I grew up going to church with my family, but when I was 12 my dad was diagnosed terminally ill with a lung condition and we stopped going as often. I got really depressed during that time and entered into high school looking for anything to distract me from my feelings. I fell into the wrong group and started drinking, getting into drugs and throwing myself onto any guy that would give me attention.

As things continued to deteriorate at home, I turned mostly to smoking weed and vaping and became very addicted. In my senior year of high school, I spent the night at a friend’s house and she invited me to church the next morning. That morning I went, I felt the Holy Spirit moving and knew I needed to change, but I didn’t know how. I spent the next year and a half feeling guilty and trying to change but it was hard with the group of people I surrounded myself with. I decided that in order to change I needed to leave my hometown completely.

In January of 2025, I transferred to UCF and ran into a campus minister from ROC shortly after. I learned how I was not strong enough to fight these addictions and battles on my own. I needed Jesus. And I needed to truly repent for my sins and give Him 100% of my life, because that’s what He gave me. I made that decision February 20th and got baptized on March 2nd! Now, I have been smoke and vape free for over two months and have been sharing the Good News about Jesus ever since! He has completely made me new again and I can’t wait to see what He does and how He uses me moving forward.

-Lauren