Followed By Mercy
The Followed By Mercy PodcastReal Grace, Honest HopeYou might notice a new name and a fresh look, but the heart behind this podcast is the same. After years as the World Evangelism Podcast, I sensed God leading me to a deeper, more personal path centered on His relentless mercy and the kind of honest hope that can reach into every hurting place. That’s why this show is now called Followed By Mercy Podcast. The format may shift, and the tone may be a bit more personal, but my mission hasn’t changed: I still believe the world desperately needs to h...
From Panic to Peace: Discovering the "Daddy" Heart of God
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What do you do when the doctor uses the word "palliative" and your nights are filled with panic instead of peace? For W. Austin Gardner, the answer wasn't found in a performance-based religion, but in the first two words of a familiar Psalm.
In this moving and transparent session, Austin recounts his harrowing journey through Stage 4 cancer and a 21-day battle on a COVID ventilator. He reveals how the Lord replaced his "panic attacks with presence" by deconstructing the caricature of God many of us grew up with.
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The Shoney’s Intervention: MRIs, Mercy Seats, and a 52-Year Masterclass in Grace
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What happens when your best friends stage an intervention at a Shoney’s to tell you that you’re being too mean to your fiancée? For W. Austin Gardner, that conversation 52 years ago was the start of a lifetime spent learning that "man-ing up" has everything to do with tenderness and nothing to do with toughness.
In this candid and soul-stirring session, Austin pulls back the curtain on his 52-year marriage to Betty, his ongoing battle with stage four cancer, and the hard-won wisdom of raising a family in the spotl...
No Scorecards: 52 Years of Marriage, Grace, and "Johnson Grass"
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Description:
Most people think a good marriage is about being "fair," but Austin Gardner says fairness is the enemy of a great one. After 52 years of marriage, four kids, and a lifetime of ministry, Austin shares why the best marriages don’t keep receipts. In this episode, he breaks down why love is a sacrifice (not a scorecard), why you should always make the first move, and how to pull up bitterness by the roots before it kills the sweetness. It’s raw, it’s funny, and it’s a roadmap...
Learning Christ: From Performance to Participation
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In today’s episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner explores the profound mystery of Ephesians 4:20: "But ye have not so learned Christ."
Most of us have learned doctrine, behavior, and religion, but have we "learned Christ"? Austin challenges the idea that we are "generators" of our own spiritual power. Instead, he invites us to see ourselves as vessels. Religion says, "Become like Christ." The Gospel says, "Christ is already your life. Discover Him."
Using the beautiful analogy of his 52-year marriage to his wife, Betty, Austin illustrates that kn...
Austin Gardner | The Lost Art of Blessing
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"Death and life are in the power of the tongue."
In this episode, Austin Gardner explores the often-forgotten practice of speaking biblical blessings. Whether you are a parent tucking your children in at night, a leader heading into a boardroom, or a spouse looking to strengthen your marriage, your words have the ability to create environments of growth or fear. Austin shares how to use Scripture to speak identity and destiny into the lives of those around you.
Key Takeaways:
The historical significance of the pastoral...Austin Gardner | The Balance of Grace and Truth
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"Grace without truth lead to compromise. Truth without grace leads to harshness."
Today, Austin Gardner dives into one of the biggest tensions in ministry: the fear that grace makes us weak on sin. Austin shares personal stories and biblical insights on why blessing is actually the key to transformation. If you've ever felt like the church was more interested in punishing you than restoring you, this episode will provide a refreshing, gospel-centered perspective on how God actually views your struggles.
What you’ll hear:
The difference be...Austin Gardner | Religion Says "Do," Grace Says "Done"
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Throughout church history, the greatest struggle has been the tension between grace and performance. Today, Austin Gardner addresses the fear many of us have: If I tell people they are loved unconditionally, won't they stop doing right?
Austin shares his personal journey of moving away from a "steeped legalism" that crushed people under expectations, toward a biblical understanding of grace that actually empowers holiness. He contrasts the "coach who only criticizes" with the "Father who loves first," and explains why your position in Christ is more important than your...
