Skip to content Interview With Doug Stringer Feb 20 · 28 min ...more
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Nina and Michelle, are best friends with a passion for the Lord. They bring uplifting conversations, encouragement, and shared personal stories of overcoming and victory straight to your screen.
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A Journey of Faith and Transformation 0:02 We wanna honor God because He sees everything.0:10 You were born with a plan and a purpose. He's the god of all things possible. He's the god of all0:22 miracles.0:52 Welcome to Grace Grace with Naina Michelle. I'm Michelle Humphreys. And I am0:56 Naina Keegan. Welcome to our broadcast today. Today, we are so blessed and privileged to have an amazing guest with us on set. You wanna do the intro, Michelle?1:04 Absolutely. We have the founder and president of Somebody Cares America International, an international movement that has received recognition nationally and globally,1:16 and I'd like to welcome Doug Stringer. Every he's known and loved throughout Christendom.1:22 That is for sure. And first and foremost, he's an amazing author, so I wanted to point out just a few of his books. I know there are others. Mending the Net. He also has In Search of the Father's1:34 Blessing, which is so so important, such a good thing to to pray that over your children, and and and leadership awakening. So these are just some of the books that, where can they get those diag?1:46 Well, any bookstore online or at a bookstore, and of course, through the various online stores, and and that's also a fact that the only book I've ever done my own voice1:58 for Audible is on my Leadership Awakening. And I realize why, because it takes so long to do those things, right? And you don't like to hear your own voice, at least I don't. But, people have been really blessed by that,2:10 so I'm I'm encouraged.2:11 Well, so many people have been blessed by your life, but it it it hasn't always been amazing. You have a testimony with the testimony Yes. So can you tell us about that?2:23 Sure. You know it's amazing, I mean I've just recently had to share a little bit with some folks too about that, but people look at me and say, what is he, is he Chinese, Japanese, Hispanic, what is he, and my mother was2:34 Japanese, and my father was in the US military, so I was actually born in Japan, and when I was almost 3, we moved to San Diego near the Coronado amphibious base, because my father was a frogman known as Navy2:46 SEALs, and, during the Vietnam War they went through a divorce, and my mother married my stepfather, also in the military, So we ended up going to Japan for my high school years at a military base, lived at a2:58 naval air station, bussed me to an army high school. And, so we got to meet people from all over the world, which is, you know, interesting how God Yeah.3:05 Gets us prepared to.3:06 Prepares us for the future. So even though I professed to be a Christian, I wasn't serving God, I would only if I got in trouble, or was in trouble overdosing on drugs, or getting a gun in my face, or getting in a3:17 situation, God please help me. Wow. But fast forward when I came back from Japan, I was a senior in high school, only a couple credits to graduate, ended up dropping out of high school for a period of time3:29 living on freight trains, up and down the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California, ended up going back to school, to night school, then to Western Washington University and Skagit Valley College, and,3:41 didn't complete my degree there, but it did get me started. And, then I came to Houston looking for my father, who had retired from the during the Vietnam War from the from the military, and found him in Houston, where3:53 he was born and raised. And so although I came looking for him, I realized what was still missing wasn't that relationship, but my heavenly father was still looking for me. So I looked at all the things I've4:05 been through, the challenges of my life, the period of homelessness, the drugs, the partying, everything I was searching for, I thought was to find a connection to my father, and to get right with my stepfather,4:17 and my mother, but that wasn't it, my Heavenly Father was looking for me. Wow. And it was during that process that I ended up working the fitness business, and ended up opening my own place, and when my best friend was4:28 killed over a drug deal, I remember going to my knees as a compromised Christian, living in sin, that I went to my knees and said God, I can't take this anymore. And it wasn't audible, but it was a4:40 strong deep conviction that I heard the Lord say, don't call me Lord anymore unless you're willing to live for me. Wow. And that's when I said, Lord, if you can do anything with someone like me, who has brought shame to4:51 your name, then I will make myself available the rest of my life. Now I didn't realize the difference between all4:56 of you. Right, all4:57 the other times I prayed, but this time something happens, that point of accountability we call it, something happened in that moment that the Lord did something in me, and literally my world was turned upside down, not5:09 the way I expected, but he literally took my world and turned it upside down, and that's what became my journey of hunger for God's word, being in his presence, sharing my faith to other people. 