Regardless of our background life is filled with highs and lows. We all have our struggles and how we deal with them can ultimately set us up for success or failure. What we love about Louise Cherrie is her transparency and wisdom. Here she talks about marriage and how to keep it alive, overcoming depression and anxiety as well as being a mother to 5 kids. Louise Co-Pastors Home Church alongside her Husband and she is passionate about people finding hope and fulfilment.
Her Background
I was born and raised in the north east of England, with my Mum, Dad and older brother. My parents were pastors so I was in church a lot! We were a close knit family who had lots of fun together. My parents always showed us that church was fun and the best place to be but had a great balance with family life so we grew up loving the church and that’s where i met my now husband Andrew. We started dating when we were 17 and the rest is history! We’ve been married for 20 years and have five beautiful children.
Her role within Home Church?
I’m one of the Lead Pastors alongside my husband. I also, at present, oversee the Creative Team and Sisterhood, which is our women’s ministry. I love it! It energises me! I love seeing people experience the love of God, get connected into church and start to see their lives flourish. It’s the best!
Her challenges and how she has overcome them
Although I’ve lived a very blessed life, it’s not been without its challenges. Just because you grow up in church and a Christian doesn’t mean you’re exempt! Being a pastor’s kid had its challenges because of some pressures and expectations, not from my parents but from others in the church. I had to learn early on that it was ok to be me and to be comfortable with that, to find my own journey and run in my own lane. We all have the temptation to compare ourselves, every day and I wouldn’t say that’s a battle I’ve won but I definitely know how to deal with it now when it comes to call; to be confident in who God has called me to be and to make a choice to do that well and not be distracted. It’s a regular choice I make. One of the biggest challenges I dealt with was when I suffered with anxiety and depression almost 14 years ago. I was a wife, mum to two little ones and busy in church leading our worship team as well as youth pastor alongside my husband, Over time, without even realising it I’d let stress build up. I was taking other people’s problems and burdens on board and didn’t know how to switch off, until one day I just crashed. That night I had panic attacks all night. It was terrifying. During that time I felt hopeless. Yes I was a Christian, yes I loved Jesus and was a pastor but this had a grip on me and I couldn’t seem to get free. But over time I did. My fragile mind couldn’t cope with reading the Bible at that time so I typed out verses that were applicable to what I was going through and I carried them around with me and spoke them over my life. Through that and lots of prayer I came through and found freedom!
Marriage and keeping it alive
Marriage is the best thing ever but also the hardest, It’s rich and rewarding, demanding and challenging at the same time! The main thing I’ve learned though is that it’s not about me. I’m here to serve my husband (hang on a sec, calm down!)and he’s here to serve me too. If we can both get that right it makes things a whole lot easier. Also Andrew must know that, after my relationship with God, ours is the most important relationship. More than being a mother or a friend, we are called together and when we get that right our family is stronger and our children feel secure. It’s so important to get connection time! It might be for 10 minutes at the end of the day or a regular date night…whatever works for you but keep connecting!
On raising 5 kids in this generation
Being a mother is one of my greatest joys but you need lots of wisdom! And you never arrive! I’m still learning almost 19 years after becoming a parent. I teach my children what I was taught. That loving Jesus is the best life ever, that church is the best place to be. We teach them to have strong convictions that will see them through when they have to stand alone. To love people and be kind. To show respect to everyone. I’ve always thought of it like we’re training our children to leave home. Not that we’re trying to get rid of them but that we are training them to be the person that we want to send out into the world. It’s good to keep that in mind on those tough days!
Her purpose and how she manages being a wife, a mum, a leader,
I’ve always been passionate about church and known that in some shape or form I would build the local church. As I grew into my twenties I knew I wanted to lead and to pastor, although I never wanted to start a church! So I absolutely love what I get to do. Sometimes I can get overwhelmed and wonder how on earth I’m ever going to get everything done but I remember that I’m not perfect, I’m only human and I can only do my best. I fully believe though that as Christians we don’t need to do it all in our own strength, though we often try to then wonder why we are stretched. If we put God first and allow him to lead us and strengthen us it makes things a whole lot easier! When He calls you to do something – He equips you to do it too!
On how she prioritises what’s important?
It can be really hard to prioritise when you feel like everything is competing for your time. It’s always a bit of a juggle but I’ve learned not to compartmentalise my life but rather understand that life is seasonal and in some seasons some things need my attention more than others and to go with that.
On resting
i’ve had to learn this because I can feel guilty for this but it’s so needed so I try to schedule it in and refuse to feel guilty! Do what makes you relax. It’s not the same for everyone but do something that makes you switch off and replenish yourself. It’s so important!
What inspires her?
People inspire me. I love the diversity of human nature. The creativity that we bring and what we are capable of. One of my heroes is Billy Graham who died recently. Every time I read anything about him it inspires me to keep going and be single minded about what God has called me to do and who he has called me to be.
Parting words to our readers
Don’t give up, keep going! You’re doing better than you think!
Instagram: @louisecherrie
www.homechurch.co.uk
