November 10, 2025 • 28 mins
A small-town parade and a kids’ choir on a float changed everything. That’s the unlikely doorway where Gelsie’s story turns—from church hurt and distance to a clear encounter with the gospel, repentance, and a next-day baptism. From there, her life took on a new rhythm: serve where God is moving and watch him work up close.
We walk through the layers of that calling. Gelsie shares how children’s ministry taught her to see with tenderness, how student ministry forged deep trust over the years, and how the connection team became a hub of redemption stories—newcomers drawn in by a livestream, a roadside flag, or a cross-country move. She also opens up about being appointed a deaconess, the humility it requires, and the quiet, crucial work of caring at funerals, baptisms, and holiday outreaches. The thread through it all is simple and strong: saved people serve, not to earn favor, but because grace compels action.
Beyond Sundays, we explore what faith looks like at work. As an executive assistant at JPMorgan, Gelsie treats her desk as a mission field—befriending colleagues, praying for families, showing steady joy on hectic days, and letting excellence speak before words do. Her story makes a practical case for seeing work as worship, where integrity, patience, and presence become a living witness. We also dig into small groups as spiritual neighborhoods, where vulnerability replaces performance and leaders learn as much as they teach.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to step in, this is it. There’s room for your gifts—kids, students, hospitality, parking, ushering, AV, worship, or a connect group. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review to help others find these stories. Where will you serve next?
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Intro music by Joey Blair
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_03 (00:12):
What's up, Life Talk family?
Welcome back to the Life TalkPodcast.
We're coming to you today withanother great episode.
This is Nate, and I am joined bya very special guest, one of my
favorite people at Life House,Jelsey Borja.
Jelsey, how's it going today?
SPEAKER_00 (00:28):
Hey, Nate.
How are you?
SPEAKER_03 (00:30):
And it's on the podcast, so I'm doing great.
So, and I'm happy to have youon.
I know uh you have a great storyand just how much you do here at
Life House.
And uh so for the Life Talkfamily, we're in November.
Man, it's November.
Thanksgiving is like rightaround the corner.
I don't know when you'relistening to this, but it is
2025 is flying by.
(00:50):
But we're in the We Work Month.
So November, all about how wework in response to Christ.
We don't work to be saved, butuh, when we are saved, it just
moves us to be more faithful inserving, whether it's in church,
our families, uh, our careers.
And so I'm looking to bringgreat stories.
And I know, Jelsey, you have agreat one.
(01:11):
Just uh we'll touch on it, so Iwon't spoil just all you do
here, the many hats you wear.
It's always uh impressive justto see what you do.
But maybe let's start at thebeginning.
You just kind of share with usyour story, how you grew up, uh,
just your faith journey, how youlanded here at Lifehouse, and uh
just so we can get to know you alittle better.
SPEAKER_00 (01:30):
Sure.
All right, so I grew upCatholic.
Catholic Um, yep.
We did a lot of the uh holidays,you know.
SPEAKER_03 (01:37):
Um were you creasers or was it uh very faithful,
deeply captain thing?
Yes.
Never heard that.
Deep Catholic, and then there'sa creaster Catholic, right?
SPEAKER_00 (01:47):
No, yes.
Um, that's kind of how we grewup.
Um, you know, I did thesacraments um when I was
younger.
Uh when my husband and Irelocated from New Jersey to
Delaware in 2010, I said, youknow, it's a fresh start.
I want to get my kids in church.
SPEAKER_03 (02:02):
So we started away from church at that point or
still just so I hadn't even beendoing the creaster thing for um
only the creaster thing at thatpoint.
SPEAKER_00 (02:09):
Um, and you know, having marriage struggles, and
we came here and I said, youknow, let's start fresh.
So we started visiting a localCatholic church.
Um that didn't go so well.
Um, I was basically told thatbecause we were not married in a
Catholic church, I couldn't bean example to others, even
(02:30):
though I served there as well asone of the religious ed
teachers.
SPEAKER_03 (02:34):
Interesting.
SPEAKER_00 (02:35):
Yes.
So I said, I am never going tochurch ever again.
Okay.
Um little did I know that thePeach Festival of 2014, my son
was in karate.
So he was demonstrating with thekarate team that he was on at
the festival.
And it was the first time in thefour years that we lived here
that we decided to go that yearto watch him perform.
(02:58):
And um, I remember just being inthe sidelines with my two
youngests, and you know, ouroldest is there, and all of a
sudden the Life House floatcomes by with all the children
singing, and I was like, man,this is what I want for my kids,
you know, like to see that joyof them singing for the Lord.
(03:19):
Um, I I can't explain it, but Iwas just like, I need to go
visit this church.
So I told the kids, hey, let'sgo to this church, and they're
like, Yes, let's go.
So the very next day, visitedLife House, uh, left crying.
Um and we have not left sincethen.
Like we've been there sinceAugust of 2014, part of Life
(03:41):
House.
SPEAKER_03 (03:42):
Oh, that's awesome.
So you say that's kind of whenyou came to faith as well, and
coming to Lifehouse, hearing thegospel, you know, kind of
recognizing your need, you wouldsay.
SPEAKER_00 (03:51):
Yes.
Um, about a month later, it wasthe Townsend Parade in
September.
And I remember walking by thetent, and Pastor Mark walks by,
and he's just like, Hey, I'mlike, Hey, Pastor Mark, and he's
just like, So what are youwaiting for?
And um, I got saved under thetent at the Townsend Fair with
(04:12):
Pastor Mark, Brandy Miller, andmy husband next to me, and we
all prayed together, and Iaccepted Jesus as my Lord and
Savior, repented of my sins, anduh got baptized, I believe it
was like the very next day at uhTodd Nelson's house back then.
They used to do it in thebackyard.
Um, so yeah, I got I gotbaptized that very next day, and
(04:35):
uh yeah, it's been a journey.
SPEAKER_03 (04:38):
That's cool coming as a family too, you know, at
the opportunity, you and Reneecoming together and seeing that
change in your your life aswell.
SPEAKER_00 (04:48):
Yeah.
Well, um, when I started comingto the church, a little
backstory, um, you know, thekids came home that first day
and they said, Daddy, you haveto go to this church because he
didn't want to go.
SPEAKER_02 (04:59):
Okay.
SPEAKER_00 (04:59):
He said, I'm Catholic, I'm not going to that
church.
So the kids convinced him andthey were like, Daddy, please
just go once for us.
So the very next Sunday, um,after the peach festival, he
came and uh here we are.
SPEAKER_03 (05:13):
God working through kids.
I know I've heard that a fewtimes, but amazing how God will
work even through exactly littleones to draw us in and mother
and father, so that's awesome.
So yeah, coming to faith, beingpart of Life House, you know,
kind of maybe talk a little bitabout what encouraged you then
to serve.
Was it kind of because sometimeswe see many people come to faith
(05:34):
and okay, cool.