1 day I woke up and I had5:21 17 people from the streets living in 1 apartment. The house was behind me in Katy, Texas, in the suburbs. I put 12 more there and didn't know about deed restrictions.5:30 I'm sure you're a landlord.5:32 And I ended up getting a a business developer that gave me a townhouse, and at that time developing Stafford near Sugar Land, if I would teach a Bible study and exercise class once a week, I got a townhouse, well I5:44 put 6 more people there. And so I was all of a sudden thinking, I thought all Christians were supposed to do it, made myself available. Yeah. But I realized it was God wasn't calling everyone to that, he was doing a work5:55 in my heart preparing me for what I ultimately am doing around the world.5:59 Wow. Well, speaking of that, do you wanna tell us a little bit about what you're doing? It it you just cannot it it6:05 goes on and on and6:06 on and on, the list of amazing things that you're doing. So what what what does God have you doing right now?6:12 You know, it's a great question, because when I think about it, it goes back to that moment in 19 81 when I went to my knees in my exercise studio, and and I just from that moment, I wanted to simply obey God6:24 every day, and make myself available every day. And I've come to realize that simple obedience is the highest form of worship. Wow. The first time the word worship is ever mentioned in scripture, the point of first6:35 reference, is not in the context of singing or instruments. It's about living worshipers. And it's when Abraham offered Isaac on the altar, that was called worship, an act of obedience. And so I think6:47 for me, every day to get up, and an act of worship is an act of obedience, and God, I don't know exactly know what I'm doing, but I'm going to make myself available today to be used by you, and to let you to live in me6:58 and through me. And so I teach people all the time, they go, how did you end up praying for that, the Muslim president of that country on national television in Jesus' name? Or how did you end up with that particular7:09 athlete, or that person, or speaking in that church? And I said, you know what, it really comes back to, I'm nothing without Jesus, He's nothing. I mean, I'm nothing without Him, there's nothing without Him, He's my7:19 everything, and every day I simply say, I'm available to you Lord, use me. And I want to walk in simple obedience, which is the highest form of worship. So it really isn't about me, it's about availability, and7:31 walking in simple obedience as a living worshiper. So I always tease people, say, just like Forrest Gump, I just every day show up in the picture, you know, and I'm just not sure, I'm like the Asian Forrest Gump, I just7:43 show up in the picture. I'm making myself available. So I don't really pursue exalted in high places, because Jesus, the exalted 1, left his highest place to pursue us. And so7:54 I want to be a person every day who remembers that because men reach for thrones to build their own kingdoms, Jesus reached for a towel to wash Ben's feet. If I can serve other people, then I'm walking in that place that8:06 God's called me to walk in.8:08 Drop the mic. Amen. I'm telling you, that is good.8:11 That'll preach. But there's an anointing to do that. Like, you can't you know, God can, drop that in your heart about what he wants you to do. But you have to obey, and you have to and and and say8:23 amen and yes to him. So our we're gonna take a quick break, but I wanna know if that's ever hard for you or do you ever question, like, was that really you? Or or or how does that all8:35 work? So we're gonna talk about that when we come right back. Stay right there. You're watching Grace Grace with Nina and Michelle. We will be right back.8:42 I'm excited to announce that we're bringing back our best offer ever on our original My Slippers. You saved 90 dollars a pair with your promo code. And now My Slippers come in even more sizes.8:54 Smaller sizes, larger sizes, wide sizes, and all new styles and colors. Get them for your friends, your family, your neighbors, everyone you know. What makes my slippers different is my exclusive9:06 4 layer design that you're not gonna find in any other slippers. My slippers' patented layers make them ultra comfortable, extremely durable, and they help relieve stress on your feet. I'm9:18 so confident that you and everyone you know are gonna love my slippers, that I'm extending my 60 day money back guarantee until March first 20 24, making them the best Christmas gifts9:29 ever. So go to my pillow dot com or call the number on your screen now. Use your promo code to save 90 dollars. That's only 49 98 a pair. Quantities won't last long, so please order9:41 now.9:42 