From Pain to Platform: A Spiritual, Prophetic, Supernatural Move of Jesus in Daleville

Testimony Interview with Phil and Tina Ferger

Introduction

Recently on Coffee with Conrad, I sat down with Phil and Tina Fer—a married couple in Daleville, Alabama—whose testimony carries a prophetic edge and a supernatural invitation. Their story is raw, real, and rooted in Jesus. What the enemy meant for destruction over four decades, the Lord flipped into a living platform of freedom, healing, and deliverance through a simple tent outreach held twice a month in Daleville, Alabama.

This isn’t theory. This is the gospel on the ground—outside the walls, under a canopy, with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, prayer, worship, and the power of Jesus confronting the gates of hell. It’s spiritual. It’s prophetic. It’s supernatural. And it’s working.

How Jesus Turned Pain into a Platform

The Marriage—41 Years of Torment, One Encounter of Freedom

Phil and Tina have been married 42 years. For 41 of those years, the enemy ran roughshod through their home. Their words, not mine:

“For 41 years we were two broken people carrying pain from childhood... Without Jesus at the center, the enemy ran wild with our lives.”

On December 31, 2024, Tina made a simple, spiritual decision. She made an altar in front of her TV and surrendered everything—pain, control, and the impulse to fix her husband. That same month, at the River of Ozark Church, Phil had a radical encounter with God. He was slain in the Spirit twice, and in that moment Jesus delivered him from pornography, anger, addiction, shame—even the medicine he had been warned to depend on. Forty-one years of torment were broken by one supernatural encounter with the living God. As Scripture says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36, KJV).

Listening to the Holy Spirit—Obedience That Defies Fear

The spiritual backbone of their story is simple obedience to Jesus. Phil describes the Lord leading him with a clarity that shifted his whole life:

“Trust in me, and I’ll make you free.”

Tina, driving one day, heard in her spirit, “Reverse the curse.” She prayed specifically over Phil’s medicine two weeks before he told her he had stopped everything cold turkey. I’m not giving medical advice—this is their testimony of hearing Jesus and following His voice. Their lives now model the prophetic lifestyle that is both spiritual and practical: hear God, obey God, and let the fruit speak for itself.

Why a Tent? Because Jesus Goes Where the Fish Are

Before Alabama, Phil and Tina had often served quietly—Thanksgiving dinners at missions, prayer in their shop, food and encouragement whenever they could. When they moved to Daleville, the Lord nudged them to start an outreach right where they live. They started with a 10x10 pop-up tent, a tailgate, peanut butter and jelly, chips, and water. That’s it. Rain or shine, they showed up.

“Everything we have now in this ministry is donated... the generator, tables, chairs, clothes—people just pull up and give.”

I’ve been there. I’ve watched the Holy Spirit draw people like a beacon. Some come for a sandwich and stay for prayer. Some come because “something” told them to turn around. We know who that “something” is. As Psalm 22:3 (KJV) says, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” When worship rises, the presence of God draws the hungry and confronts the darkness.

Miracles at the Tent—Deliverance, Salvation, and New Life

We’ve seen powerful moments under that canvas. Consider Curtis, known around town for being a bully. He came under the tent for food, and the power of God met him.

“He buckled. He went to his knees. He left without eating because he couldn’t believe what the Lord did.”

He’s not the bully anymore. People say it all over town. Another time, a woman walked up barefoot, fleeing abuse. She had refused prayer several times before, but that day, under the tent, the Holy Spirit confronted her oppression. She manifested. We didn’t leave her there. In about ten minutes, the demon was cast out, she received Jesus, and said, “They’re gone.” That’s not a program. That’s Jesus keeping His word: “And these signs shall follow them that believe… they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17–18, KJV).

There are countless stories: someone comes for lunch, leaves with salvation; another gets prayer and finds a job; a person in crisis receives peace; a man recognizes the call of God stirring inside him and the light turns on. These encounters are prophetic—targeted, Spirit-led words and prayers that bring people out of darkness and into the kingdom of Jesus.

Provision Follows Obedience—Don’t Put the Physical Cart Before the Spiritual Horse

People often ask how to fund an outreach. Here’s the spiritual key: obey first, and God provides. I’ve watched people drive up and donate money, food, clothes—even a generator. If you wait for every logistical duck to be in a row, you’ll never go. But if you go, you’ll see God show up. As Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33, KJV).

“If God says go do it… go do it and see how God shows up.”

Personal Reflections: What I’m Learning on the Streets

I’ve done street ministry long enough to know it’ll transform you before it transforms your city. The first battle is internal—overcoming fear, comfort, and the impulse to wait. But when you cross that threshold, the prophetic and supernatural life Jesus promised comes into view. You begin to see what Paul meant when he said, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities… against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12, KJV). The person in front of you isn’t the enemy. The agenda behind the pain is.

I call it “catching the prophetic football.” You share a word of knowledge or a verse, and their eyes light up. The truth lands. The Holy Spirit connects the dots. That’s why I often reference Amos 9:11—the tabernacle of David—because there’s something about the tent, worship, and presence that opens people to the voice of God. Under that covering, with worship music flowing, Jesus does what He always does: He heals the brokenhearted, preaches deliverance to captives, and sets people free.

