The Messy Table is an ordinary and unforced space for real women, imperfect stories, and the God who’s at work in our mess. For Episode #23, Amy Groeschel is joining me in the co-hosting chair as we chat with Shanna Crawford, an amazing woman from our Life.Church Sisters ministry who has a radical—even scandalous—story.

Shanna and her husband, Jerome, are the visionaries and cofounders of a ministry called Komeo, which is focused on caring for a specific group of orphans in Sierra Leone, Africa. She’s also the biological and adoptive mama to a slew of awesome kids, a seasonal missionary, and a lover + teacher of God’s word. That all sounds precious and sacrificial, doesn’t it? But as we know, there’s a messy story behind every pretty picture.

There’s a messy story behind every pretty picture.

If you met Shanna today and heard about her passionate love for the Lord, you would have NO IDEA she’s been freed from the chains of abuse, drugs, and her past life as a stripper. God—in his mercy—pursued Shanna, just as he pursues you, and brought her from a place of extreme darkness to illuminating light. Her story is loaded with the scandalous grace of the redeeming gospel and, trust me, you do not want to miss it!

CONVERSATION NOTES + RESOURCES

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

Books: One Thousand Gifts | 31 Days of Praise | Screwtape Letters | Trusting God | Lies Women Believe | God’s Guidance | Mere Christianity | Pursuit of God | Daring to Hope | Kisses From Katie | Women of the Word

Podcasts: Revive Our Hearts | Gateway to Joy with Elisabeth Elliot | Craig Groeschel’s Leadership Podcast | Elevation Church Podcast

Blogs: The Gospel Coalition | Revive Our Hearts | Desiring God

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