Um I got my faith and I can kindof just come to church and you
know, just chill a little bit,you know, just uh listen to the
preaching, the music.
But you know, what was differentfor you?
How did that kind of start yourjourney in in terms of
responding and and just servingand seeing the need to be part
of working as in unto Christ?
SPEAKER_00 (05:55):
Um, I can't tell you what it was.
I just know that I just had thisdesire to serve.
Like I started serving with thechildren's ministry on um back
then it used to be Tuesdaynights Bible studies at the
school when we were at themiddle school and started
serving with the little onesthere every week.
Um I I don't know what that was.
(06:17):
It's just a desire that I had,and I served in the children's
ministry for a couple yearsbefore moving on to LSM and uh
serving in the uh LifehouseStudent Ministry there.
Um and then from there I'vemoved on to the connection team,
which I currently serve in asthe connection lead under
Jarvis.
(06:38):
And I love every Sunday.
I can't imagine not being hereon Sundays, and sometimes if I'm
under the weather and don't makeit, it makes me really sad.
Um, I just can't imagine justcoming in and sitting and
leaving.
Like I love serving.
SPEAKER_03 (06:56):
And so I think, and we were talking a little bit
before we jumped on the mics,just maybe kind of share it.
You know, you had that desire,maybe especially in kids'
ministry, maybe you could talk alittle bit, you know, seeing,
you know, kids poured into, youknow, what was especially, you
know, seeing God work throughthe work that you did with kids
during that time.
SPEAKER_00 (07:17):
Um, in the young children's ministry, when I was
serving on um, excuse me, onTuesdays, um I mean it was just
seeing them, you know, when wedo worship with them, how they
worshiped and the stories, andyou know, you try to make things
animated and how they justremembered, like they just
soaked it all in.
And then, you know, when theywould see you on Sundays, it's
(07:37):
like, hi, Miss Chelsea, and andthat like love they have for
you.
Um I don't know, it was it wasit was so cool.
It was so cool just to see themthe stories um of the kids uh
coming home and telling theirparents and me getting messages
from parents, like, you know,thank you for how you love on
our kids.
And um, I'm telling you, likethe Lord just really opens your
(07:58):
heart to see people differentwhen you come to saving faith.
And then moving on to thestudent ministry, just that
connections that you're able tomake with the kids that are a
little excuse me, a little bitolder, and um watching them all
grow and go through the studentministry and the questions and
(08:19):
you know how they areencouraged, you know, they trust
you, they ask for prayers and umyou know, seeing them come to
Saving Faith and now years laterwatching them get engaged and
get married, you know, like umit's just been an amazing
journey to to see that as theyprogress through children's
(08:39):
ministry onto LSM.
And um yeah, it's just awesome.
I mean, I I just love theopportunity that God gives me to
be part of a witness to the workthat he's doing everywhere.
Absolutely.
SPEAKER_03 (08:53):
And then getting into the connections.
I know you were sharing, you getto hear lots of great stories of
how people find the church, youknow, what really led them here,
you know, any that have beenparticularly impactful, you
know, anything that's reallystuck out, you know, just God
moments, you know, in thatserving that you've done, you
know, especially as part of theconnections ministry.
SPEAKER_00 (09:14):
Uh yeah, I mean, I've met people that are like, I
was just driving and saw theflag, and I felt the Lord tell
me, like, you need to go to thischurch.
Um, I've heard, I listened to itonline and I I needed to come.
Um, actually, one of the younggirls that I connected with
lived in Texas and she wasmoving to Middletown and um
(09:35):
watched one of the sermons, andshe was like, I need to be part
of that church.
And here she is, part ofLifehouse and got baptized upon
coming.
Um, also um, I've heard people,I had another couple from
California, same thing.
You know, they were moving tothe area, they searched us
online, found us, and startedcoming.
I mean, just seeing God bringpeople from all walks of life,
(09:58):
different nations, and I just Ilove connecting and hear the
stories of how God brought themhere, and not necessarily
because it's our church, butjust brought them to his house.
You know, and uh I I I just loveit.
I love connecting with people.
SPEAKER_03 (10:15):
Oh yeah, you get to, like we were talking, you get to
see God at work.
You know, if you were not doingwhat you were doing, if you were
not serving, if you're not doingthat work for the Lord, you miss
out on seeing him work.
So the the working is kind of,you know, we don't have to work
to be saved, but we really missout on seeing God's work in
other lives, seeing thetransformation you mentioned
(10:38):
through the students and andthose kind of things that really
you get to be front and center,you get a front row seat to what
God is doing.
Whereas if you're uh back row,you know, uh row baptist,
whatever, you're just missingout, right?
Your first thing, your last,yeah.
It's just you you don't get tosee that change in lives, which
is so awesome to be part of.
And then so, and for those whodon't know, you're also a
(11:00):
deaconess here at Lifehouse.
You know, biblically we haveelders and we have deacons who
help serve the body.
Maybe share a little bit aboutuh that position, you know, how
you arrived at being a uhdeaconess and what that means,
and and how you serve in thatway too.
SPEAKER_00 (11:15):
So um that was not something that I was looking
for.
Um I was approached back then,it was Jonathan Brazzle, who was
here as the executive pastor afew years back, and he sent me a
text, and I was like, I thinkyou're taxing the wrong person.
Um I did not see myself as fitfor a deaconess role.
(11:38):
Um, I even had a conversationwith a good friend of mine, and
I was like, I don't understandwhy, why me?
And she's like, the Lord isworking, like I don't understand
why not you, you know, and um Iprayed about it, came to my
husband, I said, Hey, and he'slike, What?
You know, um, and yeah, so Iaccepted the position, and it's
(12:00):
been, I think, about three yearsnow, three, four years.
Um we get to serve in manydifferent capacities from you
know, serving at funerals orbaptisms, serving the community,
helping around Thanksgiving.
Uh, we usually do a big uh driveand drop of food for different
families in need, and um justbeing able to serve the
(12:22):
community in that way and beJesus.
Um it's it's been veryfulfilling.
I mean, the stories also arejust amazing.
Um, there's a young girl, sheshe comes here.
I mean, we've walked with herand um she got baptized, like
watching her kids also, um it'sjust I I just love it.
(12:47):
I really do get to meet amazingpeople, and I I still sometimes
feel like I'm inadequate forthat role, but um, you know,
because we we know ourselves,you know, we're all sinners in
need of a savior, and it's justa reminder of God allowing us to
(13:09):
be part of his story and usgetting out of the way and just
allowing him to work in andthrough us.
Um, it's just been amazing.
SPEAKER_03 (13:18):
I think something you said that's so important is
the day we feel like we'requalified and worthy, we
probably are not.
Right.
You know, I think that's alwayswe were talking a little bit
before we uh jumped on the mics,you know, people who think they
deserve a position or a titleare probably the wrong people in
God's kingdom.
We know the first will be last,the last will be first.
Yes.
