Stephanie’s story
Everyone has a story. For Stephanie, hers has been one of transformation, from an unsure teen who struggled to make time for God to a young leader helping the next generation discover life and their place in God’s big story.
As a high schooler, Stephanie was a competitive basketball player with a jam-packed weekly schedule that made it hard for her to get involved in youth group and church activities, despite her best intentions.
Stephanie needed a Christian community around her to encourage her in her faith and to help her navigate the busyness of life, while remaining connected with her faith and relationship with God.
Thanks to an invite to SU’s Wild Wee Jasper (WWJ) camp, Stephanie found that community. It set her on a course that has ultimately changed her life’s direction for the best.
“Camp is this week where you are pulled out of reality for a second and you can reflect and bounce off all of these encouraging leaders. In my eyes, they are absolute role models who can lead you and teach you so many things.”
Following COVID lockdowns in 2020, Stephanie found last year’s WWJ particularly encouraging. She was just starting her final year of school, and was facing a lot of new and challenging things ahead.
But on camp, Stephanie received a piece of advice that changed her life:
“The speaker said a really good way to implement prayer in your daily life is to write your prayers down so that you can look back and see how God has been working in your life.”
Stephanie and another camp friend made each other an accountability list to help them maintain good habits like prayer, reading the bible, and turning to God in times of need, even after the camp finished.
“I have written down my prayers everyday since then, I’ve never stuck with anything this long. I’m really excited to be able to talk to God every night and see how He has been at work in my life.”
Earlier this year, Stephanie came back to WWJ; this time as a volunteer leader. After years of being encouraged by the testimony of those who had led and shared with her, Stephanie was inspired to do the same.
“Being able to share a little bit of my faith and testimony, and to go into the deeper questions to see where these kids are at their trust in Jesus is really really important, and it’s our duty as Christians to share this amazing gift.”
Everyone has a story. This summer, will you partner with us to invest in the life stories of young people like Stephanie? Your gift will go towards training, equipping and resourcing Christian workers, leaders and volunteers in communities across Australia.