Ella Bee, a senior at Tallmadge high school, leaves a message to students who believe there is no positive, offering them advice to put their trust in Jesus.

Q: Who/what first introduced you to Christianity?

A: My parents are Christians and I was raised going to church so that I guess introduced me to Christianity.

Q: What is your testimony?

A: When I was around eight I think I knew Jesus loved me and died for my sins so I “accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.” It was not until around sixth grade that I started to pay attention and take ownership of my faith. From there I could talk about so many things where my relationship with God strengthened. One is around 2020 when my mental health was absolutely terrible and I was wrecked. The Bible became my lifeline.

Q: Have you been baptized? If so, when did you decide to? If not, are you planning on doing it? If you aren’t, why not?

A: I was baptized in March 2022. I thought about it for a while but worried I was “not good enough.” Finally, I decided to obey God and the whole point is that I trust in Jesus because I am not good enough.

Q: What is something you would tell a new Christian to help them learn more about God?

A: I would tell a new Christian to get plugged into a church, youth group, small group/Bible study, or something like that and read the bible and pray. It does not have to be anything fancy, you can come as you are and a little is better than nothing.

Q: What is your favorite go-to verse and why?

A: I do not really have a go-to verse. Certain ones stick out or are go-to during different times. Recently some have been Psalm 127:1-2, Ezekiel 36:25-27, and Exodus 33:15.

Q: Do you believe prayer has helped you? If so, why? If not, why?

A: Prayer is talking to God and it is how you get closer to Him and grow in a relationship with Him. So yeah, it has helped me with that and I have also seen God answer prayers.

Q: What has been your favorite part about your relationship with God?

A: My favorite part about my relationship with God is that He is a friend and a Father. He is with me all the time, He is sad and holds me when I cry, giving me joy and peace. He is life and He is good, loving, and trustworthy. It is crazy that the God of the universe is my friend and walks with me. He withheld nothing from us, even His son Jesus, and sent Him to defeat sin and death for us.

Q: What do you wish you could tell someone who does not like Christians/Christian religion? How would you convince someone to change their mind?

A: If someone does not like Christians or Christianity, I understand why. I think some people think Christians are judgemental and hypocritical, and honestly, some people misrepresent Christ. In general, though, we are still sinners and we mess up, and that is why we need Jesus. Also, I think people can look at Christianity as a list of rules but it is a relationship with God. When you know God and His heart, it is life-giving. People often say, if God is good why do bad things happen to good people? I do not think you can know the depth of God’s goodness and love without suffering. The hardest times of my life have helped me know God better. And on a side note, we are also sinners, so no one is good.

Q: What is one thing you wish you could change in our world and why?

A: Lastly, God is a personal God and He wants YOU and your heart. Not your parents’ faith, your pastors’ faith, church attendance, etc. It is the best decision you will make! I wish the world would love each other and build each other up. On the surface level, I wish there was no suffering, but like I said I think there is a purpose in it and there will be no pain in Heaven.

Q: Anything else you would like to share about yourself, your experiences, Christianity, FCA, etc?

A: Come to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes meetings, Friday mornings at 6:50 in the library! We eat food and someone speaks. Also, a group called YoungLife is starting and it is a fun hangout that is not like church. See Madame Julie Metzger or someone from FCA for details!