Épisodes

  • From Drug Kingpin to Pastor: A True Story of Redemption Ep 21

    From Drug Kingpin to Pastor: A True Story of Redemption Ep 21
    Oct 27 2026
    What does it look like to seek God and see a city change? In this episode of the Bennett Broadcast, Matt Bennett talks with Dimas Salaberrios, pastor, author, filmmaker, and former president of Concerts of Prayer Greater New York, about a life that went from the drug trade to a ministry marked by prayer and fasting. Dimas shares his conversion story: how he became a drug dealer in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, while his mother prayed for him daily. He describes the moment a gun pointed at his head failed to fire, and the surrender to Christ that followed. He also tells how God led him into his first three-day fast and an all-night prayer vigil outside a trap house before he knew anything about either practice. Matt and Dimas discuss how to discern God's voice while holding Scripture as the final authority, and a four-week season of daily prayer and fasting with friends that brought open heavens, unexpected provision, and clear spiritual opposition. Dimas also shares how he prayed for a key interview subject for his film Emanuel and found her at the airport gate. The conversation closes with the Chicago documentary Chicago: America's Hidden War, where Dimas says fasting, prayer, and street outreach by local churches coincided with a 20% drop in the city's homicide rate. 00:00 Introduction: When Chicago's Church United, Murder Rates Dropped 20% 00:38 Meet Nehemiah Dimas: From Drug Kingpin to Man of Prayer 02:01 A Violent Past: Guns, Drugs, and Near-Death Experiences 04:08 The Night the Gun Wouldn't Fire: A Mother's Prayer Answered 05:30 Supernatural Mercy: A Judge's Unprecedented Decision 06:36 Called to Prayer Leadership: Becoming President of Concerts of Prayer 09:34 Breaking Records: Five Years Leading Prayer in New York 11:47 The First Encounter: Three Days of Fasting and All-Night Prayer 15:25 Hearing God's Voice: Learning to Distinguish His Presence 19:28 The Month of Prayer: Four Men Seeking God 6 AM to 8 PM 22:08 Open Heavens and Spiritual Warfare: Visions, Provision, and Attacks 24:18 Resisting Discouragement: When Christians Try to Stop You from Seeking God 26:31 Heritage Pastors Association and the Call to Filmmaking 27:05 The Airport Miracle: God Puts the Unfindable Woman on His Plane 33:17 Chicago America's Hidden War: 35 Days of Fasting for a City 34:48 The Power of the Church United: Barbecues, Oil, and Crosses in the Streets 37:20 Closing Prayer: Go Deeper, Go Harder, Seek His Face Website: https://christianunion.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christian.Union https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576165106594 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.union/ X: https://x.com/ChristianUnion https://x.com/BennettBroadcas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/christian.union Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/bennettbroadcast
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    38 min
  • From Hinduism to Christ: A Princeton Student's Journey to Faith Ep 20

