I grew up in a Christian home, and our family has been at FCF since I turned 1.  When I was five or six years old, I asked my mom how to become a Christian. She explained the gospel, and then I prayed with her to accept Jesus as my savior, but I don’t really think that I completely understood what I was doing.

Having been raised in a Christian home, I went to church every Sunday, and was very involved in all kinds of church ministries, and I just figured that that was really all that I needed to be doing, and that I was on the right track. I don’t think that I ever read the Bible except for on Sundays, and I was very prone to forget to bring it home with me afterwards.

Then one Sunday when I was about twelve years old, I was in class and the teacher said that she would like some of us to give our testimonies the next week. Of course I wanted to make her happy, so that night I started thinking about what I should say. After about ten or fifteen minutes I realized that I didn’t have any fruit in my life, and I really wasn’t living for God. Right then I broke down crying, and I prayed that God would completely take over my life, and that I would grow to be more like Him.  I was baptized not long after this.

Ever since then, I have been growing so much, and striving to be like Christ. One of the main ways that I have been growing is by working at a camp called Forward Bible Camp. I have been attending the camp since I was eight years old, and serving there since I was eleven. Serving there has really been a humbling experience, especially when I get a disobedient camper, or am given a job that I would rather not have to do. Also, attending the camp is a very good growing experience. I have learned so much from the speakers and from my cabin leaders, and always feel much closer to God after spending a week there.

Another way that I have been growing is by going into the junior/senior high class here at church on Sunday mornings. I always learn so much, and it helps a lot when there is a discussion time afterwards, so we can really think about what we heard, instead of just listening and totally forgetting whatever was just taught.

I also love how this church always has so many opportunities to serve the body, and look for different ways to help serve in any way that I can.

I still struggle with sin, and I know that I always will in this life, but I know that God can and will help me through anything, and I will continue to strive to become more like Him, and look forward to praising Him for eternity.