for whatever food they could find in the city dumpsters. But the most painful thing was the people around him who reminded him he was poor and unworthy, and he would live and die that way. For a time, Sandeep believed that was true. Today, he is a passionate leader, speaker and advocate for children who live in poverty. Sandeep is the Global Partnership Manager for One Child, an international community of Child Champions that serves children in poverty so they can discover hope and reach their God-given potential.

When you work in the fashion industry, image is everything. As a young woman, Hannah Corwin moved to London and began working as a photographer in the fashion industry. It was an environment where it was easy to get caught up in believing you are what brand you wear. Image meant everything, and her identity was completely wrapped up in her job. Today Hannah works in Nashville, shooting artists and musicians in the country music and Christian music industries. Along the way, God got hold of her heart and her camera, and He's using it to tell about the miraculous things He's done, through a beautiful book of photography and stories called, "But God."

Chad Mattson is best known as the lead singer of the band Unspoken. For nearly 20 years, he's been touring the country, writing hit songs like "Reason," "Call it Grace," and "Start a Fire." Before he set foot on a stage or even realized that music was going to be a part of his life, Chad was living under the weight of contradiction. He knew God was real, he'd felt His presence. Yet his life was driven by addiction. From cigarettes, to alcohol, to drugs, to living in drug houses, his addictions grew stronger. He moved further away from the life God wanted for him and spent every day chasing the next fix.

We've got one more Angel Story for you before Christmas! Melodee shares a scary situation she was in as a realtor, and how at the last moment, disaster was avoided.

All throughout the story of Jesus' birth, there are encounters with angels. But many of us are perplexed by these spiritual beings. Hebrews 13:2 says, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Do people still encounter angels today? In this special 5th installment of our Christmastime episode about angels, we hear from Jamie Winship, LaDonna VonHolton, Stephanie Davenport and Jeff Hanus, each sharing their own unique encounter.

Kevan Chandler was the second of his siblings to be diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare neuromuscular disease. In 2016, he and his friends took a three-week trip across Europe, leaving his wheelchair at home while his friends carried him in a backpack. It was a crazy dream-come-true trip, where God began to show Kevan that he wanted to inspire others to deep friendships and adventures. An avid storyteller, Kevan Chandler is a writer and speaker worldwide about his unique life with a disability. Kevan is the founder of the nonprofit We Carry Kevan, where more than 1,000 families have received backpacks so they can experience their own adventures.