S3 Stories of Strength

Made in His Image

Genesis 1:27 ESV- So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

I want to talk about body image with you guys. Whether you think you’re “too skinny” or you think you’re “too fat,” I want to remind you that God loves you and He is so happy with the person He has created.

When I was a junior in high school, I was told I had to be put in a boot and I couldn’t finish the remainder of my cross country season. Over the next two years, I would find myself in this vicious cycle of, “I hate my body, I need to lose weight,” never losing the weight no matter how hard I worked out or how healthy I was eating, and then I would just give up. Learning to be okay with our bodies is so, so hard. We can always find something to critique and judge, but…God doesn’t critique or judge any part of your body. Anything you label an “imperfection” He labels “perfection!”

Matthew 6:25 ESV- “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” Dang, “Is not the body more than clothing?” Why do we spend so much of our time concerning ourselves with what clothes we wear and what clothes look good on us? Our bodies are more than the clothes we wear, it is a temple of God and we should treat it as such. I challenge you to pray about how you view yourself. Pray you can not only love who God made you to be, but also that you may be content in how God created you. Start each day by waking up and reminding yourself you are made in the image of the Father and pray for contentment!

I want you to know, you are not alone! You are noticed and loved deeply. The Lord will always be your comforter; when you’re feeling low, run to Him!! He is the only one who can fill the void.

-Julia

Students Standing Strong has brought me closer to God.

I have felt my relationship with Christ grow and I am so grateful for the opportunity to grow together with other students and talk about the Bible at Students Standing Strong (S3). I am very proud of my faith and Students Standing Strong has just allowed it to strengthen! It gives me peace of mind knowing there are other students who I can talk with openly. Through trials and tribulations, S3 never stops standing strong. I want to learn more and S3 is guiding me to do that. The S3 community has allowed me to grow closer to Jesus and helped me further understand the Word. S3 is encouraging and a place to talk about pressing ethical questions with others, a place where I feel safe, a place where I feel God’s presence, and a place where every prayer is cherished.

Students Standing Strong has impacted my life in ways I never thought possible. It brought me friends and showed me new brothers and sisters in Christ. You can see the impact that Students Standing Strong has on the lives of others. Some people come for prayer, some come for the Word, some come out of curiosity, but in my experience nobody leaves spiritually empty-handed. Diving deeper into the Bible and discussing it with others brings me great joy.

In S3 I am always learning and building my relationship with Christ. God is speaking through the hearts of a new generation. It is incredible to see God working through the lives of those who come and to hear the stories of fellow students. When we read scriptures and passages, it is like they are meant for me. Every lesson I am reminded of the sacrifice Jesus made for me and for each and every one of us. I am so happy that I get to share my faith with others and know that I do not stand alone. We stand together and we stand strong.

-Roselyn, S3 Student

My Journey Back to Christ

Jesus looked at him intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26

Hi, my name is Sarah! I am so grateful for S3 and the guidance I have received through the ministry.

A few years ago my dad was really sick, he was an alcoholic and addicted to pain medication from a previous injury. After a few years of being addicted he passed away. In the heat of the moment, we started to slowly ease our way out of going to church until we stopped. I was still young and didn’t necessarily enjoy going to church at the time so it didn’t bother me. When I started to get older it really bothered me that we didn’t go to church like the rest of my friends. I went to a small Christian school and everyone I knew attended a church so if the subject was brought up I would have to think of an excuse for why I didn’t go.

When I started to get older I thought I was kind of a bandwagon believer. Meaning I only prayed when something bad was happening or once in a while I would read a few pages of my Bible but that was it. I never really understood why I felt like something was missing from my life, then I went to church with one of my friends and the pastor said, “When you are craving God, that’s God craving you,” right then I realized I needed Christ in my life.

I switched schools to Palombi Middle School and at this point, I had given up trying to grow closer to Christ. Soon after attending Palombi I found out my mom’s college friend worked at the school and she invited me to attend s3 club. This was kind of like the light at the end of the tunnel for me. This invitation was the little push that I needed to truly convince myself I needed the Lord. S3 saved me from drifting away from God.

Sometimes things get rough in life but you have to trust in the Lord.

CHALLENGE: I challenge you to find someone in your life that isn’t a believer and try to bring them to Christ. Everything is possible with God.

Sarah- Illinois S3 student

My S3 Story

I was a part of Students Standing Strong (S3) for about 8 years. My journey with S3 started when my family moved back to Texas from Denmark during the summer of 2005. Moving to a new place in the middle of the summer was a challenge to make new friends. It just so happened, that one of the first friends I made after moving to the area was Clint Kelly, Terry Ann’s (The S3 Founder and President) son. We became fast friends, our parents met each other, and our family was quickly exposed, and drawn to, Students Standing Strong. When moving to a new area, there was a period where our family had to search for a church home, so S3 was a perfect way to make sure that I continued my relationship with God.

