God’s journey is different for every one of us. Whether that means enduring a trial, attending a mission, or just serving those around you, God has a plan to get you where you need to go. In today’s episode of Changing, our host, Donald Kelly, is joined by business coach and consultant Mark Sieverkopp to discuss his journey in finding Christ and how he managed that journey throughout early adulthood. 

Mark didn’t join the church until he was 18.

• Raised in a Lutheran household, his family was very Sunday-oriented when it came to celebrating the Lord. His religious experience lacked a personal connection. 
• After dating a girl in high school, he was struck by how close the family was and how they acted around each other. 
• In his mind, God was distant. He was out there in the universe, not involved in Mark’s day-to-day life. However, God was present in his girlfriend’s family’s lives.

Where did he get the desire to change?

• He was at his girlfriend’s house when missionaries came and asked to speak with him. 
• While he didn’t that day, he eventually spoke with the missionaries just to understand what she believed.
• Because of the conversation, he transferred churches. His parents were unhappy with the decision, and Mark has dealt with misconceptions about his faith from his extended family to this day. 

However, his lifestyle alterations led to visible changes:

• Between the start of his joining the church and his mission trip, he read the Book of Mormon three or four times.
• He was dedicated to reading and learning and bettering himself. His active engagement in faith was his most notable change.
• Even though separating churches from his family was challenging, he doesn’t regret it.

Mark’s advice to someone in their own journey to change?

• You aren’t alone. President Hinckley once said, “bring all the good you have, and let's see if we can add to it.”
• There’s a mentality that departing from one religion to another or a different church means leaving that part of ourselves behind. But that isn’t always the case; you don’t have to walk away from who you are.

To connect and contact Mark, find him on Facebook or email him at [email protected]. Above all, first, lead with love. If this podcast speaks to you or helps on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a rating or review. Share your testimony or contact Donald at [email protected], or contact him on Twitter or Instagram.