In this powerful conversation, Winston shares the remarkable story of his journey with Jesus Christ. Born in Belize, formerly British Honduras, Winston spent much of his life in Canada, where he was educated before continuing his studies in the United States. His journey eventually led him into pastoral ministry, and today he serves as a pastor in Lebanon, Oregon. Winston also opens up about his 50-year marriage to Lois, who passed away in 2022, and the profound impact her life, humility, sincerity, and love for God had on him.
Winston shares how he came to know the Lord in 1963 and reflects on the things God used to draw him out of poverty, addiction, and the challenges of his early life. Baseball—especially his love for the Brooklyn Dodgers—became an escape and a source of hope, but ultimately Winston discovered that no earthly substitute could satisfy the deepest needs of the human heart. His story is a reminder that God can use circumstances, people, and even difficult seasons to bring us to the place where we finally hear the Gospel and ask the most important question:
“Are you ready to give your heart to Jesus?”
One of the most meaningful parts of our conversation is Winston’s honesty about wrestling with God. Even as believers, we can experience seasons of uncertainty, grief, disappointment, and questions. Winston points us back to Psalm 42 and 43, where the psalmist repeatedly tells his own soul to hope in God. His message is simple but profound:
God is for us, not against us. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We talk about what it means to keep our eyes on Jesus, live by God’s Word, obey where He leads, and trust Him for the grace needed for each step of the journey.
Winston also shares his life verse, Psalm 48:14:
“For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” From pastoring in Sodaville, Oregon, to serving in Lebanon, his desire remains the same—to faithfully follow wherever God leads. His encouragement to believers is powerful: read God’s Word for intimacy with Him, take every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), remember that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image (Psalm 139), and never forget that
“I am what I am by the grace of God.” God is at work. Stay faithful. Keep your eyes on Jesus. And trust Him with the journey.
To see Winston preach a message, here is the website to the church he leads:
https://sodavillechurch.org/home#Jesusfollower #faith #belief #grace #conversationswithbuddy
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For more stories like this, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/@BuddyJamesPuckettIf you or someone you know want to be on the podcast, please reach out to me on Instagram @conversationswithbuddy or text me at 503-851-8031.
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About Buddy Puckett:
Buddy Puckett has been in the mortgage and finance space and mentoring men for over 25 years. A mentoring opportunity all started when he first began in the mortgage industry in 1998, when he began to mentor a younger guy who happened to be married. This person was not making great choices and it was sadly affecting his marriage. We all are 1 decision away from something really dumb, so accountability became something Buddy knew he needed as well. Buddy’s wife, Shawn, suggested he start a podcast in 2022 to share the stories of people who have struggled,
failed, overcame by realizing the life of love, joy and peace is only available through a relationship with Jesus Christ!
“Jesus said to him, ’I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me’.” John 14:6
Buddy Puckett NMLS #270057, Arizona BK#0018883, AZ LO-1032154; OR ML-176 For more licensing information, please visit
www.guildmortgage.com/licensing. The positions, strategies or opinions of the author do not necessarily represent the positions, strategies or opinions of Guild Mortgage Company or its affiliates.
Guild Mortgage Company: Equal Housing Opportunity, NMLS #3274 (
www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).