World-Changer Spotlight: Get to Know Justin Dosch

I was born and raised in central Pennsylvania and moved to Pittsburgh 15 years ago with my wife, Autumn. Fun fact, we were high school sweethearts and started dating when I was 16! We live in Ross Township where Autumn is a school librarian for the North Hills School District and where we’re raising our three rambunctious teenage boys; Carter, Logan and Kaiden. Other than Jesus and my family, I love running, cycling, lifting, basketball, coaching track and field and pretty much anything that allows me to compete and move my body. I have also been playing the guitar for over 20 years and find great enjoyment from that creative outlet. Oh, and I’m the pastor of this pretty awesome community of people called True North Church :). 

Justin's Testimony: A Life Led by God

Knowing Jesus

As a kid, I was incredibly blessed to spend some of my most formative years living on a Bible school campus where my dad went to school and was eventually on staff. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t believe in Jesus. Even though my family and I went through a really tough season in the years that followed, it’s amazing to look back and see how he was protecting me and drawing me to him before I fully understood what the gospel meant. I say this often, but I truly believe God chose me and had his hand on my life from a very young age.

A Deeper Relationship

For about 4 years of my life things got really challenging as my dad battled addiction and my parents eventually divorced. I was 14 at the time and we had been disconnected from the church for several years. Around that time a friend of mine invited me to attend his youth group. I didn’t know it at that point but that simple invitation changed the course of my life. It reignited my relationship with the Lord and for the first time I began to grow and understand the gospel and God’s plan for my future. It took several more years, but I eventually submitted to the call to pastoral ministry and God has continued to transform my life. 

Because of Jesus

Today, I can say that Jesus has changed everything. I can’t imagine where I would be if I hadn’t surrendered my life to him. Without Christ I’d be a hyper-driven, prideful, achievement addict who would stop at nothing to succeed by the world's standards. And even though I still have to battle those temptations, I am so grateful for how the gospel has changed my heart. Jesus saved me and gave me a new identity. He called me to be part of his mission to change the world. He is continuing to chisel away at my rough edges and helping be the husband, father, friend and pastor he created me to be. God is so good! 

Favorite Verse or Book of the Bible? Why?

Choosing a favorite book of the Bible or favorite Bible verse is like asking me to pick my favorite child, it depends on the day :). A few of my favorites that I pray and speak over myself fairly regularly are:

“He must become greater, I must become less.”  John 3:30

I want to be less like me and more like Christ every day!

“But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Matthew 6:33

As a recovering achievement addict who constantly wants to see results, this is such an important reminder for me to simply be obedient to the Lord and let Him take care of the rest! 

“But God demonstrates his love for us in this, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

I don’t ever want to lose my awe of the gospel, this reminds me of how amazing God’s love is for me, demonstrated through Christ’s sacrifice! 

Who would you want to have a discussion with from the Bible, besides Jesus?

There are so many people I want to talk to when I get to heaven. But I can’t wait to talk to Peter. Can you imagine the stories he will have about his time with Jesus that didn’t make it into the gospels!

Where do you feel closest to God?

First, it’s always when I’m alone and it’s still and quiet. When I have unhurried time in the Word. If it can be outside in nature that’s the best. I also feel very close to God when I am out running in a beautiful place and I can just talk to him. That’s when I often hear his “voice” the loudest and clearest.