Our Guest: Vanessa McRae
Vanessa McRae, Senior Pastor of Sojourn Church in Carrollton, Texas, grew up in New Hampshire. She attended Christ for the Nations Institute, where she was trained in ministry and developed a passion for serving others and sharing the gospel. During this time she met her husband, Chris, who had moved to Dallas from Arkansas. They were married in 1998 in the prayer room at Sojourn Church.
While in Dallas, Vanessa began serving at Sojourn Church alongside Chris in various areas of ministry. Together, they served in children’s ministry, youth ministry, and family ministry, building a foundation of faithful service to the church and its people. Vanessa has continued to serve in a variety of capacities, eventually stepping into her current role as senior pastor alongside Chris. She also serves in a director of operations capacity, providing leadership and support for the day-to-day operations of the church and helping oversee the many details that allow Sojourn Church to serve its congregation and community.
Vanessa remains passionate about the local church, caring for people, and helping others encounter the presence of God and grow in their faith. She has a particular passion for missions and has a deep love for serving people around the world, especially children. Her experiences on the mission field have strengthened her desire to see people experience the love of Christ and to encourage others to live with a heart for those beyond their own communities.
She and Chris have four children. Outside of ministry, Vanessa enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, and making memories with her grandson. She is passionate about serving others, supporting her family and church community, and helping create a place where people feel welcomed, cared for, and connected to the family of God.
Key Thoughts and Scriptures:
- Sometimes faith is more than believing God can change our circumstances.
- It’s trusting that He is good, faithful, and worthy of our trust—even when things don’t turn out as we hoped.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
- Habakkuk wasn’t denying the painful reality around him. He was deciding where he would place his trust in the midst of it.
- That doesn’t mean we stop praying for breakthroughs.
- It simply means that God is trustworthy even when the outcome is uncertain. He sees what you cannot.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Malachi 3:6 NIV I the Lord do not change…
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you…
- Vanessa knows that following Jesus doesn’t exempt us from trials.
- And trusting God doesn’t always mean knowing how those trials will turn out.
- God places us where He wants us to be.
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
- God’s plans are not always our plans.
- Vanessa and Chris’ response to ministry was: “What an honor this is.”
Vanessa and her husband learned to be humble, submitted, and teachable.
- “And our platform was a broom and a mop and gloves and serving in the children’s ministry.”
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- When they submitted their relationship with her husband’s family to the Lord’s will, God restored and strengthened their relationship.
- “Lord, let this be a testimony that can be turned around for good that they can use to help somebody else later down the road.”
- If God speaks to you, He will be the One to change the hearts of others.
- When Vanessa’s husband was shot, God gave her peace.
- God takes care of, provides, and sustains. He gives you the strength for that day and for the next day.
- God got them through one day at a time in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Philippians 4:7 NKJV And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
- Lord, is this you?
- Don’t let it steal your joy.
Proverbs 22:6 NKJV Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
- As difficult as hard seasons can be, they can teach us valuable lessons and equip us to better help others when they face similar challenges.
- God’s faithfulness will turn it around as we trust and obey Him.
Acts 6-8 NIV Stephen’s story
- What looked horrible turned out for our good because it scattered the Christians and the whole world ended up hearing about the Lord.
- Ruth could have chosen to be a victim.
- But she chose to be humble, submitted, and teachable.
Again and again God has proved Himself faithful, not by keeping every difficult thing away, but by sustaining Vanessa and her family through them.
Romans 8:28 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Hebrews 6:18 NIV …It is impossible for God to lie…
John 17:17 NIV …Your word is truth.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- Vanessa has learned that God can be trusted in uncertain times.
- Even when you can’t see what God is doing or how things will turn out, you can trust the One who holds you.
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