Honestly, the biggest tragedy isn’t that darkness is bold; it’s that believers hesitate. Romans 10 describes a world in which preachers should be on every corner. Phil and Tina are senior citizens (Phil is 71) and still hauling poles, tarps, tables, and coolers in the heat. If they can do that with joy, what excuse do the rest of us have?

Biblical Foundations: Why This Is Spiritual, Prophetic, and Supernatural

• Jesus promises an offensive church: “Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18, KJV). Gates don’t attack—saints do. We go to the gates.
• The Great Commission requires going: Jesus never said “wait for them to come”; He said “go.” In practical, prophetic terms, that means taking the church to the streets.
• Deliverance and healing are normal Christianity: “And these signs shall follow them that believe… they shall cast out devils… they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17–18, KJV).
• Testimony is a weapon: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11, KJV). The Fergers’ story disarms shame and sparks faith.
• The enemy’s strategy is consistent: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10, KJV). He thrives in secrecy; testimony exposes and defeats him.
• Worship invites the King: “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3, KJV). Where Jesus is enthroned, devils manifest and flee.
• Don’t conform—be transformed: “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2, KJV). This mindset shift—from spectator to sent one—is a spiritual, prophetic renewal.
• Freedom is in abiding: “If ye continue in my word… ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32, KJV). The tent is a place where the Word is heard, believed, and obeyed.

For convenient study, here are KJV links to a few of the verses mentioned: John 8:36, Mark 16:17–18, Revelation 12:11, John 10:10, Psalm 22:3, Romans 12:1–2, Ephesians 6:12.

Field Notes: Practical Steps to Start Your Own Tent (or Pop-Up) Outreach

The spiritual principles are prophetic and supernatural, but the logistics are refreshingly simple. Here’s how Phil and Tina started—and how you can too:

1. Start small; start now. A 10x10 pop-up tent, a folding table, coolers, PB&J, chips, water. Don’t wait for perfect conditions.
2. Pray and worship first. Invite the Holy Spirit intentionally. Play worship music. Expect Jesus to move. “He inhabits the praises of His people” (Psalm 22:3, KJV).
3. Offer practical love. Food, clothing, toiletries—whatever you have. Ask what’s needed. If you can do it, do it.
4. Share the gospel clearly. Phil and Tina use a simple prayer card to lead people to Jesus. You can prepare a clear salvation script and carry copies. Keep bibles handy.
5. Pray with people, not just for them. Ask permission. Lay hands when appropriate. Expect healing and deliverance in Jesus’ name.
6. Expect manifestations—and be ready. Don’t be surprised when demons manifest. Stay calm, submit to Jesus, command them to go (Mark 16:17–18). Keep safety and dignity central.
7. Follow up and disciple. Get first names and contact info (with permission). Point them to a solid, Spirit-filled local fellowship. Share Scripture, pray during the week, and celebrate wins.
8. Trust God for provision. Testimonies draw generosity. People will give when they see fruit. Keep humble records. Be transparent. Give thanks publicly.
9. Consider permissions and partnerships. Check with local authorities for park/pavilion use. Build relationships with city leaders. Honor the community you serve.
10. Guard unity at home. The enemy will try to sow strife. Keep short accounts, pray together, share the load. Remember: “We overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimony” (Revelation 12:11, KJV).

If you feel that tug in your spirit, that’s your invitation. Don’t put the physical cart before the spiritual horse. Obey first, and watch the kingdom provision follow.

Why This Matters Now

We live in a noisy era—filled with digital, cultural, and spiritual distractions. People are desperate for authentic experiences, not staged performances, and they're finding that in a real relationship with Jesus. The true prophetic voice of the church isn't found in isolated groups but in active service on the front lines, where people are hurting, hungry, and in need of freedom. By reaching out to one community at a time, we demonstrate that the gospel still holds the power to save.

Phil and Tina’s story dismantles excuses. They are living proof that a spiritual, prophetic, supernatural life is available to “whosoever will.” If Jesus can redeem 41 years of torment and turn that pain into a platform for revival in Daleville, He can take your testimony and do the same in your city.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Friend, I want to invite you to take a step today. If your heart is burning, don’t ignore it. Ask Jesus how He wants you to serve your city. Pray for boldness and start where you are. If you’re in the Daleville area and want to help Phil and Tina, reach out to me and I’ll get you connected.

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Until we meet again—dig deeper, go higher, and take Jesus to the streets. The gates of hell won’t prevail.

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Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV). For quick reference: John 8:36, Mark 16:17–18, Revelation 12:11, John 10:10, Psalm 22:3, Romans 12:1–2, Ephesians 6:12.

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Overcoming the Secret War: Finding Freedom from Porn and Same-Sex Attraction through Intimacy with Jesus

The studio lights were low, and the hum of the recording equipment felt louder than usual. I sat there, looking at my screen, waiting for Amy Riardon to join the call. I’ve done hundreds of interviews for Coffee with Conrad, but this one felt different. There was a weight in the air, the kind of weight that comes when you’re about to pull back the curtain on a topic most people would rather leave in the dark.

