ADDICTION TO REDEMPTION
Christina thought inviting her boyfriend’s mother to a Joyce Meyer conference might be a good way to impress her. At 19 years old, she didn’t have a relationship with God, herself, but that wasn’t the main point of going. Yet, during the conference, listening to Joyce speak and all the people worshipping, Christina felt an irresistible pull to answer the altar call and accept Jesus as her Savior.
When she returned to her seat, Christina thought maybe she’d feel different now that she was “saved.” But she didn’t. She waited for it. Still nothing. So, after the conference, she tossed her gift of a Bible in the trunk of her car and went home.
She went to a few church events and read some Christian books, but she struggled to find faith of her own. Over the next two years, she rarely gave it a thought, continuing her lifestyle around partying, drugs and alcohol—a lifestyle emulated at home by her parents for most of her life.
But then in 2007, at a motel party, Christina was using drugs, when she paused to really look at herself in a mirror. She barely recognized herself— face thin, hair a mess. With the party going on around her, she set her hands on the counter and said, “God, if you’re real, you need to save me. If you don’t, I’m going to die.”
A week later, Christina found out she was pregnant. “It wasn’t about me anymore, it was about our child,” Christina said. It gave her the strength she needed to beat her addictions. She and her boyfriend wanted more for their son than they had ever wanted for themselves. “He had no choice to be created, I wasn’t going to allow my actions to affect him,” Christina said of her son.
When she returned to her seat, Christina thought maybe she’d feel different now that she was “saved.” But she didn’t. She waited for it. Still nothing. So, after the conference, she tossed her gift of a Bible in the trunk of her car and went home.
She went to a few church events and read some Christian books, but she struggled to find faith of her own. Over the next two years, she rarely gave it a thought, continuing her lifestyle around partying, drugs and alcohol—a lifestyle emulated at home by her parents for most of her life.
But then in 2007, at a motel party, Christina was using drugs, when she paused to really look at herself in a mirror. She barely recognized herself— face thin, hair a mess. With the party going on around her, she set her hands on the counter and said, “God, if you’re real, you need to save me. If you don’t, I’m going to die.”
A week later, Christina found out she was pregnant. “It wasn’t about me anymore, it was about our child,” Christina said. It gave her the strength she needed to beat her addictions. She and her boyfriend wanted more for their son than they had ever wanted for themselves. “He had no choice to be created, I wasn’t going to allow my actions to affect him,” Christina said of her son.
The couple married in 2009, and within a year, decided to try out a local church, mainly for their son. But Christina felt like the message was directed at her. “I left feeling a burst of energy and joy—something I hadn’t experienced before,” Christina said.
They began attending regularly, and soon she decided to get baptized. “It wasn’t until I felt the urge to be baptized that I realized me giving my life to the Lord at Joyce Meyer’s conference was a baby step in my faith, and like a door opening for God to come into the room of my heart.”
Over the next 10 years, she served on staff at the church in tech and production and was able to watch her son grow up in the faith. “Really, our faith has grown together,” she said.
In 2022, Christina happened to attend a Christmas Eve service at Seacoast Church with her family, while she was still grieving the recent deaths of her best friend and her mother. For the first time in years, she was able to fully concentrate on the service, rather than work behind-the-scenes. As she worshipped, tears streamed down her face, reflecting on all God had done for her and believing he would get her through this difficult time, as he had done before.
Christina didn’t realize that her decision to continue going to Seacoast and to attend the Chosen Women’s Conference in September of 2023 would be a pivotal moment in her faith. She decided to go by herself, since she didn’t know anyone, but she made friends with the women seated around her. What captivated her was the freedom they had during worship. Coming from a traditional church background, she was unfamiliar with the unapologetic outward expression of love for Jesus, watching these women dance and raise their hands in worship. “Seeing Jenna [Pastor Jenna Surratt] jump up and down over baptisms was something I couldn’t express before, but that’s how you should feel—it’s an overwhelming celebration,” Christina said.
After Chosen, Christina offered up her tech and production skills to Sisterhood—although she had tried to ignore the need at first. “It’s selfish to not do what he’s presented to you. We think we know better than God.”
From the tech booth at Sisterhood Mornings and Evenings, she saw how the studies brought hundreds of women together in community and gave them the chance to dig into topics, like mental health and the meanings behind the numerous names of God. “Had I not done that, I would have missed out on lessons I would have never sought out,” Christina said. “I saw so many women devote their evening to listening to the Word and creating community and taking time for themselves. It’s so encouraging.”
When the Sisterhood Retreat was announced, Christina felt the Lord pressing her to register, although she, once again, didn’t know anyone going. “God told me, ‘You know the importance of stepping out in faith, but here you are being reluctant.’”
