Embracing Community

Being in this environment helped me feel like I finally belonged, and it gave me permission to accept who I was, to turn what I thought were flaws into gifts and tools for the Kingdom of God. I was able to accept what made me different, to not die to the personality God had given me, but to embrace it and learn to finally work with, and not against myself.

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Erika Espinoza
True Worship

It had been years since I had stepped foot in a church. It was September 2016 at St. Dorothy parish in Glendora. I went to Mass. Worship was the last thing on my mind. I wanted to be around people that were bettering themselves. I wanted to grow. I wasn't thinking about God. Still, I had felt a pull. I remember being moved by the Gospel and homily, as if they were for me alone. Hesitant, I walked to the worship leader Josh after Mass. I had known him from years back when I was a volunteer in youth ministry. 2 lifetimes ago. With a big smile and hug Josh welcomed me. I always knew him as someone remarkably authentic. He hadn't changed, and I wanted to be like that. I knew I had no idea what love was, how to do it. I wanted to learn how to love genuinely. Not fake it. I asked Josh if there was a group with people my age. He said there wasn't but he knew I played music and I could join the worship band. I had no desire to worship. I was in a band and burnt out on playing shows/recording an album. I was ready to quit music. I looked over at a group of 12+ musicians and singers and said "Josh, I think there are enough people in the band." He laughed and agreed. He asked me if I'd like to volunteer for the youth group. I sighed. I didn't want to volunteer. I didn't want to lead anything. I was too old for the youth group. I wanted to learn how to love well! I was terrible at it! "Ok," I said. He pointed me to a guy named Patrick who told me to head to the hall to find Tommy. I found Tommy and sat down to witness a skit, worship music and a talk. Youth group hadn't changed much since I was in high school. That was the beginning of a year of renewal in my life.

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I had said yes to God, and not yes to fitting In

As I was learning and relearning what it meant to live a life surrendered to God through SOTH, I was becoming convicted that I didn’t trust the Lord. I hated knowing how little I trusted Jesus. The atmosphere of SOTH forced me to decide between my fear or the Lord, wounds or healing. By His Grace, I chose the Lord; I chose healing. Today, I’m thankful for the community and people I have met through this amazing school, and I’m also grateful for the intimacy I found in the Lord.

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