S3 Stories of Strength

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

Our Unknowns are Known by God

“You may not understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” John 13:7

Even when we do not understand where we belong or what is going on in our lives, God knows.

As teens, there seems to always be many unknowns in our lives. Whether it is what our career is going to be, what our role is at church, or who our friends are going to be a year from now, teens face lots of uncertainty. Areas in our lives that are unknown can often be scary, but they do not have to be. 

We are not just teens– We are Christian teens. And as Christian teens, we know one thing for sure: God knows the path which each one of us is going to take. We know that God knows, and there is comfort in that. Amid all of our unknowns, that can be known. It may feel like the only known thing in your life, but it is very much there and real. 

Remembering that God knows His plan for us can be hard, especially when there seem to be endless possibilities or none of our choices seem to make sense. This is when we have to put trust and faith in God. He knows, and someday we will too.

Challenge: In the midst of your next unknown, have faith and trust that God will make your path clear.

Thanks, Emerson

Keller High School

S3 President 2020-2021

He is There!

Hello! My name is Lauren. I attend Colleyville Heritage High School. I have been involved with Students Standing Strong for four years.

One of my favorite biblical stories is in Genesis 3. In short, God created a perfect world, placed Adam and Eve in it, and told them they were not allowed to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Falling into temptation, Adam and Eve ate from the tree bringing us to Genesis 3:8, a verse I relate to very much. “And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the Garden”.

I’m going to be honest and say something that I have been afraid to admit for a long time: I am not perfect. Sometimes I forget to read my Bible, choose my way over God’s, and put my identity in the things of this world. When my sins are brought to my attention, my first instinct is to hide from God, as Adam and Eve did in Genesis 3:8. I want to go somewhere away from Him and somehow fix myself. A mentor once explained it to me like this: Our life is a clay pot that we have smashed. On our own, we try to pick up the broken pieces and mend the pot, resulting in a huge mess of Elmer’s glue and tears. However, when we give the broken pieces to God, He takes them and fixes the pot perfectly, making it into a beautiful masterpiece.

Sometimes I am afraid that my sins are too great. I think that if I am a Christian, I should not have to repent from my sins since I shouldn’t be committing them in the first place. So, I hide. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Did you get that? “He will not leave you!” No matter how many times you sin, how far in your walk with Christ you are, or where you come from, God will never leave! He is with you through the best and the worst of times. When I go to God with my problems rather than hiding and dwelling on them, I am freed! I challenge you to go to God with your questions, sins, and problems. He is there, waiting for you with open arms, ready to free you.

Blessings,

Lauren, Colleyville Heritage, S3 Student

Greater is He

Students Standing Strong (S3) has been such an encouragement for me! Becoming a part of S3 has held me accountable to not conform to our sometimes scary world, and to stand firm in my faith.

High School can be especially tough. But S3 has truly helped me find my place in a heavily secular culture! S3 has guided me in finding lovely, Christ-like friends. It is so important to surround yourself with Christ followers in order to share the Gospel with others.

I encourage you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, to dwell on 1 John 4:4 and know that no matter the trials you may face in this world, God will prevail in all His Glory and show to be far greater than any societal difficulties.

“Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world”

-Promise, S3 student