Today I’m resharing Season 4, Episode 34, which is in the top 10 downloaded podcast episodes ever, is a conversation that feels just as important now as it did when it first aired—maybe even more so.

This episode is a reminder for anyone who has ever believed the lie that they need to clean themselves up before coming to God.

In this conversation, Gail Schaar shares her story with honesty, humor, and so much grace. She’s a barista at Starbucks who believes coffee is often the doorway to deeper conversations and real relationships. She’s a wife, a mom of two little girls, and a woman who came to faith later in life after years of what she calls a “bob-and-weave” relationship with God—aware of Him, but not fully surrendered.

We talk about:

• ​Feeling “too messy” for church
• ​How God meets us right in the middle of our junk
• ​Addiction, unhealthy coping, and surrendering control
• ​Why God does the cleaning—not us
• ​The beauty of authentic church community
• ​Letting God peel back layers one at a time

One of the most powerful moments in this episode is when she shares how she finally told God the truth: “I don’t want to change this. If You want it gone, You’re going to have to do it.” And God did—changing her desires in a way only He can.

This episode carries a message I never get tired of saying:

You are not too dirty for God.You are not too broken for church.And you don’t have to fix yourself before coming to Him.

🤍 A 2025 Update

Since this episode first aired, this sweet friend is now walking through a breast cancer battle in 2025. And once again, her life is a testimony—not of perfection, but of deep trust.

She is being carried by the same God who met her in addiction, in shame, in surrender—and now meets her in treatment, fear, courage, and hope. Please join me in praying for healing, strength, peace, and overwhelming reminders of God’s nearness.

This reshare is for the one who feels disqualified.It’s for the one who thinks they’ve gone too far.It’s for the one who needs to hear—again—that God is not afraid of your mess.

🎧 Listen with an open heart.

Original Notes:

Two weeks ago, I had Zach Schaar on the podcast and this week, his beautiful wife, Gail is joining me! I have been anxiously awaiting to have this conversation with her! She is a powerhouse with a soft side towards dolphins:)

Bio:

Gail Schaar is a wife and mother of two girls. She enjoys her job serving coffee as a barista. Gail became a Christian at 28 years old at a church near Nashville, TN. She loves watching God use her unsavory past as way to relate to and reach people in her daily life. She currently lives in Canton, OH with her husband, little girls, and Cockapoo. Her loves are coffee, Pilates, bargains, reading the Old Testament, and delicious food. You can follow her ministry at YAHWEH’s Trainwreck on Facebook.

Gail's Anchor Verses:

Jeremiah 29:11; 32:17

Revelation 22

Support Now: https://www.supportnow.org/gail-schaar

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

In today’s episode of Anchored By the Sword Podcast, I’m joined by actress, producer, and storyteller Ginger Cressman—and y’all, this conversation is powerful, honest, and so timely.

Ginger grew up in a Christian home in Tennessee, the daughter of a pastor, deeply rooted in faith from a young age. But like so many of us, her story didn’t stay neat and tidy. When her mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Ginger began to wrestle with grief, anxiety, depression, and eventually walked away from God—while still talking to Him the entire time.

She shares vulnerably about:

• Walking away from her faith and hitting rock bottom
• Anxiety, depression, and not wanting to be alive anymore
• A loving father who prayed her out of the pit
• Rediscovering God’s goodness in the middle of brokenness
• Learning that God never let go—even when she tried to run

Ginger also shares the verse that continues to anchor her, written in her mother’s handwriting:

Deuteronomy 31:8 — “The Lord goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

From teaching to acting, Ginger’s journey into film unfolded step by step—often with fear, doubt, and a lot of prayer. And now, she’s stepping into one of the most challenging roles of her life as the lead in an upcoming film called The Hidden. The Hidden is a raw, honest, documentary-style film centered around women trapped in prostitution, addiction, and exploitation—and the ministries reaching into those dark places with hope, dignity, and truth. The heart behind this project is simple but bold: shine light into places most people would rather ignore.

