Built By Faith

Steve Vencl

4.8 (18)
Christianity
Biweekly

Built By Faith is a space for honest conversations about real life and the quiet ways God shapes us through it. No performance. No pressure. Just real stories shared with open hands. Because some of the most meaningful faith isn’t taught from a stage, it’s built over time through everyday life. Hosted by Steve Vencl.

2d ago

Steve Vencl — Who Are Your Corner People?

Who are your corner people? The ones who pray for you, stand in the gap, and bring you closer to Jesus? In Mark 2, four men carried their paralyzed friend to Jesus. Unable to reach Him through the crowd, they opened the roof and lowered their friend to His feet. And Jesus saw their faith. In this solo episode of Built By Faith, Steve reflects on the people God places around us, including his grandmother, whose prayers meant more than he realized at the time. From the four men in Mark 2 to the inner circle of Peter, James, and John, this conversation is an invitation to consider who surrounds us, who sharpens us, and who helps us draw nearer to the Lord. And for those who aren't sure who their people are, there's encouragement to seek the Lord and ask Him to reveal the relationships He's already placed in their lives—or bring new ones alongside them. Scripture: Mark 2:1–12, Proverbs 27:17, James 5:16, Galatians 6:2, Matthew 6:33. We're not meant to do life, faith, or business alone. Built By Faith is a Christian podcast about honest conversations on how faith is formed in real life. and all of it gives glory to God
Oct 27

Steve Vencl — I Will Not Leave You as Orphans

Have you ever been surrounded by people and still felt completely alone? When I was 21, my mom passed away unexpectedly. She was 41. In the months that followed, I went back to college, eventually dropped out, and found myself navigating a life that looked nothing like the one I'd known. As my relationship with my dad changed, that feeling of loneliness only grew. Twenty-five years later, a moment at a men's gathering brought those memories back to the surface. In this solo episode of Built By Faith, I share the story of losing my mom, the years that followed, and what I've come to recognize about God's presence through it all. As I prepared to share, I found myself in John 14:18: "I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you." For a long time, I felt like an orphan. But looking back, I can see that even when I couldn't recognize His presence, God had never left me. There are still things I'm processing. Still things I'm learning to surrender. But my identity is no longer rooted in what I've lost. It's rooted in who I belong to. If you're walking through a season of loneliness, grief, or uncertainty, I hope this conversation reminds you that you aren't alone. And if someone comes to mind while you're listening, reach out. Sometimes that's exactly where God is leading us. Scripture: John 14:17–21
Oct 20

Nick Lumarque — Obedience Beyond the Outcome

What does it look like to follow God when you don't know where He's leading? For Nick Lumarque, obedience has meant walking through unexpected doors, surrendering things he once held tightly, and learning to trust God with the outcome. At 27, Nick is a videographer and the owner of Abide Studios in Mesa, Arizona. But his journey of faith didn't begin with a successful business or a clear sense of calling. It began with an unexpected encounter with God that changed the direction of his life. In this episode of Built By Faith, Steve and Nick talk about the moments that followed: finding freedom from addiction, walking away from a $15,000 business opportunity because of personal conviction, and stepping into ownership of a studio without knowing exactly what God had planned. But beyond the testimonies of breakthrough, there's an honest conversation about what it means to remain faithful when life is uncertain. They explore the tension between doing things for God and simply being with Him, learning to lead yourself before leading others, and remembering God's faithfulness even in seasons of financial difficulty. Through the story of Mary and Martha and the encouragement of Hebrews 12, Nick offers a reminder that our hope isn't ultimately found in what God gives us, but in Jesus Himself. Because even if the outcome isn't what we expected, Jesus is enough. In this conversation: Encountering God and beginning a genuine relationship with JesusChoosing obedience when it comes at a financial costThe unexpected story behind Abide StudiosStewarding leadership, business, and relationshipsLearning to sit with God before serving HimTrusting God's faithfulness through uncertaintyFixing our eyes on Jesus and living with an eternal perspectiveScripture referenced: Revelation 12:11, 2 Corinthians 5:20, Romans 8:28, Luke 10:38–42, Hebrews 12:1–3. Connect with Nick Lumarque Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicklumarque/ Abide Studios: https://www.instagram.com/abidestudioaz/ Connect with Built By Faith Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevevencl/ Built By Faith is a podcast sharing honest conversations about how faith is formed in everyday life. Real people. Real stories. All for His glory. 00:00 — Cold Open 00:28 — Welcome to Built By Faith 01:36 — The Unexpected Door to Abide Studios 05:30 — A Calling Beyond Business 13:18 — Nick's Early Faith Journey 17:00 — The Encounter That Changed Everything 21:22 — Surrender and Freedom 28:03 — God's Faithfulness in the Studio 32:51 — Learning to Lead Yourself 37:18 — Doing for God vs. Being With God 40:37 — Mary and Martha: Sit First 44:51 — Walking Away From $15,000 49:32 — Faith, Finances, and Generosity 53:28 — Trusting God Through Uncertainty 56:27 — A Shared Season of Surrender 1:02:49 — Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus 1:06:17 — Even If He Doesn't 1:07:28 — Closing Prayer
Oct 13

