In 2013, my husband, Brian, and I joined a church-planting team in Ireland. Until we landed on the Emerald Isle, I’d never thought much about sharing my personal faith story. I knew we were moving to Ireland to share Jesus with people, but it hadn’t occurred to me that doing so would mean talking to people outside a church building.

Panic! We were there as missionaries . . . and I felt extremely ill-equipped for the job.

The church tradition I grew up in didn’t use words like “testimony” or “witness,” at least not beyond the confines of Scripture. We talked about Jesus, of course, and I knew I belonged to him. But I didn’t know how to move from that personal knowledge to talking about what he had done for me—and what I knew he would do for anyone who asked.

I didn’t want to be pushy or preachy. I didn’t want to offend people or say something that would turn them off from Jesus forever. (Oh, the pressure we put on ourselves!)

Those fears could have shut me down. Kept me quiet. Stopped me from shining.

Instead, they fueled a time of personal study and discovery that eventually led to this little book. I knew from my work as a writer that stories create connection. The more I learned and practiced, the clearer it became to me that just a little bit of vulnerability opens the door to meaningful relationships and even deeper conversations.

In a world that’s hyper-connected and yet terribly isolated and divided, our stories can help build bridges. Get Personal equips you to share your faith stories simply, authentically, and confidently.

I look forward to hearing your story!

~Erin