I’ve had people reach out to me in confidence for years. They whisper their struggles in the corners of Facebook groups or send cryptic emails from anonymous accounts. They’re trapped in a cycle of porn addiction and same-sex attraction, and they feel like they’re the only ones in the church who are "broken." The shame is like a thick, suffocating blanket. It tells them that if the church knew, they’d be cast out. It tells them that their brain is permanently ruined. It tells them that Jesus is shaking His finger at them from a distance, like a cold professor grading a failing student.

Maybe you’re feeling that weight right now. You’ve tried the filters, you’ve made the promises, you’ve cried the tears on Monday morning, only to find yourself back in the same dark room by Friday night. You feel like a hypocrite. You love Jesus, but this "monkey on your back" won't let go. You’re looking for a way out, but the exit sign seems to be flickering and fading.

Today, I want to tell you that there is a way out. It isn't a quick fix or a five-minute prayer that makes everything vanish forever. It’s something much deeper. It’s about moving from behavior modification to heart transformation. In my conversation with Amy Riardon, we dug into the "Kingdom Keys" for being an overcomer. We’re going to talk about breaking the power of shame, the necessity of confession, and what it actually looks like to find true intimacy with Jesus. You aren't alone, and you aren't beyond hope. Let’s dig deeper and go higher.

Breaking the Silence of the Secret Stronghold

One of the first things I asked Amy was why everyone is so quiet about this. I mean, the statistics are staggering. We’re talking about more than half of pastors and youth leaders struggling with this, according to major research groups. Yet, you wouldn't know it by sitting in a Sunday morning service.

Amy’s voice was steady as she answered, "There is a tremendous amount of shame surrounding this topic for men, women, everybody who's dealing with this." She admitted that she never intended to talk about her struggle with porn and same-sex attraction. She wanted to keep it buried. But God had other plans.

You see, shame thrives in the dark. It’s like a fungus that grows in the damp, hidden corners of our lives. When we keep our struggles secret, we give the enemy a foothold. I’ve seen this in my own ministry and in the lives of those I’ve helped through my books. When you’re dealing with a spiritual stronghold, the first step is always to bring it into the light.

"I realize even just recently realize more and more layers of shame being removed," Amy told me. Even after being set free, the process of talking about it continues to heal her. She talked about her husband, Kevin, and how they had to navigate this together. It wasn't easy. It required brutal honesty and a commitment to communication. If you’re married and struggling, the fear of losing your spouse is real. But Amy and Kevin found that transparency actually built a bridge for them to march forward together.

This leads us to a hard truth: you cannot heal what you will not reveal. We often think we can handle it ourselves. We buy the software, we delete the apps, but we keep the secret. And because we keep the secret, the root remains.

The Power of Confession and Accountability

I’ve always been a big believer in the Word of God as our primary manual for life. James is very clear about how we find healing.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16 KJV)

I asked Amy if that act of confession—just getting it out of her mouth—really helped. She didn't hesitate. "Most definitely," she said. It helped break the shame. But here’s the tricky part: who do you tell?

We’ve all heard the horror stories. Someone opens up to a "friend" or a leader, and by the next week, the whole prayer chain knows the details. That’s a betrayal that can drive a person even deeper into hiding. Amy suggested looking for someone who is already proven to be trustworthy. If someone gossips to you about others, they will gossip about you. Don't go there. Find someone who has a close relationship with God, someone who is compassionate and understanding.

Start small. Share a little bit and see how they react. If they listen without judgment and follow up with you later, you’ve found a safe place. Confession isn't just about dumping your sins; it’s about inviting someone else into the fight with you. It leads to an accountability structure.

We talked about software like Covenant Eyes. For Amy and Kevin, it was a vital tool. Everything she looked at on the computer went straight to him. It acted like a "police force" for her eyes. But she said something that really stuck with me: "It can't change my heart."

Software can stop the finger from clicking, but it can't stop the heart from wanting. We can make a covenant with our eyes, just like Job did.

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? (Job 31:1 KJV)

That is a necessary step. If your phone is your "third arm" and it’s constantly leading you into sin, you might have to take drastic measures. Jesus said if your eye offends you, pluck it out. In 2026, that might mean getting rid of the smartphone or the high-speed internet for a season. It sounds crazy to a world that relies on technology, but what is the price of your soul? I’d rather go to heaven with a flip phone than go to hell with the latest iPhone.

Moving from Behavior to the Heart

As the interview continued, we moved into the deeper waters of the heart. Amy mentioned how she used to feel like she had "ruined her brain." If you’ve spent years looking at pornography, you know exactly what she means. Your brain develops these "pathways." You see a certain image, and your mind automatically jumps to the next lustful thought. It feels like a physical groove has been worn into your gray matter.

But here is the miracle: God is the Creator of the brain. He can rewire what the enemy has twisted. Amy found that as God began to heal her heart, her perception of women changed. Instead of seeing them as objects for her own gratification, she began to see them through the eyes of Jesus.

"If I really going to love a woman, I'm not going to be lusting after her," she explained. This wasn't just about "not doing" something; it was about "seeing" something differently.

I pictured a scene she described: driving down the freeway and seeing a billboard. You know the ones—scantily clad women used to sell everything from beer to car insurance. For someone in the heat of a struggle, that billboard is a landmine. In the past, Amy would have felt immediate condemnation. You’ll never get over this. You’re still a lustful person.

