Cory Nickols
Teaching Notes
Guest Interview with Cory Nickols – A Life Shaped by Grace
We are honored to host our very first guest speaker, Cory Nickols—identical twin brother of Pastor Craig—who shared his powerful journey of faith, brokenness, and redemption. From their childhood in Fort Wayne to a shared salvation moment on Christmas Eve in 1985, Craig and Cory’s stories have run side by side, but God has uniquely shaped each of them for different Kingdom assignments. Today, Cory leads a personal ministry and serves with Destiny Rescue, helping rescue children from sex trafficking around the world.
Cory walks us through the defining seasons of his life—each marked by God’s intentional and refining work. He begins with “The Breaking,” a season that begins at Purdue University when he prayed to know God more deeply. What follows is a painful season of spiritual confusion, doubt, and depression. But in the middle of that storm, Cory hears the voice of God for the first time—speaking peace into the chaos. That moment becomes the anchor of his faith. He reminds us that while we wouldn’t choose suffering, God uses it to bring us to surrender and deeper dependence on Him.
Next, Cory shares “The Crushing,” a vulnerable season where God exposes hidden pain and pride. When buried wounds from past abuse resurface unexpectedly, Cory’s self-image and confidence are shaken. In that dark place of guilt and shame, God meets him with love and truth. He learns to let go of self-righteousness and grab hold of God’s grace. What once felt like disqualification became the very place God used to build compassion and humility. Cory encourages us to stop striving and to embrace the finished work of Jesus—where true transformation begins.
Then comes “The Stripping.” In a sudden turn of events, Cory loses his job, car, and home, and moves back into his parents’ basement. In this wilderness season, God stripped away every comfort and false security. In the quiet, God invited him to trust again—and to say “yes” to a new call. That simple yes opened unexpected doors: a writing opportunity turned into national exposure, and God began to open the path toward Destiny Rescue. Cory saw clearly that when we’re emptied of ourselves, we become usable in God’s hands.
Cory reminds us that the Christian life isn’t about arriving—it’s about continually yielding to God’s pruning work. Even now, he continues to walk through “The Pruning”—learning that maturity doesn’t come quickly but through daily surrender. The journey isn’t easy, but it’s filled with purpose. Cory’s life proves that God can take the darkest seasons and use them to bring healing, wholeness, and impact.
He closes by urging us to keep going. If you feel like giving up or wonder if God is done with you—He’s not. God is still writing your story. Every pain, failure, or delay can become the very soil He uses to grow something beautiful. Our part is to stay surrendered, stay faithful, and say yes—even when we don’t understand.
