29/01/2019
Teen Finds Hope in God’s Word
Anzhela is 14 years old and lives in Armenia's Zoravan village. She proudly describes herself as a "schoolgirl" and is part of a teenager's group at her church. "My father and mother love each other, and I love my family," she beams. "My mother was a Christian my whole life, and she took me with her to the children's Sunday school at church."
However, like many teenagers, Anzhela began to rebel as she got older. "I didn't want to go to church anymore," she says quietly. "I was heavily influenced by my friends who didn't go to church at all, and I started thinking Christian things are worth nothing."
This all changed when her mother introduced her to some teens at her church who were studying the Word of God through Project Philip Bible studies. "My mother urged me to participate and give church another chance," she explains. "Some of my old friends from Sunday school told me they were having a great time at the Project Philip Bible study, and that I would definitely like it too. In the end, it was my friends who persuaded me to go."
Anzhela asked God to forgive her for staying away from the church, and now she is eager to go. She says, "It was great to be a part of a Project Philip Bible study! We had wonderful discussions, I learned more about the Word of God, and we played funny games. I would not want to miss out on that anymore." She says her mother is thrilled, and even though she has completed her Project Philip Bible study training, she is still a part of the group. Anzhela shares, "I want to share the Gospel with others. I want my non-believing friends to join this group as well. I have joy in my heart, and I am very happy. Of course, my mother is also very thankful for that!"
