A Journey From Youth Ministry to Mountain Towns

Levi Lusco grew up in a church where his parents were first‑generation believers. He preached his first sermon at 14 and, during his senior year of high school, experienced a crisis of faith that left him wandering and even drinking. He later described that period as a “Jonah moment,” after which he felt he had been running away from the life he was meant to live and decided to pursue ministry wholeheartedly.

Jenny’s path began in a Christian home as well. At age seven she understood the gospel, and a purity conference at ten deepened her commitment to live for God. She and Levi met during a mission internship in New Mexico, where they chose not to date at first, allowing their friendship to grow before they married.

The Call That Took Them West

After years of teaching and preaching in California, the couple felt a pull toward something more. They left a comfortable teaching pastor position—what they called a “cush” job—when a senior pastor left and the board asked them to step into a larger role. Feeling that their gifts were meant for a different context, they moved to Montana and founded Fresh Life Church.

They started with just 14 people in an upper‑room meeting, and a pregnancy was discovered after the move. Without modern church‑planting resources, they relied on older church planters and even used newspaper ads to attract attendees. The early years were marked by uncertainty, but the couple described the experience as an adventure that required faith, perseverance, and a willingness to let God guide the next steps.

Marriage as a Ministry

Levi and Jenny emphasize that their marriage is inseparable from their ministry. They talk about listening to God together, sharing the weight of leadership, and trusting that God’s call is a partnership. They have faced practical challenges—medical bills, balancing family life with church growth, and the emotional strain of raising children while building a church—but find comfort in the idea that God’s will is a launch pad rather than a lockdown.

When one spouse takes a more visible role, the other’s unseen contributions are equally vital. The couple reflects on how the hand needs the eye, the eye needs the foot, and how each partner’s listening to God strengthens their relationship and the church community.

Listening for God Together

Both speakers describe their joint calling as a shared listening process. They say that when they are hungry for God individually and then ask Him together, it becomes easier to discern His voice. They view their partnership as a way to “listen for His voice” and to allow Him to lead them jointly, rather than each following a separate path.

Levi and Jenny also discuss how they sense God’s will through prayer and by paying attention to the general direction of Scripture, rather than expecting a single, dramatic sign. Their conversation invites listeners to consider how a married couple can discern a joint calling and support one another in ministry.

To hear the full conversation—full of personal anecdotes, Scripture reflections, and practical insights—listen to the episode of Family Life Today.