I’ve shared my “this is how I came to Jesus testimony.” Now, I want to share with you all what I like to call a “mini testimony.” A mini testimony to me is a story or an event where God changed your heart and your perspective on something, while on your journey with Him. If this doesn’t make sense just bare with me, and I’m sure it will at the end! About six years ago, we were privileged with a new youth pastor. Now this guy had a pretty hard road ahead of him. He was started from the ground up and that is putting it nicely. He had to find volunteers and with God’s help fix a lot of damage that had been done from the previous pastor. I remember introducing myself (as it is the polite thing to do). We talked a bit and then he asked me if I would be interested in helping him with the youth. I literally laughed in his face (yes, I know not very polite or mature). You see as I explained to him, I couldn’t stand teenagers and was so thankful that I had just turned twenty, and didn’t have to be categorized as a teenager any longer. He told me if I changed my mind, I could come to youth that night and check it out. I assured him that wouldn’t happen. Well wouldn’t you know that I would be in for a big surprise. As that day went on, I felt extreme conviction from the Holy Spirit. I didn’t have a good enough reason not to help out, other than I just plain didn’t want to. Which in itself was extremely selfish (which we all know the flesh usually is!) When I was a teenager I had amazing youth leaders who stepped up to be mentors and because of them I learned so much about God and about a beautiful relationship I didn’t want to miss out on. So, there I was walking into youth that night. I had no idea what I was doing. I don’t really see myself as the leader type, but you know when God calls, it is in our best interest not to say no. I was a youth leader for four years. I cannot tell you how much God changed my heart in the four years. Teenagers are one of my most favorite groups of people to work with now. I have spent many hours crying, laughing, yelling, and praising the Lord in a circle with girls who have come from all kinds of backgrounds. I’ve shared my testimony, and have had teens share theirs with me. I have prayed with, for, and have been prayed for by all my teens. I think one of the memories I will cherish the most when thinking of the teens I worked with, is the group of girls, I had for two years in a small Bible Study (we are talking three girls here). I watched them grow so much in those two years, and our last camp together we all washed each other’s feet, embraced in hugs, and we prayed and worshiped God together. These teenagers have forever changed my life. God has forever changed my outlook and my opinion of teenagers. This is one of the many mini testimonies I have, and I know without a doubt that there will be more on this journey of faith.