By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Get on The Ark.

She was wearing a T‑shirt when she first spotted Darren Brett Conrad at the bowling alley, and the conversation that followed would soon become a lifeline. From a hurricane that wiped out a home in the British Virgin Islands to a crowded worship hall in Detroit, Katharina and her husband have learned to walk in faith through every season, and they now hope to spark a revival that stretches from Canada to the U.S. border.

From Tragedy to a Turning Point

Gretchen Long, Ph.D., recounted how a 2017 hurricane devastated her life in the British Virgin Islands, leaving her with nothing but a handful of jobs and a weary heart. “One day I was on the road and I said, God, I can’t do this anymore. I’ve got three jobs. I’m tired. I don’t know where my life is going. I’m either going off the side of the road or you’re going to keep me on the road. And he kept me on the road,” she said, describing the moment that pushed her to seek deeper meaning.

That prayerful plea marked the start of a series of spiritual awakenings. After watching the fall of Kabul and feeling the weight of global unrest, she and her husband began visiting churches, searching for a community that resonated with their renewed hope. Their persistence led them to a massive gathering of 3,000 believers, where the atmosphere felt like “kids, like a deer in headlights,” and the experience ignited a shared vision: “We need a revival in Canada.”

The Road to the ReAwaken America Tour

The couple’s faith journey intersected with the ReAwaken America tour when they learned the event would be held in Detroit, just across the border from their home in Canada. “I picked up the phone and said, I’m buying tickets to the reawakening tour, I’m going with or without you,” Karen recalled, noting how quickly the decision was made. Their excitement grew as they connected with organizers, including Devin, who responded to texts within seconds, embodying the same urgency they felt in prayer.

Attending the 25th tour stop, they were struck not only by the speakers on stage—such as Jim Burrow, Pastor Art, and General Flynn—but also by the spontaneous moments of worship in hallways and media rooms. “You could just feel it around you. It was amazing,” Gretchen said, highlighting how the true spirit of the event often unfolded outside the formal program.

Building Bridges: Prayer and Convoys at the Border

Inspired by the Detroit experience, Katharina and her husband began organizing grassroots actions on both sides of the Canada‑U.S. border. They rallied fellow believers for a convoy, coordinating logistics in less than 48 hours. Cars began to trickle in, forming a moving prayer chain that symbolized unity amid political tension.

Their efforts extended to planned gatherings like “Beating of the Minds, Breaking Bread Together at the Border” slated for September 28 in Youngstown, New York, and a similar event on the Canadian side. These initiatives aim to bring together Canadians and Americans for worship, fellowship, and mutual support, reinforcing the belief that “God works in mysterious ways” and that faith can bridge even the most contentious divides.

Personal Trials and the Power of Community

Both guests shared personal hardships that underscore the resilience of their faith. Katharina spoke of an unplanned pregnancy, a supportive partner who stepped up, and later, a marriage strained by differing church involvement. Her oldest child, who is autistic, added layers of challenge during the COVID lockdowns, yet she never lost her trust in God.

These stories illustrate how community can sustain believers during isolation. Gretchen described feeling “faded away” from church during the pandemic, only to find renewed connection through online message boards and the convoy initiative. Their testimonies reinforce a central theme of the conversation: while personal struggles are inevitable, the collective support of a faith community can provide the strength to persevere.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Unity and Prayer

As the conversation drew to a close, the guests issued a heartfelt prayer request for Jay Vanderweer, a trucker facing sentencing, and invited listeners to join upcoming border gatherings. Their closing invitation reflected a broader vision: a unified, cross‑border worship experience that celebrates shared values and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

Through stories of loss, perseverance, and communal revival, the dialogue on Get on The Ark demonstrates how ordinary individuals can become catalysts for larger movements. Their journey—from a bowling alley encounter to a border‑spanning prayer convoy—offers a compelling example of walking in faith through every season, inviting others to join in the pursuit of spiritual renewal.

The full episode of Get on The Ark is available on OBBM Network TV.