Direction & Guidance
Written on July 28, 2018
In 2004 I moved to Atlanta & began attending North Point Community Church. I loved the messages, the worship and the church but never really felt connected. I hadn’t quite found "my people." Then someone suggested that I try NP’s other campus, Buckhead Church. That first Sunday at the “Grocery Store", I knew that this was the place for me. I got involved quickly and found some amazing friends through the Singles Ministry. Everything about Buckhead Church just felt like home.
In 2007 - I attended the 1st Sunday service in Buckhead’s brand new building. It was the 1st and ONLY time I sat in the balcony. Ever since then I’ve been a diehard Front Row Girl.
In 2013 - I went on my 7th mission trip - but my first to Brie-Comte-Robert, France for a kids camp at Eglise de la Brie. My life would never be the same. The people in this community instantly stole my heart. I got the feeling of “this is home” the same way I felt that first Sunday at Buckhead Church many years before. Since then, I returned to Eglise de la Brie every summer for the same kids camp from 2013 - 2019. A total of 7 times. The families and children of that community became my 2nd home.
I knew in my teen years that God was calling me to work in full time ministry as an adult but I had no idea what that looked like. Still, I spent years pursuing other career paths because growing up in a Southern Baptist church, the only picture I had of being a female and "working in ministry” basically meant being a preacher's wife or moving to Africa. Not that I am opposed to either of those but I just felt like I had a different calling. Honestly, God had placed this undeniable desire in my heart to work at Buckhead Church. But I felt silly when I said it out loud to anyone.
Fast forward to now, I’ve been working at Buckhead Church since July 2015. (And the journey of me ending up here is incredible too.) I constantly have moments of "THIS IS MY REAL JOB!!" I love the work I do everyday, my boss is amazing, my entire team is phenomenal, I’m surrounded by people that genuinely care about my life and I get to serve people in so many different facets. Oh, and Andy Stanley enjoys checking in on me from time to time as well.. #LivingMyBestLife
All of my tattoos have a story - some are a little more personal and special than others. Singular arrow tattoos represent movement and direction. My right arm has the coordinates of Buckhead Church. My left arm has the coordinates of Eglise de la Brie. I am a better version of myself due to the experiences, guidance, love and support that I have received from both of these places over the years. To make it even more special, the artwork is a custom design by Capucine Pillon. She attends Eglise de la Brie, has been involved with the kids camp since the 1st year and her entire family is so special to me. Capucine is currently in Art School in Paris. Now, I get to show off her original art every day.
So while you might look at me and think “WOW, bold move LeAnn. What happens if you change jobs or they move locations?” It’s about so much more than that. It’s about the life change that happened to me in those places.
If it all ended tomorrow - I wouldn't regret a thing. These are reminders of not only places but people. People whose lives have changed mine. People who have given of themselves and made a difference. People who have followed God's Greatest Commandment:
Love God. Love People.
No matter where your journey takes you, I hope that you have people in your life that do the same for you. If not, let me know. I've got friends on 2 continents & I can "point" you in the right direction.