I Am What I Am Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/i-am-what-i-am I Am What I Am exists to equip evangelical pastors and church leaders to recognize, respond to, and appropriately refer individuals experiencing intimate partner violence. Hosted by Felix D. Cervantes, this podcast combines biblical truth, practical ministry leadership, research-informed teaching, and real-world experience to help churches become places of safety, restoration, and hope. Each episode explores topics including recognizing abuse, trauma-informed pastoral care, referral pathways, church policies, leadership development, survivor advocacy, and building healthier ministry cultures. As the ministry grows, the podcast will also serve as the foundation for the I Am What I Am Training Institute, providing ongoing education, church resources, leadership training, and practical tools for pastors and ministry teams. Whether you are a pastor, elder, ministry leader, counselor, or church volunteer, this podcast will equip you to lead with wisdom, compassion, and biblical conviction. Equipping pastors. Strengthening churches. Restoring lives. © 2026 I Am What I Am Ministry. All Rights Reserved. 36541406-f1de-53e8-a4f4-06897905a3ef yes Kathryn Cervantes Felix Cervantes en Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:55:18 -0700 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:57:08 -0700 https://www.iamwhatiam.org https://img.transistorcdn.com/VQbAck9suXwCp8xRo8H5oN6W7vh4kGja5Y7Tigwbd64/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9jM2Iy/OTQyNTZhNmI3N2U5/NDcxM2YwMDEyOTYw/MjZkNC5wbmc.jpg I Am What I Am https://www.iamwhatiam.org episodic Felix Cervantes I Am What I Am exists to equip evangelical pastors and church leaders to recognize, respond to, and appropriately refer individuals experiencing intimate partner violence. Hosted by Felix D. Cervantes, this podcast combines biblical truth, practical ministry leadership, research-informed teaching, and real-world experience to help churches become places of safety, restoration, and hope. Each episode explores topics including recognizing abuse, trauma-informed pastoral care, referral pathways, church policies, leadership development, survivor advocacy, and building healthier ministry cultures. As the ministry grows, the podcast will also serve as the foundation for the I Am What I Am Training Institute, providing ongoing education, church resources, leadership training, and practical tools for pastors and ministry teams. Whether you are a pastor, elder, ministry leader, counselor, or church volunteer, this podcast will equip you to lead with wisdom, compassion, and biblical conviction. Equipping pastors. Strengthening churches. Restoring lives. I Am What I Am exists to equip evangelical pastors and church leaders to recognize, respond to, and appropriately refer individuals experiencing intimate partner violence. intimate partner violence, domestic violence, pastors, church leadership, pastoral care, biblical counseling, trauma-informed ministry, Christian ministry, church safety, survivor advocacy, domestic abuse, clergy training, pastoral training, pastor training, pastoral care I Am What I Am Ministry No No Episode 101: When a Survivor Says, "Pastor, Can We Talk?" 101 101 Episode 101: When a Survivor Says, "Pastor, Can We Talk?" full 84ada03e-bc2b-474f-ac56-8d144602fe44 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b125a083 "Pastor... can we talk?"

Those five words may become one of the most significant conversations of your ministry.

Every year, survivors of intimate partner violence quietly seek help from someone they trust. Often, that first person is their pastor. Yet many church leaders have never been trained to recognize abuse, understand trauma, or respond in a way that protects both the survivor and the integrity of the church.

In this foundational episode, Pastor Felix Cervantes explores the biblical responsibility of shepherds to protect the vulnerable while providing practical guidance on recognizing abuse, understanding trauma responses, and responding with wisdom, compassion, and appropriate referrals.

Whether you are a pastor, elder, ministry leader, counselor, or church volunteer, this episode will help equip you to respond faithfully when someone entrusts you with one of the most difficult conversations of their life.

