R&T Podcast Season 2 Episode 14: From Atheism & Lesbian Identity to New Life in Christ | Debra Barr

In Episode 14 of the Renewed and Transformed Podcast, host Kyla Gillespie sits down with author, speaker, and pastor Debra Barr for a powerful and deeply moving conversation about identity, surrender, and transformation through Jesus Christ.

Debra shares her remarkable journey—from growing up with childlike faith, to becoming an atheist and living in a same-sex relationship for nearly two decades, to ultimately encountering the life-changing love of Jesus. Through her testimony and her book All Things New, Debra reveals how God patiently restored her identity, healed her heart, and led her into true freedom.

This episode unpacks the reality of spiritual transformation, the process of surrender, and the beauty of discovering your identity as a child of God—beyond labels, shame, and past experiences.

Key Highlights: Debra’s Testimony: From atheism and a lesbian lifestyle to a radical encounter with Christ and complete life transformation. The Power of Surrender: How God transforms lives step by step—not instantly, but through trust and obedience. Identity in Christ: Breaking free from cultural labels and embracing your true identity as a child of God. Healing Through Community: The life-changing impact of prayer, love, and Christ-centered relationships. Freedom Beyond Struggle: Experiencing peace, purpose, and a renewed life through Jesus.

Whether you're wrestling with identity, searching for truth, or longing for deeper intimacy with God, this episode offers hope, clarity, and encouragement that transformation is possible through Christ.

👉 Subscribe to the Renewed and Transformed Podcast for more powerful conversations on faith, identity, and living fully surrendered to Jesus.

Support the Ministry:

https://www.cten.org/us-canada-missionaries/kyla-gillespie

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YouTube: Kyla Gillespie X: @kylag14 Email: renewedtransformed@gmail.com

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In Season 2, Episode 13 of the Renewed and Transformed Podcast, host Kyla Gillespie sits down with trauma therapist, researcher, and author Ann Gillies for a bold and thought-provoking conversation about gender ideology, sexuality, and the cultural challenges facing families and churches today.

Drawing from decades of clinical experience and her own deeply personal story, Dr. Gillies shares how trauma, family experiences, and academic research led her into the difficult but necessary conversation around sexuality, identity, and protecting children. She explains how cultural shifts, social media, and educational systems are influencing how young people understand gender and identity, and why Christians must respond with both truth and compassion.

This powerful episode explores the intersection of faith, psychology, and culture, helping listeners better understand the rise of gender identity conversations and how parents, churches, and communities can respond with wisdom and courage.

Key Highlights:

• Dr. Ann Gillies’ Personal Journey How family trauma, years of psychotherapy work, and academic research led Dr. Gillies to speak globally on sexuality, trauma, and cultural change.
• Understanding Gender Ideology Breaking down what gender ideology and gender identity mean in modern culture and how language around sex and gender has evolved.
• Gender Dysphoria Explained A discussion of gender dysphoria, its historical clinical understanding, and the dramatic cultural shift in how gender identity is discussed today.
• Cultural Influences on Youth How social media, education systems, pornography, and peer influence are shaping how young people think about identity and sexuality.
• Guidance for Parents and Churches Practical insights on how parents can protect, guide, and support their children while fostering healthy conversations about identity, sexuality, and faith.

Whether you are a parent, church leader, educator, or Christian seeking clarity in today’s cultural conversations, this episode offers a thoughtful and faith-centered perspective on navigating one of the most challenging issues of our time. 👉 Subscribe to the Renewed and Transformed Podcast for more meaningful conversations about sexuality, identity, faith, and living transformed through Christ.

Donate to My Ministry https://www.cten.org/us-canada-missionaries/kyla-gillespie

Connect with Us! Website: https://kylagillespie.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylagillespie.14 https://www.instagram.com/renewedtransformed Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renewedtransformed TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/kylagillespie7 YouTube: Kyla Gillespie X: @kylag14 Email: renewedtransformed@gmail.com

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In Season 2, Episode 12 of the Renewed and Transformed Podcast, host Kyla Gillespie welcomes author and speaker Gregory Coles for a thoughtful and deeply encouraging conversation on faith, same-sex attraction, biblical singleness, and belonging in the Church.

Greg vulnerably shares his journey of growing up in a Christian home, discovering his same-sex attraction at a young age, wrestling with theology and identity, and ultimately embracing a life of celibacy rooted in his conviction about biblical marriage. Together, Kyla and Greg explore what it means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly without being “disqualified” by sexual struggles—and how the Church can become a place of true family, intimacy, and grace.

This episode offers biblical clarity, pastoral wisdom, and hope for Christians navigating LGBTQ+ questions, sexual identity, singleness, and discipleship.

Key Highlights:

-Greg’s Story: Growing up Christian, discovering same-sex attraction, and wrestling honestly with Scripture.

-Is Change Promised? Addressing the myth that faith guarantees heterosexuality.

-Celibacy & Calling: Rediscovering the beauty, dignity, and purpose of biblical singleness.

-Parents & Shame: Why parents are not to blame—and what research actually suggests.

-Belonging in the Church: How Christian community can cultivate vulnerability, intimacy, and spiritual family.

-Engaging LGBTQ+ Neighbors: Practical, compassionate ways to reflect Christ outside the Church.

-Discipleship Without Disqualification: Why no one is beyond the invitation of Jesus.

Whether you are personally navigating same-sex attraction, walking alongside someone who is, parenting through identity questions, or seeking to build a more compassionate and biblically faithful church culture, this episode provides thoughtful, grace-filled guidance grounded in Scripture.

👉 Subscribe to the Renewed and Transformed Podcast for more powerful conversations on sexuality, identity, discipleship, and living transformed in Christ.

Donate to the Ministry: https://www.cten.org/us-canada-missionaries/kyla-gillespie

Connect with Us!

Website: https://kylagillespie.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylagillespie.14

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renewedtransformed

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renewedtransformed

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/kylagillespie7

YouTube: Kyla Gillespie X: @kylag14 Email: renewedtransformed@gmail.com

Listen on Your Favorite Platform:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TNwgx9uAgoCZd1gMjVMHA

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/renewed-transformed-podcast/id1812532916

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3439e48f-ce37-472c-8cc0-eb1d0b9475b0

#RenewedAndTransformed #GregoryColes #SameSexAttraction #Celibacy #BiblicalMarriage #ChristianSingleness #LGBTQChristian #FaithAndIdentity #ChristianDiscipleship #ChurchAndCulture #SexualIdentity #ChristianPodcast #LivingForChrist