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:
Disconnected
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.
Middle School
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.
Camp
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.
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.
Changes
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
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,