Gabi's Story: Sharing Stories In Uganda and Beyond

Gabi first heard this simple 15-second transformation story format at Canyon Ridge Easter services in 2022. Since then, it’s become a simple, shareable, and repeatable practice for disciple-making for her. “One day, I read others’ transformation stories, and it intrigued me to figure out what my own story was.” At first, not knowing where to start, she began sifting through the moments in her life when God had transformed her through friendships, faith, and family.

This past summer, Gabi went on a mission trip to Uganda with an organization called Love Africa, where she would be serving kids in Kyangwali, a refugee camp for those who have escaped the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As she and the team were getting ready for their trip, the team leaders encouraged each member to prepare a devotional. As she prayed, asking God what he would want to say through her, Canyon Ridge was practicing the transformation story tool over and over. Realizing how powerful it was for her and those around her, she discovered what she would share.

“But then, as I was preparing this, God put it on my heart that it wasn’t only for my team members, but also for all the students that we were going to encounter.” She realized this was bigger than her team; in fact, she was going to train her team, equipping them to discover and share their own transformation stories, and then to train others in return!

Gabi began to meet people and hear of their often tragic experiences, yet they had so much joy. “When you hear their stories, there’s no other way to describe it in human matters, other than God has shown up in their lives, and they know that, but they just didn’t know how to express it.” And that’s where the story tool comes in.

“So, we made it very simple.” One of the days in Uganda, Gabi and the team were in a classroom and put the story icon (<+> ) on a chalkboard with the words “There was a time in my life __________” and then “With Jesus, I’m becoming __________.” Soon, everyone wanted to share their story. Person after person began putting into words how God had transformed their lives. “It was hopefully something that they’ll be able to share with those in their community and continue to empower each other to have that type of deep faith to know that Jesus is always transforming their story.”

Even across the globe, Gabi realized that this simple, short way to share our stories isn’t meant to be kept to ourselves. It’s meant to be shared and replicated in all areas of our lives. “I’m just excited for people to know that this tool is not just for the people of Canyon Ridge, but for people across the world, people in our neighborhoods, people at our jobs, and our family members, our friends, so that people can know that God is working in all places.”

“There was a time in my life when I believed my worth came from what others said about me and what accomplishments I could have. But with Jesus, I have realized that my worth comes from who Jesus says I am and not from everything that I can do to earn that worth. Do you have a story like that?”