But she learned a new strategy. Instead of cowering in shame, she began to pray for the person on the billboard. "Lord, I pray for this woman. I pray that You save her, that she gives her heart to You, that she uses her life as a testimony for You."

Think about how powerful that is! You take the very thing the devil meant for your destruction and you turn it into a weapon of intercession. When you see a person as a soul in need of a Savior, the lust begins to evaporate. It’s hard to lust after someone while you’re sincerely crying out for their salvation. This is what it means to see as God sees.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7 KJV)

Finding True Intimacy with Jesus

The title of Amy’s book and blog is Longing for Intimacy. That word "intimacy" is often misunderstood in our culture. We’ve sexualized it so much that we’ve forgotten its true meaning. Amy admitted she used to think intimacy and sex were the same thing.

She had a "god-shaped hole" in her heart, and she was trying to fill it with porn and same-sex attraction. We’ve all heard that phrase, and sometimes it sounds like a fluffy cliché. But for Amy, it became a living reality. She realized that her craving for connection wasn't wrong—it was just being directed toward the wrong source.

"Intimacy with Jesus is that deep, deep connection that I had always thought that I could only get with another woman," she said.

This is where the real victory lies. It’s not in the filters or the willpower. It’s in the presence of God. When you start experiencing that deep, intimate connection with Him—where you can share the deepest, darkest parts of your heart and know that He isn't shaking His finger at you, but drawing you closer—everything changes.

I’ve talked about this in my book, Open Your Eyes: My Supernatural Journey . When you encounter the real Jesus, not the religious version we see on posters, but the King of Kings who loves you with an everlasting love, the cheap substitutes of this world lose their luster.

Amy described her previous view of God as a "college professor" grading her. Many of us live that way. We think we have to get our act together before we can talk to Him. But Jesus wants to talk to you in the middle of the struggle. He’s the Great Physician. A doctor doesn't wait for the patient to get well before he sees them; he sees them because they are sick.

Personal Reflections: The Battle and the Victory

As I listened to Amy, I thought about the many times I’ve had to check my own heart. We all have "billboards" in our lives. It might not be porn for you; it might be anger, or greed, or the "Oreo cookie" temptation I jokingly mentioned in the interview. The devil is a master at finding the crack in the armor.

I’ve learned that the moment I stop maintaining my intimacy with Jesus, I become vulnerable. You can't live off the manna from a month ago. You need fresh bread every day.

Give us this day our daily bread. (Matthew 6:11 KJV)

There was a time when Amy struggled with dreams—suggestive, sexual dreams that would leave her feeling guilty and defeated before she even got out of bed. She felt like she was opposing herself.

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:25-26 KJV)

She sought out her pastors for deliverance. They prayed for her, and those dreams stopped. That weight, that "monkey on her back," was gone. Now, I want to be clear: deliverance is real, and it is a powerful tool in the Kingdom. But even after deliverance, you still have the "flesh" to deal with. You still have to make choices. You still have to guard your heart.

The victory isn't a destination where you never face temptation again. It’s a state of being where you are so connected to the Vine that the temptation no longer has power over you. You recognize it for what it is—a lie from the pit—and you hand it over to Jesus immediately.

Biblical References

The Word of God is our sword. If we aren't grounded in it, we will be swept away by every wind of doctrine and every whim of our own emotions. Here are some of the scriptures that anchor this journey of overcoming:

On the reality of temptation and the way out:

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV)

On the cleansing power of God when we are honest:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 KJV)

On where our focus should be:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

On the internal change that must happen:

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2 KJV)

On making no provision for the struggle:

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Romans 13:14 KJV)

Key Takeaways

• Shame is the enemy's greatest weapon. It keeps the struggle hidden and the root alive. Breaking the silence is the first step toward freedom.
• Confession leads to healing. Finding a trustworthy, compassionate person to talk to breaks the power of the secret.
• Tools are for protection, not transformation. Software and filters are helpful "police," but only Jesus can change the heart's desires.
• Intercession kills lust. Praying for the person who is a source of temptation shifts your perspective from your own gratification to their eternal salvation.
• True intimacy is the solution. Most addictions are attempts to fill a void that only a deep, personal connection with Jesus Christ can satisfy.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Friend, if you are reading this and you’re in the middle of that secret war, I want you to know that there is hope. You didn't ruin your brain beyond repair. You aren't too far gone for the grace of God. Jesus isn't waiting for you to be perfect; He’s waiting for you to be honest.

Amy Riardon is a living testimony that you can come out of the box. You don't have to live your whole life in a state of "damage control." You can walk in the sun again. You can have a heart that is so full of the love of God that the shadows of the past no longer have any pull on you.

I want to encourage you to visit Amy’s blog at LongingForIntimacy.com. She has resources, videos, and a book that go into much more detail on how to navigate this path. She’s been where you are, and she’s found the way home.

If this post has spoken to you, please don't just close the tab and move on. Do something. Reach out to a trusted friend. Pray that prayer of intercession the next time you see a "billboard." And most importantly, spend time talking to Jesus—not as a judge, but as the Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

God bless you as you dig deeper and go higher!

