My name’s Julie and I’m a 2nd year Christ in the City missionary from Wisconsin.
What brought you to Christ in the City?
The Holy Spirit. I attended Seek 2019. While there, I was walking around the booths and discovered Christ in the City. I was surprised to see that there was a ministry dedicated to loving the homeless and sharing Christ’s love with them. Other organizations I had seen related to helping the homeless with their physical needs, but not their spiritual needs. I immediately felt a strong desire to serve with this mission, although I didn’t know when the time would be right. During my first year of teaching, the Holy Spirit re-ignited my desire to serve the homeless. The more I learned about Christ in the City, the stronger my desire to serve grew. In seriously pursuing this mission, God opened all of the right doors for me. He faithfully revealed to me that this was the place where He was calling me to serve next. How could I refuse Him anything He asks of me?
What are you looking forward to?
I am looking forward to learning other people’s stories. Homeless friends I encounter on the street, missionaries I serve with, volunteers I get to know. I am also looking forward to the intentional community at Christ in the City. I find great beauty in getting to serve and live with a particular group of people. I am excited for the surprises that God will gift me with. In the unexpected and unknown, there is great need to rely on Christ and His grace.
Sitting in the chapel one day, I gazed upon a statue of Jesus crucified. His crucifixion was so simple, yet so very beautiful. It was the greatest act of love. He did not take any material goods with him to the cross. Since that moment in prayer, I have had an increased desire for simplicity. Specifically, simplicity for the sake of intimacy with Christ. I am looking forward to the call to live out radical simplicity at Christ in the City, and the closeness to Jesus that that will bring.
A bit about me
I am currently finishing my first year as a 4th grade teacher. I love helping my students make new discoveries, and growing alongside them. Coming from Milwaukee, WI, I am a great lover of many mid-western things, such as cheese, endless views of Lake Michigan, and Friday night fish fries. I love soaking up the sun while hammocking, hiking, biking, camping, or reading. At the end of the day, I can be found scouting out a prime spot to watch the sunset. I think there is great joy to be found in simple things – whether that be watching falling snow, coffee with a friend, or stargazing in the middle of nowhere. I adore the Holy Family; they have taught me so much about how to live simply, embrace my own poverty, and how to serve well.
