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by Kyla Gillespie (Author), Robert S. Smith (Foreword by)
If you're wondering if God is still working in this world through his Word, his Son, and his Church to transform lives, heal wounds, clarify confusion, and change futures, look no further than Kyla Gillespie. Kyla is a Canadian-born biological female who realized at a young age that she was drastically different from other girls. The teen years proved particularly difficult as she navigated a broken family, a passion for hockey, taking her first drink, and a struggle with gender dysphoria and same-sex attraction--all while wondering what it might mean to follow Christ. Ultimately, her confusion through gender and sexuality led her to surgically transition from female to male by the age of 31. During the years she changed her name to Brycen, Kyla found herself in even more confusion as she relentlessly grappled with questions many others ask:
- Can I choose my path, and simply include God in it?
- Does God make mistakes?
- Can I follow Christ, and choose my own sexuality and gender?
- Does choosing Jesus make the pain go away?
- What does he expect from me?
- Does God's original design for gender and sexuality matter in modern times?
In this gripping memoir, Kyla shares her own lived experience of encountering the Scriptures and the Church in ways that made all the difference as she wrestled with these questions. By the power of Jesus working though his Word and His people who sacrificially walked beside her through the twists and turns of the journey, Kyla now testifies that she's been TransFormed--not only in her transition from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, but also in the transition back into her God-given gender.
Now an international speaker and founder of Renewed & Transformed ministries, Kyla's highest hope is that God might use her story to reveal He is big enough, good enough, and smart enough to guide any struggler--and that life in Christ is worth every moment of the struggle. "May others who find themselves in my shoes earnestly consider Christ who is worth it no matter the cost," she declares, "and may the Church be there to love and disciple them like it did me. If anyone wonders if transformation and freedom is possible, here is my account of God's redemptive and glorious work through his Word and his people."
Author Biography
Kyla Gillespie is the founder of Renewed & Transformed Ministries. Her deep desire is to help Christians be better equipped to love the LGBTQ+ community. Kyla is a podcaster and an international speaker inspired to share her own experiences with same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria so that others might encounter Christ and experience His power and hope in their lives. She lives in Greater Vancouver B.C, where she is an active member of Gospel City Church.
