{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2F4ed5e953-0956-4c74-ac95-5c7c9d2db4da","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"","title":"From Doubt To Calling In Faith With Pastor Alex Horton","description":"On this episode of The Mindful Journey with host Sana, Pastor Alex Horton unpacks a raw and honest faith journey. He moves from childhood bullying, distrust in God and deep mental health struggles to a sense of calling into ministry and pastoral leadership. This conversation speaks directly to listeners wrestling with faith deconstruction, identity, anxiety and purpose in an always-online world.\nAlex shares how moments of intense despair, including suicidal thoughts, collided with an experience he interprets as God\u2019s intervention through the comforting presence of his late cat. That turning point pushed him from chasing a safe career in cybersecurity to pursuing religious studies, a Master of Divinity and building an online ministry.\nIf you have ever wondered how to balance paying the bills with living a life that actually feels meaningful, this dialogue will resonate. It is a grounded look at vocation, digital distractions, spiritual formation and why your questions do not disqualify you from growth.\nAbout The Guest:\nPastor Alex Horton is a young Christian pastor-in-training and founder of \u201cThe Heart Of What We Believe,\u201d an online ministry focused on helping others encounter God\u2019s love in a practical way. After a childhood marked by bullying, disconnection from church and serious mental health battles, Alex rediscovered faith and shifted from cybersecurity studies to religious studies and pursuit of a Master of Divinity. His work centers on youth, young adults and anyone searching for real hope beyond social media validation.\nKey Takeaways:\n\n\nPainful experiences like bullying and mental health challenges can become platforms for authentic ministry when they are integrated, not denied.\n\n\nThere is a difference between surviving and truly living. Careers that only cover bills without aligning with purpose eventually feel empty.\n\n\nAlex describes an intense moment of suicidal ideation interrupted by what he understands as God\u2019s comforting presence through his late cat. That reframed his sense of God\u2019s nearness and value for his life.\n\n\nCalling is not always a dramatic voice. Often it is the growing pull toward what you cannot stop learning, talking about and serving through, even when it pays less.\n\n\nYou can live out your faith even in a secular job by being a good steward of money, time and influence while serving others through church and community.\n\n\nIn a culture obsessed with likes and online validation, rooting identity in being made in the image of God changes how you see your worth, relationships and decisions.\n\n\nGratitude is not only about material comfort. For Alex, the central focus is the Christian belief that Jesus\u2019 sacrifice makes forgiveness and hope possible.\n\n\nYour questions, doubts and spiritual confusion are not deal-breakers. They can be the doorway into a more honest, grounded relationship with yourself, with others and with God.\n\n\nHow Listeners Can Connect With Pastor Alex Horton:\nYou can explore Pastor Alex\u2019s work and resources here.\n\n\nMinistry website and hub:\n\n\ntheheartofwhatwebelieve.org\n\n\ntheheartofwhatwebelieve.com\u00a0\n\n\nShort link: THOWB.org\n\n\n\n\nFind devotionals, reflections, sermons and interviews on his site.\n\n\nBook: From Wandering to Walking, A Testimony of God\u2019s Love available via major online book retailers, including Amazon.\n\n\nSocial media:\n\n\nYouTube: search \u201cPastor Horton\u201d\n\n\nInstagram: look for \u201cPastor_Horton\u201d or similar handle used in his ministry\n\n\nFacebook: search \u201cPastor Horton\u201d\n\n\n\n\n(Handles and availability may vary by platform. Listeners can also navigate directly from links on THOWB.org.)\nWant to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life/ The Mindful Journey?\nDM on PM. Send me a message on PodMatch.\n\n\nDM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik\n\n\nDisclaimer\nThis video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik\u2122\ufe0f. We do not intend to ha","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/fa5e3591-84fc-492d-815f-96e307958300/untitled-design-11-7aj21.jpg"}