"I grew up in a Christian home. One of my earliest memories is saying “the faith prayer” next to a bouncy castle. But the first time I really felt God was when I was around seven years old during an event in the sanctuary of my church.  During the service, the pastor said, “Come up and meet God,” or something like that, I don’t remember exactly. I went up to the front and lay down with the others. We were prayed over and, while my eyes were closed, I saw colours spread across my whole vision: a kaleidoscope of living colours. And then I saw a silhouette start to take the form of a man with his hand outstretched to me.

As I grew older and started to grow busier, my connection with God dwindled. When my papa passed away, I started talking to God more, but with the chaos of middle school, bullying, and trying to have a social life, that connection once again fell short of what it could have been.

When I got to high school I started going to youth. I was introduced to SOAR Heartland: a ministry trip that took place during spring break in downtown Winnipeg. I made friends but not really a connection with God my first year due to the chaos of COVID. But in grade 11, I went on SOAR again, and this time I made a new connection with God as He showed me a new perspective, not only in my faith but in my personal life as well.

In the last year, God has shown me that He’s been there even when I wasn’t actively searching for Him. He showed me how to love myself and others with compassion and grace. The next chapter in my life (graduation, University, moving out) can be pretty terrifying. But I’m just as excited to see what this new chapter will bring in my relationship with God."