Welcome back to the Hope Over Coffee Podcast, where we believe in the power of real stories to inspire real transformation. In our latest episode, “051 Zach Rewind,” host Jared Ogea sits down with Zach once more to delve deeper into a truly astounding journey of redemption and discovery. This episode is a powerful testament to the transformative grace of God and serves as an intimate look at how I survived Rewind – a profound process of revisiting the past to embrace a new future.
Zach shares openly about a five-year period of “disobedience” where he neglected to share his powerful testimony, despite feeling called to do so. He recounts how life threw challenges at him, including raising two young children, leading him to momentarily stray from his purpose. This period, which he likens to “wandering out in the desert”, caused him to push aside the supernatural miracles God had performed in his life. However, a divine nudge in December reminded him to “weaponize the testimony again”, leading him back to Hope Over Coffee.
The conversation beautifully illustrates how God orchestrates every detail of our lives, even when we don’t understand the path. Zach speaks about the “rewind” process – a courageous decision to confront past traumas and dark experiences, not to dwell in them, but to ensure that nothing remained unrooted that the enemy could later use to instill fear, shame, or guilt. He vividly describes the horrific memory of a friend’s death and his time in jail, where he felt his life was over. Yet, through this process of sanctification, he found complete deliverance and redemption.
A pivotal moment in Zach’s story involves Sheriff Ronnie. While incarcerated, Zach was unexpectedly brought to Sheriff Ronnie’s office. In a truly miraculous encounter, Sheriff Ronnie, acting in obedience to God, spoke into Zach’s life, revealing his true identity in Christ when Zach could not see it himself. This powerful visitation, outside of the usual parameters of jail operations, highlights how God uses unexpected vessels and circumstances to bring about His will.
Zach emphasizes that sharing his story has reignited a special desire to pursue Jesus diligently. He’s now “on fire” for the Lord, constantly immersed in His word and seeking fellowship with other believers. The episode resonates deeply with listeners, especially those who are not yet believers but are moved by Zach’s courage to openly share his “junk” and the freedom that comes from Christ’s forgiveness.
The discussion also touches on the importance of obedience and stepping out in faith, even when the full plan isn’t clear. Jerry shares his own journey with the podcast, noting how his early, less polished efforts eventually morphed into the thriving platform it is today, simply by staying obedient and learning from what didn’t work. This powerful reminder that God’s plan unfolds one step at a time, and that sometimes we need to “just pull the freaking wire” rather than succumb to “paralysis by analysis”, is a message of hope for anyone feeling stuck.
Zach’s incredible journey from despair to a life ablaze for Christ is a testament to God’s unfailing love and power. His story serves as a beacon, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God is at work, ready to unleash a profound transformation within us if we surrender and choose obedience.
Tune in to “051 Zach Rewind” on the Hope Over Coffee Podcast to hear the full, inspiring account of Zach’s deliverance and his call to “weaponize” his testimony for the Kingdom.
