Ep. 03 | Pouring Out & Still Failing w/ Jackie Prevost
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Have you ever felt like giving up?
Like no matter how hard you try as a parent—or in your ministry—nothing is changing?
You’re not alone. And today, I want to introduce you to someone who lived through that struggle and came out the other side with wisdom, grace, and a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness.
In this special episode of the podcast, I sat down with my 90-year-old grandmother, Jackie Prevost, for a deeply personal and emotional conversation. She opened up about one of the hardest seasons of her life—when several of her seven children were caught in a downward spiral of rebellion, addiction, and spiritual confusion.
Why This Story Matters
This episode is more than just family history. It’s a reminder that:
God is always working, even in the dark
Parenting is incredibly hard—but we are never alone
Our obedience can spark transformation for generations
Storytelling has the power to heal, encourage, and build faith
I believe we need to share more stories like this—not polished, not perfect, but real. Stories that show what it’s like to follow God when everything feels broken. Because it’s in those moments that His strength becomes visible.
The Power of Testimony
Ephesians 4:29 says: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
That’s what our stories can do. They build others up. They benefit those who listen.
When we share what God has done, or even what we’re still trusting Him for, we strengthen the faith of others. Your testimony could be the thing that helps another parent hang on just one more day.
A Framework for Sharing Powerful Stories
As you listen to this episode, you’ll notice that Jackie’s story follows a clear structure. It’s not accidental—it’s intentional. I guide stories this way because it makes them more impactful and easier to follow:
Setup – The background and context
Conflict – The main problem or tension
Journey – The efforts to overcome the challenge
Resolution – What happened as a result
Call to Action – The takeaway for the listener
This framework isn’t just for podcasts. Ministries can use this same structure to craft testimonies, share impact stories, and connect with donors in a way that’s emotionally engaging and spiritually meaningful.
What About You?
What’s a story you’ve lived through that could help someone else?
What has God brought you through—or what are you still walking through—that others need to hear?
You don’t have to be perfect. Your story doesn’t have to be “finished.” But when you share it with courage and clarity, God can use it to:
Build faith
Create community
Encourage giving and support for your ministry
Show that transformation is possible—even in the hardest seasons
Ready to Clarify Your Message?
If you’re not sure how to start sharing your story—or how to shape it in a way that supports your ministry’s growth—I’d love to help.
🎯 Download the free Ministry Message Checklist:
👉 irisstorytelling.com/checklist
Or if you’re super serious and ready to go all in…
💬 Book a free discovery call to explore one-on-one coaching:
👉 irisstorytelling.com/getstarted
We’ll walk step-by-step through your story, your message, and how to use both to grow your ministry, engage donors, and bring people closer to Jesus.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Your Story
As my grandma said: “I don’t know how anyone gets through life without the Lord.”
If you’re in a hard season—parenting through rebellion, running a ministry on empty, or just feeling unseen—this episode is for you.
And if you’re in a season of strength, maybe it’s time to share your story with someone who needs hope.
God is faithful.
Even when it takes time.
Even when the ending isn’t tied up in a neat bow.
Let your story be the bridge that helps someone else keep going.
-Lisa