(13:38):
One of my favorite parables islike, hey, when you go to a
feast or whatever, you know, sitat the bottom of the table and
let the master call you up.
You know, God is calling you upand and calling you out.
Now when you obedient andrespond, it's he who qualifies
us.
And like in your case, it's theserving heart that qualifies you
to be in that position.
Correct.
Not really authority per se, youknow, but in a deaconess, it's
(14:01):
an important position.
You know, you're a someone who'slooked up to in the church as an
example of you know strongservant and somebody who is a
leader within the church, youknow.
So I think another, so I said Isaid at the lead-in, Jelsey
wears lots of hats.
So you lead a connect group forus.
I know you uh work to help otherwomen to help them learn and
(14:23):
grow.
Maybe just talk about that aswell in terms of you know the
work that that takes, the workthat it puts in, but just the
value you know you see offilling that role as well.
SPEAKER_00 (14:32):
Yeah, um, so I do have a connect group, and you
know, God just brings the peoplethat you need to that group.
Um, I have so many God storiesthat it's like, which one do I
pick to share?
SPEAKER_03 (14:44):
We'll be here all day.
I know.
SPEAKER_00 (14:46):
Um so, real quick, one of the girls that's in my
connect group, uh, if you rewindabout two years ago, Paul came
to me, Paul uh Paul Northern.
If nobody knows him, you shouldbe able to do it.
SPEAKER_03 (14:58):
She was on the podcast back in August.
So for the listeners who want tohear more from Paul, it was it
was in August, I believe, forthe weekend.
SPEAKER_00 (15:05):
Um he sent me a message that there was a girl in
need of transportation to cometo church.
And I reached out to this younggirl, and she was like, Yes, you
know, I need a ride, I'll getback to you.
Well, she never did.
I reached out again and youknow, didn't didn't get a
response pretty much.
(15:25):
So, fast forward two years, Ihad this random girl come up to
me one day and she's like, Ihave to confess.
And she's like, I was the girlthat needed a ride.
Um, and she's part of my connectgroup.
She actually lives in myneighborhood.
She's been she got baptized, shegot saved in front of our
church, um, like outside on thebench near the the cross.
(15:49):
Um, and she's part of my connectgroup, and she's it's been a
that's an amazing story.
Like, if I didn't have theconnect group, I would have
never connected with her in theway that I am now.
Um, so just being able to bepart of that and walking with
her in her story um of how Godis working in her life.
(16:10):
Um and you know, I remember whenI first came to Saving Faith,
like the way people poured intome, the way um, you know, people
prayed for me and came alongsideof me.
I know how important that is forsomeone else's walk.
And I just love being able to dothat um for others as it was
done to me.
(16:30):
Um and you get to share Jesus.
SPEAKER_03 (16:35):
So yeah, groups are such an awesome, you know, if
you're not in one, you should bein one.
If you have been in one, youprobably should be leading one,
you know, lead one.
You'll you'll get as much fromleading, like you say, and
working and serving.
Yes like you get filled up a lotof times just from seeing other
people grow, and even thoughyou're pouring out, you know,
you get filled up spiritually.
SPEAKER_00 (16:56):
I mean, you do because you're doing life with
people.
It's not like you you're justnot coming to teach this class
or teach this Bible study.
Like you're coming in vulnerablebecause as a leader, if you're
gonna come in with walls andsaying I'm not gonna share, like
there's no point in the group.
You know, so you have to betransparent and you have to be
able to to share also.
Hey, I need prayer for this, orI need, you know, this, I'm
(17:18):
struggling with this.
Like, you have to be able to betransparent to to walk with
people, to do life with people.
And so they encourage me, youknow.
I learn from them.
I learn a lot from people whojust came to Saving Faith, you
know.
Um, and it's encouraging for meto see their fire.
Um, you know, it like rekindlesit and um and they pray for me.
(17:41):
So, you know, it's a two-waystreet.
SPEAKER_03 (17:43):
Definitely is.
So maybe a better question wouldhave been like, what don't you
do here at Life House Church?
SPEAKER_00 (17:49):
But you know, why don't I do here?
I don't do parking.
SPEAKER_03 (17:53):
Well, it's a wonder.
So but well, so much you know totalk about.
I think you know, maybe couldend too, like you said, and you
could kind of give theexhortation like if you're not
serving, if you're not working,doing something, using the gifts
that God has given you, yes,you're really missing out.
Like like you said, being filledup, seeing God's work,
translation.
There's just like so many thingsthat God gives us when we work.
(18:16):
So I don't know if you want tocomment kind of any further,
just you know, on how that'sworked in your life and
strengthen your faith as well.
SPEAKER_00 (18:24):
Yeah, I mean, I I can't, like I said, I can't see
myself not serving on a Sundaymorning.
Um, and it's not in a legalisticway.
It's the literally the joy ofthe Lord.
Like, I want to serve, I want toconnect with people.
I want them to feel welcomedwhen they come in the door.
I want them to see Jesus.
And um, you know, if I wasn'tpart of that, I would miss out
(18:46):
on so many relationships, somany God stories, um, you know,
the connections that I've made.
It's just God, it's amazing.
It's an amazing work to be ableto be part of it.
And, you know, if people havethe opportunity, I say get
plugged in, you know, whetherit's a connect group or serve,
like there's so many areas toserve from, you know, it's not
(19:07):
just children's ministry.
You know, we have hospitality,there's parking team, there's
ushering, there's being part ofthe A V team, you know, there's
the student ministry, there'sum, did I say Usher?
I may have said Usher already.
Um, worship team.
Like there's so many areas, andyou know, I highly, highly
recommend if you're coming in onSunday, just try it out.
(19:30):
You know, approach one of us,you know, approach me, and we'll
get you, we'll get you to yourright fit.
Um, there's so many areas toserve in and to get plugged
into.
SPEAKER_03 (19:41):
Whatever your gifts are, you know, the hand can say
to the you know, mouth or ear orwhatever, like we're the whole
body, we fit together.
But you know, too many churchesare 80-20.
You know, we have 80% of thework done by 20% of the people,
and it's because a lot of peopledon't feel that same desire you
do.
So we certainly would encouragethat.
But might be surprising afterlistening to all this, Jelsea
(20:03):
does have a full-time job aswell.
So maybe talk to us, you know,we talk about really working for
the Lord, but maybe talk alittle bit about you know your
career, what you do, and andalso how coming to faith has
changed, you know, your attitudeand just in your work as well,
and and redeems that.
SPEAKER_00 (20:22):
Um, yeah, so I currently work at JP Morgan as a
um full-time executiveadministrative assistant.
Um how God has worked, man, I mywork ethic is obviously
different.
Um, the way I handle situations,the way I interact with people,
(20:43):
um, I make friends everywhere.
They call me the socialbutterfly at work, also.
I mean, I just befriendeverybody at work and then I'll
start having God conversations.
