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May 1, 2007

Redeeming the Passion Within

by by Kirsten Strand

My soul felt trapped. Trapped in a life that should have brought peace and contentment, but instead brought anguish, depression, and unfulfillment. There was a passion burning inside me that I could not contain, but neither could I release. God kept stoking my internal fire by fueling two deep convictions: 1) our just God abhors the injustices of poverty and racial/cultural discrimination, and 2) as a follower of Christ, I am called, commanded, and expected to do something about those injustices.

Today, my soul knows freedom, and I am blessed to have a career at Community Christian Church that allows me to unleash my passion every day. But that journey of redemption was not a quick or easy one.

Six years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom. A clinical psychologist by training, I had left my career to be home with my two children. My husband, Scott, worked as a regional sales manager and traveled extensively. We had just moved to Naperville, Illinois, or Oz-Land as we called it, because it was such an idyllic place to raise children. By all external measures, we were living the ideal life. So why did I struggle so intensely with depression and constant internal angst? God had laid on my heart the desire to make a difference in the lives of under-resourced people. With a traveling husband and two young children, though, I felt helpless in my ability to do anything significant.

Then, during a hunger-relief meeting, I heard God's profound call. He asked me to be a catalyst to help Christ-followers live out Matthew 25 and be Jesus to the poor. I remember praying, "God, why me? Why not Bill Hybels [the famed Willow Creek Community Church founder] or someone in a position to really DO something?"

After this epiphany, my husband and I spent many months praying. During that time, we became convicted that God was indeed calling our family to a life of service. It was time for a seismic life change. Scott left his company and went back to school to get a degree to teach in low-income schools. I worked part-time jobs to pay the bills and served relentlessly as a volunteer to begin a new ministry at Community Christian Church (CCC). I enjoyed working as a volunteer but still faced many challenges and frustrations. There were the obvious financial challenges (we went from making a six figure income to our kids qualifying for free and reduced lunch). But almost more challenging was the struggle of launching a new ministry when I had no position of influence. Tears streamed and arguments with God raged. How I could ever grow this ministry into the significant, impact making ministry for which he had given me a vision?

Finally, he opened the door. CCC hired me to develop Community 4:12, a ministry with the mission of "Uniting Christians to Transform Communities." We identified an under-resourced community just miles away and began to pray for and develop relationships in that community.

We have now been serving in East Aurora, a predominantly low-income Latino community near Chicago, for the past three years. Scott teaches at a Title I elementary school in the district. Community 4:12 builds partnerships to tackle the educational, social, physical, and spiritual challenges facing the community. We dream of launching a bilingual church. Scott and I are preparing to move with our two elementary-age boys into the community this year so that we can become incarnational in our ministry.

I never would have dreamed that this is the life I would be living. As a woman who thrives on predictability and security, I defied everything in my nature and leapt into a chasm of uncertainty to pursue God's call. Amazingly, though, I have felt no fear - only liberation. Why? Because at long last, my passion has been redeemed.

Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on May 1, 2007 6:47 PM

Comments

Very inspiring. Thanks for sharing your story of how it all came about. It encourages me in my own pursuit of ministry that I am passionate about.

Posted By: Karen | May 2, 2007 12:36 PM

Except for the details, this could have been my life story! I too am passionate about issues of justice such as racism and gender justice.

Posted By: Kathryn | May 2, 2007 7:54 PM

This is thrilling. Am very much encouraged. You had from God, you prayed about it, you waited on Him to directed to you and for sure He did show you the way.

There is power in prayer of agreement- you and your family were of one mind and God has no problem coming through for a united family.

I also have a burning inside of to redeem. I have gone through some situation that have opened my spiritual eyes that I feel I can deposit something in a youths heart and to marriages. So am seeking God to show me the way too.

Posted By: Joy | May 3, 2007 6:00 AM

Wow.. our testimonies are pretty similar. I also have been blessed to help transform communities in the Bronx, Jamaica, as well as London England, but since returning to the States, have struggled with my home situation, as well as family life. I am a single mother, who rarely gets to spend time with her daughter, and have really suffered physically, emotionally and mentally whilst trying to do this by myself. Often times now, I am extremely frustrated and feel... No, I mean I know that I am not fulfilling what I had enjoyed doing for the past 4 years. I felt that I could obtain some funds through part time work so that I could do something. Any suggestions? I had written lots of materials to help transform communities, and would love to get the training guides published.

