Testimonials . . .

I have been surrounded by church and faithful followers of Christ my whole life.  My grandfather is a pastor, my mom is a teacher of the women’s group at her church, and my aunt and uncle are musicians.  I’ve had my ups and downs and my questions about God, but no matter what, God always brings me back to where He wants me to be, and I’m standing in the strongest faith I’ve ever had. 

A few months ago, I dreaded going to church.  I didn’t have a youth pastor, or a youth group for that matter.  I felt unwelcomed by some of the people I would encounter at that church.  When I got invited to the New Year’s Lock-In with the X-Factor youth group, I was excited, to say the least.

As the weeks have gone by, I have found something that I haven’t had for the entire 20 years of me being in church.  I found a loving youth group.  These young adults may be younger than I am, but I absolutely love being with them.  They are so welcoming and full of life, it’s refreshing.  Everyone befriends each other and at lock-ins or girls’ nights out or just chat time before Wednesday and Sunday services, you’ll see a diversity of kids talking with each other.  There isn’t a barrier of judgments or drama in this youth group.  We pray for one another, we lift each other up; we care if one of us is under the weather, and most importantly, we worship together.  I have never seen a youth group this big that isn’t cliquey of full of drama. 

The faith shared in X-Factor is so powerful; it’s hard to put it into words.  These teenagers aren’t just my friends, they’re my brothers and sisters in Christ and I love all of them with my whole heart.

Meagan LeCroy