Our First Gathering | September 19, 2026
What a wonderful evening we had at our very first Soul Nights!
We gathered with around 40 people for an evening of fellowship, laughter, good food, and meaningful conversations. Thank you to everyone who came and helped make this first gathering so special!
A Night of Connection
We played volleyball, jumbo Jenga, and corn-hole, shared some good food, and spent time getting to know our brothers and sisters in Christ. What a joy to see new connections and friendships beginning to form!
The Heart Behind Soul Nights
We also took time to share why Soul Nights exists.
Our desire is to see single adults in their 20s and 30s flourish and thrive in Christ, growing in spiritual maturity, embracing the present season with joy and purpose, and actively serving God's Kingdom. We were reminded that singleness is not a waiting room. We are called to faithfully follow Jesus and live fully for Him in whatever season we find ourselves.
The goal is not marriage. The goal is Jesus.
One of the highlights of the evening was our panel discussion, where we explored God's calling, faithfulness, identity in Christ, surrender, and finding our satisfaction in Jesus.
People were engaged and asked thoughtful, honest questions about relationships, contentment in singleness, navigating disappointment, church culture, and trusting God when life does not go as we hoped. We were especially encouraged to see the conversation extend beyond the panel to everyone gathered in the audience.
Two questions that captured some of these conversations were:
- How do we continue trusting Jesus through disappointment and seasons of waiting?
- How do we balance contentment in singleness with the desire to pursue marriage?
One of our panelists shared an illustration that really stayed with us: We cannot fit the ocean into a cup, but we can surrender the cup to the ocean. In the same way, rather than simply asking for more of God, we are invited to give more of ourselves to Him.
What a beautiful reminder that following Jesus is a life of surrender. Whatever season we find ourselves in, we are invited to seek Him, trust Him, and give ourselves fully to Him.
At the end of the evening, we were invited to reflect on how God might be calling us to grow in this season, whether through community and friendship, mentorship and discipleship, service and ministry, stewardship and obedience, or spending more intentional time in God's presence and His Word.
We were encouraged to consider one practical step we could take in response.
So, how is God inviting you to respond in this season?
Our hope is that Soul Nights would be more than a quarterly gathering. We want to become a community of disciples who are actively growing in our relationship with Jesus, serving Him, and encouraging one another along the way.
At the end of the evening, we were invited to reflect on five areas of our lives:
Community & Friendship | Mentorship & Discipleship | Service & Ministry | Stewardship & Obedience | Presence & Study
We each had an opportunity to consider what the Lord might be highlighting in our lives and one practical step we could take in response.
So, we would love to ask you again: What do you feel God is calling you into more of?
Have you taken a step toward that since we gathered? Is there someone who could encourage you or walk alongside you? We'd Love to Hear From You? What were you grateful for from our first gathering? Do you have any feedback, questions, or ideas for future Soul Nights?
Simply reply to this email. We would love to hear from you!
Our next Soul Nights is Saturday, November 28, 2026!
We are excited to gather again, and we have more in store for this community.
Stay tuned! More exciting updates and details coming soo
Blessings,
Julie & the Soul Nights Team
