15

"I am one of those who grew up in church. Every Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, and youth group! But the problem is that I never fully understood what we were being taught. Not to mention, I was so distracted because my life was good! I had friends, family, I was good at school and sports, and even had a scholarship for college. I was succeeding in so many areas of life, but I was also so prideful! It was my senior year of high school when someone invited me to a Good Friday service where I heard the simple hope of the gospel: that Jesus Christ loves us, died for us, and that we can be saved by faith in Him. It was at that time when I truly turned my life to Christ. Over the next 2 years, I started to truly pray to God and read my Bible. The pride in my heart faded, and the more I was humbled by God, the more I realized I needed God and His salvation through Jesus. It was in 2012 when I turned away from all of my own endeavors and started seeking God's plan. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. And just like someone invited me years ago, as a part of JCR, I make it my goal to invite as many people to know Jesus as I can."