Even though I didn’t grow up in a Christian home, I went to a Christian school and had heard about Jesus. Eventually, I switched to public school and I thought I had a relationship with God, because I knew about Him, but as time went on I slowly drifted away from Him.

I struggled with depression and anxiety, and I developed a really strong fear of dying. I always felt like something was missing in my life, and no matter what I tried, I couldn’t fill that emptiness. I just felt lost and confused, trying to figure things out on my own. God didn’t leave me there, He started working in my life in a way I didn’t expect.

During my first semester at UCF, I met a campus minister from Rock of Christ Church and God used her in my life. Through her, I started to see that what I was missing wasn’t something, it was Jesus.

On August 17, 2025, I surrendered my life to Jesus and on September 7th I got baptized. Around that time, God gave me the strength to walk away from a relationship I was idolizing, and He blessed me with a new family here at Rock of Christ Church.

Since giving my life to Jesus, everything has changed. He’s been renewing my mind, healing me, and giving me peace I never had before. The anxiety, the depression, the constant fear of death, He’s taken all of that and replaced it with His joy, His purpose, and His presence. I’m not perfect, and I’m still growing, but now I know I’m not doing life alone. God is with me, and I have a church family that loves me and helps me draw closer to Him.

-Sofia