Page 26 - Faith Connections Issue 2

ISSUE 2 JULY 2021

How has the church helped you grow

over the past 12 years?

Evelyn Abraham

Ansa Bijo One instance of how the Church has

The Church has played an integral part in helping helped me grow in the past 12 years is by
giving me a good community that helps
me grow in faith. With my mom being sick, the and encourages me to be active in my
Church gave me the hope to never lose faith and faith. Our Church has also taught me how
continue to pray rigorously. The members of our to keep my faith steadfast throughout
Church have given me the most moral support in college and the rest of my life. Another
ensuring that despite going through a lot growing instance of how the Church has helped me
up, I remain faithful to God and my family as an grow is by giving me resources to reach
obedient child. Furthermore, the responsibilities I out to if I ever question my faith. I know
took up at church including being an altar serving
leader, CML lead, and youth lead, have defined my that wouldn't
that my Church is a very open community
leadership abilities and made me into a committed shame me for having
member of the Church. The retreats provided by questions about my faith. Personally, I
our Church have given me the best advice that I believe that the Church has been a great
still follow today. An area that has hindered my community for me; I don't think that
faith journey was peer pressure. I would be there were any areas that have hindered
pressurized into thinking I am "too holy" and need my faith journey.
to relax and step away from Church sometimes.
Although being pressurized to think in such a way
was an obstacle in my faith journey, I can proudly
say I have overcome it with the help of my family
and role models at Church.
Jerome Poravanthatil

The Church has helped provide me with a
community of people that care for me and teach
me about my faith. With this community, I am
able to learn more about my specific Indian
Christian culture while also helping others come
to the conclusions that I have. The Church has
also helped provide me with a safe space to
communicate
with God. Although I can
communicate with God from any place on this
planet, the Church gives me a space that allows
me to get in the right mindset and pray in a way
that connects me the closest to God. Another
instance in which the Church helped me is with
providing me with an outlet to meet new people.
When I originally moved hometowns, the only
thing that stayed consistent in my life was my
Church and the friends I continuously make. Due
to the Church staying consistent in my life, I am
always able to build my faith.

PAGE 26 FAITH IN OUR COUNTRY EDITION | ISSUE 2