‘Me, a 24-year-old woman, leading a church? It felt absurd!’

Tola-Doll Fisher (TDF): I really want to speak with you about your experiences as a young, female church leader. But before we get there, tell me about your formative years.

Sasha Gerry (SG): I grew up in Suffolk in the same house my whole life. My parents became Christians when they got married, so I was raised in the faith, attending a Church of England church. In the countryside, my siblings and I were essentially the ‘youth’. I also attended events run by the Stewards’ Trust from a very young age. They gave me a charismatic experience of faith that contrasted with the traditional Church of England services.

TDF: What is the Stewards’ Trust, and why was it so different for you?

SG: Stewards’ Trust is a charity focused on discipleship. They run family and youth events, such as Easter camps and summer house parties, where families grow in faith together. It became like a second church for me. When I was nine, I encountered the Holy Spirit for the first time at one of their events, which shaped my journey.

No one had modelled that it was OK to make mistakes 

TDF: What happened during that encounter?

SG: I sneaked into a late-night worship session with my sister. Mimicking others, I stood with my hands out as they sang, and, suddenly, I started crying uncontrollably. At the time, I didn’t fully understand it, but as I’ve grown older, I recognise that I often experience the Holy Spirit through tears. It was a life-changing moment that’s stuck with me.

TDF: Did anyone explain to you what you experienced?

SG: Not really. It was vivid but not something we discussed afterward. My understanding came later, though there were challenging periods along the way.

At 13, I went to boarding school, where I lacked Christian community or discipleship. The chapel services were dull, and I struggled to see God in them. Despite always believing in God and wanting to follow him, I went through a rocky period between 16 and 21, especially at university. I found myself caught up in physical relationships, which created shame and distanced me from God. Once a year, I’d attend Stewards’ Trust events to ‘get my fix’ and then try to keep going in my faith.

TDF: How did that period affect you?

SG: No one had modelled that it was OK to make mistakes. Youth leaders never talked about real struggles like sex or drinking, so I thought I was a terrible person. Shame silenced me, and I felt unworthy of forgiveness. For six years, I carried that shame until I had a breakthrough moment.

TDF: What changed?

SG: In my final year of university, I had a mentor, a personal pastor, who shared her story with me during our first meeting. It was so similar to mine that I felt safe opening up about my struggles, including sleeping with my boyfriend and feeling disconnected from God.

She was kind, non-judgmental and prayed for me over the course of a year. In May 2022, I told her: “I can’t do this anymore. I don’t want to have sex; it’s ruining my relationship with God and leaving me unfulfilled.” We prayed together and, while nothing dramatic happened, I made a conscious decision to stop and pursue God wholeheartedly again.

Shame silenced me, and I felt unworthy of forgiveness

Later that year, at a leadership conference, I had a profound experience with God. During worship, I felt overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit and started weeping uncontrollably. A woman I didn’t know prayed over me, saying words like: “You are washed clean, clothed in white, made pure.” It was as if God was speaking directly to my shame and telling me I was free.

When I left the room, it started raining heavily. I stood outside in my white dungarees, letting the rain drench me, feeling like God’s holy water was washing me clean. I took a selfie in that moment – it’s my favourite photo because it captures the day God set me free. I celebrate it as my ‘freedom birthday’ every year on 26 August.

TDF: That’s such a beautiful memory. How did it propel you into church leadership?

SG: I’d received prophetic words about being called into leadership but always assumed it was for the future. During my final year at university, I was part of my church’s ‘School of the Spirit’ course. One day, a prophetic speaker pointed at me and said: “There’s a call of leadership over your life.”

Later that day, while writing in my journal, I got distracted on Instagram and saw a post from the Stewards’ Trust advertising their Discipleship and Leadership Year. I’d always admired the people who did that, so I applied and got in!

During that year, I realised my calling was to help young people find freedom, and I was to be a voice for them and share stories openly and vulnerably. I launched a podcast, ‘At His Table’, sharing women’s stories of being set free in specific areas of their lives. I also started ‘Freedom Feasts’, hosting meals for women with conversation, prayer and worship. 

TDF: How did you transition into leading a church?

SG: As my year with Stewards’ Trust ended, I felt a clear call to ministry. I approached my pastor at Holy Trinity Clapham to ask about opportunities. He mentioned another church where the current leader was leaving. I was shocked – me, a 24-year-old woman, leading a church? It felt absurd!

While I wrestled with doubts about being young, female and single, I attended a youth conference where a speaker prayed for me. A woman joined in and said: “You’ve been disqualifying yourself, but the only qualification you need is your yes.” That was the confirmation I needed.

I went through the formal process of meeting with the archdeacon and the church wardens. Despite my fears, everything fell into place and I was appointed to lead the church.

TDF: How has the experience been so far?

SG: It’s been a mix of challenges and blessings. I’m the youngest person in the church, which can make it tricky to lead older members who naturally want to care for me. But I’m learning to trust that God placed me here for a purpose.

You’ve been disqualifying yourself, but the only qualification you need is your yes

I preach once a month, lead Bible studies and spend time building relationships with the community. I’m also planning to bring ‘Freedom Feasts’ to the church. As people get to know me, they’re starting to see my passion and vision.

TDF: What’s your biggest takeaway from this journey?

SG: Freedom is available to everyone. For years, I lived in shame, believing God wouldn’t forgive me. But I’ve learned that God is gentle and patient, peeling back the layers of our wounds and healing us. My passion is to help others experience that same freedom; to know they are sons and daughters of God, and to live unburdened by shame.

Sasha Gerry is a pastor at a church in South London and is passionate about freedom and women’s ministry. Sasha is also the host of a podcast called At His Table and runs a supper club for women called Freedom Feast.