Meet our team
Inspired by Christ to weave faith into words, sharing God’s hope and truth.
Jess Driemel
Spiritual Judge
Sari Russo
Prophet | Teacher
BIOs
Hello, I am Jess Driemel – Spiritual Judge
My connection with God primarily comes through dreams and the gift of discernment. These gifts allow me to receive divine messages and insights that guide my life and ministry. I believe in being straightforward and honest, always speaking my mind and sharing the truth as I see it. My greatest passion is to see people liberated from their burdens and to witness the restoration of deliverance within the body of Christ.
I am blessed to be happily married, and together with my wonderful spouse, we have three amazing children who bring joy and purpose to our lives. God is my foundation and my family’s support allows me to pursue my calling with dedication and enthusiasm.
One of my goals is to encourage others by addressing and writing about topics that are often overlooked or avoided in the modern church. I believe that by shining a light on these issues, we can foster greater understanding, healing, and growth within our faith communities.
And on a lighter note, I have a sweet tooth and absolutely love eating cake. It’s one of those simple pleasures that brings a smile to my face and reminds me to enjoy the little moments in life.
Hi, I’m Sari Russo – Prophet | Teacher
Journeying through a life marked by trauma led me into endless programs, qualifications, and conversations — all in pursuit of healing. What I learned wasn’t how to get free. I learned what was wrong with me. Labels. Frameworks. Diagnoses. But no doorway out. Just more language for the prison.
If you’ve been in church long enough, you’ve heard stories like mine. Stories where Jesus meets people in broken places and somehow leads them out. What often gets missed is how long the wilderness is — and how unclear the path feels when you’re actually walking it.
My story includes bullying, sexual assault, addiction to alcohol and drugs, the mental health fallout that followed, and eventually a traumatic brain injury. Each layer added another reason for the world to explain me, manage me, or quietly write me off. And yet — I kept finding myself among Jesus’ people, the very ones who never could have imagined the good He would bring from their worst decisions.
Scripture says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge,” but what I discovered is that knowledge alone does not bring freedom. I had knowledge. (The Pharisees had more knowledge than I and yet they could not recognise Jesus). I had insight. I had education. What I did not have was a way out. The truth of Jesus does not merely explain suffering — it breaks chains.
When you’ve been hit by a truck, live with a TBI, and slowly realise you don’t process the world the way others do, the system’s answer is control. Power of attorney. Decisions taken “for your own good.” Freedom traded for safety. So you learn to hide. You pretend you’re okay because honesty feels dangerous. You make bad decisions not because you are reckless — but because fear is driving the wheel.
And no one really teaches you how to stand firm when your mind is fractured, your nervous system is overwhelmed, and your spirit is exhausted. Scripture says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free,” yet so many systems only know how to manage behaviour, not restore the soul.
When you are vulnerable, help does not always arrive cleanly. Sometimes vultures do. People and systems that use weakness rather than protect dignity. That is not the Gospel. That is not deliverance.
And yet — Jesus never promised management.
He promised freedom.
Not a better diagnosis.
Not tighter oversight.
Not a smaller life designed to avoid risk.
Freedom from bondage.
Freedom from fear.
Freedom from being owned by trauma, shame, or other people’s authority over your calling.
Today, I stand as a prophet and teacher, not because my life was clean, but because God is faithful. My life is a testimony to what faith forges in the fire — not instant healing, but resilient obedience. Not certainty, but surrender.
The prayer that has carried me when nothing else could is simple and devastatingly honest:
“I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)
Trusting the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit does not remove pain — but it reveals purpose. And when your heart finally knows His sovereignty above all else, healing begins in ways systems cannot manufacture.
I am not on a journey to be “fixed.”
I am on a journey to be free.
And I now dedicate my life — forged through pain, confusion, and grace — to walking with others toward hope, healing, and a deeper relationship with God.
## Discovering Women in Leadership in the Bible: Challenging Complementarianism
– Sari Russo 14/07/2024
For many years, the church has wrestled with the roles of men and women within its walls. Unfortunately, one outcome has been the spread of complementarianism—a belief that men and women have distinct and complementary roles, often resulting in male leadership and female submission. This interpretation has led to a sad history of limiting women’s roles in the church and society, contributing to confusion about gender identity and purpose.
### Uncovering the Truth
When I began to study the Bible more deeply, I was struck by the numerous examples of women in leadership roles. These women were not only pivotal in their communities but also instrumental in the unfolding of God’s plan. Here are a few key figures that challenged my understanding and inspired me to share these discoveries with others:
1. **Deborah**: A prophetess and judge in Israel (Judges 4-5). Deborah led Israel in a time of crisis, providing wisdom and courage. She was respected by both men and women, and her leadership brought peace to the land.
2. **Priscilla**: An early Christian teacher (Acts 18). Priscilla, along with her husband Aquila, played a significant role in teaching Apollos, a learned man, more accurately about the way of God. Her role in the early church was vital and demonstrates that women were actively involved in ministry.
3. **Phoebe**: A deaconess in the church at Cenchreae (Romans 16:1-2). Paul commended Phoebe for her service and entrusted her with delivering his letter to the Romans. Her position as a deaconess indicates that women held important roles in the early church.
4. **Junia**: An apostle mentioned by Paul (Romans 16:7). Paul refers to Junia as “outstanding among the apostles,” suggesting that she was a respected leader in the early Christian community.
### Challenging Complementarianism
The historical and biblical evidence of women in leadership roles challenges the complementarian view. By sharing these stories, we can counter the misinterpretations that have limited women’s roles in the church. It is essential to recognise that:
– **The Bible supports equality**: Galatians 3:28 states, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This verse highlights the fundamental equality of all believers, regardless of gender.
### Mutual Submission
– **Ephesians 5:21**: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
While the Bible does not explicitly state that husbands should “submit” to their wives in the same language it uses for wives submitting to their husbands, it clearly calls for a mutual, sacrificial love and respect. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church, which involves selflessness, care, and prioritising their wives’ needs. This mutual honouring and valuing of each other aligns with the broader biblical principle of mutual submission among believers.
– **Equality should not discount Male headship**: Ephesians 5:22-24 states, “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”
– **Context matters**: Many of the passages used to support complementarianism are taken out of context. For example, 1 Timothy 2:12, which says, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet,” is often cited without considering the cultural and historical context of Paul’s letter.
### Moving Forward
It is time for the church to embrace a more inclusive and accurate interpretation of the Bible. By acknowledging and promoting the leadership roles of women in the Bible, we can:
– **Empower women**: Encouraging women to pursue leadership roles within the church and society helps to break down the barriers that have long restricted their potential.
– **Foster equality**: Acknowledging the equal value and capabilities of men and women aligns with the message of the gospel and promotes a more just and loving community.
– **Clarify gender identity**: When we affirm the biblical truth of gender equality, while still recognising there is a place for a husband’s Headship of this wife, we help dispel the confusion that arises from rigid gender roles and expectations.
### Conclusion
The discovery of women in leadership roles in the Bible has been a transformative journey for me. It has opened my eyes to the richness and diversity of God’s creation and has inspired me to share this truth with others. By challenging the wrong biblical interpretations that have supported complementarianism, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable church where everyone is encouraged to fulfil their God-given potential.