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September 04, 2024
Gun To His Head, He Started To Squeeze the Trigger
They were the perfect southern church-going family. They checked all the boxes of who a family ought to be. But for Jay, it was empty religion.
As a young man, having lost his job, his car, and his girl and battling addiction, he didn’t want to die, but he didn’t want to live anymore either, so he decided to take his life.
Though Jay wasn’t a believer when he had suicidal thoughts, many Christians do. Some have been told “You don’t have enough faith!” or “You must not be praying enough.” Or we believe that Christians are immune to suicidal thoughts.
But Elijah prayed that God would end his life. And Paul said he despaired even unto death. In this world we will have trouble. But God promises we will never go through it alone.
“I wonder what would’ve happened if the religious leaders had responded with compassion to Judas?” Jay asks.
Sensing God spared his life for a purpose, Author, Evangelist, & Founder of Harvest Ministries, Jay Lowder committed to spending the rest of his life proclaiming his personal story and helping others find God’s purpose for their life.
IN THIS EPISODE
Jay Lowder
Drawing from personal experience, Jay is committed to reaching those who struggle in everyday life. At a young age, he turned away from God and headed towards a life of destruction, eventually reasoning that his life was no longer worth living. With a pistol at his temple, Jay considered suicide; however, his attempt came to an abrupt halt when his roommate unexpectedly walked through the door.
Sensing that God spared his life to fulfill a purpose, Jay's search for truth began. After several months, this search culminated at a Sunday night outreach where he committed his life to Christ. Soon after, he attended a youth event where he witnessed hundreds of teens respond to the call to accept Jesus Christ. It was there that he realized God was calling him to spend the rest of his life proclaiming his personal faith story and helping others find God’s purpose for their life.
From that point on, Jay began his career in full-time evangelism, joining prominent evangelists as they crossed the country, speaking at church and area-wide conferences, youth camps and rallies. His contemporary style, knowledge of scripture, and passion for stories enable him to connect with adults and students alike.
He resides in Wichita Falls, Texas, with his wife, Melissa, whom he married in 1993, and their three children Lane, Kayley and Graham.
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Perry LaHaie
Perry LaHaie's passion is to know Jesus and make Him known. “I’m all in with Jesus but not all put together. I need Jesus right now as much as I did when I first started following Him!” Perry says. In addition to co-hosting Perry and Shawna Mornings, Perry is a singer, songwriter, recording artist, and advocate for those who haven’t yet heard the gospel, especially those in the Muslim world. Born and raised in northern Michigan, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a graduate degree in Cross- cultural Communications. Perry also serves with Frontiers, a worldwide ministry to Muslims. Perry and his bride, Teresa, call Holland, Michigan home. They have two adult children, Kali and Taylor, and Taylor’s bride, Bri.
Shawna Beyer
Shawna Beyer has a way of telling stories that create personal connection— to her, to one another, and to God. She has been a homeschool mom, church planter, project lead for a consulting company, and church staff member. Though she’s been involved in ministry with her husband (Dan) in Iowa, Arizona, and now Michigan, she was born and raised in Southern California and as they say, “You can take the girl out of California . . .” She is mom to four grown kids (Bryn, Drayson, Eden, and Haven) who no longer need her but humor her anyway. Shawna is passionate about the rhythms we weave into the fabric of our lives to fall more in love with God each day. Healthy foods are her go-to, but she will abandon that whole track in a heartbeat for a homemade cinnamon roll like Grandma used to make.
Perry and Shawna Mornings
The Perry and Shawna Podcast: Real life conversations reminding you that you’re Abba’s child and that you’re blessed to be a blessing and loved to share Jesus’ love.