In This Episode

  •  Why pastors are often the first person a survivor tells 
  •  The difference between marital conflict and abuse 
  •  Understanding coercive control 
  •  The four trauma responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn 
  •  What Scripture teaches about protecting the vulnerable 
  •  Practical first steps every pastor should take after a disclosure

Scripture

  •  Psalm 82:3–4 (NKJV) 
  •  Isaiah 1:17 (NKJV) 
  •  James 1:27 (NKJV)

Connect with I Am What I Am Ministry

🌐 https://iamwhatiam.org

Find resources for pastors, churches, survivors, referral pathways, articles, and training opportunities designed to help churches become places of safety, healing, and restoration.

Equipping pastors. Strengthening churches. Restoring lives.

By the grace of God,

I Am What I Am Ministry

]]> "Pastor... can we talk?"

Those five words may become one of the most significant conversations of your ministry.

Every year, survivors of intimate partner violence quietly seek help from someone they trust. Often, that first person is their pastor. Yet many church leaders have never been trained to recognize abuse, understand trauma, or respond in a way that protects both the survivor and the integrity of the church.

In this foundational episode, Pastor Felix Cervantes explores the biblical responsibility of shepherds to protect the vulnerable while providing practical guidance on recognizing abuse, understanding trauma responses, and responding with wisdom, compassion, and appropriate referrals.

Whether you are a pastor, elder, ministry leader, counselor, or church volunteer, this episode will help equip you to respond faithfully when someone entrusts you with one of the most difficult conversations of their life.

In This Episode

  •  Why pastors are often the first person a survivor tells 
  •  The difference between marital conflict and abuse 
  •  Understanding coercive control 
  •  The four trauma responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn 
  •  What Scripture teaches about protecting the vulnerable 
  •  Practical first steps every pastor should take after a disclosure

Scripture

  •  Psalm 82:3–4 (NKJV) 
  •  Isaiah 1:17 (NKJV) 
  •  James 1:27 (NKJV)

Connect with I Am What I Am Ministry

🌐 https://iamwhatiam.org

Find resources for pastors, churches, survivors, referral pathways, articles, and training opportunities designed to help churches become places of safety, healing, and restoration.

Equipping pastors. Strengthening churches. Restoring lives.

By the grace of God,

I Am What I Am Ministry

]]> Tue, 07 Jul 2026 19:42:25 -0700 Felix Cervantes Felix Cervantes 912 "Pastor... can we talk?"

Those five words may become one of the most significant conversations of your ministry.

Every year, survivors of intimate partner violence quietly seek help from someone they trust. Often, that first person is their pastor. Yet many church leaders have never been trained to recognize abuse, understand trauma, or respond in a way that protects both the survivor and the integrity of the church.

In this foundational episode, Pastor Felix Cervantes explores the biblical responsibility of shepherds to protect the vulnerable while providing practical guidance on recognizing abuse, understanding trauma responses, and responding with wisdom, compassion, and appropriate referrals.

Whether you are a pastor, elder, ministry leader, counselor, or church volunteer, this episode will help equip you to respond faithfully when someone entrusts you with one of the most difficult conversations of their life.

In This Episode

  •  Why pastors are often the first person a survivor tells 
  •  The difference between marital conflict and abuse 
  •  Understanding coercive control 
  •  The four trauma responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn 
  •  What Scripture teaches about protecting the vulnerable 
  •  Practical first steps every pastor should take after a disclosure

Scripture

  •  Psalm 82:3–4 (NKJV) 
  •  Isaiah 1:17 (NKJV) 
  •  James 1:27 (NKJV)

Connect with I Am What I Am Ministry

🌐 https://iamwhatiam.org

Find resources for pastors, churches, survivors, referral pathways, articles, and training opportunities designed to help churches become places of safety, healing, and restoration.

Equipping pastors. Strengthening churches. Restoring lives.

By the grace of God,

I Am What I Am Ministry

]]> intimate partner violence, domestic violence, pastors, church leadership, pastoral care, biblical counseling, trauma-informed ministry, Christian ministry, church safety, survivor advocacy, domestic abuse, clergy training, pastoral training, pastor training, pastoral care No Felix Cervantes Kathryn Cervantes