This film isn’t meant to be soft or comfortable—it’s meant to be real. It’s designed as a tool for outreach, healing, and conversation. Ginger and her team plan to make the film widely accessible, including releasing it for free, so it can be used by ministries, churches, and individuals who want to help.

This episode is about:

• God meeting us in the pit
• Using our gifts for Kingdom purpose
• Loving people in hard places without condemnation
• Being the hands and feet of Jesus

Ginger closes with this encouragement:
“Don’t give up. Don’t let others—or yourself—get in your way. Forgive yourself. Let go. Keep going.”

🎧 You don’t want to miss this one.

Bio:

Ginger Cressman is a professional actress and model located in the United States. She has been cast in lead and supporting roles in the film industry as well as commercials. She has also has experience in producing and casting feature films. She has a heart for helping others on their journey into acting.

Anchor Verse:

Deuteronomy 31:8

Connect with Ginger:

Website: www.imdb.me/gingercressman

FB: www.facebook.com/therealgingercressman

IG: www.instagram.com/gingercressman

Crowdfunding for The Hidden:

https://www.givesendgo.com/thehidden?fbclid=IwdGRjcAPXT35leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeah_p3LkE8-k4qSaJRHWxh6VLb_okZlxoidYa2Zv0GgA_iPpcMXZiIul8WHQ_aem_gwLv6KpPtkElhFj6Wqna6w

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

This week, I’m resharing one of the most powerful and necessary conversations we’ve ever had on Anchored By the Sword Podcast.

When I met Kelly Lester at the NRB Convention in March of 2022, I knew immediately I wanted her on the show—but I had no idea just how deep, painful, and redemptive her story truly was.

Kelly shares her journey with incredible honesty: growing up in the church while carrying deep shame, being sexually abused as a child, raped as a teenager, experiencing multiple abortions, and eventually working inside the very abortion clinic where she had her first abortion at just 15 years old.

This episode doesn’t shy away from hard truths. Kelly walks us through:

• Her personal abortion story and the trauma that followed

• What really happens behind the scenes inside abortion clinics

• The manipulation and silence women experience during and after abortions

• How shame kept her trapped—and how God met her there

• Why abortion is never just a “simple choice”

• How God can redeem even the most broken stories

Kelly now serves as a client advocate with LoveLine Ministries, Director of Outreach for And Then There Were None and Pro-Love Ministries, helping women who are coming out of abortion clinics and walking them toward healing, freedom, and hope. Her story is a living testimony that no one is too far gone for God.

This reshare feels especially important right now. These conversations matter—because they lead to conversations we have to be willing to have.

⚠️ Content Note: This episode covers sensitive topics including abortion, sexual abuse, violence, and trauma. Please listen with care.

🎧 This is a hard episode—but it’s a hope-filled one.

Bio:Kelly’s story is one that covers so many difficult and painful topics in our world today. Child molestation, raped as a teen, several abortions, drug dealing, eating disorders, homosexuality, pornography, prostitution, and even working in the clinic where she had her first abortion. But beauty triumphs from the ashes, and Kelly is a testament to how God can clean all the dirty parts of a painful life story and make it brand new.Now a wife and mother of six children, Kelly loves to share her story to give hope to the most desperate situations proving that God can save anybody. She is currently a client advocate for LoveLine Ministries, Director of Outreach for And Then There Were None and Pro-Love Ministries, and a board member for Village Ansanm: Living Stones Ministries.Anchor Verse:Isaiah 61Esther 4:14Connect with Kelly:Email: kelly@prolove.comFB: https://www.facebook.com/kellylesterforlife/Speaker Page: https://www.ambassadorspeakers.com/speakers/unique/kelly-lesterAnd Then There Were None: https://abortionworker.comPro-Life Ministries: https://loveline.comWe Discussed:Unplanned Movie: https://www.unplannedfilm.com****This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics! Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!****