Choosing Victory Over Victimhood: John O’Leary & Athanase Kadita Tshibaka
Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith
Jesus Calling
4.5 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 26 February 2026
⏱️ 34 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
This week, we’re joined by author and speaker John O’Leary. John shares the story of a joyful Midwestern childhood that was forever changed at age nine by a devastating house fire that doctors said he would not survive. Through the unwavering love of his parents, the kindness of unexpected heroes, and a hard-fought choice to live, John’s life became a testimony to hope rising from unimaginable pain.
Later in the episode, we’ll hear from finance executive and advisor Athanase Kadita Tshibaka, known as A.T., who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A.T. shares a journey shaped by poverty, displacement, and profound loss, and the faith that sustained him through imprisonment, injustice, and life-threatening trials.
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
Past interview: Alice Marie Johnson
Upcoming interview: Ed Newton
Interview Quotes:
“The heroes show up, and none of them wear tights. None of them wear capes. They just look like ordinary friends who faithfully live out the message of Jesus in life.” - John O’Leary
“I think when we get burned in life, whatever that looks like for all of us, we can become bitter about it and wonder where God is in our mess. Or you can recognize that God is all over this mess with you and that you can reveal that goodness and that grace and that mercy to others through your life.” - John O’Leary
“I think when you go through a [difficult] event, at any age, it’s easy to really quickly decide whether I will be a victim or a victor to this. Even if you feel like you have no talent, your life is a precious, priceless gift. You have one job, to say yes to being used for good.” - John O’Leary
“Your life, in spite of what you’ve been through or done, can be used in mighty ways.” - John O’Leary
“Even though we were essentially living in poverty… [my mother] had to struggle, she had to really work hard. But even with her very meager means, my mom showed me the value of hospitality and the value of generosity. There was never an instant where some strangers came and she let them just go hungry. Above it all, God’s grace.” - Athanase Kadita Tshibaka
“When I decided to accept Christ as Lord and Savior, I had nobody pushing me, I had nobody influencing me except that very still voice, very gentle, saying that was my day of decision.” - Athanse Kadita Tshibaka
“Like most people, I am a cracked pot, a leaking vessel, and I need to be refilled by His Holy Spirit daily. Reading the Bible and being attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit helps keep us growing.” - Athanase Kadita Tshibaka
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Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!
Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7
Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw
Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C
Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj
Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u
What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj
Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | You're invited to pull up a chair on Lisa Harper's Back Porch, where faith meets real life. Welcome to Back Forch Theology. Each episode helps you dive deeper into God's word and discover that the gospel isn't just good news for eternity. It's great news for everyday life because God is for you and he's always been restoring our value and drawing us closer to him. With honest conversations, a few laughs and guests ranging from close friends to brilliant theologians. Back Forch theology is thoughtful, meaningful, and never stuffy. |
| 0:24.3 | So grab some calls. him with honest conversations, a few laughs, and guests ranging from close friends to brilliant theologians. |
| 0:21.4 | Back Forch Theology is thoughtful, meaningful, and never stuffy. |
| 0:24.3 | So grab some coffee or sweet tea and join Lisa Harper on Bat Forch Theology. |
| 0:28.0 | Subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts. |
| 0:32.5 | Life Audio |
| 0:33.6 | Did you know that Jesus Calling has its own YouTube channel? |
| 0:38.7 | It's full of great content that will enhance your spiritual life. |
| 0:42.1 | You'll find beautiful videos with short devotional moments to help you through your day, |
| 0:46.1 | as well as stories on video from celebrities, authors, pastors, and everyday people |
| 0:50.8 | who share what their faith journey has meant to them. |
| 0:53.8 | You'll also find the Jesus |
| 0:55.2 | Listen Stories of Prayer series hosted by Susie McIntyre Eaton, featuring new guests monthly. Subscribe |
| 1:02.0 | today for new videos each week. The heroes show up, and none of them were tights, and none of them were capes, and they just look |
| 1:12.9 | like ordinary friends who faithfully live out the message of Jesus in life. If God can't use those |
| 1:18.6 | people, he can't use me. And that is a message I think we need right now in this world. |
| 1:24.5 | Welcome to the Jesus Calling podcast. This week we're joined by author and speaker John O'Leary. |
| 1:30.1 | John shares the story of a joyful Midwestern childhood that was forever changed at age nine by a devastating housefire that doctors said he would not survive. |
| 1:39.4 | Through the unwavering love of his parents, the kindness of unexpected heroes, and a hard-fought choice to live, |
| 1:45.5 | John's life became a testimony to hope rising from an unimaginable pain. |
| 1:50.6 | Later in the episode, we'll hear from finance executive and advisor, Atanas Kadita Chabaca, |
| 1:56.7 | known as AT, who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. |
... |
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