Bent Christian Podcast

Bent Christian

The Bent Christian Podcast explores the honest reality of following Jesus while carrying flaws, questions, wounds, and unfinished pieces of your story. Born from a personal desire to remind people that they do not have to be perfect to be loved by God, this podcast creates space for real conversations about faith, grace, doubt, healing, and the everyday struggle of trying to live with hope when life feels heavy.

Episodes

  1. Jun 29 ·  Video

    The Prison No One Talks About | Finding Freedom Outside the Prison Walls | BCP14

    What if the hardest prison isn't made of concrete and steel? In this episode of the Bent Christian Podcast, Cliff sits down with Anne to discuss **Kairos Outside**, a ministry that brings hope, healing, and authentic Christian community to women whose lives have been impacted by incarceration. Whether it's a spouse, child, parent, sibling, friend, or your own past, incarceration affects far more people than those behind prison walls. Families often carry shame, loneliness, broken relationships, fear, and unanswered questions that no one else sees. But that's exactly where God meets us. Anne shares how Kairos Outside creates a safe place where women discover they are not alone, not forgotten, and not defined by someone else's mistakes—or even their own. Through honest conversations, prayer, community, and the love of Christ, women begin finding healing and hope together. Cliff also shares one of the most powerful statements he's ever heard while serving inside prison: "I didn't get arrested... I got rescued." It's a reminder that true freedom isn't determined by where you live. Real freedom is found in Jesus Christ. This conversation is about far more than prison ministry. It's about grace. It's about redemption. It's about ordinary people saying "yes" when God calls them to love others. And it's a reminder that Christianity isn't about religion—it's about a relationship with Jesus, who meets us right where we are and walks with us toward healing. If you or someone you know has been affected by incarceration, this episode may be exactly the encouragement you need. ### In this episode: 00:00 Welcome to the Bent Christian Podcast 02:00 Meet Anne and her journey into Kairos 07:00 What is Kairos Inside, Kairos Outside, and Kairos Torch? 10:00 Who qualifies for Kairos Outside? 14:00 Why community changes lives 17:00 "I Didn't Get Arrested... I Got Rescued" 21:00 God's timing and serving others 24:00 How churches can better support families affected by incarceration 27:00 How you can attend, volunteer, or support Kairos --- ### About Kairos Outside Kairos Prison Ministry International serves incarcerated men, women, youth, and the families affected by incarceration through three ministries: Kairos Inside, Kairos Outside, and Kairos Torch. Kairos Outside is a free weekend retreat for women age 20 and older whose lives have been impacted by incarceration. Whether you've experienced incarceration yourself or have a loved one who has, Kairos Outside provides encouragement, community, and the opportunity to experience God's love in a welcoming environment. Learn more: Kairos Outside: https://www.kairosoutside.org/ Kairos Prison Ministry International: https://www.kairosprisonministry.org/ Find a Kairos Outside Weekend: https://www.kairosprisonministry.org/kairos-outside/ Volunteer: https://www.kairosprisonministry.org/volunteer/ Support the Ministry: https://www.kairosprisonministry.org/donate/ ## Listen to Bent Christian Website: https://www.bentchristian.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bent-christian-podcast/id1758559638 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LECnLClLOliw0KIecgS7L Connect with Bent Christian Website: https://www.bentchristian.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BentChristian Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552098519942 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebentchristian/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bentchristian Contact: info@bentchristian.com Subscribe to Bent Christian for honest conversations about faith, grace, healing, purpose, doubt, and following Jesus through real life. At Bent Christian, we believe Christianity is about a relationship with Jesus—not simply religion. None of us are perfect. We all carry scars, struggles, and broken places, but through Christ we don't have to stay broken. We're just people who are bent... choosing Jesus anyway. If this episode encouraged you, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to know they're not alone. #kairos #prisonministry #bentchristian #jesuschangeslives

  2. Jun 1 ·  Video

    How to Read the Bible Without Quitting (5 Simple Tips to Help You Finish) | BCP11

    Struggling to read the Bible for the first time? Here are 5 simple tips to help you stick with it without giving up. If you’ve ever started reading Scripture with good intentions but found yourself overwhelmed, distracted, or quietly quitting, you’re not alone. Many people begin their faith journey excited — only to feel discouraged when parts of the Old Testament feel confusing, repetitive, or hard to understand. In this Bent Christian episode, we walk through five simple shifts that can completely change how you approach the Bible. This isn’t about reading faster or trying harder. It’s about reading differently — with clarity, grace, and relationship at the center. The Bible was never meant to be a performance test. It’s an invitation. In this episode, we cover: • Why certain parts of the Bible feel so difficult • Why starting with Jesus can change everything • How to read without burning out • What to do when you feel stuck • How to give yourself grace along the way 💬 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments – we’d love to hear your perspective! 📲 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Bent Christian on YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook for more inspiring content. You can learn more about Bent Christian at: 🌐 Website: https://bentchristian.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebentchristian ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BentChristian 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552098519942 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bentchristian 🎙 Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bentchristian 👕 Support our community – Merch: https://bent-christian.printify.me ❤️ Donor Support: https://bentchristian.com #ReadTheBible #BibleStudy #BibleForBeginners

