Wendell sits down with us to trace a jagged path from a strict church upbringing to years lost in addiction, from chasing belonging in all the wrong places to raising his hands in a hallway at home and discovering that surrender is the only kind of strength that holds. What follows is a raw, deeply hopeful conversation about purpose, identity, and the stubborn power of prayer.

We talk about how a surprise welcome at LCC changed everything—familiar faces from an old worship team, a new community that felt like home, and a place to put his gifts to work. Wendell opens up about overdoses averted, the cost of pride, and the moment he stopped caring who was watching and started praising God anyway. He shows us how service can anchor recovery, why tears on stage are testimony not shame, and how mentors—from a gracious young leader to a steadfast uncle—helped him rebuild the habits that shape a life.

If you’re a parent of a teen, you’ll find practical wisdom: say “you’re loved” every day, protect car time for real talk, listen more than you fix, and turn small moments into sacred ground. If you love someone wrestling with addiction, Wendell’s plea is simple and fierce—don’t stop praying. He names the people who covered him daily and credits their faith with pulling him back when his own will faltered. For anyone hesitating at the edge of surrender, there’s a bold challenge: prove your toughness by lifting your hands, not your defenses.

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