From The Streets to Minister | Minister Ant's Testimony

In this powerful episode of The Raw Faith Podcast, I sit down with Minister Ant, founder of Kingdom Connect and Our Friendly Advice, for an honest conversation about faith, mental health, discipleship, identity, and trusting God when you don't understand what He's doing. Minister Ant shares his powerful testimony of growing up in Camden, New Jersey, navigating the streets, and eventually finding his way to Christ through the power of discipleship. What happened after his baptism would ultimately change the direction of his life and inspire the ministry work he does today. But following God didn't mean the journey became easy. We talk honestly about the mental and emotional struggles that can come with leaving behind an old identity, questioning God during difficult seasons, and learning the difference between having faith and pretending everything is okay. Minister Ant also shares an incredible story of obedience during the pandemic, when he felt God tell him to walk away from his source of income without knowing what would come next. What happened afterward is a powerful reminder that God can be working in places—and in people's hearts—you know nothing about. In this episode, we discuss: * Minister Ant's journey from the streets to faith and ministry * The power and importance of discipleship * Faith and mental health—and why both conversations matter * What happens when following God challenges your identity * Depression, trauma, and the pressure to appear strong * The difference between faith and pretending everything is okay * Obedience when God's instructions don't make sense * The importance of community, wisdom, and boundaries * How to recognize spiritual maturity and look beyond someone's gifting * Learning to see people spiritually, emotionally, and mentally * Why loving God can change your appetite for sin * The importance of resting and trusting God with the process * What it truly means to have Raw Faith One of the most powerful messages from this episode is simple: Raw Faith is trusting God even when you're wounded, even when you don't know what the next step looks like, and even when the story isn't unfolding the way you expected. Your wounds may be part of your story, but they don't have to be the end of it. Let God heal what hurt you—and when those wounds become scars, don't be afraid to look back and tell the story of what He brought you through. Let God finish your story. If this conversation encouraged you, don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Your share could be the way this message reaches someone who is struggling with their faith, mental health, identity, or trust in God. Thank you for being part of the Raw Faith family. ❤️ Host IG: @therealmsmarlyn Podcast IG & Tiktok: @therawfaithpodcast Guest IG: @minister_ant — 🎙️ The Raw Faith Podcast is a guest-based Christian podcast where real people share their testimonies, faith journeys, and honest conversations about walking with Jesus in today’s world. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Why Faith, Mental Health & Discipleship Matter 07:14 – Welcome to The Raw Faith Podcast + Meet Minister Ant 08:36 – Opening Prayer09:09 – What Is Kingdom Connect? 11:31 – What Is Our Friendly Advice? 12:55 – Growing Up in Camden & Life in the Streets 15:38 – From the Streets to Baptism and Finding Christ 17:10 – The Power of Discipleship 19:45 – Why Minister Ant Advocates for Mental Health 23:50 – Questioning God Through Mental & Emotional Struggles 25:33 – Obeying God Without Knowing What's Next 26:00 – The Miracle That Paid His Bills 28:41 – Faith vs. Pretending Everything Is Okay 31:18 – What Obedience and Real Faith Look Like 33:27 – Why God Can Feel Distant 34:10 – Quieting the Noise to Hear God 36:00 – Prayer, Counseling, Mentorship & Discipleship 38:55 – Ego: When We Erase God Out of Our Decisions 40:41 – How to Discern Spiritual Leaders 43:54 – Seeing People Beyond Their Flaws 47:27 – Boundaries, Rest & Avoiding Burnout 49:31 – Building Authentic Christian Community 51:26 – For the Person Who Is Ready to Give Up 52:28 – Keep Going, But Slow Down 54:07 – What Does Raw Faith Mean? 54:24 – Trusting God Even When You're Wounded 55:59 – Closing Prayer & Final Thoughts #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndMentalHealth #TrustGod #ChristianTestimony #RawFaith