Podcast #016 - Renouncing God & the Pull Back with Kevin Hildebrand, Executive Director, The Bunker

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00:00 Introduction

02:20 Raised in a "check the box" Mennonite Christian home

04:08 Done with Christianity

07:40 God got a hold again

09:30 God's new promise to God: "I am all in!"

10:50 New perspective

13:40 A dream from God

16:00 Our value according to God

18:30 Response to the "perfect" and "broken" youth of today

19:50 A message to youth with "secrets" (and their parents)

Kevin starts his podcast talking about the "check the box" kind of Christianity that he grew up in. He talks about things such as going t youth, being baptized, and talking the Christian lingo without really experiencing God.

Kevin eventually, intentionally, walked away from Christianity. He remembers having a conversation with God. saying "I am done with you", and he went off to do his own thing. This resulted in a double life, living about 7 years living wild and free, and doing whatever he wanted, and coming home to live the Christian life.Kevin became good at manipulation, and he used people to get what he wanted. He called himself a "horrible person".

He got to the point where he realized he was living a horrible life, and he had a fresh conversation with God, starting with... "K God, here I am again". He looked back on his life and realized there where several times he could have died but God spared his life. So he finally said "God, here I am. If you want me, here I am".

Kevin then told God that whatever He wanted from Him, he was in! Next thing Kevin knew, he was in youth ministry.

Kevin now understands that a relationship with God is not a checklist. It's God accepting us for who we are, as we are. God wants us to have an enjoyable life, together with Him.

Kevin now leads a ministry for marginalized youth. His hope is to create a place for the kids that feel left out, to have a place where they fit in.

Kevin believes we all have the same value and that we were created by the same God.

Check back for Podcast 2 of 2, where Kevin has a message for the child, the parent, and the church.