This May, we recognize mental health and the role it plays in embracing our reflection of the Imago Dei. When we care for our unique minds, we can further understand and embrace our divine role in the Missio Dei.

Below you'll find Lia's story, a high school student who has found freedom and healing in God!

"Throughout my life, I was always a positive and faithful little girl, smiling and living for the Lord. However, everything changed when Covid-19 hit in 2020. I fell into a funk that deeply impacted my life. The passing of my grandpa from Covid at the age of 91 shattered my faith, trust, and happiness—everything I once cherished about the Lord crumbled. This loss led to my diagnosis of social anxiety, severe depression, and anxiety. For four long years, I endured overwhelming panic attacks every day, feeling trapped in a relentless cycle.
 
As two years passed, I still felt like a negative girl merely existing, waiting for life to end. I stopped attending church, convinced that nothing could help me. I believed I was too far gone, trapped in a hole of my own making. During this difficult time, I suffered a severe knee injury that required surgery. I tore my meniscus while dancing and was sidelined from competitive dance for two years. This setback worsened my depression, and I found myself unable to leave my bed for six months, fearing I would never dance again—the one thing that brought me joy.
 
After those six months, I returned to dance, but the initial surgery had not been performed correctly, necessitating a second operation to truly fix my knee. At that point, I felt lost and numb inside. Fast forward a year, I was a freshman, and my knee was stronger than ever. I tried out for my school’s dance team and made varsity, despite my two-year hiatus from dancing. While I was improving, I still felt off. I began hanging out with the wrong crowd, which negatively affected my mental health, as I mistakenly believed they were my friends.
 
Months went by, and one day, while sitting in my room, I felt a profound conviction from God. A voice that I initially thought was my own gently reminded me, “You're not too far gone.” This message resonated deeply with me, shifting my entire mindset. I realized I didn’t want to continue living in despair. I understood that God was urging me to surrender all my weariness and burdens to Him. My broken heart was no longer shattered; it was mended. Through the power of Jesus' name, I was set free from depression, anxiety, fear, and frustration. The times I let the devil take control of my mind were over, for in the mighty name of Jesus, I was saved and healed by His stripes because he is the God who brings the dead back to life."

It's intriguing how the world consistently assigns us labels. Labels for our occupations, roles, friendships, and possessions. These labels often provide us with a sense of security, something tangible to grasp onto. They furnish us with an identity and a platform that we're expected to share with the world. Throughout our lives, some of these labels shine brightly, while others diminish. But what if we all elevated our Imago Dei as our primary label?

Imago Dei, meaning Image of God, signifies that you, I, and every individual we encounter are crafted in the likeness of a loving and holy God. Whether it's your teasing family member, the coworker you wish was on a different project, or even the individual depicted in the news for a grievous act, each person is made in the image of God, the Imago Dei.

While this notion sounds pleasant in theory, what does it truly entail? How do we reconcile the reality that, despite being made in the image of God, individuals often engage in actions that contradict the inherent dignity and goodness bestowed upon them? April marks Arab-American Heritage Month, a time that may hold little significance for most. The ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine leaves Christians and non-Christians alike confused, angry, disheartened, and overwhelmed, uncertain of where to even begin in comprehending, what seems to be never-ending turmoil.

As a first-generation Palestinian-American, this forms a part of my Imago Dei. My desire is that, upon reading this, you'll find solace amidst any confusion, anger, or pain regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While these feelings are natural and valid, I hope one thing will develop deeper within you: a profound love, reminiscent of Jesus', acknowledging that each individual in this nuanced narrative is, just like you and me, crafted in the image of the Most High God.

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV)

Many may not be aware that there are approximately one million Palestinian Christians worldwide, with over 75% of Christians in the Israeli and Palestinian territories identifying as Arabs, while the remaining 25% identify as Israelis and other ethnic minorities. Christ became the unify factor, creating a new body of people, neither jew nor gentile.

