“God changed my heart because at the beginning I was so overwhelmed. I was afraid to share the Gospel, but by the end I was filled with so much love,” shared Sarah from the North America team.

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Last June, our teams stepped into the pride month festivals with the heart of sharing the hope of Jesus. Despite feeling uncertain about how people would respond, they watched God open hearts and create opportunities for meaningful conversations.

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The team met a young girl named “Vanessa.” As they talked, she shared that Pride was her favorite event of the year because of the sense of community she experienced there. She also spoke openly about her spiritual journey, explaining that she believed in the universe, read tarot cards, and had recently bought an Ouija board. Throughout the conversation, they sensed she was searching not only spiritually, but also for her identity.

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At the end of the conversation they exchanged contact information and made plans to connect to talk more about it. 

As the team kept walking through the crowds, God also brought an unexpected reunion. They ran into “Timothy,” a young activist the team had met several months ago. During that first conversation, they had discussed humanity's search for justice and how no human system can ultimately satisfy because the deepest problem is the human heart, and that true hope and transformation are found only in Jesus.

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When Timothy saw Sarah at Pride, he immediately ran over and embraced her like an old friend. Their conversation picked up naturally as they talked about life, ideas, and the things they had discussed when they first met. Before they left, they prayed for him. A few days later, they had a meal, where they continued their conversation about life, spirituality, and faith.

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Throughout the festival, the team found that many people were searching for answers about identity, justice, and the hope for a better world. Behind every conversation was a person created in the image of God, longing for meaning, belonging, and truth. Through patient conversations and faithful presence, God continues opening doors for the Gospel to reach those who may never walk into a church.