Service Changes You | A Bonus Episode From "On The Ground with Samaritan's Purse"

October 17, 2026
00:00 27:23
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In this Bonus Episode of "On The Ground" | Service has the ability to radically change us. God can use serving others to mold and shape our hearts to look more like His. This is what happened in Angie’s life—a volunteer Kristy met while on the ground in Mississippi. Hear how the Lord is using Angie’s testimony to show others that they are never too far from Him.

Jason Taft, an assistant director with Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Disaster Relief, met Angie in Mississippi after a tornado tore through the southern part of the state. He was amazed by her skills on the skid-steer, but even more amazed by her story.

Angie has known about God her entire life, but she has not always walked with Him. Her upbringing was hard, and her adult life has been marked by many trials and disappointments. When twin tornadoes came through her town, Angie went out and served with U.S. Disaster Relief. She kept going back, day after day.

In her private life, Angie was in active alcoholism and plagued by grief. But when she was serving, she was not drinking. Angie continually cried out to the Lord for help. About a year later, God delivered her from alcohol.

Service was the catalyst that the Lord used to change Angie's heart. And now she gets to serve all over the country, using her abilities and sharing her story with homeowners and fellow volunteers. Angie tells Kristy about a particular moment on a deployment when her testimony blessed a room full of volunteers.

“And I believe that God is going to use all of us … And if people will just be brave enough to tell [their] story—it gets raw, but I'm living proof that God can do anything.” – Angie Polk

If you’d like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground, please visit SamaritansPurse.org.

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Meet Your Hosts
Jennifer Slattery is a multi-published author, national speaker, and speaking coach passionate about helping God's children reach their full potential and live fully surrendered to Christ. She is a host on Your Daily Bible Verse and Faith Over Fear. Find her online at https://www.JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com
Joy A. Williams is a writer and speaker who is amazed her first name became her life’s mission. As life happens in ways that baffle us or bring us joy, she loves exploring how those moments can bring us closer to God. She is a member of the “First 5” writing team at Proverbs 31 ministries. As a licensed minister, she serves as a teacher for the Women’s Bible Study and the Married Couples Ministry at her church.

Joy is also a wife and mother and shares encouragement on the “Joy to the Soul” blog. Subscribe to receive the newest posts and updates at joyawilliams.com.

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When Easy Doesn't Live Here: Living By Faith When Life Is Hard

The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the Rector of St. Paul’s Cathedral, located in Kamloops BC, Canada. He holds a doctorate in Spiritual formation and is a sought-after writer, speaker, and retreat leader. His writing can be found at Christianity.com, crosswalk.com, ibelieve.com, Renovare Canada, and many others. Rev. Norman has 20 years of pastoral experience, and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement.

Find more from Rev. Norman at revkylenorman.ca
Reverend Jessica Van Roekel is an author, speaker, and worship pastor. She loves to share God’s transformative power to rescue, restore, and renew and encourage you to say yes to Him every day. She is the author of Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything.

Jessica and her husband have two adult daughters spreading their wings, a college-aged son, along with a daughter in high school who are fluttering their wings as they edge closer to the nest. She would love to connect with you at www.welcomegrace.com
Chaka Heinze is a writer, speaker, and lover of the Bible. She is actively involved in her local church on the Prayer and Healing team and mentors young women seeking deeper relationships with God.

After personally experiencing God's love and compassion following the loss of her eleven-year-old son, Landen, Chaka delights in testifying to others about God's unfathomable and transformative love that permeates even the most difficult circumstances.
Chaka and her husband of twenty-six years have five children ranging from adult age to preschool. Trained as an attorney, she’s had the privilege of mitigating sibling disputes for twenty-plus years.

Follow her on Chakaheinze.com.
Jennifer Dotzler is deeply committed to personal growth and spiritual development, with a genuine heart to help others thrive in their faith. She blends her love for Scripture with a compassionate, practical approach, guiding others through life's challenges and triumphs. With a strong desire to see people discipled and encouraged in their walk with Christ, Jennifer brings thoughtful, biblically grounded insights to every conversation. She is thrilled to join the YDBV team, where she hopes to inspire and empower listeners with meaningful discussions rooted in biblical truth.
Taura Sullivan is a devoted follower of Jesus and a licensed minister passionate about teaching the Bible and inspiring others to cultivate a genuine, personal relationship with God. She serves as the Minister of Christian Maturity at the Park Church in Charlotte, NC.

As an author, Taura wrote Wonder: Finding Light in Life's Interruptions, inviting readers to recognize God’s presence in their lives and deepen their relationship with Him through reflection. She is also the founder of LightBulb Experiences, where she curates content and organizes gatherings to foster growth in Christ.

When she’s not engaged in ministry, you might find Taura reading, journaling, traveling, or enjoying life with family and friends. She embraces a life of laughter and adventure with her loving husband, Joseph Sullivan, her “good and perfect gift."
Grace Fox is the award-winning author of 16 books whose passion is to inspire hope, courage, and personal transformation through God’s Word – with a dash of adventure.

She’s a member of the “First 5” Bible study writing team (Proverbs 31 Ministries) and a regular contributor to Mornings with Jesus, an annual 365-day devotional published by Guideposts. She’s also the author of the award-winning devotional Bible study series – Names of God: Living Unafraid, Names of God: Knowing Peace, and Names of God: Growing Strong.

Find Grace’s 7-day YouVersion devotional reading plan “Growing Strong to Go On” here: https://tbibles.com/P4w6i

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