Initially, she used her service as a way to get volunteer hours for a program at the church she attended with her family. Emily says she knew life in that church wasn’t for her but that she wasn’t quite sure what faith would look like in her adult life. She was told what she was good at, how she should apply it, and what she should strive for. However, something was missing.
Her time leading the preschoolers changed from “volunteer hours” into a passion that fulfilled her. She met Christians who cared for her, valued her, and trusted her to teach and love the young pre-school kids. In Emily’s words, she was learning right along with the kids about God’s love and freedom. Her experience of God up to that point in life had been rehearsed, structured, and lacking connection.
Emily felt accepted and embraced at Pathway Church— she finally felt Jesus speak within her after years of going through the motions. This allowed her to begin asking “What if?” What if I left my parent’s church? What if I switched from a business degree to an elementary education degree? What if I stopped seeking approval and started pursuing my passions?*
These “What if?” questions led to the decision to be baptized, and on August 24, 2014, Emily took the plunge. She says that baptism is just scratching the surface on a relationship with Christ and that it has led to an overwhelming peace and sense of support from those around her. Emily now volunteers with Elementary kids and recently became engaged to Truman Shumway who has been an active part of Pathway for many years.
Emily’s story is an encouraging look at what it means to ask the question, “What if?” What if each of us would step out in faith and break the mold to pursue a tangible, meaningful relationship with God?