Welcome back. You're watching Grace Grace with Naina and Michelle, and we have our amazing guest, Doug Stringer, on set with us. And so you were just talking about how you're you're making yourself available to the Lord.9:54 And because you are literally all over the world and meeting with dignitaries and palaces and all kinds of things, like, how does that work? Does he just, like, say I'm sending you to a palace today? Like, where how does10:06 this all like, how do you make yourself that available? And do you even do you say, is that you, God? Like, what is that real? Like, how are you gonna work this out? Like10:16 That's a and it's a great question. And let me just kind of tell a couple of stories to kind of segue into that. 1 time I was traveling all over the country with some pretty big names, because I was just serving them,10:27 and I remember coming out of a situation in in a city where there's all the major names and preachers were there, and I remember being discouraged a little bit, because I saw behind the scenes some things. And that's not10:39 a I'm not exposing them, just saying that sometimes we tend to look to people and we have celebrity worship even in the church. Mhmm. We realize that those are people that need the grace of God every day too.10:49 Right. Right.10:49 So I went to my hotel room, and I said, Lord, if this is what ministry is, I don't want it. I just want to go back to take care of all the homeless people you gave me, just to be around people that are hungry, that are10:59 needy, that don't need all this. And the Lord just spoke to my heart, so I want you to read Jeremiah chapter 1. Again. I read it, and you know the whole thing about don't say you're too young, don't say you're youth, but11:10 I'm going to call you to be a voice to the nations. I said, God, I can't even be a voice to the people I'm trying to take care of, much less go to the nations. But literally, I felt like the Lord spoke to me, I'm going11:20 to take you to the heads of nations and king's palaces, and I didn't even know what that meant. I said, Lord, I really don't want that. That's not what I'm aspiring for. I don't qualify for that. And the Lord just said,11:32 but just don't forget where you've come from, and I will do these things. So I just went about living my life available and obedient every day. I remember 1 time, at the worst time in my life, I was going through11:42 heartbreak, and there's nothing more debilitating than a broken and wounded spirit, right? And I remember being in my office, here I'm traveling, doing crusades, and doing evangelism everywhere, and it somewhat11:54 really had evolved by 19 89 in Houston and surrounding areas, and traveling everywhere, and I remember going through this heartbreak, this brokenness in my spirit, and I asked everybody to leave the office, shut off12:06 the lights, locked the door, curled up in a fetal position in my on the couch in the foyer there. I said, God, either take me to a people that are hungry for you12:16 Preach it.12:17 Or take me home to be with you.12:19 Wow.12:19 I don't want to do this. Amen. And, and you know, sometimes out of our own pain, God does some miraculous things. So I won't go into the whole story, but I ended up standing before, in Conroe, for example, I was asked to12:30 do a large meeting in Conroe High School, and there was hundreds of young people there. I did not want to be there. I was broken. Yet I went up there in simple obedience, and12:42 I don't even know if I said Mary had a little lamb. In my own pain, the altars were packed, and to this day I get testimonies of people's lives that were impacted. And during that time, I was actually on a plane going12:53 from Houston to Dallas. And I don't know what it is about me, but I'm on the plane, this lady next to me is telling me all of her problems, she's crying, I'm starting to cry, she thinks I'm crying for her, but I'm13:04 thinking in my mind, Lady, can't you see I've got my own problems? Without the Lord spoke something so specific to me that really segued into some pretty amazing things. And the Lord said, If you didn't have13:16 me right now, would you consider covering up your pain by getting drunk like you used to? I said, yes, I would. Wow. If you didn't have me right now, would you cover up your pain by doing drugs like13:28 you used to? Yes, I would. If you didn't have me, would you go back out partying and living a promiscuous lifestyle to temporarily cover up the pain? I said, yes, I would. And there was a pause, and deep in my heart13:38 again I felt the Holy Spirit speaking, saying, If you didn't have Me, would you consider taking your life? And I said, Yes I would. And this is where the Holy Spirit moved in a powerful way, says, Doug, there's always13:50 room for 1 more at the foot of the cross. What do you think people do that don't have me? If I can take all the pain and the sins of the world upon myself, don't you think I can take you14:01 through your little bit of pain right now? If you'll just simply do what you said, you'd make yourself