"For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new person from the two groups." (Ephesians 2:14-15)

My father, born in Jerusalem in a small home my family owns across from the Garden of Gethsemane, was raised as an Arab Christian. When he immigrated to the United States, he began attending a small Baptist church in Chicago to learn English. It was there that his journey as a believer took off. Alongside my wonderful mother, he brought my brothers and I up in the Christian faith. They taught us prayer is our first effort, that the Bible is our source of truth, and that loving those around us is, and will always be, the best way to show people a path to reconciliation with God through Jesus.

As I grew older, I began to feel a crippling sense of the ‘need to earn.’ I believed that anything that came my way– kindness, opportunity, and even salvation– needed to be earned through my own efforts, manipulation, and accomplishments. It was by the generosity of God that the one thing in this lifetime that cannot be earned is grace, a gift that is freely given. When this realization moved from my head to my heart, the shame, pain, and competitiveness I felt in my heart began to fade away. I began to actually desire a relationship with Christ and allowed this to shape the motivations of my heart, perspective, and obedience.

“The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.” (1 Corinthians 15:47-49)

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you!” (Psalms 122:6)


In embracing Imago Dei as the paramount label, and navigating Arab-American Heritage Month amidst an ongoing conflict, I challenge you to ponder the following:

- How does embracing Imago Dei reshape my perspectives on justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation?
 
- What role does faith play in motivating me to pursue unity and harmony amidst diversity?
 
- In what ways can I cultivate an environment of inclusion, love, acceptance, and truth that honors the dignity of every individual?

I was born without hearing in the Dominican Republic. Because I was without language, I was without education. My life was extremely difficult and frustrating. Because I couldn’t hear, other kids took advantage of me, and blamed me for everything. There was no safe place and no other Deaf nearby.

My mom and I moved to the U.S. when I was 12 years old. My new school placed me in 5th grade, and there, I began to learn ASL and English. God gave me this amazing ability to learn quickly, to understand both new languages and my new cultures.

I really miss my family in the D. R., but God has given me a special gift. Here, I’m involved in the Deaf community, and I realized there are so many Deaf and hard-of-hearing people who have great, successful lives. And it was here in the states that Jesus got a hold of my heart.

I know life will not be easy, but with Jesus, I know God is with me. I have faith in Him and that, in every situation, He is there. I’m so thankful He has turned my life around.

I’d like hearing people to know how important communication is. It’s not hard to learn about Deaf culture and American Sign Language. Give it a try! Hang out with us, be kind and respect Deaf culture. Just like stepping into God’s family: You don’t need to be perfect.

APRIL IS DEAF HISTORY MONTH

It’s a time to celebrate significant advancements for deaf and hard of hearing people and to bring awareness and appreciation of Deaf culture.

Previously recognized from March 13 to April 15, it is now celebrated through the entire month of April. During this month, we look back at influential people like Laurent Clerc, often regarded as “The Apostle of the Deaf in America;” Thomas Gallaudet, the co-founder and first principal of the American School for the Deaf; Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb, phonograph, and motion picture camera; and Marlee Matlin, advocate and the first deaf performer to win an Academy Award.

This is also a time to recognize influential events in Deaf history such as the acceptance of American Sign Language (formed from French Sign Language from the 18th century), the first cochlear implant, the creation of television closed captioning and the 1990 Americans with Disability Act.

Deaf education was largely inspired by the desire to share the gospel with the Deaf community.  Today, we embrace this desire as well. Calvary is blessed to have a Deaf Ministry that serves the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities through events and Sunday services. This month, we pause to celebrate their reflection of the imago Dei and the gifts God has given them to enrich His missio Dei.  

March is Women’s History Month. It’s a time to pause and celebrate the contributions women have made and recognize their specific achievements over the course of U.S. history. Women’s history month started as Women’s History week in 1978. It has since become a month-long, national celebration of the achievements, influences and the ongoing impact of women.  
 
