Have you ever told yourself, “I’ll get serious about my faith…later?” Maybe tomorrow. Maybe when things settle down, maybe when you’re married one day. If this sounds familiar, then this blog is for you. Our guest today on the Everyday Faith Podcast is Erik Collins, a husband, father, and the campus pastor at Eagle Brook Apple Valley. In this deeply honest conversation, Erik shares his story of overcoming hidden sin and how God transformed his story into one of redemption and hope.
Postponing Faith
Erik didn’t grow up without faith. Early on in his life, Eric went to church every Sunday, every Wednesday, and faithfully went to Awana, where he memorized Bible verses each week. Though faith was an integral part of his childhood, somewhere along the way, his belief in Jesus stopped feeling genuine.
By the time high school came around, Erik was an athlete with a vibrant social life. But because he didn’t drink or go to parties, he started to feel the sting of being a Christian. So, in an effort to get as far from the label of “not cool”, Erik made a deal with himself: he’d get serious about following Jesus later. He’d postpone faith until he was married, with kids, and stable in life.
Most of us can relate to this feeling. We believe in God, but we treat our faith like something we can pick up again when the timing is just right. But as Erik’s story shows, there’s no “perfect moment” to start living for God and surrender everything to Jesus. The invitation is always now.
Have you received Jesus into your heart yet? If not, today is your day! Learn how to surrender your life to Jesus and receive the hope that He offers in our blog: This is For You!
Secret Sins Come to Light
One of the most powerful parts of Erik’s story is his vulnerability about when he formerly lived in a hidden pattern of sin. While in college, Erik met a girl, fell in love, and proposed to her. However, his fiancée discovered his secret sin habits while Erik was at work. She called to let him know what she found and proceeded to call off the engagement. Erik was completely crushed.
Secret sin promises freedom and the best of both worlds, when in reality, all it delivers is isolation and pain. However, there’s a light in the darkness. God doesn’t leave you without His light. The Bible is filled with stories of people who had hidden sins that were brought to the light. Rather than shame and condemnation, God offers freedom and redemption to them. And that’s exactly what happened for Erik, too. And though the process wasn’t comfortable, it was the beginning of something new and the catalyst for Erik becoming obedient to God.
As you continue your journey of surrendering to God, the Bible will be your anchor. Discover how to study the Bible in our blog: The Beginner's Guide to Reading the Bible
Redemption & Renewal Through Community
If you’ve ever wondered if God can redeem your story, don’t worry: He can! Just as with Erik’s story, redemption is possible through Jesus. God doesn’t walk away when you mess up; He steps in to bring redemption, renewal, and even reconciliation.
While Jesus healed Erik’s heart, community was essential. Community, redemption, and healing go hand in hand. You were never made to walk alone. A Christian community is like the glue that holds the Church together. Listen to Erik speak about this topic in part two of our interview with him:
Receiving the Call to Ministry
Despite the pain of hidden sin, a broken engagement, and comparison, Erik received the love of God and let the Lord heal his heart. After his season of redemption and renewal, Erik had a wild encounter on a missions trip, where God called him to full-time ministry as a pastor.
The idea of becoming a pastor wasn’t a part of Erik’s original plan. However, God had different ideas! Today, Erik serves as the campus pastor for Eagle Brook Church in Apple Valley – walking alongside people, sharing the hope of Jesus, and using his personal testimony to remind people that they are never too far gone. Erik’s life is a living example of what it can look like when you start with belief, embrace your mission, commit to obedience, and pursue community.
Conclusion
As you can see, Erik’s story is proof that God can rewrite any story and use the broken parts of our hearts for His glory. From a faith that was put on the back burner to healing from hidden sin and encounters with God that led to true surrender, Erik’s life serves as a reminder of the redemptive nature of God.
Here at the Everyday Faith Podcast, we boost your faith through real stories, real faith, and real conversations. Stay connected by listening to our podcast on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts today!
