For Barbara, Christ Journey Church has been more than a church. It has been home.
Since March 1992, when it was still known as University Baptist Church, Barbara and her family have been part of this community. When they first began attending, her two older children were just 10 and 5 years old, and from that very first visit, they were all in. Not long after, her youngest began coming as well, starting at just six weeks old.
Over the years, this church has witnessed her children grow up, walking alongside her family through every stage of life. It has been a place of both joyful milestones and difficult seasons. From mountaintop moments filled with celebration to deep valleys marked by struggle, Barbara has never walked alone.
Through it all, her church family showed up.
In the hardest moments, when life felt overwhelming, she was surrounded by people who supported her, prayed for her, and carried her through. She reflects on how she cannot imagine facing those challenges without the love and care of her church community.
Even today, that support remains constant. No matter what season she finds herself in, she knows she has people she can call on at any time. One of the most meaningful parts of that support has been her small group Bible study. She describes these women as sisters, people who have lifted her up in prayer time and time again. For Barbara, small groups are more than just gatherings. They are an extended family, an essential part of doing life together.
She is honest in her reflection. The church is not perfect. It is made up of imperfect people. But it is also filled with people who genuinely care, people who are ready to step in and help at a moment’s notice.
Looking back, Barbara sees a life deeply intertwined with Christ Journey Church. A place that has shaped her family, supported her through every high and low, and given her a community she cannot imagine living without.
As the church celebrates 100 years, Barbara’s prayer is simple and heartfelt. That it will continue to be a place of love, support, and faith for generations to come.
For those not yet born.
