Sojourn Grace Collective

My wife and I moved to San Diego about a year and a half ago. We visited many churches in the area and found a couple that we liked but none where we felt «home». To be honest, we weren’t looking for a church as much as we were looking for a community of people to journey through life together.
We wanted to find a place with a diverse group of people who are open and loving to all. For us that meant young, old, single, married, kids, no kids, gay, straight, you name it… we didn’t really care as long as you have the ability to show love.
The moment we stepped into Sojourn we knew we had found our home. It was a beautiful scene of what can only be described as controlled chaos (and I mean that in the best way possible). It reminded us of a huge loving family getting together for the holidays — kids running around everywhere, people laughing, chatting over coffee, singing, etc.
And we weren’t simply guests on this first visit… we were accepted as part of the community before we even made our way into the front doors. The feeling we get every week is that «this is the way church is supposed to be» — less like an event, less like a form of spiritual entertainment, and more like a journey.
I could go on and on but suffice it to say that since first Sunday we haven’t missed a week at Sojourn Grace Collective. We are home.

Sojo has been my home for the last year.
For me, that statement, I still don’t recognize at times. That I would want a church to be my home. But it is, is so very much is.
Whenever people ask me what Sojourn is, or ask me to describe the type of church we are — I never quite know where to start. My answer each time is always something new.
So here’s a stab at how I would describe Sojourn today —
~ We are a unique community that celebrates diversity.
Not in the way you might think — «oh, we wear different clothes, or we have different hobbies, or we have different skin colors, or we have straights and gays and all the in-​betweens» Sure, we are all of that, but who isn’t? We are diverse in the fact that we actually THINK differently. We are not just a body that all shakes our head in unison. We welcome differing opinions — thoughts that challenge us — make us feel uncomfortable — and then allow us to grow.
It’s damn beautiful.
— We love kids. LOTS and LOTS of kids. They run around, dance, jump, sing, throw pillows. Yep. It’s a little intimidating at first. Not guna lie. These kid’s know whats up, and don’t hold back in their love. And it’s freaking amazing. They are growing up in a village, a whole community that just loves on them so freakin much for being who they are.
If you are a little scared of the kids tho — don’t worry, I am (what, you mean I can’t have a full on adult conversation with a three year old? crap, what do I say then?) — but Sojo doesn’t expect you to know what to do. And our parents are all really really rad, and usually will just laugh with you in the odd moments. Plus, the kiddos do end up peacin out from «big church» after our worship set, and go run off to do their way-​cooler-​than-​the-​rest-​of-​us kiddo activities lead by one our kick ass pastors, Kate.
— We love the Jesus story. We love the lessons and examples and the ‘this-​makes-​no-​sense’ part of the Jesus story.
We also love other faith stories. We love learning from other traditions, and other role models. We love learning about kindness and goodness of the human race period — and seeing how we can in some way do our best to embody that on our journeys.
— We don’t have it figured out. And that is more than okay.
— We love life. We love that it’s messy. And that WE are the ones who make it so messy, yet we give ourselves grace, and remind ourselves it’s supposed to be this way. Our paintings our masterpieces. She is always painting.
Please also remember, I am just one part of this family. My sisters and brothers might describe Sojourn in a completely different way. You should just come see for yourself, and then tell us what Sojo looks like to you :)
If I had to just boil it down in to one sentence:
At Sojourn Grace we strive to Love God, Love Ourselves, and Love Each Other. And YOU are welcome JUST as you are.

I am not a church going person. I enjoy people, love, acceptance, joy and humor. Which is why I attend Sojo. My fiancé and I were looking for a church for him. He felt it was time to go back. We stumbled upon Colby speaking at another church and were impressed. I was impressed at his well versed, in depth, all encompassing sermons. He doesn’t give you the same sh*t you have heard before, he goes further. It is refreshing and calming. A pastor who openly speaks about his own faults and is relatable. His lovely intelligent wife Kate speaks as well. I have only been able to hear her once, and I got the same as I have experienced from Colby. The community of Sojo is absolutely breathtaking. Everyone will greet you, everyone will make you feel welcome, and everyone will accept you. This is not a place of judgement. It is a place that truly strives to practice an actual Christian religion. As I said before, refreshing. Come be accepted and loved. Everyone needs that.

It’s hard to find adequate words to describe the community of incredible human beings that make up Sojo. There aren’t enough stars in the sky, or stars here on Unilocal,that could convey the love, beauty and authenticity of this collective. You know that whole, gotta see it to believe it phrase? Well, you do gotta just come and witness it with your own two eye holes. I wouldn’t be surprised if it felt a little, or a lot, like home.

