The Story Partners Podcast

At an extremely low moment in Jonathan Gray’s life, he has a supernatural experience with God that he cannot shake. Jonathan has to find out who this God really is, so he goes on a quest for truth… and that’s when things start to get really weird…

Resources Jonathan Recommends:

“The Beautiful Side of Evil” - Johanna Michaelsen

https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Side-Evil-Johanna-Michaelsen/dp/0890813221

“The Sacred Journey” - Brian Simmons

https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Journey-Relentless-Affection-Translation/dp/1424550807

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. 

Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. 

If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

Elmira Javid was driven out of her home country, Iran, by war. Now, as a refugee in Germany, she finds herself completely alone – far from family, friends and the Islamic faith she’s so devoted to. One night, as she is weeping in despair, someone new steps into her life, and everything changes.

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them.

Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. 

Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. 

If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

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In Prison, Jesus physically came to Afshin Javid and his whole world turns upside down. A man who used to be wholeheartedly committed to Islam, Afshin now cannot stop talking about Jesus to everyone he meets. This begins a whole new adventure in Afshin’s life – full of unbelievable twists and turns.

For more information about Afshin Javid:

Afshin Javid’s Website:

https://afshinjavid.com/

Afshin Javid’s YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@theafshinjavid

Feature Film releasing in May 2025, that shares part of Afshin Javid’s Story:

https://www.showmeyourglory.com/

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them.

Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. 

Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. 

If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

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Afshin Javid grew up in Iran under strict Islamic law. He loved Allah and was willing to kill, and even die for him. After a supernatural encounter, he starts to question everything and the foundation of his faith begins to crumble. *Listener discretion is advised*

Warning: This episode deals with the topics of  Islamic martyrdom and violence; listener discretion is advised.

For more information about Afshin Javid:

Afshin Javid’s Website:

https://afshinjavid.com/

Afshin Javid’s YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@theafshinjavid

Feature Film releasing in May 2025, that shares part of Afshin Javid’s Story:

https://www.showmeyourglory.com/

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them.

Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. 

Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. 

If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

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Join us as we kick off Season 3! In this episode, Walt and Annie chat about all things Story Partners - how we got into this work, why we create this podcast, and what you can look forward to in Season 3. It’s an informal conversation where you’ll get a little more behind-the-scenes info with co-founders Walt and Annie Manis.

Our first story in Season 3 releases one week from today!

Tim Halfin heard that a local boy had been missing for three days. Unexpectedly, God spoke to Tim and told him to go into the woods near his house and look for the boy...

Listen to this special bonus episode from our friends at the GOD OUT LOUD Podcast, where Tim Halfin shares the remarkable story of hearing and obeying the voice of God.

Can you believe we’re already through Season 2?  Weren’t those stories amazing?!  It’s been so cool to hear from The Story Partners Podcast Community about how these stories have encourage you and shaped your faith.  We love what we get to do and are so excited for what God has in store in the future.  

Thanks for following along with this season.  If you have any friends or family who don’t know about us, please share this Podcast with them.  We would love for these stories of God’s faithfulness to reach many new listeners.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

TikTok: @StoryPartners

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

As a new teacher in Midland, Texas, Matt Slavik was in charge of driving a carload of kids to Zion National Park for a school trip.  Around 2am he woke up on the side of the road, disoriented and asking, “What happened?”  The answer was devastating.  

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

TikTok: @StoryPartners

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

Simone Halpin reached for the sex worker and earnestly pleaded, “You don’t have to do this!”. The woman’s eyes said everything: “Yes I do. You have no idea what my life is like.”

At that moment, the questions flooded into Simone’s mind, but one thing she knew to her core – THIS is not right.

This is this special two-part episode, so if you missed last week’s episode (the first part of this story), be sure to check it out before listening to this one.

Warning: This episode deals with themes of sexual abuse and trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

Simone Halpin is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Naomi’s House. Naomi’s House is a nonprofit organization in the Chicago area whose mission is to help women who have suffered from commercial sexual exploitation find freedom, healing and a fresh start. To learn more about Naomi’s House, visit www.NaomisHouse.org.

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

TikTok: @StoryPartners

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

Simone Halpin's unsteady home life taught her at an early age that she had to be independant and take care of herself. Wanting to fit in, she falls in with the wrong crowd thinking that they really cared for her, only to find out that she was mistaken. 