Um, a lot of the cleaning peoplein my job, like a lot of them
are Spanish.
So I'll start talking to themand we'll start talking about
church, we'll start talkingabout the Lord.
I've prayed for, you know,family members of people.
(21:06):
Um, I've prayed for my bosses,you know, family members.
I've, you know, people knowwhere I stand.
They know that I, you know, lovethe Lord.
And um my work speaks for itselfum because you know, God really
changes people, I'm telling you,from the inside out.
And uh yeah, and it's it'shelped also in um the
(21:29):
responsibilities, which could begood and bad, but um, my work
speaks for itself.
And you know, I've been givengreat opportunities.
My my managers are amazing, theythey work with me and um, you
know, they just know where Istand.
And uh it just yeah, I've beenreally blessed.
The Lord has really blessed meas far as my full-time job.
SPEAKER_03 (21:52):
Yeah, it can be both a mission field for people you
mentioned talking to, as well asthe way we witness.
Yeah.
Like you say, when you'reworking hard, you're willing to
do those extra things becauseyou're a Christian, you're not
trying to just get some title orjust get more money, you're
willing to truly serve.
Yes, it really sets you apart.
(22:13):
You know, we're talking aboutfaithfully.
You want to be faithfullydifferent with that person who's
willing to stay and do thosekind of things.
So it sounds like that's a lotof what you do.
Maybe has there been anyparticular ways God opened doors
or you know, particular things,you know, especially since
coming to faith, that you'veseen a difference in the
attitude and all.
SPEAKER_00 (22:31):
Yes.
So as far as opening doors, uh,I started at JP three years ago.
Um I was at an executive adminto two executives, and I
currently now have six, um,which is both a blessing, and
sometimes it's it's f it's busy.
Um but it's they're all great.
(22:54):
So I'm very thankful that all mymanagers are great.
Like I said, the Lord has reallyblessed me in that.
Um, I work for really greatpeople.
Um, I also have the opportunityto work alongside um, I'll
mention her.
Her name is Sam.
Um, I love Sam and um I haveadopted her as my own child
pretty much at work.
(23:14):
But you know, I've hadconversations with her about
church.
Um, you know, she's she'svisited uh a young adult's
ministry with one of my youngestsons up in Pennsylvania.
So I've been able to be a reallygood um contact for her.
Like we've talked church, we'vetalked Bible scripture, and um,
she recently lost hergrandmother, so I was able to
(23:35):
pray for her and her family andum just kind of be a witness in
that way.
Um and again, I would miss outif the if I wasn't connected the
way that I am.
You know, I would miss out onthose opportunities.
SPEAKER_03 (23:48):
And really being, like we say, on mission to, you
know, who's God working in theirlife.
And this is what we always sayat church, like you'll meet so
many people that Pastor Mark oryou know, other staff won't,
that you are able, you know, wegather Sunday, but we scatter.
And it's usually through ourwork, you know, that we're going
to meet a lot of people and andjust ways we can differentiate
(24:12):
you know ourselves, not in a wayto gain glory, but to give glory
to God.
You know, I was you know, shareda little bit just my own
testimony of you know having ayoung engineer who was leaving
the company, and it was me andanother guy who are strong
believers, and we were, youknow, she said, something is
different about you guys.
And I was like, Well, I'll tellyou exactly what's different.
You know, Ken and I followChrist.
(24:32):
And so we treat you differentbecause we love you the way he
did, we serve you, we're nothere to lord over you, you know,
we're here to be different, likePaul tells you.
So work is where we're able todo a lot of those things.
And if we're unfaithful in ourwork, then it's not gonna help
be a good testimony to Christ ifwe're real slack people and you
know, not quality, and be like,oh, this is what Christians are
(24:56):
all about.
Okay.
So why our work does matter.
SPEAKER_00 (24:59):
It does.
And I mean, even on days whereit's you know, it could be crazy
busy, and sometimes I'm like, ohmy gosh, I don't know where to
start.
Um, you know, just taking thatmoment to just be like, you
know, start from somewhere, andit's you know, it's that
attitude change.
Um while it's still busy, likestill having that joy of the
Lord, even in the midst of thebusy, it speaks to everyone
(25:22):
around you because you're notlosing your mind, you know,
you're not using profanity likesome people will do, or you're
not like you know, making afuss.
Like you just you're working asonto the Lord, no matter where
you are.
SPEAKER_03 (25:34):
Gives you totally different perspectives as to
what you're doing on a dailybasis.
Correct.
Awesome.
Well, any other stories youwould share with us or
encouragement towards how peopleapproach their work or or
serving from from Jelsea'sperspective?
SPEAKER_00 (25:49):
Um let's see.
I am gonna encourage everyone tojust get plugged in somewhere.
Um if you're part of Life HouseChurch and you've been here for
a while, like I said, just youknow, get plugged in.
You know, if you're not pluggedin, there's so many
opportunities for us to getplugged in.
(26:10):
Um come talk to me, come talk toone of the leaders.
Like I'm sure we will gladly getyou connected to where you need
to be.
And if you work in a secularplace, um, you know, you you you
have to be prayed up becausewhen you w walk into these
places, they don't know theLord.
A lot of times, you know, you'regonna encounter people that just
(26:31):
are not walking with the Lordand their work ethics are
different, their vocabulary isdifferent, the way they carry
themselves is different.
Um so you have to be able to beum that light in that darkness
because you never know who'swatching you.
And people are watching you.
SPEAKER_03 (26:48):
That's true.
SPEAKER_00 (26:48):
They're watching every moment.
SPEAKER_03 (26:51):
We testify before the world, right?
Correct.
Being a light and light in thedarkness, salt, all those kind
of things.
Absolutely, especially, and Ithink like you said, you're
gonna have different goals,different attitudes than others,
but that's how you can bedifferent when you're working as
into the Lord and and viewing itin a completely different light
than most people would.
(27:12):
Right.
You know, instead of it beingyour identity, your identities
in Christ.
Correct.
Now I get to work entirelydifferent.
So that's really great.
SPEAKER_00 (27:20):
Absolutely.
SPEAKER_03 (27:21):
Well, Jelsey, thanks for joining us.
I think it's a great story.
Again, we could go on for awhile with all you do.
But uh when we were thinking ofwho works you know so hard at
Life House, your name absolutelyis the top of the list, not in
any way like you've shared toglorify yourself, but uh point
to God.
That's the point we want to makesure our listeners don't miss.
It's not about I had to begJessie to come on.
(27:42):
She didn't want to do thiseither.
So, you know, it's just kind ofkind of the ser humble servant
that she is, but we know theseare the kind of stories that
encourage.
And even if you don't come toLifehouse, we would encourage
you to get plugged into yourlocal church, serve somewhere,
do something.
You know, it will bless you, itwill bless others.
Uh, we just, you know, reallyencourage people, especially in
(28:03):
this time and context we're in.
That's how we're called to live.
SPEAKER_00 (28:06):
Yes, especially in our time now.
