At Substance of Faith Media, we recognize that there has long been a need in the local church to be more equipped to handle the tough conversations surround mental health and addiction disorders. The church has long been a place of healing, yet many Christians struggling with recovery, PTSD, and mental health challenges feel isolated in their pain. We’re opening up honest conversations about the stigma of mental health and addiction within the church, because healing starts when we bring these struggles into the light. Designed for pastors, church leaders, and believers who want to see the body of Christ better serve those in recovery or mental health, this show equips churches with the tools, resources, and understanding to build care ministries that truly support those in need.
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Rudy Swigart is owner of Substance of Faith Media and is your podcast host! Mr. Swigart grew up in the Southern California area and left to join the Navy at the tender age of 18. His journey led him around the world in a myriad of capacities to include controlling aircraft, managing personnel, and leading missions into the warzone. He retired from the Navy Reserves in 2015 after twenty-five years of service to this great nation of ours.
Running parallel to Mr. Swigart’s journey up the corporate ladder, in both the military and marketplace environments, was his mounting anxiety, anger, and post-traumatic stress. This led to decades of self-medicating with alcohol which ruptured many close relationships.
As the Lord would have it, He called Rudy out of the darkness from the classroom at Azusa Pacific University, where he earned his undergrad in Organizational Leadership. At APU, he did not realize that an undergrad requirement was to satisfy two courses in the Bible. This was to be Rudy’s first experience in actual study of the Bible and where he felt the personal and powerful presence of the Holy Spirit moving in his heart. He could no longer move through life ignoring the most important relationship he was called to experience, one with the Awesome and Wonderful God of the universe.
Over the course of the last fifteen years, Mr. Swigart embarked on his journey of healing and discipleship as he allowed the Lord to lead and continue a work in his character and soul. His God-fueled passions have led him to engage in ministry and to continue to grow in his experience and education. Most recently, he completed his Masters in Divinity from Houston Christian University. He currently co-owns a Christ-centered recovery center and leads in pastoral ministry for a local church plant. Rudy has earned certificates in Trauma Healing and Biblical Counseling as he regularly counsels and shepherds men and families in crisis. He serves church leaders and congregations with care ministry resources for the betterment of mental health and addiction and to serve God’s hurting and broken people.