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Action Items

• Identify a "Safe Harbor": Pray and ask God to show you one trustworthy person you can talk to. Commit to sharing your struggle with them this week.
• Conduct a "Digital Audit": Look at your phone and computer usage. Are there apps, sites, or times of day when you are most vulnerable? Set up accountability software or remove the triggers entirely.
• Practice the "Billboard Prayer": The next time you see an image or person that triggers a lustful thought, stop immediately and pray for that person's salvation and relationship with God.
• Daily Intimacy Check-in: Set aside 15 minutes a day specifically for "transparent prayer." Tell Jesus exactly how you feel, what you're struggling with, and ask Him to reveal His love to you in a new way.
• Scripture Immersion: Write down one of the KJV verses listed above and keep it with you. Memorize it and speak it out loud when you feel the "monkey on your back" getting heavy.

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I’d love to hear from you. Have you experienced the power of confession in your life? How has intimacy with Jesus changed your perspective on struggle? Leave a comment below or reach out to me through ConradRocks.net. If you found this helpful, please share it with someone who might be fighting this battle in silence. You never know whose life you might change.

Supernatural Boldness: From Tattooing to Tongues with Joseph McFarland

I remember standing on a busy street corner in Mobile, Alabama, feeling my heart hammer against my ribs like a trapped bird. I had a sign in my hand that read "REPENT," and honestly, I felt like I was standing there naked. It was a "dare" moment—one of those times where the Holy Spirit nudges you so hard you either have to jump or live with the regret of staying on the shore. Beside me stood Joseph McFarland, a man who has become a brother in every sense of the word. We were nervous, looking at the bus station, looking at the crowds, wondering if we were about to be embraced or executed.

You see, many of us sitting in the pews every Sunday feel that same tug. We want the "more" of God. We want to see the sick healed, the broken restored, and the supernatural reality of the Bible manifest in our daily lives. But then the "what ifs" start screaming. What if people laugh? What if I'm not "spiritual" enough? What if the devil decides to make me his personal target because I've stepped onto his turf? We want the power of the Book of Acts, but we're often too paralyzed by the fear of the 21st-century reaction.

The pain point for many believers is this gap between the Sunday morning sermon and the Monday morning reality. We feel unqualified, under-equipped, and frankly, a bit terrified of what might happen if we actually started acting like the Great Commission was a direct command. We settle for a lopsided message of grace that doesn't require change, while the world around us is literally dying for a touch of the authentic, supernatural Jesus.

In this post, I want to take you behind the scenes with my good friend Joseph McFarland—part of "Team Jesus" here at Coffee with Conrad. Gary Nesbitt calls us the "Cheech and Chong of Christianity" because we’re just real dudes who love Jesus and aren’t afraid to say "Dude, you need Jesus!" Joseph’s story is a wild ride that starts in a tattoo parlor and ends up in the back of a garbage truck at forty-five miles per hour, and it’s the perfect solution for anyone wondering if God can still use an ordinary person to do extraordinary things.

Joseph spent nearly thirty years in the tattoo industry. Now, I’m not here to bash art, but for Joseph, it was a lifestyle that eventually began to weigh on his spirit. He told me how he’d tattooed thousands of people, but as he grew in his love for Jesus, the Holy Spirit began to convict him. He never did demonic or witchcraft symbols—he had that line in the sand even then—but eventually, the Lord led him to walk away from it all. He traded the tattoo needle for the Gospel, and he’s never looked back. It’s funny how God doesn't waste anything; Joseph still draws on napkins and styrofoam cups at work, creating beautiful horses and roses that people in his office actually keep and treasure. He took that artistic talent and turned it toward making the ministry signs we use on the streets.

One of our most intense moments happened on Highway 49 in Gulfport, right in front of the Starbucks. The humidity was thick, the smell of roasted coffee was in the air, and six to eight lanes of traffic were zooming past us. We were taking turns preaching and holding signs when I looked across the concrete median.

"Dude," I said, pointing. "It's the devil."

I wasn't being metaphorical. Out of nowhere, in the middle of zooming traffic, a man appeared who looked like he’d stepped straight out of a nightmare. He was dressed in a red cape, a black tutu with a pink skirt, horns on his head, and a long white beard. He was a self-proclaimed Satanist, and he was livid. He walked through those lanes of traffic without even looking, cursing at us and screaming that God was dead.

The spiritual atmosphere shifted instantly. Joseph didn't flinch. He just started screaming back, "Jesus loves you! God sent His Son to die for you!" The man was spitting and flipping us off, but as we stood our ground in the name of Jesus, he just veered away and vanished back into the traffic. A lady rolled down her window a few moments later, her eyes wide. She told us, "You guys just ran off the devil!" It was a concrete reminder that Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4 KJV).

But the story everyone asks about is the truck. Years ago, Joseph was working on a garbage route with a godly mentor named Woody Lot. Woody was discipled him, teaching him how to pray and read the Word. Joseph was a Baptist by upbringing and didn't know much about the baptism of the Holy Spirit or speaking in tongues. He asked Woody when it would happen, and Woody just said, "In God's time, son. When you least expect it."

