Julia Cogan, wife of Pastor Marc and mother of four, shares the story of how she came to faith at age 11. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico by devoted Christian parents, Julia grew up immersed in the gospel — through her parents' teaching, their example, and a steady soundtrack of early 2000s Christian rock (think Zoe Girl).
The turning point came when her parents announced they felt called to homeschool her, just as she was excitedly anticipating middle school. Julia was furious — at her parents, and at God — and wrestled with whether she really wanted Him involved in the details of her life.
But that summer, alone in her room listening to the very Christian music her dad had poured into her life, the lyrics hit differently. Convicted by the Holy Spirit, she surrendered control and gave her life to the Lord.
Years later, in her 20s, Julia revisited her faith to make sure it was truly her own — tracing the fruit of the Spirit through her childhood desire to honor her parents, love her sisters, and pursue community with other believers. She concluded that the roots went all the way back to that pivotal summer at age 11.