Austin Gardner | 5 Biblical Ways to Speak Life Over Your World
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What is the difference between a contract and a covenant? And why does it matter for your spiritual life? Today, Austin Gardner takes us through a deep dive into the types of blessings found in the Bible.
Austin shares honestly about his 71 years of life, his battle with cancer, and the unwavering support of his wife, Betty. He moves beyond "sins of omission" and performance-based religion to show how God has woven blessing into the very fabric of our relationship with Him. If you want to learn how to...
Austin Gardner | Restoring the Language of Life to Our Churches
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Is your spiritual language defined by Thanksgiving or "fussing"? Today, Austin Gardner dives into the power of biblical blessing. He shares a personal story from his youth about a woman named Gail who used the "language of blessing" to impact an entire youth group, and how that same grace is available to you today.
Austin walks through the entire arc of Scripture to prove that God is, and has always been, a "Blessing God." From the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, discover how God is working to...
The 4 Daily Blessings We Often Overlook
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Is God a distant judge or a Father who delights in you? Today, Austin Gardner challenges the idea that blessings are only about money or comfort. Instead, he points us to the profound, life-altering blessings of God’s guidance, courage, protection, and restoration.
Austin shares how his own heart was transformed from being "rigid and hard" to understanding the sweetness of the Father. If you’re feeling "beat up or whipped" by life’s circumstances, listen in to discover how the Shepherd doesn't just restore you—He leads you forward into paths yo...
Loves Me, Loves Me Not: Breaking the Performance Mindset
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What comes to your mind when you think about God? If it’s a judge or a taskmaster, it’s going to shape your entire life. Today, Austin Gardner dives into Ephesians 3:16-19 to show us a different picture.
Austin shares his personal journey of moving from a "judging" view of God to experiencing a Father who strengthens us from the inside out. We talk about the "breath, length, depth, and height" of a love that passes knowledge, and why 1 Thessalonians 5:24 is the most encouraging verse for anyone feeling "not enough." God...
Stop Chasing Blessings and Start Walking with God
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We often think of God as a judge waiting for us to mess up, but the New Testament tells a different story. In today’s episode, Austin Gardner walks through the beautiful "benedictions" of the New Testament to reveal the heart of a Father who desires good for His children.
Austin shares personally about finding supernatural peace during his battle with cancer and how you can find that same "soldier-like" guard over your heart today. If your life feels like it’s "stinking" right now, this message of hope, resurrection, and fina...
The Authorized Blessing: Why the Father Smiles on You
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"The greatest blessing isn't material; it's the living God walking with you."
In today’s episode, Austin Gardner takes us into Numbers 6 to examine the "Priestly Blessing." For many, the idea of "blessing" feels like prosperity gospel talk—but Austin shows that God authorized His leaders to speak life, protection, and favor over His people.
Highlights from this episode:
The King’s Face: In ancient times, the King’s look determined your life. Austin explains why God’s "shining face" is the ultimate security.Shalom i...The Miracle of Right Now: Finding the Father’s Heart in the Valley
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“God is not a boss watching your every mistake; He is a Father who loves to hear you talk.”
After five decades of missionary work and pastoral leadership, Austin Gardner found himself in the fight of his life against Stage 4 cancer. But the greatest miracle wasn't just physical survival—it was a radical change of mind about who God is.
In this episode, Austin pulls back the curtain on his health battles and his theological shift from "Performance-Driven Christianity" to "Rest-Driven Faith." He shares how the darkest days of his li...
Are You a "Blesser"? Shifting from Criticism to Grace
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In this episode, Austin Gardner shares a personal revelation from his morning Bible study that challenged his 50+ years of ministry. Moving from the Old Testament priesthood to our role as a "royal priesthood," Austin explains why our words are the primary way God releases grace into the world today. If you’ve felt the weight of performance or the sting of religious criticism, this episode is a refreshing reminder that God is a Father of "sweet love" who wants to bless His people through you.
Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Su...
Prayer is a Relationship, Not a Report
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Ever felt a little "weird" asking God for something He already knows you need? You’re not alone.
In this episode, W. Austin Gardner dives into a question that hits every believer: If God knows our thoughts before we speak (Psalm 139), why bother praying out loud?
