I was raised in a Christian family, so I decided to follow Jesus at an early age. In my younger years of high school though, peer pressure really hit me. I was forever in trouble, and I drifted away from God. As I got older, with encouragement from leaders and friends around me and the aid of a couple of Christian camps, my faith was challenged and it was then that I started to see that God was someone who I could relate to and who was with me in all I did.
I started to change my behaviour, stopped hanging round with the wrong people and focused on what God wanted for me. This resulted in me leaving people behind, and then being bullied. I withdrew and prayed to God that things would improve… and they did! I felt it was right to be baptised at 13, and began to find out more about Jesus, as I decided to own my faith fully for myself. Jesus continues to blow me away more and more as I learn about him.
In October 2012 my youth leader Emily died at 22, which was a massive blow. However, it also made me realise that I had to make the most of my time and my gifts. After that I was praying to God for direction, and I believe he gave me the idea of creating a website for Christian teenagers, to support them, and show them they’re not alone. I don’t believe anything like this has been around before. The website is really taking off, and it’s amazing to see young Christians being influenced and encouraged and more importantly growing with God. It’s an exciting journey, but one that has only just started. I have no idea where I will even be in a few months, but I do know I have to tune into God, and keep listening to where he wants me to go.
Sam is 16 and lives in the West Midlands. He’s the co-founder of the website: www.forchristianteens.com Sam made a decision to follow Jesus. He prayed, asking God to forgive him for the things he does wrong, and then he promised to live God’s way. To find out more about the Christian faith, visit http://www.lookingforgod.com
From Parish Pump