Benny’s Story

One mission: every kid, one at a time, meeting Jesus. This year over a thousand teens are in a Christ sharing relationship where that mission is playing out. One of those kids is Benny, a Campus Life kid. What is God up to through the ministry of Youth For Christ? We asked Benny what has happened in his life and here is what he shared:

Ever since I could remember God was a part of my life. But even though I grew up with God I never had felt a real connection.

I remember when I was 12, my struggle with faith started. I would do everything that any other follower of Jesus would do. I went to church, prayed, and read the Bible. But even though I did all these things I didn’t feel anything so I kept trying to figure out how to pray better, and how to worship better, but I still didn’t feel like it was working. It was around this point when my faith started to fade away. I wasn’t really sure what to do because it was summer break and I was just there. I felt pointless and useless without a purpose. Eventually the whole summer break went by and I didn’t do a single thing.

Campus Life Girls Hike to Yosemite!

The first day of Middle School came around and the first few months were alright but nothing really special happened. But then I met this funny little dude named Matthew who invited me to a club on Friday named Campus Life. When I first started to go I met all these amazing people who were kind, caring, supportive and just everything that I wanted to be. I remember thinking to myself like, “wow, I want to be like them.” So I started to go every Friday and for the rest of 7th grade.

Then came the second year of Middle school when I started to go to the youth group they have. They were having a winter camp and I decided to go. When I arrived at the camp I was nervous because I wasn’t really sure what to expect since I had never gone to a camp but my leader, Aubrey, assured me that it was going to be an amazing experience. And she was right! While I was at the camp I got this new deeper feeling that is hard to explain. I felt happy and full as if something deep inside of me had been filled with this overwhelming amount of joy and peace.

Students sharing about YFC at a local church!

When the camp ended I got home and told my mom all the things I did and how fun it was. Later that same day I was sitting in my room and started to thank God and without knowing much I accepted him into my heart. Almost instantly I was filled with that same joy and fullness that I felt in camp but this time it felt never-ending. The next day I wanted to spread this amazing feeling that I had and started to share to my friends all the things that Jesus did for me. A lot of my friends supported me and have moved closer to God.

I’ve noticed a lot of changes in my life. For example, I feel like I have more consciousness and I’m aware of the things that I’m doing whether it be right or wrong. Another thing I’ve noticed is that I feel like I have more self control than before and I can stop and actually think things through and make sure what I’m doing isn’t wrong.

The main difference in my life after accepting Jesus is that I feel like I have a purpose and a reason to live: 

“To love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

Congratulations to the graduates!

I joined Youth For Christ because when I was a kid just like Benny, God met me through a mentor. I joined Youth For Christ because I want teens everywhere to have the chance to meet Jesus and have their lives changed forever too. I hear these stories of lifechange and it still gets me fired up! I’m grateful that God is still on the move and I’m grateful that we get to be a part of this good news, the gospel, “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

Thank you, Benny, for sharing your story! It encourages the mission and reminds us of God’s power for change in our own lives and our world,

Jameson

P.S. Check out this short video testimony from Noah who went from fighting at a Campus Life Superbowl Party, to camp, and to Christ! https://yfcnow.org/testimony