It was a Friday, and they were halfway through the route. Joseph was standing on the back of the garbage truck, holding onto the metal bar, wind whipping past his face as they hit about forty-five miles per hour. Woody was in the cab, singing praises to Jesus, and Joseph was singing along from the back.

Suddenly, Joseph felt a heat—a "hotness" he says he can’t explain—fall over his entire body. It started at his feet and rushed to his head. His body began to tingle with a power he’d never felt before. The last thing he saw was his own hand letting go of that metal bar. He tumbled off the back of the truck at full speed, rolling into a ditch.

Woody slammed on the brakes and ran back. Joseph was lying there, and when he tried to speak, he thought he was speaking English, but Woody couldn't understand a word.

"McFarland," Woody shouted, "I can't hear you because you're speaking in tongues!"

Joseph lay in that ditch, unharmed. No scrapes, no bruises, no blood, and no soreness. He was just on fire for God, vibrating with the presence of the Holy Spirit. A lady came to her front door to see if he needed an ambulance, but Joseph was too busy worshipping in an unknown language. It reminds me of the promise in the Word: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17 KJV).

Since joining up with me and Susan, Joseph has seen that same supernatural power manifest through words of knowledge. We were on a pier in Pascagoula once, and the Lord told Joseph to stop a specific man named Travis. Joseph stood right in his way. The man looked like he wanted to bolt, but Joseph looked him in the eye and said, "Sir, you have an infertility problem."

The man’s jaw hit the floor. He called his wife up from the beach, and they both started weeping. They had spent thousands on treatments that failed. Joseph prayed for them right there, and a few weeks later, they messaged him on Facebook. She was pregnant. They have a baby now. That’s the "extraordinary" that God wants to do through "ordinary" people who are willing to be "Team Jesus."

Personal Reflections

Watching Joseph grow in this ministry has been a masterclass in humility and obedience for me. Sometimes, when we pray for people together, the anointing is so thick it feels like a physical weight. I’ve seen Joseph release the anointing, and it’s hit me so hard I’ve almost gone down myself! We’ve stood in my garage, selling old junk to fund our summer ministry, and had the Holy Spirit blow through that place like a literal rushing mighty wind.

What I've learned through my friendship with Joseph is that the "dark" stuff—the warfare—is real, but it’s just training. Before Joseph started coming out with us, I warned him that all hell would break loose. He was skeptical until his lawnmower motor literally fell off the frame, his lightbulbs started exploding like fireworks, and he was physically pushed down his porch steps by an unseen force.

I’ve had my share of these battles too. In my book, OPEN YOUR EYES: MY SUPERNATURAL JOURNEY (https://amzn.to/3RJx7by), I talk about the reality of the spiritual realm. If you aren't being attacked, you might want to check which direction you're walking. As the saying goes, if the devil never crosses your path, maybe you're both going the same way. But once you realize you have authority as a son of the Most High, those shadow demons and "bad luck" streaks lose their teeth. They are just trying to get you to stay home. Don't let them.

Biblical References

The foundation of everything we do on the streets comes back to the message of Peter in the Book of Acts. When we hold up those "REPENT" signs, people often get uncomfortable. But repentance isn't a dirty word; it's a "turn-around" word. It’s the first step to the supernatural life.

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38 KJV).

We see people healed because we believe the Word is still alive. When we met George, his hearing was shot and his heart was failing. God healed his body and provided him a place to live. When we saw a man who was emaciated and dying of liver cancer, we prayed. Months later, he came walking up to us, healthy and muscular, pushing a bicycle.

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8 KJV).

We don't do this for money or fame. Joseph makes horseshoe nail crosses out of his own pocket to give away. It’s a $2 ministry that opens $1,000,000 doors. We met a woman at a hospital pond who was at the end of her rope, and when Joseph put that cross around her neck and hugged her, she broke down. She had been praying for God to send someone to love on her. God is looking for the hands and feet, and He found them in a former tattoo artist and a guy with a podcast.

Key Takeaways

• Obedience Over Ability: God doesn't need you to be a professional; He needs you to be willing. Joseph was a garbage collector when the Holy Spirit fell on him.
• Expect Spiritual Warfare: If you step out for Jesus, the enemy will notice. Don't be surprised by the "exploding lightbulbs" in your life—it’s just a sign you’re on the right track.
• The Power of Repentance: The message of "Repent" is the gateway to the gift of the Holy Ghost. It’s about turning toward the Light.
• Signs and Wonders are for Today: Infertility, cancer, and deafness are no match for the name of Jesus when believers stand in their authority.
• Simple Tools Work: You don't need a huge budget. A handmade cross or a simple sign can be the "thousand words" someone needs to see.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Joseph McFarland is a testament to the fact that your past doesn't disqualify you from a supernatural future. Whether you’re a tattoo artist, a garbage collector, or a corporate executive, Jesus is looking for that "open and willing heart." We are the Cheech and Chong of Christianity because we’ve realized that being real is more important than being religious.

If you’ve been feeling that nudge to "dig deeper and go higher," I want to encourage you to stop waiting for a "perfect" time. There is no perfect time—there is only God’s time. If you want to learn more about my own journey into the supernatural and how to deal with things like night terrors and demonic attacks, check out my books OPEN YOUR EYES and Overcoming Night Terror: Making the Demons Leave (https://amzn.to/3XRFohl).

