Comfort in His Word

Cassidy from Levin Corps reflects on how Easter Camp and a growing love of God’s word has changed her life.

Hi, my name is Cassidy. I am fifteen years old and live in Levin with my mum, stepdad and my three younger siblings. As a child I attended a Catholic school, and I enjoyed hearing and learning stories from the Bible at Sunday school.

As I grew older, I experienced some difficult times with friendships and bullying, and with family sickness and loss. I started doubting God and couldn’t feel Him anymore. I didn’t read my Bible and I felt very alone. I tried to figure out who God was and if He was real. I felt myself slipping into a dark place. When I finally opened up to my mum, her love pulled me back.

Things began to shift for me when my family began attending The Salvation Army corps in Levin. One day, I was in my room and the wind from the open window blew my Bible open to the book of John.

I remember knowing in that moment that God was trying to get my attention and that He needed me to hear His words. I began reading the Bible again.

As time went on, I met Vanessa, who was the youth leader at Levin Corps. I decided to attend Easter Camp in Hamilton, and this is where things really changed for me. When one of the worship songs was playing, I began to feel something different. I went to Vanessa and asked her if we could pray and she told me that feeling was the Holy Spirit.

I’d never felt anything like that before. Encountering Jesus in this way has changed my attitude. I’m more polite towards people and situations. I feel happier and my relationships with my family have improved.

 I’m so grateful for the people who have supported me in my faith. From the very start when I told my mum about experiencing the Holy Spirit’s presence, she was there for me. She was very positive and continues to support me in the same way.

My stepdad Lafi has been really good to me since he came into my family. Looking back, our relationship was a bit weak, but now it is more like a father–daughter bond. We’ve definitely grown closer.

Vanessa, my youth leader, has been amazing. When I shared what had happened to me at Easter Camp, she opened the door I needed. She jumped up and down saying, ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ She has continued to encourage me.

When things are hard or tricky, I lean towards my Bible. I never used to do that. When I read the Bible, I find comfort and wisdom, and I feel closer to God. My favourite verse is from Philippians 4:13: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’

I look forward to youth group every week. I enjoy the worship time and going through the Bible one book at a time. We open and close in prayer and also pray for one another. I love the feeling of everyone coming together for one reason—Jesus.