    From Hinduism to Christ: A Princeton Student's Journey to Faith Ep 20
    Sep 29 2026
    In this episode of the Bennett Broadcast, Matt Bennett talks with Shlok Patel, a former Hindu who came to faith in Christ during his senior year at Princeton, about his remarkable journey from grief and searching to salvation and healing. Shlok shares how losing both parents to cancer by age seven left him with a void he tried to fill through Hindu practice and sheer hard work—until a conversation with a Christian friend led to a moment he couldn't explain: his legs "felt like stone" and he was physically unable to leave his seat. Days later, at a Christian Union retreat, he encountered the presence of God in a way that changed his life, describing it as finally coming up for air after years of swimming underwater. Matt and Shlok also discuss a shoulder injury that was miraculously healed through prayer—and the pain that partially returned weeks later, opening into a candid conversation about ongoing healing, spiritual warfare, and the deliverance ministry Matt has seen play out across different cultural and religious backgrounds. This is an honest, moving conversation about what it looks like to leave behind an entire spiritual framework for a relationship with Jesus Christ. 00:00 Introduction: A Skeptic's First Encounter with Christianity 02:46 Growing Up Hindu: The Search for Connection with God 05:22 Hindu School and the Void That Wouldn't Fill 06:08 Divine Appointment: Meeting Isaiah at Princeton 07:32 The Gospel Explained: From Skepticism to Curiosity 08:22 The Fall Retreat: Encountering God's Presence 09:03 October 29th, 2024: A Rebirth Day 10:12 Life After Salvation: Joy and Transformation 11:05 Telling Family and Friends: Mixed Reactions 12:54 The Ski Trip Healing: Praying for a Damaged Shoulder 13:38 Testing the Healing: Throwing as Hard as Possible 14:30 Partial Healing and the Return of Pain 17:49 Moving to New York: The Struggle to Stay Connected 18:31 Christian Union Young Professionals: Finding Community 20:30 Deliverance and Spiritual Heritage: Understanding Freedom 22:49 Closing Prayer and Next Steps in Faith Website: https://christianunion.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christian.Union https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576165106594 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.union/ X: https://x.com/ChristianUnion https://x.com/BennettBroadcas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/christian.union Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/bennettbroadcast
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    24 min
  • Impudent Prayer: The Bold, Shameless Prayer Jesus Taught Ep 19

    Impudent Prayer: The Bold, Shameless Prayer Jesus Taught Ep 19
    Sep 22 2026
    Is your prayer life too polite to be powerful? In this episode of the Bennett Broadcast, Matt Bennett reflects on a recent all-night prayer walk through New York City—from the Apple Store to St. Patrick's Cathedral to Times Square—and uses it as a launching point to explore what Jesus actually taught about how to pray. Digging into Luke 11's parable of the friend at midnight, Matt unpacks the Greek word anaideia, often translated as "impudence" or "importunity"—a bold, shameless, even socially awkward persistence in prayer. He explains why simply being a "friend of God" isn't enough for the kind of powerful, effective prayer Scripture describes, and why so many American Christians default to what one friend calls "khaki pants prayers": safe, brief, and largely powerless. Drawing on voices like E.M. Bounds, Charles Spurgeon, Andrew Murray, and Charles Finney, along with biblical examples from Nehemiah, Ezra, Daniel, and the early church in Acts, Matt makes the case that fervent, prevailing prayer is directly connected to being filled with the Holy Spirit—and that this kind of praying is a discipline every believer can grow into, regardless of personality or background. 00:00 Introduction: The Power of All-Night Prayer in New York City 02:08 Why Prayer in America Is Often Brief, Polite, and Powerless 02:54 Luke 11: Jesus Teaches the Content and Manner of Prayer 07:26 The Parable of the Friend at Midnight: Understanding Impudence 09:41 Defining Impudent Prayer: Shameless Boldness Before God 11:30 Coming Boldly to the Throne of Grace: Hebrews 4:16 14:22 Ask, Seek, Knock: The Escalating Persistence of Prayer 16:20 Prevailing Prayer: Praying Through Until You Have Assurance 19:16 Extraordinary Prayer and the Energy Required 23:27 Multiple Fillings of the Holy Spirit Through Fervent Prayer 25:22 Repentance and Time: Keys to Experiencing the Holy Spirit 27:34 True Revival Versus Spiritual Gifts: Understanding the Difference 28:50 The Call to Impudent Prayer for America's Revival 29:55 Closing Prayer and Call to Action Website: https://christianunion.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christian.Union https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576165106594 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.union/ X: https://x.com/ChristianUnion https://x.com/BennettBroadcas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/christian.union Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/bennettbroadcast
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    31 min
  • What Radical Prayer Looks Like Ep 18