What is God nudging you to do today? Is He asking you to pick up a sign, pray for a neighbor, or maybe just finally say "yes" to the Holy Spirit? Don't let the fear of "falling off the truck" stop you. Even if you do, you might just find yourself speaking in tongues in a ditch, completely unharmed and totally transformed.

Action Items

• Identify Your "Sign": What is one simple way you can represent Jesus this week? It could be a kind word, a small gift, or offering to pray for someone’s "infertility" (or whatever their mountain is).
• Study Acts 2: Read the chapter in the KJV and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how that same power applies to your life today.
• Audit Your Warfare: If you’ve been experiencing strange "bad luck" since deciding to grow spiritually, stop complaining and start commanding. Use the name of Jesus to tell those shadows to leave.
• Connect with the Team: Follow Joseph McFarland on Facebook to see the ongoing "Team Jesus" adventures and get inspired by the street ministry updates.
• Subscribe: Sign up for the newsletter at ConradRocks.net to stay connected with our community of believers who are seeking the "more" of God.

Dig deeper and go higher!

— Conrad

From the Pit to the Pulpit: The Supernatural Transformation of John Roush

John Roush Testimony

Imagine sitting in a local Chinese restaurant, the steam from a hot plate of food rising to meet your face, but you can’t even taste it. You aren’t there for the food. You’re there because it has been raining for four solid days in Alabama—that heavy, relentless Southern rain that soaks through your clothes and settles into your very bones. Your feet are pulsing with the fire of "jungle rot," covered in blisters from miles of walking in sodden shoes. You have a fever of 103 degrees, and the only thing keeping you upright is a pitcher of beer and the desperate hope that someone will finally call the police on you.

This was the reality for John Roush. For years, the streets of Mobile and Tillmans Corner were his only home. He wasn't just a man who had fallen on hard times; he was a man consumed by the ravages of alcoholism, lost in a cycle of "wandering abroad" and public intoxication. He had reached a point where jail seemed like a luxury because it offered a dry bed and a hot meal. If you’ve ever felt like you were in a pit so deep that the light of heaven couldn't reach you, then you understand the pain point John was living every single day.

We often talk about the "homeless problem" as a statistic or a political talking point, but for the person in the tent, it is an agonizing spiritual and physical battle. It’s the agitation of losing your children, your dignity, and your very will to live. It is the feeling of being "pushed out" by the world, unwanted and unseen. But I’m here to tell you today that there is a solution that doesn't come from a government program or a temporary shelter.

In this post, we’re going to dive deep into John’s testimony—a story of how Jesus Christ can take a man from a tent in the woods and turn him into a radical, on-fire minister for the Gospel. We’re going to look at the supernatural way God delivers us from addiction and how your greatest tragedy can become your primary ministry. As I often say in my book, OPEN YOUR EYES: MY SUPERNATURAL JOURNEY, the spiritual realm is more real than the world we see, and John’s story is proof of that.

When I sat down to talk with John on Skype for the podcast, I was struck by the raw honesty of his journey. He didn't start out on the streets. He began as what many call a "functioning alcoholic." We’ve all seen it—the person who holds down a job but spends their evenings drowning their soul in a bottle. But eventually, the functioning stops and the consumption begins. The addiction grew until it followed him right into the heart of downtown Mobile.

John shared a scene with me that perfectly illustrates the desperation of the "pit." He was in that Chinese restaurant I mentioned earlier. He had ordered his beer, knowing full well he didn't have a cent to his name. When the bill came, he looked the waitress in the eye and simply said, "Ma'am, I'm not going to pay." He wanted the police to come. He was seeking the "mercy" of a jail cell.

When the three-strike sergeant arrived, a man with fifteen years of grit on the force, he was puzzled. He asked John why. Why do this? John told him the truth: "My feet hurt from being wet for three days. I have blisters all over. I just want a warm bed and a dry place." In a rare moment of providential mercy, the sergeant didn't arrest him. He saw the brokenness and dropped John back at his camp. But even that mercy didn't solve the root problem. The root wasn't a lack of a bed; it was a spiritual stronghold.

The "wandering abroad" laws in Mobile were used to push the homeless out of sight, especially during city functions. Business owners didn't want the "eyesore" of the broken. So John was pushed out to Tillmans Corner. His addiction shifted from beer to anything that was free. If a drug came through the camp, he did it. He was living in a state of total spiritual darkness. When we are in that state, we become susceptible to every demonic influence that seeks to keep us bound.

The ritual of his life became shoplifting at Walmart. He would load a basket with $600 worth of beer and supplies and just walk out. He had no fear of the consequences because he had nothing left to lose. But God was setting a trap of grace for him. Eventually, he was caught and given a choice: six months in jail or three months in a Christian rehab.

John chose the rehab, but he didn't know Jesus. He knew the name, but he didn't know the Person. In fact, he was so bound by his old nature that in his very last week of rehab, he got kicked out for stealing a dip of snuff. Imagine that—inches from the finish line, and the enemy trips him up over a tiny tin of tobacco. He was dropped off at a Walmart and went right back to the woods. He got drunker than ever because he knew the six-month jail sentence was coming.