As the years went on, I continued with S3 but really found it to be a strong source of
community for me once I began high school. I felt that the most my sophomore year when I experienced a life-threatening brain injury that I was extremely fortunate to make a full recovery from. Through my hospitalization, I had so much support from the S3 community and my investment in the organization grew. As I continued through my junior year, the bulk of my testimony grew out of my injury and how the circumstances around that event dramatically strengthened my relationship with God. A significant part of that realization is due to my involvement in S3 and I’m confident that my relationship with God would not look anything like it does today without having found a sense of community: S3 connected me with my peers that I saw every day, that faced many of the same struggles that I did, that shared social circles, sports teams etc. I walked through life with the same people with whom I was learning to walk with Christ and it was an incredible way to develop relationships with my peers and the Lord.

In hindsight, the only thing I wish I would’ve done differently is to invest more time and energy into the organization as it made more of a positive impact on my life than any other organization that I’ve been a part of.

Christian
S3 President 2012-2013

Tia’s Story

Years ago, I couldn’t imagine my life would turn out the way it has. My twin sister and I were born to our single mother, Shevelle, when she was 21 years old. Though times got tough, today I can stand tall and say that Proverbs 19:21 reigns true; God’s purpose will prevail.

I grew up in the church; my grandmother and great-grandmother made sure I knew who Jesus was. They made sure I had nice clothes to wear, a meal to eat every day after school, that my homework was done and that I went to bed on time. I don’t think I paid much attention to the absence of my mother and father during my earlier years. However, as I got older the vacant spaces they failed to fill became increasingly aware to me. I remember struggling to feel like I was enough and often questioned if I was wanted, or even loved. At times I felt silly about these questions because my life, though it wasn’t perfect, was filled with many blessings.

Growing up we attended church every Sunday but after moving from my grandmother’s house, my mom grew busy with work. Though she always made time to spend time with my sister and me, we didn’t see her much. When my parents weren’t at an award ceremony or talent show I would tell myself, “Mom is working hard to keep our lights on and have what we need so she can’t be here.” I held it together.

For the most part, I was a positive kid. Mom referred to me as the class clown. I did very well in school, aside from the fact that I talked too much. Sadly, as time progressed I remember seeping into a deep depression. I was filled with anxiety and didn’t tell anyone. Eventually, I grew overwhelmed and looked for things to distract me from my loneliness. I fell into the wrong crowd. I began lying and making bad decisions one after another in a desperate attempt to gain my family’s attention. My twin sister also began cutting herself. I hoped this would open their eyes but after telling some of my family members and seeing no action being taken, I felt helpless.

I tried God. I heard he was a healer and made several attempts to grow closer to him. However, alter call after altar call, I went home with the same question, “What next?” I spent many nights crying out and contemplated ending my life. One night, I grabbed a bottle of pills and after taking 3, I stopped. I realized I didn’t want to die; I just didn’t want to hurt anymore. Through it all, I knew God had a purpose for me and I wanted to see it through. 

 I didn’t know it then but God had shined the light. I started going to church again with my aunt and reading the Word. I got to know my Father and his great love for me. I learned I was called to be set apart and despite how I felt about it, God said that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. It was a process, but I was able to deal with my unforgiveness towards my parents. I started to experience this unexplained joy and overwhelming peace. I wanted to tell everyone! The veil was torn from my eyes and consequently, as I walked around my school campus my heart broke. The smell of weed in the halls, the fighting, the disrespect and anger I saw brought tears to my eyes. If only other students knew that God had more for them. Jesus sacrificed his life because he loved them so much. He cared for them dearly.

I vividly remember a couple arguing in the bus lane. The young man, out of frustration, pushed the young lady and they began fighting. I wanted so badly for them to know they didn’t have to live life that way. I wanted God to use me in my school to spread the love of Christ. I felt a calling to help! After years of buying into the lies of the enemy, I was eager for others to know the truth. 

I knew it was God when I was introduced to Students Standing Strong. The desire had been placed in my heart to start a Christian club at school, so it was no coincidence when the door of connections opened and I was introduced to Students Standing Strong (S3). S3 club is an escape for many of my peers and me. It gives us a chance to spread hope and positivity. Sadly, so many of the students are dealing with suicide and depression, broken families, and broken hearts. That being said, we need more Students Standing Strong clubs in schools, reminding kids that God knows them and has a plan for their lives.  

I’m confident that you’ve experienced looking for an item in the dark and needing a light consistently shining in order to find it. That’s how I think of Christians at times. We are the light shining bright and representing the goodness, mercy, and love of Jesus Christ. We must consistently stand firm and show the light to kids at my school…and in every school.  They are desperate to know that Jesus is the way the truth and the light.

Thank you for taking the time to hear my story. Also, thank you Ms. Datrice, my S3 coordinator, Pastor Brown, and my church, and of course, Students Standing Strong. Lastly, may I encourage you to keep fighting the good fight of faith and remind you that no matter what it looks like, God’s purpose will prevail in your life. God’s called us together to be his light whether that’s at work, at school, or in our homes. 

– Tia, S3 Student from New Orleans