  3. Jun 1 ·  Video

    5 Things Christians Could Learn from Jelly Roll: His Music, Story, and Faith Journey | BCP10

    What can Christians really learn from someone like Jelly Roll? For some believers, that question feels uncomfortable. Jelly Roll’s past, his music, and his story don’t fit neatly into the boxes many Christians are used to. And yet — if we’re honest — his journey reflects something deeply biblical: redemption, honesty, grace, and ongoing transformation. In this episode of Bent Christian, we explore 5 Things Christians Could Learn from Jelly Roll — his music, his story, and his ongoing walk. This isn’t about celebrity worship or excusing sin. It’s about asking a harder question: 👉 Are we missing what God might be showing us through people we least expect? We talk about: Why God consistently uses messy people before they’re “polished” How honesty often reaches hearts before religious language does Why grace draws people in before theology makes sense Why a person’s past doesn’t cancel their present growth And why faith that reaches the broken often offends the religious Along the way, we unpack a real-life dinner conversation that revealed how quickly “so-called Christians” can dismiss someone based on labels — and how that mindset may be building walls God never asked us to build. At Bent Christian, we believe: You don’t have to stay broken. You’re not perfect. So maybe we’re all just bent. If you’ve ever struggled with judgment, skepticism, or reconciling faith with real-life stories of redemption — this conversation is for you. 💬 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments – we’d love to hear your perspective! 📲 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Bent Christian on YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook for more inspiring content. You can learn more about Bent Christian at: 🌐 Website: https://bentchristian.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebentchristian ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BentChristian 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552098519942 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bentchristian 🎙 Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bentchristian 👕 Support our community – Merch: https://bent-christian.printify.me ❤️ Donor Support: https://bentchristian.com #BentChristian #BentNotBroken #JellyRoll

  4. Jun 1 ·  Video

    Conformed to Transformed | BCP6

    Bent Christian and Conformed to Transformed This episode I interviewed Bryan Crouch, Founder of Conformed to Transformed. Bryan describes himself as a 26-year Information Technology veteran, lover of Jesus, and a sinner saved by undeserved grace! He is a father in a blended family of 4 teenagers, a husband of an amazing wife Krista of 8 years and wants to use his story of life changing transformation and deliverance from addiction to see thousands of souls do the same using the mind transforming power of the gospel and God’s will for their lives. Join us as we discuss religion, family, addiction, brokenness, salvation, recovery, conformation and transformation. #transformation #addiction #recovery You can learn more about Bryan and his ministry Conformed To Transformed at: Website: https://conformedtotransformed.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conformed2transformed/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCuHYdeo9VLhPLYNbZVYJF0A Twitter: https://x.com/c2transformed Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conformed2transformed/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@conformed2transformed Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/conformed-2-transformed6 You can learn more about Bent Christian at: Website: https://bentchristian.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebentchristian/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCp18zm9EI7a7FFaaS9r8CGw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552098519942 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCp18zm9EI7a7FFaaS9r8CGw Podcast: https://thebentchristian.podbean.com/ Support our community: Merch: https://bent-christian.printify.me/products Donor Support: https://bentchristian.com/

  5. Jun 1 ·  Video

    Not Ready to Say Goodbye: Faith, Grief, Healing | BCP4

    Not Ready to Say Goodbye: A Journey of Faith, Grief, and Healing #FaithAndHealing #GriefSupport #NavigatingLoss Losing a loved one is a profoundly difficult experience, and the process of saying goodbye can be complex and deeply personal. For Christians, faith can offer comfort through beliefs in the afterlife, hope, community support, rituals, prayer, and scripture. Key biblical verses that provide solace include Matthew 5:4 ("Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted"), John 11:25-26, Revelation 21:4, and Psalm 147:3. The Bible acknowledges human imperfection (Ecclesiastes 7:20) and God's healing power (Psalm 147:3). Recognizing our shared humanity and the universality of grief, we can support those who are mourning through several practical and compassionate actions: 1. **Be Present**: Simply being there can provide significant comfort. 2. **Listen Actively**: Allow them to express their feelings without judgment. 3. **Offer Practical Help**: Assist with daily tasks to alleviate their burden. 4. **Share Comforting Scriptures**: Provide biblical encouragement and hope. 5. **Acknowledge Their Pain**: Validate their feelings and respect their grief. 6. **Pray with and for Them**: Offer spiritual support through prayer. 7. **Be Patient**: Understand that grieving is a long and individual process. 8. **Encourage Self-Care and Healing**: Support their journey towards healing, including seeking professional help if needed. By embodying empathy, patience, and practical support, we can offer meaningful assistance to those grieving, helping them navigate their loss with compassion and understanding. Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs up and consider subscribing to our channel for more great content. Don’t forget to hit the bell icon to be notified whenever we post new videos. **Follow Us:** - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552098519942 **Support Us:** - Merch: https://bent-christian.printify.me/products **Join the Community:** - https://bentchristian.com/ Got any questions or suggestions? Leave them in the comments below! We love hearing from you. For information on GriefShare Recovery program visit https://bentchristian.com/family-and-relationships Stay tuned, stay awesome, and we’ll see you in the next video!

