One80 Podcast Episode 101
Air Date: October 7, 2025
Caleb Jue, Pinnacle of Life
Transcript
This transcript may have errors that do not reflect the audio found in the show.
Caleb and Merrill 1-1: And then at the pinnacle of my life, you know, I had money, friends. drugs, girls, I felt like empty. I’m like, oh my gosh, I’m, I’m supposed to, this is supposed to be it, you know, college, , If Caleb Jue was at the pinnacle of his life, why did it feel so empty? Why did he find himself at that bridge wanting to take his life? Well, friends, God came to the rescue with Merrill, his mentor from the Pinnacle Forum and the story of Caleb’s.
Coming to Jesus involves his mentor. It’s such a beautiful story. This is Margaret Ereneta. Welcome to Caleb’s One80 .
Caleb: I grew up in Naperville, Illinois, in a really big church . And I attended every Sunday and it was just something. Like God, SEC football, Santa Claus, and Jesus. Were those things that you just kind of like believed in growing up and yeah, I just had [00:01:00] that idea of Jesus.
Like that was my God in my heart, you know? That’s what I thought of. It was just something you really, um. People really have, and you just go to church every Sunday and then you leave and then you do whatever, get food after. but there was really no like life application and Jesus being the propitiation for my sins, like I didn’t know that when he died on the cross, it somehow counted for me.
but so I went to service. Heard multiple altar calls and calls for repentance and um, calls to salvation in church. But I was like, ah, that’s not really for me. And then whenever they had the baptisms, I was like, oh, that’s pretty cool. I don’t want to get baptized though, you know? so it was around like freshman year, still going to church every Sunday and then.
I hit around during COVID is when I got into like a bad friend group, and that’s where like I found my community in. And that’s what I always tell people. be careful who your community is like around [00:02:00] because they’ll really damage you and cripple you and just like wo through the who the sin comes from.
You know what I mean? and. It was, that’s when I like started smoking weed, got introduced into a bunch of drugs like that and nicotine and stuff like that. And I’m like, 15. My, my brain’s like plastic’s malleable and I’m like, oh, this is cool. These older kids are doing it. It seems pretty fun.
So that’s when I kind of got roped into some bad stuff and like partying and drinking in high school. Um, I thought it was cool ’cause everybody else did it. that’s just how the world was. You know, they like glamorized sin it was fun. I’m gonna be honest, like when you’re not a slave to Christ, sin feels so good.
And it’s so hard like to look at people in church and people that go to church that are doing these, like partying and drinking too. And I’m like, I’m just like everybody else. You know, I’m a Christian, I’ll wear this cross on my neck, but I didn’t know whodied on it and somehow it counted for me.
And so. yeah, that really wasn’t concrete. [00:03:00] And then when I got to college, I was like, finally, I didn’t have to come home to my fairs. and that’s when it just got really bad. I was going out like a lot with my friends. I had good grades, had some money, and I was feeling good. You know, it was like the pinnacle of my life.
And then at the pinnacle of my life, you know, I had money, friends. drugs, girls, I felt like empty. I’m like, oh my gosh, I’m, I’m supposed to, this is supposed to be it, you know, college, going out through friends, drinking, hanging out with girls, and I’m like, oh man, why do I feel so empty? And that one winter break, I came home the first one my freshman year, I’m like, shoot,
Why am I so sad all the time? You know? Like, why am I not feeling fulfilled and have no purpose, like all the time? And I just had no drive. I was hanging out with my friends. I was like, Ugh, I don’t, I don’t want to hang out with my friends, but I have to. I already made these plans and yeah, it was just like that [00:04:00] emptiness and then depression and at night I couldn’t sleep.
I had so much anxiety and my, my heart, like my brain wouldn’t stop. Taking things to the extreme of my brain and I’m like,there’s something definitely wrong with me. And there’s something definitely wrong with like everybody, you know, and it’s, it’s that thing called sin. You know, we live inGenesis, Three World.
We, we live in a fallen world. And so, that’s where those things came from. You know, it was just sin and mass sin. So when I stopped it,I just felt like super depressed and super anxious and I’m like, okay, there goes my hope. I had my hope in like friends girls. Alcohol, partying money. And then I’m like, I have all this stuff.
And I’m like, dang, I don’t have nothing. I don’t feel good at all. I thought this is what I was supposed to feel like. Amazing. And so when I got back from college, I was like, ah, shoot. this sucks in my dorm room. Like sad all the time, never wanting to leave. My roommate’s like, what are is wrong with you, dude?
