ngExtras

Last night, we talked about something nearly everyone experiences at some point: an identity crisis. Students were challenged to think through the questions, “Who am I?” and “What is my purpose?”
We reminded them that asking these questions is not wrong. The struggle begins when we become stuck, confused, or begin looking to the world to tell us who we are. Our interests, personalities, and seasons of life may change, but one truth will never change: Who we belong to.
Who am I?

I am a child of God.
First John 3:1 reminds us of the incredible love God has given us by calling us His children. Our identity is not determined by popularity, accomplishments, failures, emotions, or the opinions of others. We were created in the image of God, intentionally formed by Him, and wonderfully made.
When students feel lost, we want them to remember Genesis 1:27 and Psalm 139:13-14. God created them on purpose, with purpose. They do not have to compromise who they are to fit in because Romans 12:2 teaches us not to conform to the world, but to be transformed through the renewing of our minds.
God did not create copies. He created each student uniquely, and they are to become exactly who He designed them to be.
What is my purpose?

Our purpose is to know Jesus, follow Him boldly, and lead our generation to Him.
Jesus teaches us in Matthew 22:35-40 to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love others. In Matthew 28:19-20, He calls us to go and make disciples.
The world often attacks that purpose through anxiety, pressure, fear, comparison, and indecision. However, Philippians 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:7 remind us to bring every worry to God because He cares for us. Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us to trust the Lord instead of relying only on our own understanding.
Students do not have to carry the pressure of having their entire future figured out. Their responsibility is to know God, trust Him, and take the next faithful step. He will guide their path.
No matter how different we may be, we all share these truths:
Who am I?
I am a child of God.
What is my purpose?
To know Jesus personally, follow Him boldly, and lead my generation to Him.

Drew walks the students through the Israelite's battle with the Amalekites in Exodus 17. When we face battles, we don't have to do it on our own. God promises to be with us, even sending us people to help us in our surrender to God.

Pastor JJ exhorts the students to be genuine to their faith in their daily walk with Christ.

Continuing the Cornerstone series, Pastor JJ walks the students through the Cornerstone of Devotion.

In this powerful message, The Cornerstone of Hope, Brad Crider shares the importance of placing our hope in something eternal and anchoring our lives to the one thing that will never change—God. In a world where circumstances, emotions, and earthly foundations can shift, only Christ remains constant and secure.

Through the deeply personal testimony of losing their third daughter shortly after her birth, Brad shares how he and his wife experienced unimaginable grief but did not drift away from God because they were anchored to Him. Their pain did not disappear, but their foundation held. This message is a reminder that every person is anchored to something, and only an unchanging God can provide the hope, strength, and stability we need to endure life’s greatest storms.

 Drew Mathews brought a powerful message from 1 Peter 1:3–7 about “The True Test.” 
He reminded students that trials are not pointless. God can use difficult seasons to grow, strengthen, and refine our faith. Drew shared honestly from his own story about injuries, setbacks, loss, and disappointment, while pointing students back to the hope we have in Jesus.
One of the biggest takeaways from the message was this:
Faith that is tested becomes faith that is strengthened.

Cody Saxon talks about returning to the way he was raised and how trusting God has blessed his life.

JJ shares his testimony of how the cornerstone of surrender changed his life.

Eli Dove shares his testimony, outlining his journey from fear to share Jesus, to committing his life to mission work. This summer, Eli will be in Alaska serving a youth camp as a way to share God's Word with those in need of it.

Would you like to donate to support Eli's trip? Please add Eli's name and mission in Alaska in the Gift Notes portion to ensure this goes to support Eli directly. You can donate here with the Send International giving link:

https://www.send.org/give/missionaries/elison-clay-dove

Link to Eli's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Elison-Clay-Dove/author/B0GDHFL43B/allbooks?ccs_id=7607bbcb-a2a2-4213-89ae-03970ad82cdf

Allen Menard brought a strong and timely word on Rock Solid Obedience, another Cornerstone. He challenged our students to move beyond just hearing God’s Word and step into actually living it out.
He walked through Matthew 7:24–25 and reminded us that the wise person doesn’t just listen to Jesus, they put His words into practice and build their life on a firm foundation. When storms come (and they will), obedience is what keeps us standing.
Allen gave students three practical ways to strengthen their obedience:

• Hear the Lord – Not just having ears open, but being truly tuned in to what God is saying through His Word and the Holy Spirit.
• Respond to the Lord – Obedience requires action. It means trusting God even when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or unpopular.
• Remain in the Lord – Staying rooted in Jesus daily so that when life gets hard, they don’t drift—they stand firm.

One of the biggest takeaways of the night:
Obedience is the evidence of our faith. It’s easy to say we believe, but obedience is where it becomes real.