Discover why prayer isn't about giving God information—it's about intimacy. From the "movement toward God" in the Greek language to Jesus’ own prayers, Austin explains how prayer is the natural expression of a Father who simply wants to share life with you.
K...
Shame, Failure, and the Shield of God: A Study of Psalm 3:3
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"But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." — Psalm 3:3
What do you do when you’ve lost it all? When your family, your reputation, and your sense of worth are gone? Today, Austin Gardner takes us to the wilderness where King David was running for his life. David wasn't just a victim; he was a man who knew his own failures intimately. Yet, in the middle of the shame, he found a God who refuses to let us grovel.
In t...
Does God Even Like Me? (Ephesians 3:14-19)
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Ever feel like God loves you because He has to, but you’re not sure He actually likes you?
In this episode, Austin Gardner breaks down Ephesians 3 in plain language—or what he calls "Tennessee hillbilly." We dive into why it’s so hard to believe we’re truly loved, especially when life gets messy or we feel like we haven't performed well enough.
Austin explores the two big words Paul uses: Rooted and Grounded.
Rooted: Like a tree that doesn't "work" to get n...EP 05: Purpose in the Pain – The Canfield Finale
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"There’s not a moment I’m not aware I have Pompe." Kelly Canfield joins Austin Gardner one last time to share the raw reality of living with a terminal, progressive disease. From the "stack of books" feeling on her chest to the mental weight Robert carries as a husband and father, this episode is a masterclass in finding purpose when life doesn't look like you planned.
If you are a patient dealing with cancer, a rare disease, or chronic pain—or if you are the one holding the hand of someon...
Episode 4: Parenting in the Valley — Living as a Victor, Not a Victim
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What is it like to be a parent when your body is failing and your children are facing the same diagnosis? Robert and Kelly Canfield join Austin Gardner for a powerful discussion on parenting through Pompe Disease.
Highlights:
The Struggle of a Mama: Kelly shares the vulnerability of being unable to hold her babies like a "regular" mom and the mobility issues that changed her parenting style.The Duty of a Daddy: Robert discusses the "hot and heavy" moments of crisis and how he...Episode 3: Grace in the Pit — When Chronic Illness Hits Your Children
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What do you do when your greatest fear becomes your daily reality? Robert and Kelly Canfield return to the podcast to share the next chapter of their journey with Pompe disease—the moment they realized their daughters would also face this lifelong battle.
In this episode, Austin Gardner talks with the Canfields about:
The Physical Toll: The reality of muscle biopsies and ongoing infusions.The Emotional Struggle: Dealing with envy and "why them and not me?" when seeing others on the mission field.The Redirected Pa...Chronic Illness and the Grace of Today: Finding Hope in a Pompe Disease Diagnosis
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The future can feel like a storm you can’t outdrive. We explore how daily trust carries us through diagnoses, deferred dreams, and the quiet griefs that come with chronic illness. Robert and Kelly share practical ways to fight self-pity, see grace in limits, and find good days in a world that is not yet whole.
We open a window into their world as they face Pompe disease, recalibrate long-held dreams about missions, and learn to live with a kind of courage that looks ordinary from the ou...
The Weight of a Name: Robert & Kelli Canfield on Pompe Disease, Lost Dreams, and Finding Mercy
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A slow climb up the stairs can tell a bigger story. When Kelli Canfield began struggling with simple movements after childbirth, the signs pointed to something more than fatigue. What followed was years of being dismissed by doctors, self-doubt, and a search for answers that finally led to a diagnosis: Pompe disease.
In this episode, Robert and Kelli sit down with W. Austin Gardner to open up about the moments most people don’t see—the embarrassment of public falls, the grief of surrendering a dream to serve overseas, and the surp...
The Gospel of the Two Birds: From Outcast to Radical Grace
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"Ever feel like an outsider? In this morning’s devotional, Austin Gardner dives into the surprising beauty of Leviticus 14.