Yes, it's important to be thatlight.
SPEAKER_03 (28:11):
100%.
Well, Life Talk family, stickwith us in November.
We'll have more great stories ofother faithful people around
here who I am begging to come onthe podcast because the the
people who would say they wantto be here are probably not the
service we want to talk to, butwe're gonna hear some great
stories.
People who really pour theirlives out uh can really testify
to how working makes adifference.
(28:31):
So thanks for joining us andwe'll talk to you next time.
Thanks for tuning in to the LifeTalk Podcast.
If this episode encouraged you,please be sure to like, comment,
subscribe, and leave a review soothers can find this content as
well.
And we'll look forward to seeingyou next Monday for another
great episode.
What's up, Life Talk family?
Welcome back to the Life TalkPodcast.
We're coming to you today withanother great episode.
This is Nate, and I am joined bya very special guest, one of my
favorite people at Life House,Jelsey Borja.
Jelsey, how's it going today?
SPEAKER_00 (00:28):
Hey, Nate.
How are you?
SPEAKER_03 (00:30):
And it's on the podcast, so I'm doing great.
So, and I'm happy to have youon.
I know uh you have a great storyand just how much you do here at
Life House.
And uh so for the Life Talkfamily, we're in November.
Man, it's November.
Thanksgiving is like rightaround the corner.
I don't know when you'relistening to this, but it is
2025 is flying by.
(00:50):
But we're in the We Work Month.
So November, all about how wework in response to Christ.
We don't work to be saved, butuh, when we are saved, it just
moves us to be more faithful inserving, whether it's in church,
our families, uh, our careers.
And so I'm looking to bringgreat stories.
And I know, Jelsey, you have agreat one.
(01:11):
Just uh we'll touch on it, so Iwon't spoil just all you do
here, the many hats you wear.
It's always uh impressive justto see what you do.
But maybe let's start at thebeginning.
You just kind of share with usyour story, how you grew up, uh,
just your faith journey, how youlanded here at Lifehouse, and uh
just so we can get to know you alittle better.
SPEAKER_00 (01:30):
Sure.
All right, so I grew upCatholic.
Catholic Um, yep.
We did a lot of the uh holidays,you know.
SPEAKER_03 (01:37):
Um were you creasers or was it uh very faithful,
deeply captain thing?
Yes.
Never heard that.
Deep Catholic, and then there'sa creaster Catholic, right?
SPEAKER_00 (01:47):
No, yes.
Um, that's kind of how we grewup.
Um, you know, I did thesacraments um when I was
younger.
Uh when my husband and Irelocated from New Jersey to
Delaware in 2010, I said, youknow, it's a fresh start.
I want to get my kids in church.
SPEAKER_03 (02:02):
So we started away from church at that point or
still just so I hadn't even beendoing the creaster thing for um
only the creaster thing at thatpoint.
SPEAKER_00 (02:09):
Um, and you know, having marriage struggles, and
we came here and I said, youknow, let's start fresh.
So we started visiting a localCatholic church.
Um that didn't go so well.
Um, I was basically told thatbecause we were not married in a
Catholic church, I couldn't bean example to others, even
(02:30):
though I served there as well asone of the religious ed
teachers.
SPEAKER_03 (02:34):
Interesting.
SPEAKER_00 (02:35):
Yes.
So I said, I am never going tochurch ever again.
Okay.
Um little did I know that thePeach Festival of 2014, my son
was in karate.
So he was demonstrating with thekarate team that he was on at
the festival.
And it was the first time in thefour years that we lived here
that we decided to go that yearto watch him perform.
(02:58):
And um, I remember just being inthe sidelines with my two
youngests, and you know, ouroldest is there, and all of a
sudden the Life House floatcomes by with all the children
singing, and I was like, man,this is what I want for my kids,
you know, like to see that joyof them singing for the Lord.
(03:19):
Um, I I can't explain it, but Iwas just like, I need to go
visit this church.
So I told the kids, hey, let'sgo to this church, and they're
like, Yes, let's go.
So the very next day, visitedLife House, uh, left crying.
Um and we have not left sincethen.
Like we've been there sinceAugust of 2014, part of Life
(03:41):
House.
SPEAKER_03 (03:42):
Oh, that's awesome.
So you say that's kind of whenyou came to faith as well, and
coming to Lifehouse, hearing thegospel, you know, kind of
recognizing your need, you wouldsay.
SPEAKER_00 (03:51):
Yes.
Um, about a month later, it wasthe Townsend Parade in
September.
And I remember walking by thetent, and Pastor Mark walks by,
and he's just like, Hey, I'mlike, Hey, Pastor Mark, and he's
just like, So what are youwaiting for?
And um, I got saved under thetent at the Townsend Fair with
(04:12):
Pastor Mark, Brandy Miller, andmy husband next to me, and we
all prayed together, and Iaccepted Jesus as my Lord and
Savior, repented of my sins, anduh got baptized, I believe it
was like the very next day at uhTodd Nelson's house back then.
They used to do it in thebackyard.
Um, so yeah, I got I gotbaptized that very next day, and
(04:35):
uh yeah, it's been a journey.
SPEAKER_03 (04:38):
That's cool coming as a family too, you know, at
the opportunity, you and Reneecoming together and seeing that
change in your your life aswell.
SPEAKER_00 (04:48):
Yeah.
Well, um, when I started comingto the church, a little
backstory, um, you know, thekids came home that first day
and they said, Daddy, you haveto go to this church because he
didn't want to go.
SPEAKER_02 (04:59):
Okay.
SPEAKER_00 (04:59):
He said, I'm Catholic, I'm not going to that
church.
So the kids convinced him andthey were like, Daddy, please
just go once for us.
So the very next Sunday, um,after the peach festival, he
came and uh here we are.
SPEAKER_03 (05:13):
God working through kids.
I know I've heard that a fewtimes, but amazing how God will
work even through exactly littleones to draw us in and mother
and father, so that's awesome.
So yeah, coming to faith, beingpart of Life House, you know,
kind of maybe talk a little bitabout what encouraged you then
to serve.
Was it kind of because sometimeswe see many people come to faith
(05:34):
and okay, cool.
Um I got my faith and I can kindof just come to church and you
know, just chill a little bit,you know, just uh listen to the
preaching, the music.
But you know, what was differentfor you?
How did that kind of start yourjourney in in terms of
responding and and just servingand seeing the need to be part
of working as in unto Christ?
SPEAKER_00 (05:55):
Um, I can't tell you what it was.
I just know that I just had thisdesire to serve.
Like I started serving with thechildren's ministry on um back
then it used to be Tuesdaynights Bible studies at the
school when we were at themiddle school and started
serving with the little onesthere every week.
Um I I don't know what that was.
(06:17):
It's just a desire that I had,and I served in the children's
ministry for a couple yearsbefore moving on to LSM and uh
serving in the uh LifehouseStudent Ministry there.
