I am so excited to have my next interview with a person I know in person, though the friendship started online. I had followed Bailey for a while, and when she announced her launch team for Together is a Beautiful Place, I applied to be part of the team. (Sidenote: I have been on a ton of launch teams over the past few years.) Well, I was thrilled to be a leader on her launch team, helping with several behind-the-scenes things, and finally met in person at her beautiful home in Denver for the launch party.
During that time I was able to see more firsthand the serious nature of Bailey’s faith, and her compassion for her community. I wanted to have Bailey as a guest because I do not believe that everyone’s journey of faith involves religious trauma. Everyone has different relationships with faith and it is a gift to see the goodness God is working in all lives.
Bailey T. Hurley is the author of Together is a Beautiful Place and everyone’s favorite community cheerleader. She encourages women to pursue a faithful relationship with God to build fruitful friendships in their corner of the world. She has written on the topic of friendship and faith for publications like Proverbs 31, Live Original and She Reads Truth. She also loves podcasts! You can find her chatting all about friendship on the 5 Minute Mom Podcast and a dozen more.
She currently lives in Denver, CO with her husband, Tim, and kiddos: Hunter, Liv, and Henri. She is on staff at Park Church Denver. You can find more resources on baileythurley.com and say hello on Instagram at @bailey.t.hurley
Tell a little about your experience of faith/religion as a child.
My parents grew up with different faith backgrounds. My mother was catholic and my dad was protestant. But, my parents landed on a Presbyterian church that many of the kids at my school attended. This is where I attended a child's choir, Wednesday night programming, Sunday school, and Sunday worship. I adored the community this church had and the youth pastor who led us in understanding Jesus. Eventually, from this church's impact, I gave my life to Christ at 13.
How has your faith changed from your upbringing?
Many things have changed but mostly change comes with maturity and experience. Even now, I see our church grow and change as the leadership walks through new ways of applying Scripture to our culture. I think I feel mostly challenged by an overgrowing sense of secularism in America and how to live counter-culturally which was not demonstrated in my home.
How do you feel about faith/religion now?
I feel the hand of God over me all the time, protecting my faith from all the cultural twists and turns I have witnessed other Christian brothers and sisters walk through and eventually walk away from their faith. I have just had a steady practice of spiritual disciplines and community that have pointed me back to God's truth and so far, I have found nothing better to replace it.
If you are a parent, how has your journey impacted your parenting?
I think I have had more hands-on discipleship in my kid's life than my parents did in mine. They trusted me to the church and I have entrusted myself as the main faith teacher. But also, having witnessed friends walk through so many things, I feel much more open-handed than I did even a decade ago. Where I felt tight-fisted in my friend's faith journeys, I feel much more trusting with my kids--God is going to do what He does. As are they. So, doing what I can to plant seeds but ultimately know I do not control the outcome.
God is going to do what He does.
For the Ears
Do you have a podcast or music that is comforting, inspiring, or healing to you?
As a ministry leader, I have been working on growing my ability to counsel and listen to people's stories. I have enjoyed this podcast about this subject called: The Place We Find Ourselves.
For the Eyes
Instrument in the Redeemers Hands by Paul David Tripp. This is a great take on how the everyday Christian influences the family of God. It’s not just pastors (and often isn’t) who are meeting everyday hardships and trying to love others the way God does. This book reminded me of the importance of knowing God and deeply knowing others. Tripp says you can’t love people if you don’t know them. I couldn’t agree more. It set me on a trajectory to be intentional with the people around me, ask better questions, and take my role as a disciple making disciples seriously.
For the Taste Buds
Chai Tea Latte!
Thank you so much for participating, Bailey!
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