Janice's Story: Welcome Home
We believe that life transformation happens in the context of community. God created us with the intention of being people that come together to listen to one another, care for one another, serve one another and to be present with one another. This is the story of Janice, a woman in the Soul Sanctuary community who found community and connection right when she needed it most.
Last autumn I found myself in a state of transition. I needed a spiritual home. I had spent a Saturday at a school volleyball tournament and I was invited to Soul by one of the ladies I was hanging out with. She had no idea of what was going on in my life at the time. God had already been calling me to Soul but this invitation was a confirmation to me. She invited me in October. I started attending Soul Sisterhood in November and it took me until February to work up the courage to come on Sundays, even with the Lord showing me so clearly that this was what He wanted. My teenaged children were attending and enjoying WILDLIFE YOUTH and I had also introduced my cousin to Soul Sanctuary because of the sign language interpreter, a service she requires. Soul seemed like a great fit for my family, but I wasn’t sure there would be a place for me.
I was terrified to attend that first Soul Sisterhood event, terrified to attend a gathering where I knew almost no one. But I knew deep down that I needed to go. I knew that I couldn’t do life alone…
I felt accepted immediately. The environment was warm and friendly. I was introduced to so many endearing women who loved God and wanted to share that love with others. It was refreshing to be in an environment of unconditional acceptance and support. It was here that I learned that the vision of Soul Sanctuary wasn’t just a catchy sentence, but was an authentic representation of the church. It was here that I was offered refuge, repair and rejuvenation. It was here that I was welcomed home.
Janice’s story is not uncommon. By the grace of God many people have been able to find a spiritual home here at Soul Sanctuary. Our prayer is that God continues to use this church community to impact our city, our nation and our world.
If you’re a woman looking to get connected to the Soul Sanctuary community then Soul Sisterhood is a great place to start. Our women’s team has organized a Winter Staycation Retreat on February 28 - March 1. Registration closes on Sunday, February 9. We invite you to join us for a weekend of rest and connection!
If you’d like to learn about the history of Soul Sanctuary, discover your spiritual gifts and learn how you can fit into the Soul Sanctuary community, then we encourage you to enrol in Growth Track. By the end of our three weeks together you’ll have a deeper insight into who we are as a church and how you can help us fulfill our mission of seeing people come to know God, find freedom, discover their purpose and make a difference.