In a nutshell—we’re late bloomers. Late to come to Christ, both of us became Christians as adults. Sue dove in head first, while Tauras continued to test the waters for some time. Yet, despite the difference in our kick offs, after years of ministry, followed by seminary for Sue, followed by a Ph.D. in New Testament (again, for Sue), and more ministry, we both sensed a call to start a Christian community that was all about following Jesus in the nitty-gritty of everyday life. No abstract religion. No theoretical, Sunday-only God. No “church equals building” thinking. The vision: To fill the Chicagoland area and beyond with the Good News of Jesus Christ, as disciples make more disciples, like yeast that a woman took and mixed into sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough (Luke 13: 20-21). The means— God’s Story: Know it. Live it. Share it.—in small cells of four to twelve people committed to God and to each other, willing and able to reach out to their neighbors, friends, and family members with God’s life-giving gift of grace.

How did we get to Huntley, IL? Well, we literally asked God: “Where?” We wanted to know where God was working, so we could join in. The answer caught us by surprise, but we packed our stuff and moved from Lexington, Kentucky to launch River of Grace Christian Community.

It’s been tough. It’s been lonely. We didn’t know a single person when we got here. Our trust in God has been stretched beyond the limit, over and over again. It’s also been exhilarating—something we would never trade for the world. Why? Well, though it sometimes seems like we have nothing, we have the Holy Spirit, who in reality is everything. So, in the words of David Crowder, “we’re marching on.”

Stranger in a strange land
Wandering like a nomad
Nothing 'round here feels anything like home
Thirsty in a desert
Wondering if I'll never
Ever get back to where I belong
But
There's still a promise, there's still a song
There's still a rock where my help comes from
Hope is not lost, hope is not gone
Even in exile
Fire by night, cloud by day
God of all heaven gonna lead my way
No matter how long, still gonna praise
Even in exile
I'm marching on

Got a miracle working Father
Moving mountains, parting waters
Impossible is just what He does
Got my hands up in the battle
Come what may, it don't matter
I know this war is already won,

I will see the goodness of the Lord
Even in Exile

Even in Exile—David Crowder