This week, we are delighted to have Sarah Kroger, a talented singer/songwriter and worship leader from Nashville, Tennessee. Sarah shares the early days of her creative exploration while facing bullying, and how when she attended a transformative youth conference, she realized that faith could be something that was alive in your life, not just a box to be checked off on Sundays.

Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Clare McCallan, an accomplished author and creative director of St. Joseph's Home for Artisans in Boston. Clare shares her experience of taking a leap of faith, banding together with the local artist community, and restoring an old convent to become a vibrant place that nurtures and cultivates young artists.

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview: David & Tamela Mann

Upcoming interview: Dr. Alan Weissenbacher

Not That Fancy

Sarah Kroger

Simon & Garfunkel

“No Filter”

www.sarahkroger.com

A New Reality

Clare McCallan

St. Joseph's Home for Artisans

This Is The Day

The Renaissance Room

St. Leonards

Courage to Create

Interview Quotes:

“I refused to sing in front of my family for years. I just kind of locked away this gift and threw away the key and was like, I will never, ever sing in front of anybody. It'll just be something that I do for myself.” - Sarah Kroger 

“I felt like God was lovingly tapping me on the shoulder and just saying, ‘Sarah, I gave you this gift not just for yourself. I gave you this for my kingdom. I gave you this gift for my glory. And by you hiding it, it's not doing anyone any favors. So will you step out in faith? Will you say yes to me?’” - Sarah Kroger

“In a lot of ways, it's like being being able to create spaces where people feel safe enough to come to God just as they are, and feel safe enough to bring their questions and whatever they're walking through into a worship set, into a session that we're having, into whatever it is that we're doing, to be able to foster that kind of environment through music.” - Sarah Kroger  

“If we can't be brutally honest with God, then who can we be honest with?” - Sarah Kroger 

“We are never alone. He says, ‘I am with you always.’ That's a promise of God, even in the midst of the darkness.” - Sarah Kroger 

“My life has been much happier ever since I've decided to just go all in on the way God made me and just live in pure creativity, both in my personal life and in my professional life.” - Clare McCallan 

“Everybody wants the product, nobody wants the process. We serve a God born in a manger. Humble beginnings are not a bad thing.” - Clare McCallan 

“God has equipped you with a unique set of gifts and a power for prolific love to create things that will change your world, the world around you, and the world as a whole. And your gifts as a craftsman, your ability to create, has the power to save souls around you. Your witness matters. Your gifts—even if you aren't aware of them—matter, and the world needs what only you can create.” - Clare McCallan

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