Hey there! On this episode of Transforming the Church, Dr. Derwin Gray and featuring guest Kyla Gillespie explore the profound themes of identity, grace, and transformation. The discussion begins with a reminder that time should be invested wisely, particularly in spiritual growth. Both pastors emphasize their hopes for listeners to deepen their love for Jesus, embrace His love, and share that love with the world. The focus then shifts to Kyla's powerful personal journey, beginning with her childhood in a Christian home and the complexities of grappling with her sexual identity. Kyla recounts her struggles with same-sex attraction, the impact of her parents' divorce, and feelings of shame and guilt stemming from her inability to reconcile her faith with her experiences. As she navigated through life's challenges, including abuse of alcohol and the search for acceptance within LGBTQ communities, she ultimately faced a significant turning point. Through her engagement with faith communities and key mentors, Kyla found herself drawn back to her identity in Christ, leading to her decision to detransition. Her story underscores the transformative power of God's love, the importance of empathy, and the need for open, honest conversations about faith and identity. Pastor Derwin concludes with encouragement for listeners, highlighting that true transformation occurs in the church, which has the potential to impact the world profoundly.

In this episode, you will be able to:
Be encouraged to invest your time in activities that foster spiritual growth.
Understand the importance of community and the role of the church in transformation. The church's role is to support and nurture individuals through their spiritual journeys. 
Dive deep into the transformative power of God's love that leads to repentance and transformation, inviting individuals to turn to Him and experience His grace. 

FEATURED QUOTES:

"Time is like currency, and you want to spend it in places where your investment gets a return." -Dr. Derwin L. Gray

"Hey, mom and dad, Husband, wife, how you love each other and serve each other is the most important gospel witness you're going to give to your kids." - Dr. Derwin L. Gray

"The way you feel about yourself is the way you treat yourself." - Dr. Derwin L. Gray

"It is the kindness of God that leads to repentance." (Referencing Romans 2:4) - Dr. Derwin L. Gray

PODCAST RESOURCES

• More from Derwin: www.derwinlgray.com and www.transformationchurch.tc/podcast

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

• Subscribe on Spotify

• Subscribe on YouTube

• Subscribe on Amazon Music

• The ChurchLeaders Podcast Network

CONNECT WITH DERWIN

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/derwinlgray

• Instagram: @derwinlgray

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