“A personal story with the power of the gospel is almost undefeatable,” said Jarrod Stackelroth during the 2025 Digital Discipleship Conference on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, March 15. Stackelroth, managing editor of Adventist Record and Signs of the Times in the South Pacific Division, discussed how the power of authentic storytelling—including your personal story—can have the potential to connect, empower, and help transform others.
Stackelroth shared how his wife and he felt a strong connection with a local church whose members would regularly study God’s Word. At the same time, the church members were not afraid of sharing and reflecting on their personal stories, even the painful ones. The Stackelroths felt that in that congregation there was “no pretension . . . no manipulation of emotions [or] fancy music or songs or lighting or presentations. Church members were willing to go all out for the kingdom and share their stories,” he said.
Breaking Through the Digital Noise
In that regard, Stackelroth emphasized that “authentic stories have the power of breaking through the digital noise to reach hearts. . . . AI, as good as it’s going to get, will never be able to tell your personal story.”
He explained that AI can make a compelling argument, develop an outline for a talk, and really help you in your job. “But it can’t share your personal testimony,” he said.
Stackelroth reported that among the digital natives, statistics indicate that 46 percent are working to reduce their screentime. He explained that FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) has led to an overload that has affected mental health, triggered body-image disorders, and created discontent. That mental overload has impacted our focus, our concentration, and even our sleep patterns, he added. “And yet Gen Z, more than any other young generation, is working toward finding ways to reduce their screentime. They are self-aware.”
Stackelroth also reported that despite the disengagement of young people from the church, many are interested in spirituality and are looking to TikTok for spiritual guidance. “But it’s not always the truth that they are finding,” he lamented.
In Search of Authenticity
In this context a message of authenticity is extremely important, Stackelroth said. “This is where we have to be authentic,” because of the “spiritual awakening” in Gen Z, he emphasized. He quoted Zach Meerkreebs from Relevant magazine, who wrote, “I don’t hear students questioning the problem of pain or debating Creation narratives. I hear them asking why the gospel doesn’t seem to change the way people live. . . . They want to know: Does this faith actually change anything?”
Stackelroth also quoted author and speaker Jennie Allen, who wrote, “Gen Z has a fresh and new hunger for God. They’re not drawn to religion for tradition’s sake. They want something real, something that actually transforms lives.” Stackelroth explained, “They are spiritually hungry, but they are looking for something real.”
The question is whether, within this context, the church—each one of us—is “ready to go”; that is to say, “How do we cut [through] all the noise, all the distrust?” To tackle this, according to Stackelroth, God has given each one of us a gift, which is our story.
The Role of Stories
Personal stories have the potential of fostering authenticity, Stackelroth said. According to him and experts in the field, stories can help create an emotional connection that can lead to lasting relationships. They can also help increase transparency, which builds trust and loyalty. Finally, stories can help us to engage authentically to build meaningful connections.
Drawing again on his personal experience of when he and his wife visited the church that was open for members to share their stories, he asked, “Why did that church and that church program help my wife and me so much?” Answering his own question, he said, “Because we could relate. We lived that life. We knew the struggle, and we knew that if these people have found hope in Jesus, we could find hope in Jesus too!”
A Faith-Sharing Enterprise
Stackelroth also emphasized that sharing personal stories and experiences carries emotional weight, which again may lead to lasting relationships. Stories break barriers and build bridges, highlighting how God is working on people and in the world.
“People in your neighborhood may not understand your points of view or beliefs, but they can’t argue with your personal story . . . and with the way God is working in your life,” he said. “And when you share your brokenness, when you share your difficulties, you are putting the spotlight on God, not on yourself.” It’s like saying, “I’m rubbish; I have nothing to offer, except what God has given me to offer you.”
Stories That Heal and Transform
Listening to personal stories can change our lives and the way we live our faith, said Stackelroth. Because Stackelroth was interested in the power of stories to heal, he did research on trauma narratives, especially with veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “Getting your story out helps you heal; it helps others heal,” he said. “That’s why I’m passionate about stories.”
The key, however, is to “do it right,” with humility, Stackelroth emphasized as he quoted 2 Corinthians 11:30: “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (NIV). It’s all about humbling yourself and showing humility, he said. At the same time, you must be smart by knowing when and where to share. And have empathy and compassion when you do it, Stackelroth added.
“I encourage you to look for ways to use authenticity to cut through the lack of trust that there is in society today. And maybe you can be the person that makes someone else [say], ‘I want what she is having. I can see that there’s something different, and I want it,’ ” he said.