Every year, Woven highlights a ministry that we want to come alongside, encourage, and support in whatever way possible. That’s why we’ve chosen to spotlight Sparrow Collective based in Lewisville, Texas. Today I get to sit down with their founder and CEO, Rachel Joy. She shares some pretty incredible stories, some timeworn nuggets of wisdom, as well as her own journey of God birthing this multifaceted ministry. She opens up about God chasing her when her walls were up, healing some deep wounds, and calling her to step out in great faith. Today we start the conversation with Rachel giving us an overview of who Sparrow is and what they do.

Social media handle: @rachelrjoy, @sparrowcollective

Website: sparrowandco.com

Show Notes/Quotes:

“I’d been a believer for quite some time but I mean the Lord, He was after me, and he stared down and broke down all these walls that I had put up.”

“Truth, freedom, identity, purpose. Truth, freedom, identity, purpose.”

“Comparison is a real thing. Competition is a real thing. We think that our Christianity needs to look like everyone around us, and we don’t actually ask the Lord, ‘Who have you created me to be? And what have you created me to do?’”

“Instead of competing with you and comparing myself to you, I get to celebrate you.”

“I think if you go to the scriptures you’ll see that there are a lot of leaders that are not ideal in the mind’s eye, yet God uses the least of these.”

“A leader is someone who listens to the Lord and steps out in faith and they don’t necessarily have the full picture but they trust the God who does. That’s who a leader is.”

“A leader is not the loudest person in the room. A leader is actually one who listens first.”

“My allegiance has to be to King Jesus. Period, end of story…what sits on the throne of your heart?”

“A leader always prays and leads with prayer.”

“Sometimes leaders can build little kingdoms, instead of building THE kingdom. Two very different things.”

“Not every opportunity is obedience.”

“Am I about results, or am I about God being glorified? Those are two very different things.”

“God uses the lowest points to show you who He is and then you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it’s Him that’s doing the work and it’s not you.”

“I feel very much caught up in something that is totally the mark of the Lord and has very little to do with me.”

“Stepping out in faith, you do look a little crazy, and that’s ok.”

“Be curious. Be curious…no sphere of influence is too small, too big, God has placed you exactly where He wants you. Be curious about what He’s doing, and join Him in what He’s doing.”

Verses:

1 Corinthians 13:12