Most people skip the rituals of the Old Testament, but the story of the 'Two Birds' reveals a profound truth about God's heart: He doesn't wait for the 'unclean' to come to Him—He moves toward the excluded. Austin breaks down how this ancient ritual is a perfect picture of Jesus, the sacrifice that brings total restoration, and the freedom that allows us to fly again.
In this episode:<...
From Performance to Peace: Finding God’s Love in the Pit
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"I didn't realize how much I had fallen into performance-driven Christianity—doing things to earn God's favor when He already favored me."
In this episode, Austin Gardner takes us through the most "horrific" time of his life—recovering from a near-fatal bout of COVID only to be met with five new tumors and the abandonment of friends. Yet, in the middle of the chaos, he discovered a truth that changed everything: the absolute, unconditional love of Jesus Christ.
Key Themes:
The Physical Battle: Moving from...Does God Cause Suffering? (Plus a Special Series Announcement)
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"I want to challenge you to think about how much God loves you today."
Before we begin our 5-day series on Monday, Austin Gardner shares a heart-to-heart message on the theology of suffering and the power of God's unconditional love. If you’ve ever felt broken by your circumstances or wondered if God has "accidents," this episode is for you.
Highlights:
The Series Reveal: Everything you need to know about the Robert and Kelly Canfield story launching Monday, March 9.Affection vs. Attachment: Le...Son or Servant? Ending the Performance-Based Faith Trap
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Are you on a spiritual treadmill? For years, Austin Gardner has taught and led, yet he’s found himself struggling with the same question many of us face: Am I a son or a servant?
In this episode, Austin dives into the identity crisis that keeps many Christians in a state of burnout and resentment. Using the stories of Martha and Mary, the Prodigal Son’s older brother, and David’s peace in Psalm 23, Austin explains why God isn't looking for employees—He’s looking for children.
Learn how to shift y...
From COVID Ventilator to Cancer Tumors: Finding God in the Aloneness
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What happens when you survive one miracle, only to be hit by a second disaster?
W. Austin Gardner shares the second chapter of his survival story. After the "rough" process of learning to stand and walk again following COVID-19, he was hit with a diagnosis of five tumors in his abdomen.
Austin doesn't hold back on the "TMI" details—the physical exhaustion, the side effects of immunotherapy, and the struggle to not "play the victim." If you’ve ever griped against God or felt like you were at the end...
The Humiliation of Healing: W. Austin Gardner’s Raw COVID Recovery Story
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"I hadn’t had a bath in 30 days. I stank to high heaven. I couldn't even stand up in the shower."
In this incredibly raw and unfiltered episode, W. Austin Gardner shares the "messy" side of his miraculous recovery from a medically induced coma and a 30-day hospital battle with COVID-19.
From his son’s emergency flight out of a locked-down Peru to the humbling moment he had to be physically lifted by his son-in-law, Austin doesn't hold back on the realities of physical brokenness. But this isn...
Coming Home: The W. Austin Gardner COVID Story & Finding Rest in Jesus
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W. Austin Gardner shares the raw, unfiltered story of his COVID recovery—from a medically induced coma to the realization that "Home" isn't a place, but a person.
"Peace is not a place; it's a Person. Home is not a place; it's a Person."
In this raw and deeply personal episode, W. Austin Gardner shares the final chapter of his harrowing battle with COVID-19—a journey that included nearly a month in a medically induced coma. With his characteristic honesty and wit, Austin recounts the "humiliating but...
Abba Father: Stop Groveling and Start Resting in God’s Love
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Are you tired of performance-based religion? Austin Gardner explores Ephesians 3, revealing how we have bold access to God as "Daddy." Learn how to stop trusting your own faith and start trusting the "faith of Him" to carry you across the street.
In this session, international keynote speaker Austin Gardner breaks down the revolutionary truth of Ephesians 3:12. Moving beyond performance-based religion, Austin discusses the "Pharaoh Principle" of being a prisoner to your circumstances versus a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
Whether you are a ministry leader facing "church hurt," or an...
Love Like You’re Loved: 52 Years of Marriage and the End of the Scorecard
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After 52 years of marriage, Austin Gardner has learned one thing: you can't truly love your spouse until you understand how God loves you. In this episode, Austin breaks down why marriage isn't a contract, how to pull the "Johnson grass" of bitterness out of your home, and why God's love is never transactional.