So, Christina drove four hours, alone, to the retreat, only to walk in her cabin and discover she actually did know her leader—from Sisterhood Evenings. Over the next two days, she made new friends and let herself be vulnerable when Andi Andrew called for anyone in the room struggling with depression to raise her hand. Christina had lived with depression since the age of 12. Sitting on the floor with her knees pulled up to her chest, she half-raised her hand. Soon, women surrounded her and were praying over her. “I felt like I’d known them forever, and I had just met them,” Christina said.
Christina’s faith has gone from barely there to a courageous reliance on God. “It can only be explained as glory...glory of God tearing the veil that was over my eyes and my heart for so long. I was surrounded by people who loved Jesus and the joy they showed was something I wanted more of.”
In addition to the friendships she has made in Sisterhood, Christina now considers her mother- in-law a spiritual mentor. “She’s the first person I turn to with prayer requests, spiritual and life encouragement, and accountability. She’s also had a tremendous impact on my son...he was at her house when he accepted the Lord.”
With Christina’s difficult past, she used to consider hiding parts of her story that could make her seem unworthy, “But, God,” she said. “To be ashamed of my testimony is to be ashamed of God’s grace.”
To register for Sisterhood Mornings or Evenings, visit seacoast.org/mtpwomen.
They began attending regularly, and soon she decided to get baptized. “It wasn’t until I felt the urge to be baptized that I realized me giving my life to the Lord at Joyce Meyer’s conference was a baby step in my faith, and like a door opening for God to come into the room of my heart.”
Over the next 10 years, she served on staff at the church in tech and production and was able to watch her son grow up in the faith. “Really, our faith has grown together,” she said.
In 2022, Christina happened to attend a Christmas Eve service at Seacoast Church with her family, while she was still grieving the recent deaths of her best friend and her mother. For the first time in years, she was able to fully concentrate on the service, rather than work behind-the-scenes. As she worshipped, tears streamed down her face, reflecting on all God had done for her and believing he would get her through this difficult time, as he had done before.
Christina didn’t realize that her decision to continue going to Seacoast and to attend the Chosen Women’s Conference in September of 2023 would be a pivotal moment in her faith. She decided to go by herself, since she didn’t know anyone, but she made friends with the women seated around her. What captivated her was the freedom they had during worship. Coming from a traditional church background, she was unfamiliar with the unapologetic outward expression of love for Jesus, watching these women dance and raise their hands in worship. “Seeing Jenna [Pastor Jenna Surratt] jump up and down over baptisms was something I couldn’t express before, but that’s how you should feel—it’s an overwhelming celebration,” Christina said.
After Chosen, Christina offered up her tech and production skills to Sisterhood—although she had tried to ignore the need at first. “It’s selfish to not do what he’s presented to you. We think we know better than God.”
From the tech booth at Sisterhood Mornings and Evenings, she saw how the studies brought hundreds of women together in community and gave them the chance to dig into topics, like mental health and the meanings behind the numerous names of God. “Had I not done that, I would have missed out on lessons I would have never sought out,” Christina said. “I saw so many women devote their evening to listening to the Word and creating community and taking time for themselves. It’s so encouraging.”
When the Sisterhood Retreat was announced, Christina felt the Lord pressing her to register, although she, once again, didn’t know anyone going. “God told me, ‘You know the importance of stepping out in faith, but here you are being reluctant.’”
So, Christina drove four hours, alone, to the retreat, only to walk in her cabin and discover she actually did know her leader—from Sisterhood Evenings. Over the next two days, she made new friends and let herself be vulnerable when Andi Andrew called for anyone in the room struggling with depression to raise her hand. Christina had lived with depression since the age of 12. Sitting on the floor with her knees pulled up to her chest, she half-raised her hand. Soon, women surrounded her and were praying over her. “I felt like I’d known them forever, and I had just met them,” Christina said.
Christina’s faith has gone from barely there to a courageous reliance on God. “It can only be explained as glory...glory of God tearing the veil that was over my eyes and my heart for so long. I was surrounded by people who loved Jesus and the joy they showed was something I wanted more of.”
In addition to the friendships she has made in Sisterhood, Christina now considers her mother- in-law a spiritual mentor. “She’s the first person I turn to with prayer requests, spiritual and life encouragement, and accountability. She’s also had a tremendous impact on my son...he was at her house when he accepted the Lord.”
With Christina’s difficult past, she used to consider hiding parts of her story that could make her seem unworthy, “But, God,” she said. “To be ashamed of my testimony is to be ashamed of God’s grace.”
To register for Sisterhood Mornings or Evenings, visit seacoast.org/mtpwomen.
