Our Stories Unleashed

Giving from the heart

"There have been days and weeks when we looked at each other and thought, oh my goodness, how is this going to work? But the Lord was there and He was faithful to help us work through and navigate those waters.” – Karen Gilstrap Tommy and Karen Gilstrap met at University Baptist Church in 1990. Karen was attending seminary, while Tommy was working night shifts. They met one Sunday during Bible study, and within a year they were married. Together they spent the early years of...

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Worship is a balance of both ‘emotion and knowledge’

“Looking back, I can see God's hand leading me as I prayed and grew in my faith. He is challenging me now to understand my role at UBC, ministering to a diverse group of people and creating a balanced worship style.” – Matt Bowen “I have felt a nearness to God since I was a young child. Even when my family did not take me to church, I prayed each night. I had a Godly grandmother whose faithfulness led me to a profession of faith when I was 13 years old. My faith...

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Following Jesus is my Life’s Greatest Adventure

“I feel like my purpose now is to find ways to relate to people. Many people have the kind of doubts and honest skepticism I had before, and I have the honor of just encouraging them to fearlessly seek what is unchanging.” – Kyle Johnson I grew up in a pretty dynamic blended family. I’m the youngest of five. My biological sister and I bounced between houses every Friday to honor our mom and dad’s equal custody arrangement. When we were with my mom we went...

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