You used to like. You have fun all the time with a big old smile [00:05:00] on your face now you’re just sad all the time. And this happened for like two weeks and so this is around like a month and a half of this, just like hopelessness. So I’m like, oh, shoot, what’s going on? And with just no hope, you have
Nothing to look forward to,like even class, I was skipping classes, just taking the tests and it was like January something. And it was just like really, really, really snowy outside. It sucked. I had my jacket on and I’m like, oh man, like I have nothing to live for. there’s nothing really for me.
I don’t have any hope. I don’t look forward to the next day ever. And this is just like how it’s gonna be like for the rest of my life, This is the night. Yeah, I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna kill myself. And so there’s this bridge right by my dorms, Sanford. AndI was like walking over there, I was pissed.
I was crying. I’m like, gosh. Likewhy do I feel like this all the time? So I’m walking and then it’s either Joey or me who called, it was, it was one of us, but it was like. [00:06:00] Oh, I think I called him and then he called me back and it was just ringing and I was like, I can’t answer it.
And then it rang again and I was like, all right, I’m sobbing, I’m running home. I got my big old winter jacket on, and then in like the Sanford study room, I pick up this, this, this guy answers the phone and I’m just like, boom. I crying so hard. He’s probably like, what are you doing with your jacket coat on?
It’s like really late at night. And then that’s when like the Lord really encountered me at first, you know? There’s no radical change. Like when the Lord encounters obviously like, oh my gosh, like he just like showered me with love and like affection. And then that’s when I figured out like, like that’s what love is.
That’s what Grace is. You know, like while we were yet still sinners, Christ died for us, you know? And so I’m like, man, Jesus. I thought I had to be X, Y, and z. I thought I had to do go to church every Sunday for it. For you, you know? And so I’m like, okay, this guy really loves me. And he’s like just [00:07:00] encountered me right there.
Caleb and Merrill 1-1: So Caleb just meets Jesus in his darkest moment. But what happens next? There’s a dance that he explains really well that some people deal with after they encounter Jesus. Like that I.
Caleb: And um. So that was like my salvation. I’m like, all right, I love you, Jesus. But then there’s like that whole process of sanctification, which is ongoing. You know, you’ll never be perfect until you’re in glory. And so, um, I ran from it for like two weeks. I was like, no, I don’t want to be a Christian. Those guys are crazy.
They’re like, they’re so boring and they don’t do anything fun. And so, Just after that encounter, I’m like, oh my gosh. Like then I had a little bit of hope and I’m like, where’s this hope coming from? You know, my hope’s in the Lord. I was like. That’s when I felt conviction because I went out to like drink on a Friday and I’m like, wait, why do I feel bad about this?
You know? And so that’s like, [00:08:00] Ezekiel 36 26, and I’ll give you a new heart and a new spirit I’ll put within you and I’ll remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
and so that’s when like I knew I was like saved. And I felt like bad for those things that I once like loved to do. You know, when I was yoked to the world, when I was yoked to sin, I like loved those things.
So I’m like, oh my gosh, this doesn’t feel good. And I like drank a little bit more. I’m like, oh, this doesn’t feel good either. I don’t know what’s happening. And so I was just.Like the Lord’s really running after me and he really loves me. And I’m like, oh man. So I, and I don’t cry a lot. I’m not a big crier, but I cried hard that night.
I’m like, oh my gosh, Jesus, why do you love me? You know, I’m a dirty old sinner. And I was just so far from him. Like I was just lived such a licentious life, um, such a lawless life. And I was like, oh my gosh. There’s no way this guy still loves me after this.
It wasn’t until summer, [00:09:00] like I wasn’t surrounded by a good community still back then.
It wasn’t until summer, um, Joey passed out a flyer. One of Joey’s friends, he was a power washing company, shout out Diamond Spray, power washing. And uh, he owns a power washing company. Joey was like, I got a big power washing job. You wanna help me do it? I’m like, oh yeah, of course.
Like, that’s my, my best friend right there. I’ll do anything for that guy. And he is like, oh, pay me too. I was like, awesome. He’ll buy me food. And then, um, after we were done with the job. This guy, Meryl comes in and he like, shakes my hand and pulls me in real close. He’s like, how are you doing young man?
It’s a beautiful day out today. The, the Lord’s been good to me. He is looking over his porch and then he took us to his man cave and I was like, all right, this is where we die. Like he was good knowing you, Joey, like, I love you mom and dad. I’m gonna die right here. And he was showing me, ’cause I also, this is such a sidetrack, but I used to trade like futures, for the SP like Es and nq.