available, Let me use you to reach 1 more to get your eyes off of your own pain, and watch what I can do.14:14 I found myself on January second of 19 90, being invited by a Vietnam veteran who'd been blown up by a hand grenade, shot twice, bayoneted during the Vietnam War, ended up running 1 of the finest teen challenge centers14:25 in the country. He was the vice president at that time of vets with the mission, trying to find their place of going back because of survivor's guilt, and so he said, I've got 17 vets going with me to Vietnam, would you14:37 go with me and be like a chaplain? I'm thinking, what do I have to offer them? But I remember what I said to the Lord, take me to a people that are hungry. And I got there, and the Lord turned my world upside down. I14:49 ended up with underground church leaders, I ended up in a meeting with 125 pastors from various denominations, some had been imprisoned 9 years, others 6 years, 3 years, different amounts of time,15:01 simply because of their faith in Christ. They have been fasting for over 2 weeks with no food, just liquid, in a room with no furniture, and somehow I found myself in that room. God began to speak to me that He took me15:13 to a people that are hungry. I said, but Lord, I come from Laodicea, they need to speak to me, I don't need to be speaking to them. And nonetheless, these leaders of these denominations said, you know, we've been praying15:23 for God to bring us a word of encouragement from the outside. And I'm thinking, why pick on me, but I realize because I look Amerisian, right? So they could relate, and so for the next few hours, rather than speak to15:33 them what they asked me to do, I just washed their feet, took a basin of water and a towel, washed their feet for hours, spoke and prayed over them. And God did something in that moment that broke my heart, not15:45 because of what I was going through, but broke my heart to realize there was many more waiting for the answer of the presence of God, and her crying out like a Macedonia call to God. Was coming out of that meeting, I15:56 landed in Malaysia, and I was asked to speak at a businessman's luncheon, and a man comes up to me with an entourage, he says, I'm been given the highest title, but anybody can be given by the king of Malaysia or the16:08 president, and he was given the highest title. He was 1 of the wealthiest men in Asia, known around the world, goes in and out of our White House, and knew Margaret Thatcher back then, and all these different heads of16:18 state, and I'm thinking, why are you bragging to me? I'm nobody from Houston, Texas. He goes, you might be wondering why I'm telling you about myself. It's because I'm not trying to impress you, but because I've become a16:29 Christian, and I don't know who I can trust. I feel like I'm supposed to ask you to help disciple me. Wow. Sir, sir, I'm just, I can't just stop you from Houston, Texas, but I'll be your16:41 friend. And I wrote about it in Leadership Awakening, if you promise not to give me any money. He goes, Why would you say that? He's 1 of the wealthiest men, I'm thinking to myself, I want to hit myself. Why did I say16:51 that? I said, Sir, because I don't want you to think that I want anything from you. But I want you to know that I just want to share the gospel with you. And he's on the front page of Forbes, and Wall17:03 Street Journal, he's known all over the world, and so we have been friends ever since, and and I actually had the honor of officiating the wedding of his eldest son, as a major conglomeration of17:14 corporations around the world. And so here was a moment that out of my own pain, God may took me through a journey to Vietnam to teach me lesson to wash the feet of others, and then ultimately had a17:26 friendship with a person who actually invites me to be around prime ministers, around heads of state, he invites heads of companies, he's invited, people that are ambassadors of China to England17:38 to come into meetings and have me to pray for them. Here's a person who has access that I would have never had, but because of that trust factor, he's opened up doors of opportunity to minister to people.17:48 And you have a pure heart, but we will talk more about that when we come right back. Stay right there. You're watching Grace Grace with Nina and Michelle.17:56 I'm excited to announce that we're having our biggest Christmas sale ever. You get our brand new 6 piece my towels for only 29.98 dollars or rejuvenate your bed with a MyPillow18:07 mattress topper as low as 99.99 dollars or how about MyPillow bed sheets for as low as 24.98 dollars There's something for everyone. Duvets, quilts, down comforters,18:19 body pillows, bolster pillows, and so much more. Well, I know MyPillow products make for the perfect Christmas gifts, so I'm gonna extend my money back guarantee until March first 20 24.18:31 So go to my pillow dot com now or call the number on your screen. Use your promo code to get huge discounts on all my pillow products. For example, you get our 6 piece towels for only 2918:43 98, or get