No relationship or career is worth more than being at the center of God’s will!

I had just finished law school in Portugal, and I was planning to go back. I had no problem with the language since I was born in Brazil. Maybe I could get my masters in law, and marry my Portuguese boyfriend who was not a Christian. Deep inside, I knew that this relationship was not from God, but I loved him so much that I couldn’t hear God’s voice.

I was about to change my life drastically. I could’ve gone in a totally wrong direction. I knew my next decision was an important one. I could not make it by myself. I needed God’s direction, and I started to seek Him deeply.

God Can Use Someone Just Like You!

Have you ever felt like the room is closing in on you? Have you ever been sitting in a class on introduction day, sweating at the thought of having to speak? Ridiculous, right?

I GOT DUNKED ... YOU SHOULD TOO!

For Christians, the most important day of our life is the day we surrender to the Lord. Wouldn't you agree? We are made for life and unity with Christ. Aside from this day, our baptism is also very important and life transforming. 

Whether the decision is made in the moment or stirred up in our hearts over time, the day we get baptized is never forgotten and is cherished.

This is that day for Faith Rogers!

Depression doesn't have to control your life.

Before I knew God, I drowned in dark depression, deceit, and lived in fear. Sin and suicidal thoughts controlled me, and I had no escape. I struggled to find so many things: purpose, love, peace, joy, zeal for life, and much more.

Meeting the Lord of all creation brought me out of the trap I was ensnared in and gave me life abundant. Not life without struggles, but life with hope.

SUICIDE WAS KNOCKING ON MY DOOR

This was a bad idea. Clutching a $20 bill in my hand as the answer to the pain I was in didn't give me any peace. I didn't want to be in this place. As a kid I didn't dream about committing suicide, but now I was quickly losing the urge to live. I needed out! I needed a change! In the darkest time of my life God reached out to me, and saved me from the demons tormenting my mind.

This is my story...

It all began when I was tossed into middle school. My older brother wasn't around like he had been during homeschool. Now, I had to make new friends. 

When you’re a little kid, someone always questions, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" There’s the popular options of firefighter, policeman, or cook, but for me it was a forensic scientist. It wasn't a popular choice amongst young people, but I always knew what I wanted to be. After graduating high school, I went to college at Sam Houston State University in the fall of 2018, full of dreams and plans for the next four years of my life.

Since I got the news that I'd be working in grounds full-time I started to pray, asking God to give me His heart for this department. Grounds is an important department at YWAM Tyler. Keeping this campus a pleasant place for those who live here and for those who visit really does matter! However, there's more than just making this place nice or keeping the grass mowed and trees trimmed. As I've been working and praying, I've felt that God was putting in my heart His desires for this department.

With tears in my eyes, I pulled down the door of the Budget rental truck, said goodbye to my apartment, and heard God say to me one more time, “Will you give up all I’ve given you to receive all I have for you?”

At 26 years old, God was calling me to a Discipleship Training School. I had no idea what to expect other than God was getting ready to stretch me in a way I had never been stretched before. I sold most of my furniture, stored the rest of my belongings, and headed to YWAM Tyler. In faith, I stepped out trusting God, the author of my life, and believing I needed to expect the unexpected from this point on.

I came to YWAM Tyler primarily to study and improve my English. The thought of being in a Christian environment while learning English encouraged me. However, God had higher thoughts about my journey.

In the fall of 2016, my life came to a crossroad. The business my daughter and I had been building was winding down, and my attempts to start another business were unsuccessful. My daughter was ready to go her own way; our finances were in shambles; my marriage was struggling, and my husband had taken a job traveling all over the country. I was living in Florida across the street from the beach, my dream from childhood, yet I felt alone. There was a strong desire to go deeper with God and be used by Him, but I wondered if it was too late for me to really make a difference in the world.

MY SEARCH FOR PURPOSE LED ME TO YWAM

Growing up in a Christian home, I always found myself feeling overwhelmed with religion; however, I continued to appease my family and the church, so I'd check things off my “Christian To-Do-List.” From leading youth groups to raising my hands in worship, I deserved a golden star for my Christian participation.

In my last year of high school, the anticipation of leaving my family and adventuring off to college consumed my thoughts, so my parent's mention of a gap year with YWAM after graduation went in one ear and out the other.

My stubborn 18-year-old self wanted to prove not only to them but also to everyone else I was in control of my own happiness and future, and college was the answer to my questions of purpose in life.