Our vision is to see the Gospel transform everything – ourselves as individuals, our church, our city, and the world.
By 2020, we desire to see that vision expressed in our church as a body of thousands of people, gathering in locations throughout the Louisville area, and planting churches all over the world that draw many more un-churched people into a relationship with God.
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
—Revelation 21:5
I grew up in a pretty solid “church going” family. My parents are Christians and my two siblings are as well. I had a pretty ideal childhood. In ‘98 I was 15 and knew everything from hormones and high school. I hated my parents and everything churchy.
Apparently when I was 7 I had “prayed the PRAYER,” then was soon baptized. I really did mean what I prayed but something was missing from my heart….as the evidence would show in the teenage and young adult part of my life. I didnt exemplify Christ. My sin was more evident that my teenage acne. As I went in and out of different social groups I found myself in the classic stoner crowd who were too cool for school~ literally.
When I was able to drop out I did, and my life totally centered around ME. My family would pray for me — my mom had an emotional breakdown one night pleading me to give my life over to Christ. “Blah blah,” I still disobeyed and found myself into darker places with drugs, alcohol, sex and … not rock and roll, but hippie drum circles and nagchamba.
Then in 2006 I woke up one morning with this intense feeling that I am the lost person I would pray for in middle school….I started to examine my life. It was so white trash; I had to get out of it. I mean what was I doing?!
I started going to church at Southeast, then back to Sojourn (I had gone off and on previously) ….at this time I had a hard time relating to a lot of normal people that could have sober conversations about life and all.
Then in May of 2006 I found out I was pregnant. OMG — My life was about to start a whole new can of worms of sin, with another person? I repented — not “Oh I’m so sorry” but “Jesus I am a sick person and I need you …. Truly.” Many times I had been scared, troubled, happy etc. But when I read that pregnancy test I really want my life to be changed.
I was skeptical at first and somewhat doubtful after meeting with a community group who probably don’t even remember me — I was so quiet, which I am not generally! I backed out of group when Addy was born.
Then I joined the Deeb group!!! I got married, and now have another baby. There are so many ways the gospel has transformed my life that I cannot type them all out. But I know that the peace of God rests deep in my bones and I am part of an amazing community of brothers and sisters who laugh, mourn and hold me up in prayer. I often remember the cross as I parent, and want to have grace for my family. Sojourn has really given me a clarity on what true love means and how the gospel is a real thing.
To God be the glory!