your very own MyPillow bed sheets for as low as 24 98. It's our biggest Christmas sale ever. Get all your shopping done now while quantities last.18:56 Welcome back to Grace Grace with 9 and Michelle. We're here with Doug Stringer, and he has such a an amazing testimony. And he is the founder of Somebody Cares19:08 International, and I am so impressed with 1 of your stories about you would pass out tracts, but people would hold the card that says somebody cares.19:18 Yes.19:18 And so tell us a little bit about your ministry and19:22 We would actually when I first got radically touched by God, take a band of young people, and when I was still young, and we'd walk the highest crime districts of Houston, and, we'd see people passing out tracks. We'd19:33 pass out tracks, go to rock concerts, pass out tracks. But most of the time, they'd throw the tracks on the ground. So we began to give out a card, back in the day we had beepers, right, and pay phones.19:44 Oh, yeah.19:44 And I passed out cards that said, somebody cares 24 hours a day, and had the hotline beeper number. People would hold on to those cards for months and years later, and we started, those cards passed around the country.19:55 People would end up calling and asking for prayer, thinking, what was it about that term, 'somebody cares'? And that's evolved into the term 'somebody cares America, somebody cares international.' Because we realize it's20:06 not about the organization, it's about the kingdom of God bringing a message of hope in a world that's hurting. And so all of our relationships, be there with churches, or affiliated organizations, or orphanages, or20:18 those working with the homeless, all of our affiliations around the world come around that banner of washing and serving others, because in that place, it opens their hearts to receive the message of the gospel.20:29 Just to know, sometimes people have no 1 just that cares, or that, they would even want to share anything with, or they'd think no 1 would care about it. And so that's amazing. Just to just to think that they20:41 could find that number, and you have no idea the exponential, of what has happened to that number. It's amazing.20:48 You know, you brought a good both of you brought a good point up is that out of pain sometimes, God does our greatest things. So I think too many of us give up before God's about to give us the breakthrough. He's the20:57 master of breakthroughs. And even when I went through my stage 4 B cell 80 percent aggressive cancer, lymphoma cancer back in 20 15, my wife and I decided that it wasn't going to be about me.21:09 And that God didn't do it, so we're going to live our life if I have 1 day, or another year, or a hundred more years, to live my life every day available to the Lord. But while I was at MD Anderson, going through my21:20 treatments, I would see so many people that didn't have the support group that we have. Churches and friends and pastors that would come to visit with me, and I was still traveling and ministering, even through all that.21:30 Losing my hair, but just continuing on to ministering as God gave me the grace. I saw people that didn't have anybody. So what did not, was not my idea of a ministry to start off by me having cancer, it became a ministry21:42 that I didn't ask for, but became a ministry nonetheless, of serving the people that work there, the technicians, the doctors, the PAs, the nurses, the staff, and the people that were alone, had no family, no 1.21:54 We were able to minister to so many people to this day, all these years later, we have people from all over saying, hey, we heard about you, can you pray with me, or can can I talk to you for a moment? It became a22:05 ministry that out of my own pain, what the devil meant for harm, God has turned for good.22:10 And I don't understand.22:10 And I think too many times we look at the circumstance rather than realizing God is bigger than our circumstances.22:16 Yes. I know that you were recently in Ukraine, and we all know what's going on there. So what was that, like for you, and what did you do there?22:26 It was a very, arduous trip because you don't fly into Ukraine anymore. You have to take 12 hour, 3 hour, 5 hour train rides to get where you need to go, and I didn't even really think about it when I was asked to go to22:37 speak to leaders from various countries that were going to be meeting in Kyiv, I asked my wife for permission, she said, you can go if you let me go with you. You know it's a war going on, she said, I'm going with you.22:48 And we went there, and didn't even think about it, people kept asking, why are you here? Don't you know we're in a war? Aren't you afraid? And we said, no. I said, because if God called us to be here to bring22:58 encouragement, that's what we want to do. You're the heroes, you're the champions. I had military chaplains, I had pastors and rabbis and bishops and others that gathered, and my heart was just to encourage them that in23:09 the midst of whatever you're going through, you can lead through unexpected difficulties