    What Radical Prayer Looks Like Ep 18
    Sep 8 2026
    In this episode of the Bennett Broadcast, Matt Bennett sits down with Prophet Archer Segur, founder of The Name Christ Culture church in Queens, NY, for a conversation about prayer, fasting, and hearing God's voice at a level few Christians in America experience today. Archer shares remarkable stories from his own walk with the Lord—spending full days and nights praying in New York City parks, weeks alone on a mountain in Africa where he encountered God in the middle of a storm, and prophetic confirmations of his calling that came through visions and independent words from multiple people, all pointing to Isaiah 61. He talks candidly about building a church culture where nearly everyone, from the praise team to the ushers, is trained as an intercessor, and why he believes busyness—even "ministry busyness"—can quietly rob believers of spiritual strength and protection. Matt and Archer discuss the concept of a "prayer mountain," a practice rooted in global revival movements, and why the American church desperately needs more places and habits dedicated to drawing close to God. This is a candid, encouraging look at what wholehearted devotion can look like in daily life—and a call for more believers, and more pastors especially, to make that same commitment. 00:00 Introduction: The Call to Radical Prayer and Revival 00:28 Meet Pastor Archer: Christ Culture Church in Queens 04:21 The Journey to Deep Prayer: From 2012 to Now 05:52 Prayer in the Parks: All-Night Encounters with God 07:19 Africa Adventures: Weeks on the Mountain Seeking God 10:12 The Lost Art of Extended Prayer in America 10:58 Hearing God's Voice: Moving Beyond Cognitive Faith 12:52 What Radical Prayer Actually Looks Like 15:32 The Rooftop Prayer Life and Daily Devotion 16:35 The Vision: 5 Million Souls and Global Ministry 17:58 Nigeria Conference and the Call to Unity 19:00 Understanding Prayer Mountains: A Biblical Concept 20:23 The Isaiah 61 Confirmation: A Prophetic Vision Verified 26:34 Testing Prophetic Words: Confirmation and Discernment 27:32 Calling American Christians to Deeper Prayer 30:11 The Crisis of Prayerless Pastors 30:48 Resources for Radical Discipleship 31:33 Closing: Standing in the Gap for American Revival Website: https://christianunion.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christian.Union https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576165106594 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.union/ X: https://x.com/ChristianUnion https://x.com/BennettBroadcas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/christian.union Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/bennettbroadcast
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    34 min
  • A Biblical Picture of True Revival: Thessalonica vs. Corinth Ep 17

    A Biblical Picture of True Revival: Thessalonica vs. Corinth Ep 17
    Sep 1 2026
    What's the real difference between a move of spiritual gifts and a genuine revival? In this episode of the Bennett Broadcast, Matt Bennett dives into Acts 17-18 and 1 Thessalonians to compare two churches the Apostle Paul planted just weeks apart: Thessalonica and Corinth. Matt unpacks what he calls "Category 1" power of the Holy Spirit—conviction, repentance, obedience, and radical character change—versus "Category 2" power, which includes healings, prophecy, tongues, and deliverance. Both are biblical and valuable, but Scripture is clear they are not equal. The church in Thessalonica became an example to believers across an entire region through changed lives and steadfast faith, even under persecution. The church in Corinth, by contrast, was overflowing with spiritual gifts yet plagued by division, immorality, and spiritual immaturity. Drawing on Jonathan Edwards' historic work on discerning true revival, along with modern examples from church history, Matt makes the case that America needs to recover the biblical definition of revival—not simply an increase in supernatural phenomena, but a deep, widespread transformation of character and holiness. 00:00 Introduction: Two Churches, Two Kinds of Holy Spirit Power 00:38 Paul's Second Missionary Journey: Setting the Context 01:56 Understanding Two Categories of Holy Spirit Power 02:46 The History and Meaning of Revival 03:28 Personal Experience with Both Categories of Power 04:27 Category One Power: The Heart of True Revival 05:12 Acts 17: The Thessalonian Revival Begins 08:06 Paul Arrives in Corinth and Writes Back 08:35 1 Thessalonians: A Picture of True Revival 10:20 The Thessalonian Impact: Turning the World Upside Down 13:02 What Biblical Revival Really Looks Like 13:51 The Corinthian Church: Gifts Without Holiness 14:16 1 Corinthians: Lacking No Gift But Still Unspiritual 15:27 The Problems in Corinth: Division, Immorality, and Judgment 17:18 Spiritual Gifts Are Good But Not the Highest Priority 17:44 1 Corinthians 13: If I Have Gifts But Not Love 18:26 Thessalonica vs Corinth: The Crucial Difference 18:54 Jesus Warns: Not Everyone Who Prophesies Will Enter Heaven 20:12 Luke 10: Rejoice That Your Names Are Written in Heaven 20:37 Jonathan Edwards and the Distinguishing Marks of God's Work 21:52 Category One vs Category Two: Understanding the Difference 23:11 Modern Examples: The Lakeland Healing Revival Examined 23:59 What America Needs: Beyond Spectacle to True Revival 24:25 The Cost of Real Revival: Riots or Tea 24:50 God Can Rescue America Now If We Seek Him 25:17 Daniel Spirituality: A Higher Level of Seeking God 25:34 Practical Steps: All-Night Prayer and Extended Fasting 26:08 Resources and Next Steps for Spiritual Growth 26:44 A Wartime Mindset: Living as Soldiers and Farmers 27:07 Closing Prayer: Seeking True Revival for America Website: https://christianunion.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christian.Union https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576165106594 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.union/ X: https://x.com/ChristianUnion https://x.com/BennettBroadcas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/christian.union Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/bennettbroadcast
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    28 min
  • The Dartmouth Miracle: Proof God Still Heals Today Ep 16

