Have you ever experienced a moment so pivotal that it changed the entire course of your life? A decision, a conversation, or a surprise redirection that seemed uncomfortable at first, but later revealed itself as a defining moment?

I recently sat down with Dr. Sharalyn Payne on her Game Changer podcast. Her platform is designed for purpose-driven leaders looking to make lasting impact through intentional decisions and bold leadership. The title of her show is fitting. Our conversation explored some of the major turning points in my own life and, more importantly, how God used each one to deepen my understanding of purpose, stewardship, and faith.

Whether you’re leading a ministry, navigating personal loss, pursuing your calling, or simply trying to live a more intentional life, this episode will encourage and challenge you.

From Theater to Theology

Dr. Payne began our conversation by asking how I ended up dedicating more than four decades to mentoring leaders and consulting with ministries around the world.

The truth is, I never planned on this. I was studying theater arts at the University of Colorado, preparing for a career in acting or directing. But in my junior year, I had a moment of clarity. I realized the world I was preparing for was full of performance, but lacking authenticity. Everyone seemed to be playing a role—even off the stage.

Then, two engineering students crossed my path. They were grounded, brilliant, and most surprising to me, passionate about their personal relationship with Jesus. Their faith wasn’t religious or performative. It was real. That authenticity stirred something inside me. I didn’t need a platform; I needed purpose.

That encounter led me to leave theater, graduate, and eventually join Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru). It was the first of many divine redirections.

The Freedom to Fail and the Call to Steward

One of the most personal stories I shared on the podcast happened in 1972. After pouring years of my life into a thriving ministry role, I found myself abruptly replaced. It was disorienting. I felt blindsided. But through that disappointment, God was preparing me for something new.

Shortly afterward, I was handed thirty boxes of unopened pledge cards from a past event and was told to “figure out what to do with them.” There was no plan. No staff. No instructions. Just a clear need and an open invitation to try.

That’s when a mentor’s words rang in my ears: “You have the freedom to fail.”

That freedom gave me the courage to start from scratch, using my creativity, leadership, and faith to build a new kind of ministry support system. We followed up on those pledges and raised more than $2 million. But more importantly, we discovered what it means to lead with vision, steward with care, and work as a team to bring God’s plans to life.

Stewardship Is More Than Money

Dr. Payne and I spent time unpacking the real meaning of stewardship. Many people reduce it to financial management. But biblical stewardship is much broader.

Stewardship means managing what God has entrusted to us—our time, talent, relationships, resources, and influence—for His purposes.

We are stewards whether we want to be or not. The only question is, will we be faithful stewards or poor ones?

One of the key principles from my book, Intentional Living and Giving, is this: God owns it all. That truth changes everything. If I don’t own anything, then everything I have is a gift. And my responsibility is to use it well and generously.

Living with “I Will” Intentionality

After losing my wife of over 50 years to cancer, I knew I had a choice. I could either retreat into grief, or lean into purpose. I chose purpose.

To help myself move forward, I wrote down ten “I will” statements. These were intentional commitments about how I would continue to live, serve, and lead. One of those was, “I will spend time with my grandchildren and pass on what I’ve learned.” Another was, “I will wake up each morning and ask what joy the Lord has for me today.”

Writing those statements gave me clarity and direction during one of the most difficult seasons of my life.

Your Game-Changer Might Be One Step Away

Dr. Payne and I talked about the bumps, the breakthroughs, and the importance of staying faithful in every season. We agreed that God often works through interruptions, redirections, and unexpected loss.

So if you feel off-track or unsure of your next step, I invite you to listen to this conversation. It’s full of practical wisdom, honest reflection, and timeless biblical truths.

🎧 Listen now to the Game Changer podcast with Sharalyn Payne. Click Here

Let it inspire you to live with clarity, serve with joy, and give with generosity. Because the game-changing moment you’re waiting for might already be unfolding. And God is ready to use it for something far bigger than you imagined.