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Anh Jorgensen and her husband Jens first came to Lord of Life, she was hoping to find a church community for their son. She really liked the music, especially the jazz music, and the overall welcoming feeling that Lord of Life offered. They had intended to visit other churches, but they immediately felt that Lord of Life was everything they were looking for. Anh appreciates the friendliness of the congregation, and the close feeling of community within it. She enjoys being a part of a group where “everybody knows each other.”
Anh learned generosity from several people throughout her life. Anh grew up in Vietnam. While working at a school for street children there, one orphan girl tried to protect Anh with everything the child had. That child, who had almost nothing, taught Anh true generosity.
Buddhism is the most common religion in Vietnam, but Anh grew up in a family that did not practice any organized religion. She says her family believed in “family values,” so when Anh met her husband, she knew nothing about religion of any kind. It was her husband’s parents who were so welcoming, caring, generous, and accepting that she felt that she had shared values with them, and decided to learn about Christianity. It was their love and acceptance that made Anh want to find that type of community for her son.
Anh supports Lord of Life financially because she believes the church will put her money to good use, helping people.
Anh enjoys a ladies’ study group at Lord of Life called Women of the Word. She learned about the organization when she saw a flyer in the fellowship hall, and was intrigued by the name of the group. When she visited the group, she discovered that it is organized differently than any previous study group Anh had participated in. The group was started at Lord of Life about a year ago without a clear concept of what it would be. The initial idea was to connect women, have them check in with each other, study scripture together, and to pray for one another. For study material, participants recommended books they had read. Other members suggested topics that could be discussed, such as “Personal Health,” “Angels,” “Creation,” “How to let God fight for us,” “How to be bold,” and “How to ask a question.” They look for references to these discussion topics in the Bible, and also in the books they read. They have interesting discussions! Sometimes the discussion spills over into the following week! Anh says the group fosters bonding between members, and fosters individual leadership as they take turns suggesting topics and leading discussions. Anh believes that the group is so meaningful because they do not have a strict timeline for these topics – they allow the space and time to let the Holy Spirit guide them through each topic. They share with each other tears, laughter, experiences, and knowledge.
Anh says that Lord of Life is a wonderful place to recharge our spirits and then be sent out into the world. Through discussions, Bible studies, sermons, and other connections at Lord of Life, she says we gain awareness of our own identities as children in Christ. This identity is very important to Anh. She said:
“That identity helps me know that I am enough. It helps me know that the work that God wants me to do has already been created in advance. The opportunity is there, and it’s up to me to step up and take on my role. With that identity, and with knowing that I have Him walking by my side, it helps me gain the courage I need.”
Anh hopes that in the future, there will be more activities that provide opportunities for people to deepen their Christian friendships. She hopes that Lord of Life can give the younger generation the skill to filter all the information that they are now flooded with, and allow them to be guided by God’s Word and the Spirit.
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