    The Dartmouth Miracle: Proof God Still Heals Today Ep 16
    Jul 28 2026
    Can God still heal today? In this episode of the Bennett Broadcast, Matt Bennett sits down with Nathaniel Miller, a former self-described atheist and Dartmouth student, to hear his firsthand account of a physical healing that changed the course of his life. Nathaniel shares how he grew up in a nominally Christian home in New York City, lost his faith in college, and was 80% convinced God didn't exist—until he decided to put God's promises to the test. Born with one leg longer than the other, a condition that caused years of pain and no real medical fix, Nathaniel asked for prayer at a Christian Union gathering at Dartmouth. What happened next—including feeling the bones in his leg physically lengthen—became a turning point in his journey toward faith. Matt and Nathaniel unpack the biblical basis for miracles as signs pointing to the truth of the gospel (John 20, Acts 3, Acts 14, Hebrews 2), the importance of discernment around claims of the miraculous, and how Nathaniel's healing intersected with two other pivotal moments: reading the entire Bible cover to cover in just weeks, and witnessing a friend's family respond to grief with unshakable faith. This is a raw, honest conversation about doubt, evidence, and encountering the reality of God. 00:00 Introduction: A Modern-Day Miracle at Dartmouth 01:35 Biblical Foundation: Why God Still Performs Miracles 03:33 Nathaniel's Background: From Belief to Atheism 06:07 The Medical Condition: Living with Unequal Leg Length 10:10 Testing God: The Decision to Seek Prayer 11:12 The Healing Moment: Feeling Bones Grow 14:09 Confirmation: The Night Everything Changed 15:06 Three Reactions: God is Real, Loving, and Demanding 16:52 Sharing the Testimony: Reactions from Friends and Family 18:52 The Journey to Faith: Bible Reading and Transformation 24:39 Wrestling with Mystery: Why Some Healings Don't Happen 27:01 Living Proof: Gratitude for Experiencing the Miraculous Website: https://christianunion.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christian.Union https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576165106594 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.union/ X: https://x.com/ChristianUnion https://x.com/BennettBroadcas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/christian.union Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/bennettbroadcast
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    30 min
  • Closing the Gap: The Key to Revival in America Ep 15