Evan Slaughter — The God I Was Angry With

Six trips to rehab. Broken relationships. An empty house. And a desperate conversation with God. Evan Slaughter had reached a point where he couldn't keep living the way he was. After years of addiction and losing nearly everything, he cried out to God from the floor of his empty home. The next day, friends showed up at his door. In this episode of Built By Faith, comedian and content creator Evan Slaughter shares his journey through addiction, recovery, and the unexpected ways God began rebuilding his life. But this conversation is about more than getting sober. Evan opens up about being angry with God, the power of honest prayer, the difficulty of forgiving himself, and discovering purpose through serving others. He also shares why he gives 10% of his income back to the rehabilitation center that helped save his life. We explore what it means to be faithful with what God has entrusted to us, how our hardest seasons can equip us to reach others, and why following Jesus doesn't always look the way people expect. Evan's story is a reminder that God meets us in our brokenness, that our past doesn't disqualify us from having purpose, and that sometimes the answer to our most desperate prayers comes through the people He places in our lives. Your story isn't over. And God isn't finished with you. Welcome to Episode 023 of Built By Faith. Content note: This conversation includes discussion of addiction, overdose, and past suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis in the U.S., call or text 988 for support. 00:00 — I Was Mad at God 00:19 — Finding Purpose Through Service 03:54 — Addiction, Recovery & the 12 Steps 09:36 — Giving Back to the Rehab That Saved His Life 16:22 — Why the Sixth Rehab Was Different 25:18 — Have You Forgiven Yourself? 33:08 — Rock Bottom & the Knock on the Door 37:03 — Faithful With What God Gives You 41:59 — Prayer Is an Ongoing Conversation 46:13 — A Challenge to Share His Faith 48:27 — Reaching People Outside the Church 55:48 — A Different Path to Ministry
Sep 29

Steve Vencl — When the Rock Still Hits

We prayed for protection. And then the rock hit. Driving home from a family trip to California, a large rock kicked up by a semi smashed into our windshield. Our kids were in the back, we were still hours from home, and we had to figure out what to do next. What followed became nearly three hours of prayer, worship, surrender, and intimate conversation with God. Along the way, my wife Corrie shared something she hadn't told me before we left: days earlier, she'd had a vision of a rock hitting our windshield. I don't have a perfect explanation for why everything happens the way it does. And this isn't a story about having all the answers. It's about what happens when something you didn't expect interrupts the plan—and you choose to draw near anyway. It's about recognizing that God is still with us in the frustration, the uncertainty, and the moments we don't understand. Maybe the interruption isn't where God left you. Maybe it's where He's inviting you nearer. And sometimes faith sounds as simple as: “God, I don't know why this is happening, but I trust You.” This is a piece of our testimony. And He gets all the glory. Revelation 12:11 CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold Open 00:23 Why I’m Sharing This Testimony 01:48 We Prayed for Protection 02:48 The Rock Hits Our Windshield 04:20 Three Hours of Prayer 05:48 Surrender Before the Impact 06:37 Corrie Had Seen It Before 07:35 He Is Always With Us 08:05 Maybe He Wanted Us to Draw Near 09:18 God Told Me: Go Run 10:30 I Don’t Know Why, But I Trust You 12:05 Closing Prayer
Sep 22

Nick Wilson — Learning to Let Go

Nick Wilson thought getting baptized would mean some of the things he struggled with would finally go away. They didn't. Two hours after his baptism, his relationship ended. A few months later, his baseball career appeared to end too. Nick remembers sitting there unable to take off his cleats because he knew he might never put them on again. What followed was a season of learning who he was without baseball. In this conversation, Nick talks honestly about pornography, isolation, pride, confession, and the tension of following Jesus while still wrestling with sin. He shares what changed when he stopped hiding, why community became essential, and how losing the game he loved exposed how much of his identity he had placed in it. Eventually, baseball came back in a way Nick never expected. After stepping into a corporate job and building a life in Nashville, an unexpected Banana Ball tryout led to him being drafted by the Indianapolis Clowns. But by then, something had changed. Baseball was no longer who he was. It was something he did. This isn't a story about getting everything figured out. It's an honest conversation about surrender, identity, ongoing struggle, and learning to depend on God in the middle of all of it. SISU Sauna: Save with Built By Faith at https://vencl.co/sisu This conversation includes honest discussion around topics like pornography, addiction patterns, and personal struggles. Listener discretion is encouraged. 00:00 — Cold Open 00:13 — Nick Wilson 01:16 — A Public Declaration 06:29 — Baptism… Then a Breakup 08:30 — “I Expected Sin to Just Leave” 11:38 — The Struggle He Was Hiding 17:49 — Why Confession Matters 19:52 — The Battle in Your Mind 25:24 — Pride, Success & Banana Ball 30:06 — Who Am I Without Baseball? 31:54 — “I Couldn't Take My Cleats Off” 37:13 — One More Shot at Baseball 40:44 — The Banana Ball Tryout 44:29 — Getting Drafted 45:36 — Baseball Is What I Do, Not Who I Am 47:32 — Using Baseball to Glorify God 54:55 — Sharing the Story in Cincinnati 59:07 — Why We Hide 1:01:21 — “I'm Not in a Perfect Place” 1:04:14 — Wrestling With God
Sep 15