It was during that six-month stint in the Mobile County Metro Jail that the "seed" began to sprout. He started doing things that weren't "him." He was writing letters to judges for other inmates and helping people get into better housing units within the jail. He didn't realize it then, but the Holy Spirit was already moving through him.

I will give you a new heart also, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26 KJV).

When he finally got out, the weight of his losses hit him. He had lost his children to DHR. His family told him he couldn't stay with them anymore. He was back in the woods behind Walmart with sixty dollars in his pocket and a week's worth of booze.

This leads us to the second concrete scene that changed everything. It was a humid Alabama evening. John came out of his tent, the smell of damp earth and pine needles filling the air, and he simply hit the dirt. He fell to his knees in those woods and made a deal with the Creator of the Universe. He admitted he was an alcoholic. He cried out, "Lord, if you will make me whole again, if you will take this alcoholism from me, I will be your disciple forever. I just want my girls back."

When he stood up, he wasn't the same man. The desire for alcohol was gone. Not suppressed, not managed—gone. He called a friend who ran a rehab in Lucedale, Mississippi, and said, "I'm done. I'm trying Christ." Two days later, he walked out of those woods and has never looked back.

Personal Reflections

Looking at John’s life, I’m reminded of how often we try to "clean ourselves up" before we come to God. John tried rehab and failed. He tried to "function" and failed. It wasn't until he was on his knees in the dirt, admitting total defeat, that the supernatural power of God could take over.

In my own walk, I’ve seen how Jesus often lets us reach the end of our own strength so that His strength can be made perfect in our weakness. We see this pattern throughout the Bible and throughout the testimonies on ConradRocks.net. Whether it’s deliverance from night terrors or deliverance from a bottle, the key is always total surrender.

John’s story also challenges me regarding how we view the "marginalized." It’s easy to look at a homeless camp and see a "problem" to be solved by the police. But when John looks at those camps, he sees his former neighbors. He sees people who need socks, flashlights, and—most importantly—the Hope that only Jesus provides. He went from being a "vessel of wrath" to a "vessel of mercy."

I’ve had many conversations about the prophetic nature of our lives, and John is living out a prophetic turnaround. He is now the one going into the woods, under the bridges, and into the flea markets to preach. He didn't just get saved; he got commissioned.

Biblical References

The Word of God is clear about the pit and the deliverance that follows. John’s testimony is a modern-day echo of the Psalms.

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. (Psalm 40:2 KJV).

John was literally in the miry clay of Alabama, and God set his feet on the Rock of Ages. We also see the principle of how we treat the "least of these" in John’s new ministry. He is now working with others to create a central resource center in Tillmans Corner—a place for showers, meals, and veterans' services, but centered on the Gospel.

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. (Matthew 25:35-36 KJV).

John’s life is a reminder that we aren't just called to pray for people; we are called to minister to their physical needs as an entry point for their spiritual needs. Alcoholism is a cruel taskmaster, much like the wine mentioned in Proverbs:

At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. (Proverbs 23:32 KJV).

But the sting of the serpent is no match for the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. John was delivered because he stopped fighting and started submitting.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 KJV).

Key Takeaways

• Total Surrender is the Key: Transformation didn't happen until John admitted he couldn't do it on his own.
• Your Pit is Your Platform: The very community where John was once a "nuisance" is now his mission field.
• God is a Restorer: Not only was John delivered from alcohol, but God began the process of restoring his relationship with his children.
• Physical and Spiritual Needs are Linked: Effective ministry involves meeting people where they are, whether that’s under a bridge or in a jail cell.
• The Power of the Seed: The time John spent in jail and the failed rehab weren't wasted; they were the "planting" phase for the eventual harvest.

Conclusion and Call to Action

John Roush’s testimony is a powerful reminder that no one is too far gone for the reach of Jesus Christ. From the streets of Mobile to the woods of Tillmans Corner, God was pursuing a man who had lost everything. Today, John stands as a witness to the supernatural, delivering power of the Holy Spirit.

If you are struggling with addiction, or if you feel like you are in a pit that you can’t climb out of, I want to encourage you to follow John’s example. Stop running. Fall on your knees and cry out to the Lord. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

If you enjoyed this testimony, please check out more stories of God's power on my blog at ConradRocks.net. You can also find more about the spiritual battles we face in my books, OPEN YOUR EYES and Overcoming Night Terror.

Please share this post with someone who needs hope today. Whether they are in a high-rise office or a tent in the woods, the message remains the same: Jesus saves, Jesus delivers, and Jesus restores.

God bless you as you dig deeper and go higher!

Action Items

• Identify Your "Pit": Honestly assess what is holding you back or keeping you "bound" today.
• Practice Total Surrender: Spend time in prayer today, not just asking for things, but submitting your entire will to God.
• Look for the "Neighbors": Find one way this week to help someone in your community who is overlooked or marginalized.
• Support Local Outreach: Look into ministries like John’s "God’s Messenger Ministry" or local soup kitchens and see how you can contribute.
• Scripture Memory: Memorize Psalm 40:2 and remind yourself that God is the one who establishes your goings.

Find John on Facebook here:  http://bit.ly/JohnRoush