Sadi

What happens when following Jesus could cost you your family, your community, and the identity you’ve known your entire life? In this episode of The Redeemed Podcast, Lauren Burns sits down with Bible teacher Sandi York to share her powerful journey from growing up in a traditional Jewish home to discovering a personal relationship with Jesus as the Messiah. Sandi grew up immersed in Jewish tradition in Birmingham, Alabama. She attended Jewish day school, and her parents ran Alabama’s only Jewish newspaper. But when her mother came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, Sandi was warned to keep that belief hidden from their Jewish family and community. For years, Sandi lived between two worlds—carrying secrecy, fear, and shame while trying to maintain the life others expected of her. After a short-lived marriage, difficult choices, and a season that brought her to rock bottom, Sandi found herself awake at 2:00 a.m., crying out to God. What happened next began changing everything. Within weeks, God opened doors for a job at a Christian radio station and a place to live through a coworker. For the first time, Sandi experienced Christian community up close. She began learning about prayer, devotionals, Scripture, and what it meant not simply to know about Jesus—but to surrender her life to Him as Lord. Eventually, Sandi faced another decision: Would she continue hiding her faith, or would she live unashamed of the gospel? Her decision to tell the truth led to letters sent to friends and family, painful backlash, public exposure, and strained relationships. But it also led to freedom, healing, restored relationships, and a faith she no longer had to hide. Today, Sandi teaches Scripture and encourages others to know God deeply and personally. She shares why **Song of Solomon 8:5—“Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?”—**has become such a meaningful picture of her walk with God. In this conversation, Lauren and Sandi talk about Judaism and Christianity, Messianic Jewish identity, family expectations, shame, secrecy, surrender, prayer, finding Jesus, spiritual transformation, and having the courage to live out your faith. If you have ever wrestled with family expectations, felt afraid to openly live out your faith, or wondered whether God could meet you at rock bottom, Sandi’s story is a reminder that He can meet us in the wilderness—and teach us to lean on Him. In This Episode 00:00 Meet Sandi York00:46 Judaism Basics and Jesus03:28 Messianic Jewish Identity03:55 Growing Up Jewish in Alabama07:28 A Closet Faith at Thirteen09:43 Double Life Through College13:03 Marriage and Career Crossroads14:47 Workplace Friendship Turns Affair16:16 Rock Bottom and 2AM Prayer18:32 A Job at Christian Radio19:14 God Opens Doors20:29 Devotionals at Work21:44 Bible Study Breakthrough24:18 Owning the Faith25:53 No More Hiding26:54 Letters and Fallout30:18 Public Exposure Storm32:46 Aftermath and Apologies35:05 Leaning on Beloved37:52 Contact and Farewell Connect with Sandi York Learn more about Sandi, her Bible teaching, ministry, and resources: Instagram:   / sandi_york_   Connect with Lauren Burns Learn more about Lauren Burns, The Redeemed Podcast, speaking events, upcoming book information, and free resources: Website laurenburns.net Book STOLEN subscribepage.io/R8EW8e Instagram   / laurenburnsredeemed   Facebook   / laurenbredeemed   Subscribe to The Redeemed Podcast and join us for real stories of brokenness, healing, faith, miracles, and redemption. “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” — Psalm 107:2 If Sandi’s testimony encouraged you, subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to be reminded that following Jesus is worth saying yes—even when that yes comes with a cost. #SandiYork #RedeemedPodcast #LaurenBurns #JewishChristian #JewishBeliever #MessianicJew #JesusMessiah #ChristianTestimony #FaithStory #FindingJesus #ChristianPodcast #BibleTeacher #FaithInJesus #RedemptionStory #ChristianWomen