I thought to myself, "It's going to be boring like those other churches." As time moved on, I keep on attending Hmong First Baptist Church and getting to know the youth more, I felt more closer to my youth but mostly to Jesus. Hmong First Baptist Church is the first church that open up and invite me to be part of their Sunday church family. During bible study our youth would take turn teaching the youth.…
I had a dear friend reach out to me who was also a divorced Mormon. She wrestled with herself and who she wanted to be. As we talked, we talked much about who she used to be and how much she loved that woman. She wondered why she couldn’t call that woman back to the place she is now and was frustrated in the place she currently was. I started to reflect on my journey.…
“Our enemies have made the mistake that America’s enemies always make. They saw liberty and thought they saw weakness. And now, they see defeat.” George W. Bush stated this about the cowardly September 11th attacks. During that fateful day I was glued to my poorly constructed high school chair, gazing in disbelief what was unfolding on Mr. Cox’s History class television.…
This year my youth group at northside baptist church went on a ski trip, We went to winter place in West Virginia, We started the bus ride in rock hill south Carolina and the bus ride was about six to seven hours long, Once we arrived at the hotel we all got our bags and went into the lobby area and we dissected the planes and what we were going to do, We got our planners with the schedule and devotions, After that some of us played cards while the others went swimming. The next day we woke up and ate breakfast then we did our devotions, once we finished our devotions we all went to the bus and started to head to the ski barn to rent our skis, once we arrived at the ski barn we went inside and got our rental skis and ski boots, then we loaded…
My religious community has played a profound role on my development as an adult, the three guiding principals of Zoroastrianism: "Good Thoughts, Good Deeds, and Good Words" guide my actions daily. Being part of such a small community while heightening my sense of being has also made me more appreciative and understanding of other cultures & groups. For me understanding others has become a key component in understanding myself. My community has also enabled me to be a better communicator- as often times questions are asked regarding my ethnicity and religion where I can act as a spokesperson for the…
Beginning of my senior year in September there were two young men knocking on our door all decked out in their best Sunday attire, although it was a Monday afternoon. Realizing they were missionaries for LDS church fifteen minutes away my mother and I didn’t want any part of their church, but we felt bad shutting the door in their face so we invited them in and listened to what they had to say. After letting them in that day it just wouldn’t end they wouldn’t stop coming over and trying to guilt trip us to visit their church. Finally, my mom decided if we go once we will never have to go again, and we did just that.…
Throughout my life, I lived in an Atheist household within a Hispanic and Asian community called Monterey Park. During high school, I swam diligently for four years and served as varsity captain for my last two years. Although swim-captains formed strong relationships with their coaches, I created an uneasy acquaintance with my coach. After each swim meet, my coach complimented my time improvement. I thanked him, but I continued to convince myself that I'd disappoint him when I couldn't improve anymore.…
For my service project I chose to conduct an interview with someone who practices a faith different from mine so I interviewed a Mormon. Some might consider Mormonism to be part of the Christian faith, but I would readily argue that it has differences that are substantial and irrefutable. I had always wondered about the beliefs of the people who spend their youth in ties knocking on doors and several movies made the differences seem pretty extreme. I began to wonder what it is that they really believe and how they can make it make sense in the world that we live in.…
I have been going to West Washington United Methodist Church since I was about five years old. Because of this, I don't remember a time when I didn't know about God and Jesus. Words can't do justice to how much this church has had on my life. The congregation at this church has become a second family to me. I have been fostered in the basics of my faith and poured into by the people who go there.…
My life before my conversion consisted mainly of growing up in a Southern Baptist Church. Throughout my life I have heard the gospel countless times, but never accepted it as absolute truth to follow. Instead, my life until college was characterized by performing a lot of religious activity such as youth groups, church camps, and going to church on Sundays. I was in a tireless attempt to live out a religion that proved I was good enough to be declared righteous before God. It was a restless attempt to be whatever everyone else want me to be.…
“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. Proverbs 18:15 (ESV). ” That’s one of my favorite bible verses. I use the book of Proverbs as a lifeguard.…
I have heard your pleas and am pleased to hear about your pursuit of religion. While I would be gladly willing to give you that opportunity, I cannot. I have heard from some of your fellow voyagers of your tyranny actions while exploring throughout these newly found lands. I am happy to hear of your success in finding lands, but I am not glad to hear about the way you have treated their people. The goal was to discover new places, not to ruin them.…
Around here you can’t drive five miles without seeing a church. My earliest memory is accepting Jesus into my heart. I was three. I’ve grown up in a Southern Baptist church, where I’ve learned all of the right things to say. Which is sometimes worse than just screwing up.…
On August 26, 2005, I gave my life to Christ, and it was the start of a whole new chapter of my journey. I still remember that night vividly in my head. The feelings of excitement, joy, and love were very tangible in my heart. My mom and dad were both sitting beside me on my bed while I was told the importance of this decision and how my life would never be the same. Even at 5 years old, I was aware of my decision to follow Jesus and accept him into my heart.…
During my childhood and lower teens, I was very involved in church. I would go to every event or meeting put on by our church. Watching certain senior youth members, I didn’t understand why they would just come to the fun events. I would only see them during our mission trips or camps, but never at business or regular meetings. Then I promised myself that I would always stay as active as I could.…