Um and then from there I'vemoved on to the connection team,
which I currently serve in asthe connection lead under
Jarvis.
(06:38):
And I love every Sunday.
I can't imagine not being hereon Sundays, and sometimes if I'm
under the weather and don't makeit, it makes me really sad.
Um, I just can't imagine justcoming in and sitting and
leaving.
Like I love serving.
SPEAKER_03 (06:56):
And so I think, and we were talking a little bit
before we jumped on the mics,just maybe kind of share it.
You know, you had that desire,maybe especially in kids'
ministry, maybe you could talk alittle bit, you know, seeing,
you know, kids poured into, youknow, what was especially, you
know, seeing God work throughthe work that you did with kids
during that time.
SPEAKER_00 (07:17):
Um, in the young children's ministry, when I was
serving on um, excuse me, onTuesdays, um I mean it was just
seeing them, you know, when wedo worship with them, how they
worshiped and the stories, andyou know, you try to make things
animated and how they justremembered, like they just
soaked it all in.
And then, you know, when theywould see you on Sundays, it's
(07:37):
like, hi, Miss Chelsea, and andthat like love they have for
you.
Um I don't know, it was it wasit was so cool.
It was so cool just to see themthe stories um of the kids uh
coming home and telling theirparents and me getting messages
from parents, like, you know,thank you for how you love on
our kids.
And um, I'm telling you, likethe Lord just really opens your
(07:58):
heart to see people differentwhen you come to saving faith.
And then moving on to thestudent ministry, just that
connections that you're able tomake with the kids that are a
little excuse me, a little bitolder, and um watching them all
grow and go through the studentministry and the questions and
(08:19):
you know how they areencouraged, you know, they trust
you, they ask for prayers and umyou know, seeing them come to
Saving Faith and now years laterwatching them get engaged and
get married, you know, like umit's just been an amazing
journey to to see that as theyprogress through children's
(08:39):
ministry onto LSM.
And um yeah, it's just awesome.
I mean, I I just love theopportunity that God gives me to
be part of a witness to the workthat he's doing everywhere.
Absolutely.
SPEAKER_03 (08:53):
And then getting into the connections.
I know you were sharing, you getto hear lots of great stories of
how people find the church, youknow, what really led them here,
you know, any that have beenparticularly impactful, you
know, anything that's reallystuck out, you know, just God
moments, you know, in thatserving that you've done, you
know, especially as part of theconnections ministry.
SPEAKER_00 (09:14):
Uh yeah, I mean, I've met people that are like, I
was just driving and saw theflag, and I felt the Lord tell
me, like, you need to go to thischurch.
Um, I've heard, I listened to itonline and I I needed to come.
Um, actually, one of the younggirls that I connected with
lived in Texas and she wasmoving to Middletown and um
(09:35):
watched one of the sermons, andshe was like, I need to be part
of that church.
And here she is, part ofLifehouse and got baptized upon
coming.
Um, also um, I've heard people,I had another couple from
California, same thing.
You know, they were moving tothe area, they searched us
online, found us, and startedcoming.
I mean, just seeing God bringpeople from all walks of life,
(09:58):
different nations, and I just Ilove connecting and hear the
stories of how God brought themhere, and not necessarily
because it's our church, butjust brought them to his house.
You know, and uh I I I just loveit.
I love connecting with people.
SPEAKER_03 (10:15):
Oh yeah, you get to, like we were talking, you get to
see God at work.
You know, if you were not doingwhat you were doing, if you were
not serving, if you're not doingthat work for the Lord, you miss
out on seeing him work.
So the the working is kind of,you know, we don't have to work
to be saved, but we really missout on seeing God's work in
other lives, seeing thetransformation you mentioned
(10:38):
through the students and andthose kind of things that really
you get to be front and center,you get a front row seat to what
God is doing.
Whereas if you're uh back row,you know, uh row baptist,
whatever, you're just missingout, right?
Your first thing, your last,yeah.
It's just you you don't get tosee that change in lives, which
is so awesome to be part of.
And then so, and for those whodon't know, you're also a
(11:00):
deaconess here at Lifehouse.
You know, biblically we haveelders and we have deacons who
help serve the body.
Maybe share a little bit aboutuh that position, you know, how
you arrived at being a uhdeaconess and what that means,
and and how you serve in thatway too.
SPEAKER_00 (11:15):
So um that was not something that I was looking
for.
Um I was approached back then,it was Jonathan Brazzle, who was
here as the executive pastor afew years back, and he sent me a
text, and I was like, I thinkyou're taxing the wrong person.
Um I did not see myself as fitfor a deaconess role.
(11:38):
Um, I even had a conversationwith a good friend of mine, and
I was like, I don't understandwhy, why me?
And she's like, the Lord isworking, like I don't understand
why not you, you know, and um Iprayed about it, came to my
husband, I said, Hey, and he'slike, What?
You know, um, and yeah, so Iaccepted the position, and it's
(12:00):
been, I think, about three yearsnow, three, four years.
Um we get to serve in manydifferent capacities from you
know, serving at funerals orbaptisms, serving the community,
helping around Thanksgiving.
Uh, we usually do a big uh driveand drop of food for different
families in need, and um justbeing able to serve the
(12:22):
community in that way and beJesus.
Um it's it's been veryfulfilling.
I mean, the stories also arejust amazing.
Um, there's a young girl, sheshe comes here.
I mean, we've walked with herand um she got baptized, like
watching her kids also, um it'sjust I I just love it.
(12:47):
I really do get to meet amazingpeople, and I I still sometimes
feel like I'm inadequate forthat role, but um, you know,
because we we know ourselves,you know, we're all sinners in
need of a savior, and it's justa reminder of God allowing us to
(13:09):
be part of his story and usgetting out of the way and just
allowing him to work in andthrough us.
Um, it's just been amazing.
SPEAKER_03 (13:18):
I think something you said that's so important is
the day we feel like we'requalified and worthy, we
probably are not.
Right.
You know, I think that's alwayswe were talking a little bit
before we uh jumped on the mics,you know, people who think they
deserve a position or a titleare probably the wrong people in
God's kingdom.
We know the first will be last,the last will be first.
Yes.
(13:38):
One of my favorite parables islike, hey, when you go to a
feast or whatever, you know, sitat the bottom of the table and
let the master call you up.
You know, God is calling you upand and calling you out.
Now when you obedient andrespond, it's he who qualifies
us.
And like in your case, it's theserving heart that qualifies you
to be in that position.
Correct.
Not really authority per se, youknow, but in a deaconess, it's
(14:01):
an important position.
You know, you're a someone who'slooked up to in the church as an
example of you know strongservant and somebody who is a
leader within the church, youknow.
So I think another, so I said Isaid at the lead-in, Jelsey
wears lots of hats.
So you lead a connect group forus.
I know you uh work to help otherwomen to help them learn and
(14:23):
grow.
