News & Views

Hi my name is Laura and I'm based at my home church which is Bishopbriggs Community Church in Glasgow.  I became I Christian about 4 years ago and it was really clear to me that I had a big heart to serve God in any way that I could. I didn't really know what God wanted for me and in what way He wanted me to serve Him. This resulted in me trying lots of different ministries which ended up being very tiring as I wouldn't give any of them up due to a fear of confrontation. Then my church pastor suggested that I do DNA. I was really keen to be involved but it was a great sacrifice for me initially due to finances. I rent a house with my mum so I had all the usual bills to pay plus previous debts. When I made the first step by accepting a place on DNA, God really blessed me in a huge way. Through prayer I ended up having my monthly bills, travel costs and DNA fees provided for. This has been an amazing faith building exercise for me and has helped me to completely rely on God for all my needs.
 
The teaching I have received has been excellent. Its been such a privilege to learn from people who actually practice what they teach. God has done some amazing things within me through these lessons. I will give you a few examples. On the first term residential Ness Wilson spoke on Identity in Christ. During this time I learned that I had been trying to earn God's love and approval by doing as much service as I could. I also learned that I got my identity through others approval of me. By the end of the session I was able to accept that God loved me for who I was and that I shouldn't focus on other peoples view of me as only God's view was important.

 

I have also been on the Kairos programme whilst on DNA which teaches on Gods heart for world mission. He blew my mind and completely shattered my preconceived ideas of mission. I started the week thinking that in no way was I meant to go abroad for mission but I really wanted to find out how I could be involved in the diverse cultures in Scotland. In the middle of the week I realised there was a bit of Jonah in me where I was stomping my feet saying "God in no way will I go, even if you need me to". The change came after I watched a DVD about a tribe who after hearing the gospel from missionaries, gave there life to the Lord almost instantly. They then decided that they would share the good news with the other surrounding tribes. I was really moved at how simple it all seemed to them. I then started to pray about this and God showed me how much His heart ached for the unreached. At this point I was completely broken. At the end of the week I still didn't know whether it was intended for me to go abroad but I was totally willing to go if He wanted to send me.
 
I'm now starting term 2 with all the barriers knocked down that were keeping me from seeing the bigger picture. I have never been so pleased to have everything up in the air, not knowing what's going to happen next. I feel that I'm starting to get firm foundations and that Gods voice is becoming much more clearer for me.  My relationship with God has become very intimate and He has shown me that in His love, anything is possible. I value myself and realise the potential I have. I no longer get my worth from other peoples praises. I have become very bold and full of joy! And that's all in the space of 4 months! I don't know what will happen in the next 4 months but I do know I'm going to embrace all that God has for me.