Portraits of Grace: Brendon (1 of 2)
Portraits of Grace is a snapshot into the lives of the people at King's Cross Church. As "kingdom minded, kingdom people," we recognize God's work in every detail of our lives. We invite you to meet the people of our church.
When I first moved to Flushing, part of me was thinking pretty selfishly. Coming out from freedom in college to live under another set of rules was hard, and I didn’t want to take care of obligations that I didn’t want to do. It was all about me. But through moving out (and growing up!), God has definitely pressed upon me how important family is. My parents supported me throughout the entire process, constantly check up on me, are there for me in any situation…I always used to take for granted how they raised me and always thought of me first, but I have such deep appreciation for them now. When I hurt my back and couldn’t move for days, my mom would say, “Just come home! I’ll take care of you!” I just didn’t realize how much love there was. (1/2)
Portraits of Grace: Tiffany
Portraits of Grace is a snapshot into the lives of the people at King's Cross Church. As "kingdom minded, kingdom people," we recognize God's work in every detail of our lives. We invite you to meet the people of our church.
In my relationship with Ifte, he confronts me when I’m doing wrong or being double minded. Even though this process has been really hard and painful, it’s helped me to see myself so that I can repent, change, and live my life in a way that’s more in line with how God wants me to live. If it weren’t for this relationship, I’m not sure I’d really understand what it means to accept your own sinfulness. To accept the mistakes that you’ve made, but at the same time not to despair from that… and instead trust in God’s faithfulness to help me change. I’ve also experienced how Christ loves me through the way that Ifte loves me in our relationship. Even though Ifte sees the worst parts of me and he gets hurt directly by me- he’s still here and he still loves me. Not that he’s just going to accept everything that I do wrong, but he’s going to help me to grow and change. I think that’s what Christ’s love is like. I don’t think I would have gotten a full picture of that if he hadn’t come into my life.
Portraits of Grace: Stephen
Portraits of Grace is a snapshot into the lives of the people at King's Cross Church. As "kingdom minded, kingdom people," we recognize God's work in every detail of our lives. We invite you to meet the people of our church.
Fourteen years ago, I left a fairly stable (albeit uninspiring) job in fashion retailing and decided to pursue my passion for design. It was completely nerve wracking as I had to start from the beginning – going back to school, having no experience, and spending my savings to make ends meet. I loved it and still love the creative process of turning an idea into a tangible and relatable product. However, I learned over the years that working in this industry, especially in NY, there are constant pressures to push yourself to the upper limits of your creative and physical capabilities. I’ve lost count of how many late nights I pulled at the office, how many weekends I’ve used to work on projects, how many emails and texts I’ve answered after work hours, and how many weeks I spent overseas away from my family. Despite my best intentions of working hard for the sake of my family’s future, these sacrifices took a toll on my spiritual health, my marriage and time spent with my sons. It was difficult for me to admit that work had become my idol. It took a series of unfortunate events with jobs coming and going for me to realize that I’ve lost sight of what’s most important. I’m thankful that by grace, God did not, and still does not, abandon me despite my disobedience and sinfulness. Yes, God has blessed me during my career, but that’s not all I am. I’m a husband, a father and, first and foremost, a son of God and a follower of Christ. Living out my life for God’s glory is what ultimately sustains me.
Portraits of Grace: Jennifer
Portraits of Grace is a snapshot into the lives of the people at King's Cross Church. As "kingdom minded, kingdom people," we recognize God's work in every detail of our lives. We invite you to meet the people of our church.
My struggle with anxiety has been a lifelong battle, and this pregnancy has forced me to face it head-on. I’ve encountered quite a few health scares and woes over these past nine months. At first, it was terrifying to realize that I had zero control over the situation. All I could do was give it up to God. After that, every challenge became a lesson of surrender and trust. It was a huge turning point. It’s kind of funny how such an incredibly nerve-wracking season has actually led me to discover an abundance of peace and joy. Anxiety certainly has its chemical and genetic roots in my life. But I’ve realized that while it is in my DNA, it is not my identity. Preparing for motherhood has taught me what it means to be a child of God and to continue to place my faith in Him. Chris and I hope to raise our child in a home and community that constantly looks to the Cross as our source of strength, purpose, and promise.
Portraits of Grace: Jane (2 of 2)
Portraits of Grace is a snapshot into the lives of the people at King's Cross Church. As "kingdom minded, kingdom people," we recognize God's work in every detail of our lives. We invite you to meet the people of our church.
My father and I were close when I was young, but we hit a rough patch in college. We couldn’t see eye to eye- probably because we are very similar in personality. We went for a long period without talking which was a very painful time in my life. A few years after college I became a Christian, and my father had also become more religious later in his life. Yet on his deathbed he didn’t feel reconciled to God. He didn’t feel forgiven for a lot of burdens and sins- heavy, heavy sins that I couldn’t even express to some close family and friends. When he was dying in the hospital he kept asking for a nun or priest to come to his room so that he could be cleared. He asked so many times that the priest said “You don’t have to ask again. Why do you keep asking for us? You’ve been forgiven in Christ.” So to see my father come to faith in Jesus was the greatest blessing. I wish that we had more time together, but I’ve accepted that’s the way God chose to take him- and the fact that they’re together is more than I can ask for. (2/2)