S3 Stories of Strength

Hi, my name is Haleigh and I was involved in Student Standing Strong for two years at Harris County Carver Middle School.

Over the past two years in S3 my life has completely changed. Before being involved in S3 I wasn’t really serious about reading my bible or praying. I knew about the Lord and the simple things but never really got involved in learning more. Being in S3 taught me how important the Lord is and how he can change your life. My first year in S3 I was just a student in the club, but after realizing how amazing and how awesome our God is, I decided to be a leader and spread the word to many other students about the Lord! I really encourage you to be involved in S3, it will impact your life in many ways!

      Just remember: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good and his love endures forever! – Psalm 106:7

Love,

Haleigh

God will walk with you when everyone else walks away.

When God called me to start a Christian club, I was happy to obey. Yet, throughout my journey, my most common complaint was “God, why must I walk this path alone?” Don’t get me wrong, I had my parents, but they couldn’t go to school with me. They couldn’t follow me into the principal’s office. And the people who could; my classmates and friends, well…they didn’t. I only had one friend who actively helped me before my story hit the news. There was only one friend who saw my triumph, along with the tears and trials that came before it. This friend is not a high schooler. He is a Jewish carpenter who lived over 2,000 years ago!

I felt incredibly alone, and I knew I was not capable of fulfilling my calling by myself. I found it easy to relate to the prophet Jeremiah. “‘Oh Sovereign Lord’ I said, ‘I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!’ The Lord replied, ‘Don’t say, “I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!’” (Jeremiah 1:6-8) 

God created us to need companionship. When you are doing what God wants you to do, at some point you are going to struggle. The enemy wants you to quit and one of his methods of doing this is by making you think you are alone. When you stand for the Lord, you may be surprised to find that you stick out like a sore thumb. I am not saying your friends will abandon you; they just might not be interested in “your Jesus thing.” But Jesus is always interested in what you are doing, especially if it’s for the Kingdom.  He is a perfect friend who will never leave you. He can keep you strong in any struggle and will equip you for any calling.

Challenge: I challenge you to walk with Jesus, even when that means walking alone.

Jesus promised to always be with us. When you feel alone because you chose to pursue God’s calling on your life, talk to Him. He will listen and understand even if no one else does. His grace will be sufficient for you.

-Daniela, New York Student, Standing Strong

My Journey in Students Standing Strong

Hi, my name is Ava and I have been involved with S3 for 1 year at Cross Timbers middle school.

Over this past year, S3 has increased my Bible knowledge and has helped strengthen my relationship with the Lord by getting into the Word. I tell you this because before I was involved with Students Standing Strong I was really asking questions and wondering if Christ was truly real or not. Once I got into S3 it helped answer those questions and seek my faith on a deeper level. I, as a twelve-year-old, have realized that once you seek your faith it is something that I can call my own. Attending S3 on campus at my school has allowed me to connect with other students who are on the same Christian journey as I am.

I would highly encourage other students to attend S3 because it has impacted my walk with the Lord and it allows so much hope in a hopeless generation.

Many blessings,

                      Ava

Brandon, President, and Founder of Student Ablaze Campus Ministry grew in his walk with the Lord through Students Standing Strong (S3) a student-led Bible club. He was in eighth grade at Harris County Carver Middle School in Georgia, when he first walked into an S3 club! Brandon was very shy with his faith and was more comfortable keeping it to himself, especially in school. But, God really began to open him up during his time in S3, and God gave him the push he needed to step up as a leader. Brandon took a leap of faith into leadership, with God on his side and the help and encouragement from Ms. Victoria, his S3 Adult Coordinator.

Brandon said, “The more I began to become a part of this S3 leadership team, the more open I became about spreading the Gospel and talking to people about Jesus.” Once Brandon began high school, he was asked to be a leader of Students Standing Strong at Harris County High School.

He was accepted as a leader but still felt shy. Brandon said, “I can’t allow what happened in middle school to replay now, so I’ve got to change my perspective.” Brandon said he knew God had given Him a platform, and he was going to trust God to guide the way and calm his nerves. Brandon said, “Students Standing Strong really helped me become strong in my faith and also gave me the ability to speak about Christ and not be ashamed or afraid, no matter what people think or say.”

Brandon is now at Georgia Southwestern State University, boldly sharing the Gospel on campus and to those he meets.

Click here to bring Students Standing Strong to a school near you!