Why the Church? Jim Lee talks Christ, God’s House and a Life-changing Realization

AJ and Suzanne reflect on how God honored early consecration, even the simple prayer, "Lord, whatever You are doing on earth, I want to be in the middle of it." Now grandparents, AJ and Suzanne share how life becomes richer when we live for God's pleasure instead of our own, relating their experiences as hosts of the church through opening their home wherever they have lived in cities from coast to coast. This conversation comes with decades of perspective, memories and stories of how God can take that prayer, use all things for His glory, and bless us in the midst of each of the chapters of our lives.

What do we center our busy days around? Our happiness, our ease and comfort, or our accomplishments?

In this special behind-the-scenes episode, we’re sharing what God has been doing in our lives as we’ve been building Words of This Life. We reflect on how our faith has grown through this journey, opening up about life changes, from preparing for parenthood to navigating career uncertainty, and the ways marriage has shaped our walk with God.We also talk about the heart behind the podcast, the impact of the testimonies we’ve heard, and what it means to live out a faith that is real, lived, and shared in community. From mental health to learning across generations, this conversation is a look into what God has been teaching us lately and how He continues to lead us.

In this episode of Words of This Life, we sit down with Brian Windsor to see the Lord’s hand through every part of his testimony. From salvation at 13, to drifting in high school, to years spent pursuing a music career and working in restaurants, Brian shares honestly about the times in his life when his love for the Lord grew dim and the quiet ways in which the Lord continued to draw him back.Brian speaks about the “slow burn” seasons of pressure, the tensions of business, the prayer “Lord, bless it or burn it,” and the need to be tethered to other believers. This conversation is a testimony not of a smooth and clear path, but of a faithful God whose hand was present in success, failure, waiting, and growth.Whether you are a student, a young professional, a parent, or someone simply longing for a deeper experience of Christ, Brian’s testimony is a reminder that the Lord is simply seeking each one of us. Not a perfect testimony, not a flawless path, but people. In every stage in life, and in every turn, He is patiently working to gain us for Himself.

What if God sends you across the globe to a people group you don’t know? Connor reflects on the major chapters of his life, from a childhood in the American Midwest, to the discovery of God’s eternal plan while in college in Texas, and now a season of serving Jesus in Germany. The difficulties, trials, and seasons of chasing success have all been part of God’s ordering of his steps, Connor shares, a directing that guides us home to God Himself. As Connor tells his story of God sending him across the globe to serve Him in a place he never dreamed of, these lyrics come to mind in faith again: “He’s got the whole world in His hands.”