He lost both of his parents in a car crash. Instead of running from God, he ran toward Him. And it changed the course of his life forever.

In this episode of the Life Upside Down Podcast, Ryan and Karina Martinez sit down with Pastor Tyler Schenzel, head pastor at Waypoint Church, a non-denominational church in Omaha, Nebraska and part of the Antioch movement. Tyler shares his full testimony for the first time on this platform, and it’s one of the most powerful conversations we’ve had.
Tyler’s story starts in a place a lot of people can relate to. He loved the world. He was in a fraternity. Partying was the lifestyle. The things that pulled at him weren’t unusual for a college kid. They were normal. And that’s what made them so dangerous. Because when sin looks like everyone else’s Friday night, it doesn’t feel like sin at all.

But God had other plans for Tyler. And the road to transformation wasn’t gentle.

Tyler lost both of his parents in a car accident. Not one. Both. In the same moment, the two people who raised him were gone. And in that devastation, Tyler had a decision to make. Two paths sat in front of him. One led away from God. Blame Him. Be angry. Walk away and let the grief swallow everything. The other path led directly toward Him. Seek refuge. Trust His character even when nothing made sense. Let God be the Father when his earthly father was no longer there.

Tyler chose God. And through that decision, through the grief and the surrender and the rebuilding, God called Tyler into full-time ministry. The kid who was partying in a fraternity became the head pastor of a church. Not because the pain made him qualified. Because the pain made him willing.

This episode covers Tyler’s childhood, his college years, the moment of the accident, the grief that followed, the Holy Spirit’s comfort in his brother’s guest bedroom, and the calling that grew out of the ashes of the hardest season of his life.
If you’ve ever lost someone and wondered whether God still had a plan for you, this episode is going to meet you exactly where you are.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

🙏 Learn more about Waypoint Church:
https://www.waypointomaha.com/

📩 Have a testimony to share? Reach out through lifeusd.com

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