“I’ve been going to The Journey for six years now and serving at Hockessin from the beginning. The start of a second location was just the thing I needed, I was very interested in being a part of something brand new and helping it grow. I have kidney disease and recently started dialysis. Eryn Smith wanted to help me in some way and created a Facebook post about me and my situation. Well, very unexpectedly a kidney became available and I received my transplant on October 15th. I truly believe without God and my Journey family this would not have come as quickly as it did. Very humbling and I am grateful to so many.”

From 16-23, I battled addiction, low self-esteem, and toxic relationships. In 2011, I crashed my car while driving under the influence, killing my friend. Shame consumed me until I was jailed in 2012, where God revealed my struggle was spiritual. After my 2013 release, I stayed sober, met my wife, and had a child. In 2022, feeling lost, I joined Journey Church, built a relationship with Jesus, and discovered my worth in Him. In 2023, I was baptized, igniting a new passion for Christ. Now, I’m surrounded by men of faith, sharing this journey with my daughter, and living with purpose.

– J.S

“I was raised in a Christian household, and my parents are both Christians. They raised me as a Christian, so I attended church every weekend with them. I didn’t know, however, what it meant to be a follower of Jesus. I started attending Journey Students in December of 2022. Almost one year later, I can confidently say that I am a follower of Jesus, and He transformed me into a better person. The community at the Journey helped put me on the path to learn more about Jesus and who He was. Every Tuesday, I continue to go back to Journey Students because of the people that I’ve met that have helped me grow, and because of what I feel each time I walk through the doors as I head into J-Groups or Converge.”

– Silas M.

“In sixth grade, I attended my first Converge event, where I instantly felt connected through friendships and experiences. I kept coming back, and by 2021, I joined the summer internship program, which allowed me to dive deeper into Journey Kids and plan events like Rise. That summer, I met incredible people who impacted my walk with God, like Harper Laws and Ilanis Dutes. Even those who aren’t at Journey anymore played pivotal roles in shaping my faith.

Now, as a college freshman, I continue to lead middle school small groups, driven by the same passion I had when I started serving. My first experience leading at Rise was unforgettable, reminding me that when we serve the Lord with genuine intentions, His favor shines on us in ways we can’t imagine.”

– Aiden S.

“J-Groups have changed my life. My prayer life and faith walk have grown exponentially. Group members have poured in, prayed for, and encouraged me both as a member and as a leader. J-Groups offers me the space to further strengthen my relationship with God and to better understand God’s will for my life. I have learned that although I am far from perfect and God is still pruning and developing me, I still can be used to help to bring someone else closer to God. J-Groups provides that space to connect with others who genuinely want the best for you.”

– Regina S.

“The Journey also taught me the importance of community and friendships. I’ve made more friends here than anywhere else in my life. Every time I step foot into The Journey, I feel welcomed and included. It’s where I met my amazing girlfriend, and I’ve even had the opportunity to lead a young adults J-Group, which sparked even more meaningful friendships. The Journey is my home, and I truly believe I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it.”

– Austin R.