A Big Wave at Timber Creek

Have you seen what’s happening with teenagers at Elevate?

Students are growing in their faith (and putting it into action), being discipled, and, most importantly, they are accepting God into their hearts and lives. This is exactly what’s happened in Tanner’s life. As a 10th grader at Timber Creek High School and a new Christian, he is making a big wave in his school, Small Group, and family. 

“I grew up knowing of God, but I didn’t know Him personally–yet.

I was in a Christian school until fifth grade when I started going to a public school for the first time in my life, and, going into it, I didn’t have the right mindset. So, I stopped going to church for a little while.

I didn’t have God in my life. But I needed Him.

After looking for a church for a few years, in 10th grade, I found a church where I felt like I belonged. And, it was all because my friend, Luke, invited me to an Elevate Small Group with students from my school.

On October 21, 2019, I went to the Small Group for the first time, and I knew that it was where I needed to be. I finally felt a connection. A few weeks later, I started going to Elevate and decided to go to Fall Retreat.

Right when the first service at Fall Retreat started, I felt overwhelming joy and happiness.

Then, on the second night, I felt like someone had put their hand on my back and was there with me. I knew it was God. I decided right then and there that I was going to stop running from my problems and begin to face them.

And, I finally gave my life to Jesus.

It was like I had waited my entire life to do this, so now, I’m changing my ways, one step at a time.

I want my life to be honoring to God.

I was baptized, and now, my life looks different. I’m doing things that I always knew I should have been doing, like trying not to fight with my brother and talking with my friends at school about church and Jesus.

My family now comes to church with me, and we are all finding what we’ve needed in a church.

Having a relationship with God has been what I’ve been craving all my life. This is the hunger that I’ve always had.

Jesus brings joy–a joy that I would never find in anything else.

A couple of weeks ago, my buddy asked if I wanted to help lead our Small Group. And so, here I am, leading in the place where my life first started to change.”

-Tanner

No question about it, when a student comes to know Jesus and takes next steps in the faith, it makes a huge ripple effect. We want to see this in the lives of all students because it’s truly life-changing. 

There’s an opportunity coming up for students to develop relationships with Jesus; learn God’s perspective on purity, dating, and relationships; and to grow in the faith at BOTS. For more information on BOTS and to sign up, click here.