"From Prison to Pulpit: The Divine Set Up Journey of Author Shawn O'Neill"

  • The Hope of Christmas: Looking Back and Moving Forward

    As the calendar nears the end of December, Christmas has come and gone, but the hope it brings remains. The promise of Christ’s birth—the light shining in the darkness—is not confined to a single day or season. It is a hope that sustains us as we step into the uncertainties of a new year. “The…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • Go Tell It: Living the Call of the Great Commission

    Go Tell It on the Mountain” isn’t just a hymn—it’s a challenge. This Christmas season, we’re called to step into the mission of the Great Commission: to proclaim the Gospel boldly, disciple others faithfully, and trust in Jesus’ presence every step of the way. Join me as we explore how to live out this call…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • Out of Control but Not Out of Hope: God’s Plan in the Pruning

    Out of Control but Not Out of Hope: God’s Plan in the Pruning explores the tension between life’s overwhelming moments and God’s intentional process of growth. Drawing from personal experiences—balancing the demands of doctoral studies, leading multiple ministries, and planting new campuses—the post reflects on how God uses seasons of pruning to shape us for…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • The Shift from My Efforts to His Grace: Understanding True Righteousness

    This week’s blog explores the transformative journey from relying on self-effort to embracing God’s grace, emphasizing that true righteousness is found through faith in Jesus Christ, not personal achievements or good deeds. It unpacks the concept of positional righteousness—what Christ has accomplished on our behalf—and lifestyle righteousness—how we live out that grace daily. The message…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • From Prison to Pulpit: Expanding God’s Kingdom through Multiplication

    This last week, I had the privilege of joining 42 passionate leaders for a four-day church planting residency summit in Irvine, California, hosted by Cru Fellowship for Church Multiplication (CFCM). Our mission was simple: expand God’s kingdom through street evangelism and church planting. The highlight was day three, where we broke into teams to partner…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • Why Plant Churches? A Journey of Faith, Hope, and Transformation

    In this blog post, I share my personal journey from prison to the pulpit, highlighting the importance of church planting as a way to fulfill the Great Commission. Drawing from the article “Why Plant Churches?” and my experience in the Avondale community in Pompano Beach, I reflect on the biblical mandate to plant churches, meet…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • The Power of Vulnerability – Embracing Authenticity to Heal and Connect

    The Power of Vulnerability – Embracing Authenticity to Heal and Connect In this blog post, we explore the significance of vulnerability and how it plays a crucial role in our healing and connection with others. Using the biblical story of Adam and Eve, we reflect on the natural human tendency to hide in times of…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • Mobilizing Faith: Building Walls of Hope from San Andrés to Fort Lauderdale 

    This week’s “From Prison to Pulpit: The Divine Set Up” blog highlights a recent mission trip by the Messenger of Hope Global Ministry Team to San Andrés, Colombia. Led by Senior Pastor Tom Manning and other leaders, the team trained 200 pastors in evangelism, setting the stage for a massive crusade in February 2025. The…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • Life to Death: From Baby Dedication to HomeGoing Celebration

    This post reflects on the significant milestones and unexpected challenges within a faith community, from the joyous occasion of baby dedications to the somber yet celebratory moments of homegoing celebrations. It includes a poignant story about the worship pastor’s recent severe car accident, emphasizing the fragility of life and the importance of spiritual preparedness. Through…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • Saturday Beach Baptism and Sunday Reflection: A Weekend of Faith and Miracles

    This past Saturday, we witnessed a miraculous event at South Beach, Fort Lauderdale. Seventy-five newly born-again believers took the profound step of water baptism in the Atlantic Ocean, a powerful symbol of dying to their old selves and rising to new life in Christ. Despite the stormy backdrop, the sun shone brilliantly, highlighting the transformative…

    Shawn O’Neill