Olivia Schaff — Learning to Live Open-Handed

Sometimes following God makes sense to you before it makes sense to anyone else. Olivia Schaff thought she knew what life after college would look like. She studied finance, considered a career in real estate, and had a path in front of her that felt safe and explainable. But God kept leading her somewhere else. In this conversation, Olivia shares how her faith became something she no longer wanted to keep private, the conviction that led her to start It’s Cool to Love Jesus, and the unexpected response when her first 50 hats sold out in two hours. She also shares the decision to step away from the career she thought she would build and into student ministry — and the very specific moment God met her while she was asking for clarity. We talk about caring deeply about what other people think, identity in Christ, showing up to church alone, daily surrender, and what it looks like to hold our plans with open hands. And somewhere in the middle of the conversation, we stop talking and worship together. This one is about learning that obedience doesn’t always make sense to everyone around you — and trusting God enough to follow anyway. Built By Faith is a space for honest conversations about how faith is formed in real life. SISU Sauna has given the Built By Faith community a discount: https://vencl.co/sisu 00:00 — Cold Open 00:22 — Meet Olivia 02:51 — The People Who Helped Build Her Faith 07:40 — When Faith Became Real 12:26 — Saved vs. Surrendered 17:00 — Why Keep Jesus Private? 21:20 — Choosing the Path That Didn’t Make Sense 23:53 — Asking God for Clarity 28:00 — The Night Everything Became Clear 32:41 — Caring What Other People Think 36:05 — Surrender Is a Daily Decision 38:20 — Building a Life With God 42:43 — Knowing God Through His Creation 47:28 — Jesus Intercedes for Us 48:43 — It’s Cool to Love Jesus 52:58 — What Are You Trying to Be Famous For? 56:19 — Responding to the Call 57:15 — An Unplanned Moment of Worship 1:03:53 — “He’s So Cool” 1:08:15 — Why Surrender If We’re Already Forgiven? 1:11:11 — Who Are We to Say No? 1:13:44 — Closing Prayer
Sep 8

Letting Go: Surrender, Discernment & Trusting God | Aubree Munro Watson

What happens when the life you prayed for doesn’t look the way you thought it would? Aubree Munro Watson knows what it means to chase big dreams. She won two NCAA championships at the University of Florida, represented Team USA, and earned an Olympic silver medal in Tokyo. But some of the moments that shaped her faith most happened when striving stopped working. In this conversation, Aubree shares about reaching a breaking point during her freshman year and praying, “Lord, I can’t do this anymore. I give you my life, it’s yours. Take over.” We talk about learning to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit, holding dreams with open hands, wrestling with disappointment at the Olympics, and the Daniel 3 message that changed her perspective: even if things don’t turn out the way we hoped, God is still good. Aubree also opens up about leaving full-time ministry, realizing how much of her identity had become wrapped up in doing for God, and learning the difference between performing for Him and simply allowing herself to be loved by Him. This is a conversation about surrender, discernment, disappointment, identity, and what can happen when we finally loosen our grip and say: God, I want what You want. Aubree is also the author of Born Ready: Making the Most of the Moments That Mark Our Lives. — Built By Faith is a podcast about honest conversations on how faith is formed in real life. If this conversation encourages you, share it with someone who needs it and follow Built By Faith for future episodes. EPISODE TIMESTAMPS 0:24 Welcome + Aubree Munro Watson 1:18 Faith at the University of Florida 4:46 When Everything Started Falling Apart 9:06 The Pressure Behind Aubree’s Surrender 16:34 Learning to Recognize the Holy Spirit 21:19 Discernment, Obedience + Writing Born Ready 33:37 From Olympic Athlete to Full-Time Ministry 47:51 When God Asked Her to Leave Ministry 52:10 Performance, Identity + Letting God Love You 1:04:26 Open Hands + The Olympic Dream 1:09:00 “Even If” + Stop Fighting the Fire 1:19:59 When Fresh Anointing Looks Like Rest 1:23:05 Pray for Your Pastors 1:34:11 Born Ready + Where to Find Aubree 1:36:15 Closing Prayer

4.8

out of 5

18 Ratings

Built By Faith is a space for honest conversations about real life and the quiet ways God shapes us through it. No performance. No pressure. Just real stories shared with open hands. Because some of the most meaningful faith isn’t taught from a stage, it’s built over time through everyday life. Hosted by Steve Vencl.

Creator

Steve Vencl
Years Active

2021 - 2026
Episodes

46
Rating

Explicit
Show Website

Built By Faith