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

  • The Father’s Love: A Prodigal’s Perspective from Prison to Pulpit

    From prison walls to a pulpit, my story mirrors the prodigal son’s. I ran from authority, lost everything, and hit rock bottom. But when I turned back, God didn’t wait—He ran to me. This isn’t about earning a second chance. It’s about a Father who never stopped loving me, even while I was still a…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • Igniting My Passion, Uncovering My Purpose: A Journey of Transformation

    There comes a moment in life when the questions become louder than the answers: What am I meant to do? Why am I here? For me, that moment ignited a journey of self-discovery and transformation. It wasn’t an instant revelation, but a gradual unfolding of passion and purpose that began when I stopped chasing what…

    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

  • Living His Mission – Kairos Moments

    Seizing Kairos Moments: From Light the Night to Menorah House God’s timing is always perfect. This week, I witnessed a divine alignment as Kerry and Kristin attended Light the Night, visited our West Boca Campus, and discovered a profound connection to the Menorah House ministry. Their story, woven with God’s purposes, mirrors the courage of…

    Shawn O’Neill

  • Kairos Moments: When Time Stands Still

    In life, we all face moments that feel like turning points—times when everything changes in an instant. The Greeks call these Kairos moments, divinely orchestrated points where God’s timing intersects with our lives, shaping our paths in ways we could never plan. From a jail cell encounter with God to an unexpected love story at…

    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