and detours in your life. So it was very eye opening for us, and it was very heart touching for us to hear the stories,23:20 and especially when you find out so many people, their families are separated, men who are fighting and lost their lives, you have families that are now in other countries that are now separated from their husbands, and23:31 you also had people there that, had lost their families and loved ones, and they began to share their stories, but yet they're rejoicing and worshiping in the midst of their pain. I came away learning more than I could23:42 have ever shared with them.23:44 Isn't that amazing? You know, that God just pours into you. You're pouring into others and you're getting fed at the same time. Isn't this how amazing what God does?23:52 We've already we're already at the end of the program. Would you mind praying for our audience and, leading them to the Lord Absolutely. If they don't know Him.24:03 Lily, there's a prayer that I pray with people if I'm arguing or I don't like to argue, but debating with or having a conversation with a professor from Tehran University, or I'm talking24:14 to a person who does hates God, or a Muslim, or whatever religion they're from, I simply ask them, are you a lover of truth? And if you are, if the truth were revealed to you, would you accept it? And most people say24:25 yes. So I say well just simply pray this with me, if you mean it in your heart, Jesus if you are who you say you are, reveal yourself to me. And they'll argue, well I don't believe, I said no I'm not asking you24:37 if you believe, I'm saying just if it is true, ask the Lord to reveal himself to you. And I guarantee you if you speak it out of a heart of authenticity, Jesus, the risen king, the king of24:49 kings and lord of lords will reveal himself to you. In fact we've just been reading recently of 200 people in Gaza, in the Palestinian territory, 200 in 1 day had a dream of Jesus.25:01 So we see stories, I've been around countries all over the world, I see these stories, hear these stories, and Jesus wants to reveal himself to you. So would you pray with me right now? Jesus, if you are who you say you25:13 are, reveal yourself to me. And if you said that prayer, I believe God, if you're not a person who believes in Christ, he will reveal himself to you. And if you are 1 who's discouraged or disappointed,25:25 going through difficulty, Jesus will make himself real to you as well. So father, in the name of Jesus, I thank you there's nothing too difficult for you, because you're no respecter of persons. God, you did it for me,25:36 you've done it for Nina, you've done it for Michelle, you've done it for all of us, Lord. At some point we had a revelation of the work of the cross, and the power of the resurrection, you've never failed us. So whatever25:48 people are going through right now, the need for salvation or healing, deliverance, freedom, a breakthrough, we know you're the great physician and you are the master of breakthrough. So I'm praying you would save, heal,25:59 liberate, and deliver right now in Jesus' name.26:03 Amen. Wow. Doug, thank you so much. What a blessing to have you on the program, and we hope you'll come back because you you live here by us, so we would love to have you back. There's I there's I could listen to you for26:14 hours, so thank26:15 you so much. To get his books, Doug Stringer, Leadership Awakening, The Father's Blessing, Mending the Net, and also don't forget to give to Somebody Cares26:28 International. Thanks for watching. We love you. God bless.26:31 Does science disprove God? Is there26:34 a war between science and faith?26:36 We don't need God to create a universe. There's no evidence for God, and it's irrational.26:40 Is there no evidence for God?26:42 Am I delusional for my beliefs? It is delusional and stupid.26:46 Am I brainwashed?26:47 Do I ignore reason? Logic. Critical thinking.26:50 Science.26:59 RDOF uses logic and reasoning. RDOF has empowered my sons to defend their faith with facts. If you wanna be equipped to defend against the biggest objections to the27:11 existence of God, RDOF is the place for you.27:17 Has science really ruled out God? Is faith at war with science? If you wanna be equipped to respond to these claims and more, check out r d o f dot org.27:35 The evidence he presents is so powerful and overwhelming.27:38 Incredibly compelling, yet easily understandable. We believe in rationality. We believe in reason. We believe in science, and we believe in the existence of God.27:48 I would leave every event with a mind boggling awe and assurance.27:54 I never believed in God. I just think it was craziness. RDOF confirmed my faith. RDOF confirmed my, full belief, full faith in the Lord, man.28:05 The appearance of design in the universe is undeniable.28:12 The lights, the crowd, the videos.28:17 To book a presentation or watch our free videos, go to r d o f dot org or find us on Facebook at RDOF28:26 events.In this video 0:00 A Journey of Faith and Transformation
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