[00:10:00] And I saw he was trading like commodities and he had some books on it. He wrote books on, um, like hedging your livestock as a farmer, right. Uh, on corn. So I’m like, oh, that’s really like, really interesting. We got to talking and then pulls me in again really hard when we’re about to leave. Like, that’s just how Meryl’s handshake is.
You know, it’s real strong and firm. You just know it’s Meryl. And then he gives us this book. It’s like, purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. and then he, he gave us some of his other books too. And through that, that was like my first like taste and see that the Lord is good. Of somebody that wakes up, reads the Bible and acts like a Christian all day.
Meryl’s the best Christian I know. I’m gonna be honest.
Caleb and Merrill 1-1: Here’s where Meryl Astor enters in the story. Meryl becomes Caleb’s mentor, and it’s such a cool story about , how God brought together an 85-year-old entrepreneur Christian to mentor this 20-year-old lost, um, kid who just needs Jesus.
[00:11:00] We had the privilege of interviewing Meryl as well. We actually interviewed Caleb and Meryl together, so we’ll share parts of that interview in this show too. And then Meryl’s testimonies coming up in the next episode. So here’s Meryl Wing in on their encounter. I.
Merrill: Well, I’m a part of a Pinnacle Forum. Pinnacle Forum is a group that has, uh. Partners all over America. We typically meet in groups of 10 with the idea that personal transformation should lead us to cultural transformation.
So we look for projects and in our, uh, Stonebridge Country Club here in Aurora, we’ve had little projects. We help the, uh, crisis pregnancy center get off the ground. We help launch a Christian school. And, uh, it’s been a while since we’ve had a project that all of us could get involved in. And so one day we were praying.
Uh, wouldn’t it be nice if we could do something for our local school Mattia? Uh, it’d be nice if we could figure out a way to help, uh, advance the cause of Christ and Mattia. Let’s pray about that. About two weeks later, a couple of guys show up at [00:12:00] my door and, uh, they want to, they want to power wash for 50 bucks.
They’ll power wash. my, uh, my back, uh, patio and while, while Caleb was doing. the patio, Joey was down brushing a little spot off my, uh, a great big stone patio, and he said, Meryl, look what I could do. We could make your whole backyard look like this. I said, what would that cost? He said, $500.
I say, okay, I’ll do. I immediately became impressed by these kids who could talk me up from 50 bucks to $500. I, I’ve got some entrepreneurs on my hands here, so when they got the job all done, I invited him into my, my man cave.
The boys came in there and their jaws dropped. They said, wow, this is really impressive, Meryl. I said, well, I hang around guys that live like this. Would you like to, would you like to know more about ’em? I said, they said, yeah. And so, uh, I gave them this book. purpose Driven Life and invited them to meet once a [00:13:00] month, uh, each month with a different, one of the guys from our forum.
They get to sit down as we go through the book. Uh, that’s part of the meeting. The other part is they get a chance to ask questions of some really successful guys who are a part of the forum. And the questions go all over the board from theology, theology to, uh. Well, the girlfriends,
So that was the, uh, that was the start and we’re now one year into it. And, uh, you’re seeing the fruit?
Caleb and Merrill 1-1: Next. Caleb weighs in on this encounter.
Caleb: And so it’s just, um, I was like, oh man. Like that’s what, like an overflow of the heart and the bible in Matthew 1234. For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
and he was just so nice to us and I was like, oh man.
so he invited us, me and Joey, and then said, bring some of your buddies to, um, a Bible study with some of his friends, and then we started doing these, [00:14:00] bible study.
So I think that was like the first like discipler I really had was Meryl. And just being in good communities with my friends, chasing after Christ as well, was just like something like unspeakable, you know, like the Bible also talks about like a piece that surpasses all understanding.
And I tell like, these guys that are so rooted in Christ and their hope is so strong in Christ, um, that they just had it, you know, like. Nothing, no adversity really, moved him. So I’m like, oh man, like this is, I want that, you know, and I, I crave that. And so just being in that community, really helped me grow. And um, that’s where like that hunger and like curiosity, um, really started for like Jesus.
And then once we got to school, my buddy Jack Christianity reached out to me. He is like, Hey, let’s get food. And um, he’s part of Salt company, shout out salt company in Minneapolis. he was like, Hey man, like. You came to [00:15:00] SALT once last year? ’cause my sister, she was the biggest seed planner. And my parents too, they were praying for me.
But they’ve been praying for me really hard. And my sister, every Thursday, Sunday, she’d always like, Hey, come to church. I was like, no. Every time my freshman year. And then Jack, one of my sister’s friends, like reached out to me and I went to church with them.
