(TW) I grew up in a Christian household. I went to church every Wednesday and Sunday, was on the worship team, volunteered for Fall Fest and VBS every year, I was on the media team, went to youth conferences, and I helped the children’s pastor and the nursery when needed. But I wasn’t saved. When I was 8 years old something happened to me that tore me away from the Lord for a long time. My cousin, the pastor’s son, raped me. He was living with us at the time, for about 6 months, and that season of my life was full of fear and pain. Then, another cousin of mine raped me at age 10. I never spoke up until I was 14 and no one believed me. So my anger towards God only grew stronger. By 17 I was diagnosed with MDD, Anxiety Disorder, Anorexia, and Insomnia. I self-harmed and tried to kill myself. When I was a senior in HS, I was under 80lbs and would pass out sometimes. I was prescribed anti-depressants but they didn’t work, and the side effects made everything worse. I knew then that my situation was hopeless and that God was the only thing that could save me. One night I was crying after another failed attempt and God’s presence filled my room. I wasn’t praying- I wasn’t even seeking God at all. But He still showed up for me. I was laying in bed, facing the wall, and I could feel something as if someone were physically holding me in their arms. Everything calmed down and that peaceful feeling stayed until I fell asleep. Years later, at 21, I was finally seeking God with all my heart. One night as I was worshipping in my dorm, and I felt God’s presence. The next morning I went to Chapel. There was an altar call and I felt a tug so I went and I got on my knees, praying to God that one day I’ll feel okay again. That He would make a way. Then a woman came and prayed for me. I didn’t know her, but she called out my depression and anxiety and rebuked it in Jesus’ name. At that moment I felt like I needed to physically surrender, so I placed my hands on the ground. Immediately I felt a heavy weight lifted off my shoulders that I didn’t know was there. I was filled with the Spirit. God spoke to me: “You’re made new because you put your faith in Me alone.” I was also given the spiritual gift of healing that day. Since then I have never struggled with feelings of depression or anxiety; I have not harmed myself or even thought about ending my life.

Gonna beat a dead horse and say that I also grew up in and out of church, but was completely missing a heart transformation. I believed in a creator, but had no idea who God was or why Jesus came. I experienced some sexual trauma throughout my childhood, around ages 6 to 12. Around 12 years old my mom helped me through giving my life to Jesus and accepting Him as my savior but, still no heart change. I started self-harming in high school, and had severe depression and anxiety. I was so empty, and didn't know what real love was, had trust issues like crazy, and hated/blamed myself, and almost attempted unaliving myself at one point, but a loved one talked me down from it. I think because of this, I just floated through life, from teenage years, to adulthood, and eventually into my marriage. The first four years of my marriage were good, but God wasn't included in it really (bc still no heart change). Was still floating. I was super lost, had no identity, and wanted to be on my own in the world, which my husband didn't understand and it broke him. In this mess of a separation I had created, I made terrible decisions, engaged in adultery, was self-harming again, suicidal, drinking, still depressed and anxious, not eating, and just really really lost and just so spiritually dead. Before signing divorce papers, my spirit shifted, and something inside of me said DON'T DO THIS, really loudly, but peacefully. So I didnt sign the papers. And soon after this, I came to him about everything and my husband wanted me back, even after everything I had done to him and myself. I couldnt understand it. His reaction was completely foreign to me. He wanted complete reconciliation. And this is where I finally saw a real glimpse of Jesus probably for the first time in my life. I was found by Jesus in the middle of the chaos I had created. Like my husband, Jesus still found and wanted me even after I stomped on his heart, left him, and chose the world. Broken, guilty, used, and dirty, he still took me back, washed me up, and takes care of me to this day with patience, gentleness, kindness and so much love. God used my marriage to help reconcile me to Him. It was a double reconciliation 🙌.This encounter changed me forever. We're on year 8 of marriage, and God blessed us with our daughter, Evelyn, very soon after our reconciliation.

A leader in the church once told me, that my testimony is not my story. As much as I would like to claim it, it's not mine. My testimony is Jesus' story that He has given to me. The story where He brought me from death to life: I was brought up in an abusive household, exposed to drugs, alcohol, and left alone with my little sister at a very young age. Through all the trauma all of those experiences had brought, I felt so alone, so unloved, and so unworthy of anything. Despite that, my mom was a Christian trying her best, as this is her first time living life too. She taught me a few of the Kid's Bible stories, but her husband never allowed us to go to church. Until, around 15 years old, my mom started taking us to church without him, until he eventually started coming too. But, during that time, I was completely lost. I was searching for love in the only place I received it, teenage boys. But that came with a price, I had to use my body to feel the love I was searching for. Which left me more empty and broken than before. And, despite this, God placed people in my life at the church that made huge impacts on me. And, in the Summer of 2022 that church took the entire youth group (4 kids haha) to a huge Youth Conference in Orlando, FL. Over 6,000 youth were there and it was a week long. That is were I gave my life to Christ and truly felt that deep never ending love that I had been search for so long for the first time. And it completely transformed my life. I gave up the boys, and starting feeling like me again. Ever since then, God has growing and transforming me more and more into the woman He has made me to be. And, He lead me to and blessed me with my amazing husband, @Andre Navas. And through all of the hard times since that moment of giving my life to Him, God has been with me. He fights my battles for me, and I have never felt alone, unloved, or unworthy since then. Thank you, Jesus!

I’ve grown up going to church every Sunday with my family but never really connected. Just went through the motions, never really paid attention, and thought nothing of church. I got to college and wanted the “college experience” and just tried to party and drink all the time. By the time I got to my junior year I realized this wasn’t me and needed change. I started going to Cru and reading my Bible more to get closer to God to better myself as a person. A year later Isaac invited me to Bible studies on Sundays and is one of the best things I’ve said yes to! But after getting into dental school and completing my first semester, I’ve been slacking with my readings and studying. Thankfully Isaac introduced Christ First to me and I’ve been loving it so far! It really helps me connect with God each day through the week instead of just on Sundays. Can’t wait to see where this can be in the future!

Just like most people, I grew up going to church. My mom, who was raising four kids at the time, made it a point we were in Sunday School every week, and told us how it important it was to go. I knew about Jesus that he sacrificed himself so we could live forever with God, but I never truly understood the severity or the personal impact God could have on my life. Fast forward to high school, around the peak of the pandemic, I hit a wall. I struggled with my identity and purpose, feeling lost and uncertain about my future. I decided to actually lean into faith instead of my own understanding, and I started praying seriously and got involved in my church a lot more. At that time, I was also reading a book called "A Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren and I realized that knowing my purpose wasn't about finding myself, but about surrendering myself to the One who made me. That's when I truly accepted Christ into my life. Since that turning point, I have finally begun to understand my identity and what I was put on this earth to do. While I’ve made a lot of progress, I know I have a long way to go to grow deeper in His word and teachings. I am excited to be part of this community, not only to grow closer to God but to experience this journey alongside you guys!😄