This is this special two-part episode. This episode tells the story of Simone's early life, and how her own history would prepare her for the work that God would later call her into. Be sure to tune in next week for the rest of the story.

Warning: This episode deals with themes of sexual abuse and trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

Simone Halpin is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Naomi’s House. Naomi’s House is a nonprofit organization in the Chicago area whose mission is to help women who have suffered from commercial sexual exploitation find freedom, healing and a fresh start. To learn more about Naomi’s House, visit www.NaomisHouse.org.

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

TikTok: @StoryPartners

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

After years of searching for truth, Jason and Katherine Grote come to faith in Christ.  Eager to get involved in community and grow in their new faith, they find a small church and immediately dive in. Things were great at first, but as time went on, they start to realize that everything was not as it once seemed.

This is this special two-part episode, so if you missed last week’s episode (the first part of this story), be sure to check it out before listening to this one.

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

TikTok: @StoryPartners

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

Jason Grote was a quirky kid who didn’t fit in. Katherine was a dancer with an independent mind. They were an unlikely couple, but both were drawn to spiritual things and wanted to know the truth. Against all odds, they ended up together and both came to faith in Jesus in the most unexpected way.

This is this special two-part episode, so be sure to tune in next week for the rest of the story.

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

TikTok: @StoryPartners

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

When Tim Schulte was 12 years old, his parents divorced and his mom moved away. Finding himself without emotional support, Tim feels isolated and starts believing 4 lies about himself:  I’m unlovable, I’m not good enough, I’ll never be good enough, and God is continually disappointed in me.  These 4 lies would start Tim on a path of destruction that no coping mechanism could conceal.

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

TikTok: @StoryPartners

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

Performance, perfection and efficiency were ideals that Dana Grindal lived by. These values guided her work, family, and spiritual life – and things were working well. But one day, God would suddenly disrupt all her plans, and life for Dana would come to a screeching halt. Dana found herself asking, “God, how could this possibly be Your will?”

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

TikTok: @StoryPartners

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

Imagine if things were so desperate in your home country that you felt like your only option was to pack up your family and travel through chaos in order to survive.  You get to the border of a new country and send your children off into the unknown, unsure of what awaits them.

In this unique episode, Brain and Stephanie share their first-hand experience of caring for unaccompanied children who have crossed the border into the U.S. This episode gives not only facts of what’s happening at the border, but also reveals God’s heart for His children – on both sides of the border.

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

TikTok: @StoryPartners

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

As a child, Tim Crowder was loving life; his family was rich and they were secure.  But under the surface things were not as they appeared. Was it all a lie?

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

TikTok: @StoryPartners

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

Assistant Editor: Matt Slavik

Jenessa Wait wanted to belong, but she didn’t know where she fit. As a pastor’s kid, there were things about church life that she loved. But she also wanted to fit into the “cool crowd”. She didn’t understand the significance at the time, but the choices she was making would change her entire life.

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

TikTok: @StoryPartners

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

Assistant Editor: Matt Slavik

From a young boy the idea was planted in Daniel Mueller’s mind that you had to be successful to be important.  So, Daniel Mueller set out to do just that – be the richest, most influential person that he could be.  But wealth, status, and respect still left him empty and wanting more. Even with all his success, one question remained:  “Do I matter?”.

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

TikTok: @StoryPartners

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

Assistant Editor: Matt Slavik

Emma Smith grew up fast. By 8th grade she was addicted to Meth and getting a glimpse into just how dark and scary that world is. Soon she realized she was in way over her head.

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

TikTok: @StoryPartners

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis

Eddie Smith grew up in inner-city Chicago among extreme poverty, drugs and crime. Now as an adult struggling with drug addiction and the memories of a horribly abusive father, Eddie desires the end.  But Eddie’s Heavenly Father had other plans. Plans for healing, restoration, and purpose.

The Story Partners Podcast features artfully crafted stories, told by the people who lived them. Each episode shares an authentic personal story of someone whose life has been changed by Jesus.

We hope that this story encourages your faith and helps you see Jesus in a more personal way.

Along with this podcast, Story Partners makes short documentary films. Watch our films on YouTube @StoryPartnersFilms.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @Story_Partners

Facebook: @StoryPartnersMinistry

TikTok: @StoryPartners

Website: StoryPartners.org

Story Partners is a crowd-funded ministry, made possible by donations from people like you. If you would like to support this work, visit: StoryPartners.org/GIVE

Producers: Walt and Annie Manis

Editor: Walt Manis