Katie's Story  

I "asked Jesus into my heart" when I was  5 years old.  That means I supposedly gave Him ownership of my heart.  (Truthfully-I didn't really give him control.)  Throughout my childhood and teen years I claimed more and more control over my own life.  Church and Christianity were major parts of my life so I "did the right thing" - but I was missing out on an intimate relationship with Jesus. 

After spending years doing the "right thing" for everyone in Juneau to see, I went away to college and had my first real opportunity to live for Jesus without an audience.  At the University of North Alabama I found a fantastic group of Christian college students at the BCM.  Once again I had an audience for whom I "performed" my Christianity. 

Alabama was fabulous for several reasons.  The best part of being there was the time God revealed Himself very clearly to me in February of 1995.  I was sitting in a college Bible study and started listing my complaints to God.  (Throughout 1994 I had experienced a variety of trials and tests- starting with losing my student loans in January and ending with a car accident in December.)   As I whined to God, He showed me that the things I was whining about were basically things I had brought on myself.  In every situation I presented to Him, He redirected the "blame" so that I was forced to accept responsibility for my own life.  Then He impressed on me -as real as an audible voice- that I had to choose whether I was going to submit my life to Him or not.  It was as if He told me that it was time to "walk the talk," get serious about being a Christian, and quit the game I had been playing.

Of course, I was overwhelmed with the realization that I had missed out on a real and intimate relationship with my God.  I could barely drive home-but when I finally made it to my apartment, I lay on my bed and confessed to God how messed up my life was.  I begged His forgiveness and direction.  Because of my car wreck, I was in physical therapy- litterally learning how to walk again.  And as my body learned to walk again- so did my spirit.  God drew me back to Himself and taught me how to trust Him for everything. 

Almost immediately,  I began to experience the exciting life of following Christ.  After just 2 years in Alabama, He sent me back to Juneau to the University of Alaska Southeast.  I never felt a specific direction to pursue a degree- but applied for the elementary education degree program.   I'm certain that the reason I went back was to help with the UAS Christian Fellowship.  We began college ministry in September 1995.  The experience was incredible. We had the privilege of leading students to Christ for the first time and helping many students return to relationship with Jesus. There's no way I could ever say that following Christ is boring or "lame." 

From UAS, God allowed me the experience of working with teens on Prince of Wales Island.  In that year (97-98) God taught me about his grace and mercy.  I experienced faith in Christ in a way that I had never before experienced.  It's in those times when I had nothing but Jesus, that I had to trust Him completely for EVERYTHING.  If God had allowed me to stay forever,  I would still be on Prince of Wales Island.  But His plans were not mine.  As we know from Proverbs, I can plan in my heart but God directs my steps. 

So I returned to Juneau with hestitation (I was sad to leave my island).  I had no idea when I left POW, that God's plans included a future for me at Glacier Valley Baptist Church.  But that's God for you.  I spent another year in school before surrendering completely to God's call on my life into full time ministry with students.  I was suprised when GVBC hired me in October '99 and I still wrestle with the issue of being paid to minister.  But I can honestly say there is nothing I would rather do.  God has blessed me with so much;  I only regret the years I wasted out of fellowship with Him. 

The reality is that Jesus Christ gave his life for me and for you becuase that's the only way we can enter into relationship with Him- our perfect God.  The consequence for avoiding God's perfect plan is separation from holy God. So, the saccrifice of a perfct life was required to pay the consequence for my sin and your sin.  When Jesus died on the cross- He did it because it was the only way you and I can live forever with Him in eternity.  The crazy thing about this is the fact that so many people refuse to admit that they need His help. 

So many people try to "do enough" to earn Heaven.  But God has already "done" it..  Jesus did what needed to be done 2000 years ago.  It's just a matter of each person accepting what He already has done.  When I realized and admitted that I had screwed up and desperately needed Jesus to help me, I accepted the fact that Jesus Christ is my only Savior- the only One I want to follow.  (Doing life MY way instead of HIS way was a bad idea!!)

I still struggle with giving Jesus complete control over every area of my life. But I rest firmly in the promise that He will never leave me.  He will never desert me.  And I can only thank Him for being patient with me now.   Working with GVBC Youth Ministry has been a challenge and an honor.  Please pray with me that I will truely live for Jesus.

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.  Acts 20:24

Living for Jesus,  Katie