My name is Brenna Unrath
              and this is my story...

I have attended Orchard Hill Church since I can remember. I clung to my mother in the four year old room at the Chapel; I began KidsQuest upstairs in the Chapel and finished my elementary years in the hallway here in this building. I did KidsFest every year I could and I still have almost every shirt saved. This church is where I got my foundation in God. I was poured into by so many volunteers, as were my parents, who then brought the teachings home and raised me on them. I heard how much God loved me and how He sent His son, Jesus, to die for my sins. In fifth grade that all finally sunk in when I committed myself to a relationship with God.

In middle school, I went to some of the summer camps with church. I went to Surf City twice and I remember each year I had an amazing spiritual experience. I was surrounded and poured into by people who had so much love for God for an entire week. My leaders and the camp staff were so passionate about loving me and helping me grow. When I got home, though, I didn't get involved in middle school ministry. I still went to church and my parents were great, but they couldn't understand the stress I felt in middle school. They didn't talk about the pressures I faced and how to keep my relationship with God strong when it wasn't the cool thing to do in school.

I entered high school unsure about my faith and if God even existed. I was surrounded by my peers asking questions I couldn't answer. What if everything I had ever learned was a lie? What if everyone thought I was stupid for letting myself believe in God? Even with these questions and doubts, there was still something in my heart that couldn't just give up the idea. I truly believe that it was the solid foundation set in my childhood that kept me from completely rejecting God and the church. During this time my parents were encouraging me to go to high school Club. I was nervous because I didn't feel like I was as involved as everyone else and I didn't know many people. I started going on the weeks that I could convince a friend to go with me - someone I was comfortable with who wasn't freaked out about the idea of playing video games at a church on a Sunday night. I applied to be a KidsFest leader that summer and I was feeling a little better about my faith. I still didn't see it as a committed relationship though. It was more like I could fall back on the knowledge of God's love whenever I needed it, but other than that I hardly thought about it. God became important at church and whenever I was with my church friends.

During training for KidsFest, we were asked to write the story about how we received Jesus in our lives and then figure out how to share that with the kids in our group. We were challenged to really think about where we were with God and to be completely honest with ourselves. It was in that difficult moment that I realized I had never fully understood my need to be in relationship with God. I was so fortunate to have some amazing people in my life at that time who helped me struggle through those issues. I was finally honest about my relationship with God, or lack thereof.

Since then, I have had the opportunity to learn and grow so much. Through small groups, Bible studies and some amazing friendships, I have been able to develop in my faith, to grow closer to God, and to spread those changes into other areas of my life. It has been in my small group and great friendships that I have experienced the love of God that I have heard about all my life. It has been absolutely amazing to live in the realization and feeling that I am loved and accepted. I still struggle with questions, peer pressures, and choices, but now I can clearly see my need for God and for relationships, and I have been so blessed to have people in my life who can pour into those needs.

I've also had the chance to serve God in some incredible ways since that realization as well. I have gotten really involved in KidsQuest and Middle School Impact. Through both of those I have met the most wonderful kids. I absolutely love them and I love having the chance to talk with them and support them through the pressures they face in their lives. Last summer, I was so fortunate to go to Mexico and serve with a group of peers from Orchard Hill. I have so much love for the people down there. I could see in so many of them that it was only by the love of God that they were getting by day to day, living in poverty, surrounded by garbage. I saw kids' faces light up when we drew pictures or played catch with them. We didn't understand each other's language, but the bonds I made with some of those children made it so hard to leave. These chances to serve have all been so rewarding, and I have learned so much from them, but I know that I wouldn't have been able to do it if people hadn't first poured into me. It is the passion for God that has grown in me that has made me want to help others find that passion and feel that love.

This summer I am going to be a KidsFest Intern. I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to have more of a leadership role in the camp that once molded me. This fall I will be attending Westminster College and going in exploratory. That's another name for undecided, or I have no idea what I want to do with my life, but I completely trust that God will direct me to what He wants me to do. Going to college is a little scary because I know it is another time for questioning and doubts. This time, however, I am excited for the challenge and for all the things God has in store for me to learn.

My name is Brenna Unrath, and this is the beginning of my story.