I came to faith in Christ in the 7th grade. After my parents got divorced I went with my dad and brother to go and see a power team show the next town over and that did it. At the moment, I would say Jesus is at work in most things I am doing, be it school or as an active participant at liberti - the first church where I felt involved in ministry. As a member in liberti I hope to be even more active, particularly in regards to hospitality and justice ministries.

DIANA MCLEAN

I did not grow up in the church, and at a young age of 12 was already convinced that any God that existed was unloving or uninterested in me. When I was a freshman in high school, an older girl befriended me and started meeting with me to talk about the bible. I gradually came to know the Lord, and fully received the Gospel that summer at a Young Life camp. This year I've been blessed to see my father, and my roommate both come to Christ. I hope to grow in community at liberti, and share the love of Christ with my friends and neighbors in center city and south Philadelphia.

KATY MATICH

I came to understand my desperate need for Christ at the age of thirteen; and since then, I have invited Jesus to continually redefine my identity and perspective to His perfect design and intention. Today, God has challenged me to outwardly live the covenant I made to Him by committing to love and serve my community, my neighbors and my brothers and sisters in Christ through liberti church.

JEN BACIU

Growing up Roman Catholic gave me insight to who Jesus is and why we are forever grateful for him. However, for a long time I felt something missing in my church community and found myself pondering many unanswered questions. It wasn't until college that I really came to know Christ and establish a greater personal relationship with Him. I recently moved to Philadelphia to start my nursing career and stumbled upon liberti for the first time this past Easter. I was amazed at the hospitality and acceptance from the church community. After hearing Jared's sermons and experiencing what liberti does in the city, I am excited to call liberti my home. I am looking forward to growing in knowledge and grace of Jesus with such wonderful people of whom I already consider good friends.

JENN CATTI

Growing up in a Christian home, most conversations were about faith, love and salvation - that Christ died for us. While I knew all that Christ did for me, it wasn't until I was 12 that I fully accepted him as my Savior. Through the years, I have attended church and have been involved in bible studies, with the desire to walk stronger in my faith. In January of this year, God opened the door for me to move to Philadelphia, alone with a new job, no family and very cold weather. This time period has been a faith tester. It has been during this time that I have had to learn to lean on God and trust Him in all areas of my life. I am excited to become a part of a new family in Christ at liberti. I am looking forward to building relationships as well as growing in my faith.

PAUL ASH

Although I was raised in the church, never missing a Sunday as far back as I can remember, it really did not hit me that Gospel message is true. Not until my high school years when a young seminary student started a weekly dance with a spinoff prayer meeting at a local church. Later the prayer meetings were lead by different Westminster seminary students and I was introduced to the richness of reformed faith. Jesus became real to me as I was exposed to the continuity of the Bible and I knew there was no escaping His love and mercy. I have been adopted into the Creator's family! I still tend to walk through most of the day like an orphan, as if I have no Heavenly Father, but He is working on me. And He brought me to liberti church, for which I am grateful. My heart is for the city and I strongly believe we are to speak into the arts and culture while we serve the community. I see this happening at liberti and I hope to grow in His service as I grow in grace, trusting Jesus more each day.

MARIA MENESES

Growing up in a Catholic household gave me the chance to learn about God from a very early age, however I saw religion being more of a tradition than a way of life. My perspective on "religion" changed when my brother invited me to go on a Missions trip with his Christian church the Summer of '06. That experience changed my life in ways I never imagined and since then I can say I am a faithful follower. Since becoming a Christian I have been able to figure out who I am and what I'm living for. I stumbled upon liberti in April this year, several months after moving into the city and I am very excited to see and be part of what God has in store for this church and Philly.