Maybe just talk about that aswell in terms of you know the
work that that takes, the workthat it puts in, but just the
value you know you see offilling that role as well.
SPEAKER_00 (14:32):
Yeah, um, so I do have a connect group, and you
know, God just brings the peoplethat you need to that group.
Um, I have so many God storiesthat it's like, which one do I
pick to share?
SPEAKER_03 (14:44):
We'll be here all day.
I know.
SPEAKER_00 (14:46):
Um so, real quick, one of the girls that's in my
connect group, uh, if you rewindabout two years ago, Paul came
to me, Paul uh Paul Northern.
If nobody knows him, you shouldbe able to do it.
SPEAKER_03 (14:58):
She was on the podcast back in August.
So for the listeners who want tohear more from Paul, it was it
was in August, I believe, forthe weekend.
SPEAKER_00 (15:05):
Um he sent me a message that there was a girl in
need of transportation to cometo church.
And I reached out to this younggirl, and she was like, Yes, you
know, I need a ride, I'll getback to you.
Well, she never did.
I reached out again and youknow, didn't didn't get a
response pretty much.
(15:25):
So, fast forward two years, Ihad this random girl come up to
me one day and she's like, Ihave to confess.
And she's like, I was the girlthat needed a ride.
Um, and she's part of my connectgroup.
She actually lives in myneighborhood.
She's been she got baptized, shegot saved in front of our
church, um, like outside on thebench near the the cross.
(15:49):
Um, and she's part of my connectgroup, and she's it's been a
that's an amazing story.
Like, if I didn't have theconnect group, I would have
never connected with her in theway that I am now.
Um, so just being able to bepart of that and walking with
her in her story um of how Godis working in her life.
(16:10):
Um and you know, I remember whenI first came to Saving Faith,
like the way people poured intome, the way um, you know, people
prayed for me and came alongsideof me.
I know how important that is forsomeone else's walk.
And I just love being able to dothat um for others as it was
done to me.
(16:30):
Um and you get to share Jesus.
SPEAKER_03 (16:35):
So yeah, groups are such an awesome, you know, if
you're not in one, you should bein one.
If you have been in one, youprobably should be leading one,
you know, lead one.
You'll you'll get as much fromleading, like you say, and
working and serving.
Yes like you get filled up a lotof times just from seeing other
people grow, and even thoughyou're pouring out, you know,
you get filled up spiritually.
SPEAKER_00 (16:56):
I mean, you do because you're doing life with
people.
It's not like you you're justnot coming to teach this class
or teach this Bible study.
Like you're coming in vulnerablebecause as a leader, if you're
gonna come in with walls andsaying I'm not gonna share, like
there's no point in the group.
You know, so you have to betransparent and you have to be
able to to share also.
Hey, I need prayer for this, orI need, you know, this, I'm
(17:18):
struggling with this.
Like, you have to be able to betransparent to to walk with
people, to do life with people.
And so they encourage me, youknow.
I learn from them.
I learn a lot from people whojust came to Saving Faith, you
know.
Um, and it's encouraging for meto see their fire.
Um, you know, it like rekindlesit and um and they pray for me.
(17:41):
So, you know, it's a two-waystreet.
SPEAKER_03 (17:43):
Definitely is.
So maybe a better question wouldhave been like, what don't you
do here at Life House Church?
SPEAKER_00 (17:49):
But you know, why don't I do here?
I don't do parking.
SPEAKER_03 (17:53):
Well, it's a wonder.
So but well, so much you know totalk about.
I think you know, maybe couldend too, like you said, and you
could kind of give theexhortation like if you're not
serving, if you're not working,doing something, using the gifts
that God has given you, yes,you're really missing out.
Like like you said, being filledup, seeing God's work,
translation.
There's just like so many thingsthat God gives us when we work.
(18:16):
So I don't know if you want tocomment kind of any further,
just you know, on how that'sworked in your life and
strengthen your faith as well.
SPEAKER_00 (18:24):
Yeah, I mean, I I can't, like I said, I can't see
myself not serving on a Sundaymorning.
Um, and it's not in a legalisticway.
It's the literally the joy ofthe Lord.
Like, I want to serve, I want toconnect with people.
I want them to feel welcomedwhen they come in the door.
I want them to see Jesus.
And um, you know, if I wasn'tpart of that, I would miss out
(18:46):
on so many relationships, somany God stories, um, you know,
the connections that I've made.
It's just God, it's amazing.
It's an amazing work to be ableto be part of it.
And, you know, if people havethe opportunity, I say get
plugged in, you know, whetherit's a connect group or serve,
like there's so many areas toserve from, you know, it's not
(19:07):
just children's ministry.
You know, we have hospitality,there's parking team, there's
ushering, there's being part ofthe A V team, you know, there's
the student ministry, there'sum, did I say Usher?
I may have said Usher already.
Um, worship team.
Like there's so many areas, andyou know, I highly, highly
recommend if you're coming in onSunday, just try it out.
(19:30):
You know, approach one of us,you know, approach me, and we'll
get you, we'll get you to yourright fit.
Um, there's so many areas toserve in and to get plugged
into.
SPEAKER_03 (19:41):
Whatever your gifts are, you know, the hand can say
to the you know, mouth or ear orwhatever, like we're the whole
body, we fit together.
But you know, too many churchesare 80-20.
You know, we have 80% of thework done by 20% of the people,
and it's because a lot of peopledon't feel that same desire you
do.
So we certainly would encouragethat.
But might be surprising afterlistening to all this, Jelsea
(20:03):
does have a full-time job aswell.
So maybe talk to us, you know,we talk about really working for
the Lord, but maybe talk alittle bit about you know your
career, what you do, and andalso how coming to faith has
changed, you know, your attitudeand just in your work as well,
and and redeems that.
SPEAKER_00 (20:22):
Um, yeah, so I currently work at JP Morgan as a
um full-time executiveadministrative assistant.
Um how God has worked, man, I mywork ethic is obviously
different.
Um, the way I handle situations,the way I interact with people,
(20:43):
um, I make friends everywhere.
They call me the socialbutterfly at work, also.
I mean, I just befriendeverybody at work and then I'll
start having God conversations.
Um, a lot of the cleaning peoplein my job, like a lot of them
are Spanish.
So I'll start talking to themand we'll start talking about
church, we'll start talkingabout the Lord.
I've prayed for, you know,family members of people.
(21:06):
Um, I've prayed for my bosses,you know, family members.
I've, you know, people knowwhere I stand.
They know that I, you know, lovethe Lord.
And um my work speaks for itselfum because you know, God really
changes people, I'm telling you,from the inside out.
And uh yeah, and it's it'shelped also in um the
(21:29):
responsibilities, which could begood and bad, but um, my work
speaks for itself.
And you know, I've been givengreat opportunities.
My my managers are amazing, theythey work with me and um, you
know, they just know where Istand.
And uh it just yeah, I've beenreally blessed.
