12 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK

In the words of Gospel song “How I Got Over,” sung by Mahalia Jackson, Clara Ward, and others, “My soul looks back in wonder, how I got over.” Those are the lines that come to mind when we look back to our lives 12 years ago this week, to late Sept. 2014. Our kids at the time were 2, 5, 7, 9 and 11, and the days and pressures were full.  

At that time, Soren was Director of Evangelization for the Diocese of Arlington. On point to lead a first-ever evangelization event called “Risk Jesus,” for over 1,300 attendees, he was a ball of stress. The event felt risky, and it was. Few of the logistics team got any sleep for days leading up to it—there were just so many details, loose ends, and unpredictable variables. But hearts were moved that day through times of worship, Adoration, keynotes, and fellowship (all available here on YouTube).

In the few months leading up to Risk Jesus, we had broken ground on an even riskier plan to which the Lord was relentlessly calling us. That June, we had gone under lease at a beautiful late 1700s home in the heart of historic Leesburg, VA, and Ever had begun putting the equipment, systems, menus, and people in place to open Trinity House Café + Market. Volunteers put in countless hours that summer and fall on yard work and painting, and donors generously provided the runway. 

By setting out to share “a little taste of heaven” at the corner of Church and Market Streets, our goal with Trinity House Café + Market was twofold: 1) give guests an immersive and peaceful experience of the joy of faith and community, and 2) inspire Christian families to reimagine their own home as a taste of heaven, a place where they too could host neighbors and friends. After all, the preeminent place of evangelization is the Christian home.

That August and September, it seemed impossible to predict the opening date. There was always another inspection to pass, another permit to obtain, another refrigerator or freezer to purchase, a bank account to open, or additional training needed for our breakfast, lunch, and coffee bar menu.

Then, 12 years ago today—the 29^th that year was a Monday—we opened for a soft launch with just friends invited. The formal opening to the public was on Oct. 1, the feast of St.Therese of Lisieux, a dear friend whose title of Universal Co-Patroness of Missions seemed particularly apt.

We could not have fathomed it in those sleep-deprived days, but here are just a few of the voices we encountered in the weeks, months, and years to come:

• “My friend and I used to meet here for tea and now we have both returned to the Church. We had never seen the faith presented this way—so beautiful.”

• “I can’t tell you how happy I am as soon as my feet touch your red brick sidewalk!”

• “I go to the Trinity House for all my most important conversations.”

• “Did you hear that? I just used the word ‘redemption.’ This place is really working on me!”

• “It’s the peace and joy that I feel when I step through the door, this is what brings me back again and again. Our faith is truly alive and present throughout the cafe and it’s such a blessing to have it here in our community.”

• “I worked at Trinity House in college, and for a little while after. It’s where I met several of my closest friends—and one day, I made a coffee for a guy who had just moved to the area, and eventually became my husband. For me, Trinity House has been more than a good place I used to work at, it’s been my vocation! My vocation to faith, as the friends, peaceful environment, books, and proximity to a local Adoration chapel all helped me grow in that area, and my vocation as bride and mother.”

• “Trinity House Cafe + Market is an exciting and encouraging model of the local Church going on the offense in an unassuming yet effective and attractive way. As a platform for evangelization literally located at the corner of Church & Market Streets, Trinity House embodies the call to be a Church not in ‘maintenance mode,’ but rather in a permanent state of mission.”

• “Goodbye Starbucks, I found religion!”

The soaring lyrics of “How I Got Over” embody more than the struggles and joys of that fall for us as a busy couple with young kids. In your own life and utterly unique vocation and daily circumstances, the Lord is powerfully at work helping you surmount seemingly impossible challenges, as you seek to be His instruments, His hands and feet to a world in need.

We still marvel and give thanks for what God brought about 12 years ago this week. He showed us that His plans are not our plans. He showed us that it is enough to do our part, one day at a time. To take the next step. To ask for help. And to sing as we look back on the many ways Jesus has accompanied us at every step: My soul looks back in wonder, how I got over! Praise Him!