The Rev. Kayla Bonewell was born in Oklahoma City. She earned a BA in Religion from Oklahoma City University (2002), a Master of Liberal Arts from Naropa University (2004), and a Master of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California (2008). Ordained in the United Church of Christ (2010), Kayla has ministry experience as a hospital chaplain, campus minister, social justice activist, youth minister, associate pastor, and solo pastor. Her personal mission statement is “To empower community, through experiences of the divine, to lead lives of deep meaning, while cultivating health, peace, and beauty in our world.” She is passionate about relevant worship, spiritual growth, and community engagement. She is currently the pastor in charge at two UCC churches in OKC, the Cathedral of Hope and Church of Open Arms.
Kayla and Sarah have a candid conversation about the intersections of her faith, doubt and sexuality. She shares her story of growing up with a passion for all things God and church but finding no refuge in her home church of the United Methodist tradition and her journey to finding a home in the UCC tradition. They also chat about how the social landscape of Oklahoma has changed since we both grew up here and what gives her hope.