SARAH  DAWN

“Where did dad go? Can you see him?” “I don’t know. I don’t want to stand up to look for him, I might get shot.” “Yeah, don’t stand up. It’s too dangerous.” “Maybe we could crawl somewhere and find a place to pee.” “But dad told us not to move. If he comes back and we’re not here, he’s going to beat us.” “I REALLY have to go.” “Ryan crawled around the bush to pee.” “He’s a boy though, it’s easier for him.” “Maybe we just pee here?” “I don’t want to pull down my pants in front

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 “For we walk by faith, not by sight:” 2 Corinthians 5:7 If you know anything about faith, it is firmly believing something with no evidence. The whole point of being a “believer” is to believe. Believers are conditioned and taught to shut down logical reasoning. When something doesn’t make sense they are told “…[His] ways are higher than your ways and [His] thoughts are higher tha

He was cute and said the right things, but I wasn't letting my guard down for a minute. Talk was cheap. He was going to have to show me...

"What is wrong with me? I remember walking around my neighborhood asking that question over and over while I cried. I was 17, and had...

I strongly encourage anyone who is not a person of color to explore black and brown posts on social media. You will learn so much! That...

Nearly seven years ago, I stopped going to church and I don't think I'll ever go back. I wasn't offended. No one hurt me. There was nothing wrong with the ministry. I didn't hate God. And I absolutely didn't leave so I could live in sin without guilt. Up to my separation from church, there was never a time in my adult life I was not serving in church on top of a full-time job or full-time course load. My body and soul had been telling me for years that I was not okay, that I

7 years ago, I was a youth pastor and a minister at my church. I worked in ministry full-time. Today, many of the people I've led in...

In October of 2020, I traveled "home" for the funeral of one of my kids. In California, I am known for leadership and professional development, but in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) I am known for working in ministry and being a Youth Pastor. I am glad I was able to travel back to Maryland and to be with my church-family during such a difficult time. Seeing the people I love, and the place where I poured out so much of my life in service of others was bittersweet. Being six

I was 21 years old. I worked in the church office full-time and worked four nights a week as a waitress at a local restaurant. I grew up...

I've been thinking about what I was taught to believe about sex, gender roles, and relationships. I've also been thinking about my own...