Everybody, what is going on? You know what time it is. You're listening to join the Journey podcast with your host, Emma, daughter.

Thanks for joining. I am in the studio with Ms. Amala Smith. Hello, Journey fam. So glad you're here. You wrote today's Devo. I did.

And Amala, we know each other fairly well, but not super well. So tell us a little bit

about you. What's your story? Well, I grew up spiritual, is what I would say. I remember my mom

singing proverbs. I vaguely remember my dad getting baptized, but I did not grow up going to church,

and I did not grow up with the understanding of what a relationship with Christ could look like.

I very much saw him as a big brother looking over my shoulder.

It wasn't until college that I was invited to a college ministry by a roommate, where I would say my ears were opened to the gospel, and I wanted to know more.

So I got plugged into a local church, some wonderful ladies held my hand, took me to women's

Bible study, answered a plethora of questions, where I finally felt comfortable at 24 to say

I want to have a relationship with Christ. I believe that he rose and died for my sins and

later got baptized. My mom attended and it was beautiful. That's so awesome. And what do you do now?

How many years has it been? What do you up to? I am currently the admin for South Dallas. I think

I'm in a watermark for six years. So awesome. Yes. So awesome.

What's your favorite thing about South Dallas? Seeing the Lord at work as he plants his church.

It's been a wonderful privilege to be a minister of the gospel for the Lord. And it's never a dull moment.

Yeah. Never a dull moment. I love it. Okay, first this three, I was looking at your divo, and you mentioned a lot about steadfastness. Tell us about that.

Yes. As I was reading First, Lesothelians 3 and doing research, I realized that this was an

encouragement letter that Paul wrote to the

church of Thessalonica because of the trials they were facing. And it was wonderful to see how

they stayed faithful and steadfast and how Paul encouraged them by reminding them of the spirit that is evident.

And as you grow more in knowledge and faith, the spirit continues to grow.

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