I helped launch this church so writing this is a little like writing a review about my daughter (of course it gets 5 stars) but I’ll say a few things that might help folks looking for a church to attend.
We describe ourselves as uniquely Christian, but not exclusively.
To me that means we love us some Jesus and aren’t afraid to say that but we are open to our brothers and sisters from all walks and traditions and actively seek to incorporate a range of perspectives that help support and propel the love message Jesus came to deliver.
We worship a lot like evangelicals but we think a lot like Episcopalians.
We aim to be radically inclusive and seem to be attracting people all along the belief spectrum, socioeconomic spectrum, sexuality spectrum and a colorful range of cultures.
My personal goal is to ignite a human reorientation around spiritual principles under-​girded by concepts like confession, forgiveness, gratitude, prayer and service.
I believe that when we deeply understand and LOVE who we are (children of God) — we have almost no choice but to sing out our thanks to our maker and pour out our love to our neighbors.
If you were raised as a Christian and somehow it started to not make much sense to you — come hang with us.
If you’re in an anonymous recovery program and want to be a little more theologically focused while living into the same principles — come hang with us.
If you’re in North Park near Garfield Elementary on a Sunday morning and just need a cup of coffee and a fresh word — come hang with us.
Drop by whenever — we’ll be here.

I am finally home.
For so many years my wife and I had searched for a church home. It feels like my wife and I had tried at least 30 churches over the past few years. Nothing resonated or felt quite right, and we kept feeling as though we just had to settle for a place where we didn’t fully believe the doctrine, or felt unwelcoming aspects towards certain groups of people, or the church was drowning in politics behind the scenes, and not practicing what they preached.
Then up sprang Sojourn Grace Collective from a group of «church misfits» that felt the same way. People whom had felt shunned or harmed by their prior church experiences. People who know what it means to NEED and GIVE love — the true way Jesus taught.
My wife and I became involved with Sojo from the initial days of home church, to their current home at Garfield Elementary School in NorthPark on Sundays @ 10:30am. Sojourn Grace contains the most loving people we’ve ever met, from all walks of life. One of the most beautiful things is how everyone is on a different stage in their spiritual journey, and even have different beliefs (even the leadership admits they have somewhat different beliefs!). And guess what? That is OK! You are welcomed, fully respected and loved no matter who you are.
Love the bible and feel it’s the infallible word of God? You are welcomed! Are you a Buddhist who desires sharing your faith with us, and hearing more about this Jesus guy? You are welcome to commune with us! Are you in a same-​sex relationship, and embarrassed to show up together at church? Come join us and all our other beautiful same & opposite sex couples who worship together with open arms! Are you not sure what you believe, and kind of angry at this «God» guy? We ALL feel that way at times! You are most certainly WELCOME!
Pastors Colby & Kate have created the most amazing space to chase after this «God» and «Jesus» we have heard so much about in many other spaces, but now with a fresh & healthy perspective. Really, it’s all about the love — loving God, and loving yourself so that we can healthily love others. … AND joining an AMAZING family of spiritual beings whom take care and support one another.
AND THE MUSIC IS GREAT. Music has always been the most important aspect of a church for me. It’s the one place I felt like I could really connect on a spiritual level. Each Sunday has a slightly different mix and lineup — from rock, to folk, to classic, and is so beautiful, heartfelt. In fact, one of the earliest investments the church made was for a professional sound system, so you’ll certainly FEEL the music, if that’s important to you too.
Recently I lost my job, and I’ve never felt so much support and love from ANY group of people. Their understanding when I needed to back off on volunteering & Sunday attendance was unfathomable.
My wife and I have finally found our home, and our family. What once was lost, now is found, and we are Sojourners for good, all the way baby.
Make sure to show up early for the breakfast treats, amazing coffee, and chats with the most beautiful souls you’ll ever meet!

This church and it’s people are my favorite part about San Diego. I have attended since it’s inception and I can tell you that that’s the closest I’ve felt to having a home and family in So Cal. There’s so much grace, acceptance and non-​judgement. If you need support, you have an instant group of prayer warriors and do-​ers. They have very strong and spiritual leaders that you can lean into, great worship music that’ll unravel your heart and make you cry (was never a crier until this church), and so much acceptance no matter who you are or what your current state is. They’re all on a journey together.

My story is not unique. I grew up in the Catholic Church and after 23 years, decided to part ways. I spent the next 10 years never going to church, and struggling with my relationship with organized religion and God. By chance I was drawn to another church in San Diego and loved it-​for about 2 years… what had turned me off from churches started happening again. Cliques, politics-​everything that what had made me feel safe and accepted was disappearing. Honestly, I was ready to just give up and not attend a church again.
I had met Pastor Colby in the past from a mutual friend of ours. I was lucky enough to actually sit down with him at a kid’s birthday party not to intently talk about religion, but just to talk as a friend. Pastor Colby is constantly beaming with life. At the time, there was turmoil, but he always had a genuine, joyous smile. So when my husband and I learned that he was starting a church, we wanted to go.
Sojourn is a group of the warmest group of the most honest people I have met. You truly feel like you’re just coming to another family gathering. There are plenty of smiles and plenty of hugs. Acceptance, love, and compassion are the values that are practiced here. No one is excluded, and no one is judged. If you have something to say, it will be heard here.
Shortly after Sojourn started, I moved to Oakland but they have podcasts that I can listen to (
)! I love that their message is still accessible-​it definitely helps with the craziness of being in a new community! Pastor Kate and Colby are amazing at delivering sermons.
San Diego, meet your progressive Christian church.