And then there’s this pancake party after salt and I’m like, oh man. Like. These people are so happy all the time. Like there’s no, like, why are they so happy? You know? And I just knew it was Jesus. And so like, um, that’s when I really like started chasing after Jesus. You know, like when you repent, you like turn around and Jesus, like right behind you.
I’m like, oh man. Thank you Lord.
And so, um, after joining like a connection group at church. I just like fell in love with the Bible. ’cause sometimes you can’t even put that thing down, you know? , But I just love that thing and I’m like reading it to [00:16:00] Matthew and Mark, Luke and John.
I’m like, oh my gosh. Like, Jesus really did all these miracles. And he is telling people like, no, don’t say anything. Um, like, this is awesome. And then, I think it was John 8 58. It was like before Abraham, I am. And then. After that,in John, it’s like a whole different gospel. It’s just like John’s always saying like, it’s because he is God.
I just love John. And, and it would just like explain like Jesus is, fully human and fully man.
Caleb and Merrill 1-1: So now Caleb’s just pouring through the Bible and getting so excited and learning about the hypostatic Union as he referred to it, and just had so many questions answered and all these people to walk alongside him. He’s so excited about it.
Caleb: And so my friends were just like, explain to me. I had so many questions.
If you would ask, like my cgroup members and leaders, I would call ’em, send ’em voice memos all the time about like, just random stuff about theology. And they were like, oh, he’s, he’s hooked [00:17:00] now.
Caleb and Merrill 1-1: A studio, maybe this is a place to put cool, dramatic music. Just a thought.
Caleb: Like he’s really in love with it. And so. it was after I read like the last gospel, uh, the Gospel of John, um, I was like, man, like when Jesus died on the cross on Calvary, like it counted for me somehow.
And I’m like, oh my gosh. And I remember crying and none of my roommates were saved, at this time. And so they’re like, Caleb, why are you crying? Like, and I was like, oh my goodness. Like, thank you Jesus.
these are like all seeds planted, like I had encountered Jesus.
And then I started joining Connection Group, applied for leadership and got a great buddies and then.
I think it’s John 10 tens, like the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. But like I came for you to have like life and life abundantly. And I’m like, oh man. Like I get life abundant here on [00:18:00] earth too. Like I gotta carry my cross. But this is awesome. it’s just been amazing, you know, growing and like seeing miracles.
we do, evangelism trips, like Friday nights, Thursday nights at school, and. Um, gotta meet a lot of new friends, seeing salvation, and it’s just like, oh my gosh. Like we talk about the goodness of God, you know, we don’t deserve any of this. It’s just all sprinkles, you know, it’s all icing
Part of that icing for Caleb is Meryl, and he talks about that relationship I.
Meryl was just so inviting, you know, like people talk about being Christ-like there’s just, and there’s Merl, like, I’m not joking.
He is the, the best Christian I know. he was just so friendly and so inviting. Big old smile on his face every time he saw us. got us some food. Carol’s really nice too, and it was just like, something about that like happiness and peacefulness really like drew me in. And so, the more we got to likemeet up with Meryl, the more like [00:19:00] questions I had.
And to this day, I asked Meryl a whole bunch of theological questions. And right now it’s about Revelation because I was just like. Read that again, my dad’s reading it too. but he just knew like all the answers to my questions. and so the more I asked him these questions, the more answers he gave me.
Like the more like my eyes like are widened, there’s, it talks about in the Bible, like a veil from your eyes, like is lift and once you’re saved. So I’m like, little by little I’m like, okay, I see glory a little bit more. yeah, he was just like a great mentor. Knew a whole bunch of Bible and loved, had a true love for Jesus.
Caleb and Merrill 1-1: Next, I asked Meryl if he felt adequate to be a mentor, and he said he felt totally inadequate and here’s what he added.
Merrill: And so I study and study and study before these guys come and, uh, they ask me questions that I don’t know for sure what the answers are. So I tell ’em, you know what, I’m not a theological student, but I’ve spent about [00:20:00] 20,000 hours listening to pastors preach from various portions, and this is what I think it might be like.
. I’m not the final word. The word is the final word.
And so this gives them a chance to tap into years and years of, uh, mistakes that we’ve made. The idea is they should not make the same mistakes that we made. They should learn to make some new ones.
Guys who are now learning how to advance the cause of Christ in their own way. And it all starts, uh, I think with a heart that comes from, uh, somebody has invested in me.
