The Testimonium was a long time coming…

I started producing podcasts and audiobooks half a decade ago. I didn’t know this was my calling. I wasn’t even a Christian. Looking back, however, I can see that God was working on me. When I started dating the woman who became my wife, I was truly owned by the Devil. She was raised Catholic, and her parents had deep concerns about our relationship. In retrospect, I don’t blame them at all. However, I started saying “yes” to them when they invited me to church, and I started saying “yes” to Jesus. 

Needless to say, the Devil had other plans for my life. He does for all of us. What I experienced can only be described in terms of spiritual warfare. It was a full on demonic assault, a physical attack. I called out for Jesus in desperation, and the physical attack stopped immediately. That was my first encounter with preternatural evil, and with the saving power of Christ. Unfortunately, it was only the first battle in a war. 

My life totally fell apart over the next several years. I suffered horrible financial losses, medical problems, displacement, and deep depression. I also got married, moved to paradise, celebrated the birth of my first child, and got baptized with him. All through these trials and tribulations, I felt Jesus right beside me. 

In late 2023 I was inspired to create The Testimonium. I knew that my testimony was worth sharing, but I had also become aware of just how many people within my community also had amazing stories of healing, deliverance, conversion, and divine intervention. In fact, many of them had much better testimonies than mine. I also felt somewhat adrift and confused as to my place in God’s plan. I was praying before the tabernacle in my local church, awaiting the sacrament of confession. I asked Him “Lord, what do you want me to do with my life?”.  With absolute clarity, I saw how all of these events, as well as my own unique skills, were leading to a new apostolate. For those unfamiliar with the term, “apostolate” refers to the work of the apostles, declaring the kingdom of God.

Over the next several months several things came into alignment to make The Testimonium possible. I met more people with great stories to tell, and a friend offered to help me produce the podcast in his studio. Then, that studio was damaged in a tornado. I didn’t give up, though. I knew the hand of God was on this project. When the Devil attacks, it is usually because we are over the target! I continued to pursue The Testimonium as repairs were taking place. 

I now consider the hardships I’ve encountered in my new life in Christ to be a tremendous gift, because I know with absolute certainty that God is real. My walk with Christ has brought me into both very traditional orthodox circles, as well as charismatic and evangelical. I have grown to love these various aspects of the faith. In reading the stories of the early church and the saints it is very clear to me that they were both orthodox and charismatic. I believe that God is moving in the whole Christian community. The Testimonium is about sharing the personal experiences of Christians everywhere, and all the magnificent things that happen in Jesus’ name.

I am a Catholic, and this podcast is unapologetically Catholic, but I hope that people from Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and other faith traditions (or without a faith) will participate by listening and sharing the show. I will happily welcome anyone on the show as a guest who wishes to share what Jesus has done in their life, regardless of religious affiliation. I should note that the Catholic Church has a specific process for investigating miracles, and none of the stories shared on The Testimonium have gone through that verification unless otherwise noted. Listeners should use their own discernment. I will ask questions for clarity, but I try to maintain a welcoming environment for my guests.

The Testimonium is an act of faith. I know that I can produce high quality content, especially with the support of the people around me, but I’m depending on you, the listeners, for support. I will do my part, and God will do the rest. If you feel Holy Spirit calling you to share your testimony, please fill out a contact form. If you feel called to support The Testimonium financially, please do so. In spite of all the help I’ve received, this is still expensive to produce, host, and distribute. It also takes a lot of time, and I have a growing family to support. I’m currently working several jobs, but I would like to fully dedicate myself fully to this calling. 

Chronicling the miracles of God and sharing them with a global audience is only one part of what I would like to do with The Testimonium. I would eventually like to produce books, lectures, and workshops to teach people how to share their testimonies in person with their loved ones and communities. I want sharing experiences of God’s power to be a completely normal part of the Christian life, not something we do in hushed whispers. I believe that in doing so we receive gift of Faith, and if we walk with Christ in the hopeful expectation that he will reveal his power, love, and presence, we will experience even more of Him. 

Thank you for joining me on this path, and in this mission!

-Ross Ticknor