  6. Jun 1 ·  Video

    Inside the Walls: A Bent Christian Podcast Series | BCP3

    I will never forget thinking to myself that I have tried to avoid this moment my entire life. I was being held by this huge, incarcerated individual with tears running down my face and it all started by handing out cookies for Kairos Prison Ministry! Welcome to "Inside the Walls: A Bent Christian Podcast Series," the podcast that brings you powerful stories of transformation, redemption, and hope from those who have found God while incarcerated. Join us as we explore the incredible journeys of individuals who have encountered Jesus, experienced profound spiritual awakenings, and discovered faith in the most unexpected places. Through heartfelt interviews and inspiring testimonies, you'll hear how these men and women have been saved, found purpose, and continue to live out their faith despite the challenges of life behind bars. Whether you're seeking encouragement, curious about the role of spirituality in prison, or simply looking for stories of human resilience and divine intervention, this podcast offers a unique perspective on faith that transcends walls and reaches into the heart. Tune in and be inspired by the miracles of grace and redemption happening within prison walls and beyond. For more information on @KairosPrisonMinistryIntl visit https://kairosprisonministry.org/ For more information on @BentChristian visit us @ www.BentChristian.com Series 2 Episode 1 #Prison #christianpodcast #faithjourney

  7. Jun 1 ·  Video

    What is a Bent Christian? Not Perfect, Not Broken, Just Bent! | BCP1

    What is Bent Christian? We are a community of imperfect believers that exist to share the message of faith, hope, and love through prayer, resources, testimonies, and podcasts to everyone, everywhere, every day. Hi guys. My name is Cliff Sweazey with Bent Christian and the number one question I get asked daily is what is a Bent Christian? I want to take a moment to explain exactly what it means to be a Bent Christian. First off, Bent Christian is not some religious nut, holy roller, some self-righteous judgmental person who goes around pointing out the faults in other people. Actually, it starts with the understanding of the exact opposite. I'm going to let you in on a little secret. No one is perfect. No one. Not me, not you, not your friends, not your family, not your in-laws, not your girlfriend, boyfriend, partner, not even your spouse. Although it might not be a good idea to point that out. Not one single Christian or any person of any other religion, and that includes the pastors, preachers, or priests. Not your employers, no professional athletes, no entertainers, no influencers, not even our politicians. The fact is the Bible acknowledges the imperfection of human beings and emphasizes the idea that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, as seen in Romans 3.23. While the Bible acknowledges that no one is perfect and that sin is a reality, it also teaches about the possibility of redemption through faith in Jesus Christ. The term broken is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. Its usage varies across different translations. It's often used to describe a person's feelings, their heart, spirit, or state of being. Psalms 147.3 it says, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Because of God's love, grace, and mercy, we don't have to be broken. We can heal from our fear, loneliness, guilt, shame, anxiety, depression. We can learn to let go, regardless of our past or even what we may be going through right now. If we can agree that no one is perfect and that we don't have to stay broken, maybe we all exist somewhere in the middle. Maybe we're all just bent. I know God has healed my brokenness. I also know that I am nowhere near perfect. I know that I'm bent. My hope for each of you is that you get bent too. I pray you experience God's unconditional love and that you learn to let go of feelings of brokenness that you may be struggling with. I hope you know that sometimes it's okay to not be okay and that you understand that no one is perfect, regardless of how they act or what they may post on social media. Once we acknowledge these simple facts, we can understand what it means to be a bent Christian. Just imagine what we can do for each other once we get rid of stereotypes, prejudices, and labels, and we begin to treat each other how God intended with the greatest commandment. Matthew 22, 35 through 40, one of the experts in law tested Jesus with this question. He said, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, and with all of your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is just like it. Love your neighbor as yourself." See, we have gotten so distracted with religion and churches, legalism, and institutions that we've forgotten that being a believer is not about a religion, it's about a relationship, a relationship with Christ, and a relationship with each other. This is not a movement. This is not a revelation. This is a simple understanding of the truth, and the truth will set you free. Welcome to Bent Christian! Not Perfect, Not Broken, Just Bent! Get Bent! #broken #love #jesus www.BentChristian.com Comment below on topics you would like to see!

About

The Bent Christian Podcast explores the honest reality of following Jesus while carrying flaws, questions, wounds, and unfinished pieces of your story. Born from a personal desire to remind people that they do not have to be perfect to be loved by God, this podcast creates space for real conversations about faith, grace, doubt, healing, and the everyday struggle of trying to live with hope when life feels heavy.