Before committing to follow Jesus I lived a life of one foot in and one foot out into the world. I grew up in a Christian household and knew of Jesus, but the fear and misunderstanding that I had of what committing to Jesus meant led me to stray away. I was scared to follow Jesus and commit. I was afraid to trust him wholeheartedly. I didn’t understand how much he loves me unconditionally and thought I had to be perfect to have a relationship with God. After taking part in the Rooted program here at BridgePointe church, I let go of those fears and started to see that through everything God has always been there to guide and protect me. I came to realize that we all have a story and we’re all here to support and encourage one another. I let go of the shame I had been carrying from straying away. At first, I was hesitant, but for a couple of years now I had been searching for something incomplete in my heart. I felt a void and it wasn’t until I sat and wrote and prayed to God that I realized that my relationship with God is what I was longing for. I accepted God into my heart when I was 15 and now I want to be baptized because I now understand what it means to be a follower of Christ and no longer want to live in fear. I am most excited to not only build a relationship with God but to also make relationships here at BridgePointe. I’m excited to be able to listen and serve God wholeheartedly.