1501 Rivermont Avenue Lynchburg, VA

Today was a gift.

On this humbling journey, church number 144 led us to City Church Seven Hills, and from the moment we walked through the doors, I felt something rare and holy unfolding.

Smiles met us before words did. Hugs came easily. Conversations felt thoughtful, unhurried, and sincere. There was only an invitation to be present.

City Church Seven Hills holds a conviction that deeply spoke to my heart…

Doctrine matters. Spiritual experience matters. And we were never meant to choose between the two.

They name a tension many of us have felt but couldn’t quite articulate…
Solid doctrine without lived encounter becomes empty language.
Spiritual experience without truth becomes emotional noise.

We need both.
And here, they pursue both.

They believe Scripture is God-breathed, not simply ancient text, but living words spoken to us. Words meant to shape not only what we think, but how we live, love, and surrender.

Sunday mornings here are not performances or lectures. They are a gathering, a sharing of what God is doing, a pursuit of His presence, and a proclamation of the Word God is speaking now.

When I asked members what makes this church special, the answers came quickly and consistently,
the people, the love, the preaching, the participation.

This is a church where gifts are noticed. Where talents are nurtured. Where people are not spectators but contributors to the work of God.

Pastor Lonnie embodies this beautifully, serving with a generous heart through worship, drums, singing, youth leadership, mentoring, and presence. Watching him serve is like watching love take form. It’s inspiring. It’s sincere. And it’s deeply Christ-centered!

What moved me most today was the authenticity. The rawness. The vulnerability.

This service met me exactly where I am, tender, processing, holding things I don’t yet have language for. I found myself holding back tears throughout worship, not because I was overwhelmed, but because I could feel the Holy Spirit moving.

The worship team was phenomenal, surrendered in spirit.

And then came the sermon.

Amanda opened Romans 8, and I knew immediately this message was for me.

She spoke about belief, what we believe matters. Not just intellectually, but personally.

What we believe about God shapes how we live.

And what we believe about ourselves determines whether we walk in freedom or remain bound by shame. My word for 2026 is unbound, and this was timely.

She reminded us of the most liberating truth of Romans 8, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

No condemnation.
None.

Conviction draws us toward God.
Condemnation pushes us away.

And how often have I confused the two?

Amanda spoke to the lie that many of us live under,

“I messed up, so now I have to do extra to make it right.”
But grace doesn’t work that way…
Jesus already did what we could never do.

Romans 8:1–14 unfolds this truth so powerfully,

We are set free from the law of sin and death.
God did what the law could not do by sending His Son.
The Spirit now lives in us, giving life and peace.
We are no longer slaves to fear or flesh.
We belong to God.

And as I listened, something softened in me.

I realized how often I still live like I’m trying to earn what has already been given.

How easy it is to forget that I am covered by the blood of Jesus, not tolerated, not on probation, but fully loved.

This message didn’t excuse sin. It didn’t minimize repentance. It clarified identity.

We don’t obey to become loved.
We obey because we are loved.

And that changes everything.

Today reminded me that faith is not about striving harder, it’s about surrendering deeper. About believing God’s Word over my emotions. About trusting that the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is at work in me, even in seasons that feel so, so, so heavy.

I could absolutely see City Church Seven Hills as my church home.

I thank God for leading me here today.

Today. For such a time as this.

I leave humbled.
And deeply grateful.

And I can’t wait to see where the Holy Spirit leads next.

Because if this journey has taught me anything, it’s this,
God knows exactly where to meet us and He never misses!

Love you all so much,

Annie