Leaving Mountaintops and Entering Valleys

Leaving Mountaintops and Entering Valleys

Author: Mike Neglia March 10, 2026 Duration: 23:16

In this fun interview between neighbours, Mike speaks with Tadhg O'Connell about lessons that he has learned as a preacher, testimony-giver, camp-speaker, addiction-recovery-activist and community organiser. They speak about neck tattoos, mountain top experiences, caring for the community and more. 


My name is Tadhg O’Connell, and I have lived all my life in Ballyphehane, a place I am deeply proud to call home. For many years, I was trapped in addiction, living in the bondage of my own sinful desires and feeling completely hopeless, to the point where I did not want to live anymore. In the middle of that darkness, I picked up a Bible and read Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and for the first time I truly understood that I was a sinner in need of salvation. But I also came to see that Christ had done everything necessary for me to have a relationship with God, as Hebrews 10:12 says, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” Realising that Jesus had paid the price for my sin changed my life completely. Today I am a member of Douglas Baptist Church, and my heart is especially for those still caught in addiction. I believe God has called me to remain where He saved me, as 1 Corinthians 7:20 says, “Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them,” and so my heart is heavy for the people in disadvantaged communities  who still feel lost and do not know their lives are valued because they are made in the image of God. I now run an addiction group every Monday night at 8pm in Ballyphehane Community Centre, seeking to bring the light of Jesus into this dark world, sharing the hope that rescued me and giving all the glory to Him. 


 

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Mike Neglia hosts Expositors Collective: Expository Preaching, Bible Teaching and Sermon Preparation, a space dedicated to the craft of clearly opening the Scriptures. Rather than offering abstract theory, this podcast grounds itself in the tangible realities faced by pastors and teachers every week. You'll hear genuine conversations that feel like pulling up a chair in a mentor's study, where experienced practitioners discuss the challenges and joys of preparing messages that faithfully explain the biblical text. Episodes often take the form of interviews or practical workshops, delving into the nuances of effective communication for diverse settings like church pulpits, youth groups, or women's ministries. The collective wisdom shared here is about more than just structure; it's about the spiritual discipline of listening to a passage before speaking on it, ensuring the sermon's heart beats in rhythm with the Bible's intent. Tuning into this podcast provides a form of ongoing coaching, a resource for anyone who wants their teaching to be both deeply rooted and readily understood. It’s for those who believe that the careful work of exposition is a profound act of service, and who are looking for a companion on that journey.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Expositors Collective: Expository Preaching, Bible Teaching and Sermon Preparation
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