What do you do when the people who are supposed to represent Jesus are the ones who hurt you?

On this episode of The Steve Marston Show, Steve tackles the painful reality of church hurt and spiritual abuse, beginning with the story of Skillet's John and Korey Cooper and their experience of being deeply wounded by people they trusted. Their story points to an important distinction: people acting in God's name can hurt us, but God Himself has not abandoned us. Even when faith feels shaken, God's Word remains an anchor.

That leads directly into That's Not in the Bible, where Steve takes on the familiar phrase “forgive and forget.” Scripture commands Christians to forgive—but it never commands us to pretend the hurt didn't happen. Forgiveness can release us from bitterness without eliminating boundaries, accountability, wisdom or the lessons God can bring from what we've experienced.

Steve also talks with Pastor Felix Chavez of New Life Baptist Church in Pearsall, Texas, who shares his remarkable testimony of moving from Mexico to the United States, coming to a genuine relationship with Jesus, being delivered from alcohol and cigarettes, and eventually being called into ministry. Pastor Felix explains why he believes God wastes no season of our lives and why the Church must leave the building and reach the next generation.

Then, Ryan and Andrea Ingold share their family's journey into foster care and adoption. They discuss the joy and brokenness that can exist together in foster care, why reunification with biological parents remains the first goal when it is safe, and why Christians don't have to become foster parents themselves to make a meaningful difference. Supporting foster families with meals, respite care, volunteering and encouragement can also be a powerful way to serve.

Plus, Steve looks at Candace Cameron Bure's refusal to hide her Christian faith, Franni Cash's journey from a cult background toward a healthier understanding of God, new archaeological discoveries connected to the Gospel of John, the Dad Joke of the Day, and this week's Faith Between Your Ears from 1 Peter 5:5.