LYNCHBURG Va. (WVDN) – Annie Stewart Lambert grew up in Summers County. She attended Bellepoint Elementary School, Hinton Summers Middle School, and 9th grade at Hinton High. She is a woman who immediately strikes you as someone you would want to know. With a welcoming smile on her face, she beckons you to come close enough to know her story. That smile seems to say she has never known a stranger and after you know her story you will understand. Lambert was gracious enough to share that story with us. Here it is in her own words.
“I am an abuse survivor, Christian author, musician, and community leader and I have dedicated my life to sharing a message of hope, healing, and faith.
“The Lord placed a calling on my heart to visit every church in my current hometown of Lynchburg, Virginia, a city known as the city of churches. With approximately 400 churches to visit, this journey will take approximately 8 years to complete. A significant number as it’s the same number of years I suffered through child abuse. So far, I’ve had the privilege of visiting around 75 churches, and each experience has been one that has deepened my faith and strengthened my resolve to share my story.
“What began as a deeply personal mission has now blossomed into a global outreach, with millions of people now following my journey across over 90 countries. I never imagined that my story would speak to so many, but it has become clear that my story is helping others find their own path to healing and reaching out to Jesus.
“Through this journey, I’ve experienced an outpouring of love and support, not only from my local community but from people worldwide who have reached out to share how my story has inspired them.
“In addition to my ministry, I felt compelled to create Christian children’s books, a passion that stems from my desire to offer children a sense of safety, inspiration, and the love of Jesus; all the things I was denied during my childhood.
“My first book debuted as the #1 release for children’s Jesus books on Amazon and now be found at major retailers like Barnes and Noble. These books are more than stories, they are tools to help children learn about kindness, compassion, and the love of God in a way that is relatable and approachable.
“My music is another outlet through which I share my journey of healing. Each song I write is a reflection of my own experiences with loss, pain, and, ultimately, the redemption and hope that come from a relationship with God.
“My songs, which are centered around themes of overcoming adversity and holding onto faith are available on Spotify, Apple Music, iHeartRadio, and all major streaming services. I’ve found that music has a unique way of reaching people, offering them comfort and encouragement even in their darkest moments.
“To chronicle my journey of visiting Lynchburg’s churches, I maintain a blog at www.lynchburgvachurch.com. This blog captures the profound experiences I’ve had in each place of worship, the amazing people I’ve met, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
“The blog talks about the power of faith, community, and resilience, and it serves as an encouragement to others who may also be on their own path to healing.
“In recognition of my efforts to bring about positive changes in the community, I was honored to receive the 2024 award for best civic leader in my city.
“This acknowledgment shows how far I’ve come and the impact sharing one’s story can have on others.
“My journey is far from over and I’m continuously amazed at how God is using my story to reach people all over the world.
“Through my books, my music and my ministry I hope to remind others that no matter how broken they may feel, God’s love can restore and redeem us. I look forward to continuing my journey of visiting every church in Lynchburg and I pray this journey not only brings healing to my heart but also to the hearts of countless others.“
You can support Annie on her blog, by listening to her music or purchasing a book.