This month, we recognize faithful women such as Lucy Farrow and Jennie Evans Seymour, prominent women of the Azusa street revivals; Amy Carmichael, a missionary dedicated to saving girls from exploitation; Dorothy Day, a Chicago-born journalist and advocate for the poor; and Katherine Johnson, a mathematician who calculated trajectories for NASA missions.
 
From the Old Testament to the New Testament to today, we celebrate and recognize the vital role women play in God’s mission by pouring life into churches, communities, schools, and the world at large.  
 
In the U.S. church, women make up the highest numbers of those attending, praying, and reading and believing the Bible. Studies show that they are the primary models of faith in the household, meaning it’s the women who bring the kids to church and model faith at home.  
 
At Calvary, we believe that all humans are created in the image of God and that women reflect specific and unique facets of our Creator. Romans 8:29 says that Jesus was the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. That means we are all brothers and sisters, and every woman above (and those who follow in their footsteps) fulfills her purpose within God’s mission.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time to recognize their role in U.S. history. What began as a week of recognition in 1926 grew through churches, communities, organizations and cities until President Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month in 1976.

This month, we remember the contributions of so many African Americans, including the work of William J. Seymour, Charles Harrison Mason, Ellsworth S. Thomas, Martin Luther King Jr, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and so many others. These men and women made history through their contributions to the church, the arts, civil rights, music and literature. Even today, their work continues to show us a glimpse of God’s heart to reconcile humanity.

Hebrews 2:11 sheds more light on this reconciliation by explaining that "both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So, Jesus is not ashamed to call [us] brothers and sisters."

At Calvary Church, we are deeply rooted in the understanding that we are all created in the image of God. The individuals above (and those who follow in their footsteps) fulfill their purpose for God’s mission. It is God's heart for us to serve each other and reconcile humanity back to His heart. To recognize this is to recognize that, like a diamond, the imago Dei refracts multiple truths about humanity.

Throughout the Bible, we see a God who did not just create humanity but continues to bring peace, justice and reconciliation. We are all gifted to be an extension of this work. The test of our commitment to the imago Dei is not what we believe about the doctrine of the image of God but how we view, treat and relate to our fellow image bearers. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. This month, we celebrate and recognizing the contributions, achievements and challenges of the African American community throughout history and throughout the church.

“Truth is powerful and it prevails” - Sojourner Truth

During Black History Month, we pause to remember some of the great leaders who stood up to injustice and believed in the Imago Dei. We as a church are deeply rooted in the belief that we are all created in the image of God, regardless of the color of our skin. One such leader is a woman who went most of her life by the name of Sojourner Truth, though she was born to the name Isabella in 1797.

In 1826, after her master took back their promise to free her, Sojourner listened to the voice of God and “took her freedom”. She walked to freedom with her infant baby Sophia. This moment was just the beginning of her life long journey as a follower of Christ and abolitionist.

Over the course of her life, she established herself as a powerful speaker who led many to Christ because of her words and testimony. Truth also gave her first of many antislavery speeches in 1844 before the Civil War. After the war, she continued her work to advocate for now freedmen’s and women’s rights.

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16

Sojourner Truth lived out her Imago Dei by speaking up against injustice and telling others about God. We as a church believe that all Christians have a call on their life to do good (Isaiah 1:17) and tell the world about Jesus (Matt. 28:19). Like Sojourner Truth, may we all use our Imago Dei for Missio Dei—God’s mission!

I was raised by a grandma who adored me, but I was always still looking for love, and I looked for it in all the wrong places. I became sexually active at the age of 14, and just before turning 20, I got pregnant. I didn't want to disappoint my mother, even though I don't think there was anything I could have done to win her pride and admiration.
 
I certainly had no desire to be a statistic, just another single, young woman of color pumping out baby after baby from different fathers, so, at the advice of a co-worker, I made my first trip to an abortion clinic. There, my "problem" was allegedly taken care of. But I didn't stop looking for love in the wrong places, so my "problem" wasn't really solved. I had merely ended the life of my first child.
 
