EXS10-From New Age Seeker to Encountering Jesus Robert Hotchkin s Story - eX-skeptic

In this reflective episode of eX‑skeptic, host Jana Harmon sits down with longtime minister Robert Hodgkin to trace a journey that began in a modest Sunday school classroom and ended in a life‑changing encounter in the woods. Robert recounts a childhood of fleeting church visits, a teenage fascination with superhero comics, and a career built on creative advertising—all while cultivating a “post‑modern deconstructionist” mindset that dismissed any absolute truth. He explains how repeated disappointment hardened his skepticism, turning intellect into a safe‑guard against feeling.The turning point arrives when Robert describes a night‑time walk in the Arizona woods where he felt an undeniable presence. In a breath‑filled prayer he cried, “Lord Jesus, if you’re as real as I felt, I don’t want to do this by myself,” and he felt the flood of divine love that led to his salvation. He does not claim proof, only a deep, personal certainty that the figure he encountered was Jesus.Robert now leads a small ministry in Maricopa, Arizona, focusing on discipling believers in the supernatural aspects of their faith. He shares practical advice for Christians who struggle to communicate the love of Christ, emphasizing the balance of the fruit of the Spirit with the power of the Spirit. His story illustrates that belief can emerge not from logical arguments but from an unexpected, transformative encounter that reshapes a seeker’s entire worldview.Listeners will hear candid reflections on childhood church experiences, the allure of imagination, the pain of feeling alienated, and the hopeful invitation to anyone who feels too disappointed to trust again. Robert’s testimony offers a roadmap for skeptics and believers alike: ask, listen, and be open to the love that may arrive when you least expect it.

Categories: Faith