The beauty, openness, and authenticity of this community blows my mind. There are very few places where one could find such a concentration of amazing, passionate, and grace-​filled individuals. I am proud to call this church family my home and am so glad that it is a community that teaches my children the Christian values of love, grace, and acceptance. I love everything that Sojourn Grace stands for!

I spent five weeks in San Diego in May 2014 and attended two or three services at Sojourn. I was very impressed with the sense of community, but mostly by the desire of the people there to serve their God free of the personal preferences, prejudices and Scripture cherry-​picking that is prevalent in Christian churches nowadays. As a devout Christ follower, I especially appreciated explanations of Scripture that clarified things for me. I live in Oregon and am in the process of moving overseas (Italy). It will most likely be difficult for me to find an English-​speaking church or congregation. I will continually be listening to podcasts from Sojourn.
I would recommend that those who are disillusioned by the bigotry and hypocrisy of most Christian churches, yet yearn for closer fellowship with the Lord, to check them out.

Sojourn Grace Collective started as a Sunday gathering in a pastor’s living room. «SoJo» outgrew its space and moved to Garfield Elementary’s auditorium — but it still feels like a «living room» (with awesome worship music, great lighting and a huge screen TV). My husband and I’s favorite thing to do is sit on the floor, on a rug, propped up by a pillow, and just get comfie. It’s just that kind of church. I feel safe. I go to a church that feels like family.
When my husband and I were church searching, we were looking, specifically, for a Christian church. A Jesus-​centric church. Sojourn Grace is definitely a Jesus church, meaning that ALL are truly welcome in God’s kingdom. EVERYONE. Regardless of class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sex, marriage status etc. etc.
Even though we’ve been there from the beginning, I continuously meet cool people. By cool I mean genuine, kind, caring, talented people who are always willing to jump in and help out.
I am SO very grateful for this church family and don’t think there is anything else like it in San Diego.

That #sojo life. This is a good place to be on Sunday mornings. I go because my best friends go here, because I love church music from my childhood in the Bible Belt, and because no one minds that I’m a spiritual universalist. Good people, rurrrl good people.

If ever there was a true mosaic of life, it’s assembled every Sunday here at SGC. Come visit us and you’ll see what I’m talking about. The music is amazing, the sermons are thought provoking and powerful and the friendship is genuine. There’s even a kids program, so bring ‘em along. I really hope to see you there. Jaime

It’s easy to forget that Sojourn Grace Collective is a church, because from what I’ve observed it’s more of a grass roots community of Christians who believe in unconditional love, celebrating not just tolerating differences, and genuinely wanting to help others.
Whereas some churches seem controlled by cliques or corporate hierarchies, it feels like anyone could not only walk into SGC and be warmly greeted but also included and valued. All members have a voice in this «all-​hands» community. The lead pastorship, shared between the husband and wife team of Colby and Kate, nurture an egalitarian approach. Last week that manifested into a guacamole competition night after a handful of members all mentioned they made the best avocado dip in town.
But oh yes, SGC is still a church as they do have regular Sunday services that examine Bible scripture with a non-​denominational angle. The sermons usually don’t interpret the Bible literally and are geared toward lessons applicable to everyday life — i.e. how can I be a better person, achieve my full potential, and make the world a better place? Some might call that liberal Christianity, but it makes a lot more sense to me than fire and brimstone theology.
Just one of the many unique things SGC does — and that exemplifies their community spirit — is their Rock, Paper, Scissors interactive group prayer, where members are asked to raise and contort their hands to show if they are struggling in one of three areas. The idea is for the church and the community to openly support each other. It’s the sort of thing I usually only see in small fellowship groups, not at a Sunday service where people tend to come in for a lecture and then leave.
SGC likes to have fun with events like Beer and Hymns night at Mission Brewery last month, where people gathered to sing along with the live church band with lyrics projected on the walls, while swaying steins of lager and hefeweizen.
SGC started only a few months ago, as members left another progressive urban San Diego church to start their own thing. They started as a home church in the pastors’ house, and then settled into their current location at Garfield Elementary on Easter Sunday. Although they are still young, you can expect a full church operation with live music, sophisticated PowerPoint sermons, and sweets/​treats/​coffee. They have already started a Central America service project and have plans to do more outreach to serve the local community.