John Wilds: What One Encounter with God Can Do

On the road to VOUSCon, Rich sat down with worship leader and recording artist John Wilds for a powerful conversation about presence, purity, and purpose. John has led worship around the world—but his story starts far from the stage. Raised by a single mother, he experienced homelessness, church hurt, and deep rejection. At 17, he cried out to God—and one encounter changed everything. They talk about what it means to truly be led by the Spirit, how to protect your heart when your platform grows, and why everything comes down to your posture before God. John shares the weight of discipleship, the danger of performance, and how to keep your awe in a world that rewards filters over faith. “The ultimate goal is not that God uses me—it’s that God has me.” This episode is a powerful reminder that restoration begins with surrender. Don’t miss this one—watch the full episode now. 🔗 Stay tuned to all of Rich’s latest content: https://www.richwilkersonjr.com Listen to this episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5irnf5x... Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Follow Rich on Instagram:   / richwilkersonjr   Follow Rich on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@richwilkerson... 00:00 – Intro 05:09 – Early Life, Piano, and Church Roots 08:32 – Homelessness, Faith, and His Mother’s Strength 13:03 – Toxic Church and Choosing to Leave 17:02 – A Life-Changing Encounter with Jesus 21:02 – Wounded but Still Loving the Church 26:02 – Giftedness vs. Being Truly Seen 29:06 – Preparing and Flowing in Worship 36:04 – Sacrifice, Awe, and Spirit-Led Moments 43:06 – Staying Grounded in Success and Ministry 48:05 – Living in Obedience and Integrity 54:47 – Guarding Your Heart Against Applause 59:45 – Encouragement Amid Industry & Celebrity Culture 1:04:52 – Championing Your Spouse’s Calling 1:32:04 – Maturing in Loyalty, Boundaries, and Theology