I grew up not really knowing who Jesus was. In my house the word “Jesus” was only used when someone stubbed their toe or got upset. No one in my family has a relationship with God: not my parents, not my aunts, uncles, cousins, or even grandparents.

Not only did I not know my heavenly Father, but I grew up without knowing my biological father. I had always thought it was better to have no dad than a bad dad, but I never faced the wounds of what not having a consistent father had done in my heart. Because of these wounds, I turned to so many worldly things to try to fill a hole in my heart that only God could fill. When high school came around, I would distract myself from what was happening inside my heart by partying and chasing after things that only left me more hurt and empty then before.

Then, my best friend at the time got in trouble and her mom told her that she had to go to Radiant’s youth group as a punishment. She asked if I would go with her so she wouldn’t have to be alone with all the “Jesus people”. I had no clue that my entire life would be radically changed by a simple “yes” to going to a Wednesday night youth group.

Within five minutes of being there, the lead pastor came up to me and said that I should really think about going to Bold Conference with them. Afterwards, my friend and I went to Taco Bell and while we were there, she got a phone call from Radiant saying that both of us could go for half the price. So I decided to go!

Just before I left for the conference, my mom told me that her boyfriend of five years and the only father figure I had in my life, was going to have a serious open heart surgery and there weren't any promises of how it was going to turn out. So I got on the bus to head to the conference with a heavy heart, hoping that there really was a God, and that He would help my family through this. Sitting in my seat, I told God that if He really was there, then this was His chance to show me. 

With my heart softened and ready for God to answer my prayer, we headed into a worship session. In the middle of one of the songs, the worship leader stopped and said, “Don’t look to your left, don’t look to your right, but look directly into the eyes of your Father”. At that moment, I realized that I might actually have a father who won’t leave me, who has always been there for me, and who loves me without limits or conditions! He encountered me so powerfully that I couldn’t deny Him, and I had the revelation that He really was and always will be my father! That night I gave my life to Jesus and was spontaneously baptised. I made the decision to follow Jesus with all I have and I haven’t gone back!

When it came time for my mom’s boyfriend’s surgery, it went as smooth as possible with no complications. Just a few days after I got home from the conference, they got married! God had been more than faithful to my prayer!

However, not everything was perfect when I came. I lost many of my previous friends simply because we weren’t interested in the same things anymore. I may have looked lonely to my old friends, but it was a beautiful time of diving in and getting to know my heavenly Father. I got plugged into an amazing group of girls that I could dive deeper into God’s love with, and I started serving in Radiant’s Junior High ministry. Because of this, I was able to see the world from a whole new perspective. With this new Godly lens, I saw the potential for my family and future generations to know and love Jesus. 

I didn’t know what it was like to have a dad that chose me, and because of that my identity was broken. But God has been showing me who I am in Him; that I have been adopted into a new family. I am His beloved daughter, I am redeemed, I am enough. Today I know that God loved me even when I was broken. When I didn’t do anything for Him, He loved me. I am 17 years old now and I love the Lord with all my heart. I have no clue where God is going to take me, but I know it all started with my weak little “yes”.

Do you feel your story can serve as a hope and inspiration to others? Contact us at mystory@radiant.church.