The Lord has really blessed meas far as my full-time job.
SPEAKER_03 (21:52):
Yeah, it can be both a mission field for people you
mentioned talking to, as well asthe way we witness.
Yeah.
Like you say, when you'reworking hard, you're willing to
do those extra things becauseyou're a Christian, you're not
trying to just get some title orjust get more money, you're
willing to truly serve.
Yes, it really sets you apart.
(22:13):
You know, we're talking aboutfaithfully.
You want to be faithfullydifferent with that person who's
willing to stay and do thosekind of things.
So it sounds like that's a lotof what you do.
Maybe has there been anyparticular ways God opened doors
or you know, particular things,you know, especially since
coming to faith, that you'veseen a difference in the
attitude and all.
SPEAKER_00 (22:31):
Yes.
So as far as opening doors, uh,I started at JP three years ago.
Um I was at an executive adminto two executives, and I
currently now have six, um,which is both a blessing, and
sometimes it's it's f it's busy.
Um but it's they're all great.
(22:54):
So I'm very thankful that all mymanagers are great.
Like I said, the Lord has reallyblessed me in that.
Um, I work for really greatpeople.
Um, I also have the opportunityto work alongside um, I'll
mention her.
Her name is Sam.
Um, I love Sam and um I haveadopted her as my own child
pretty much at work.
(23:14):
But you know, I've hadconversations with her about
church.
Um, you know, she's she'svisited uh a young adult's
ministry with one of my youngestsons up in Pennsylvania.
So I've been able to be a reallygood um contact for her.
Like we've talked church, we'vetalked Bible scripture, and um,
she recently lost hergrandmother, so I was able to
(23:35):
pray for her and her family andum just kind of be a witness in
that way.
Um and again, I would miss outif the if I wasn't connected the
way that I am.
You know, I would miss out onthose opportunities.
SPEAKER_03 (23:48):
And really being, like we say, on mission to, you
know, who's God working in theirlife.
And this is what we always sayat church, like you'll meet so
many people that Pastor Mark oryou know, other staff won't,
that you are able, you know, wegather Sunday, but we scatter.
And it's usually through ourwork, you know, that we're going
to meet a lot of people and andjust ways we can differentiate
(24:12):
you know ourselves, not in a wayto gain glory, but to give glory
to God.
You know, I was you know, shareda little bit just my own
testimony of you know having ayoung engineer who was leaving
the company, and it was me andanother guy who are strong
believers, and we were, youknow, she said, something is
different about you guys.
And I was like, Well, I'll tellyou exactly what's different.
You know, Ken and I followChrist.
(24:32):
And so we treat you differentbecause we love you the way he
did, we serve you, we're nothere to lord over you, you know,
we're here to be different, likePaul tells you.
So work is where we're able todo a lot of those things.
And if we're unfaithful in ourwork, then it's not gonna help
be a good testimony to Christ ifwe're real slack people and you
know, not quality, and be like,oh, this is what Christians are
(24:56):
all about.
Okay.
So why our work does matter.
SPEAKER_00 (24:59):
It does.
And I mean, even on days whereit's you know, it could be crazy
busy, and sometimes I'm like, ohmy gosh, I don't know where to
start.
Um, you know, just taking thatmoment to just be like, you
know, start from somewhere, andit's you know, it's that
attitude change.
Um while it's still busy, likestill having that joy of the
Lord, even in the midst of thebusy, it speaks to everyone
(25:22):
around you because you're notlosing your mind, you know,
you're not using profanity likesome people will do, or you're
not like you know, making afuss.
Like you just you're working asonto the Lord, no matter where
you are.
SPEAKER_03 (25:34):
Gives you totally different perspectives as to
what you're doing on a dailybasis.
Correct.
Awesome.
Well, any other stories youwould share with us or
encouragement towards how peopleapproach their work or or
serving from from Jelsea'sperspective?
SPEAKER_00 (25:49):
Um let's see.
I am gonna encourage everyone tojust get plugged in somewhere.
Um if you're part of Life HouseChurch and you've been here for
a while, like I said, just youknow, get plugged in.
You know, if you're not pluggedin, there's so many
opportunities for us to getplugged in.
(26:10):
Um come talk to me, come talk toone of the leaders.
Like I'm sure we will gladly getyou connected to where you need
to be.
And if you work in a secularplace, um, you know, you you you
have to be prayed up becausewhen you w walk into these
places, they don't know theLord.
A lot of times, you know, you'regonna encounter people that just
(26:31):
are not walking with the Lordand their work ethics are
different, their vocabulary isdifferent, the way they carry
themselves is different.
Um so you have to be able to beum that light in that darkness
because you never know who'swatching you.
And people are watching you.
SPEAKER_03 (26:48):
That's true.
SPEAKER_00 (26:48):
They're watching every moment.
SPEAKER_03 (26:51):
We testify before the world, right?
Correct.
Being a light and light in thedarkness, salt, all those kind
of things.
Absolutely, especially, and Ithink like you said, you're
gonna have different goals,different attitudes than others,
but that's how you can bedifferent when you're working as
into the Lord and and viewing itin a completely different light
than most people would.
(27:12):
Right.
You know, instead of it beingyour identity, your identities
in Christ.
Correct.
Now I get to work entirelydifferent.
So that's really great.
SPEAKER_00 (27:20):
Absolutely.
SPEAKER_03 (27:21):
Well, Jelsey, thanks for joining us.
I think it's a great story.
Again, we could go on for awhile with all you do.
But uh when we were thinking ofwho works you know so hard at
Life House, your name absolutelyis the top of the list, not in
any way like you've shared toglorify yourself, but uh point
to God.
That's the point we want to makesure our listeners don't miss.
It's not about I had to begJessie to come on.
(27:42):
She didn't want to do thiseither.
So, you know, it's just kind ofkind of the ser humble servant
that she is, but we know theseare the kind of stories that
encourage.
And even if you don't come toLifehouse, we would encourage
you to get plugged into yourlocal church, serve somewhere,
do something.
You know, it will bless you, itwill bless others.
Uh, we just, you know, reallyencourage people, especially in
(28:03):
this time and context we're in.
That's how we're called to live.
SPEAKER_00 (28:06):
Yes, especially in our time now.
Yes, it's important to be thatlight.
SPEAKER_03 (28:11):
100%.
Well, Life Talk family, stickwith us in November.
We'll have more great stories ofother faithful people around
here who I am begging to come onthe podcast because the the
people who would say they wantto be here are probably not the
service we want to talk to, butwe're gonna hear some great
stories.
People who really pour theirlives out uh can really testify
to how working makes adifference.
(28:31):
So thanks for joining us andwe'll talk to you next time.
Thanks for tuning in to the LifeTalk Podcast.
If this episode encouraged you,please be sure to like, comment,
subscribe, and leave a review soothers can find this content as
well.
And we'll look forward to seeingyou next Monday for another
great episode.
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