How My Faith Went from Wavering to Awakened

Sarah shared her story with us after her 2015 mission trip – a story of how her relationship with God and others was strengthened through her service experience.

Before the mission trip I could feel my faith wavering. It was stretched very thin and I didn’t feel God as much as I had used to. I read my Bible, but mostly just read over the words instead of into them. I prayed, but it was a similar prayer every night that I had just gotten used to saying.

Then I went to my best friend’s house, and she invited me on a YouthWorks mission trip with her church. I thought, well sure – I’ll get to bond with my best friend! I didn’t realize how much more the trip would mean.

When I arrived I asked God to change things within me: make me more bold, patient, caring, helpful. I asked him to help others through me. Through the week I had many meaningful experiences with my group during service, devos, free time, Club and evening activities. I got really into it, and my best friend and I planned a Wednesday worship service with the church’s pastor. We picked out our favorite songs and did the sermon. It was a great thing to be a part of.

On Thursday night, we had no idea what the footwashing ceremony was or what it would mean.  But afterwards, I realized that it was a moment that my life would be changed forever. I felt God’s faith raging within me during the footwashing, and I felt closer to my group just because we all shared a divine faith. We bonded with God and each other that night. I was so moved that I didn’t want to go to bed for a long time, so I did devos in the hallway until it was pretty late.

Once I left the mission trip, I felt like a different person. I felt like my faith had been rejuvenated. I had learned so many new ways to worship God and I was excited to use them back at home!

Thank you YouthWorks for changing my life and my faith. I know it was God who sent me to broaden my faith, but I still thank you for being the ones he worked through. I really feel like this is an experience that all teens would benefit from! Thank you so much. 🙂