Not long after, I was again pregnant. At the clinic, I remember alternately praying for and judging the other women in the waiting room. I had convinced myself that I wasn't the same as them, but I had bought the same lies they had: What was growing in me was not a person made in the image of God, there were no repercussions, the future child was better off not being born than being brought into this situation, etc.
 
For several years after that, I was successful at birth control, but for whatever reason, I stopped using it and relied on my partners. Maybe I began to see abortion as just another kind of birth control.  
 
After three more abortions over the course of nearly 10 years, I was pregnant, and God said, "Enough!" My first born, True, came into the world. But I was still not looking to the Lord for the love and acceptance I so desperately craved. Two and a half years later, I was pregnant again. This time I said, "Enough!" I knew I was leading a double life of singing in the church choir while living a sinful life. I knew I was about to become a statistic, but I refused to attempt to cover up one sin with yet another. I refused to end my child's life. I cherish the day I got to hold my baby, Ever, in my arms.
 
Many years later, while I was doing the best I could to seek the Lord, living for Him, raise my children to know Him, something always seemed out of my grasp. True freedom always seemed elusive to me. I couldn't get free from anger, guilt and shame. My Christian counselor asked me if I'd ever received post-abortion counseling. I thought that was her job, but she explained that there is specific counseling and healing for women (and men) affected by abortion.
 
That’s when I found Surrendering the Secret, an eight-week Bible study that helps women heal from the pain and heartbreak of abortion. I had no idea that abortion had touched every area of my life—the way I treated my kids, the way I viewed God and his forgiveness, my emotions, my relationships. I never truly believed I could be fully forgiven for this sin that is never mentioned as redeemable from any pulpit. And I certainly didn't think God would forgive me for having ended multiple lives.
 
I started to accept the freedom God had for me, and I wanted to tell my story—the story that God had redeemed me. Today, I want to shout that story from the rooftops! God can redeem and give unspeakable joy from what seems like a most horrid sin. (Sometimes, I almost have to stop myself from saying, "Hello, my name is Melissa. I've had five abortions. Let me tell you how God can heal and redeem anything—how He can truly give beauty for ashes!")
 
Whatever you bring to God, He can handle it. He can redeem it. He can and does give peace and joy. And I am so grateful!

“I still believe that standing up for the truth of God is the greatest thing in the world. This is the
end of life. The end of life is not to be happy. The end of life is not to achieve pleasure and avoid
pain. The end of life is to do the will of God, come what may.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, January 16. On this day, we pause to remember the
contributions to equality and justice by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Spurred on by his faith and belief in the Imago Dei, Reverend King’s advocacy for equal rights,
including events like the Selma March and his speech during the March on Washington, for
Black Americans led to nation-wide change and earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Dr.
King was assassinated shortly after in 1968 while traveling to do what he believed his purpose
was: speaking out against inequality.

Galatians says that “There is neither Jew or Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no
male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28) We as Christians believe that
we are all co-inheritors of the kingdom of heaven through the saving knowledge of Jesus.
Together, and with God’s help, we can continue Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, honor the Imago
Dei in our neighbors, and shape the world into a reflection of heaven

National Sanctity of Human Life Day is January 22.

The concept of “sanctity” means consecration and set apart purposefully. The sanctity of human life is rooted in belief that emphasize the inherent value, dignity, and sacredness of human life which asserts that human life is sacred and should be respected, protected, and preserved.

We see God’s heart for this in the scriptures too: “Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:13-16)

At Calvary, we are deeply rooted in the understanding that everyone is created in the image of God (Imago Dei) and every life begins at conception and is divinely sanctified by God for His mission (Missio Dei).

Juneteenth is Monday, June 19.

On this day, we remember when emancipation was proclaimed to the enslaved people of west Texas two years after it was declared by law.

God is a freeing and delivering God, and as image bearers (or bearers of the Imago Dei), we are called to bring freedom to the oppressed in our day. This was God’s message through the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 61:1-3 (ESV): “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound...”

