At seven years old, Lauren Burns was taken by her father from Texas to the Middle East, and her mom had no idea where she was. When the United States government couldn't help, Lauren's mother- supported by private investigators Rick and Beverly Lambert, parents of country artist Miranda Lambert- turned to a team of former military operatives for an extraordinary international rescue.

The rescue made international headlines. But coming home was only the beginning. Lauren still faced childhood trauma, father wounds and a difficult question: She knew God was real, but was He good?

Lauren Burns is the author of Stolen: A True Story of Kidnapping, Rescue, and Redemption, a powerful true crime memoir. Her story later inspired a television movie. Today, Lauren is a speaker on trauma, redemption, and faith, and the host of The Redeemed Podcast

Learn more at laurenburns.net.

This episode discusses childhood abduction and trauma and may not be appropriate for young listeners.

Show Notes:

Website: https://www.laurenburns.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenburnsredeemed/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenBurnsAuthor

Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GT9VMK3Z?lv=shuf&channelId=520&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Before Roland Warren became CEO of Care Net, one of the largest networks of crisis pregnancy centers in North America, he was just a scared 20-year-old college student facing an unplanned pregnancy with his girlfriend. The pressure to choose abortion was intense. But they made a different choice. And that one decision changed everything.

Roland's story is a powerful reminder that when we follow God's way, something good always comes from it.

He has a new book you can check out, called "The Alternative to Abortion: Why We Must be Pro Abundant Life".

Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, two remarkable World Trade Center survivors tell the story of the day they met as strangers and walked out as brothers.

Brian Clark and Stanley Praimnath were both inside the South Tower on September 11, 2001. Stanley was on the 81st floor when United Airlines Flight 175 came directly toward him. Brian was on the 84th floor when the tower was hit. In the chaos that followed, Brian heard Stanley calling for help and made a decision that would change both of their lives forever. Only 18 people survived from the impact zone or above in the South Tower. Brian and Stanley were two of them.

In this special 9/11 25th anniversary episode of The Unfolding, they share what they saw, how they escaped, the extraordinary moments they still cannot fully explain, and how 9/11 transformed their understanding of faith and God's presence in the darkest moments.

Their story is more than a remarkable account of survival. It is the story of two men who entered the World Trade Center as strangers and came out as brothers.

Joshua Broome spent years trying to outrun rejection and prove he was worthy of love, but success in the pornography industry only left him more broken and ashamed. Then Jesus met him in the middle of his mess, and today Joshua is a husband, a father of four, and a son who found the freedom to forgive his own dad. In his latest book, 7 Lies That Will Ruin Your Life, Joshua exposes the empty promises that once shaped his life and points others toward the redemption he found in Jesus.

It was a story that made national headlines. In April of 2019, a five-year-old boy was thrown from a third-floor balcony at the Mall of America by a stranger. Landen Hoffman's injuries were catastrophic, and his survival was uncertain. But his mother, Kari, responded with unshakable faith. Drawing on what she'd learned growing up in church, Kari immediately turned to prayer, refusing to give in to fear or hatred. Landen spent four months in the hospital, facing multiple surgeries, serious complications, and long, painful nights. There were setbacks that baffled even his doctors. Yet Kari never stopped believing for complete healing. Kari Hoffman is sharing their story through her book, Miracle at the Mall. This is the incredible account of a mother's fierce faith, a miraculous recovery, and a God who still moves mountains.

Show notes:

Miracle at the Mall Book: https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Mall-Hoffmann-Survived-39-Foot-High/dp/B0DZBX3XNK

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kari_hoffmann_5/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kari.hoffmann.52

When Jacob Coyne saw his father transformed by Jesus, he wanted that same hope for himself. That decision began a chain reaction that would bring hope to others facing some of their darkest moments.

Jacob's book, The Secret Life of Christians

We'd love to hear what God has done in your life. Share your story.

After experiencing sexual abuse, the death of her father, a move from New York to Puerto Rico, and years of bullying and rejection, Christine D'Clario was angry with God. She blamed Him for her pain and wanted nothing to do with Him.

But that wasn't the end of her story.

In this episode from The Unfolding archives, Christine shares honestly about the encounter with Jesus that changed her life, as well as her later battle with postpartum depression and thoughts of suicide. Today, she is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and worship leader whose music reaches millions around the world—and she uses her story to offer hope to others facing depression and mental-health challenges.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of sexual abuse, postpartum depres sion, and suicidal ideation.

Show Notes:

Website: https://christinedclario.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinedclariomusic/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinedclario/

After four years of infertility, Debbie Simmons was shocked and ecstatic to learn she was expecting four babies. But when complications came much too early, she lost all four of her sons. As Debbie walked through unimaginable grief, God gave her enough light for each next step. Exactly seven years later, five children entered her home through adoption, turning April 1 into a day of God's faithfulness and redemption.

How can knowing your God-given identity change the way you respond to fear, conflict, and uncertainty?

As a young police officer in Washington, D.C., Jamie Winship quickly realized that his training alone couldn't prepare him for the situations he faced. He began learning how to hear God's voice and trust His direction, even when it led to unconventional and seemingly impossible solutions. That journey eventually took Jamie from confronting gang violence in Washington to serving in some of the most dangerous conflict zones in the world, including the Middle East.

In this remarkable conversation from The Unfolding archives, Jamie shares gripping stories about following God into dangerous places, becoming a peacemaker, overcoming fear, and discovering the freedom that comes from knowing your true identity in Christ.

Jamie Winship is the author of Living Fearless and The War of Worldviews, and co-founder of Identity Exchange with his wife, Donna. Learn more at IdentityExchange.com.

Show Notes:

Website: https://www.identityexchange.com/

Antioch Church Camp session 1: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jamie-winship-discovering-your-unique-identity-unlocking/id1845880674?i=1000741926271

Antioch Church Camp session 2: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jamie-winship-challenges-triumphs-and-profound/id1845880674?i=1000741926337

Antioch Church Camp session 3: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jamie-winship-the-transformative-power-of/id1845880674?i=1000741926767

Antioch Church Camp session 4: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jamie-winship-actively-engaging-with-god-prayer-trust/id1845880674?i=1000741926768

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejamiewinship

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejamiewinship/

Doctors kept giving Sierra Emison more reasons to worry about her unborn daughter, but she kept feeling like God was telling her to trust Him. Through prayer, people around her, and even the words "miracle child," Sierra felt encouraged again and again. Today, McKenna is 21 months old, growing, thriving, and still surprising doctors.

Justin and Trisha Davis appeared to be living the dream- a beautiful family, successful ministry, and a future filled with promise. After planting their first church, Justin had an affair with a staff member who was also Trisha's best friend. Their marriage, family and careers were simultaneously blown apart, and they were forced to come to terms with their brokenness. It seemed their story would be one of failure and loss, but Justin and Trisha found grace, healing and redemption for even the most shattered parts of their lives. Justin and Trisha are the founders of RefineUs.org and the authors of One Choice Away from Change: Break the Cycles That Hurt Your Relationships and Hold You Back.

Show Notes:

Website: https://www.refineus.org/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/best-sellers-books-Amazon/zgbs/books/7259415011/ref=zg_bs_pg_2_books?_encoding=UTF8&pg=2