Breaking Addiction and Spiritual Darkness through Divine Encounter with Jesus (Ft. Tommy Doyle)

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A life marked by pain, addiction, and spiritual warfare can feel like a dead end. Substance abuse, anxiety, and demonic oppression often isolate people in cycles of shame and confusion. Many find themselves desperate for freedom, yet unsure how to break the chains that hold them back. The battle is not only physical and emotional, it’s spiritual. And it often takes something greater than willpower to escape it: a divine encounter.

In this episode of Revelations Podcast, host Reagan Kramer sits down with Tommy Doyle. He is the International Director of Uncharted Ministries and son of renowned missionary leaders Tom and Joanne Doyle. Tommy takes us on a riveting journey from being a pastor’s kid entangled in alcoholism, panic attacks, and spiritual torment, to becoming a frontline missionary reaching war zones in the Middle East with the love of Christ. His battles with demonic forces and deliverance through a divine encounter of Jesus offer a powerful message of hope for anyone navigating the wilderness of addiction or doubt.

Be equipped with spiritual tools to confront addiction, anxiety, and spiritual warfare with the authority of Jesus. This episode is for hurting hearts, wandering believers, and anyone ready to trade despair for lasting freedom in Christ.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

  1. Discover the spiritual component of addiction and how it can be broken through a divine encounter with Jesus.

  2. Explore the reality of spiritual warfare in regions like Egypt and how prayer activates victory over darkness.

  3. Learn how Tommy’s story shows hope for those battling both anxiety and faith deconstruction.

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Resources

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Episode Highlights

[00:36] Freedom from Addiction and the Fight for the Soul

  • Addiction, anxiety, and spiritual warfare can make people feel trapped and unseen.

  • Many silently battle overwhelming darkness, believing healing is out of reach.

  • Tommy Doyle, International Director of Uncharted Ministries, knows this struggle firsthand.

[03:21] Tommy: “We have so many good friends and so many ministry partners over there, that that's just really where our heart was, and we were part of another ministry before that that we loved dearly, so many great people and everything.”

  • Once bound by addiction and anxiety, Tommy now leads missions that bring healing and hope across the Middle East.

[05:26] Ministry Work in the Middle East

  • Tommy describes Uncharted Ministries’ work across war-torn regions of the Middle East.

  • He recalls visiting the Gaza Strip a month after a major attack, wearing flak jackets and traveling with armed EMTs.

  • Despite the chaos, they shared comfort and reminded hurting communities that they are not forgotten.

  • Through every mission, Tommy emphasizes the power of showing up and bringing the love of Christ.

[12:19] Personal Testimony and Early Life

  • Tommy grew up in a large Christian family, deeply involved in church life as a pastor’s kid.

  • Despite strong early faith, he experienced rejection and betrayal from peers in church leadership.

  • That emotional wound led him to pull away and seek belonging in sports and party culture.

  • This shift laid the groundwork for his eventual descent into substance use and spiritual drift.

[24:23] Struggles with Addiction and Turning Point

  • Tommy began justifying casual partying, which escalated into drug dealing and daily alcohol use.

  • A raid by federal agents became a wake-up call, but the pull of addiction remained strong.

  • Panic attacks worsened his condition, and alcohol became his go-to form of self-medication.

  • Despite several attempts to quit, nothing brought lasting freedom—until he cried out to God.

[26:42] Egypt Mission Trip and Spiritual Awakening

  • Tommy joined a mission trip to Egypt to support his mother’s outreach to Muslim women.

  • While caring for children there, he was struck by a deep conviction to return to a life of purpose.

  • That moment reignited his faith, shifted his focus, and set him on a path of full sobriety.

  • He returned home and committed to healing through a Christ-centered Celebrate Recovery program.

[36:11] Supernatural Encounter in Egypt

  • During a foot-washing ceremony, Tommy witnessed a woman visibly possessed and delivered through the name of Jesus.

[39:47] Tommy: “Every time that something dark and scary would happen, witnessed by other people too, the power of the name of Jesus was enough to eradicate it and, and that's just so life-giving.”

  • Later that night, he and his brother encountered a terrifying demonic presence outside their desert compound.

  • Prayer in Jesus’ name broke the oppression, revealing that when the demonic and divine encounter each other, the authority of Christ prevails over darkness.

  • These spiritual battles confirmed the reality of unseen warfare—and the power believers carry.

[47:49] Territorial Spirits and the Battle Over Regions

  • Tommy and Reagan reflect on how demonic strongholds operate not just personally, but over entire regions.

  • In spiritually charged areas like the Middle East, the Enemy fiercely resists gospel work.

  • Tommy shares how even Bible translation efforts in unreached areas face constant spiritual interference.

  • Yet through it all, God's power continues to break ground where darkness has long ruled.

[52:45] The Link Between Medication and Addiction

  • Tommy discusses the role anti-anxiety medication played in intensifying his alcohol cravings.

  • He noticed his dependence on alcohol spiked after starting an SSRI prescribed for panic attacks.

  • This connection led him to research and ultimately discontinue the medication after his spiritual breakthrough.

  • He encourages others to evaluate their health journeys prayerfully and seek Spirit-led guidance.

[58:39] Advice for Overcoming Addiction and Anxiety

  • Tommy urges listeners to admit powerlessness and seek a divine encounter with Jesus as the first step to healing.

  • By trusting Him, we take a faithful path to healing.

  • He shares practical advice for managing anxiety, including diet, outdoor activity, and community support.

  • Accountability and honesty are key—especially with trusted friends and family.

  • Above all, he emphasizes that true freedom from addiction and fear comes through Christ alone.

[1:03:43] Tommy: “I did not need a foreign substance to be happy and enjoy life. And that's such a lie if, if that's holding you back, reconnect with the Lord.”

[1:05:52] Living Free From Darkness to Purpose in Christ

  • Tommy reminds listeners that surrender is not weakness but the beginning of real strength.

  • He shares how 2 Timothy 1:7 has anchored him through fear and addiction.

  • God’s healing is available to anyone ready to leave darkness and walk into His light.

  • Learn more about Tommy’s work through Uncharted Ministries and Uncharted Adventures at unchartedministries.com.

About Tommy Doyle

Tommy Doyle is a missionary leader, speaker, and redeemed overcomer called to bring light into the darkest places. As the International Director of Uncharted Ministries, he continues the legacy of his parents, Tom and Joanne Doyle, by leading gospel-centered outreach in the Middle East and beyond. From war zones to remote villages, Tommy helps bring humanitarian aid, spiritual support, and the message of Jesus to those living in fear, trauma, or persecution. His work bridges cultures and faiths, demonstrating the power of God’s love across some of the most spiritually resistant regions in the world.

Once bound by addiction, anxiety, and demonic oppression, Tommy experienced radical deliverance during a divine encounter. On his mission trip to Egypt, he reignited his faith and reshaped his purpose. Now over a decade sober, he uses his testimony to reach those walking through their own wilderness. With firsthand experience in spiritual warfare and recovery, Tommy equips others to confront addiction, overcome fear, and live with bold, Christ-centered purpose. His story is a powerful reminder that no one is too far gone for the grace of God.

Connect with Tommy through the Uncharted Ministries website.

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Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in about generational curses and how to break them, leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. Freedom from addiction, anxiety, and spiritual oppression begins with surrender. When you experience a divine encounter with Jesus, darkness loses its grip. Let this be a reminder that no matter how far you’ve gone, healing and purpose are still possible.

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