Jesus quotes this in Luke 4:18 when stating His purpose, and today it’s our calling as His church to deliver his message of freedom for all people. We reflect God’s image by how we view and relate to one another in playing our part in God’s redeeming mission (Missio Dei). We are all one family under God and are all equal recipients of His divine image.

Bob Kohr is a child of deaf adults (also called CODA). His parents were almost entirely non-verbal. Even though he was hearing, Bob didn’t learn English until he was in grade school. His only way of communicating was American Sign Language (ASL).

While growing up, Bob was surrounded by a culture that called Deaf adults “deaf and dumb.” Often, while interpreting for his parents or their friends, hearing people would look at him and say, “They’re just deaf and dumb, aren’t they?” This spurred him to spend his life defending and advocating for the community of people he loved.

Even as Bob grew up, he remained involved in the Deaf community (his extended family) in which he was raised, and he continued to advocate for them. He was always around and helped his parents and other Deaf friends by interpreting and providing practical help around the house and yard.

Bob eventually became connected to the Deaf ministry at Calvary Church. For more than 20 years, Bob has supported and helped the Calvary Deaf community! He has assisted his new-found family by setting up the video feed and sound for the interpreters and always providing coffee and donuts for the Deaf family. He is known as “Mr. Fix-it” for the Deaf ministry! Bob loves the deaf ministry like his own family, and they love him, too.

We write this story to honor Bob Kohr who has spent his life using his Imago Dei to make a difference in the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community—a group of people who are often overlooked and under-served. Bob has shined the light of God’s love and been an ambassador of God’s mission (Missio Dei) here on earth.

We asked Bob one question: What is one thing you would want all hearing people to know about the Deaf community? Bob said, “I want hearing people to know that Deaf people are smart. There might be a communication barrier, but if you would stop to actually meet them and get to know them, you’d realize how great they are. They are also children of God! Don’t ignore them; just be patient with them, and you’ll find a deep and rich relationship.”

Imago Dei. The image of God. Whenever I hear those sweet words, I am reminded that God created me on purpose and for a purpose. Some people are called to be pastors, doctors or teachers. The calling I received was to be a missionary. 

I was introduced to missions from a very young age. Whenever a missionary would come to a church service, I somehow felt connected to them. When I was finally able to go on my first missions trip, I felt the Lord tell me that I was going to be a missionary. My initial reaction was, “No.” I was scared, unsure and didn’t want to leave everything I knew. In college, after two more trips, God revealed the same thing: I was made to be a missionary. I never felt more myself than when I was on these trips, but I was still scared.

A few years later at church, I felt God stirring. A missionary guest speaker walked on the stage and said, “There is someone in this room who is called to be a missionary, but they are running from this calling. God wants you to trust him and walk in obedience.” That day, I accepted God’s calling, and I felt such joy and peace; I was accepting my role in his missio Dei.

After graduation, I felt God push me to start pursuing overseas missions. In January of 2020, I put in my missionary application. A month later, COVID hit. Borders closed and my future was unknown again. I prayed and asked God to show me what to do. Almost year later, I received an email about a overseas missionary family looking for help. We set up a zoom call, and the minute I saw them, I knew this was God’s answer. Now, I’ve been here three years, and I cannot imagine doing anything else.

God has shown me over and over again that he has a plan—even as a young girl with multiple health issues and doctor visits. At eight years old, I was told I had a rare muscle condition and would likely end up in a wheelchair. But the Lord had other plans! Today, I barely have any symptoms. 

I am currently the youth and assistant pastor at a church plant in Austria. I have also been able to learn German enough to preach once a month. I love being able to communicate in the language of the people here! God has opened so many hearts, and we are seeing new people come every week. 

Throughout my life and journey of becoming a missionary, I’ve constantly had Proverbs 16:9 in my mind: “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” God used every moment and challenge to shape me into the missionary I am today. My imago Dei is playing a role in the missio Dei for the people of Germany. God has a plan and a calling for all of us and he made us specifically to live out those callings. All it takes for us to embrace our imago Dei is walk in obedience.