I have a chance to invest in somebody else. They invest in somebody else that’s called, uh, multiplication. And, uh, we’re in, in, in the midst of that process right now.
Caleb and Merrill 1-1: And that multiplication did already happen. Caleb’s already mentoring people. He says he has 20 guys that he’s mentoring. He’ll share that.
Caleb: There’s like four guys, um, like [00:21:00] our age that all take part in this mentorship and it’s definitely like a real big eyeopener onto like simple mistakes that you can make that are really detrimental ’cause like the wages of sin is death. And so, um, just like making those small ones even like on, on harsher subjects, we like to like consult with Meryl.
Um. when we were back from winter break, I was like, Hey, I’m like leading a Bible study upon this, like, particular sin struggle. Like can you tell us like more about how, important it is to like, like crucify the flesh and as well as like some of the ways you could do it, and those practical tips like helped like me and like all my guys in that group and it, it, it was definitely like.
It the biggest like thing I’ve seen, as far as getting poured into and then pouring into other people.
Um, and so through consulting with Meryl and other mentors about how, [00:22:00] um, like some of the actual practical ways and some of the stuff that helps, um, I was able to help a lot of other kids.
Around like 20 at my school, uh, yeah, at my school right before church, we had this bi big old Bible study. This was really fun.
Margaret: Next I ask Caleb to explain what his new life in Christ is like.
Caleb: Like it wasn’t like SEC football, Santa Claus love for something else. It was like a true, genuine love for a living God here on earth. And so I’m like, oh man, like this thing, this, this guy’s real, you know?
But I do really wanna spread like the gospel and like I just have just a genuine heart for the world. Like my heart cries at my prayer room. I’m like. Just sobbing over like the sin in this world, And like, especially in the US and then the lack ofreverence from the Lord, um, just like gets me really fired up,
I’m just like, ’cause also in the Bible, it’s like from the days of John the Baptist till [00:23:00] now, like, like the Christians took the kingdom by force. I’m definitely like not passive with my relationships, like, you know God, but I’m like, we gotta know Jesus.
Like we need a call to repentance here on earth. You know? And I know what my life was and I think that’s why I’m so much like this. ’cause I know what my life was before Jesus, but before having any hope and then after and like what Jesus could do in your life, and not just eternal life, but life here on Earth.
Like I don’t understand how people like wake up. And do their lives without Jesus, without having like a hope for the future, And like without having a genuine connection with the Lord and a love for the Lord. And I’m like, I got this thing and it’s called the gospel. And like the apostles and the disciples, they died to gimme like, pass this baton to me.
And I’m like, now I have it. who am I to just. Read my Bible, watch some Christian tiktoks and be like, call it good. You know, like, I can’t, I got too much like on my heart to not, give it. And so I’ve [00:24:00] always been like an extroverted person and, The lifetime saunas is where like I just start going crazy ’cause nobody has their phones in there.
And so nobody can, nobody could really like put on their headphones or anything. So I’m like, Hey, I like that tattoo, or I like started with that. And then I just meet so many people in there that are just like, I know there’s a God, but. I don’t know which one, you know. And so, just like from my hunger for the Bible and I, I like, when I first got saved, I’m like, oh, maybe I need to make sure this is true myself.
And so I just like learned a bunch of stuff. Like this cannot be a coincidence. Like 66 books in the Bible,30 some writers, like in one unity of thought, like we can’t even get 10 people in a room and all agree on one thing. And soThere’s no way this is a coincidence.
And I’m like, give him the trek. I’m like, you know, 2000 years ago, this guy, Jesus lived a perfect life and he died for your sins. Like this is the gospel. we are sinners, man’s needs a savior. Jesus is [00:25:00] that Savior. And then that’s it. Because oh, Bible also talks about like, you just open your mouth and the Holy Spirit just talk through you,
And so, just really just like that. Burden for other people’s salvation and like Jesus gives me opportunity to share the gospel all the time.
Caleb and Merrill 1-1: Now you know Caleb too, but of course he had to bring an audience with him when he shared the testimony. So we all finished the show with a big round of approval. Thank you.
And thank you for listening to today’s show. Make sure to share it with the people you know, and if you’re looking for a mentor or you want to be a mentor, check out our show notes. . And next week, check out Meryl’s testimony. He has a really great one too.
You’re gonna love it.
And thank you for listening to today’s show. Make sure to share it with the people you know, especially in Gen Z. There’s so many Gen Zs that are just on fire for the [00:26:00] Lord, and it’s so exciting to witness, isn’t it? But next week to and tomorrow you’ll hear his testimony, which is really awesome too.
Praise God.
