In this episode of The Walk, Kurtis Parks sits down with pastor-turned-maker Derek Welborn to tell a story that starts with loss, wrestles through identity, and unfolds into unexpected calling. What began as a painful journey through alopecia became the soil God used to birth Saints Western—and a deeper trust in His timing.

Episode 159
Host: Kurtis Parks

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:


How losing his hair forced Derek to confront identity, fear, and faith


Why unanswered prayers can still become sacred turning points


The role community plays when God invites us to step out in faith


How Saints Western was born from pain, craftsmanship, and obedience


What it looks like to follow God when the next step feels unclear

Guest Bio

Derek Welborn lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife Jill and their daughters, Jaymes and Gray. After 15 years in full-time ministry, Derek stepped into a new season when a battle with severe alopecia disrupted everything he thought he knew about calling and identity. What began as a deeply personal loss became the birthplace of Saints Western, a brand rooted in craftsmanship, legacy, and faith. Today, Derek continues to tell redemptive stories—through community, creativity, and a life surrendered to God’s leading.

Pull Quote

“WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE END OF MY STORY WAS ACTUALLY THE PLACE GOD STARTED WRITING A NEW ONE.”

Helpful Links

https://www.saintswestern.com
https://www.instagram.com/derekwelborn
https://www.instagram.com/saintswestern

Sponsor — Planning Center

This episode is brought to you by Planning Center, the all-in-one software built to help churches stay organized and care for people well. From scheduling volunteers to planning services, Planning Center frees church leaders to focus on ministry instead of logistics.
Try it free today at:
https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=thewalk&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode159

In this episode of The Walk, Kurtis Parks sits down with pastor-turned-maker Derek Welborn to tell a story that starts with loss, wrestles through identity, and unfolds into unexpected calling. What began as a painful journey through alopecia became the soil God used to birth Saints Western&mdash;and a deeper trust in His timing.
Episode 159 Host: Kurtis Parks
In This Episode, You&rsquo;ll Hear:
<ul data-start="763" data-end="1115">
<li data-start="763" data-end="837">
How losing his hair forced Derek to confront identity, fear, and faith
</li>
<li data-start="838" data-end="903">
Why unanswered prayers can still become sacred turning points
</li>
<li data-start="904" data-end="973">
The role community plays when God invites us to step out in faith
</li>
<li data-start="974" data-end="1045">
How Saints Western was born from pain, craftsmanship, and obedience
</li>
<li data-start="1046" data-end="1115">
What it looks like to follow God when the next step feels unclear
</li>
</ul>
Guest Bio
Derek Welborn lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife Jill and their daughters, Jaymes and Gray. After 15 years in full-time ministry, Derek stepped into a new season when a battle with severe alopecia disrupted everything he thought he knew about calling and identity. What began as a deeply personal loss became the birthplace of Saints Western, a brand rooted in craftsmanship, legacy, and faith. Today, Derek continues to tell redemptive stories&mdash;through community, creativity, and a life surrendered to God&rsquo;s leading.
Pull Quote
&ldquo;WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE END OF MY STORY WAS ACTUALLY THE PLACE GOD STARTED WRITING A NEW ONE.&rdquo;
Helpful Links
<a href="https://www.saintswestern.com" data-start="1799" data-end="1828">https://www.saintswestern.com</a> <a data-start="1831" data-end="1869">https://www.instagram.com/derekwelborn</a> <a data-start="1872" data-end="1911">https://www.instagram.com/saintswestern</a>
<hr data-start="1915" data-end="1918">
Sponsor &mdash; Planning Center
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center, the all-in-one software built to help churches stay organized and care for people well. From scheduling volunteers to planning services, Planning Center frees church leaders to focus on ministry instead of logistics. Try it free today at: <a data-start="2250" data-end="2343">https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=thewalk&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=episode159</a>

Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network, The Walk is a weekly devotional podcast where faith meets story in powerful, personal ways.

Each episode features a first-person devotional from a worship leader, pastor, artist, or creative—believers who don’t just lead worship, but live it. These aren’t interviews; they’re heartfelt testimonies about walking with God in the highs and lows, the mundane and miraculous.

Produced by Worship Leader Magazine, a trusted resource in worship ministry for over 30 years, The Walk equips and encourages worshipers to cultivate a lifestyle of Spirit-led worship beyond the platform.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, these stories will help you walk closer with Jesus.

Explore every episode:worshipleader.com/podcasts

Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network, The Walk is a weekly devotional podcast where faith meets story in powerful, personal ways.
Each episode features a first-person devotional from a worship leader, pastor, artist, or creative&mdash;believers who don&rsquo;t just lead worship, but live it. These aren&rsquo;t interviews; they&rsquo;re heartfelt testimonies about walking with God in the highs and lows, the mundane and miraculous.
Produced by Worship Leader Magazine, a trusted resource in worship ministry for over 30 years, The Walk equips and encourages worshipers to cultivate a lifestyle of Spirit-led worship beyond the platform.
Whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, these stories will help you walk closer with Jesus.
Explore every episode: <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcasts/" data-start="1072" data-end="1137">worshipleader.com/podcasts</a>

Worship Leaders are more than just musicians and performers. These leaders and creatives walk with God daily and can bring a good word to the Body of Christ.

The Walk: A Devotional Podcast from Worship Leader Magazine

The Walk Podcast shares real conversations with worshippers—moments when faith was tested, obedience cost something, and God showed up.

You’ll hear the struggle.
You’ll hear the choice.
You’ll hear what God did.

Because faith isn’t just a moment—it’s a walk. And you don’t have to walk it alone.

Hosted by Bay Turner
Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network

Explore every episode: worshipleader.com/podcasts
Learn more: worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk
Subscribe on your favorite platform: pod.link/1631583177

The Walk Podcast shares real conversations with worshippers&mdash;moments when faith was tested, obedience cost something, and God showed up.
You&rsquo;ll hear the struggle. You&rsquo;ll hear the choice. You&rsquo;ll hear what God did.
Because faith isn&rsquo;t just a moment&mdash;it&rsquo;s a walk. And you don&rsquo;t have to walk it alone.
Hosted by <a href="https://www.bayturner.com/">Bay Turner</a> Part of the <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcasts/">Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network</a>
Explore every episode: <a href="https://www.worshipleader.com/podcasts" data-start="773" data-end="841">worshipleader.com/podcasts</a> Learn more: <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk" data-start="856" data-end="936">worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk</a> Subscribe on your favorite platform: <a href="https://pod.link/1631583177" data-start="976" data-end="1026">pod.link/1631583177</a>

The Walk Podcast: Faith in the Real World

Derek Welborn: When a Season of Loss Becomes a Calling

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/eb165b97-2d5c-408f-a505-b3e60141eb25/transcript