Personal Narrative: My Experience Of Attending Awanas

To say my faith life has been completely revamped in the last year would be an understatement. I had views and ideas about faith that seem somewhat vile to me know with the experiences I’ve had. From just lectures to the retreats my spiritual side has gone from that of a holiday catholic to a Campus Ministry Student. From little things to big ethic topics I’ve changed in a multitude of ways, my Spiritual Autobiography looks like looks like someone else wrote it compared to any year before it. I think faith is one of the most important aspects of our life and it took me until last year to realize it.

This night was one of the best nights there ( and not just because I was leading it). This night was the night that people opened up the most, and let there walls down, and let one another see each other's brokenness, that we may be healed by the Lord, keep each accountable, and pray for one another. This was the first time that I knew that I was supposed to go into ministry, although I had thought about it before. Here on this mission trip was also when I knew that I was going to be baptized for the second time. I was baptized once before, I knew that I had realized that I was not completely aware of what I was doing. I told my youth pastor that I wanted to be baptized aging, and he was very happy for me. We got back from our mission trip, and about a month later I was baptized by my youth pastor on July 31, 2016. The only way I could describe how I felt afterward was “complete”. It made with special experience even better, that I was able to share it with all of my church family, that has supported my through my walk with

So, I accepted Kelly’s generous offer to go with her and Karlie on Sunday. My excitement to see the similarities and differences between my own religious views and the Baptist’s grew. I was also a bit nervous for the same reason.

My family and I got up, got ready, and drove less than a mile down Old Hickory Boulevard to Forest Hills Baptist Church, like we had always done. Except, that day I packed my swimming trunks. On August 5th of 2007, I was baptized by a minister at my church. I was eager to get started. With both of us cloaked in white, the minster and I stepped into the baptism “tub” during the worship service. Colorful rays of light were beaming through the stained glass windows, the water was warm, and my mother was standing beside of me for comfort and reassurance; I was at peace. Out of the opening, I could see the watchful eyes of the choir, worship leader, congregation, and my family; I was at peace. As part of tradition, I was getting ready to be immersed into the water; I was at peace. While in the water, an extraordinary sensation of purification swept through my body. I, for the first time in my eight years of life, had truly felt cleansed from head to toe. This feeling was a direct action of the Holy Spirit entering and presiding in my vulnerable self permanently.

The Pastor, explain to me you are now removing the old nature replacing it with the new nature in Christ. It was a very excited moment everyone that was present began to shout in loud voices with praises unto God. I was so excited as well and perhaps did not understand or completely aware of all that was happen. I did not have a mask on my face, but I had a scarf on my head, a handkerchief over my face as I was lower into the pool. Afterward we were instructed to attend spiritual discipline class I tried to attend as best I could but did end up not completing the process of the class, therefore the nutriment that I was to receive I didn?t receive it.

BRIANNA: Getting the phone call from Winshape was a dream come true, because I get to spend the summer growing relationships with kids and getting to know their hearts, as well as growing with other staff members. I can't wait to see how many people get touched by the Lord, and the impact that God will make through the people working at

On August 9, 2009 I was at my usual Sunday morning church service when I started to feel some unusual anxiety. My heart started pounding during the service, and after a few minutes it would stop. I had never felt this way, and before I knew it the service was almost over. The pastor gave the altar call, and I headed to the altar. The funny thing was that I had never been to the altar by myself; when I did go I went with my parents. This time,

Yesterday, I attended the Baptism of my second-cousin, Harper Grace Beal. All around her were Christians with smiles and hope for the future of this tiny, precious gift of God. People stood up to bless her and commit themselves to helping her grow in love in the world and in God. In that instant, with the dimmed Church lights and the twinkling Christmas lights just outside of the stained glass windows, I know that God was present for Harper. It was as if a cloud of calmness and clarity rolled over us, raining down the happiness that God offers to all of us. After learning about grace in this chapter, I know that Harper Grace received a lot of it, and all present witnessed it. Everyone spectating this sacrament reaffirmed their Baptismal promises,

