Member Mary Ellen Moody (Attending Since 2006)

When the gospel first gripped me I had been battling feeling absolutely overwhelmed with my sin and the shame and consequences that come with it. I remember being so amazed by the freedom and forgiveness of Christ that I felt like I could scream with joy. I trusted Christ on a spring break trip my sophomore year of high school, but when I returned to my Christian high school and jacked up youth group, I quickly saw that no one else had had the same spring break as I.

I was heartbroken. I didn’t want to look the same as I had before, but few others seemed very moved by the Jesus I had just met. I was in an art class with fellow Sojourner Michael Winters, and I remember talking with him about Christ and the radical impact the gospel should be having on our “Christian” school. I’ve told him since then, but the perspective he gave in our numerous conversations were instrumental in those early days of my walk with Christ.

At some point I visited Sojourn after being invited by Michael. They met in a basement of a church. Daniel had long hair and the music was crazy loud. Ah, so funny. I guess I just wasn’t ready for that “expression” of the church, so I only went a couple of times. I wish now that I had stayed so I could have seen personally some of the journey I now read about.

I went away to college and had a new and exciting experience with the Church. I had deep, refreshing, confessional community through my college ministry. I began growing in my understanding of the gospel and sharing my faith. I remember leaving college and thinking, “I’ll never know community like that again.”

I attended another church in Louisville but was spiritually exhausted and lonely. My last year in college had challenged my faith so much that I was having a hard time believing Jesus’ power and plan to save. I had been serving, teaching, and discipling, but I wasn’t resting or looking inward. My sin was overwhelming me and I didn’t feel like I had a safe place to confess and rest. I was out of balance to a dangerous extreme. I sought help in my church, but was only more discouraged in the end. I remember being so afraid I would fall away and no one would be there to call me back.

I had worked at Java Brewing Company (4th Street Live!) the year before with Sojourner Erin Ferguson. At some point I went to a party for her where a number of Sojourners were gathered. I was in awe at the community I saw. I would tease with my friend that I had developed a “crush” on Sojourn. Boy oh boy, I wanted in. I would randomly visit Sojourn, hear the gospel message in word and song, watch people “pass the peace” and LONG to be a part of it. After seeking the Lord and counsel, me and a dear friend, Lauren Doty, decided to make the switch together. I didn’t think I would survive otherwise, and she felt the same. I remember weeping at my first Sunday at Sojourn. I hardly knew a soul, but I felt like I was already part of the family.

My first year at Sojourn was so refreshing. I didn’t feel like I was journeying alone anymore. I remember telling Daniel Montgomery (in tears!) after one of the membership classes that I wanted to serve the church, but I was so exhausted. I felt useless. He encouraged me with the words and life of Jesus. He told me I was safe to be broken at Sojourn. In fact, it was expected. He encouraged me to be willing to serve coffee and to pray for the church instead of feeling obligated to serve in the more obvious ways. He encouraged me to repent of my out-of-balance lifestyle and seek restoration with the Lord. If I’d known him better I would have fallen on the ground in tears. My weary soul needed that word.

Oh, and the Lord did put me back together! I am growing in my love for the gospel and in the hope the Lord is making all things new! I see it happening in bold ways in my family, my job and my neighborhood. I adore this church body, but I want others to know the God we worship. I want the world to see the Jesus that has made all of this possible at Sojourn. I want to see more and more broken souls made whole. I pray God uses these next ten years to do more than we can “vision” in this vision campaign. He is completing His story and Sojourn gets to be a part of it.

I have lived in this city almost my entire life. I grew up a nominal Christian in a nominal Christian family. The gospel had no impact on us or the decisions we made. I saw many churches growing up, but I saw no gospel impact. Now, I am filled with a new hope. I am seeing God’s Word played out. I am seeing the gospel permeate every aspect of people’s lives and look forward to seeing God transform, heal, restore and save many more lives. Psalm 115:1 “Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Be glorified, Lord Jesus!