Finding Mercy in the Middle of Humiliation
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"Austin Gardner shares a deeply personal account of his battle with COVID-19. It wasn’t just a battle for breath; it was a battle with his own mind and a crushing loss of dignity.
Austin recounts the 'humiliating' moments of hospital life—needing help with the simplest tasks and feeling the weight of total vulnerability. But in that weakness, he found a profound truth: God doesn't love us because we are strong; He loves us because we are His.
Tune in for a reminder that no matter how 'messy' your...
The Austin Gardner Story: Hallucinations, Healing, and Hope
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"Why in the world is this happening?"
That was the question Austin Gardner was asking from a hospital bed after waking up from a three-week coma. Having lost 70 pounds and his sense of reality, Austin found himself in a battle not just for his physical health, but for his faith.
In this episode, Austin shares the raw details of his recovery from COVID and cancer. From the "funny" therapists who had to teach him how to think again to the surreal dreams of floating under continents, Austin describes the...
The Austin Gardner Story (Ep 3): 21 Days on a Ventilator — The COVID Coma & Waking Up in Fear
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In Episode 3 of The Austin Gardner Story, Austin shares the most intense part of his journey: being put on a ventilator, placed into a medically induced coma, and losing time he can’t remember. For 21 days, his family feared the worst, while Betty battled COVID at home.
Austin describes the terrifying delirium and nightmares, the confusion of waking up to masked faces and unfamiliar voices, and the physical cost of critical illness—losing strength, losing muscle, and having to rebuild from almost nothing.
This episode carries a simp...
Ep 2: The Ambulance Trip I Don't Remember
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Recovery is rarely a straight line. After beating cancer, Austin Gardner found himself in a new valley: COVID-19. Austin talks about the dangers of pride, the physical toll of low oxygen, and why even in our most "difficult" moments, God’s goodness never leaves our side. A must-listen for anyone struggling with a health crisis or family tension during hard times.
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The Austin Gardner Story: My First Cancer Diagnosis and the Mercy that Followed
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"I woke up at a youth camp in Tennessee, and my life changed in a single moment."
In this first installment of a special series, W. Austin Gardner shares the raw, honest truth behind his first cancer diagnosis nearly 14 years ago. From the shock of the initial symptoms to the robotic surgery that saved his life, Austin reflects on the fear, the uncertainty, and the overwhelming mercy of God that has pursued him every step of the way.
If you have ever received a diagnosis that scared you to...
Austin Gardner: From 50 Years of Performance to the Rest of Grace
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After 50 years in ministry, traveling to 50 countries, and planting churches on nearly every continent, Austin Gardner realized something profound: It is possible to serve God for decades and still completely misunderstand His heart towards you.
In this episode, Austin Gardner shares his personal journey from the "treadmill of faith" to the stillness of grace. For years, he lived under the crushing pressure of performance, driven by a fear of losing God's favor. It took a battle with stage four cancer and a ventilator during a severe COVID infection to finally hear...
The Most Dangerous Word in Ministry: Why "Mine" Destroys What God Builds
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Hey, it's Austin Gardner. In over 50 years of global ministry and training leaders, I’ve discovered that the most dangerous person I face isn’t an enemy across the world, it’s the man I see in the mirror every morning.In this episode, we’re looking at Ruth chapter 4 to uncover a word that destroys more leaders and ministries than any scandal: "Mine."We often protect our resources, our reputations, and our legacies, but the story of the Kinsman Redeemer shows us a different path. While "M...
Peace is a Person: Finding Real Hope in Life’s Hardest Moments | W. Austin Gardner
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W. Austin Gardner shares a raw, personal look at facing cancer surgery and the discovery that true peace isn’t a feeling—it’s a Person.
When life knocks you down, and you’re struggling to catch your breath, where do you turn? In this episode, Austin walks through the "theatre of surgery" and the powerful truth found in Ephesians 2. We often treat peace like a contract or a destination, but the Gospel tells us that Jesus Himself is our peace. If you are feeling worn out, unseen, or unsure o...