At the meeting, we discuss many topics including the Pequot war which seems to be going well for Saybrook, and a man convicted of adultery who will be publicly whipped tomorrow morning. While walking home, I ponder to myself about predestination and wonder if I will be going to heaven or hell. When I reach the house, I go inside and have a swig of ale before heading back out to go and pick some squash. Once the kids return from school, we go and chop some more firewood since winter is approaching quickly. After deciding that we have all worked very hard today, we go inside and pray to God and read some more from the Bible. After praying and reading the Bible, we go outside to a berry patch and pick quite a few berries. Upon arriving home, my wife washes the berries and begins to fix dinner. While my wife is fixing dinner, I assign each of the boys a different chapter of the Bible to read. Once they finished reading the chapter, I quiz them on the chapter they have just read. After I am satisfied with their answers, I give them permission to sit at the table and pray until dinner is

Before attending the service, I was extremely nervous. I felt unsure of what to wear, what to expect, and even how to act. Once I met up with my Uncle, my nerves settled a little bit, but never fully disappeared. I wanted to come off as polite and that I was not intruding in a place that I did not belong. When we sat down in our seats, I tried to stay to myself and not bother anyone. I did not want anyone pointing out or realizing that we were new. I was terrified of someone finding out that I was not Jewish; though I am sure it was obvious. During the service, these feelings continued. I felt tense and kept my head down and in the prayer book for most of the service. I felt that if I tried to follow along and mind my own business that maybe

Therefore, before I arrived that Sunday I did attempt to mentally prepare myself for what was ahead. Though I knew what the meeting entailed it was still quite challenging to focus my thoughts for an hour without former practice. Though I tried to think about specific topics and succeeded in my concentration a handful of times my mind frequently wandered. I found myself opening my eyes to see who was moving or walking in the door, and gazing around the room contemplating its set up. When my eyes were closed, which was most of the time, my mind would turn its focus to the weight of my head on my neck and how extremely heavy and awkward it felt. The experience was very eye opening and extremely personal. Seeing where my mind went in an hour of silence showed me what my thoughts are drawn to and how long I can sit still with no real active stimulation before I get restless. I don’t feel that my experience was all that spiritual though. At times during the hour I did pray and focus on the energy and presence of God, but it wasn’t extremely moving. I feel that for my first time, my body and mind were just trying to understand and adjust to the process. I realized how focused and trained your mind must have to be to stay engrossed in the meeting with no visual or auditory reminders of your purpose there. I believe that if I revisit the meeting I

I asked the young man would it be okay for me to pray before we get started. And then I would ask him to first forgive himself, because that is a heavy burden to carry. Then I would ask him if he believe that God is a healer. And sense he did come to a church I would hope he would understand that we would talk about Christ. I would ask him, how would you think your mother would feel if she could see you now? And hopefully he would feel that she would be proud. I would ask him to think of the good times they had. I like to just sit and listen to his thoughts and try not to overwhelm him with so many questions. I would like to know what he was thinking so I could help him the best way I know how. I would ask God to help me to help him. Because he would know best how to handle this situation. Because with Gods guidance I know I can handle any situation. He is always there for me when I need him, so I know he wouldn’t fail me now. So hopefully he would get something out of this session and not feel

When I was young(er) and unexpirenced i used to hate the outdoors but then one day i woke up and realized i wanted to go camping and boy do i wish i wouldnt have. When my sister, my brother, some friends , and I arrived to the camp sight it didnt look that bad at all there were cabins with working bathrooms and showers not like ACCUAL camping where you have to go outside and look for the barhrom which i thought was kinda stupid. I walked around some more to find that there was a eating cabin with a kitchen but thay had those wierd white tables that you make out of the material of the tables in this computer lab that I happen to be typing in. There were also alot of mountains in the distance along with alot of lakes. One of the lakes

No matter how tired I am, every Sunday morning I wake up, brush my teeth, put on my blue sweatpants and red sweatshirt, grab the keys to the car, and head out into the driveway. Not even the puppy follows me outside; he likes to sleep till eleven o'clock on Sundays. I pull the car out into the driveway and position it just right so that the morning sun is blocked by the thick leaves and branches of the tall maple, and so I can easily walk around the back end.

I never knew it was physically possible to feel the hand of God, but Steubenville Youth Conferences changed that for me. It was an experience like no other and has forever changed the way I look at life.