Jalisa

My name is Jalisa, and I just finished my first year at USF! I’m from Wisconsin and grew up in a Christian home, but I didn’t really know who God is.

We went to church on Sundays, knowing “of Christ,” but because I was surrounded by different forms of chaos and hardships, I chose to do my own thing. I took as much control of my life as I could. On the outside, I appeared to be a “good” kid. I did well in school and never got into trouble. However, I didn’t like the way I was leading my life. I didn’t like the heaviness of trying to carry everything on my own and controlling my life. I didn’t want the pressure and burden of everything being on my shoulders, and it got to the point where, during the summer after my sophomore year of high school, I truly gave it all to God and let Him take all my burdens and pain.

I knew I needed discipleship and community, so I made it a goal and prayer of mine that when I got to USF, I was going to find a church to really be involved with. The first week of school, I met a minister from Cornerstone while doing a survey. I was excited, as I was already considering going to Cornerstone. I attended Bible studies with this minister, and it forever changed my life. I received so much revelation of God’s love, healing, and a new understanding of what Christ did for me in one semester alone.

It was greater than I had ever experienced before. The Lord answered my prayer and brought me to a like-minded community that I could do life with as well. God laid all of this before me, and all I had to do was be obedient and trust Him!

This past spring semester, I joined the Bible Study Leader program at our church and was able to be used by God in seeing two girls put their trust in Jesus. It’s been amazing seeing how God, who met me where I was and saved me, has now given me the opportunity to be a witness to others so that they can come to know Him as well!

~Jalisa