Rachel

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  - John 10:10

Take hold of the life that is truly life.  - 1 Timothy 6:19

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  - 1 John 5:12

As I read through the Scriptures, I become increasingly convinced that there is no such thing as life outside of Christ.  Whatever kind of existence it is, it's not true life.  In my quest to find more Jesus, and thus more life, God has graciously led me here to West Dallas.

As a small town kid from Wisconsin who used to spend her days running through corn fields, I never expected to find myself in a city such as Dallas.  I graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in anthropology, and after spending my college days either at camp or on mission in the Dominican Republic, I assumed I'd land in one of those two places upon graduation.

The Lord had other plans, and through friends I ended up in Dallas and shortly thereafter at Mercy Street.  I immediately fell in love with the place and the work God was doing in West Dallas.  The kids here always made me laugh so hard and challenged me to think about Jesus in simpler and clearer ways.  While working an assortment of odd jobs, I found that the people in and around Mercy Street always breathed new life back into me.  I am reminded of Hebrews 12:1-2 where it says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."

By God’s grace I now have the privilege of daily being surrounded by this “cloud of witnesses” as I play, learn, adventure, grow, and serve in West Dallas.  God has already taught me so much through West Dallatians and filled my life with immeasurable joy.  I’m looking forward to more crazy van rides, outrageous Super Thursdays, good conversations over a cup of coffee, and more life in Christ.  Join me?