I welcome your advice, and thank you for your testimony, which has only reminded me of what I have been missing. gmsfrancis@yahoo.com

Posted By: Gina Francis | May 3, 2007 9:18 AM

Hi Kristen,

Life with Christ truly is an adventure. It is encouraging to see you make this bold step. It confirms that there is help for me, since my wife and I will be planting a church in 2008. I am confident your ministry will continue to grow and transform your community.

Thanks,

Jon S.

Posted By: Jon Stallings | May 4, 2007 10:23 AM

What an awesome stories! I was so blessed with a powerful testimony and i can see God taking you hire and hire in your ministry.

God gave me similar calling, and I was at first afraid, and did not know how to go about it.
As you said Kirsten, allowing God to guide me every step of my life was what open door to my ministry.

I have burden for depressed, rejected, oppressed and neglected people.

I don’t have any income coming in to my hand but God in a way provide for me to give His encouragement, His promises and even money to these people.

Answering to my call give me a joy that I can not explain.
I pray that God will continue to increase yourself and your husband more and more because of your sacrifice and love for his people.
sola

Posted By: Sola Ogunseitan | May 8, 2007 6:25 AM

Am very touched by your testimony.I also have a burning passion to be where God wants me to be, there is an emptiness in me.I know i have a calling in my life,am still trusting god to direct me and lead to this service for Him.Pray along with me.

Posted By: Blessing | May 8, 2007 8:23 AM

This is a very inspiring testimony! I had a similar experience and am currently very depressed as I was forced to walk away from what I thought was my ministry opportunity. Not every woman has such a supportive husband. What can we do when torn between our obligation to serve a marriage and answer God's call to serve others outside the home?

Posted By: Lynne Sczruba | May 9, 2007 9:06 AM

Kirsten -

What an inspiration to have been to so many people. You might not realize the impact you will have on generations to come.

I have started a ministry as well in Atlanta, GA and truly understand your journey. It's amazing where God takes you when you decide to step out of the boat and rely on Him!

I am not where I thought I would be when I started this entire process, but I am sure enjoying the ride to get to where He is taking me.

Keep pursuing God will ALL that you have!! Thanks for sharing your story.

Posted By: Suellen | May 11, 2007 11:05 AM

This story really touched, and inspired my life and although I'm somehow involve in our church ministry for I, have a burden for depressed, rejected, oppressed and neglected people. As Lynne I don't have a very supportive husband, he is always finding something negative or bad to say, and that really, really hurts because I Love the Lord and I love him, and I want to do what is right. I want to serve the Lord in my house and where ever the Lord sends me. Please join with me in prayer for my husband that we may unite in one thought in Jesus Christ.
If you have any advice or a word from God please e-mail me.

Posted By: Juanita | May 11, 2007 12:01 PM

To Lynne Sczruba who asked "What can we do when torn between our obligation to serve a marriage and answer God's call to serve others outside the home?"

In 2002, I felt God calling me to quit my job of twelve years to become a writer but, like your husband, mine could not see the logic in quitting a flexible part-time job to pursue what he viewed as a hobby.

What I did (and what I offer as a suggestion to you) is to hold onto your dream and wait for God to make a way for it to happen.

For me, that meant writing at night after everyone else went to bed. After two years of doing this, God opened my eyes to an online ministry that He wanted me to start and, while creating the website, circumstances finally aligned so even my husband agreed that it made sense to quit my job.

On January 9th of last year, I left my paying job and launched my online ministry DiggingOutTogether.com that same week.

Bill Hybels once said that, if a vision is from God, it has staying power. If God wants us to do something and we are working toward it, the window of opportunity will stay open until we get there so don't give up, get busy serving where you can in your current circumstances. It's when we do what we can in our current situation, that God leads us to a new one.

Julie Albin

Posted By: Julie Albin | May 11, 2007 4:33 PM

Thanks to all for sharing - I too am frustrated by a desire to share what God has laid on my heart but not sure how to go about doing it. We joined a church plant last year and I thought "Aha - the perfect opportunity to make things happen!" - but instead I've had a year to learn (I'm not exactly sure what - humility? servant's heart? patience? - but I can tell I'm growing instead of just getting my way!) God is teaching me to care more about the people than the system I think...which is definitely where His heart is.

Posted By: Mrs Ruz | May 11, 2007 5:40 PM

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