Kirsten’s Testimony

The first time I met Kirsten was in my very first small group through Church of the Highlands. She led me through the Freedom small group, and along the way, became one of my very best friends. A best friend that I will have by my side for the rest of our lives. Kirsten leads with a gentle boldness that guides others to recognize their desperation for the Lord and pushes them to give Jesus their everything. She is a faithful friend and her heart’s fire for Jesus will warm anyone who gets to meet her and know her.

Kirsten, it is an honor and a joy to do life with you. You are a friend and sister in Christ who so willingly goes to war in prayer for her people. I don’t know where I would be without you. You make life so fun, so encouraging, and so full of the love of Christ.

I love you! -Ella

I grew up in church, without an understanding of religion versus relationship. I was taught that having a relationship with God looked like rule following. From a young age, I thought I needed to prove myself to the Lord. Despite not having the best examples, I always felt drawn to the church. Which is what I now know as the call on my life towards ministry. I unfortunately allowed what others said to me and about me dictate where I poured into and how I served the church. I was young, impressionable, and wanted to belong.

Most of my growing up was going to church camp or a retreat and feeling the “spiritual high” and once some time had passed, I would quickly revert into old habits of living for the world. For too long I looked to others for validation and attention. In my loneliness and desperation, I finally realized that God has everything I need. Even though I was never consistent, He has always been there for me.

My faith has grown far beyond what I could have ever envisioned then. I have learned what it looks like to earnestly walk with the Lord. Attending a ministry college solidified the call on my life to vocational ministry, and the Holy Spirit has continuously led me along the way. The Lord has equipped me with things I didn’t realize I ever needed or wanted. He has grown me into a leader. I have learned how to delight in being vulnerable, especially with the right people.

I don’t have everything figured out and I have moments when only the Lord has kept me going. But in the moments of doubt, fear, and chaos is where I’m reminded of His goodness. I am actively holding onto His promises and trusting in Him. He is teaching me that there is significance in a testimony that is still awaiting its called purpose. I know in a few short years I will look back at these moments with relief and gratitude of how God is actively strengthening and attuning me for what is yet to come.

I sent this to a friend a while back, not knowing it would be exactly what I needed to hear now. I hope you it blesses you as it did for me:

I pray that you find only peace and joy in your new season, I know the burn from God’s refining fire can seem overwhelming at times. I hope you can be encouraged within your trials, because God has such greater things ahead for you. I hope that you will feel fathered well by Him and sustained beyond all your desires.