Alexis’s Story
I come from a very broken family. My father took drugs, abused my mother and later abandoned us. As a child my grandmother took me to church, so I learned Bible verses and listened to the Word with other children. That was a source of comfort to me, but because of my situation at home I was very skeptical about whether Jesus was really taking care of us. It felt like the world had turned its back on us.
As I grew older, I shied away from going to church. I started questioning the things that were happening and became more and more selfish. I thought I could handle everything on my own. On the outside I looked like the bright, bubbly, blonde cheerleader type, never burdened by my poor life choices. I partied all the time and got involved with drugs and alcohol. I gave my body away so that I would feel needed. I stopped eating, and instead I would drink until the anger and sadness overwhelmed me. I had a few close encounters with death, but I survived, and then felt guilty that I had. I felt like I didn’t deserve to be alive.
After an extremely abusive relationship and the deaths of a few people close to me, I hit rock bottom. I ended up in a behavioral health center for suicidal thoughts and abusing medication.
I met a great friend, Jody, who was a member of Compassion Christian Church. She told me that she could see something good in me. She could see through my anger to a glimmer of compassion and told me I could do great things for Jesus. She invited me to church again and again until I actually felt Jesus speak to me and gently tell me to go.
Until that point in my life, I had never understood that I needed to change. I thought I could read a devotional, say a prayer at night, and keep on living in sin and anger. I attended church hoping for quick fix without having to walk the walk with Jesus.
At Compassion Christian Church I saw truly loving and compassionate people who reflected how loving and compassionate Jesus is. I heard Cam speak and offer wisdom that applied to daily life. I found myself being more compassionate to others without having to try. I felt a peace that I never had before and a love that is genuine and warm. Then, in little whispers, Jesus continued to bless me with friends, peace, a wonderful and personal relationship with Him, and the understanding that I am not alone in this life.
Because of my connection with Jesus and the example of other believers, I knew I was ready to live my life with Him. I was baptized on my 30th birthday. Even though I was so undeserving of His grace and love, I knew that my sins were washed away and I was forgiven and made brand new. The things that haunted me were lifted off.
I trust Jesus with all of my heart. Because He changed me, I can lead others to Him. Every single person should experience the joy I have because of Jesus. I am looking into serving in the mission field. I still stumble every day, but I have people at Compassion Christian Church who pray for me and hold me accountable as well as help strengthen my walk with Jesus.
When I look back, it’s crazy to think that even though I always knew about Jesus and knew what was right, it took a church that acted in faith and, showed compassion for me to really understand my need for Him. Because of Compassion Christian Church, I have so many open doors of opportunity to serve Jesus and love bigger every day!!
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