Testimonies of my Life

My Upbringing

Reflecting on My Childhood

03/02/2025

Looking back on my childhood, I can’t say it was a bad one—but from a spiritual perspective, it was anything but easy. From a young age, there was a divide within my household, a constant question lingering in the air: Which church should we attend?

My parents went back and forth on this issue until, eventually, my father left the church altogether. That left my mother to take it upon herself to teach us the ways of the Lord, but the road was far from smooth. She faced countless obstacles along the way, and so did I.

When I finally found a sense of stability within a church, it was already well established—but there was almost no youth presence. For the longest time, there were only three of us, and I was the oldest. Without a strong spiritual community my age, most of the friendships and relationships I formed were outside the church—rooted in the world rather than in faith.

Like many others, I faced temptation, and I stumbled. But that’s a story for another time.

The Strength of Fellowship

The Shaping of Young Minds

03/04/2025

I truly believe that fellowship within youth is one of the most essential aspects of spiritual growth, emotional support, and a strong sense of belonging. Looking back on my own experience as a young believer, I realize that having a strong faith-based community could have helped keep me anchored in the church.

The absence of such a community often left me feeling isolated in my faith, like no one truly understood what I was going through. Young people constantly face challenges—peer pressure, identity struggles, and the temptations of the world. Having a supportive, faith-driven community provides a foundation where they can uplift one another, share experiences, and hold each other accountable.

In order for youth to truly flourish and grow into instruments of God, it is necessary to surround themselves with like-minded, faith-filled individuals who will encourage them, help them up when they fall, and guide them when they feel lost.