Three Years of VOUSCon & A Place I Call Home
Three years of VOUSCon, three different experiences, and one church I’m grateful to call home.
My first year attending VOUSCon, I spent the conference serving on the Environments team. There’s something special about experiencing a gathering from behind the scenes: helping create the atmosphere, serving people you may never meet, and getting to play a small role in something much bigger than yourself.
The last two years, I’ve gotten to experience VOUSCon alongside my friends worshiping, laughing, connecting and simply enjoying being together.
That’s what I love about VOUS.
Yes, VOUSCon is an annual gathering in Miami filled with worship, teaching, creativity and community, but for me, it represents something even more personal. VOUS is my church home. It’s a community where I’ve been able to serve, grow, bring my friends and continue developing my own relationship with God.
More than anything, I’m grateful to be part of a church that feels like Jesus.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible actually comes right after probably the most famous verse of all time, John 3:16.
John 3:17 says:
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” — John 3:17 NIV
That verse has always spoken to me because it reminds me of the heart of God: love before condemnation, grace before judgment, and an invitation to come closer.
And I think church should feel like that too.
If You've Been Thinking About Coming...
Consider this your invitation.
Not just to VOUSCon.
To church.
If you're ever in Miami and feel called to visit VOUS, I hope you do.
Come exactly as you are.
You don't have to understand everything. You don't have to know the songs. You don't have to know anyone. You don't have to clean your life up first.
Walk in. Sit down. Experience it for yourself.
Maybe you leave with a new perspective. Maybe you meet someone who becomes family. Maybe you're reminded of something you've forgotten. Maybe nothing dramatic happens at all, but a seed gets planted.
You never know what one invitation, one Sunday, one conversation or one encounter can become.
Three VOUSCons later, I'm grateful that this community continues to be part of my story.
And if there's only one thing you remember after reading mine, let it be this:
You are loved.
Not when you accomplish more.
Not when you get everything together.
Not when you become a different version of yourself.
Right now.
Jesus loves you.
See you at VOUS. 🤍