Will Beaty

I was raised in a God-fearing home. My parents taught me about Jesus and we went to church regularly. But my youth was filled mostly with selfish desires. As a teenager, I realized I knew about Jesus but I wasn’t following Him.

I faced my first real decision about church when my parents decided to change churches. I chose to stay because of friends and because it was comfortable. But I began to question why I believed in Jesus. I realized that I could no longer lean on my parents’ faith, but would have to make a personal decision to follow Him. It was during this time that I truly accepted Jesus as my Savior.

As I read the Bible I started to understand more about Jesus and how to live by faith. My actions and decisions became less selfish and more others focused.

The summer after my High School graduation, I was a counselor at a church camp in the mountains. That summer, Psalm 121:1-2 became very real to me:

“I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

I realized that I couldn’t be a Christian on my own strength but would have to fully rely on God. Over that summer, God also began directing me into the ministry. Over the next 10 years, I volunteered as a youth pastor and worship leader until going into the ministry full-time.

Over the years, I’ve faced some challenges and my faith hasn’t always been as strong as it should have been. But through it all God has consistently and faithfully guided every step of my life. Now I cannot imagine living a day apart from Jesus and can honestly say, “My help comes from the Lord.”

Will Beaty