Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Bouldin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It started with a burden.
Not a loud one, not a dramatic one—
more like a whisper that wouldn’t go away.
I grew up in the church, raised in the rhythms of gospel music, Sunday potlucks, and the kind of hope that clings even when the lights go out. But it wasn’t until much later that I realized I wasn’t just called to go to church—
I was called to be the church.
To take it where the pain is.
Where the questions live.
Where the beat drops and the people gather.
Years ago, my wife and I packed up everything and moved to Houston for a church planting residency. We had no real plan other than to follow this thing that had been stirring in us—a holy discomfort. There, I was shaped deeply by Resurrection Houston, by their vision of family, of neighborhood, of justice. It wasn’t just about theology, it was about proximity. It was about presence.
From Houston, we moved to Charlotte—
not just to plant a church,
but to root a movement.
We call it Reconcile Church.
Because reconciliation is the work Jesus is still doing.
Because we believe the Kingdom of God looks like people who don’t normally sit together at the same table… finally sitting down. Breaking bread. Sharing stories.
Alongside that, I’ve been telling stories on social media—
writing reflections, meditations, sometimes just raw moments.
Because I believe words can build bridges.
That honesty can be healing.
That beauty can still break through the noise.
None of this was ever about building a brand.
It was always about building belonging.
And somehow, in the mess and the miracle of it all,
we’ve found ourselves here—
in Charlotte, among artists and skeptics, dreamers and doubters,
trying to plant seeds in hard soil.
And watching,
as grace
makes things grow.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not even close.
But I don’t think smooth roads make very good stories anyway.
There’s something about stepping into a calling that sounds beautiful until you realize how heavy it is to carry.
Church planting isn’t just vision boards and launch Sundays—
it’s late nights wondering if anyone is still with you.
It’s trying to build something real in a culture addicted to performance.
We didn’t step into this with a blueprint.
We stepped in with a burden.
And that meant learning how to lead with open hands,
how to love people who might never fully understand the “why” behind what you’re doing.
One of the hardest parts?
Speaking out about justice.
Being a white pastor in a city still wrestling with the deep roots of inequality—
it means that when you talk about race, reconciliation, or the Gospel’s call to justice…
people push back.
Hard.
They question your motives, your theology, your leadership.
And sometimes they just walk away.
But we kept going.
Because this isn’t about being liked,
it’s about being faithful.
There’s also the personal cost—
the moments of self-doubt,
the weight of trying to hold a vision while keeping your own soul anchored.
We’ve gone through financial strain, fatigue, discouragement…
and yet, somehow, grace keeps showing up.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth.
But it’s been worth every scar.
Because we’re watching something beautiful grow—
not fast, not flashy,
but faithful.
Rooted.
Real.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Reconcile Church is still in the soil.
We haven’t launched weekly gatherings yet.
We’re not trying to build a crowd.
We’re building community.
Right now, we’re in that raw, beautiful place where all we have is a vision,
a deep burden,
and the prayer that God would send the right people to help carry it.
We believe the church should look like the neighborhood.
It should sound like the city.
It should feel like family.
We’re planting a church in Charlotte that’s centered on reconciliation—
not as a trendy word,
but as a way of life.
A way of walking with Jesus that moves toward the broken places
and sits in the tension with love and grace.
We don’t want to be known for a stage.
We want to be known for our presence—
in living rooms, in coffee shops, in city parks, in real conversations.
We want to form missional communities—small pockets of people who love God, love each other, and live on purpose in their neighborhoods.
What sets us apart?
We’re not planting a Sunday service.
We’re planting a people.
And we believe Jesus is found most clearly when people from different cultures, backgrounds, and stories come together—
not just in the same room,
but at the same table.
We’re proud of how honest this journey has been.
We’re not pretending we have it all figured out.
We’re just committed to showing up,
to living this out,
and to letting God write a better story than we ever could on our own.
So if you’re reading this and you’ve ever felt disillusioned by church—
but you still long for Jesus,
for justice,
for belonging,
for something real…
Reconcile might be the home you didn’t know you were looking for.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m a church planter who’s also a massive hip hop head.
Not just casually—
I mean deep cuts,
liner notes,
the kind of lyrics that make you pause and say, “Wait… run that back.”
Artists like Common, Mos Def, Kendrick, and Andre 3000 have shaped my theology almost as much as any seminary class ever did.
Because they’re prophets too—
telling the truth with rhythm and soul.
People see the pastor part, or they read the reflections I post,
but what they might not know is how much my love for people drives everything.
I’m a full-on extrovert.
I come alive around the table,
in conversations that go way past the surface,
in moments where people feel seen and known.
Also—my wife and I are starting the 75 Hard challenge tomorrow.
It’s a physical and mental reset—
a way to chase health, discipline, and consistency together.
It scares me a little.
Which probably means it matters.
And we’re stepping in with open hands and a whole lot of resolve.
Oh, and I hate peas.
Like… passionately.
There are battles worth fighting.
This is one of them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://reconcileclt.org
- Instagram: @pastorjbouldin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.bouldin
- Twitter: @pastorjbouldin
