We recently connected with Christy Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Christy, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Resilience, for me, comes from one place — the love of God. It’s not something I muster up on my own strength; trust me, I’ve tried that and ended up exhausted. What truly anchors me is knowing I am fully known and fully loved by God. That truth gives me the courage to get back up when life knocks me down.
I’ve walked through seasons of betrayal, heartbreak, and deep disappointment — things that could’ve hardened my heart or made me give up. But I’ve learned that pain doesn’t have to define you; it can refine you. And the key to that transformation is forgiveness. Forgiveness isn’t just about releasing someone else — it’s about setting yourself free to heal, to grow, and to live unchained.
I also believe resilience is built in the quiet places — in prayer, in worship, in those moments when no one sees you but God does. It’s not about pretending to be strong. It’s about being honest with your weakness and letting God meet you there.
So, my resilience isn’t a product of my personality. It’s the result of leaning into the grace of a God who never lets go — even when I feel like I have nothing left to give. And that’s what I want for others too — to know that kind of love. Because perfect love really does cast out fear.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Absolutely — thank you for asking!
I’m the Lead Pastor of Fearless Church, right in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. What I get to do every day is walk alongside people as they step out of fear and into their God-given identity. We’re not just a Sunday morning church — we’re a movement built on 1 John 4:18, “Perfect love casts out fear.” Everything we do flows from that.
What’s most exciting to me is seeing lives changed — watching people encounter the love of Jesus in such a real way that it transforms how they see themselves, their past, and their future. That never gets old. Whether it’s someone who’s walked through addiction, trauma, rejection, or just the exhaustion of striving — we’ve seen over and over that when people discover who they are in Christ, everything changes.
Fearless is a space for the misfits, the overlooked, the ones who’ve been told they don’t belong — and we say, “There’s room for you here.” We’re also a creative community — we use music, film, fashion, and the arts to speak truth and hope in ways that resonate with the world around us.
As far as what’s new — there’s a lot! We just launched our Fearless Collective, which is a space for creatives, entrepreneurs, and leaders to be equipped spiritually and practically. We’re also expanding our outreach efforts in L.A., especially to unhoused communities and young people who feel forgotten. And on a personal note, I’m working on a new book that dives deeper into identity, healing, and what it really looks like to live unafraid — so stay tuned for that!
At the end of the day, what I do isn’t about building a brand — it’s about building people. And if someone can walk away from an encounter with us and feel seen, loved, and challenged to step into who they really are — then we’re doing what we were called to do.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I’d say there were three qualities that shaped my journey more than anything: identity, obedience, and resilience. They weren’t just skills — they were spiritual muscles I had to develop through real-life testing.
Identity –
For a long time, I let people, performance, and pain define me. But nothing changed in my life until I learned who I was in Christ. Identity isn’t about titles, applause, or success. It’s about being rooted in the unshakable truth that I’m loved, chosen, and called — even when no one sees it yet.
My advice: Get in the Word. Surround yourself with people who speak truth over you. And be patient — identity is discovered, not manufactured.
Obedience –
I’ve learned that big moves of God often come from small yeses. Saying yes when it’s uncomfortable, when it costs you something, or when no one else understands — that’s where breakthrough lives.
My advice: Don’t wait for the perfect plan — walk in obedience with what God’s given you now. The next step usually comes after the step of faith.
Resilience –
Ministry, leadership, and life will test your limits. I’ve faced betrayal, disappointment, burnout — but what kept me going was learning to stay in the fight even when I didn’t feel strong. God doesn’t require perfection — He’s looking for people who won’t quit.
My advice: Build your prayer life. Learn to rest, not retreat. And trust that what you endure today is preparing you to carry what God wants to entrust you with tomorrow.
For anyone early in their journey: don’t rush it. You don’t have to have it all figured out to be effective. God does deep work in hidden seasons. Stay planted, stay teachable, and keep saying “yes” even when it’s scary — especially when it’s scary. That’s where the growth happens.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Right now, the biggest challenge I’m facing is leading in a culture that’s exhausted, disconnected, and deeply skeptical of the Church. We’re living in a time where people are hungry for truth and love — but they’ve also been hurt, burned out, or disillusioned by religion, and honestly, by life. As a pastor, I feel the weight of that every day.
Our challenge at Fearless Church is: how do we reach people who don’t want to be reached through traditional means? How do we build something authentic enough to earn trust in a world full of noise, distractions, and fake promises?
To overcome this, I’m leaning more than ever into radical transparency, intentional discipleship, and the creative power of the Gospel. We’re not afraid to have hard conversations. We’re not interested in just putting on a show. We’re committed to building a community that’s real — where people can bring their mess, their questions, their wounds — and still be met with grace and truth.
Practically, we’re pouring into our leaders behind the scenes, building healthy teams, and emphasizing mental health and spiritual formation. We’re also embracing creativity in how we communicate — through art, music, story, and technology — to meet people where they actually are.
But more than strategy, I’m staying on my face in prayer. I know I can’t carry this on my own. I don’t want to build something God’s not in. So while the challenge is real, I trust that His strength is made perfect in my weakness. And that gives me peace in the tension.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fearless.church/
- Instagram: @christy_noel
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/fearless_la
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fearless-la-los-angeles?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
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