    Closing the Gap: The Key to Revival in America Ep 15
    Jul 21 2026
    In this episode of the Bennett Broadcast, Matt Bennett explores what he calls "closing the gap": the difference between how Christians are seeking God and the wholehearted devotion Scripture calls us to. Drawing from Jeremiah 29 and the often-overlooked condition attached to its famous promise, Matt walks through the stories of Kings Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Amaziah in 2 Chronicles—men who sought the Lord powerfully at times, but not wholeheartedly, and suffered the consequences. He contrasts this with the spiritual vitality he's witnessed in the global South, where prayer, fasting, and repentance are producing dramatic breakthroughs and mass conversions. Matt makes the case that America's spiritual decline isn't primarily about the culture around us—it's about the depth (or shallowness) of Christians' pursuit of God. He shares practical next steps, including an invitation to join a nationwide 21-day fast beginning August 7th, and points listeners to resources for going deeper in prayer and biblical devotion. 00:00 Introduction: The Spiritual State of America 00:37 Closing the Gap: A Vision for Stronger Faith 02:10 Conditional Grace: Seeking God Wholeheartedly 04:07 Biblical Warning: King Asa's Divided Heart 05:35 Jehoshaphat's Victory and Compromise 06:43 King Amaziah: Doing Right But Not Wholeheartedly 07:28 Global Revival: What Other Nations Are Doing Right 08:43 America's Forgotten Revival History 09:39 The Real Problem: Christians Not Seeking God Enough 10:28 Power Through Prayer: Examples from India and Revival 11:21 Practical Steps: How to Close the Gap 12:50 The Call to Fasting and Radical Devotion 13:52 Repeated Fillings of the Holy Spirit 14:40 The Bennett Broadcast Mission and Vision 16:32 Join the Movement: August Fast and Community 17:08 Hope for America: Drawing Close to God 17:52 New York City Churches and the Need for Renewal 18:34 Seven Keys to Kingdom Advancement 19:29 True Revival: Multiple Outpourings in Geography 21:03 Become a Cornerstone Partner 21:51 Closing Prayer and Blessing Website: https://christianunion.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christian.Union https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576165106594 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.union/ X: https://x.com/ChristianUnion https://x.com/BennettBroadcas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/christian.union Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/bennettbroadcast
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    23 min
  • Why Fasting Unlocks Breakthrough: The Biblical Power of Humbling Yourself Ep 14

    Why Fasting Unlocks Breakthrough: The Biblical Power of Humbling Yourself Ep 14
    Jul 14 2026
    Is fasting the missing piece in your walk with God? In this episode of the Bennett Broadcast, Matt Bennett unpacks the biblical practice of fasting—what it is, why it matters, and how it can radically deepen your relationship with the Lord. Drawing from Scripture, including Deuteronomy 8, James 4, Isaiah 57, and powerful examples from Jehoshaphat, Nehemiah, Esther, and the early church, Matt explains how fasting humbles us before God and opens the door to greater grace, breakthrough, and spiritual power. Matt also clears up common misconceptions—why fasting isn't legalism, how it differs from a "privation" like a Daniel fast or social media break, and practical guidance on how to fast in a way that's both biblically faithful and physically wise. Drawing from decades of personal experience and two revivals he's witnessed firsthand, Matt shares why he believes a return to fasting is essential for personal renewal, family breakthrough, and national revival. 00:00 Introduction: The Transformative Power of Fasting 01:43 What Is Fasting and Why We Do It 02:51 The Primary Tool for Humility 04:06 Conditional Grace: Drawing Near to God 05:08 God Dwells with the Humble 05:55 Biblical Examples: Revelation and Breakthrough 07:18 Jehoshaphat's Fast: National Deliverance 08:21 Old Testament Fasting Heroes 09:21 Personal Testimony: 40-Day Fasts and Campus Revival 10:05 Practical Fasting: Health Considerations and Regular Practice 11:03 Fasting and Revival Throughout History 11:39 Understanding Biblical Fasting vs. Privation 12:18 Addressing Misconceptions: Fasting Is Not Legalism 13:42 The Difference Between Fasting and Privation 16:06 Types of Fasts: Water, Liquid, and One Meal 17:10 The Decline of Western Fasting Practices 18:34 Resources and Books on Fasting 18:51 Testimonies of Breakthrough and Revival 19:46 Invitation: August National Fast with Christian Union 20:38 Closing Prayer and Encouragement 21:27 Outro: Join the Movement Website: https://christianunion.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christian.Union Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.union/ X: https://x.com/ChristianUnion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/christian.union
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    22 min