In this episode, we sit down with Léonce B. Crump Jr., an author, international speaker, and co-founder of Renovation Church in Atlanta. Léonce is not only a devoted pastor and civil rights activist but also an avid outdoorsman, chef, and former NFL player. Before stepping into pastoral ministry, Léonce was a collegiate All-American wrestler, played football at Oklahoma University, and spent time as a professional athlete in the NFL.

I first met Léonce on a pheasant hunt in South Dakota, where he endured my snoring as my roommate. Despite that, we quickly formed a bond while sharing the outdoors. I knew then that I wanted to have him on the podcast to share his unique stories and perspectives on life, faith, and the beauty of creation.

During our conversation, Léonce takes us on a journey through his upbringing in Louisiana, sharing early memories of falling in love with creation. He recounts the awe-inspiring experience of fishing in Scotland and reflects on moments in nature that have caused him to pause and marvel at the glory of God, echoing the words of the Psalmist.

As a pastor, Léonce brings a unique perspective to the outdoors, sharing how specific experiences in creation have brought the Word of God to life for him. And, of course, we couldn’t resist swapping a few wild stories—from near-death adventures to hilarious mishaps, like nearly drowning while swimming to shore in tropical waters.

This episode is a mix of humor, reflection, and inspiration—an invitation to explore how the outdoors shapes our faith and our stories.

Visit www.leoncecrump.com to learn more about Leonce and his work.

Buy Leonce’s Book “The Resilience Factor” Here

Follow Leonce on Instagram Click Here

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Questions or comments email thestoriedoutdoors@gmail.com we would love to hear from you.

Music Written and recorded by Brad Hill